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Island Prosperity! 27 December 1013
Yesterday we received this message:
Final Strange Tidings
This morning, the peasants and lesser nobility are buzzing about the disappearance of Marta and Moridin yesterday, when they appear once again in full public view. They are seen to arrive in a central space in each region and begin preparations for another ritual. Compared to the rituals performed in isolated areas last night, this seems to be much more elaborate.
Some people attempt to approach them, to speak to them or investigate more closely, but invariably, as they come near, they forget what they were doing and wander away.
Just as the sun is setting, the pair cease their muttering and drawing of mystic signs. They stand up straight, facing each other from across the largest circle they have drawn, raise their arms up at their sides, and each says four incomprehensible words. Then they turn outwards, hold out their hands palm up, as if inviting, and each says the word, "Balance," in a ringing voice.
Within moments, people notice snow beginning to fall, even in the hottest and driest of regions. The snow seems to bring the same warmth and joy that people felt when looking on Marta, and it immediately draws people into a celebratory mood. When they look back at where Marta and Moridin performed the ritual, however, they are gone, as is all evidence that they were there.
As the snow falls, it seems to have some strange effects. In some places, it burns the ground, and the crops and other plants there wither and die. In other places, it causes flowers and grains to spring up and grow with remarkable speed.
As the initial excitement of the snow dies away, there are also reports of people's moods changing: in some places, people seem to have grown more miserly, while in others, they seem to have embraced a spirit of giving.
As the lesser nobility discusses the happenings of the day, there is one thing, throughout the continent, that they can agree on: nothing will ever be quite the same again.
It seems that the amount of gold produced in many different regions across the continent has changed dramatically! Most regions of East continent have increased how much gold they produce. This is great news for Westmoor but also to the other lands of the East continent as well. In other news Vessol Mithridates the Kronogos (King) of Nivemus has stepped down from ruling the land citing old age and a desire to serve again as knight as the reasons. Vessol was also one of the joint editors of the White Tree Times for the duration that it ran for. The war against OI has certainly stagnated in recent times. Kazakh is still in OI hands after being sieged a number of times while Gadlock is still in Nivemus hands. Kazan has gone rogue. There was a time when both Kazan and Gadlock had been taken by Nivemus who was successfully sieging and breaching Kazakh. Now the war is looking as long and hard as ever so that the new Kronogos will have his work cut out for him or her in convincing the peoples of Nivemus to fight harder.
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Strange Tidings? 25 December 1013
Roughly four days ago we heard news from our bards of this:
Strange Tidings
Those lesser nobles that control the day to day lives of peasants have become unsettled over the last few days. They have received reports of a strange travelling couple, in numbers increasing by the hour.
The woman is reportedly homely, but pleasant and earthy. Those who have seen her report, absurdly, that she glows, and that to have her gaze fall upon you is to feel the warmth of life.
The man is described as nondescript, neither handsome nor ugly, and when he speaks, his voice seems to remind the listener of a close friend or relative. He exudes an aura of infinite patience, and those who met his eyes claim they felt their very soul bend.
Against all reason, they have been sighted in locations all around the realm, seemingly at the same time. Obviously, no reasonable person believes these reports.
And yesterday this:
Further Strange Tidings
Reports have continued to stream in from the peasantry and lesser nobility about the strange traveling pair. The only people they have been seen speaking with seem to be the occasional priest, who report the pair's mild interest in the realm's happenings, and their names. The woman, with a comforting smile, names herself Marta. The priests cannot recall the man naming himself, but are convinced his name is Moridin. After speaking to a few such priests, they have apparently headed off into the more inaccessible parts of each region.
Some of the most adventurous peasants have worked to track them, but in most regions, they seem to have simply vanished, the trail they were following turning out to be merely left by local wildlife of varying sorts. In some regions, however, they are able to follow them deep into wilderness or ramshackle tenements. There, they observe preparations for some sort of obscure rituals deep in the night. None stayed to watch the rituals complete; however, around midnight, in regions where the rituals were reported, the lesser nobility themselves report strange sights and sounds that they do not wish to attempt to describe.
There has been much chattering amongst the nobility of the land over these strange events. Some suspect Daemons some suspect angels at work but nobody really knows yet what is going on. Apparently tales have come across the sea of reports of these two characters in far away lands which we know to be impossible but as well as this tales come in of them being spotted all across the continent. Surely some magic is at work here?
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Rulers of the continent engage in friendly banter! 14 December 1013
The political heat in the south has been intensifying over the last few days as the rulers of the southern alliance and king Garin Indirik argued over Eponllyn's takeover of the region of Betholm. King Garin continues to state that this was purely to save the peasants from starvation and poverty after the region revolted from Perleone rule. King Nigel, King Nightmare and King Edvard have all told Eponllyn to leave the region while Sirion in the north has taken the opportunity to accuse Perdan of ruling the continent through fear. Don't believe my account? Then read our Letters page. It's chock full of long letters written by the rulers of the realms addressing the issue.
King Garin called on King Nigel to come to the discussion table over confirming claims to territories of the south which is likely to involve discussions over the isolated Noritor. He gave his assurance that Eponllyn would not be entering Oc Lu Pesh. Lots of issues were brought up on both sides relating to the Armonian succession and all the political hot points that caused. It's uncertain at this point how this conflict will develop.
Up in Caligus Sirion recently scored a victory taking out most of Fallangard's army in Supra. It seems this war will go on for some time longer even though Caligus has been severely crippled. So far though this war is firmly going in favor of the southern alliance with little to no damage done by Caligus and Sirion to Perdan or Fallangard lands. Sirion and Caligus need Eponllyn to enter the war to have any hope of victory or stalemate and will likely be pushing hard at this time to try and persuade them to enter. For Eponllyn though the stakes are very high. What they have achieved is reminding the rest of the south that they exist. Whether this will result in the diplomatic negotiations Eponllyn is seeking or not remains to be seen.
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Political heat in the south? 13 December 1013
According to a reliable source relations between Eponllyn and Perleone recently heated up in the south after the region of Betholm went rogue a few days ago. As can be seen in regional news Eponllyn then moved it's army into the region and took the region over. This could very well lead to war between Eponllyn and Perleone if they can't find a compromise. Perleone has since the succession and subsequent destruction of Armonia had tense relations with Perleone ever since. The Duchy of Itorunt changed hands to Perleone and then to Eponllyn during the political games of the south as the dukes and nobles worked out which realms to best align themselves to. This left the region of Norritor in the hands of Perleone surrounded by Eponllyn lands and something Eponllyn will probably try to ask for back.
Eponllyn's action of taking Betholm does achieve one thing and that is to force Perleone to talk to them. It puts pressure on Perleone who are busy with aiding Perdan and Fallangard with their war against Caligus and Sirion. Sirion has since arrived back at the front and the face off between the lands two most powerful realms begins anew again. Word from Perdan reveals that Caligus was unwillingly to accept the surrender terms given to them by Perdan last week hence the recent military action. The Caligus region of An Najaf recently joined Sirion in the north.
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Caligus Surrenders 7 December 1013
Word around the continent is that Caligus has surrendered to Perdan and the triple alliance. The illness of Caligus' former King and betrayal of the duchy of Hamadan seem to be have proven fatal wounds to Caligus in the war and have left the new king Actron Burep in a position that would have guarantied the eventual defeat of Caligus. With Perdanese and Perleone armies looting the surrounding regions outside of Domus the capitol was in grave danger of an assault. The armies have began withdrawing while negotiations take place. It's uncertain whether Sirion will want to continue the war now that Caligus has offered their surrender.
In other news Nivemus determined to stomp out OI's last victory was successful in beating the Obsidian Islander's army in Kazan today. It is ironic that the war between OI and Nivemus is outlasting the war in the south on both ends of time.
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Duchy of Hamadan joins Fallangard! 5 December 1013
In a shocking turn of events the Caligus duke of Hamadan changed his entire duchy to the realm of Fallangard. Ironically it was just last week in November that the region of Igno defected from Fallangard to Caligus with a heavy defense of militia. Now that region has gone back under Fallangardian control with the duchy succession. Percival Prestongreen the duke was responsible for the move. In a separate move a few hours later the region of Mines of Isadril also changed into Fallangard led by the lord of the region George Talratheon whom we remember fondly for his time in Westmoor. Lord George left Westmoor in late June of this year to aid Caligus back when the realm was suffering against Perdan in the three on one war. His brother Jameson remains judge of Caligus and he will probably fall under suspicion from the local government fair or unfair as it may be.
It really cannot be expressed how bad this latest event is for Caligus. It's not just bad it's really really bad. Obviously the city of Hamadan and the region of Mines of Isadril won't be turning back to Caligus any time soon as their region lords were the ones responsible. Will we see a counter succession from the lords of the regions also brought in with the switch? Possibly but if it does happen it will consist of one region that being Leibo. Why is this you may ask? This is because Leibo is the only other region in the duchy switch which has a lord. Leibo is governed by Juan Dela Cruz. Abadan, Igno and Mashhad are all without region lords. If you're a ruler or the leader of a duchy this is a good reminder. Appoint your region lords!! If you don't who's going to take the region back to you when an unfortunate event like this one happens?
As well as the loss of land, both Mines of Isadril and Tota had reasonably large militia defenses which forced Leibo into a choke point for invasions from the south. To enter Caligus now all Perleone and Fallangard have to do is walk right in to Supra or Winkamus and now the capital is right next door. More information as we get it!
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Editor Mathros
| Regional News
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| 27 December 1013
Undead!
Panic is spreading in Troyes after peasants spread rumours of an undead horde.
The peasants are living in fear and barely dare to leave their homes.
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| 14 December 1013
Huge Battle Fought
Rumours spread and tales are sung about a huge battle in Supra:
(rogue), Sirion vs. Fallangard, Perleone
Estimated strengths: 1710 men vs. 690 men
The Army of Sirion (Sirion), sponsored by Ecthelion Tezokian, Prime Minister of Sirion, Royal of Sirion, Duke of Sirion, Margrave of Sirion, were led into battle by Marshal Lisanna Simpson.
The Silver Legion (Sirion), sponsored by Erik Eyolf Serpentis, Royal of Sirion, Duke of Avamar, Margrave of Avamar, were led into battle by Marshal Giselle Relak.
Attacker Victory!
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| 13 December 1013
Takeover
message to Everyone on East Continent
Eponllyn has taken control of Betholm. The region used to belong to (rogue).
Battle in Westmoor
(rogue) vs. Westmoor
Estimated strengths: 40 men vs. 1240 men
The Westmoorian Bulwark (Westmoor), sponsored by Ravier Nebehn, Duke of the Western Moors, Margrave of Westmoor, Marshal of the Westmoorian Bulwark, were led into battle by Vice-Marshal Cross Thunder Strike.
Merewyn Kazan, Royal of Westmoor, Dame of Westmoor is spotted wielding the Ornate Broadsword of Slaying.
Defender Victory!
Battle in Hagley
Westmoor vs. (rogue)
Estimated strengths: 210 men vs. 10 men
Attacker Victory!
Family Investment
Sir Deklan Fuor, Ambassador of Westmoor, Baron of Evora, Priest of Church of Humanity has initiated an investment of 300 gold in the region of Evora. Production soars to 188 %.
Monsters!
Monsters have been seen in the region of Hagley.
The local population is requesting help and fears that the monsters will eat their food and destroy their houses.
Takeover
message to Everyone on East Continent
Caligus has taken control of Winkamus. The region used to belong to (rogue).
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| 7 December 1013
Huge Battle Fought
Rumours spread and tales are sung about a huge battle in Kazan:
Nivemus vs. Obsidian Islands
Estimated strengths: 740 men vs. 580 men
The Royal Obsidian Dragoons (Obsidian Islands), sponsored by Malius Songslayer, Shogun of Obsidian Islands, Viscount of Stora, were led into battle by Marshal Donovan Montague.
The Army of Nivemus (Nivemus), sponsored by Talius Valorian, Royal of Nivemus, Duke of Ashforth, Margrave of Ashforth, were led into battle by Marshal Catherine Chamberlain.
Sir Jai Mor Dundrave, Daimyo of Obsidian Islands, Duke of Kazakh, Margrave of Kazakh is spotted wearing the Brilliant Jacket of the Dragons.
Bavol Gottfried, Viscount of Dale is spotted wearing the Astonishing Ring of Life.
Sir Jai Mor Dundrave, Daimyo of Obsidian Islands, Duke of Kazakh, Margrave of Kazakh was captured by Vessol Mithridates's unit.
Attacker Victory!
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| 5 December 1013
Region Changes Allegiance
message to Everyone on East Continent
Mines of Isadril has changed its allegiance to the realm of Fallangard. The region used to belong to Caligus.
Huge Battle Fought
Rumours spread and tales are sung about a huge battle in Winkamus:
Fallangard, Perdan vs. Caligus
Estimated strengths: 580 men vs. 860 men
The Perdan's Furious Tigers (Perdan), sponsored by Sir Atanamir of Umbar, Banker of Perdan, Royal of Perdan, Duke of Aix, Margrave of Aix, were led into battle by Marshal Joreb deLacy.
Lodu Eirikr, Countess of Moyale is spotted wielding the Ruron's Shield against Undead.
Guenevere Lockhart, Dame of Domus was captured by Avaldamon de Vere's unit.
Jehovah Dela Cruz, Baron of Scio was captured by Kyara Awesome's unit.
Attacker Victory!
Duchy Changes Allegiance
message to Everyone on East Continent
Hamadan has changed its allegiance with all its regions to the realm of Fallangard. The duchy used to belong to Caligus.
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| 4 December 1013
New Ruler Elected
message to Everyone on East Continent
The realm of Caligus has elected Actron Burep as its new King.
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