The Hay Herald Vol 3: THE ARMY OF HANSETI-RUSKA - A THREAT TO ALL INNOCENT LIFE ON ALMARIS

[Barbog 448]

Spoiler

 

 

 

[!] A newspaper is scattered around Almaris, fluttering in the wind and tacked up everywhere, as far the eye can see. 

 

The Hay Herald: Special Military Exposé

~Bringing you quality news since 80 SA!~

 

CONTENTS:

~The Tragedy at Honeyhill~

~Reports of Further Abuse of Citizenry~

~A Cry for the Koeng~

 

~The Tragedy at Honeyhill~

The Hay Harald team is devastated today to report on a recent tragedy, but it is our job to ensure that events like these are brought to light. Earlier today, we received a report from a scraggly, beaten, and exhausted goblin, a well-beloved teacher in the Weefolk village of Honeyhill. The state of this figure alone was enough to garner our attention, but the story he relayed to us was enthralling in the worst of ways. 

 

The Honorary Halfling spoke of a band of humans and an orc that blustered their way through the town, scaring citizens aside as their horses barreled through the barely-renovated streets of Honeyhill. This battalion of cavalrymen-and-women hooted and hollered about their "military training exercises" as they stormed over the newly-built homes of the citizens (of their own nation, no less!), to ascend to the highest hill in their land.

 

One brave, unfortunate soul among the citizenry attempted to ask the sanest-looking among them why they showed up to their village so heavily armed. Instead of any proper response or explanation, an Orc dressed in Hanseti armor and the Koeng's colours hoisted a spear two-halflings-long, and took aim at the curious lad. Rather than be reprimanded by his compatriots for this brazen abuse of power and threat to their own citizens, he was JOINED by another, also wielding a spear! 

The lad would later describe this spear as  'encrusted in ice', and another claimed it to be elemental-looking- I need not remind any readers that all voidal items and magicks are banned in Honeyhill due to traumatic events that led to the death of the previous Thain! 

 

It was only by the will of KNOX that the "quarry" this band of poachers flying the Koeng's flag arrived, seconds before the first soldier could throw his spear at the halfling lad, plunging the life-ending war-tool deep into the ground at the lad's feet.

 

Further tragedy would meet the villagers this day, as the prey of these villainous soldiers was none other than the local Crowdrake, who had been in a symbiotic relationship with Honeyhill and feasted on an invasive population of giant spiders. A group of villagers whisked away the lad who barely avoided death, and were forced to hide in their homes as the sounds of battle rattled their burrows.

 

As the soldiers above attempted to slaughter the baby bird (and received quite a thrashing in return), they screamed obscenities straight into the ears of the mild-mannered halflings. The sounds of this battle raged for quite some time and, unfortunately, ended in one dead baby bird surrounded by a pack of bloodthirsty humans.

 

I do not exaggerate when I say this, dear readers, for the word straight from the Goblin's mouth was that one gruesome individual in particular slit the Crowdrake's throat and proceeded to drink and cover himself in it's blood, in front of a small group of the weefolk.

 

With their slaughter done, and their "military training" concluded, it seemed as though the terror was over. The aforementioned group of citizens emerged from the burrow and went to try to confront the soldiers on what they had done, now that many of them fled into the night. Unfortunately, they were met with the sight of yet more Honeyhill and Hanseti  laws being broken by their own army. The soldiers had begun to carve up the birdbeast, illegally poaching on halfling hunting ground!

 

It should come at no surprise, dear reader, what the response was when the former Sherriff attempted to tell the soldiers this. Immediately, they began to pull out their swords and spears once more to threaten the Weefolk into submission as their compatriots carved and beheaded the village's former protector. They waved their blades around, and it is alleged that two of these soldiers in particular assaulted their own citizens, beating them with their fists when the villagers threatened to tell the Koeng's court.

When their bloody work was done they ran off, trailing gore behind them, and leaving behind beaten halflings and a terrified village.

 

Pictured: Soldiers threatening Honeyhill citizens leaving their homes after the chaos, weapons aloft.

 

~Reports of Further Abuse of Citizenry~

I must express how appalled I was to hear this story, dear readers, and I myself could not believe it. I took it upon myself to save this story until more proof showed face, and I am greatly saddened to say that I found it. In the hours proceeding my own hearing of this story, I strove out to interview other local farmers and small villages under Haense's """protection"""- and many more citizens relayed similar stories. Their lands being stolen for military training events and installations, farms trampled by uncaring soldiers, women and children assaulted by soldiers when approaching them.

 

Normally, a writer hearing these may say that there is a "rot in the military that must be excised". Dear readers, I wish it were so.

 

If there are any of the Koeng's army who are loyal to the people, they are few and far between. The soldiers have shown themselves cruel, abusive, unfeeling, towards their land, their people, and the nation's children. They are more a threat to the innocents of their own nation, than the armies of other kingdoms.

 

~A Cry for the Koeng~

Please, Koeng. Your people scream out for mercy.

They lie in bloody streets in the wake of devastation wrought by soldiers that claim to act in your name.

Now is not the time for platitudes and apologies.

Now is the time for action.

Root out every last criminal, and set it right with all your people.

Restore relations with the traumatized and embittered Honeyhill.

Vow to declare traitor any soldier committing these heinous acts.

And see justice done.

 

 

-A greatly saddened writer.

[ThatDutchFellow 1147]

Hob the Beast Slayer nodded firmly, spitting to his side at his brush with death by the hands of the Brotherhood of Saint Karl. He of course the aforementioned brave Halflings whom had been threatened by these very Spears "O' dems claim ter beh pro'ec'in us! Bu' meanwhoile dems try o' kill ye dah second ye ques'ion dems"

[GreenWitchLys 72]

A small Halfling grumbled, "Rude Bigguns. Oi seen te wole ting." Bram then moved on to show the others the paper.

[Crunchiest_Leaf 1242]

A large armoured knight would grumble upon reading the paper - "Aye that Atilan lad 'ad a bag of 'the poor beasties bones - is'nae right killin poor creatures fer sport - was'nae harmin anyone"

[NotEvilAtAll 10906]

"Oi used'er t'ink tha' jus' t'a bigguns from the South were t'a bad ones. Now oi'm nay so sure, since t'ese norf bigguns ain' tha' grea' eithah! Poachin' animals, slurping blood fresh frem t'a carcass an' braggin' abou' 'ow 't makes yeh more powerful, all sor's o' foul witchereh an' violence... Hones'leh wouldn' surprise me if t'a BSK beh compromised wif luna'ics! T'ey sure do act tha' way!"

 

Mimosa Applefoot shakes her head, going back to her pumpkin-picking.

[GMRO 6186]

Karl III awaited the report from his Lord Marshal before proceeding any further upon the matter! @Buffsanta

[Latelle 721]

A particular spectre & honorary halfling skims through the paper, keeping it levitating in front of her as she took shelter from the draining sun 'neath a bridge.

 

"...Interesting...oh, my dearest friend...he would have never let the army decay into such a sorry state..." the ethereal woman muses, a tinge of desperation in her voice.

[SapphirePool 1360]

The newspapers scattered about Balian were seen to be removed by a teenage girl. Later, she set out a place for newspapers to be placed, instead of thrown on the streets.

[Maiyun 362]

A former huntress pauses at the sight of a newspaper carelessly tossed into the entryway of her tavern. She sifts through the contents with a frown, before gently folding it back and setting it out of the way of foot travel. In case others wished to read it.

[Buffsanta 961]

Lord Marshal Hieran Melphestaus perks a brow as the missive is presented to him, before recalling the real events of the prior saints day. To those who came with queries of the missive, the man would enlighten their intrigue with an account.

 

"Ah yes, the crowdrake. The beast would've killed every halfing in sight. So, we set off to face the creature, and that is exactly what we did. That is when the Halfling appeared. A foolish recruit made a remark while waving about his spear. He was untrained and twitchy. I apologised as a councillor, as did he. But clearly remorse from a conscript who knew no better means little. Aside from that and as far as I know, there was no terrorisation, no pillaging  not a hand was laid upon the town."

 

The old General would sigh, before revealing a second letter.

 

"This, is a report from a soldier on that day. Supposedly the village people demanded the corpse of the beast the soldiers killed, before offering their own threats. Yet I do not come with slanderous missives to combat it.

No halflings were present as the BSK arrived. Half them weren't even aware they village was there. They didn't even walk over halfling property.

A foolish recruit - 3 saints hours old in the Brotherhood- made a pathetic remark and was dealt with publicly. 

That, is what I apologies for. 

Should truth be found in the allegations of assault, those soldier will be presented with lashes and fines if not worse."

 

As one would look into the kers gaze, this would appear to be both his apology and intended action of consequences. To any halflings who wishes to report, he would simply state:

 

"When you intend to accuse someone, however. Make it the full truth. Do not make details up to assist your gain. Vy are not in the wrong, but next time somebody wants to make a letter about me? Have it be only the truth, and do it to my face. It brings sadness to my eyes to see a real issue that must be dealt with to be covered with details of fantasy and illusion."

[The Tough Guy 4319]

Sigrun Ireheart read the report about the Brotherhood's actions. "Roight, whoh taeh fook cares."

[Draketonic 71]

Cadet Officer Felyx Colborn reads the primary account a few times over, not personally having attended the event.

 

"I could write better propaganda than that..."

 

He mutters, trusting in the Marshall who knew of this hunt to clear things up.

[Borin 7645]

"Them poor 'alflings, oppressed!" Bailiff Otto frowns "Rural folk solidarity!" he cries, waving his crossbow about

[NotEvilAtAll 10906]

7 hours ago, Buffsanta said:

Lord Marshal Hieran Melphestaus perks a brow as the missive is presented to him, before recalling the real events of the prior saints day. To those who came with queries of the missive, the man would enlighten their intrigue with an account.

 

"Ah yes, the crowdrake. The beast would've killed every halfing in sight. So, we set off to face the creature, and that is exactly what we did. That is when the Halfling appeared. A foolish recruit made a remark while waving about his spear. He was untrained and twitchy. I apologised as a councillor, as did he. But clearly remorse from a conscript who knew no better means little. Aside from that and as far as I know, there was no terrorisation, no pillaging  not a hand was laid upon the town."

 

The old General would sigh, before revealing a second letter.

 

"This, is a report from a soldier on that day. Supposedly the village people demanded the corpse of the beast the soldiers killed, before offering their own threats. Yet I do not come with slanderous missives to combat it.

No halflings were present as the BSK arrived. Half them weren't even aware they village was there. They didn't even walk over halfling property.

A foolish recruit - 3 saints hours old in the Brotherhood- made a pathetic remark and was dealt with publicly. 

That, is what I apologies for. 

Should truth be found in the allegations of assault, those soldier will be presented with lashes and fines if not worse."

 

As one would look into the kers gaze, this would appear to be both his apology and intended action of consequences. To any halflings who wishes to report, he would simply state:

 

"When you intend to accuse someone, however. Make it the full truth. Do not make details up to assist your gain. Vy are not in the wrong, but next time somebody wants to make a letter about me? Have it be only the truth, and do it to my face. It brings sadness to my eyes to see a real issue that must be dealt with to be covered with details of fantasy and illusion."

"T'a drake was killed on our proper'eh, tha' much beh obvious. T'a hills o'er t'ere all beh ours, an' yeh're lads fough' on top o' where our fathahs an' mothahs used ter beh buried 'fore t'eh reloca'ion, on roads made boi halflin' 'ands. Af'er yew bigguns killed 't, one o' yar soldiers slurped up t'is blood fresh frem t'a source, ah even' wif maneh wi'nesses, an' la'er said tha' such ac's 'r t'a same as "Eating" to 'em an' tha' 'e does 't ter gain MAGICAL POWAHS! T'a soldiers called us names an' took trophies frem t'a drakes 'fore headin' off, almos' as though t'eh whole ordeal was jus' ter ge' cool man'le-pieces ins'ead o' pro'ec' anehbodeh!

 

Needless t'er say, oi ain' go' aneh kinda remorse for t'a Demon-soldiers who slurp blood! If anehbodeh ough' ter ge' kicked ou' o' t'a BSK, may 't beh dem! An' nex' toime yehr soldiers go round killin' birds, make sure yew clear up t'a hun'in' righ's firs' an' don' go threa'enin' t'a locals, wha'ever excuse ye may beh usin' af'er t'eh fac', 't s'ill ain' righ'!"

 

Mimosa Applefoot once again goes back to picking the pumpkins on top of her burrow.

[The Harbinger 336]

Glod sighs bitterly. "nae rest fer tae wicked." he muttered as he rode out.