The Flagship [Volume 8]

[VonEbs 1224]

The Flagship

Volume VIII(6/22/2013)

 

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Contents:

Coalition Forces Routed

The Lumidrim Unveiled: A Sit Down with Bircalin and Khel

Chasing out the Fallen

Dreek Stormhammer Cleared of all Charges

Kaedrin Isolates Malinor

Iron Prices Rise by 27%

 

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Coalition Forces Routed

 

In a predicted turn of events, the forces of the Kingdom of Urguan and its allies were forced to retreat in a pitched battle at the nations crossroads. I observed the battle on the Dwarven side, and my best estimate is that there were close to eighty warriors fighting on the side of the Coalition against around one hundred soldiers on Orenian side. The Coalition’s forces included those fighting under the banner of the Kingdom of Urguan, the Confederation of the Kharajyr, the non-Orenian Andunian clans, and House Tarus. The Orenians summoned all of their forces, including the Blackmonts, the White Roses under House Chivay, the Order of the Lions lead by Duke Uthor Silverblade of Furnestock, as well as many others. The battle began as both forces faced barrages of arrows and from the dwarven side, snowballs, over the river that divides the nation crossing from the South of Anthos. Somehow, the Orenians had managed to build a line of trenches, while the Coalition forces had little cover, and sustained a few casualties from arrow fire. The forces of Emperor Horen V, who was absent from the battle, were much more well organized, and as one, charged across the bridges spanning the river, with the Blackmonts taking the Southern Bridge in a flanking attempt. The loosely packed Coalition forces scattered, but took relatively few losses. The battle turned into a fighting retreat, with many more humans than Coalition fighters falling. Eventually, greater numbers won out, and what was left of the Coalition fell back to Kal’Azgoth in defeat, but with a significant amount of their original forces intact.

 

While the battle is a clear Orenian victory, the war is far from over. Their next obstacle will be the fort into the pass in the mountains leading further into the Kingdom of Urguan. The fortress is formidable, and since its capture by the dwarves from the orcs of Ugluk clan, its defenses have only increased. If Oren is held at the pass, its supply lines might grow stretched, as it takes a small army of carts to supply and army so large, and it may be forced to retreat to Salvus if the engagement is prolonged. Keep an eye out for future volumes of the Flagship for updates on the war.

 

~Ebs

 

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The Lumidrim Unveiled: A Sit Down with Bircalin and Khel

 

Ebs: So, as what might come as a shock to most Mali, the Highguard have been disbanded, and Serva dismissed. Could you provide some background as to why these choices were made?

 

Bircalin: Certainly. There was much discussion over a period of time in which it was decided something had to be done about the current state of the Elven armed forces.

 

Khel: It’s not a stretch to say they carried a certain level of incompetence.

 

Bircalin: It was decided that under the new command of myself, there could be a brighter future for the Mali.

 

Ebs: There must be more than that. Could you tell us why Serva was dismissed?

 

Bircalin: Indeed. High Princess Titania, along with I believe both Princes Kaun and Urasept had reason to believe that there was considerable evidence indicating towards Serva leading a form of mutiny or rebellion. the motives of which we are unsure, however it only came as an added reason to why his dismissal was appropriate, alongside his general ineffective regime over the Highguard.

 

Ebs: I have been lead to believe there was some type of confrontation when Serva was dismissed.

 

Khel: Indeed, when he was investigated, this very barracks turned into a skirmish.

 

Ebs: What exactly happened?

 

Khel: I was not present for the entire time...

 

Bircalin: The events that transpired occurred in such a short span of time, that even I have only a short recount of what had occurred, as I was desperately called for by the High Princess. Upon arriving at the gate you see to my right, I found what can’t be better described than a bladed tavern-brawl involving Serva Rose and several of his “loyal” compatriots. Few of the truly brave Highguard stood in defense of the High Princess Titania, whom at the time stood with bolt in her arm taking cover on the ledge to my left.

 

Ebs: That must have been an alarming sight. What happened after you arrived?

 

Bircalin: I immediately took to removing the High Princess from the barracks, being barred by three of Serva’s men. They were all dealt with accordingly. It was gruesome, bloody, and unneeded, but we did what was necessary. Swiftly enough, we took the wounded to the Druid’s Grove wherein the wounded were patched up, including Serva himself.

 

Ebs: So, the High Princess then put you two  in charge of reforming what was, up until now, our lackluster military?

 

Bircalin: The High Princess put myself in command of the Elven forces, and I appointed Khel as one of my second-in-commands almost instantly.

 

Ebs: So, I understand that you wish to turn the military into something that is both respected and highly competent. What is your position on accepting the offered aid from Oren?

 

Khel: That has been the aspiration of the elves for some time, to form something that allows us to be self-reliant/ It’s a high goal, and we will meet many challenges yet it can be done, with effort.

 

Bircalin: I am afraid it isn’t within my jurisdiction, so to say, to speak of what may well be considered political matters.

 

Ebs: I suppose I will have to throw that question to Titania and the High Council then. Is there anything else either of you would like to say?

 

Bircalin: We will do whatever is asked of us by the High Council, as is our duty. We will do what is expected of us, and above all, we will always strive to please our one true father, Malin.

 

Khel: I desire to say: this marks one of the steps that the elves need to take to begin to rebuil what has been lost.

 

Ebs: Well, thank you both for your time. Van’Ayla.

 

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Chasing out the Fallen

 

In what appeared to be a coordinated operation between the City-State of Malinor and the Enclave of Haelun’or, a group known as the Fallen has been all but removed from Malinor. Details as to the crimes this community has committed are vague at best, but initial information suggests that originally based in Vaer’haven, which is a dwarven hold located far to the south in the Kingdom of Urguan, and had taken temporary refuge in Malinor after mounting a resistance against King Thorin. The settlement of Darkhaven was raided, and Malinor in general was searched. It appears most of the individuals in the Fallen have been either killed or chased out of Malinor, so any threat they may pose is minimal.

 

~Ebs

 

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Dreek Stormhammer Cleared of all Charges

 

Former Grand Marshal Dreek Stormhammer of the Kingdom of Urguan has been cleared of all charges levied upon him in a trial conducted by King Thorin. Most of the claims made were found to be simple misunderstandings upon further inquiry, and the legitimacy of the entire trial became the fodder of many jokes in dwarven taverns.

 

~Ebs

 

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Kaedrin Isolates Malinor

 

Kaedrin now firmly controls the only bridge leading to Salvus from Malinor, confirming the fears of many Mali, cutting Malinor off from the South. The bridge left open to Elven traffic has been cut by unknown forces. However, it is widely reported that the White Roses are behind the alleged sabotage. A gatehouse now sits on the other bridge, and it is often left unmanned, forcing any traveling to Oren to brave the Brigand’s Pass, a dangerous path that runs along a ravine which rejoins the road between Salvus and Abresi near Auvergne. With Salvus on lockdown, travelling South has become quite difficult, and the only open route being through the forests south of Malinor into the Cloud Temple, which is a much farther distance than the bridges formerly available to foot travel. This will make it more difficult for Elves to find the forests of Malinor, and will hamper trade within the City-State.

 

~Ebs

 

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Iron Price Rise 27%

 

Iron rose sharply this last elven week, up to forty-five minas an ingot in Abresi, the only location where it is available in the North. The war and travel restrictions placed by Oren have made travel south dangerous at best, and iron shortages are widespread in cities around Anthos, with the Holy Oren Empire in control of the largest strategic reserve. The price of forty-five minas an ingot marks a 142% increase since the death of Toveah Goldman, whose trade policies lead iron to its low price of 18.6 minas an ingot.

 

((before people start crying that there is iron for 35 minas in Oren, the shops were stocked after I wrote this, so clam down))

 

~Ebs

 

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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

 

[Silevon 497]

"S... Significant Coalition forces left? I smells bias, I does! They was decimated! All of them was slaughtered, I chased with fellow levy about 3 back to Kal'Azgoth! Hah!"

[Your Favorite Impure 736]

*Aenor reads over the part about Serva and the disbandment of the Highguard*

"Bah...I was the one who told them of Serva...And even then it was a small /suspicion/...And I don't get any credit /or/ recognition for this..."

*Aenor grumbles as his ears flick in irrtarion, before whipping around and pulling his hood up, trudging off*

((On a phone so no special colors or schtuff. x3))

[ΚΨΙΞ 710]

Pertinax mumbles to himself quietly, cursing at the fact the editor thinks Uthor is the leader.

 

[Pertinax Horen leads the Chapter of the Lion, not Uthor ;p]

[Caln McHarnish/porkchopp2 71]

Caln gives a "Yippe!" as he hears that his flanking tactic once more led the Humans to victory even though the Rangers were thought to have betrayed Oren because of it.

[Destroyer_Bravo 1054]

The fortress is formidable, and since its capture by the dwarves from the orcs of Ugluk clan, its defenses have only decreased.

Defenses decreased? W'at...

 

((Also the Blackmonts and Rose flanked not any Rangers.))

[Caln McHarnish/porkchopp2 71]

((Woh Woh Woh, Rangers flanked left side with bows))

[Moot 1719]

Moved to the Great Library. It shall be sorted into appropriate category shortly.