Imperial Court Herald

Issue 1, Spring 1526 HC (553 MR)

(Two Great Houses Join in Marriage): Two of Anuire's oldest and most influential houses, the Avans and the Boeruines, have been joined in marriage after centuries of conflict over the Iron Throne. In a lavish ceremony presided over by the Northern Imperial Temple of Haelyn, the Archduke of Boeruine, Shaene Boeruine, was wed to Prince Avan's sister, Aelissa. A month later, the Prince of Avanil, Rhaegar Avan, was wed to the Archduke's sister, Noeva, in an equally lavish ceremony presided over by the Western Imperial Temple. Both of the newly wed couples recieved lavish gifts from across Anuire. Archduke Boeruine recieved an opulent wheelhouse from Prince Avan said to exceed 23,000 gold pieces in value while the Archduke gave the Prince an exquisite chalice engraved with the symbols of both their houses. The Chamberlain also gave gifts to the newly weds. House Boeruine recieved a small pride of six lions and House Avan recieved a flock of six great eagles. For nearly a month, both Daulton and Seasedge were the scene of parties and celebration as the commoners and numerous visiting nobles celebrated the union of the two houses.

(Famine deaths in Northern Anuire): Winter was late in ending this year, delaying the planting season and destroying crops with late frosts throughout northern Anuire. The problem was particularly pronounced in Dhoesone, where riots erupted at the sea port of Nolien over food shipments. Hundreds of angry commoners stormed the dockyards and began looting and destroying property of the guilds there. The angry commonors could only be quelled by severe action by the Baroness' men. Hundreds died in the conflict and a fire erupted that swept through much of the sea-side sections of Nolien, consuming ships, warehouses, and much of the slums of the city. The problem was somewhat allieviated in Mhoried because of the actions of the Militant Order of Cuiraecen, who provided what extra food they could. In Elinie, however, the situation has become particularly desparate. That realm was hit hard from the cold snap which blew in from the north. Thousands starved despite the best efforts of the Patriarch. Banditry is begining to plague the country side and rumors that the Elin bloodline has re-emerged have spread rapidly.

(Grand Tourney of Lofton): The greatest social event in Alamie, the Grand Tourney, has ended with Braedonnal Tuare, commander of the Tuor armies, taking first in the joust. Aedan Boeruine, the Archduke's brother, took second place. Prince Avan took first place in the grand melee and Sir Trevan of Danaroene, Lord General of the Iron Guard of Ghoere, took second.

(Boeruine claims Baerghos in battle with pirates): The Boeruine fleet arrived off the coast of Baerghos this season to claim it as part of the Archduchy. There, the fleet encounted a band of pirates under the command of Sigmund Svarkannek, the Rjurik pirate lord. After a brief battle, which left the Boeruine commander, Oeren Bacaele, Count of Bacaele, seriously wounded, the pirates were defeated and Sigmund was slain. Count Bacaele personally presented the Archduke with the pirate lord's head.

(Brosengae claims Lesser Baerghos in battle with pirates): The fleet of Brosengae arrived off the coast of Lesser Baerghos Island this season to claim it as part of the Duchy of Brosengae. There, the the fleet encountered a small pirate fleet and easily defeated them. Brosengae has landed troops on the island and begun clearing it of pirate scum.

(Diemed blockades Medoere): The Duchy of Diemed has initiated its campaign against the break-away realm of Medoere. Sending its fleet to Medoere, Diemed has blockaded Medoere's ports to all traffic.

(Diemed declares vassalage to Avanil): Two of the oldest houses in Anuire, Avan and Diem, were joined together with Diemed's declaration of fielty to the Prince of Avanil. Sealing this bond, Daeren Avan, the Prince's youngest brother, was wed to Lasica Diem, the Duke of Diemed's daughter. Additionally, Avanil has turned all of its estates within Diemed over to the Duke. In exchange, the Duke of Diemed surrendered control over all his lords and magistrates within the Imperial City of Anuire to Prince Avan.

(New Cathedral in Bhalaene): The Militant Order of Cuiraecen has completed a grand new cathedral in Bhalaene. It is the largest church of Cuiraecen in Anuire.

(Spider River Traders claims East Caelcorwyn): The Spider River Traders have claimed the eastern half of Caelcorwynn and begun moving settlers there.

(Sielwode claims West Caelcorwynn): The elven realm of Sielwode has claimed the western, forested half of Caelcorwynn. The elves have begun to establish themselves on the island, apparently arriving on the island magically.

(Massive mustering in Boeruine, Avanil, and Ghoere): It seems that the three greatest realms in Anuire are preparing for war. Avanil, Boeruine, and Ghoere have mustered thousands of soldiers.

(Boeruine and Avanil exchange holdings): As part of the new peace between them, Avanil and Boeruine have exchanged holdings. Avanil has recieved Boeruine's lords and magistrates in the Imperial City and Boeruine has recieved the two northern provinces of Taeghas: Portage and Wilder's Gorge. With the recent exchanges, Boeruine has emerged as one of the two largest domains in Anuire, challenging Dhoesone in size. Avanil has now gained almost complete control over the lords and magistrates within the City of Anuire, eclipsing the Chamberlain's power there.

(Erebannien Traders): The guilder Mourde Alondir has been promoted to command over the Queen of Aerenwe's rangers in the Erebannien. Alondir's guild has now taken on the name of the Erebannien Traders.

(Religious conflict in Avanil): This season saw bitter competition between the Western Imperial Temple of Haelyn and the Celestial Jewel of Sarimie. Throughout Avanil, priests of Haelyn were preaching the importance of law and order over the doctrine of the Celestial Jewel. In Anuire province especially, priests and other servents of Haelyn performed what can only be described as a series of minor miracles, aweing the populace and drawing followers of Sarimie over to the Western Temple.

(Ilien declares vassalage to Diemed): The Free County of Ilien has declared vassalage to the Duchy of Diemed, returning Ilien to the status it occupied before its independance from Diemed after the Spider's invasion.

(Guild War between Straits of Aerele Shipping and Taeghan Outfitters): A guild war has erupted between the Taeghan Outfitters and the Straits of Aerele Shipping. All throughout the season, both guilds vigorously competed over the rights to merchant contracts throughout Taeghas. Facellies Sloere, master of the Taeghan Outfitters, is said to be extremely upset with the Straits of Aerele Shipping, after having lost a number of contracts throughout the realm.

(New magistrates and lords appointed in Alamie): Daene Alam, Duke of Alamie, traveled throughout his realm extensively this season, personally overseeing the appointment of new lords and magistrates in much of central Alamie, which has traditionally been independent of the Ducal authority.

(Dwarven troops arrive in Alamie): A large army of dwarves, nearly 2000 strong, was seen marching across Elinie and Mhoried this season before finally reaching their destination in Alamie. The country side is rife with rumors as to the armies purpose, but they are obviously in Alamie at the behest of the Duke.

(Orog attack in Baruk-Azhik): The orogs beneath Baruk-Azhik have staged a massive attack against the dwarven cities and strong holds. Several strongholds were apparently overrun.

(Celestial Jewel expands in Alamie): The Celestial Jewel of Sarimie has opened a large new marketplace in Alamie.

(Plague in Thurazor): The plague has continued in Thurazor, ravaging the goblin populace and killing hundreds. Rumor has it that the goblin populace is very impatient with the king and revolt is simmering just below the surface.

(The Comet continues to brighten): The comet which appeared over the skies of Cerilia late last year continues to brighten. It is now the second brightest object in the sky, next to the moon, and can even be seen during midday.

(Hunt of the Elves rampant in Tuarhievel): Late spring in Tuarhievel was marred by an event that bards are now calling the Night of Blood. Striking from secret hide-aways, forces of the gheallie Sidhe have slain over a third of the human guilders within the capital. The next morning, the survivors bore witness to their slain comrades hung from trees. Rumors fly that the remaining humans are about to pack up their guild operations and pull out of Tuarhievel.

(Gold Coast War): Traveling merchants have reported that the city of Sasandra, on the Adurian gold coast, has continued its campaign against its enemies in the city state of Bessam. Bessam has fallen under a Sasandran blockade.

(Massive destruction in Khourane): Further death and destruction was visited upon the Khinasi Emirate of Khourane following last years destruction of the capital city, Ber Falaia. Throughout the Emirate, a massive plague has ravaged the population and stories tell that the Emira was killed during a riot.

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws