Gameworld News from 999
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View the news from 998 |
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Mwlyn, Linneraigh and Wye, Cadfaigh: Ending two and a half months of increasingly impatient calls for a royal audience, Miles Uxbridge and his followers in Imperium Novum were expelled from Linneraigh on October 27, after their loitering in city streets turned disruptive and began to border on violence. Linneralian forces "escorted" Imperium Novum off of the island to their present location in the Firth of Wye on the shores of Cadfaigh. Although the court of Queen Fiona never officially declined to grant Uxbridge and Imperium Novum an audience, after several months of silence, Queen Fiona's answer became self-evident. Linneralians state that they were unsurprised at her Majesty's decision, given the implied revolution(s) that an Imperial restoration would imply. Her Majesty's well-known stubborn streak also contributed to their lack of surprise. Angered at being denied what they see as a rightful audience, Uxbridge and his followers, thronging Mwlyn's streets in increasing numbers, filled the city's plazas and market squares on October 25, preaching to passersby and disrupting traffic and merchant trade. In her first major maneuver as queen, Queen Fiona called out her knights and guards and ordered Imperium Novum's "citizens" moved out of Mwlyn. The movement resisted, quietly at first but then with increasing trouble, with paving stones hurled at the Linneralian soldiers. As the mob grew more and more short-tempered, Queen Fiona ordered Imperium Novum escorted out of Linneraigh altogether. Over the next two days, the rebellious Imperium Novum members were herded up (with considerable difficulty), moved onto ships, and dropped off at the docks in Cadfaigh's Firth of Wye. Cadfainn officials protested, but the Linneralians state that they were only returning the "rabble" to the port from which they came, which was often true. Since the expulsion, Uxbridge's rhetoric has unsurprisingly grown more fevered, with invectives hurled at Queen Fiona and Linneraigh in general, which he says will "undoubtedly be treated poorly by the restored Empire." Now back on the mainland, Uxbridge has stated that the time is now right to determine who the restoring Emperor will be. "The new Emperor will be crowned next year," he spoke to his flock, "and we must begin the search to locate that person who will lead Hesket to its glory as the new Sturia arises in the one thousandth year." Jiyoma (Gioma), Seiguntou: Viceroy Yukinaga has sent official complaints to the court of Prince Alonzo of Veneza, claiming that pirates and privateers are using ports in eastern Veneza to make guerilla actions against Seinguntou and her ships. Yamamotoan officials state that Delonan ships claim to be ferrying pilgrims to Nicolia, since Hesketines are guaranteed access to the island's fabled temple by the peace treaty. Lady Mizuho and her officials protest that said ships are merely posing as passenger vessels, and when they find an opportune target, they will raid it and then return to their ostensibly religious voyage. His Highness' response says that he is unaware of any Venezan pirate activity, and that he is powerless to stop the actions of individual ships outside of his ports.
Tamplonia: The prince's Elunian ministers have expelled the Roudoigne ambassador, Lady Rebecca Bettens, as a spy. A spokesperson for the church claims that Lady Rebecca was found "prying through papers" in a private room in one of the princely palaces. Lady Rebecca herself denies responsibility, claiming she was merely lost in the "myriad rooms of the vast estate" paid for "by the charity of the Elunian poor." Duchess Nicolette of Roudoigne has threatened to expel Tamplonia's ambassador to Roudoigne in response. Mwlyn: Despite persistent demands by Imperium Novum, Queen Fiona has yet to grant an audience to Miles Uxbridge or his movement. Increasing numbers of Imperium Novum members, decorated in Sturian garb and bearing the movement's symbol (an M in a circle, representing both the year zero and the Sturian numeral for the year 1000), now populate the Linneralian capital. Uxbridge, making daily speeches in the streets of Mwlyn, repeats that the new Queen "is clearly wise enough to perceive the inevitable course of destiny", but courtiers say that the monarch is unsurprisingly unreceptive to a movement which professes a new Emperor as sovereign. Northhaven, Ragnorack: With summer drawing to a close and winter snows a little over a month away, King Dmitri and Queen Marilyn have announced their intention to spend the winter in Dubraugh, and intend to depart within a few weeks before the mountain passes grow snowier and more treacherous. In unrelated news, rumors of Queen Marilyn's pregancy seem to have proven false, as the Queen shows no sign of being with child now. Flerbourg, Valenne: Lord Gerome, adopted son of the sovereign Duke Valenne and his chief minister, announced a new campaign against the tribes of ackaracks which have been making incursions out of the foothills of the Grendarr mountains. In recent weeks, several towns in the west of Valenne have fallen prey to ackarack bands who carried away nearly all of the town's metals and much of the livestock. The duchy has appointed Dame Marianne Powell to command the defensive forces. With Valenne obviously lacking mage-knights, Lord Gerome has called upon the nation's clergy and religious orders to assist with tactical magic in stopping these raids.
Mwlyn: Following her father's funeral on July 10, Queen Fiona of Linneraigh has begun preparations for her coronation, currently slated for mid-September. Current speculation holds that Queen Fiona will retain most of King Owen's ministers -- at least, for a short while, until the transition is complete and she can begin to surround herself with her own advisors. On August 19, Miles Uxbridge and the leaders of his Imperium Novum movement arrived in Lineraigh, seeking audience with the new Queen to suggest that one of their number should be appointed as an advisor. In an impromptu speech in the streets of Mwlyn, Uxbridge spoke of Queen Fiona's "evident understanding" of "the greater good, and of putting aside national interests in favor of greater ideals", and that a pious monarch such as herself "must clearly be receptive to a missive given by the servants of the gods. I believe that the Queen will follow the wisest course and understand the necessities of the new empire." The royal palace has yet to grant an audience or make a statement. Northhaven, Ragnorack: On August 14, the one-year anniversary of her victory in the War for the Throne, Queen Marilyn of Cadfaigh unveiled a new monument in downtown Northhaven commemorating those Ragnorackans who fought to place her on Cadfaigh's throne. Her Majesty said she owed an "eternal debt" to those "sons and daughters of the Wolf who fought side by side with the Stag in restoring proper succession to the throne of Cadfaigh." She also presided with King Dmitri as he gave official recognition to the "Wolf Watch", a new Ragnorackan brigade consisting largely of ethnic Cadfainn which will guard the passes between Ragnorack and Cadfaigh. Ragnorack: On August 25, King Dmitri announced the victory of Sir Donald Siegenjaar, Knight Commander of the Northern Marches, and the Northern Marches troops in repelling the grum siege upon the settlement of New Scharnhof. A semi-organized "army" of grum tribes and orc bands (many of them veterans of the vorskyr war who fled from nearby Kjolnir) cut off the main roads to the town in mid-August, forcing the local farmers and settlers to pull back within the town's palisade walls. Sir Donald and his troops were able to draw the grum away from the town with a feint to the north, then moving the bulk of the Ragnorackan forces around to the south and scatter the orcish armies from behind.
Southeastern Kislevia (former Ennitaria):
The village of Kings Crossing recently witnessed an armed uprising
against Kislevian rule. A group of bandits known as the Band of the
Golden Crown, led by branded outlaw Kat Goodwin and Robert, Earl of Kenley
(an Ennitarian noble, now dispossessed), revealed themselves to be
Ennitarian resistance fighters and rebels. Attempting to overthrow what
they termed "oppressive Kislevian rule", they used a secret entrance to
enter the local manor house, where they managed to capture the person whom
they considered to be the cause of all the troubles in Kings Crossing:
Sheriff Stefan von Albrecht. However, as the sheriff's forces had also
captured Robert of Kenley, the matter appeared to be at a standoff, and
Robert and the Sheriff agreed to resolve the matter by single combat, to
the death.
Robert emerged victorious and, as per his agreement with the Sheriff,
was pardoned with the rest of the Band and left the county for a year and
a day. But the Sheriff, restored to life soon afterwards, declared his
pardons invalid (being granted under duress), and called out the guard.
After a brief and unsuccessful chase, however, he recalled his guards,
resigning himself to the fact that the Band of the Golden Crown had, for
now, escaped.
At last report, Sheriff Stefan von Albrecht was still in charge of
Kings Crossing, and the whereabouts of Robert of Kenley, Kat Goodwin, and
the rest of the Band of the Golden Crown were unknown.
Mwlyn:
After a prolonged ailing period, King Owen passed away in his sleep on
the night of July 8. His Majesty's death was not unexpected, with many of
the arrangements for the state funeral already having been made. He was
buried in the royal tomb next to his father on July 10.
Princess (now Queen) Fiona has assumed duties of state, and has begun
preparations for her coronation.
Grancester, Allondell:
Imperium Novum followers engaged in a scuffle with the troops of the
Earl of Grancester in mid-July. The earl's men apparently tried to oust
the band, who believe in Miles Uxbridge's message of a renewed Sturian
Empire come the millenium next year. Earl John claims that Imperium Novum
members informed his soldiers that they should "lay down the Earl's arms
and take up allegiance to the true Empire to come"; the soldiers did not
take well to his affront to their loyalty. After a minor fracas, Uxbridge
agreed to lead his followers out of county Grancester peacefully, although
travelers say that as the Imperium's "citizens" marched through, more than
one Grancester peasant left the fields to take up Imperium Novum's spetum
and shortsword.
Camden, Allondell:
Lady Louise, Countess of Camden, reported on July 20 that her family's
brooch was missing from the vault in her manor house. The brooch, a
decorative gold flower adorned with several emeralds, had been purchased
by her father, and the Countess was known for wearing the item at formal
affairs. The Camden estate has offered a considerable reward for its
return.
Ragnorack:
King Dmitri and Queen Marilyn of Cadfaigh led their conjoined
entourages from Cadfaigh northward through White Wolf Pass, arriving in
Northhaven on July 1. This marks their first appearance in Ragnorack
since the royal wedding (and her Majesty's first appearance in Ragnorack
since before the war), and they were greeted with much fanfare and
excitement in the capital. The two plan to reside in Ragnorack for the
summer while his Majesty settles affairs in his own kingdom. Already,
King Dmitri has re-allocated troops from the Cadfainn front to the
Northern Marches, to protect settlers against grum raiders. Both monarchs
have ordered the construction of several new forts along Innisfree and
White Wolf Passes, to protect the travelers along these two
newly-important lifelines between Ragnorack and Cadfaigh.
Seiguntou: The Emperor of Yamamoto has appointed a viceroy for his new holdings in Hesket. Viceroy Yukinaga Mizuho arrived in Seiguntou on June 8, setting up residence in the Napermian capital of Gioma (or Jiyoma, as it is now spelled.) She replaces the military commander, Satake Ikku, who will remain in Seiguntou to command its troops. Lady Mizuho is said to be a shrewd court politician, and the Yukinaga family is a strong ally of the Shogun. Banditry and guerilla activities continue along Seiguntou's shores, especially in the outlying, smaller islands. A graffito on the lighthouse at Nicolia proclaimed that the Temple of Nicolian Waters "will be free", but there has not yet been any direct action against the rulers on that island. Dubraugh: The traditional St. Ryan's Day Ball was held in Dubraugh on June 4. The Dorialite festival has always been a popular one among the Cadfainn nobles, but had not been held since 996 due to the War for the Throne. This was the first major court event since the coronation and wedding, and thus the first event in which Queen Marilyn and King Dmitri both sat as husband and wife. The ball was rather elaborate, as the two monarchs wished to leave a grand impression before their departure for Ragnorack, where they will spend much of the summer. While there was some initial nervousness about the potential tone of the ball, courtiers reported that the event was generally a success, with wartime tensions hidden if not receded. One knight said that the "former Blues seemed to get along quite well with the Reds", and that the once-Caelti "bucks" were also well-received. There was much gossip at court over the loose cut of Queen Marilyn's gown. Court rumors hold that the two monarchs are keen on producing an heir quickly, to cement the union and inheritances of their two kingdoms; thus, the gown has produced suspicion that she is already pregnant. Conspicuous among the absences was Lord Dafyd MacCaernach, who by all rumors has become a virtual recluse. Allondell: Former archaeologist Miles Uxbridge has moved his preaching from Tolbury to the countryside, prophesying that a new age of glory is coming next year on June 6, the thousand-year anniversary of the coronation of the first Sturian Emperor. Uxbridge claims to have received advice from a grace of the gods that humankind should prepare itself by becoming in all ways like the Sturians themselves. Calling themselves "Imperium Novum" (meaning "New Empire" in Sturian), Uxbridge's followers are, in the words of one member, "readying ourselves for the new Empire to come, when Sturia's fabled glory returns to all Hesket." Members have begun bearing the Sturian-style spetum and shortsword. Mwlyn: The ailing King Owen of Linneraigh reportedly fades in and out of consciousness, and is by now wholly bedridden. Princess Fiona, his heir, has already begun to assume some functions of state, although there is no formal regency at this time. Worldspine Mountains, Kjolnir: With the entry of dwarven Clans Silverrock and Earthcrown into the war, emerging behind the vorskyr lines, the vorskyr/orcish army has collapsed as an organized unit. Pressed between the dwarven armies behind, and the human armies led by Jarla Hildegard Ingasdottir and Jarl Hrolf von Slenvig in front, the invaders' war lines (and morale) collapsed by early May. The arrival of warmer weather further weakened vorskyr combat readiness. By mid-May, the jarldoms of Vesteralen and Oppland had been reclaimed, and the vorskyr and orcs pushed back into the mountains themselves, where they were at last able to regroup and hold their line at the mountains' edge. With victory fleeting, much of the orcish component has deserted. Many of the orcs attempted to flee over the Bren Pass into Ragnorack, but Raerock patrols (fighting on home turf -- and forested turf at that) made quick work of the raiders. Jarl Magnus Ozurarson of Vesteralen has since led the organization of the new line of defenses which have been protecting the human-occupied lands from the periodic raids which still emerge from the mountains. "Never again," the jarl has vowed. "Now, we will be forever vigilant in guarding our northern borders. The snow-cats may continue to throw raids against our defenses, but they will not break through."
Veneza: After more than a month's worth of negotiations, the war in Delona officially come to an end when Prince Alonzo of Veneza, along with the sovereigns of Philiathos, Melonissos and Giodonia, signed a peace treaty on April 23 with Satake Ikku, commander of the Yamamotoan forces in Seiguntou. These four Delonan lands officially acknowledged Yamamotoan control over territory which formerly belonged to them, or to Napermo (all of whose territory now lies within Seiguntou). In return, the Yamamotoans have agreed to treat the residents of Seiguntou with the same respect and privileges due Yamamotoans themselves, and they have agreed to permit pilgrims to visit important religious sites -- in particular, the Temple of Nicolian Waters, Hesket's largest Kytan church, which now lies on a Seiguntou-controlled island. The other Delonan lands with declarations of war have agreed to abide by the treaty (with the exception of the Duke of Napermo and his court-in-exile, who have fled to Bonalba, the only Delonan land that remained uninvolved in the war.) The kings of Allondell and Chardreau have stated that the treaty, and the loss of Hesketine land to the Yamamotoans, is "regrettable" but "ultimately necessary", and are now pulling their forces from the war front. While the religious military orders have followed the Prince of Veneza in accepting the treaty, it is suspected that many of the Rannashites (upset that they were denied victory) and some of the other groups may begin to support the various guerilla groups that have vowed to continue the fight. On the Yamamotoan side, Satake Ikku has stated that as soon as the news of the treaty reaches the Imperial palace, the Emperor will appoint a permanent (non-military) viceroy to govern the region. Cadfaigh: The intensive three-month search for Rhiannon of Lairdbourne ended in tragedy when mercenaries hired by Lord Dafyd MacCaernach discovered her body. Rhiannon, second cousin to Presider Elaine of Ornach, had vanished from Lord MacCaernach's Ainslach estate on January 15th and was the subject of an intensive search until her body was discovered on April 11th. Efforts to restore Rhiannon to health failed, and she was laid to rest on April 13th in a private ceremony. Presider Elaine (who had arrived at Ainslach after the wedding of Queen Marilyn and King Dmitri) conducted the ceremony, and extended her visit at Ainslach for several days. Mwlyn: The court of King Owen has officially acknowledged that the King is ailing. The king's ministers have asked the people of Linneraigh to "pray to Majenir for the best of health for His Majesty", and the Vicar of Mwlyn herself has been leading numerous services in King Owen's name. In less humanitarian news, Linneralian nobles are already beginning to flock to the capital in anticipation of political gains to be had when and if Princess Fiona ascends to the throne and the royal court is re-organized. Worldspine Mountains, Kjolnir: The standoff in the frontiers of northern Kjolnir appears to have been broken. With the humans' lines fortified, preventing any further vorskyr advance, the cat-men and their orcish troops were stalled, holding only the three northwesternmost jarldoms -- but with the humans unable to reclaim any of the lost land. With dwarven Clans Wyrmsbane and Icemountain honor-bound to uphold unpopular non-aggression treaties, neither clan could send assistance to fend off the vorskyr/orc horders. However, much to the surprise of both the humans and invaders, these two dwarven clans readily agreed to allow volunteer armies from Clans Silverrock and Earthcrown to pass through their halls unimpeded. On April 21, these dwarven forces emerged -- from mountainous cave-exits *behind* the vorskyr lines. With the vorskyrs' back lines virtually unprotected, the dwarves rampaged through the orcish and vorskyr units, sending the invading force into scattered disarray. Taking a cue from the visible chaos behind the front line, Jarla Hildegard Ingasdottir and Jarl Hrolf of Slenvig roused their troops and led a countercharge against the enemy front lines. An observer described the orcish lines "panicking like ants after you've kicked an anthill open." Though the vorskyr line is no longer intact, and some of its orcish troops have deserted, its numbers are still substantial, and the dwarves and Kjolns continue to push forward, hoping to crush the remaining forces between them as they advance. Tolbury: Miles Uxbridge, the archaeologist who made a recent discovery of Sturian ruins, has begun to make speeches in Tolbury's market squares, proclaiming that he has received a message from a grace of the gods and that it is now his duty to revive the Sturian Empire. Witnesses report that Uxbridge claims that he has been instructed by the grace that "all should live like the Sturians" and that heavenly favor will be had when the Empire is renewed.
Veneza: Reports have emerged from the Prince's court that the Yamamotoans have sent an envoy from Seiguntou/Napermo to meet with Prince Alonzo. According to tales, a Yamamotoan envoy (strangely without any guards or escort to speak of) approached Lord Dominic de Floren in southern Veneza, asking for an audience with the Prince himself. After some meetings with Lord Dominic, the representative was escorted under guard to the Venezan capital. It is unclear what message this envoy brings, although the visitation would seem to lend credence to those who believe the Prince and his coalition are seeking to end the bloodshed and cut a treaty with the Yamamotoans. However, those who are opposed to yielding to the invaders state that the Prince recently sent a missive to Napermo to arrange prisoner exchanges, and that this must be the envoy's true mission. Northhaven, Ragnorack: King Dmitri and his court have left the Cadfainn capital of Dubraugh for Ragnorack's capital, in order to prepare for the April wedding taking place in this city. While his coffers might once have been low due to wartime expenses, King Dmitri's exchequer is once again busy with victor's plunder, and the King has been financing numerous enhancements to this rather rustic capital, including street-cobbling and the construction of gates. King Dmitri also inducted several Cadfainn into the Order of the Mountain Wolf, the Ragnorackan order recognizing exemplary service to the crown. This marks the first time that another monarch's subjects have been invited into this national order. Tolbury, Allondell: Miles Uxbridge, noted archaeologist at King's College, announced the discovery in Veneza of the mortal remains of Marcus Gaius Tacius. Tacius, a Sturian general in the Empire's latter days, was the designated heir of the last Sturian emperor, but when the city of Sturia was destroyed, so too were Tacius' supporters, and the general faded from prominence. Up until now most scholars considered him little more than footnote, something Dr. Uxbridge now lambasts as "historical injustice". Uxbridge praised Tacius' dedication to the Empire and lamented his fall from power, when provincial authorities refused to acknowledge his succession and instead proclaimed numerous would-be Emperors. Uxbridge's zeal in "restoring" Tacius' name has caused quite a stir in archaeological circles. Some claim he is merely trying to better his career by boosting the significance of his discovery, but Uxbridge's closer colleagues describe him as writing and lecturing with a profound and sincere passion. Kjolnir: Reports from the war front in northwestern Kjolnir indicate that the human armies have been able to block further vorskyr advance. Kjoln soldiers attribute the increased defensive capabilities to the Kjolns' work during the summer months, when the arctic vorskyr were at a disadvantage; the humans labored hard during those months to build fortifications and defenses which are now proving successful. Nevertheless, the Kjoln army has been unable to make any actual *advances* against the vorskyr-led orcish armies, and the northwestern jarldoms remain enemy-occupied.
Tolbury, Allondell (Collegium Hall): Fearing more months of impassioned and heated debate, Presider Elaine formally asked the Collegium on January 14 to refocus its attentions away from fractious arguments over the war in Delona. "We are not a political body," she noted, "but a spiritual one. While many of our religious orders may be involved in the struggle, this Hall was not built to foster debates on matters temporal." She added that the temper and volume of debate threatened to interfere with the Collegium's other duties. "While the members of this body are free to hold opinions and to share them with others, within this Hall we must turn our attentions back to our true calling: our dedication to Those who we serve." Even those Collegiates who have been most outspoken about Delona have accepted Elaine's wisdom. Bishop Karl Sjoberg of the Rannashite church commented that "while we will continue to press for justice and victory in Delona in our daily work, within the Hall we will certainly respect her Reverence's wishes." The more moderate Collegiates are said to be rather relieved at the Presider's decree. Veneza: The court of Prince Alonzo of Veneza (the de facto leader of the forces in Delona) has been host to increasing numbers of diplomats and messengers as the war reaches its year-and-a-half mark. Servants of the Count of Roccatina (who in October was the first Delonan potentate to express skepticism about the chances of victory in Napermo) have been particularly prominent, and many speculate that Prince Alonzo has been trying to secure Roccatina's continued commitment. With Allondell's forces now facing more frontline duties, Allondine diplomats have also been seen in increased numbers. Pro-war advocates argue that this reflects a growing commitment on King Harold's part, while their opponents believe King Harold seeks to persuade Prince Alonzo to end the bloodshed and make a settlement with Seiguntou. Seiguntou/Napermo: Another attempt at a Hesketine beachhead in occupied Napermo has failed. A force of Philiathans, Melonissans, and various northern Hesketines landed on Napermo's western shores on January 19 and attempted to take control of the local outposts and manor homes. In response, the Yamamotoans forces sent cavalry and wujen. The two sides met in the village of San Obis, where (by all reports) the Hesketine side crumbled, but only after cutting down at least half of the cavalry and many of the wujen. Cadfaigh / Ragnorack: Plans continue for the royal wedding of Queen Marilyn and King Dmitri. After weeks of speculation as to the location of the ceremony, the two monarchs announced a compromise: the wedding will be performed by one country's Vicar in the other country's capital. The two monarchs have asked Presider Elaine, still Vicar of Dubraugh, to perform their wedding in Northhaven, Ragnorack in April. Even with three months to prepare, Northhaven is already bustling with activity, as the streets are cleared and decorations ordered. Merchants of every stripe have begun to plan northward trips come springtime. Kjolnir: Clouded reports travel southward out of Kjolnir; the state of the war against the vorskyr is unclear. Some claim that the Kjoln armies took advantage of the warmer summer and autumn weather to entrench strategically, giving them an edge; others say that the vorskyr have shifted tactics themselves, but reports vary widely as to how.