The Fontanese Digest/Tenth Issue: Early February 2006
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| Price: Free Circulation Printed In Fontan City |
Contributing Editor:
Lady Abigail, Servant of Fontan space |
Issue No.10 Early February 2006 |
Battles across border regions
Contents
Fontan had to do some heavy work to defend her lands throughout January, as Oligarch was able to quickly regroup after they were driven back from Krimml last month. Dulbin, Evora, and even Braga fell to Oligarchian takeovers at various times. Another attempt was made on Montijo, but it was halted by some welcome assistance from Sirion. At the high point of the Oligarchian offensive, some of their raiders had even reached as far as Al Amarah and Oporto.
But their successes were not lasting. Fontan was able to retake Evora while the enemy was busy in Braga, and shortly afterwards came the forced end of their attempt in Montijo. The allied force then stormed towards Braga from both sides, driving out Oligarch's forces and allowing the battle-weary region to be repatriated. The trapped raiders in Al Amarah were easily defeated, and a small battle in Dulbin allowed its citizens, resentful of Oligarch's harsh misrule, to declare independence. After more than a month of hard fighting, Fontan's defenders have made sure that Oligarch has no more control in any of the lands it attempted to take by force.
Vote and election point to war
At the height of Oligarch's offensive, Sakima approached zedd with an offer. He proposed a cease-fire, and a swap of regions. Oligarch would take Evora, while Fontan would get Braga back and Oligarch would cease any claim to Montijo. Zedd supported the idea, but Fontan is a democracy and crucial decisions here are not made by the ruler alone. The issue was put to a realm-wide vote, in which nobles could declare whether they wanted a cease-fire or continued war. Debate and voting continued across several days, and the final tally showed that the realm clearly wanted to continue the fight, by a margin of 37-13.
The cease-fire issue may have hurt zedd in the February chancellor election. Lilith ran against him on a pro-war platform and narrowly ended zedd's long rule, 37.6% to 36.5%. For the second time in two months, one of Fontan's elections could have been decided by the vote of a single noble.
In mid-January Lycastus returned to the generalship after Hannibal stepped down. But Lycastus again wanted to try for Judge, so he wasn't running in the February general election. The two candidates this month were Sparky and Amanda. Sparky supported the cease-fire offer while Amanda opposed it. But the voters were also looking for experience, and Sparky won the election 42.9% to 27.4%.
Former judge Lilith only ran for chancellor, and several candidates stepped in to try to fill the open position. Tempest, Alexi, and Edward joined Lycastus to make a four-way competition. This time Lycastus suceeded, netting 37.6% of the vote while Tempest came in second place with 15%.
The banker position was less hotly contested, with only Gregor and Lancelot running. There had been considerable debate about the tax system in early January, but Gregor modified the distribution system to meet the nobles' demands. Voters seemed to be satisfied with the changes, as Gregor stayed on with a solid 56.5% of the vote.
A realm rises in the West
In early January a new colony was founded among the islands that violently rose from the sea not long ago. The fledgling realm soon came to be known as Kalmar Islands, and nobles from all across the continent trekked and sailed to become a part of this new founding. Throughout January the realm expanded to hold control over all the island regions. But it appears that the realm does not wish to expand beyond the isles for the forseeable future. It has allied with both of its neighbors, refusing to take a side in the continent-wide war, and has made peace with nearly all others. It appears that instead of war, their main focus for now will be to establish a new population and a new society on the formerly bare isles.
A new ally
In early February Fontan declared an alliance with Old Rancagua, formally enacting the friendship that has long existed between the two realms. After a long cease-fire, Old Rancagua has now also joined the fight against Oligarch, smashing their fortifications at Ashforth. Unfortunately Oligarch has retaliated and siezed control of Gadlock. Fontan's response could form a first impression that will be important for determining the future of the young alliance.
