The World Report
Bringing You the Most Important News Since 1678
1880, Third Age
Excerpt from a Letter of Personal Correspondence from Professor Dominka Rusta of the Grand Dutchy of Clyne to Premier Duke Shace et al del Ilfin-Gergone of the Kingdom of Vergone
“Shace, I know that one day I shall find my death in the graveyard that is the Shattered Lands. It seems that my destiny is forever tied to this cursed place and I pray that upon my death I shall at least have the opportunity to ascend to God's loving embrace rather than walk this place as the living dead. However, I had to return, if for no other reason than to attempt to correct my part in unleashing the Cheti upon Mun.
"Our
party was quite small this year, including myself, Mr. Heinik, Dr. Uknow, and a
personal guard of fifteen stout Vampyr soldiers. I was, unfortunately, deprived
of the good Dr. Gleinwicz, who was on assignment elsewhere. Deprived of the good
doctor, I was not sure if I could go on, but I had little choice in the matter.
“We also had one more member in our party... the slugbeast. Though it may seem morbid, our encounter with the slugbeast two years ago ended with us taking the beast's corpse with us. Upon our return to Clyne, the researchers of the Necronon had taken the creature for research and applied their magicks to understanding it. Last year, however, as the Cheti Horror came upon us, the researchers applied their strongest magicks and had revived the slug-beast from the dead... of a sort. While a true return to life is beyond any necromancer's skill, we needed to retrieve the slug-beast's mind, not merely his body. As such, the slugbeast was returned to life through a process not unlike that of fashioning a lich, which brought his mind to the world of the living, not just his body. Upon his return to the living, the creature revealed his name to be Haarald and he insisted upon a return to the Shattered Lands.
“We sailed to the New Bielsko in the bowls of a Ghost Ship, slipping silently through waters which were known to carry more of the Cheti-spawned creatures. We arrived without molestation, finding the ruins of New Bielsko sitting as a squat ruin on the rocky shoreline.
“The once-impressive fortress had been reduced by the Kraken's attack and we slipped into the port and wandered through the colony's rubble-strewn streets. Bodies of vampyrs lie all about, the brave men who had attempted to face the Kraken's wrath. Worst of all, in the darkness we could catch glimpses of feral vampyrs, apparently those who could not find passage on that hellish night nearly a year ago. Despite our calls to our countrymen, they would not come to us and seemed to be more beast than man. I shivered, knowing that their minds had cracked under the onslaught of the Kraken.
“We slipped through the streets, with Haarald leading the way, driven by his mission, which none of us understood. As we moved towards the center of town, we could feel the eyes of the Cheti upon us and thus we picked up our pace.
“We approached the old Supply Depot, which had been thoroughly picked over, presumably by those scavengers left in the city. We entered the Depot and found what Haarald had brought us here for.
“Four
more of the slug-beasts ('Adakan') stood in the darkness, gathered around a
single small fire. Their faces were impassive, but they greeted poor Haarald
with brotherly love as we stood about, our guards nervously fingering their
weapons and looking about for the horrific Cheti.
“They chattered back to themselves in their alien tongue and we stood about, not knowing what else to do. After nearly twenty minutes, the Adakan seemed to come to some type of agreement, albeit reluctantly. One of the Adakan stepped forward and spoke to us. I have tried to remember the words that he shared with us as best as my memory will allow.
“'The Cheti are come. Each day there are more and even now, Mor is filled with teeming hordes of the Cheti. We have witnessed the re-birth of the Leviathan this year, a creature that dwarfs even the Kraken itself and we know that this creature has since made its way to the ocean. We fear for you. We must do something and we shall do all that we can to help you.'
At that, the Adakan reached
into his robes and withdrew a cloth-wrapped package and beckoned to Mr. Heinik.
Hesitantly, Heinik stepped forward and accepted the gift, unwrapping it slowly.
The slug-beast's package was given into his hand. He looked it over, startled
at its gruesome nature.
“It resembled nothing more than a fetus, an under-sized, pale baby, it's face
seemingly perpetually in pain. It writhed about, but made no noise, it's open
mouth filled with intermittent, but sharp teeth that looked as though they were
intended for tearing flesh. From the hell-born fetus's rump, though, came a
long, vaguely reptilian tail. Following the slug-beast's instructions, Heinik
seized the horror right at the base of the tail and turned the weapon upside
down. The tail immediately shifted, becoming a jagged, organic blade. It
changed again, the tail thinning considerably, becoming a long, cruel-looking
whip. Once more, it shifted, the tail widening and becoming a wide club,
obviously intended for crushing its enemies.
“At that Haarald broke the silence, saying, 'Don't forget to feed it.'”
Sea Monster?
The Burlon Times
A vast sea creature has been
spotted by a variety of sources across the whole of Mun this year. The creature,
enormously large and powerful has been seen far and wide and has caused
considerable damage to shipping. The creature is reported as being over
“six-hundred-and-fifty feet long” and having a powerful serpentine body. Several
witnesses report seeing the creature small fishing boats whole and crushing
others with an effortless twitch of its tail.
Some reports of the destruction caused:
The Royal Navy of Andlan has reported that the creature is responsible for the sinking of the HMS Dragoon, an ironclad ship in service patrolling the Meditraas.
The island-colonies of Takmi and Velchi have watched their once-impressive fishing fleets be reduced, either through attacks of the sea creature or sailors being too fearful to take to the sea.
A serpent attack in Nakistan has apparently reduced the small fishing village of Kanist to ruin. Survivors say that the monster came up from the sea and engaged in “wanton destruction, consuming scores of fleeing Djer” in a single bite.
The New Andlan navy announced that once of its submersibles had been damaged by “an encounter” with the beast, although survived.
The ArchBishop has announced
that the creature is none other than the Leviathan, a beast believed to have
ravaged the world centuries ago during the rising of the FoulTide. Two days
later the Grand Patriarch issued a similar statement, adding that “unless action
is taken, the End Times may very well be upon us all.”
In all, global trade has been
reduced as many merchants are wary about plying the seas with such a fearsome
creature prowling the waters. This has caused some economic concerns across the
world, as last year's Cheti flare-up already had investors frightened and led to
a poor economic performance. Particularly harmed were the growing colonial
powers, who saw their ability to transfer goods to and from their colonies
reduced by fear or serpent.
Global Recession!
The World in Review
The global economy has taken a downward turn as an increased number of monster attacks at sea have begun to cut into international trade. Further, fear of Cheti attacks and the worsening situation have many investors troubled. Other have taken to hording their wealth and in many places, runs of gold reserves have shrank the amount of money in circulation. Unemployment and falling wages have seen the amount of homeless increase in cities throughout Mun.
The fear of mass unemployment has many clamoring for solutions to the problems before widespread discontent turns to violence. Already the specter of 'communism' is being whispered in Gentlemen's Clubs while others have called for an end to the Cheti fear by “force of arms and faith.”
The Grand Patriarch has called for a global Jihad against the Cheti forces and, according to rumor, even dispatched representatives to speak with the Sultan of Arrale, the Archbishop, and the Shogun of Maveren.
New Andlan Advance Called Off; Cheti Scourge and Need for Military Retooling Cited
The Burlon Times
The seemingly unstoppable advance of the armed forces of New Andlan was called off this year. The New Andlan's High Command cited the need for “New Andlan soldiers to remain at home, to defend our citizens from the Cheti menace.” Thousands of soldiers were placed on garrison duty throughout the thick forests of eastern New Andlan to “seek out and destroy” any Cheti that they located.
The Army of the
Swollen Creek, the armed might of the now-debunked Deeru Confederacy, was
re-fitted with more modern weaponry and High Command promised a “swift return to
field work” in the future.
Military Aid Package
Sent to Queen Porus of Khar
The World and Pillar
The military production
centers of Vecchio were ordered to produce an unknown number of weapons for
Queen Portus, one of the dozen Antia-Queens in the region known as Khar. While
the exact numbers of weapons produced are unknown, reports indicate that weapons
included “combat rifles, speedshooters, and some artillery.” While the exact
reasons for such shipments remain unknown, it is suspected that the Antia-Queen
seeks military dominance over her fellow colony-queens and intends to make use
of the superior weapons of the Industrial Revolution. Even so, some observers
are wondering what the Antia-Queen promised Vecchite High Command in exchange
for such a boon.
Universalist Church Expedition Planned?
The Burlon Times
The Universalist Church has apparently contacted the Republic of New Andlan to request permission and assistance in conducting an exploratory campaign in the far eastern portions of Ede Pono. The reasons for such a campaign are as yet unknown although one priest (speaking on the condition of anonymity) said, “the Holy Church is insistent on such an undertaking” and hinted that it would spare no expense in such a project.
Eboracans and Batognese Leave Saughi Isles
The Sentinel
Following a public diplomatic scuffle, Emperor Togu Kawazaka I of Maveren ordered the newly-constructed trading posts on the Saughi Isles evacuated of their Batognese and Eboracan inhabitants. The trading posts, originally established to facilitate trade between the sprawling Empire of Maveren and the nations of Ede Rame, have since been re-occupied by the Maveren authorities and some question remains whether or not these facilities shall remain idle or be occupied again in the future.
Vecchite Military Reorganization and Build-Up!
The World and Pillar
The armies of the Kingdom of Vecchio engaged in a widespread re-organization this year, re-deploying its forces as well as adding additional new troops to its impressive armies. New garrisons were deployed in Vecchio's colonial holdings, notably those in Ost Rame, while improving upon its rapid-strike ability.
Also, the armaments industries of Vecchio were working tirelessly to produce vast amounts of equipment, as thousands of new volunteers entered the armed forces. What this new military build-up means for Vecchio and Ede Rame is not yet evident, however, if history is any guide, it is clear that the Kingdom of Vecchio will not hesitate to make use of its impressive new armaments.
Karthago Velites Rack Up Numerous Cheti Kills
The World and Pillar
The armed forces of Karthago have managed to kill an impressive eight Cheti this year. Speaker Eloc announced that “our brave youths have managed to prove their warrior prowess,” and indicated that patrols would be stepped-up to improve protection. Despite this, the number of Cheti attacks has increased this year as it is clear that the Cheti situation has continued to grow more dire.
Vecchite 1st Combat Fleet Engages Pirates in Kubaar!
The World and Pillar
The
Vecchite 1st
Combat Fleet set-off for the Kubaar Sea to engage in pirate-hunting activities
to ensure the flow of trade and the “maintenance of civilized behavior on the
high seas.” The 1st
Combat Fleet was composed of an impressive 6 dreadnoughts, 10 ironclads, 10
Corvettes, and an unknown number of submersibles. The fleet set-out from
southern Vecchio and steamed into the newest Vecchite trade post in Khar to
re-coal and prepare to sweep Kubaar clean of pirates.
Diary Entry of Sergio Anatoli, 1880
[Sergio Anatoli is an officer in the Vecchite 1st Combat Fleet, aboard one of the fleet's powerful dreadnoughts and serving directly under the command of Grand Admiral Visccoli. His diary entry is a depiction of the combat engaged in between the Vecchite forces and the forces of the Pirate King. -Editor]
“...we sailed out of the north, moving into the largely unexplored Kubaar Sea. We had all heard stories of the famed Pirate King Chin Yun and his rampaging Wet Molly. We were all a bit apprehensive, but nonetheless eager to fave this living legend and bring the brigand to justice.
“We were under no illusions about being able to take the pirates by surprise. Our massive fleet had steamed into Kubaar and the ever-vigilant pirates surely took note. Still, we were prepared to face the enemy through the strength of our arms and justness of out mission.
“We moved for three days down the coast of Khar, before setting eastward into the sea itself to find the enemy forces. After three days at sea one of our scout planes launched was launched from the deck of one of our dreadnoughts and it reported an island on the horizon, belching smoke at a great distance. Grand Admiral Visccoli had set this island as our destination and we immediately set-out.
“Four days later came the confrontation.
“Our scouts had reported a huge number of ships amassing to the east of the island, obviously a pirate military force. Our scout planes lacked much range, but were able to report numerous smoke plumes and could see the outlines of many ships on the horizon. Immediately Visccoli ordered us to ready for battle.
“Within six hours, we had closed with the pirate fleet and were shocked by what we saw. Dozens of ships of dozens of different designs were arrayed against us, all bristling with arms. While most of them lacked the heavy power of our own dreadnoughts, at least three enemy dreadnoughts were spotted, including The Wet Molly herself. But that was not all.
“In their midst sat a vast monstrosity, a veritable floating fortress, bristling with cannonade. The great fortress moved slowly, but with deliberation as it chugged towards us. We could see six great towers ringing the edges of the fortress, each receiving a glowing beam of energy from a central, taller tower.
“It was clear to us now why the pirates had sacked Olipis and taken their Beam Generator; to power their new weapon.
“I
rather suspect that Admiral Visccoli was unintimidated by the pirate fleet,
ferocious as it was, although the massive floating pirate-fortress certainly
gave him some pause. The numerous cannonade that bristled from its huge armored
plating was both impressive and daunting. Visccoli gave the order to turn back
and move up the coast, outpacing the pirate fleet. It was clear to us all,
however, that Grand Admiral Visccoli was not yet done with the Pirate King, but
biding his time to meet the wily captain on better terms.”
Cheti Scourge Worldwide
The Sentinel
The Cheti menace has grown this year, despite the efforts of national governments to deal with the growing problem. Military and police forces were deployed by nearly every nation on Mun to attempt to kill or capture Cheti wandering the countryside. While there are no confirmed reports of any Cheti being captured, there were numerous instances of Cheti being killed with considerable difficulty. Despite these actions, it is clear that there are far more Cheti than last year, producing more livestock and peasant deaths than before. This has caused panics and riots in some areas, as citizens call for greater protection and an end to the menace.
The Grand Patriarch as called upon all governments to “resist the Cheti menace and drive this blight from Mun!” Both the Universalist and Unitarian Church have noticed “significant” increases in church attendance over the course the year.
Cheti Attack in Culohill
The World and Pillar
The small town of Huro in northern Culohill was long a sleepy place. Mostly noted for a small farm surplus in good years, the town rarely made headlines and lacked even enough prosperity to support more than a single pub, in a nation noted for its love of spirits.
Huro is no more.
Culohill authorities found that the entire population of Huro dead, killed in the most gruesome fashion, including significant mutilation and violence. In the place of gentle farming community was found to be a Cheti coven instead, apparently centered in a barn. Inside the barn, authorities located four Cheti and one of the strange shrines that has been reported in numerous places across Mun. Marines were called in and the Cheti were cleared out and the shrine was destroyed, although the town of Huro remains a causality in the Cheti menace.
Declaration of Pirate-King Chin Yun, Captain of the Wet Molly to the Nations of Mun
Reprinted in The World and
Pillar
I, Chin Yun, captain of the Wet Molly and Pirate-King of the High Seas seek to make my position known to the people of Mun. You have seen our power, our pride and joy: The Flotilla. Our mobile base is the finest weapon at sea and a modern marvel of engineering that brooks no challenge.
As such, I declare that the island of Kuba sovereign territory and beyond the reach of the grasping Nations and Empires of Ede Rame. For too long we have seen the peoples of Mun smashed down by the reckless hunger of these powers and will not allow the vomittice of Ede Rame's “revolution” to be spread to Kuba. Was it not the greed of the Ede Ramites who brought the Cheti upon us? Is it not the Ede Ramites who continue to subjugate the world through colonialism and slavery?
We seek no conflict, but shall not shirk from battle.
Maveren Imperial Army Assails Kuch!
The Imperial Review
The Empire of Maveren unleashed its impressive warmachine again this year, targeting the nation of Kuch. Shogun Kawazaka dispatched the Southern Strike Group, which was composed of 3 cadres of battlemagi, 30,000 Samurai, 20,000 Trench Infantry, 30,000 Bicycle Troops, 10,000 Lancers, 150 tanks, 100 Clockwork Knights, 200 Cannonade, 200 Bombardum, and 100 Anti-Aircraft Guns.
The High Theocrat of Kuch was shocked by the assault, given a lack of a declaration of war . Still, the Ratteti leader immediately called on his forces to resist the invasion. In all, the High Theocrat managed to summon an impressive 15,000 men, however the overwhelming force and speed with which the veteran Minotaur force struck managed to witness many would-be staging areas overrun before a full mobilization could even occur.
The the capita, Piye, the High Theocrat knew that the Minotaur force could not be stopped and instead fled the state entirely, in the company of more than five thousand soldiers of his personal guard southward, setting across the Buna Sea, just ahead of Minotaur invasion force.
Eborcan Spy Captured?
The Times
The government of Maclow has declared that it captured a spy from the Holy Empire of Eboracum this year, attempting to infiltrate the notoriously closed Commune. Currently no pictures or hard proof has been provided although, Maclow;s Foreign Minister claimed that, “it is now clear to the world that the lies being spread concerning any instability within Maclow is the result of the insidious attempts of the Kingpriest to destabilize our nation.”
The Kingpriest has not made any public comment on the matter.
Clynites Sell Warships to the Empire of Punkab
The Imperial Review
The shipyards of Clyne were busy this year, producing a vast number of warships for the Emperor of Punkab. The Clynites, who had existing trade deals with the Punkabites, including the production of ten cadres of engineers in the past. This new explosion of trade, however, has overnight managed to transform the Empire of Punkab into a naval power in its own right, involving the production of no less than 15 Dreadnoughts, 20 Ironclads, 30 Corvettes, 30 Submersibles, and 10 Carracks.
Also included in the deal was a cache of small arms which would equip no less than a quarter of a million more trench infantry, in addition to the large amounts of equipment purchased in previous years from Batognese and Vecchite sources. Overall, it appears that the Empire of Punkab has learned the lesson from the Empire of Zendoh and has taken serious attempts to guarantee its independence.
Batognese Forces Land in Ansa!
The Imperial Review
The Grand Dutchy of Batogne has undertaken its first military operation abroad, in attacking the fractured country of Ansa. The ratteti territory has long been wracked with civil war being waged between the two city-states of Lok and Memkis, although with little gains to be shown by either side, save for widespread destruction and depredation. The Grand Duke was quick to take advantage of the situation by deploying military forces to the embattled nation.
Of greatest interest, however, is the composition of the Batognese forces. 5,000 Trench Infantry, 5,000 Grenadiers, 1000 speedshooters, 1 cadre of battlemagi, 40 military biplanes, and 10 Airships. Greatly supplementing this relatively small, but well-equipped force, were an impressive 100,000 Ogre Sepoys, 100,000 Ogre Bowmen, and 100,000 Ogre Crushers all mercenaries hired from the Empire of Punkab. These forces were armed with more traditional weapons, however the enormous strength and physical prowess of the Ogre made this a force that the ratteti could not hope to hold back.
The forces of the Grand Dutchy swept through the region, subduing both Lok and Memkis with comparatively little effort as both cities had expanded much of their power in years past, fruitlessly waging war against one another.
In the countrywide, dark elven and ogre soldiers were greeted as liberators in places, given the widespread destruction caused by the civil war and the desperate need for clean water, food stuffs, and other basic medical attention, which Batognese command quickly and efficiently supplied where possible.
However, the Batognese had not yet completed their mission. Despite lacking any real understanding of the geography, the dark elven force was instructed to continue southward, keeping a wide berth between itself and the neighboring Minotaur forces in Kuch. Beyond Ansa lay a wide, flat grassy savanna, named by the locales, Uhuru. The savanna grasses and only occasional tree cover allowed Batognese biplanes an unobstructed view of the lands.
Dark elven and ogre forces moved southward, careful not to cross into Kuchite lands at any point. The only inhabitants that the Batognese could uncover were seemingly wild ratteti tribesmen, who stood in stark contrast to their urbane and civilized counterparts in Kuch and Ansa.
Despite this, Batognese forces encountered no serious opposition from any of the ratteti tribal groups and even managed to acquire many ratteti scouts to assist in their operations. The goal of the operation was to press south and east, attempting to reach the north-western coast of the Buna Sea. As the supplylines continued to stretch farther and farther, more and more Ogre mercenaries had to remain behind to guarantee the flow of supplies. In some cases, purchases were needed to be made from local tribes to meet the entire needs of the advance force, although supply interruptions were minimal and according to one dark elven soldier, “these ratteti know how to cook a zebra!”
Advanced forces reached the coast of the Buna Sea to find a number of small fishing villages along the coast, populated by more ratteti. Still, there did appear to be a bustling trade going on as many of the flat-bottomed ratteti fishing boats were joined with numerous large sea-going two-masted ships, obviously intended for ocean-going travel, suggesting an alternative entrance to the Buna Sea to the east.
Interestingly, Batognese forces also encountered the world-spanning Captain Aldo of Vecchio, who appeared at the head of contingent of Vecchite Carracks. While the situation did not warrant violence, the Batognese were far from pleased to find the Vecchite Captain already bobbing on the gentle waves of their newest discovery.
Batognese, Correllians, and Eboracans Meet... the Malyddi Mountains!
The Imperial Review
Trade missions dispatched to the Malyddi Mountains by the Holy Empire of Eboracum, the Grand Dutchy of Batogne and the United Kingdom of Correllia and Augutain inadvertently met on the rocky coastline. Taking advantage of the Vecchite fleet's patrols, both trade missions managed to avoid serious pirate molestation and instead arrived laden with gifts and treasures available for trade to the lands of the Giants. Despite a tense confrontation, both groups agreed to avoid violence and conduct their missions in peace.
Clyne Expands Fortifications
The Imperial Review
The Grand Dutchy of Clyne has begun and completed massive expansions on its impressive Karavna Line, extending the line of fortifications through their new colony in Bardek. The fortifications are the most massive system of fortresses in the known world and thoroughly developed and supported by massive batteries of cannonade and bombardum.
The massive internal works project has put many Yeti laborers to work, bringing a much-needed influx of capital in the backward region. However, the Grand Dutchy has also begun investments in improving education, infrastructure and health in the region, with the promise of more to come.
Ravorek Seizes Kaban; Centaur Resistance Quelled Quickly
The Imperial Review
The Republic of Ravorek dispatched its 1st Expeditionary Force to the centaur province of Kaban. The force required a re-coaling stop at the Manlu Canal and continued southward until it arrived at the centaur homeland. The Wolver forces, composed of many veterans of campaigns in Mun, worked quickly to subdue tribe after tribe, relying on an impressive combination of air and land power to subdue the rebellious centaurs. As a fleet of more than 500 biplanes flew overhead, launching numerous strafing runs on swift-moving centaur tribesmen, more than 100,000 Wolver infantry spread-out, forcing tribe after tribe into submission before the might of the Republic.
Military Build-Up in Eboracum
The Sentinel
The Lord-Prefect of Eboracum has shocked many of his advisers by calling for the creation of three entirely new field armies. Many have questioned whether or not the Lord-Prefect will be taking a larger role in the confrontation with the Cheti scourge, while others have questioned whether or not the Lord-Prefect might not be considering an offensive into the troubled lands of Maclow. Further included in this build-up are an unknown composition of foreign weapons from Batogne.
Eboracan Naval Captain Drubbed Out of Service for 'Homosexual Actions'
The Sentinel
Captain Lex Alpina, a captain with more than fifteen years of service in the Eboracan navy was dismissed from service for reports of engaging in 'homosexual activities' with a fellow officer. While it is currently unknown exactly how such evidence has came to public light, Eboracan High Command has stripped him of his rank and he has been dishonorably discharged. It is currently unknown as to whether or not Alpina will face criminal charges, given that Eboracan law outlaws the practice of homosexuality, citing it as a 'sin and a public health hazard.'
Eboracans Consolidate Empire
The Sentinel
The Lord-Prefect of Eboracum has undertaken a serious attempt to consolidate their holdings in the Manlu region. A massive new rail-building campaign has been undertaken to connect the region and increase the flow of goods across the hilly terrain. Further, a new governor has been dispatched to maintain control over the whole of the region, suggesting that the ancient independent city-states will soon be absorbed into a single colony rather than retaining much in the way of individual liberties.
The crown jewel of this campaign has been, however, a massive new construction effort to build a new Eboracan-styled city in the Manlu. The city in question, New Vatikar, is being built to conform to the standards and cultural expressions of Eboracum and stands in sharp contrast to the other cities of the region. Eboracan officials hope that the city, which is situated on the Carrichi Sea, can be transformed into a massive new port which will allow the Holy Empire access to the wider world economy. Already 50,000 Eboracan citizens have been dispatched to the city, with the promise of more on the way.
Eboracans Close Border; Refugees Fired Upon
The Sentinel
As the apparent chaos in Maclow grows more furious, hundreds of thousands of more refugees have attempted to flee to safety, notably into the Holy Empire of Eboracum and the Republic of Dauberkamp. The government of the KingPriest followed an interesting course, dispatching an enormous sum of money to the construction of new refugee camps as well as closing the border to further refugee incursions. Some questioned the massive influx of cash while closing the border but the Lord-Prefect was unavailable for comment.
Along the Eboracan-Maclow border, thousands of Legionaires were dispatched, armed with speedshooters and combat rifles to hold back the tide of misery. As thousands of dwarves sought sanctuary, grim-faced guards turned them away. In some cases, desperate dwarves attempted to rush the border, only to be cut down by speedshooter and rifle fire. Causality estimates suggest that as many as six thousand would-be refugees were killed by the forces of the Kingpriest.
In the Republic of Dauberkamp,
the situation has been somewhat more dire. The Republic, which was willing to
aid the blighted citizens of Maclow, found hundreds of thousands of refugees
pouring across the border and local refugee camps were quickly overrun and
sanitation diminished drastically, furthering the fear of plague and starvation.
Of greater concern, however,
is the increasing number of Red Army deserters arriving in neighboring states,
suggesting that the struggle in Maclow is turning quite dire.
Dispatches
The Eboracans dispatched their navy to patrol the Meditraas this year, searching for pirates. Other than locating a number of Cheti-esque creatures, the Eboracans discovered no pirate influence.
The Empire of Maveren occupied the former Zendoh territory of Zenshi, ending all Yakitaur independence in Mun.
The Grand Dutchy of Clyne has apparently imported a number of slaves from Punkab, with no official reason given as to their purpose.
Rumors of cults dedicated to the worship of Cheti have sprung-up across Mun, although there has been no evidence brought to life to prove such speculation.
The Emperor of Punkab has begun a series of fortifications in the Bose, Karik, and Bode, presumably to improve central control over the colonial regions.
Vecchite colonists continue to flood into Ves Siet, destroying many Fronnu communities and increasing the flight of Fronnu to foreign lands. Political Scientists are already speaking of a 'Fronnu Diaspora.'
Karthaginian goods have begun to find their way in Takmi and beyond in ever-increasing numbers as a result of the new Eboracan-Manlu Railway.
Some suggest that as many as thirty thousand dwarves have died as a result of the poor conditions in Dauberkamp's over-taxed refugee camps.
The Republic of Ravorek has witnessed an influx of grain and other food stuffs from its colonial region and the promise of new internal colonial markets has many Wolver investors flooding into the region.