Issue 7
Saturday, October 2nd, 2004






Plague (III): The state of anarchy currently thrown over Ponce Du Lac has amplified the ability of the disease to spread among the populace, and there is large concern that some already departing the city have been infected by whatever is attacking them. For this reason and others, The Kebeyen Republic has finally intervened, first declaring New Austia a protectorate of their nation, granting them the proper policing powers that would be needed in stopping the spread of the disease, and then blockading the capital, halting everyone entering or departing the city. The motion to declaring them a protectorate was passed unanimously within the council, and the government of New Austia was in no place to object, those not affected by being imprisoned within the city were actually quite enthusiastic about the whole thing.

This latest incident appeared to be a mission of mercy, rather than land grabbing on the part of The Republic, as no one really wished to die from this new disease.

 Raids: News out of the Republic tells of an increase in raider activity, centered about the nominal capital of the nation, this appears to be a direct result of the recent incompetance of the military to deal with threats. Due to recent events, whose details are anything but perfectly clear, it appears the strength of the garrison has been somewhat diminished. Additionally problems with various weapons have led to further problems for the city and surrounding areas, though with the problem identified, it iss believed that it will be quelled and normal matters will resume.

Tour of Duty: Rumours out of New Austia and the Republic tell of the movement of one who has become almost a holy figure to many of those who continued shunning the church doctrine, Damien Reelin is expected to move through the various districts of his new nation. The purpose of this 'tour' appears to simply be boosting morale in the outer areas where faith in the central government was beginning to suffer as a result of excessive propoganda out of the Launcian Empire. With him it is said that only his home guard will ride with him, and not even Mazus will be joining him on the trip.

A lost ship (II): As if fate had played a game revolving around the Ansteorrans, Zagnafein Silverleaf had returned to Caeseal Garrison with tales of shipwreck and a monstrous sea creature that had pulled his vessel to the dark depths of the Tabernian Sea.

The legend of the Leviathan dates back to the first age when the ships of the great armada of Westernesse were a common sight east of Calenndor. Their sleek silverwood ships once swept the seas of pirates, but those days have long past. The Galleira, as they knew it, lurked under the waves and tore ships and fleets into driftwood. Such encounters are now rare, but as the ranger's short trip indicated, it is still active.

Twenty years ago, the experienced Launcian sea captain Hans Traullen was unable to find the mythical creature with his fleet of whalers. They searched by day and during the night with torches, but not a sign of the Leviathan could be found.

How might you react?
-Most: Whatever the legends say, it'd be best not to find out if there really is something out there.
-Elves: The ancient sea creature must not be roused again. You may have heard tales of the Galleira from your elder family members that speak of a sea beast as large as a mountain and just as resilient to damage.
Reconciliations:: The elves and dwarves are rumoured to have re-opened diplomatic negotiations, which were severed ever since the Great War that formed an unremovable rift between the two races. One might surmise that the appearance of Damien and his revolution have triggered this event, as the two extremely conservative nations would feel threatened (the dwarves more directly so).

To those that keep their ears more open, people speak of House Avelhar having a prominent role in the negotiations, receiving both favour and disfavour in the court of Westernesse. The dwarven High King seems to be the one to have invited a new alliance with the elves against the forces massing in the freelands, but the conditions of that agreement are anyone's guess.

How might you react?
-Elves: An ursurper has rocked the freelands. The dwarves would make fine allies in these darker ages, but they must first abandon their arrogant ways. The crown that was stolen during the Great War must be returned, else we shall never truly be friends.
-Dwarves: Damien, to whom many grudges are born against on part of the dwarven people, had temporarily despoiled the ancestral lands of our clans and many of our surface-dwelling allies have been exiled by him. Although the elves have yet to apologize for their misdeeds millenia back, the strength of both our armies is unmatched throughout Feanor. If we could but hear the words of apology from the lips of the Westernesse-folk, we would gladly forgive them.
-Damien's Supporters: Opponents to either side bodes poorly for the continued well-being of the Republic, and with the treacherous Xanthians mustering forces to the North, things do indeed appear dark, but the council and Chancellor Reelin will see them through to safety as they had in the War of Liberation.
-Damien's Opposition: Perhaps the threat of war upon three fronts can be used to forward our own agendas, but we must be careful to avoid dominion by these threats.

Domestic Ailments (II): Riots currently rage through the city from those quarantined for disease, to those that simply had no jobs, they blamed the governing body for failing to generate something for them to do. With the number of deaths increasing from both violence and disease, anarchy reigns over the capital of New Austia, and anyone visiting is warned heavily away from entering the city.