What a well informed

Easterner might pick up around town

(if he paid attention)

 

 

June 30 2001

A great victory on the Northern front. The magics of the Western Empire wrought great destruction on the warband called "Sorrow of Mankind". This victory could be the first step towards asserting Timoran supremacy in the badlands north of Dead Man's Pass.

A great Western General is rumored to have given a speech to this effect: "Lopan has fallen before the Emporer's might! Now we shall cleanse the rebellious populous of their sinful ways! We shall teach them to bow their heads!" Then in an unprecedented show of favor, Emporer Itomas met with the Lord Commander of the Timoran forces and the Western Generals publically. He then walked the length of the assembled elite troops (several miles) and allowed the commanders to touch the hem of his robe.

Eastern traders accuse the West of inciting the northern frontier war to prevent Eastern interests from opposing the Canal project.

Malory has left for the capital with the King's healer.

A ranger has left the badlands with a message from Gorfang the Old. Gorfang calls his old enemy the King a coward and challenges King Lyon to a battle to the death.

The Western Empire is rumored to be resettling Lopan with their own poor relocated from the slums of their cities.

Trade through Lopan has opened many possibilities. Timoro's vast natural resources will enrich the kingdom, from the coffers of the West and bring many luxuries (such as these wines, silks and pleasure drugs) Many years of trade imbalance will be addressed in this way.

October 12 2000

Duke Tarquin recovered his strength soon after the posioning and honorably sent his troops back to battle. His General Aziz was publically chastized.

A mission was sent to the badlands to negotiate with the Hanging Corpse tribe. They took bags of drugs from the west with them to trade with the orcs. A sword blade would be cleaner and more effective.

Eastern traders accuse the West of inciting the northern frontier war to prevent Eastern interests from opposing the Canal project.

Malory continues to sit on his sickbed in Fort Aracho. The King sends his remorse as well as a skilled healer to his side.

A mission was sent to the badlands to negotiate with the Hanging Corpse tribe because a fortune-teller in the market told Tarquin that his fate lay there. They bring tribute to to the orcish chieftains.

Western immigrants begin to settle in Lopan. Eastern trading ships bring timber and grain.

The mighty Warband "Sorrow of Mankind" assembles for a push against the mountain encampment. Orcish scouts harry Timoran Rangers as they know the terrain far better.

The Rangers do their duty but are none too pleased about it.

 

May 30 2000

The Western General Aziz ordered their forces from the frontier after Duke Tarquin was poisoned. Tarquin survived and ordered the troops returned. People are less trusting of the westerner's intentions, though more so of Tarquin's

Gorfang the Old treats with more orcish tribes, extremely interested in the Hanging Corpse tribe they continue to hold out of the alliance.

The huge canal project out west frightens Eastern trade interests.

Malory the Ranger Lord openly cursed the kings breach of faith with the two-hundred year old treaty. He publically renews his oath to protect the kingdom despite the foolishness of the nobility. He has been summoned to the capital in response to this. He pleads ill health and remains at the Fort.

A merchant marine vessel that had been long asea and unaware of politics, put ashore on Lopan. The sailors described a "hell" with the skins of corpses flapping in a breeze scented with burning tallow. Ash has blacked the landscape. Stange howls come forth from the ruin of farms and cities. They fled for their lives and were pursued by a strange black ship that did not tack against the wind. For an unknown reason the ship veered aside when they hoisted their war colors and turned to attack.

 

March 9 1999

Gorfang the Old has united the Orcish tribes and they call their mighty warband the "Sorrow of Mankind". The goblin tribes unite under their banner and they march to war against united Timoro and Western Empire forces. This is the largest threat to the safety of Timoro in half a thousand years. Without the support of our Western allies, defenses in the northern frontier are sure to fall. We can only hope they prove trustworthy.

The Western Empire have begun a huge building project. A canal is being dug uniting the western seas and the Sea of Scarlet Waters. This will make business difficult for many eastern merchants. The Kingdom of Timoro has launched a formal complaint and the Duke of Credia has left for the West.

Prison camps on Lopan starve the population of Lopan unto their deaths. Mountains of the dead are being heaped outside the camps and the stench of the Bone Fires can be smelt far out to sea.

Trade with Timoro has opened many possibilities. Timoro's vast natural resources will enrich the kingdom, from the coffers of the West. Many years of trade imbalance will be addressed in this way.

Malory the Ranger Lord of the Northern Frontier calls the assualt on the Red Ruin tribe a treacherous and foolish act. He openly criticizes the policy of the King to attack despite long-term treaties. He fears years of bloodshed are on the way.

February 24 1999

I heard tell that a Hand o' Rangers got wind of the stuffed dummy hangin' in Northgate all scarecrow like. They doubletime marched all the way out from the frontier, and taught them bad boys a proper lesson.

Prison camps are being built on the Isle of Lopan where troublesome inhabitants are incarcerated. Conditions are terrible and many sicken and die from lack of food or clean water.

Gorfang the Old tries to unite the tribes against the incursions of the Timoron army. An assembly of oricish shamans serve his will.

Damn me. But there sure are alot o' Dwarfs herebouts.

Trade with Timoro has opened many possibilities. Timoro's vast natural resources will enrich the kingdom, from the coffers of the West. Many years of trade imbalance will be addressed in this way.

January 10 1999

The armies of the west have committed atrocities on the Island Kingdom of Lopan. They have massacred civilians and military prisoners alike.

Northgate continues to be a very dangerous place for easterners to be.

The Red Ruin tribe has been sent fleeing before the armies of the King. Their main village and seat of the chieftain was burned.

The shamans of the orcish tribes assemble for a great rite of war.

The chieftain of the defeated Red Ruin tribe has sent tribute to the seat of Garfang the Old.

More military might of Timoro is on the march than ever before in the living memory of a man.

The Duke of Aracho (who can play a mean fiddle) has been teaching the Westerners to dance proper like.

 

December 7 1998

Word from out east is that the Lopan port city of A'Kir was burned to the ground last week. The tall tales claim that not a building still stands or a person survived. Apparently the Western fleet gave them a "surrender or be destroyed" ultimatum that they refused to agree to and every person in the city (including children) were put to the sword.

Several Eastern scholars in Northgate attending the Ezida have faced assaults and even death at the hands of the local hoodlums. Even a trace of an Eastern accent is enough to put one in danger these days.

Timoron rangers are leading skirmishs into the Old Kingdom backed by elite Western Forces and Mages. The Orcish "Red Ruin" tribe (which was one of the few that held and honored a peace treaty with Timoro) was attacked by these forces.There will now be war on the Northern Frontier, the orcs have sent the black arrow south to the King.

Malory the Ranger Lord is back on the Northern Frontier. Apparently some western mages got him there real quick.

 

September 29 1998

Eaterners are being warned not to travel in Northgate after dark. Apparently a local bunch of hoodlums have taken to assualting foreigners on sight. Those with red hair are particularily at risk.  

I have it on the finest authority that the Duke of Aracho has signed a Treaty with Emporer Itomas. This bodes great tidings for the future of the Timoran Kingdom. As soon as the trouble with Lopan pirates has settled, my trading company's business will be booming!

The Timoroan troops have set sail heading out to the Great Sea. North I'm told.

I tell ya I saw it meself. Malory, the Ranger Lord of the Northern Frontier, took his men and left this here city in a huff. 'E had a fallin' out o' some sort, with the Duke hisself. Its sure hard ta tell an old man like thet, whats what.

Damn me. But there sure are alot o' Dwarfs herebouts.

September 8 1998

His Grace, the Duke of Aracho is said to be meeting with the King of the West and all of the nobles. There is talk of an alliance against the orcs of the Old Kingdom. Can't really see why, as the Western Empire does not adjoin the orcish lands anywhere.

The Timoroan troops in the City are putting aboard ships again tomorrow for a joint venture with Western troops.

The Northgate Brewery has made a beer they call "White Warden Ale" after the fearful wardens who turned "white with fear" and quit their jobs. Apparently its quite popular at local taverns.

I hear tellin' that the Rangers on the Northern Frontier have been ordered to scout in the hills and mountains. Usually they stay a little nearer the forts and let the ogres alone. But apparently the orders come from the king himself.

The western navy has made a "surprise attack" on the navy of the Island Kingdom of Lopan which they have bottlenecked in the harbor of Lopan. The Lopanese navy is just waiting for a storm so that they can put to sea and meet the westerners in a more equal tactical situation. Everyday a frightening black trireme sails in and burns some vessel down to the water line and then retreats against the tide. The Westerners just seem intent on delay and instilling terror.

 

August 3 1998

S'funny, this godsawful city is actin' strange o' late. Folk's'r actin' like the ogres are at the walls o' the fort. Hoardin' what food they got. Stayin' off the streets, when I ain't never seen they do that befor'.

Yep, that there is the old Ranger from the North, Malory's his name. I here from some Ranger types in a bar the other day that he'r downright disgusted with this city. Seems he made a gaff in front of some "bigwig" or 'nother. Said they should burn it down and build it right. Har har har...

Troops from Timoro have arrived by ship and are being billeted in the Streets of Red Clay. The citizens aren't too happy but they know when to keep quiet.

July 27 1998

His Grace Duke of Aracho and honor guard have been spotted in the city of Ashur. Although noone is sure, an old man with them sporting no heraldic device may be the Ranger Lord of the Northern Marches.

Western beer is usually pretty weak (Its' all horsepiss I tell yer!), but for that stuff they're making in Northgate.

I hear tell, that His Highness the Duke of Credia picked a fight with one o' them merchant princes out a' the Island Kingdoms, back a few months er so.

Eastern merchants been makin' a killin' on imports a' pig iron to them Iron Hills folk. Seems kinda strange given the name an all.

I heard a tale from a travler, that the Rangers bin assemblin' for a push inta the Old Kingdom. The reason its stuck in my mind is ''cause they got some help from some Western folk. A couple o' wizards, that the Ranger's don't like too much.

June 5 1998

Western traders particularily some outfit named Southlands, are responsible for smuggling illegal drugs past the border ranger patrols. These powerful drugs are corrupting the morals of city youth. These damned traders give the nobles a lot of lip too.

Western customs officials exchange eastern gold for western silver and make a killing on the exchange. Its best to try to smuggle in your cash, or just bring in unfinished goods and bring back finished goods.

The Western navy claims to own the Sea of Scarlet Waters and has become increasingly arrogant of late.

Times are pretty rough in the east economically. Farmers are doing just fine cause everybodys gotta eat. City folk don't have it so good, and to hear it told alot of the old nobility are broke.

Since the good times during grandpa's days there are a hell of a lot of second and third sons of the nobility wandering around making trouble. The upper crust used to reward lesser nobility in many ways but now the only response is to grant them lands around the Old Kingdom, Ophids grasslands, and Northern Wilderness borders. This has led to increasing conflicts with the non-humans.

Them ogres have been movin' south and stirrin' up trouble with the orcs. They say theres somethin' in the Old Kingdom thats bin scarin' em down our way.

They say the streets of the West are paved with gold, that's 'cause its our gold, that's what.

In the big cities in the west, they say you don't have no rights if a noble starts a fight with you. If yer not a citizen ya can't even fight back. That's good cause their nobles are all fairy bastards, whats wearin' purfume and dresses and make-up and such.

 

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