Gameworld News from 997
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Napermo, Delona:
Backed by the arrival of fresh troops, the Yamamotoan commander
Uesugi Iemitsu led a surprise siege against the embattled troops caught in
southern Napermo. The last of the island's southernmost cities fell on
December 12, and Yamamoto has laid claim to having "liberated Napermo from
barbarism." The Duke of Napermo (who now only controls Napermo's outlying
islands) has taken refuge in Veneza.
A Yamamotoan press towards Philiathos failed when that fleet's
flagship erupted in flames and sunk. The reason or technique are unknown,
but the Delonan resistance band "Kyta's Fists" have claimed
responsibility.
Tamplonia:
With news of a cadre of Valennian mages being sent to support Delona,
Tamplonia (who could hardly be outdone by its arch-rival) has declared
it will be sending ships from their esteemed navy to help transport
supplies to the Delonan front.
Tolbury, Allondell:
The Presider of the Collegium, Archbishop Anne of Sordonne,
announced on that she is beginning a long fast to prepare for a
divination, so that she may ascertain the motives for Yamamoto invading
Delona (rather than Cadfaigh as most would have expected). This
announcement follows several months of investigation, both mundane and
divine, after a request for an investigation was lodged by Delonan and
Cadfainn Collegiates led by Abbess Elaine of Ornach, Vicar for Dunburgh.
Mother Anne will complete her divination on December 20, and will announce
what she has divined in a formal address to the Collegium on that date;
the Collegium will use divine magic to send the speech to many of Hesket's
major churches.
Tolbury, Allondell:
In Collegium Hall on December 8, Viktoria Pleneshovna, Knight Commander
of the Order of Heavenly Triumph (a major Rannashite religious military
order) declared that her order was immediately heading to Delona's
defense. Dame Viktoria lambasted Hesket's monarchs for "dilly-dallying"
and "being more interested in petty politics than the issues that truly
matter" and that they were "irresponsible" for not having supported Delona
more so far.
While there was no formal response to the Triumphite's criticism, the
kings of Allondell and Chardreau summoned their respective ambassadors
from Veneza and Philiathos the next morning...
Grendarr mountains:
Surpise swept across all of Hesket yesterday when dwarven Clan
Earthcrown called for a meeting of the royal houses of all the Clans.
This meeting of the Grendarr Council is set to take place deep in the
Grendarr mountains this February. This is the first meeting of the
Council in a century, and calling it on such short notice is virtually
unheard of, as nearly a decade of preparation is usually considered
necessary. No official reason for the Council has been given, but rumors
have spread of some sort of religious crisis in the dwarven churches which
may have prompted the call.
Clan Whiteblood of the Ludian Mountains in western Inarra has
already requested an official escort from the Chardrois government for
Queen Yrlwyn Whiteblood and her 5,000 advisors, priests, representatives,
and guards of Clan Whiteblood. (The dwarves were quick to assure the
Chardrois that these are a formal escort, not an invasion force.) Similar
requests for escort are expected from Clans Icemountain and Wyrmsbane in
the north.
Kiljukan:
A large battle is rumored to have occured along the southeastern
coast of Kiljukan (in the region known as Rashinya) in late
November, although the cause of the battle is unknown. Some travelers
claim that Kiljuk and some Marakh troops had joined together
to crush a rebellious Kiljuk pasha who had aligned himself with a Shengan
warlord. More confusingly, some report the involvement of a band of
Chardrois knights who used magic to penetrate Kiljuk lands and loot sacred
temples. Survivors from the battles were seen straggling northward.
Eyvia, Allondell:
The Knight Grand Commander of the Hobbesines, one of the three major
military knightly orders of the Balthazarian church, announced that her
order has declared it "right and just" to defend Napermo and Delona,
and that the Order of the Knights of St. Hobbes are formally entering
the war. All Hobbesines are called to action and shall head to Delona
with all due haste.
Their longtime rivals the Heathcliffites (the Order of the Knights
of St. Heathcliff), not to be outdone, followed suit two days later.
The third and newest Balthazarian military order, the Kzinites,
would hardly let the two more established orders get all the glory,
and have also declared their intention to defend Delona.
From all along the Northern Gulf, ships flying the feligram (the
cat-symbol of Balthazar) are now heading eastward to the archipelago.
Tolbury, Allondell:
In Collegium Hall this last Monday, a group of Delonan and Cadfainn
Collegiates made an open request to the Presider, Anne of Sordonne, to
use her station to study the current Yamamotoan invasion of Delona.
The Delonan representatives expressed their continuing confusion as to
why the Yamamotoans should choose to invade Napermo and eastern Delona,
lands against which Yamamoto had no known grievance, instead of invading
Cadfaigh, a land with which Yamamotoans had once fought. "We on our
part can find no explanation for their decision," stated Abbess Elaine
of Ornach, Cadfainn Vicar for Dunburgh, "and are in concord with our
Delonan cousins when they seek an answer from you, most prominent
clergywoman of the god of Truth." The Presider has stated she shall
soon begin an inquiry into the possible reasons for the invasion.
Cadfaigh:
Lord Allan Galtarrow and his forces changed sides this week,
renouncing support for Olen MacCallad and raising the Gold standard of
MacGrennog. As Galtarrow controls a large section of the middle of the
country (where the various war fronts meet), this poses a significant
strategic loss to the Red faction in the months to come.
Lady Marilyn MacCallad, speaking on behalf of her father, called
Galtarrow a "traitor" and a "man without honor" for his defection,
while Galtarrow called Olen MacCallad "a half-witted invalid" unfit
to lead the kingdom, and referred to Lady Marilyn as a "trollop who
would sell us out to Ragnorackan hicks."
Valenne/Chardreau: The divided border town of Cardeseur, dimilitarized by a treaty between the two lands, was the site of a border skirmish on September 20. Sir Guillaume, the Duke of Valenne's Forester-General, was captured and beheaded there by Valennian rebels who the Duke's Rangers claimed had taken refuge in Chardreau. Pursuing the rebels, the Valennian Rangers entered the town, where they were confronted by Chardrois officials. Fighting broke out between the two sides, and the local constable (who, by the treaty, served both kings) found the Valennians guilty of manslaughter against a noble, and executed their commander. Chardreau has lodged formal complaints with Valenne, but Duke Lawrence has stated that the Rangers acted on their own, since both Sir Guillaume and Sir Louis Granville were conducting personal business in Cardeseur and had been given no order to violate the treaty. The Duke stated that the (arguably unjust) death of two of his best men should be sufficient restitution for Chardreau, which suffered no serious injuries in the scuffle. In the wake of this incident the treaty has collapsed, and forces from both countries have now occupied their halves of the town, turning it from peaceful trading post to nervous military camp. The bi-national constable who carried out the execution was dismissed by Valenne even before the treaty's collapse made his office moot. The Valennian clergy gave the Forester-General's spirit the usual offer of restoration. Much to their surprise he chose to return, unlike most spirits who have entered the heavens, and underwent the expensive resurrection afforded such high officials. To placate Chardreau, Sir Guillaume has been stripped of his position and re-assigned as Captain of the Ducal Palace Guard. Valenne: The Duke of Valenne responded to rumors that he is involved in an anti-clerical cult, calling such claims "ludicrous hearsay." He pointed to his recent funding of a new Perinnian chapel in Dierremont, saying "Does that seem like the actions of a man who hates churches?" Napermo: The port town of Andrezzo fell to Yamamotoan warships on September 24. The Rannashite Bishop of Andrezzo, Cesar de Benevia, refused to leave the city as it fell, defending the central piazza personally, and is reported dead. Yamamotoan troops now control the full northern half of the island of Napermo and continue to advance southward. Philiathos: Yamamotoan ships sunk three Philiathan warships on September 27, leading this eastern Delonan land to officially declare war on Yamamoto. Philiathan troops have entered southern Napermo at the Duke of Napermo's request. Marakhin (Zadi): Because of the recent attack on Delona, Emira Hadassah of the Zadi Federation has sent envoys to each of the other (2 dozen) emirites in Marakhin. These envoys will raise issues of cross-Marakhin security with the other tribes. Emira Hadassah has said, "We've all fought in the past, but we must see if it is possible to band together, at least temporarily, in case of an attack by a unified force." During her reign and the reign of her father, Emira Hadassah has succeeded in peacefully uniting the emirates of Zadi, Falak, Bayit, and Sada. Given that several other emirs feel that she is a threat to their power, it is left to be seen how they will react to her suggestions -- or to her envoys. Cadfaigh: Fighting continues as the two sides in the war attempt to gain ground before winter brings an end to the movement of large armies. MacGrennog's forces, who have had difficulty fighting outside of their native highlands, have achieved several victories, sacking the castles of MacHairgen and Loch Bannoch and then retreating before MacCallad's armies could respond. Furthermore, MacGrennog has attacked and destroyed several highland "buck" villages. Nonetheless, four buck villages were able to repel the Cadfainn attacks. Three villages in the northwest survived due to the presence of the Ragnorackan armies, while a force of dwarven warriors from Clan Wyrmsbane saved the fourth. Bloodlady Tunaz Wyrmbane, ambassador to Cadfaigh, said only, "The villages of O'Callen and Halbrin have arrangements with Clan Wyrmsbane and all forces sent against them should not be expected to return."
Delona (Napermo): Yamamotoan forces have expanded their beachhead and have now taken control of the northern half of this duchy's main island. The Napermians dockyards are in ruin as Yamamotoan ships have pounded them to rubble. Hordes of peasants have fled southward or to other islands, and guerilla bands have laid waste to the countryside to try to stop the invaders. Napermians blame their losses on superior Yamamotoan technology and magic, and on the fact that the Duke and many of his best guard were away on pilgrimage during the invasion's start. Nevertheless, they note that if the invasion had been a complete surprise, as the Yamamotoans had expected, the whole of the island if not more would have been lost by now. Delona (Veneza and Philiathos): Veneza and Philiathos, fearing what will happen to them if Napermo falls, have sent the bulk of their forces to Napermo to help defend it. The Prince of Veneza has called upon all Venezan ships to turn privateer and assist in the defense. Allondell: The village of Willow Glen was shocked when one of the nuns at the local Perinnian abbey was found ritually murdered in the woods during a holiday on August 23. The abbess was able to resurrect the nun, but the sister naturally has no memory of the attack nor the identity of her killer. Officials of the Perinnian Order say they suspect the "new gods" cult, known for its violent acts against clergy, to be responsible. Cadfaigh: Napermian and Venezan envoys have approached the court of Olen MacCallad, claimant to the Cadfainn throne, seeking assistance from foreign powers in Delona's defense. The envoys have made the implication that the Cadfainn are responsible for provoking the Yamamotoan invasion and thus are responsible for assisting in Hesket's defense. MacCallad's court was greatly offended by the implication, stating that they are understandably preoccupied militarily but that they are "willing to assist in Hesket's defense, along with the other kingdoms". However, they they "explicitly deny any national responsibility". Lady Marilyn MacCallad, speaking on behalf of her father Olen, added that "after all, the Yamamotoans, who can clearly navigate across the great ocean, can surely tell the difference between a Cadfainn coast and a Delonan one" and that while the Yamamotoans have a larger grudge against Cadfaigh than Delona, "they clearly see all Hesketine cultures as one, and Delona is, after all, closer to their homeland, and thus a logical starting point for an invasion." Similar envoys in Tolbury, Allondell met with some success as King Harold agreed to participate in Delona's defense; however, he insisted that "our neighbors be also willing to make equal commitments of their own." The envoys, understanding his hint, have now proceeded to Chardreau... Cadfaigh: The Golds, led by would-be king Lewis MacGrennog, captured the fort at Glendurrick on September 1, giving them a prime position for defending their highlands territory during the colder months ahead. The Reds and Ragnorackans have retreated northward towards White Wolf Pass where they will meet up with fresh Ragnorackan troops and attempt a recapture.
Napermo (Delona): Yamamoto invaded the duchy of Napermo on July 24. Armed with superior warships, Yamamotoan forces besieged the eastern coast of this Delonan duchy, and established a minor beachhead. Information from captured Yamamotans soldiers reveals that the invasion is going far worse than planned. The Yamamotoans' strategy relied upon a carefully prepared force making a surprise attack. However, the discovery of the Yamamotoan staging ground by a stray ship from Philiathos allowed Delona to prepare for the invasion, and forced the Yamamotans to begin their assault before their forces were fully gathered. The Duke of Napermo is outraged. "What have we done to them?" he is said to have cried. "They should be attacking Cadfaigh! It's the Cadfainn they have a grudge against! And Cadfaigh is weak and divided!" There has been no response so far from the Yamamotoans, who have refused to open a dialogue with any "dragon-slaying baby-killing barbarian Heketejin". Several other Delonan lands have sent forces to help in Napermo's defense and to keep more of the island from being captured. Passengers on the Philiathian ship have also revealed that Yamamoto plans to conquer all of Hesket, so Napermo and Veneza have made appeals to the other kingdoms of Hesket for assistance. Nicolia (Delona): On July 19, during the Kytan holiday of the Festival of the Heavenly Tide, an earthquake struck the island of Nicolia, location of the largest Kytan temple. Fortunately, there was little damage done to the temple or the numerous pilgrims gathered for the holy day. Masons repairing the damage report that if the quake had been any worse, the Temple itself could have been destroyed. Cadfaigh: While news of the invasion has caused considerable concern, church bells rung out across the land at the news that the Yamamotoans had executed the Caelti "princess" Riallonna and her followers upon discovering their practice of child sacrifice. Lord Olen MacCallad, unable to make a public appearance, stated in a proclamation that "these people from across the sea have shown that they at least have a conscience." Valenne: Prisoners escaped last week from a prison camp holding rebels who had refused amnesty. A prisoner named Morai seems to have found a deadly poison, which he placed in the well, killing off the guards and allowing a number of prisoners to flee the camp thereafter.
Allondell:
From Collegium Hall in Tolbury, the Collegium formally made
an announcement, sent out to churches across the continent, asking
that whoever represents the group calling themselves "The Cult of
the New Gods" to please step forth and open a dialogue. This cult,
about which little is known, seems to be responsible for a number
of desecrations and murders at temples across Hesket. "We are
saddened that you feel the need to destroy our churches, temples and
holy places," wrote Mother Anne of Sordonne, Presider of the
Collegium, "We beseech you to tell us of your beliefs and teach us of
these new gods you venerate." The Cult has made no formal response,
save for a Tiranonian priest found murdered near Mourange, with the
phrase "We will not speak with you / Your gods are fallen / Your words
are poison" written in blood on the nearby ground.
Cadfaigh:
In Dubraugh, Lord Olen MacCallad decried the wholesale slaughter
of the village of Enkerninn by the armies of Lewis the MacGrennog.
MacCallad stated that Enkerninn, a village of now-Cadfainn "bucks", was a
simple farming village which posed no threat to MacGrennog's Gold army.
MacGrennog, by contrast, called it a "haven for guerillas" and said he'd
repeat his actions against any "uppity Caelti who think they're worthy of
the Stag crest."
Chardreau:
King Robert celebrated his birthday on July 8. The king took
the opportunity to mention his country's "grave danger" at the hands
of "rising Marakh belligerence". He is expected to begin a new
military push against the bands of Marakh desert raiders within the
month.
Delona:
Thousands of pilgrims, including many Kytans, are trickling
into northeastern Delona to the island of Nicolia to celebrate the
Festival of the Heavenly Tide on July 19. This year's notable
visitors include the Duke of Napermo (in Delona) and Bishop
Kyle Mulhain of Linneraigh.
Roudoigne:
The S.S. Falling Star, among other ships, set sail on July 13
from the port of Mourange. The ship heads on pilgrimage to Nicolia,
Delona for the Festival of the Heavenly Tide. The ship will dock
along the way at Tamplonia, Bonalba, Alguria, and Fregnenza.
Valenne:
With magic inactive over most of the country, the Valennian
resistance has crumbled altogether. The rebels' reliance upon mages,
who are tightly controlled under the Duke's reign, has made the
day-to-day functioning of rebel activity very difficult. Additionally,
many Valennian mages have left the country for other lands where their
arts can function.
Cadfaigh: In the capital of Dubraugh, it was revealed that the mad Tristan, once alleged king of Cadfaigh, has vanished without a trace from his quarters. With Tristan gone and its support in ruins, the Regency has conceded. Duchess Kate MacCadfan, daughter of former Lord Regent Duke Robert MacCadfan, has granted her support for Olen MacCallad, in exchange for being able to keep the Duchy of Daithney. Duchess Kate has turned over the royal crown, scepter, and other royal treasures to MacCallad, who entered Dubraugh peacefully and unarmed (and to the sound of many cheers) on June 20. In the Highlands, Lewis MacGrennog's forces have pulled back into defensive positions. While outnumbered by MacCallad and the Ragnorackans, native soil (and the rocky terrain) have made MacGrennog's Golds hard to budge.
Allondell: The large block of waystone extracted from the Feldsmoor estates in March has disappeared from the King's holdings in Tolbury. The stone seems to have vanished without a trace and there is a substantial reward posted for its return. Roudoigne: The major incursion of orcs which had been besieging Lion's Den Pass has been routed. Lord van Deere has praised the courage of those who stopped the orcish armies of the villain Lionwrath. With the danger gone, martial law has ended in the region. Nurin al-Sharayar, a Kiljuk noble, was spotted recently in Roudoigne. He is believed to be pursuing the renegade (and former pasha) Tendeli, who is believed to be in the area of Chardreau or Roudoigne now. Delona (Veneza): An abbey of Morrisines (a Balthazarian monastic order) was found slaughtered, here in one of Delona's richest principalities. The altars and sacristy were destroyed, the church's relics desecrated, and even the abbey servants slain. Delona (Napermo): The Duke of Napermo (one of the eastern Delonan lands) has announced his intention to lead his entourage to Nicolia in time for the Feast of the Heavenly Tide, a Kytan festival held on July 19. Many suspect the Duke will be using the holiday to hold a surprise wedding with his long-time mistress Marisa di Ghierno. Tamplonia: The Church of Elune officially canonized St. Calla the Talon last week. The church's statement called Calla, a Valennian rebel and chaplain to the rebel White Talons, a "woman of wisdom and virtue" who through her piety summoned the manifest power of Elune to "further her cause against Duke Lawrence's unjust repression". Calla befriended several deceased souls who were protected by Elune before her "cruel martyrdom at the hands of Lawrence's zealots". Naturally, the clergy of Valenne have lodged a protest against this canonization, calling the stories of Calla's miracles "hearsay and rumor" and claiming that the Church of Valenne is inventing false martyrs to stir further rebellion against the Duke. Still, pilgrims are now (clandestinely) trickling into Valenne to visit the alleged sites of St. Calla's miracles.
Valenne: The victory celebration at Carcassonne celebrating the Duke's victory 25 years ago over his rebellious cousin Bertrande was marred by a return of civil war. Bertrande's supporters took the opportunity to muster their forces and attempt to gather powerful artifacts called "Turning Stones" lost during the first war. The situation grew to fever pitch and civil war broke out once again at what is now being called the Second Battle of Carcassonne. Bringing an end to 25 years of rebellion and conflict, the Duke's forces defeated Bertrande's rebels, especially after the loyalists captured all of the Turning Stones. "Lady Bertrande" revealed during the conflict that the original Bertrande was long since dead, her identity assumed by none other than the Duchess, Lisette, presumed dead in the first war. Indeed, the Duke's heir, Gerard, also presumed dead, had taken on the identity of the guerilla the White Talon. The Duchess Lisette had years ago staged her own death to escape her husband, who she (as a loyal Elunian) no longer trusted. Gerard was killed and Lisette/Bertrande disappeared during the battle. While victorious, the Duke has now seen numerous changes in his land. Most notably, the Duke used the Turning Stones in the battle to eliminate all magery in Valenne for a period of years! No mage may invoke magic in that land now - including the Duke himself (who, it was revealed in the war, himself secretly knew magic). Magic items do not function within the country's borders, and mages report an uncomfortable, itchy sensation when within the Stones' radius (which now covers the whole of Valenne, stopping at the borders.) The Duke also learned that his second son and heir, Gerome, is illegitimate, the product of an affair between Lisette and an unnamed man. Nevertheless, the Duke has now officially adopted Gerome as his son and heir, and Mother Anne of Sordonne, the Presider of the Collegium, has confirmed the inheritance (over the objections of the Church of Elune and the Tamplonian clergy.) The Duke has also revealed that part of his motive in shutting off magic in his land was not as much a fear of magic, but a desire to be free of the influence of the magic-hating supporters who back him. Already the Duke has decommissioned the Seekers (commonly called "the Inquisition") and other mage-hunting positions, and is focusing his resources upon hunting down the remaining rebels and rebuilding his war-torn duchy. The Duke has offered amnesty to those rebels who renounce and repent their crimes, and some have taken him up on this offer. These include a number of Valennian nobles (including members of the d'Armitage family) who have been pardoned, though stripped of their titles. Once the war was over, the Duke's chancery and diplomats wasted no time in lashing out at Tamplonia, who (unsurprisingly) they accuse of being instrumental in the war. Valenne has also criticized Chardreau, noting that a Chardrois ambassador supported the rebels during the war. Chardreau has officially denied any knowledge or sanction of the ambassador's actions. Tamplonia: Archpatriarch Paul Carlo, head of the Church of Elune in Tamplonia (and Vicar of the Collegium for Terdosa) has complained bitterly of the persecution of both Elunians and Tamplonians in Valenne. The Church of Elune is already investigating several accounts of alleged miracles that took place during the Second Battle of Carcassonne, since rumors have spread of the divine being made manifest through some Elunian clergy. Valenne claims that this is just an attempt to create a martyr figure for further rebellions to rally around. Cadfaigh: The Council of Regents has all but collapsed entirely. With increasing defections of its supporters over to Olen MacCallad's "Red" faction, the Regency has yet to name a successor to Duke Robert MacCadfan. After the creation of the new "clan" Donovan and the Donovans' successes against Lewis MacGrennog's Highland armies, Olen MacCallad has officially offered arms to any Caelti willing to denounce their bloodline, reject Caelti religious practice (especially the human sacrifices), and declare themselves loyal Cadfainn. This offer -- highly popular among Highlands Caelti -- has created cadres of anti-MacGrennog guerillas right in the middle of MacGrennog's territory! The new "Cadfainn" (who have been nicknamed "bucks"; the stag is the national symbol of the Cadfainn, and a buck is a red deer) have made a mess of the Golds' supply lines. Ragnorack: King Dmitri's army pushes eastward in support of his bethrothed's father, Olen MacCallad. Lewis MacGrennog's Golds are now pinched between MacCallad's Reds in the east and the Ragnorackans in the west, with the "bucks" now scattered among them. Travelers report interesting reactions indeed when the Ragnorackan soldiers meet up with the "bucks". Few Ragnorackans are used to seeing Caelti (well, ex-Caelti) wearing tartans, red sashes, and the stag crest of Cadfaigh!
Allondell: On March 8, a swarm of ratmen attacked the baronial estates in Feldsmoor during a dinner party hosted by the Baron Feldsmoor, Piers Hawksmann. Fortunately, the guests were able to defeat the first wave of invading Ratmen and collapse the rats' tunnels before the second wave appeared. Sir Andrew Vanquist was killed in the battle, and his wife is attempting to raise funds to resurrect this valiant man. A demon was set free during the struggle and is at large. When reports of the invasion reached Tolbury, King Harold of Allondell wasted no time in sending men to Feldsmoor to deal with the Ratman problem. They have enlisted the aid of Kislevia, the last civilized country to have faced the rats. Reports say that the Ratmen attacked the Hawskmann estates in order to obtain a large artifact made of the magical substance known as "waystone", which had been built into a wall of the estate's dining hall. The Baron had been using this artifact to trap guests on his estates. The King's masons and mages are now dismantling the wall in order to confiscate the artifact. The Baroness de Thenard, a Chardrois diplomat of high standing, disappeared during the fracas and is presumed dead. "She was a woman of peace," King Robert of Chardreau said of her, "who helped broker the peace treaty between Chardreau and Allondell. We hope she is still alive and can make her way home." Allondell's Keeper of the Privy Seal, Edwin Langerfield, has been sent to investigate various rumors of impropriety in how Baron Piers Hawksmann ran the Feldsmoor barony.
Ragnorack:
On February 14, King Dmitri of Ragnorack announced his bethrothal
to Lady Marilyn MacCallad, daughter and heir of Olen MacCallad. Dmitri
has summoned his knights and vassals to arms, "to defend his future
bride's birthright" and fight on the side of his future father-in-law.
By the end of the month, the first of Dmitri's forces crossed the
border through White Wolf and Innisfree passes, entering the western
Highlands of Cadfaigh and facing off against MacGrennog's soldiers.
Cadfaigh:
Ragnorack's entry into the war has caused considerable
dismay for Lewis MacGrennog who, being on the western border, now faces
a two-front war, squeezed between Ragnorack and the Lowlands.
In the Lowlands, several members of the Council of Regents have
resigned their posts and declared their support for Olen MacCallad.
The tattered emains of the Regency have yet to name a successor to Duke
Robert.
Kiljukan:
Pasha Tendeli ("the Tiger") has been spotted in the Great Desert.
Whether he heads to Zadi (in western Marakhin), to Chardreau, or to
Valenne is not known.
Ennitaria:
On January 20th, 997, Kislevia and Allondell signed a treaty
officially ending the war in Ennitaria. The treaty divided Ennitaria
between the two of them, along a line roughly parallel to the war front.
Scattered soldiers and merchants now drift out of the country, as
Allondell and Kislevia fortify their new gains.
Cadfaigh:
On January 22nd, Duke Robert MacCadfan of Daithney, the Lord Regent,
was found poisoned in his quarters in the capital of Dubraugh. Olen
MacCallad has formally denied any involvement.
Without the Duke's leadership, the internally divided Regency is
faltering. Already, two of the Regents have withdrawn, removing their
Regency blue sashes for MacCallad red ones. The Lowlands are in
political turmoil as nobles and factions re-examine their loyalties.
Kjolnir:
With the Regency failing, King Gustav of Kjolnir has recognized
Lewis MacGrennog as king. The Kjolns received permission to take timber
and other resources from Cadfaigh without payment, in exchange for
supplying MacGrennog's "Golds" with arms and other needed supplies.
Kjoln ships received permission to attack Lowland ships and coastal
holdings while flying MacGrennog's flag, but it remains to be seen
whether the Kjolns will exercise this "privilege" -- especially since
Kjolnir explicitly did not offer direct military support to MacGrennog.
Chardreau:
Chardreau, which declared open and firm support for the Regency
right from the start, is now suffering high-ranking political feuding
as its diplomats each attempt to deflect blame for having made that
decision. The former Lord Protector (chief of the diplomatic corps),
Michel de Charbonne, has already been replaced by Lady Marie Lassaud.
Kiljukan:
Accused of disloyalty to the Empire, Pasha Tendeli ("the Tiger")
was formally disgraced by the Sultan last week, and was stripped of his
title. Tendeli has been officially exiled, and is believed to be
heading toward Marakhin or Chardreau. However, angry enemies now pursue
him, seeking to carry out the execution the Sultan would not.
Ragnorack:
With the collapse of the Cadfainn Regency and the demise of Duke
Robert, King Dmitri and his emissaries have once again journeyed to
Cadfaigh. Rumors hold that Dmitri is attempting to settle a border
dispute with all three kingly "candidates", so that Ragnorack's interests
are protected no matter who is victorious.
January 8, 997:
Ennitaria: To the joy of Majenir (and the dismay of Rannash), King Harold of Allondell and King Gregor of Kislevia entered negotiations in early January. The two sides are now in "cease fire", with the now-inactive front cutting the country approximately in half. Cadfaigh: Inasmuch as forces can fight in the dead of winter, the Cadfainn are doing it. Small-scale strikes (and larger scuffles during warm, dry periods) have sprung up about the country. Last week, Duncan the Reith (head of the Reith clan) was found dead in his quarters. The Reiths, being Highlanders, are supporters of Lewis MacGrennog, but it is not known whether agents of the Regency or Olen MacCallad were responsible for Duncan's death. However, three days later, Lady Amy Hamerin (a supporter of King Tristan) was ambushed and killed on the road. Nobles and notables who have not yet chosen to support any of the three camps are continuously courted by all sides. King Dmitri of Ragnorack entered the country in mid-December, meeting with the Regency, Olen MacCallad, and Lewis MacGrennog each in turn. If Dmitri hoped to broker peace, none has yet been achieved...