Registered Member #140
Joined: 12:40:52 am GMT 06/16/04
Posts: 4311
Rumors suggest that Krel has been hiring an exceedingly large amount of 'muscle' from the general population. The rumors don't say what it is for, just that people are getting 'jobs' directly from high-ranking members of Raven's Watch.
Witnesses attest that the Captain of the Taur'otharie, Renneleth Margaladhon, was summoned before the Fey Court. Marek Irongrip of Raven's Watch and Narade Danicel'fer were likewise present.
A verdict was reached. Renneleth has been relieved of duty and exiled from Feywoods for a number of five years, under the penalty of death. Renneleth's uniform still rests upon the cold marble floor of the Fey Court, where it was disrobed...
A great many refugees from the Grauerlands were displaced from hearth and home as an overwhelming number of foreign raiders, mustering under a banner unknown-to Thain, swept over the Grauer Heights and spilled into the lower Crater-lands. Initial scout reports estimate the raiders counted at least a thousand strong. Steinkreis initially responded with a token force of knights and forward scouts to parlay with the raiders, but they were decimated. Rittermark mustered his armies to fortify own borders and hold defensive positions. To address the raider menace, under the supervision of one Sir Wilfried von Grauerberg, mercenaries were employed to aid the Kresian war effort. The mercenaries, many of whom were local adventurer heroes, moved to gather intelligence on the raiders. Whether they succeeded or not remains unknown. What is known is that they entered a warzone; brave men and women, less than two dozen in number, against an army of thousands.
[ image disabled ] Steinkreis Times, Volume 22 WAR EDITION
RAVEN'S WATCH ANNEXES FORT CRATER OVERNIGHT
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Last night, whilst the bulk of the Kresian army was deployed to fortify own borders against a perceived threat from foreign raiders, a large number of Vandal soldiers moved to occupy Fort Crater. The foreign raiders, now identified as a mercenary company by the name of One Thousand Sons, are suspected to have been employed by Krel Twistback to obfuscate the Kresian militia whilst the Vandal army could move to overtake the fort unimpeded. Initial reports estimate the number of Vandals to presently occupy Fort Crater to nearly exceed a thousand.
The presence of the Thousand Sons has displaced hundreds of farmers from hearth and home from their dwellings in the Grauerlands. Under decree by Lord Telmoran, temporary refugee camps have been enacted to provide food and shelter for the refugees. Parts of Lowtown have been utilised as a temporary refugee camp. The northern Kresian training grounds have likewise been repurposed to serve as shelter for the refugees.
Lord Telmoran and Sir Rittermark are presently speculated to be enroute to meet with Krel Twistback to deliberate on the future of Fort Crater. The old fort ruin is strategically located at a crossroads between the trade routes that cut through the Grey Mountains, the Grauerlands and the Craterlands. Occupying the fort gives Krel Twistback a formidable means to stagnate all trade that runs through these areas.
Qui Vive and Hamley whose trade uniquely depends on those roads have yet to comment on the annexation.
Is this war? Asked to comment on the severity of the situation, Sir Rittermark had only this brief remark: "Steinkreis endures. Always. If the slum-harbour dogs from the Watch think they can press the Kreis with wanton military aggression, the Kreis will respond in turn."
As this issue is being written the Kresian militia, under the supervision of Sir Wilfried von Grauerberg, is fortifying its presence in the Grey Iron Mines.
Be kind to each other. Registered Member #1711
Joined: 2:51:22 am GMT 04/03/11
Posts: 1995
Gnome Gnews Alert!
"...Details are coming in about a lightning strike by the Hammersong stronghold against Poisonwood. From what we have been told a sizable strike force hit Poisonwood in the pre-dawn hours and rescued a hostage from somewhere inside the xenophobic kingdom. The hostage who initially was reported as a Hoplite called Tharin turned out to be Tharina daughter of the former Gate Warden of Hammersong who was gruesomely killed years ago by the Dawn of Shadows."
'Tharina's acceptance and participation in elite Hammersong forces was under false pretense. While we are happy to have her back we are reviewing our admittance process' said Zrogan Redcloak.
A special note Tharina is the adopted as the "niece of the king' and some are calling into question whether such an attack at the risk of war was worth the "secret information"she allegedly has.
"We are grateful to all the members of the Hammersong strike force. We will never allow Poisonwood to break their word and make hostages of our people." The king remarked in a brief statement.
Reporting from Hammersong, Geoff Gentry, Gnome Gnews Gnetwork .
"Thank you Geoff, and now on to weather, while we in Sandburrow bay are under clear sunny skies but folks in Hamley are under a heavy smoke alerts. Hamley leaders have advised the eldery and very young to stay indoo......."
Registered Member #23933
Joined: 6:13:12 pm GMT 05/15/15
Posts: 480
Jora Casvius has been seen for the first time in a long time, on the long road north. He appears to be interested in what his longtime friend Kashan has been doing near the crater lake fort.
Since the annexation, he has been spotted again in the same area, looking for his friend. The astute would deduce that Jora thinks Kashan may have been annoyed by the annexation, and is probably offering to kill all of Krel's men defending the fort, with Kashan by his side.
Little does he know that his prowess will indeed be tested, but not in the way he thinks.
Hundbert Registered Member #293
Joined: 1:22:43 am GMT 10/06/04
Posts: 3123
A heavily armed and armoured contingent of Hellknight Dottari, lead by two Duxotari, marches from the Iron City. They speak little, but answer "Fort Crater" if asked their destination.
Registered Member #1761
Joined: 10:05:21 pm GMT 10/13/11
Posts: 456
At the front gates of Steinkreis and the Watch, notes were found with the following script:
"To the masters of the Watch and Steinkreis,
"The conflict between your forces and its escalation threaten the peaceful lives of the residents of Thain who care little for your petty squabbles. You have, until now, existed in relative harmony. For whatever reason, this harmony will be destroyed if an intervention does not occur.
"It is therefore my demand that the Vandal Hawks shall be required to withdraw forces from the fort north of what is called Crater Lake. Additionally, the highwaymen which squat upon the Long Road shall no longer demand a "toll" from passersby
"It is also demanded that the master of Steinkreis and the city's allies maintain only what forces at their borders are required to keep them secure. Attacks against the forces of the Watch will not be tolerated.
"If these demands are not met, then I shall come down from my perch and do what I must to ensure the safety of the peaceful folk of Thain. The home of the good and of the civilized is no place for war.
"So sayeth Arzlag the Brilliant"
Whether these notes reached their intended recipients is unknown. The seals bore an emblem depicting a dragon in flight.
Registered Member #23933
Joined: 6:13:12 pm GMT 05/15/15
Posts: 480
A body is found in Steinkreis' sewers, disfigured beyond recognition. From the looks of the clothes, yet another murder of a faceless beggar, penniless and worthless. No-one mourns.
[ The Island of Thain ]
Curious Rumours IV ((the 2017 remake))
