Itorunt Informer/Issue 3

The Itorunt Informer
Price: Free! Written by the Exiled Family.	Bringing you the best of the press from Itorunt!	Issue number 3, February/March
Articles Included in This Issue: New ruler TK Jones takes the throne and political stance changes, Interview with Lucian, the leader of ARSE, TL's marching to help Yssria against Caligus,

TK Jones takes the throne and political stance changes

In a closely tied election for the throne, TK Jones emerged victorious over his rivals, prominent of which were Lucian, Emanuel and Girate. TK Jones immediately began sorting out realm affairs, and shortly after raised relations with Perdan to neutral and then made exchanges with Ubent. Shortly after, Ubent declared war on Itorunt, and the battles began to get interesting. the fight became more intense, as Perdan and Ubent teamed up to fight Ibladesh and Itorunt respectively. After a serious battle in Al Aquabah (which is rapidly becoming known as an arena of destruction amongst the southern troops) Perdanese, Itoruntian and Ibladeshian troops fought fiercly at the walls and in the streets of Al Arab, causing the loss of many soldiers. The Perdan troops were successful in taking the city, and immediately initiated a takeover. However, Itorunt had not been idle while its forces and its allies were routed. Itorunt had sent reinforcements, and they immediatey arrived to force Perdan troops from Al Arab to leave. In a great battle the battered Perdan troops won the battle, but the defeated troops mustered and relaunched the attack to defeat the occupying Perdan troops. Afterwards the bruised and battered Itorunt forces cycled back to Itorunt City to refit, while a group of Itorunt troop leaders and half of Ibladeshs army came to help push against Ubent forces in Ar Raggah. The combined might of these brave soldiers made Ubent retreat from the field, their army in ruins. Soldiers were then given leave to return to Itorunt lands to rest and refit, before a crack team of veteran TL's were assigned to help Yssria against Caligus.

Inteview with Lucian, former general and ruler candidate

At the office of the Itorunt informer we have been busy, and managed to secure an interview with Lucian, Knight of Jariedma. What are your thoughts on TK Jones being elected? I wasn't part of Itorunt when TK was first king. He is still more silent than I would have hoped, but he seems to be doing fairly well so far. I have no complaints. Do you think that him awarding Dukedom of Itorunt to Gopherman is a good idea, or should someone else have recieved it? Gopherman was not a bad ruler, and has been a loyal noble under Itorunt's banner for a long time. The rank of Duke of the capital of your realm is not a position to be given away lightly. Gopherman may not have been my first choice, but I can not think of many that would be otherwise worthy. Why do you think you were not elected? Three reasons: 1) In a monarchy, those with the most prestige have the most influence on elections. I like to think I had some reasonable support from the realm (as attested to those many people who spoke out supporting me), but in a monarchy it's the older 'circle' that has more influence than popular support. 2) Wartime is not a good time to change for an unknown. A former ruler and general with a long and proven history of competence would have been far more reasonable than someone who, while may have been an excellent ruler, might also not be. I suppose it's better to go with the known than the unknown when you and your allies are the cost of the unknown being the worse option. At least then there's something constant in a world of conflict and uncertainty. 3) My two weeks as general weren't the greatest. I will admit that. Despite how I might claim that it's unfair to have judged me on a two week period, during which time there was a fall in communcation with allies (caused both by general miscommunication AND our allies having gone through three military authorities in that two weeks (being the former general Targe who was captured, Pontifex Sorcha between then and the elections, and Doomgiver after the elections)), that kind of thing hits hard on people. Although I hope at least some of my students recognise my failings during that time as the failure of the moment rather than a lack of ability. War's never easy, and that might have showed them just exactly how all the knowledge you can have doesn't mean you can always plan well. If they understand that, there would be at least one good thing come out of that. Although overall I was still pleased with how I went. Maybe next time it comes that we must choose a new ruler, we will have a King Lucian? What is your view regarding Ubent, Caligus and the Perdan Troops in Zawr? I feel Ubent is simply grabbing the chance. They are not a large realm but they used to be, and they are trying to tag on to Perdan to try and recover some of that. Ubent doesn't have enough gold to raise an army to challenge another realm on their own, so they need to have a bigger friend (in this case, Perdan) in order to have a successful campaign. Although, with their forces now in the south rather than alongside Oligarch, I feel the northern situation will finish all that much quicker, which I hope will also bring a quicker end to in the south than we otherwise would have (being relative stalemate). Caligus I have no idea why they are fighting. The same reason everyone else is, I suppose - old disputes. Perdan recognised Itorunt as only fighting for their ally, as Perdan itself was, and there is no direct dispute between us. The people of Zawr decided against the people of Ibladesh, and chose to go with us. If we are truly not at war with each other, but are only there for our allies, why are we allowing Perdanese troops to still loot in Zawr? It is our region now, not Ibladesh's. Either we will have war or we will fight for our allies - we should not be allowing our lands to be attacked at their will when we are meant to be neutral to each other. Although I can understand their reasoning why they would do so...

Regions joining Itorunt, and army moving to attack Al Aquabah

Over the course of the last few days two regions have revolted and joined Itorunt. First Zawr joined Itorunt and then the next day Az Zarqua revolted and follwed suit. Perdan then beganm to loot Zawr, burning food and robbing tax collectors. This unsettled many people in Itorunt, and many nobles called for immediate action against Perdan troops in Zawr. Most have now withdrawn to Al Aquabah, and were involved in a huge battle in Ibladesh city, in which a Ubentish and many Perdanese troop leaders were captured. This battle has ended undecided and much speculation is going on as to the plans going on in the corridors of power. Forces from Itorunt are heading ot help our brave ally, as we seek to defend our position, as should Ibladesh fall we will be robbed of our closest ally. Robert, Count of Zamor and Marshal of the army of Semall is leading the reinforcements, as he inspired the movement by saying "Travel with me to Al Arab! I am leaving Zamor this turn. We need to help Ibladesh!". That this brave soldier would leave his own region to defend an ally is an admirable concept. Many agreed and ordered their men forward, but Alan replied by saying "Way ahead of you Robert, my men are already riding". A fearsome force is now riding to assist Ibladesh in their capital. Forces are now racing ahead to break the stalemate in Ibladesh, and drive the Perdanese forces from the streets. Morale is high, and our fresh, well trained and well equipped forces are optimistic that Perdan will fall. Ibladesh's position is currently unknown, with all major government figures falling in the battle to defend their capital. Perdan has been advertising these proudly, unaware of their impending doom.

Perdanese forces routed!

Today the army marched into Al Aquabah and engaged the Perdanese troops. As the armies lined up with Itorunts brave archers having their bows levelled, the call came forward: "Ready! Aim! Loose!". Huge numbers of arrows fell upon the Perdanese dogs, almost blotting out the sun in quantity. Of course, usually someone would have come up with a smart reply to this but before they had time to think of one they lay dead, 20 arrows in each soldier. As the second round of fighting commenced the infantry clashed, and sword strokes fell thick and fast. the archers drew more arrows and loosed again. Many Perdanese troop leaders were wounded or captured, and then the infantry fell back. The third round of fighting commenced, and the cavalry charged in. Itorunt superior numbers and training of cavalry ensured that the Perdanese forces were struck from saddle and driven into the ground. The archers exchanged arrows once again, and to devastating effect this time. Archers of Sint, the last Perdanese archer unit was driven back by the rear escort of 60 archers and a hero with a bow. As the infantry and cavalry clashed once more the Perdanese forces were overwhelmed, and overkill ensued. Perdanese troops were sent turning in circles, trying to see which attacker woud strike first. There was one Perdanese unit that deserves to be mentioned though. Mentioned as the most cowardly Perdan unit on the battlefield. This late arriver was "PMW - ][ - Fragbait", a unit of 110 infantry that had decide that they could no longer hide. Of course, hiding didn't help them, as the hit count decided: "PMW - ][ - Fragbait (26) take 3261 hits (2067 in close combat, 1194 from archer fire), which cause 110 casualties, wiping the unit out." HAH! That'll teach you; he who fights and runs away, lives to die another day. Their commander, Michalastar (Knight of Perdan) was captured by Itorunt forces, and is now safely locked in a cell in the Itorunt gaol. Finally, the battle was almost won, when the last remaining unit consisting of 3 archers loosed their last set of arrows. Naturally, this did nothing to delay their impending doom, as all the Itorunt archers took careful aim and fired at these Ubentish units. The result was that their commander, Xanatos al was wounded and the battle was won. Ibladeshian forces look to be reforming, and the Perdan and Ubent forces are scuttling home with their tails between their legs. And the best part of the battle? Not one Itorunt noble fell. After the battle all remaining troops with insubstantial losses took to hunting, and soon after came the reports. Initially the hunting reports were cut and dried, such as "2 slodiers surrendered, 5 fought" and such, but then one troop leader came forward and annouced that his men were so happy about hunting Perdan troops that their morale had gone up. Soon after more TL's announced that their men were also enjoying these hunting sessions, but then Manfred, Royal Treasurer of Itorunt sent out his report, saying: "My volunteers seemed to enjoy the thrill of the hunt after a victory as well, Hunting Report (2 hours, 33 minutes ago) One hunting party of 22 men meets 2 enemies of the =PCW=Spears of Destiny unit, who immediately surrender. One hunting party of 17 men meets 2 enemies of the PMW - ][ - Fragbait unit, who immediately surrender. One hunting party of 10 men meets 2 enemies of the PMW - ][ - Fragbait unit, who immediately surrender. One hunting party of 22 men meets 3 enemies of the PMW - ][ - Fragbait unit. The enemy doesn't surrender and your men attack, wiping the enemy party out. 0 of your men die during the fight. One hunting party of 16 men meets 2 enemies of the =PCW= Solacesta Elite unit, who immediately surrender. One hunting party of 20 men meets 2 enemies of the =PCW= Solacesta Elite unit. The enemy doesn't surrender and your men attack, wiping the enemy party out. 0 of your men die during the fight. Morale rises by 1 points." Gone are the days when Itorunt could not hold a candle to it's enemies in terms of military might, for now even the great numbers of Perdan's soldiers cannot prevail! And not even against the whole of Itorunt's army! Itorunt shall become great!