The Black Bear Bulletin, 244 S.A.

[Sander 3312]

 

VOL. 1

EDITION. 1

Baruch & Kortrevich Publishing

 

Two Minas per Edition

Coming soon in Naumariav

 

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THE BLACK BEAR BULLETIN

Grense, Empire of Man

244 Second Age.

5 pages

 

 

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Written by: Charlie Baruch

Published by: B&K Publishing

 

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Pg. 1

IMPERIAL CAPITAL SETTLED
 

 

View of Grense

An artist’s rendition, 243 S.A.

 

After several years of intensive construction projects and the populous hordes of the Imperial citizenry itching to move in, the Imperial capital of Grense finally finished construction. What was in past times a sleepy village in the shadow of the Lemon Hill monastery, sat along the road that connected the lands of the Reinmaren and Petra has now become a metropole boasting the Imperial throne.

 

With extensive fortifications both in terms of city defenses and castles, the city strikes an imposing image as it perches atop the cliffs of the Imperial heartland. Its architects gifted it with many a tower and walls high enough to be cliffs in of themselves. Interesting to note is the extensive use of various shades of burgundy in the painting of the new buildings’ woodwork, no doubt an intended nod to the Empire’s central kingdom.

Over the past few Saint’s days Grense has boomed as both Imperial citizens and investors from abroad scramble to claim shops and houses and many a property was sold off to the highest bidder. Indeed those who still wish to assert their place in the capital’s sun ought to be quick to seek out a steward, for the streets of Grense fill up fast. By now the first stores have sprung up, the tavern is aching to open for business and an first Imperial court, the first of many no doubt, has already been held in the Empire’s new seat of power.

 

Written by: Charlie Baruch

 

 

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Pg. 2

PRINCE’S INSTITUTION OPENS DOORS

 

 

Arms of the Prince’s Institution

Two Saint’s days ago a new academy opened its doors in the Archduchy of Alba; the Prince’s Institution. On the theatre stage in Alba an Enrollment Gathering was held near the new institution’s building to celebrate the grand opening of this school. Prospective students, their families and interested citizens alike were treated to speeches of the Head Mistress Lady Kaba Halcourt and Maer - as well as patron of the institute - Daniel von Rhoswald, among others.

The Prince’s Institution offers a wide variety of courses taught by its Professors, divided between Core Classes and Elective Courses. The Core Classes offered are: Diplomacy, Etiquette, Imperial History and Law, Literature and Language Arts, Philosophy and Theology. The Elective Courses offered are: Acolyte Studies, Archaeology, Art, Astronomy (taught by yours truly), Chivalry and Foreign Languages. Students wishing to enroll at the Prince’s Institution need to pick a combination of both core classes and elective courses and are required to take a total of at least nine classes to graduate. Classes will start three Saint’s days from now, those seeking to enroll into the first academic year can still do so until then. While the Prince’s Institute does take tuition, generous scholarship plans are provided by the institution and its patrons for those struggling to afford tuition fees. 

 

Written by: Charlie Baruch

 

 

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Pg. 3

ADVERTISEMENT SPACE
AND HELP WANTED!

 

Are you a business owner, private citizen or government employee wishing to advertise your business or services? Then you are in luck. In every edition of the Caged Crow Chronicles there will be one or two advertisement spaces available for purchase. Contact Baruch & Kortrevich publishing if interested by writing a letter to Charlie Baruch.

Additionally, since there is no advertisement from an outside partner in this first edition, the Caged Crow Chronicle itself will advertise that we are looking to expand our team! Are you someone interested in journalism that gets the facts straight, writing that grips readers’ attention or providing the latest news? Then you seem like a fit for our team. Contact us, and perhaps your name will be in our next edition!

 

Written by: Charlie Baruch

 

 

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Pg. 4

RACIST TAX DISCUSSED IN HOUSE OF LORDS

 

 

A mediocre artist’s rendition of the Alban House of Lords

 

More news from the Archduchy of Alba this year, as a controversial proposal was put forth in this year’s sitting of its House of Lords. While more attention was given to the Great Act of State and the granting of permission to the Archduchy to conscript its citizens, there was a third bill put forth to the House. This concerned a proposal we believe was proposed by Alba’s Lord Chancellor George, the Earl of Dover.

 

The proposal to the House was to levy an additional tax upon ‘non-Horenic’ citizens of Alba (any race that is not human, halfling or adunian). This concerned an additional 10 minas that would have to be paid yearly for the crime of not being born a descendant of Horen. A member of the clergy who was present to represent the Church and give counsel was of the sense to object to this proposed tax. This monk said that any non-Horenic citizens who were still Canonists should be exempt from such a tax. This then led to the proposal being altered to instead discriminate against any so-called ‘heretics and heathens’, which led to a concerned Qalasheen spectator noting that his faith in Allah was sanctioned by the Imperial Court. The monk then said that the Church considered their faith to be a sect of Canonism that was not heretical and thus exempt from this additional tax.

 

It thus came to be that this tax upon all non-Canonists was passed unanimously by the House of Lords. What the purpose of such a tax was or what the additional taxed funds were required for was not discussed by the House, nor what impact this would have upon Alba’s citizens. Proponents of the tax might also be disappointed to note that outsider cries to instead levy 15 or 20 minas extra on the victims of this tax were ignored by the House. Whatever one might think of this tax, it does appear that Orenian Liberalism is long dead amongst the lords of the Alban Archduchy.

 

Written by: Charlie Baruch

 

 

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Pg. 5

NORLANDERS HOLD OFF MOUNTAIN

 

 

Siege of Norland by the mountain, artist’s rendition

 

Last Saint’s Day the Norlandic capital of Vjardengrad was the site of the latest gruesome fight against the forces of The Mountain. The capital of the highlander country was surrounded on all sides by the forces of the enemy, but a large garrison of Norlandic and Imperial forces was present within the city. These allied forces were divided into four fronts, one covering each of the four cardinal directions the city was beleaguered from. The siege of Vjardengrad would consist of a long direct assault by the forces of the Orsathiael, also known as the Mountain, lasting over four Saint’s hours.

 

The northern front saw some of the most intense action. Here allied forces defending the Ashwood Throne consisting of Karoslunder and the Norn were faced with elementals, an elemental wyvern as well as various thralls of the Daemon. As the battle dragged on, it slowly but surely became a losing battle as the forces of Orsathiael seemed too strong to counter. The tide of battle was however unexpectedly turned on this front. Maya of Barbanov-Bihar purportedly prayed to the Exalted Sigismund, which led to a holy glass cannon firing a shot imbued with the templar life energy of Asmund, the nephew of King Haakon - who sacrificed his life for such a noble goal, GOD rest his soul. 

 

This holy cannonshot, strengthened by the Divine, was shot straight at the Daemon Orsathiael and hit the Mountain, who was shot back down into his prison beneath the earth. This not only saved the defenders from being burned to death, but gave them a decisive edge. After a few more cannon shots and tireless fighting of the garrison in the defense of Norland and the Continent, the battle was won.  

 

Written by: Charlie Baruch

 

 

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This concludes this edition of the Caged Crow Chronicles. We hope to bring you our next edition by the end of next year.  

 

[PrinceTheDM 275]

Elijah would view the missive, appreciating the work of their fellow Professor. 

[MunaZaldrizoti 8037]

Though in exile, that fresh chronicle somehow found its way into the frigid north and to the attention of Maya Karenina. Her brows lifted, at the mention of crows...and their victory against Orsathiael's armies. She had not thought to see her own name and 'Baruch' printed upon any contemporary missive, but she beheld it with some small hope. Hope that her heroism, however distant from those who had chosen the comforts of Imperium, would remember who remained - the heir to the Golden Crow that sought not to be caged at all.

[spaazmatism 1018]

A little lordling who had been present for that fight for Norland, and died in its defense, read the paper. He was rather angry that his death was not mentioned in the paper, as it was him who had died in direct combat with the Daemon. Whatever. it was not as if dying was a setback for such a creature, he thought;

And The Pentacle weeps for no-one.