The Flagship [Vol 2]

[VonEbs 1224]

The Flagship
vol. II (1/19/13)

Contents:
Peace or Surrender?
As a War Rages
Terror in the Courtyard
Who is Resigning Next?
A New Path?

Peace or Surrender?

In the past elven week, a compromise had been reached among the High Council and the Holy Oren Emperor, Godrey, who, last elven week, issued a startling ultimatum to the High Council. Peace talks continued for what felt like decades, and finally, the High Council gave in to some of the Emperor’s demands. Printed below is the statement nailed to the message board in Malinor, placed their by newly crowned High Prince Kolyat.

 

 

“This document shall serve to publicly outline the peaceful agreement between the Princedom of Malinor and the Holy Oren Empire.

1)  All public documents shall be correct in information and beneficial to amiable relations between the Princedom of Malinor and the Holy Oren Empire.
2) The Militaric forces of the Princedom of Malinor shall remain solely for defensive purposes. The militaric forces of the Holy Oren Empire shall make no aggressive actions towards the Holy Prince of Malinor, or the law abiding citizens within.
3)  Any criminals seeking refuge in either the Princedom of Malinor or the Holy Oren Empire shall be deported to the location their crime was committed, within either the Holy Oren Empire or the Princedom of Malinor.
4) Any citizen of either nation plotting to, or found to be performing terrorist, or seditious acts against either nation will be seen as a traitor, and dealt with accordingly.

 

Any citizen still with questions, concerns or whom is merely seeking advice may feel free to contact any of the High Council relating such topics.”

Despite the High Prince’s use of “militaric”, which is not a word, this document is direct to the point. To preserve the elven way of life, the Mali must give up some of their freedoms, lest they lose them all. While many find this unacceptable, some might point out that they are the same ones who have always had supreme trust in the High Council, and have never questioned or criticized before. A Mali’s chance to criticize Oren is long past, so, there can no longer be any pretending that the freedom of speech and expression still exists in Malinor.

Points two and three are almost unnecessary, as these were already in effect. Malinor has no offensive capabilities at this point, and the Mali can barely protect themselves. Recent construction, which will be elaborated on below, has aided in defending Malinor, but, there is much ambiguity on the number of soldiers Malinor can maintain without it being considered offensive capability. One should note that it does not say whether or not Oren will deport criminals to Malinor, or if a noble ever commits a crime against the Mali, if they will be tried in Malinor, or will receive special treatment. It will then be left up to the Holy Oren Emperor to decide how many soldiers Malinor can have, who can live in Malinor, and what can be said within its borders. It is not safe to say that Malinor has basically given up most of its sovereignty to the Holy Oren Empire in order to remain in existence.
~Ebs

As a War Rages

The Urukz of the War Uzg and the Bortuan of the Empire of Urguan have recently engaged in fierce hostilities. The Uruks have been “klomped”, or defeated, numerous times, and the Bortu called in the Valah of Oren to assist them in their latest assault on an Orcish mountain fortress. The Uruks, hopelessly outnumbered, held out for much longer than expected, and enacted serious damage on the allied forces attacking them. Many soldiers were knocked into a pit, where uruks stood by to butcher them.

This is just the latest in a string of battles, which, for the most part, the Valah and Bortuan getting the better of the uruks. Without a serious victory, the War Uzg may not be able to continue the war, as reports say that their iron supplies become severely depleted after each loss. There are not many diplomatic options for the War Uzg, and the bortu and valah alliance shows no sign of breaking. Things look grim for the War Uzg, once one of the mightiest Empires in living memory.
~Ebs

Terror in the Courtyard

Several seeds ago, an Uruk War Party was allowed by High Prince Kolyat into Malinor. The uruks then proceeded to demand tribute, in the form of whatever armor they coould get their hands on. They encircled the High Prince and Prince Khel along with Larien, High Prince Kolyat’s wife, and me, Ebs. Kolyat attempted to persuade them to leave peacefully, but, as would be expected, they would have nothing of it. The seven armored uruks were ready to tear through Malinor, killing every Mali in sight, when Khel finally handed over his armor. Kolyat was reluctant to do so, but was eventually convinced by a very sharp axe that fancied his neck.

The Rex of the War Uzh promised to return next elven week to call upon us for more tribute, and the war party departed quickly. This incident has called to mind many such similar incidents in the past, where Malinor has been held hostage by armed parties intent on destabilizing Malinor and taking whatever metal they can find. So far, little has had effect on these attacks, but Prince Khel has begun an ambitious construction of fortifications for the mountaintop city of Malinor. The new gate system is impressive, with three gates to keep an armed party out. If manned by a Sentinel, its various traps and features could hold enemies at bay for quite some time, enough to get everyone to relative safety. Also related to Malinor’s security, a group of liches was evicted from atop the mountain. These developments show an increasing concern among the remains of the High Council for the security of the Mali.
~Ebs

Who’s Resigning Next?

After the now controversial crowning of High Prince Kolyat and the ousting of former High Prince Bravepaw, a series of high level resignations shook Malinor. Princes Bravepaw, Orlanden, and Lucion all resigned in the same seed, depleting the council to only four members. While this has opened the council to new members, the lack of mali’ame on the high Council concerns many, as does the shortage of Mali’ker.

Racial tensions have again flared due to this, and there has never before been a Mali’Aheral High Prince. Bravepaw has not been seen in Malinor for at least a valah year, and former Princess Earenial has dropped from public view as well. No one knows what move is next for the High Council, though Prince Khel hinted that after the resolution of the Oren Crisis, that more members would be appointed. Rina, a Mali’ker, has been the strongest voice for action, and she has been met with much public support and backlash. As Malinor’s current leaders continue to fade, the stability of the Princedom is in jeopardy. Hopefully, High Prince Kolyat has what it takes to keep Malinor together.
~Ebs

A New Path?

In a recent statement, Prince Khel has revealed his intent to start hosting public forums on what the Mali want for the future of Malinor. This is a progressive step, one which some do not agree. Some see democracy as the way forward, while others wish to cling to the old ways, which in many eyes, are broken, outdated, and more harmful than helpful. He scheduled this forum for last seed, though, I did not hear that it happened, but I may be mistaken. If it did indeed happen, I am truly sorry to have missed it. I hope that more such public forums are held, as Malinor has many voices, and they need to be heard.
~Ebs

Editor’s Note:
If you are interested in working for The Flagship or would like to report on a story in Malinor or abroad, please contact me, Ebs, via messenger bird. (Please pm on the forums, I do not bite... often.) Also, if you or your business is interested in advertising it’s products or services, please contact me via messenger bird for more information and pricing. This publication will be regularly printed every elven week.

 

Many thanks:
~Ebs

[PtahWithin 1320]

Briarspoken watches a group of Branchpeople read a series of papers. They seem to nod and discuss whatever its contents are, before they set it down on a nearby bench and walk off down towards the cavernous halls of the Under Branchpeople.

Briarspoken walks towards the bench, curious. He grabs the pages with his large hands, the papers crumbling in his grip before he flattens them out. Briarspoken peers at the writing through his helmeted face, and then places the publication back on the bench.

"Perhaps it is that this day I should learn this craft of 'reading'."

[emberhard 82]

Emberhard smiles, once again scanning the familiar parchment, he frowns his brows slightly upon reading the resolution with oren.

 

"He complains of censorship, yet he criticizes the council so openly!"

 

His smile still holds as he wanders off, enjoying the criticism... 

[Mercury199 86]

Kolyat reads over the first section frowning slightly.

 

"Perhaps the author would fair better in regard to accuracy should he inquire with those who are better informed. Perhaps examination and creative thoguht would render the same results ? Anyhow, thank you for arguing Ebs." 

He says to no-one in particular.