SULPHUR WINTER

January 01, 2020

Great tidings come from Stegos; The island that was cursed by Shamash since the year 440 A.O. is now accessible again. The god Shamash has seen fit to lift the curse. The islanders have also crowned a king: the legendary Arn Brimbrink of Lasemos. It it said that he commands not just a vast army of faithful of White Shamash, but also a dragon!

January 01, 2020

From the northwest comes tidings: the barbarian cannibal tribes on the islands of Chracz, Manovia and Lumaria have declared themselves loyal to the Prince of Folda. They are patrolling the waters to extract taxes and tariffs from all subjects, they say.

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But that piece of news is all but drowned out: Invasion!

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A huge Ransardi force has turned up off Saphyna, landing thousands of berserkers and their fabled elite griphon cavalry, burning and looting as they go. Thus begins the Third Ransardi war. To make matters worse, Magilri forces have landed in Lasemos as well to support the Kishat in its war against Trakoria.

January 01, 2020

The Bodâk sends a force of peacekeepers to the Kishat. However, few nobles show any interest in contributing with their own funds or troops, and the Imperial coffers being what they are, the "army" amounts to a few companies or mercenaries, supplemented by the younger sons of particularly gullible or desperate lesser nobles. It lands on the Kishati coastline, facing a mercenary force at least 10 times the size. Only an intervention from the gods can save it now.

January 01, 2020

On the 17th of Iskamsi, the Crystalocrat Manzonla holds a fiery speech in Albarunzia. He speaks about how Shamash, god of Truth, is the proper name for both Etin of the Shining Path, and Wodur, worshipped by the Ransardi. Many are greatly offended by the speech, but any opposition is put down by the sword. Three days later, on the 20th of Iskamsi, the puritan Joobalasher Sect in Frand declares that it refuses to accept Manzonla's heresies. Manzonla sends troops there, and they slaughter a full third of the population.

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This development causes great discussion in the Bodâk. Trakoria is a place of religious freedom. This outrage cannot go unanswered. Many Paratornian nobles want to send troops to "inspect" the Kishat and restore order. However, in Fontra Cilor, de grotteschi pledges his support for the Crystalocrat, saying that any attempt by Trakoria to assert its authority will be seen as an act of colonial aggression, and responded to in kind.

Will a civil war break out on Palamux? The Bodak is in session discussing what to do.

January 01, 2020

The Gomba and Trimelda families have great news for everyone. Grigor Trimelda is finally marrying and his bride is the daughter of the late Duke Klamender Gomba. The union is a great boost to the Conservative Nobles at a time when they are beleaguered by the upstart nobles of the New Sphere. As Paratornian aristocrats all across the southern part of the island is preparing for the great feast, tragedy strikes: The zeppelond carrying Duke Trimbodlt Gomba goes down. The Duke is found in the wreckage, but he is badly hurt and remains unconscious as the young couple take their vows, making Grigor Trimelda the effective head of both houses for now.

January 01, 2020

While Crystalocrat Manzonla has been very silent on the Vox Ranzina, many Shamashi priests have taken to preaching about it during their sermons to whip up anti-Trakorian sentiments. After the return of Manzonla to the Kishat, the faithful are coming out in droves to these sermons, and many direct their anger against Hussler's illusionists as well. They say that he is a Trakorian agent, sent to keep the Palamoxi population sedated with his illusions. Some priests speak openly of declaring war on both Trakoria and the city of HOXOH.

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Meanwhile, the Birkebeiners, a small barbaric nature people living north of Laabne, have killed missionaries and merchants at the local trading post, saying that they no longer tolerate outsiders. While this might have elicited some response from Trakoria a few years ago, the logistical challenges of reaching the Birkebeiners past the Ferrofags means that the Bodâk doesn't care at this point. The stirrings in the Kishat and the Vox Ranzina is the topic of the day.

January 01, 2020

Ialsop da Kamesti has left Marjura, and immediately the Undead seem to try to exploit the absence of his army by starting to work on a land bridge to Clusta Noba again. This time, it is harder to stop them, though the locals do what they can to slow the progress.

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The rebellion on Trinsmyra seems to be over, finally, and farmers have been able to bring home an actual harvest from this season, refilling previously empty storage. However, Limer Späde is not dead, just hiding somewhere in Rung, and no doubt plots a return.

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On Palamux, the effects of the banishment of Pazuzu are starting to become palpably felt. The inlet to the former capital of Klavykian Empire - Fontra Cilor - is now open for trade again, after having been closed ever since Marduk hit the Fokale Plains with a fireball from the sky. Traders are starting to return, and this leads the old blood nobles who have ever nourished a dream about a reinvigorated Klavykian Empire to smell a change in the winds. The leader of their underground organization, the Manticores, has now stepped forward. Geryon Grotteschi da Quafacha calls for all Klavykian nobles to recreate the empire, and follow the Prince of Folda as the true Emperor. Such talk is obviously anti-Trakorian and obviously treasonous. The Bodâk has authorized his arrest.

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The Bodâk is also deeply displeased  about one more piece of news. The monks of Ranz claim that the mountain they have been listening to for centuries finally has finished its speech. Aparently, it has spoken a prophecy, which they call the Vox Ranzina. Paratornian nobles in the Bodâk has argued that some stanzas in the prophecy are decidedly anti-Trakorian and supportive of the Manticores and of the independence movement of Trinsmyra. They say that if the Ranzine monks don't take it back, they should be seen as traitors to the Empire. So far, the leader of the order - the Peatro Petralba - has refused to anything other than that his humble monks are just messengers for the mountain itself. Other members of the Bodàk has huffed at the whole commotion over the prophecy, predicting that it will soon be forgotten if the venerable members would just shut up about it, already. They focus instead on the triumphant return of the Duke Ialsop da Kamesti - hero of the Empire. If he can deal with Undead, he can surely give some Palamoxi coots what for if need be, regardless of what some moldy monks might be saying....

January 01, 2020

Rumours are spreading about events unfolding at Clusta Noba. Apparently, the Undead tried to build siege weapons, particularly big trebuchets, to attack the settlement across the water, but the heroism of the local population, lead by Duke Kamesti and the Bansikan monks, lead to the quick destruction of these weapons of war. The giants and dwarfs of the island are still holding out, too. Some people say that the dwarves are able to communicate with the Clusta Nobans now, and it's said that even the dragon Blatifagus has joined the fight against the Undead armies, mostly just to keep his treasure safe, but still....The news are greatest with great enthusiasm both in the capital and the duchy of Malusa, where Duke Ialsop surges in popularity.

January 01, 2020

Everything seems to have become very, very quiet after news of the Empress' demise reached the corners of the realm. On Paratorna, little moves as the bureaucracy is locked up in all sorts of silent power struggles when the Empress' high level confidants fight to keep being deposed by ambitious young nobles smelling an opportunity. The conservative nobles were confident that they would finally be able to launch the expedition to retake Marjura, but again, the work is delayed as thousands of profiteers use the moment to bribe, get bribed and line their own pockets with whatever they can get from the quickly depleting Imperial coffers before they empty completely.

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Moreover, Duke Ialsop da Kamesti has met with unexpected obstacles to move in and fill the power vacuum. Everyone expected him and his condottier army on Marjura to return to Paratorna after the winter gave way to spring, but he never showed up. The reason is revealed by traders trying to travel to island to connect with him and profit from Marjurans hungry for food and weapons in the fight against the Undead. They never reach the island, as the sea lane is full of icebergs blocking travel. That means the Duke will be unable to return to Trakoria until Fall.

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On Trinsmyra, the Empress demise and the battle on the island have stunned the rebels, too. Not only did they lose momentum by losing so many of their warriors outside Rakma while the young nobles who were supposed to provide the commoners with military leadership and equipment died in Kark, but with the Empress gone, they are not sure who to direct their rage at, and more moderate forces are stepping up. They seem willing to speak to Krakalgus Pikenose, at least.

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Even so, the governments of Magilre and Ransard both condemn the Trakorian actions on Trinsmyra, and express their support for "all peoples seeking independence from the oppressors". These statements have been followed by a visibly increased activity of the Magilrean navy around the south and west coastal waters and Ransardi traders have been coming to Saphyna in higher numbers than usual. Since the notorious Condottier Gaddagormgald has suddenly reappeared in Ziddisbar, the people in Tricilve believe that these ships do not carry traders at all, but rather spies preparing to use the chaos in Trakoria to mount an invasion. 

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Eyes are now directed at the Bodâk. Can it act decisvely, finally?

January 01, 2020

The Trinsmyrans have finally had enough! A rebellion has started in the countryside of Milacke, and the young radical noble Limer Späde, who have had a history of advocating militant action against the empire, has quickly stepped in to lead the rebels, sidelining the more moderate separatist Asparik Husek. So far, the rebels lack the strength to attack Kark itself, but Späde has support from separatist nobles in the Hymbergond highlands in Kark, who dream of ousting the Empire from the military base in Vumbra, so that may well change.

January 01, 2020

Early this season, the scales of the Bodâk tipped dramatically towards support the Throne and the older noble families, as the Queen shores up her hold over middle and southern Paratorna, and there is enthusiasm for how law and order is running to the capital. When the Queen personally travels to Milacke and strips the Condottier Cymba of his position, the Bodâk is ecstatic, as it seems a fitting punishment for the mercenary.

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However, the Eelskulls of Rung are not pacified, and the fact that Cymba is not executed, but just relieved of his duties, is way too little too late to satisfy their outrage. They strike out against Trakoria, attacking the mining operations in Hymbergond (which, notably, used to be run by Cymba). Hundreds of slaves are liberated, and a lot of mining equipment destroyed, undermining the Queen's influence in Kark.

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The conservative nobles now demand a firm hand in dealing with the unruly Rung natives.

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The Bodâk's attitude towards Duke Ialsop da Kamesti has also become much more positive since the controversial Duke decided to personally lead his Condottiers to Clusta Noba and join the desperate defense of the island. This heroism does not go unnoticed, and many Paratornians, high and low, hope that the Duke might be able to retake to oh, so important sulphur fields. Kastyki might, after all, see the New Sphere as her blessed shield bearers after all. As a result, the work on massing the fleet gains new traction, a lot of now conducted at the naval base in Kark, under the guidance of the New Sphere shield brother Areto da Siola.

January 01, 2020

The Bodâk continues to be stuck in gridlock. It was almost reaching a decision on how to address the troublesome Trinsmyrans, as the Queen's Conservative side seemed to win decisively over Kamesti's  upstart merchants from the New Sphere, the members of which have suffered disprortionately from the actions of the crime lords. But just when the vote was to be held, the plague swept through Paraltro, killing many of the nobles on the Queen's side, and stopping other of her allies from attending the meeting, as they rushed home to tend to their assets.

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As a result, the construction of a fleet of galbalons in Siola, Paraltro, has stalled completely, making it impossible to send an invasion force to take back the Sulphur fields in Marjura this Fall. A quick fix to solve the Trinsmyran situation emerges when the Bodâk accepts a deal from the Condottier Cymba, the officer in command of the Hymbergond mines of Kark, to deal with the rebels. That, at least, is a small victor for the Queen's conservatives, as Kamesti's people would have preferred Krakalgus Pikenose of Rakma.

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Cymba acts immediately, and completely without discrimination, against the population of Milacke, where they kill and rape and pillage their way through the villages without making even a token effort to try to differentiate between loyalists and insurrectionists. Needless to say, the Trinsmyrans are outraged.

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Northern Paratorna also experiences a minor crisis. The holy Oracle of the DiFolts in Skuger, still but a child, died in disease. This is leaves the DiFolts somewhat shocked. Not only was the child holy and important for them, but they are supposed to be masters of the healing arts, and few believe that they would be unable to treat something as simple as pneumonia.

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[Results: Sambarsynd Coria: -1 Influence in Milacke. Heneguya: -1 Influence in Tricilve. DiFolt's Healing Arts Resource in Ilibauria -1 Strength point]

January 01, 2020

A convoy set off early this season for Marjura. This time, not to trade, but to gather information about what might have happened during the winter. It found a hardy group of survivors all gathered on the over-crowded island of Clusta Noba, on the Marjuran East Coast. The walking dead, apparently, cannot cross water, and so the refugees are safe, for now. But they are starving, so efforts will be made to keep them supplied, as the bridge head will be useful for the coming counter attack. Also, they are greatly helped by the Bansikan trainees on the island, and the Felike-monks, who are fierce warriors in their own right. Rumour has it that giants and dwarfs are fighting a desperate battle for survival against the hordes of walking corpses, but exact information is hard to come by.

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Meanwhile, the Procurator on Trinsmyra, the Condottier Krakalgus Pikenose, ordered nobles suspected of sympathizing with the Shagulites and the Eelskull separatists to a meeting to clear the air. No one turned up. The Bodâk has interpreted this as an act of sedition and ordered Pikenose to arrest all of them. He only managed to find Monduron da Riakme and sent a sheriff to arrest the man. The men-at-arms found him at a tavern in Vumbra, but when they apprehended him, anti-Trakorian riots ensued and the sheriff was lynched. That sheriff was the younger son of one of the Seven Founding Trakorian families, and they are now asking the Bodâk for firm action against the rebellious Trinsmyrans. The armed forces on Paratorna are now awaiting a decision on who will be sent to deal with the crisis on Trinsmyra.

January 01, 2020

In the wake of the Marjura-crisis, many members of the Bodâk express distress over just how many of the population on Trinsmyra, particularly of the local nobility, were ready to join forces with the Shagulites. This is seen as nothing short of treason and a local conspiracy to undermine the Empire. Such a provocation cannot stand, that much the council agrees with. However, that is also where agreement ends. The Bodâk is now locked in a long-running session where all members are trying hard to recommend some form of policy that is based on generous funding to their own clients or families, while also blocking the proposals of other members, as they argue that the council has to be careful with government spending. A long round of pork-barreling and nepotism is to be expected.

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Less noted is the coup in Kharasma, in Lasemos. Ambrion Bluesnout takes over this, the largest of the principalities, as the rightful heir, Arn Dimbrink, has been gone without trace for more than two years. There are some minor skirmishes in association with this coup, but nothing particularly alarming given the chaos in Maravelda and the much more pressing matters concerning the Marjura crisis.

January 01, 2020

The agents of the Digeta Longa, led by Colonel Praanz da Kaelve, just returned with the Sulphur convoy from Marjura. The tidings they bring are of the worst possible kind. The agents, together with the farsailed noble Sir Roland Coeur de Pierre and his retinue, uncovered a sinister plot launched by the Shagulites to strike at the heart of Trakoria. The nefarious sect, which were revealed to be necromancers and violent extremists defying the will of the gods, raised an Undead army against the city of Arhem and the Empire's sulphur mines there. The city was burned, and the mines destroyed, a clear sacrilege against the sanctity of Kastyke's profiteering. 

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Only thanks to the quick wit of Colonel da Kaelve, and the resolute actions of Sir Rolande, the sulphur convoy was saved and the Shagulite tower destroyed. Likewise, General Pikenose and his condottiers immediately arrested the Shagulite plotters in Milacke, and the Digeta Longa apprehended Harkaton, the leader of the sect in Tricilve.

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The people have spent a week celebrating the bravey of da Kaelve, now promoted to General, and Sir Rolande, who left to return to his home in Zorakin afterwards. As events unfolded, the people have expressed its outrage against Queen Heneguya for harbouring the snake Harkaton as a close advisor for so long, although no evidence has been presented implicating her in the treason. Emperor Radassabar himself was present at the funeral procession over Gotthard of Melse, Procurator of Marjura, who gave his life defending Arhem, ensuring the Trakorian subjects could evacuate and live to fight another day. The Emperor has promised that monies will be raised for a punitive expedition against the unruly Undead,which will be lead by General da Kaelve as soon as the weather allows the fleet to sail there safely.

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[Removed the Marjura Sphere. Lowered Heneguya's influence in Tricilve by 1. Removed Shadow Actor Harkaton the Shagulite and all its resources.]

January 01, 2020

The city of Fontra Cilor, Palamux, is abuzz with news of the recent arrival of a new resident, who has turned out to be none other than the returning heir of the principality of Folda. Detractors were quick to call him a fake, but scroll masters and veritii have agreed that the documents proving his lineage are genuine, quickly silencing these voices. The old nobility is enthusiastic over this return, seeing it as a sign that the city, once the capital of the old Klavykian empire, will see a return to its old glory.

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[Added Shadow Power Prince of Folda in Nastrol, with Resources and Influence in Tricilve and Korjulme]

The Harvest month is proceeding as usual. Of particular note is are the produce contests on Paratorna and Saphyna. In Paratorna, a new record for biggest langock is recorded in Bralorge, and immediately contested by farmers from Paraltro. In Saphyna, the local Elder brewer Agustold da Pjullo boasts of a beer so good and nourshing, people will never have to eat again, and it will even cure opiander addiction. By replacing it with another addiction, critics say. The DiFolts have yet to comment.