| Commentary and Editorials
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| The First Battle of the Caligus-Dunneran War
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Reports are coming in that the armies of Caligus and Dunnera have clashed in Negev. While having less than half of the forces of Caligus, Dunnera without any marshals apparently leading their armies, managed a victory against the larger and more powerful realm. We have yet to heard or seen any battle reports so we do not know the details of the battle and if the victory for Dunnera did not come at great loss. Regardless, it is certainly curious and makes us wonder what happened to Caligus.
| Report |
| Huge Battle Fought
Rumours spread and tales are sung about a huge battle in Negev:
Caligus vs. Dunnera
Estimated strengths: 760 men vs. 370 men
The Caligus' Golden Talons (Caligus), sponsored by Dobromir Menethil, King of Caligus, were led into battle by Marshal Crescent Strika.
Sir Actron Burep, Royal Treasurer of Caligus, Count of Abadan is spotted wielding the Doomed Arrow of Doom.
Defender Victory! |
-Editor Vessol on September 29, 2012
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| The Curious Case of Skezard.
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| It has been reported that Sirion has retaken the island of Skezard, the first time in awhile that Sirion has controlled the island. Skezard has always been a strange place and has never been held for long by any realm. In my time in Sirion I recall numerous times young knights calling for us to retake the island of Skezard and their proposals were always rejected. With its remote location, the only transportation to the island is a very rare and long ferry ride from Blaastambar, it's not hard to see why. The island is plagued with constant monster outbreaks that destroy its minimal infrastructure and population. The time and effort that it takes to send units to Skezard is simply not worth it, especially in wartime when those forces are needed elsewhere.
I would argue that Skezard is a sort of indicator of the upper health of Sirion. Things must be very peaceful domestically and abroad for Sirion to even consider retaking Skezard.
But, what is on Skezard? As someone who has never traveled there, I do not know first-hand. From other's accounts I can gather it is a rocky land with poor soil. Those that do live there often sustain themselves from fishing and stonecutting. The monsters that are seen there are fierce indeed, massive ogre's and daemons being not an uncommon sight.
Skezard may not be a good place to live or rule, but it certainly captures the attention of all those who first look at the map of the Eastern Continent and see that little island sticking out.
-Editor Vessol on September 27, 2012
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| Caligus announces war with Dunnera once again.
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It seems that the tentative compromise set between Dunnera and Caligus has fallen apart. The direct reasons are unknown as of now, but rumors are that the primary motivation of King Dobromir re-engaging in hostile actions against Dunnera is due to his brother, Aiden Menethil, not being re-granted the Dukeship of Fontan that was stripped from him after he destroyed the infrastructure and recruitment centers of that city.
| Letter from Dobromir Menethil |
| Message sent to Message sent to the Rulers of East Continent (8 recipients) |
| Greetings,
This is an official letter which all of you already knew would happen. Caligus is preparing military action against the realm of Dunnera. I have extended an invitation to my former friends including King Traemlin back into Caligus if he so wishes. I intend to reclaim Viseu, An Najaf and Fontan city only.
Signed,
Dobromir Menethil
King of Caligus |
| Dobromir Menethil |
-Editor Vessol on September 26, 2012
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| Compromise Reached between Caligus and Dunnera!
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| The news is spreading across the land: Dunnera and Caligus have reached a compromise. Dunnera has banned the former Royal Treasurer of Dunnera, Davis Nosferatus, the one involved in the altercation with King Dorbromir's brother, and, in return, Caligus has called off their war.
-Editor Neji on September 23, 2012
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| King Traemlin of Dunnera issues a response to King Dobromir.
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The situation between Caligus and Dunnera continues to develop. However, there are rumors however that a compromise between the two kingdoms is being made. King Traemlin of Dunnera recently sent a letter to the leaders of the realms:
| Letter from Traemlin Augulus |
| Message sent to Message sent to the Rulers of East Continent (8 recipients) |
| King Dobromir,
If you define freedom as corruption, than I will run a corrupt realm until the day that I perish.
Whether or not my banker may be interested in creating a "guild of shadows," I know not. This is the first I have heard of it. The matter will be looked into.
In essence, I will not bow down to your will. I am perfectly willing to stop this conflict from escalating, but first you must quit telling me to ban my nobles. In addition, you and your brother must quit calling my nobles commoners. It is befitting of a noble to challenge another's birthright, and something I find rather distasteful. I also find it distasteful to judge a noble based on his family history. Davis has proven to be devoted to Dunnera. He is ambitious, yes, but aren't you? I don't believe any of you would be rulers if you were not ambitious.
What is it that you fear from Dunnera, King Dobromir? Our right to make our own decisions? Perhaps you should have considered this before creating a sovereign nation, and a monarchy at that. I had even proposed to create Dunnera with a charter, and yet that was ignored. My intent had been to avoid problems exactly like this.
Traemlin Augulus
King of Dunnera, Duke of The Golden Coast, Count of An Najaf |
| Traemlin Augulus |
-Editor Vessol on September 21, 2012
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| Davis Nosferatus responds to King Dobromir of Caligus
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Davis Nosferatus recently sent me a letter in which he refutes many of the points brought up about King Dobromir and sheds more light on his side of the story regarding the situation:
| Letter from Davis Nosferatus |
| As editor of an important and my personal favorite newspaper and leader of an new independent nation, like Dunnera I want to share with you the truth of this outrage that has come from the Menethil family.
Your reporting was quite adequate and i could find no misinformation, however King Dobromir's letter does contain ALOT of simple blunt lies, things that are so far from the truth that I can't even see that these lies are derived from it.
The Menethils have become crazy and are desperately trying to destroy all of us.
Let me, for the sake of the truth correct all King Dobromir's lies in his last letter:
"Dunnera is completely corrupt and I refuse to leave a corrupt extension that I created left unchecked. Perhaps the Fontanese lands are cursed."
Well, I have no idea where he got the idea that we're corrupt, there is only one person in Dunnera that is corrupt and acted as a traitor to the realm and his name is Lord Aiden who is the most hated person in the realm as we speak.
There is nothing cursed to these lands, which is also an insult towards Duke Ryu and his duchy, not only Dunnera.
"Furthermore they are seeking to created a shadowy guild with secret agents in every realm. This means all of yours."
A desperate attempt to try and rally other realms in his favor, he knows he is wrongly attacking a sovereign nation and only doing so to help his spoiled brother.
My letter was sent very recently to a friend and former lord of mine with the question if he knew any assassins guild so i may hire one to send after Lord Aiden to prevent further damage to our capital, right now he raised taxes to max amount, destroyed all our RCs, closed the banks and disbanded all militia forces and i was not the only one who openly searched for a murderer to put Lord Aiden.
Unfortunately I am to late to prevent most of the damage being done.
There is no ' shadowy guild' controlled by me or King Treamlin (which he first claimed), there is only a shadowy guild and perhaps alot other things in King Dobromirs crazy, illusionary mind and my letter certainly does not proof or implies that at all.
I must admit that sending my letter was foolish, i should have never trusted that 'friend'.
I also despise the use of infiltrators and find it a dishonorable act, but if its the only and final option for the defense of my sovereign nation then i will use it.
"He is a former commoner and also part of the traitor Vlad Nosferatu whose faction nearly destroyed Caligus in the great war. He simply jumped at the opportunity for power and you were blind to it."
What does he mean with being part of some former Caligan King I have never met or heard about?
Is this another of his illusions playing in his mind? or does he confuse me of being someone else perhaps from a family with a similar name ?
He and Lord Aiden both have claimed to know my family before, I repeatedly asked him about this family and pointed out that I am not part of it, he seemed to understand back then.
Now he refers to this again as if we never spoke.
If this 'Vlad' Nosferatu and his 'faction' is or is not a traitor to Caligus, I do not know, as i said before, I never heard of him.
My father was a Abbot of Madina, and because my mother was from a infamous family, I was deported with nothing on me to this Continent where I served King Dobromir and other Caligans loyally until my nobility was recognized here in the EC.
I still curse the man for what he did to his blood own son...
As far as I know my father has no brothers or sisters.
"Caligus will simple be claiming Viseu, An Najaf and Fontan city as is under our rights. I will not take or do any damage to other lands."
Any war in this area will harm the whole area, including Sirion and Caligan lands.
He cannot 'simply' claim what he promised earlier to a new nation and every single noble in Dunnera will stand for this.
He can claim what he wishes, but he cannot suspect that we won't resist against this tyranny.
I'd also like to point out that formerly we were promised by the Mad King to be a independent nation, now he clearly states to us that we are supposed to be an 'extension of Caligus' as per his words.
There is no-one in Dunnera that is aware that we are supposed to be a puppet state and none of us would accept that.
Every single noble in Dunnera is shocked by this sudden madness from the mad King and it would be ignoble to sit and watch this dishonorable monster destroy and consume what ever his mad heart desires.
This whole ordeal started between me and Lord Aiden, he kicked me out of my estate and highly insulted me while demanding my resignation, he never allowed me to duel him, not till death not till surrender and not even against his champion.
All the judge did is act like any judge would to keep peace and order in the realm and he even came to his judgement after he counciled a jury of several Dunneran nobles.
It almost seems like Lord Aiden waited for the Judge to fine him for is negligence and ignorance towards the whole case so he and his brother could take the duchy back all for them selves.
No-one in Dunnera did nothing wrong or dishonored any agreements.
The Menethils are mad and need to be stopped before there madness reaches uncontrollable heights that will destroy not only Dunnera but perhaps many other vulnerable nations.
This conflict is a shocking and horrible display of dishonorable, ignoble, narcissistic and childish behavior of a big baby that doesn't get everything it demands, nothing more, nothing less and everyone should know it so we can be witness of the horrible acts of the Mad King of Caligus.
Share this with your newspaper as you see fit.
With Respect,
Aye,
Davis Nosferatus
Royal Treasurer of Dunnera |
| Davis Nosferatus |
-Editor Vessol on September 21, 2012
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| Caligus threatens war on Dunnera.
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| As some of you may recall, I posted a story in late August from an anonymous source within Dunnera who told of an altercation between the Banker of Dunnera, Davis Nosferatu, and the Duke of Fontan, Aiden Menethil, brother of King Dobromir. It seems that this situation has escalated.
After an altercation between Banker Davis Nosferatu and Duke Aiden Menethil(brother of King Dobromir), Caligus is readying for war against Dunnera. From what I have gathered, the former Duke Aiden shared King Dobromir's views on Banker Davis and accused him of treason. The Judge of Dunnera started a trial, Duke Aiden never answered and Banker Davis spoke in his defense. King Dobromir claims his brother was never offered a chance to defend himself. After Duke Aiden was fined(I assume for falsely accusing a noble of being a commoner and a traitor), the Judge of Dunnera says that the King's brother then threatened to bring Dobromir's wrath upon Dunnera, and disbanded all of the militia units in Fontan City while King Dobromir lowered relations. King Dobromir claims he gave King Traemlin a chance to restore his brother, and when that did not happen, he lowered relations.
That is all that I have gathered thus far on the conflict.
The King's official letter to the Rulers:
| Letter from Dobromir Menethil |
| Message sent to Message sent to the Rulers of East Continent (8 recipients) |
| Greetings Rulers,
I will be blunt. Caligus will be declaring war on Dunnera. The reasoning is quite simple. Dunnera is completely corrupt and I refuse to leave a corrupt extension that I created left unchecked. Perhaps the Fontanese lands are cursed.
Furthermore they are seeking to created a shadowy guild with secret agents in every realm. This means all of yours. Here is the folly of the recent attempt by the banker who is simply put making lies and manipulating the people there because he talks alot:
| Request from Davis Nosferatus |
| Message sent to Actron Burep |
| Lord Actron,
Apparently our nations are no longer Allied, do you have any idea why so?
Also i am looking for perhaps a guild that focuses on operations from the shadows, if you know what i mean.
We are looking to hire someone.
If you could help me, i'd really apreciate it.
PS, we are still loaded on food, we cannot buy none right now.
I will however personally buy it for dump prices of 10 gold per 100 bushels in Negev. |
| Davis Nosferatus |
Furthermore, King Traemlin never restored my brothers position as Fontan city Duke and kept it for himself. Yes, today I made an ultimatum that unless he sets things right war will come. He did not do so and in contrary he is trying to gather allies to help himself. I simply dont have anything to gain from this war. Everyone here knows me very well. You can still save yourself and Dunnera Traemlin by putting things right immediately. Davis nosferatu however has to be banned. He is a former commoner and also part of the traitor Vlad Nosferatu whose faction nearly destroyed Caligus in the great war. He simply jumped at the opportunity for power and you were blind to it.
I hope you all continue on your way there is no reason to escalate this. Caligus will simple be claiming Viseu, An Najaf and Fontan city as is under our rights. I will not take or do any damage to other lands.
Signed
Dobromir Menethil
King of Caligus |
| Dobromir Menethil |
-Editor Vessol on September 19, 2012
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| Tournament Results in Armonia
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We have recently received word that the tournament to commemorate the end to the War of the Southern Queens, has come to an end. Here is the report:
The tournament in Itorunt is over. 106 nobles from 9 realms fought and drank. There was a swordfighting and a jousting contest.
Walnar Of Stargard of Dunnera (Noble of Dunnera) won the swordfighting tournament (Jaroslav Principe of Eponllyn (Knight of Zamor, Eponllyn) came second place).
The jousting contest was won by Cain Erendegard of Sirion (Knight of Limbar, Sirion) (Second place: Joreb deLacy of Perdan (Knight of Montauban, Perdan)).
-Editor Vessol on September 15, 2012
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| Sirion and Westmoor agree to a Cease-fire
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| It has come to our attention that Sirion and Westmoor have settled upon a cease fire agreement that will end their conflict that has been fought for months within the north. We are not sure of the specific details of the cease fire, but when they are available they will be reported here.
The origins of this conflict began when Westmoor declared war on the Democracy of Fontan due to rumors and conspiracy that there was plans for Fontan to attack them. Fontan then had a sudden influx of strange foreign nobles, a few whom were judged by the immortals and found to be conspirators and powerplayers. After rallying the help of Perdan and Caligus, Westmoor crushed Fontan.
It was at this time that Sirion declared war on Westmoor in order to prevent them from taking the former Fontanese regions. Sirion did extremely well in a strong campaign to destroy Westmoors rural regions, and then it settled into a stalemate. Caligus and Perdan then finished off Fontan which lead to Caligus creating their colony in Dunnera.
Only recently as peace talks between Sirion and Westmoor were stalled and going nowhere, a large Perdanese force marched north to Westmoor. However, with the signed of this cease fire it seems that further conflict is to be averted for now.
I've seen few references to this war and period, but I've come to dub it 'The Fontanese-Westmoorian Subjugation War'.
-Editor Vessol on September 10, 2012
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| An Interview with Queen Autrey of Armonia
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With the signing of a recent peace treaty, the realms of Armonia and Eponllyn have ended their hostilities and now are looking towards the future. With Armonia setting up a Tournament on the 14th of September, I petitioned the Queen of that realm, Autrey Bendix, and was granted an interview.
Editor Vessol: Could you describe to our readers your background and how you came to be queen of Armonia?
Queen Autrey: "The Bendix Family originates in Uforth, a tundra region The Barony of Makar, a hard viking realm in Northern Atamara. I was sent to Ibladesh by my father Furious Bendix to repay a debt to the Shifter Family (now defunct) from his youth. Over two decades ago his life was saved by an unlikely Talerian, Khorne, whose daughter Leliel was Viscountess of Aeng during the the war against Caligus. I guess I showed a knack for command and I rose up the ranks. I've lived here since I was a young woman."
"I became Queen of Armonia when our Founder, the Great Dread Fantom, retired from rulership after a long absence due to illness. I wouldn't call my election a great victory by any means: I ran for the position unopposed."
V: What was the reasons behind the War of the Southern Queens and are you happy with the conclusion and peace treaty that your realm and Eponllyn drew up?
QA: "Eponllyn sent an assassin named Valko D'Este to kill the our Founder, the Great Dread Fantom. Armonia gave Eponllyn one week to ban Sir Valko, and when they failed to do so, we went to war. Valko has conveniently disappeared since then, so unfortunately no one will be able to question him personally. Queen Siana maintains that she had no knowledge of Valko's actions or intentions, but she also made no attempt to make any sort of apology or reparation. My hands were tied on this one- only one thing to be done, unfortunately."
"The War was put to and end with considerable help from a few rational thinkers in Eponllyn with whom I worked out the details of the treaty. They know who they are. Understand that we had no desire to destroy Eponllyn completely- we just can't abide sitting idle with potential enemies right next door to to our Capitol. We kept Ejarr Puutl as a buffer zone to prevent any further assassination attempts or other hostilities, and we gave up Ar Raqqah as compensation."
V: What lessons do you feel that your realm has learned from Ibladesh in the past and what are your long term plans going forward for your realm?
QA: "Theocracy doesn't work, plain and simple. The problem with it is that people are promoted for their zealotry, not their competence, and that makes for poor infrastructure. Making 'faith' a requirement for advancement in society takes away all of its meaning. Nobles should not be promoted or persecuted for what they believe, but rather according to their abilities. Hubris brought about the fall of Ibladesh, and that is why we made our peace with Eponllyn in as fair and cordial manner as we could, rather than with greed or pompousness."
V: Do you have any thoughts on who from your realm might win the tournament coming up soon?
QA: "I didn't host this tournament to prove anything in particular about Armonian martial prowess- one person's individual skill with a blade or a lance makes little difference on the battlefield, where strategy, tactics, cohesion, and maneuver are the key to victory. The tournament is an opportunity for people all over the continent to come together, take a vacation, and learn from some of the greatest champions of the East. We do have many fine veteran cavaliers and heroes, however- Tanya Jimenez, Intarex Tibro, and of course Sceptre Meadowcrest, who is widely considered to be the most honorable Cavalier on the continent."
V: Finally, If you could speak with a young and aspiring noble, what would you tell them to sway them into becoming a noble of Armonia? What makes your realm stand out?
QA: "Armonia rewards enthusiasm for public service over any other trait. Though we are a Monarchy, every other government position is electable; I do not make any appointments here. We have many great young commanders and government officials who have shown their intelligence and dedication and have risen to the position they deserve. Armonia also has a strong military tradition, and the elite nobility of our realm sponsor the training of many younger nobles personally."
V: Thank you very much for your time Queen Autrey, I really appreciate it. I certainly learned a lot that I did not know before and I'm sure many readers will say likewise.
-Editor Vessol on September 7, 2012
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| Eastern Continent Power Rankings for September 2012
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| Our first month as a newspaper has passed us by and now it is time to start anew with a fresh issue of the White Tree Times. First off, how we wish to start off each month is a power ranking listing of the realms of the continent. This list is compiled through total military combat strength, food production and supply, gold income, number of regions and diplomatic relationships. I hope that you enjoy:
1. Sirion
Keeping their same position from last month, Sirion still stands as the most powerful and influential realm on the island. Their economic and military strength continues to remain steady. They recently lost a few nobles to the new realm of Dunnera, however none of their lands were given away so the effect on their power was minimal. With peace talks still currently on the table with Westmoor, there is much left in the air as to which direction Sirion will take in its future.
2. Perdan
Perdan remains a close second to Sirion. For the past month they have mostly sat back and have gathered their strength. Perdan's regions remain economically productive, providing a steady stream of both food and gold to power their war machine. With rumors of troops movements heading northward, there is questions about this powerful realms goals in the near future.
3. Caligus
Caligus retains its spot in third place, but it took a big hit on its military and economic strength from the formation of Dunnera. Regardless it maintains a strong wildcard in politics on the island, Caligus has long been the middleman to consider with both conflicts in the north and in the south. They seem to be looking towards the future as their food supply has also increased.
4. Westmoor
Westmoor is really ramped up their military and economic strength in the past month. If they continue on this trend, by this time next month they will be in 3rd place. Westmoor maintains a strong relationship diplomatically with Perdan and spiritually as well as both realms share the faith of the Church of Humanity, a faith that is primarily under the control of Westmoor.
5. Nivemus
Nivemus takes a bump up this month due to their steady increase in nobles as well as the strengthening of their regions economically and their military. They hold the second highest food surplus and maintain a strong relationship with Sirion with friendly relations with Caligus and Dunnera as well. In the past month Nivemus has also built what may be the strongest special forces unit on the island, the effects of this though are minimal.
6. Armonia
The War of the Southern Queens has only ended recently, but Armonia has managed to come out of it with no real benefit. Armonia had the clear upperhand against Eponllyn, yet they settled with a peace treaty that gives them little benefit. They retain their position as the strongest realm in the former lands of Ibladesh, but they are no closer to taking the heritage of that old realm, the major city of Ibladesh which remains rogue and in a state of anarchy.
7. Eponllyn
They came out of the recent war relatively unscathed, with the lose of one region near their capital and the acquirement of another region near Ibladesh, they are in a curious position now. Their military and economic strength have dwindled somewhat, so it is curious as to where they will bring themselves in the future.
8. Obsidian Islands
The Obisdian Islands is always brought down by the quality of its regions and its lack of nobles, and this month is no exception. They have had a slight uptick in their military strength, but things seem mostly very quiet on the volcanic island chain.
9. Dunnera
Taking the last spot in these rankings is the new realm of Dunnera. Rising out of the ashes of the destroyed realm of Fontan, Dunnera has been comprised of nobles from Sirion and Fontan with refugee nobles from Fontan as well. They have slowly increased their region count to Fontan's former regions, but they remain very weak. Food seems to be in constant shortage and rumors of internal discord are both two barriers that the new realm must overcome if it is to rise above.
Thank you for reading and I hope that you enjoy this month to come of The White Tree Times.
-Editor Vessol on September 3, 2012
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| September 29, 2012
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| Rumours spread that (nobody)s tournament had to be cancelled due to low participation...Forever alone :(
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| September 29, 2012
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| Huge Battle Fought
Rumours spread and tales are sung about a huge battle in Negev:
Caligus vs. Dunnera
Estimated strengths: 760 men vs. 370 men
The Caligus' Golden Talons (Caligus), sponsored by Dobromir Menethil, King of Caligus, were led into battle by Marshal Crescent Strika.
Sir Actron Burep, Royal Treasurer of Caligus, Count of Abadan is spotted wielding the Doomed Arrow of Doom.
Defender Victory!
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| September 27, 2012
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| Sirion has taken control of Skezard. The region used to belong to (rogue).
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| September 26, 2012
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| The realms of Nivemus and Perdan have signed a peace treaty.
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| September 25, 2012
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| The realms of Nivemus and Caligus have signed a peace treaty.
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| September 22, 2012
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| Perdan has taken control of Moyale. The region used to belong to (rogue).
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| September 21, 2012
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| Perdan has taken control of Bursa. The region used to belong to (rogue).
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| September 18, 2012
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| The realms of Sirion and Dunnera have joined into an alliance.
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| September 15, 2012
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| The rogue Crystal is publicly executed in Caligus.
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| September 8, 2012
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| Caligus has taken control of Tota. The region used to belong to (rogue).
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| September 7, 2012
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| Eponllyn has taken control of Ibladesh. The region used to belong to (rogue).
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| September 5, 2012
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| Sirion and Westmoor have ended their hostilities and agreed to a cease fire.
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| September 5, 2012
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| Negev has changed its allegiance to the realm of Dunnera. The region used to belong to Sirion.
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| September 4, 2012
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| Dunnera has taken control of Braga. The region used to belong to (rogue).
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