View source for BB:1:11-12:2012

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Message: 1/1                       Posted        Author
A Burning on the Drag              Oct 26 2012   Anonymous
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        Merchants just outside of the Spice Market are breathing easier today, for a number of reasons. Four bodies were carted out by Brother Battle auxiliaries yesterday, reeking of burned flesh and melted fat. The stench took nearly a day to clear despite a fair breeze coming off of the Gulf.

        Details of yesterday's immolations have started to emerge from the dozens of rumors that are being spread. The consensus is that the preacher Father Giovanus and his increasingly devoted flock capture four Kurgans and set them on fire for the crimes of heresy and spreading false religion to the faithful. Three Brother Battle, headed by Brother Inspector Tulvio, arrived during the trial but did little to stop the executions, though this last point is a matter of some dispute.

        The four Kurgans were not the only individuals targeted by the faithful last night. Several soldiers wearing the tabard of Don Furio de Aragon, a recently arrived crusading knight, shattered the windows of a small rug store that had had Kurgan letters written on it. Two young women, known to be women of ill-repute favored by a visiting Kurgan merchant, were accosted and branded with the Jumpcross on their right breasts by unknown assailants. Finally, a man was left hanging from a wooden foot-bridge near East Goat street, an upside down jumpcross painted in blue on his chest and a handful of daisies tied to his hand by a leather cord.
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Message: 1/2                       Posted        Author
Aborted Adoption                   Oct 26 2012   Anonymous
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        Vice-Count Lyov had an introductory court today as he settled in the Palais Maleband, and one of his father's vassals - a Baron Ranjat - came before him to have Auberry grant permission for Ranjat's bastard son Alam to inherit the barony of Arsuf, one of the border fiefs in the Craglands. There was some debate on the propriety of a bastard inheriting, but it seemed as the adoption would be allowed when Kurgan assassins revealed themselves and attacked. The Baron was killed and several others wounded - Count Renaud of Leon slightly and Father Agravain much more seriously, with a Kurgan knife thrust between his ribs. 
        Now, though, the more complicated question begins. Alam was never officially adopted by Baron Ranjat, though the Vice-Count took the boy's oath as his new baron - but Ranjat has a slew of relatives on Istakhr, all of whom will be arguing about who comes first in precedence to inherit. One thing is clear, though; none of Ranjat's family believe the proper baron is Alam bin Ranjat.

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Message: 1/3                       Posted        Author
Wild Night at Club Jehan           Nov 03 2012   Anonymous
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Last Night's Party at Club Jehan, hosted by Baroness Avenal was a wild night, living up to the lavish expectations of the Pirate Baroness' guests, and kept up the record of not disappointing. There was an open bar stocked with expensive alcohol, appetizer delicacies from around the Empire, music that in some cases dates back to the Second Republic clubs and others from top acts of Leagueheim. Many notables were seen through the night, including at least two counts and her own Vice-Count, who seems to be the source of much gossip already, and rumor has it his bacchanalia the source of extravagent betting amongst the nobility and others - and possibly even some injuries or deaths during one wild backroom orgy that could be heard from outside the door! Meanwhile, Count Renaud and Count Antonio arrived along with their retinues, and for a time there was much tension in the air, and maybe even some brawls according to one man. Count Renaud apparently even denounced the room and stormed out in a huff. Insults? Orgies? Large exchanges of money in bets? The Society Rags will surely have a lot to talk about from this party!
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Message: 1/4                       Posted        Author
Li Halan Love Books?               Nov 03 2012   Anonymous
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So last night at the party, when Vice-count Lyov was making a pass at some Muster Sergeant, I heard some rumor that the Li Halan have some strange habit of writing salacious stories for private... consumption. And apparently it does involve forbidden loves!
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Message: 1/5                       Posted        Author
Sir William Gaheris                Nov 03 2012   Anonymous
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        There has been a commanding, stern face around Exodus Cathedral lately: a Sir William Nathaniel Gaheris, Knight Grand Commander of the Swords of Lextius. He is one of the most senior Swords of Lextius alive, a minor Hawkwood knight who took a five-year oath and never left the holy company. He was a noted commander in the Church armies during the Emperor Wars, and as they drew to a close he became close to the Syneculla, the deputy to the Patriarch who is said to truly run the vast bureaucracy of the Universal Church. Why he is here is unknown, though he comes at a time when more and more Swords have been arriving on world.

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Message: 1/6                       Posted        Author
Royal Van Gelder?                  Nov 04 2012   Anonymous
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One of the first bits of gossip born from Court has already hit the gossip rags, before most of the nobility has even finished changing out of their courtly finery. The author of an anonymous but well circulated column the source:

While there is certainly much of note happening at the meeting of the Curia, the appointment of a new Constable, noble flip flopping in the same breath, the conflict over the Church's rights in Count Renaud's lands, a little girl talking about streets running with blood. The standard games of the nobility, there was something else that people seem to have missed, and the faux pas manifold in it is shocking indeed! What may this be, dearies? Yes, the Countess Amber's claim to be from a Great House. The last I heard the Van Gelder were little more than gelded puppets of the Decados, and hardly approaching great house status anymore. And that was only one case of minor house nobility getting uppity in a courtly dance that saw the other minor houses doing the same. The Scandal! It seems that the houses here have no respect for real Royalty, their day is done. They should be happy for the positions they have.
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Message: 1/7                       Posted        Author
Ignorant Newcomers                 Nov 05 2012   Anonymous
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Hey, did you hear what some of the newcomers are moaning about now? They don't know who our nobles are! 
 
Stupid beggars should have got here sooner, then. Only took them more'n 900 years - and one of ours to show the way! Don't get me wrong, that first Crusade under Count Joscelin - Pancreator rest his soul - saved our necks and no mistake. But it was /him/ who got the vision, /him/ who found the Empire, and /him/ who led the lot of them to the Holy World, wasn't it? 
 
Bunch of heroes, that first lot were, taking their lives in their hands and heading off into the unknown, following a stranger through the stars. Heroes, I tell you. But the ones who came later, just hopping in easy as you like? Bunch of Johnny-come-lately landgrabbers, most of 'em! 'Course they don't know who anyone on Yathrib is. They don't /want to/. Knowing might get in the way of grabbing even more of the world for themselves! 
 
Those who make it to Revelation, I'll grant they're most likely different. They try to do what they /say/ they're here for, don't they? But that second crusade didn't even come close to the Holy City, did it? Or did it get lost, and just grab half the Antipodes /by accident/, rather'n going where the real fight is? Fah. There's barely a one of the latecomers you'll see here in Akko who gives a damn about any of /us/, you can be sure of that. If they did, and if our high and mighty 'rescuers' were half so good as they tell us they are, then the Camps'd be empty and the Exodites'd be home by now. 'Course, if that happened, those offworld Chainers couldn't farm the Camps for slaves, could they? 
 
So of course they /pretend/ like they don't know who the De Moley or the Justinian or the Van Gelder or our al-Malilk are. It's just another excuse to take what they've no right to - and they pretend like we should be grateful! For what? People who'll rob us blind rather'n fight the Kurgans?
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Message: 1/8                       Posted        Author
A Kidnapping                       Nov 05 2012   Anonymous
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Some merchants and patrons of the Spice Market yesterday claim that three knights chased a young girl to the fountain, where they abruptly stopped and engaged in a short and seemingly friendly conversation. After a few moments, the knights suddenly seized the young lady, and hauled her off with them. She was heard to be yelling something about blood running in the streets.
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Message: 1/9                       Posted        Author
Lost Wagers                        Nov 05 2012   Anonymous
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At the Spice Market:

"That Decados Vice-Count spoke not once but twice in his own voice at the Custodial Court. The second time, he was /pissed/. You owe me two firebirds, friend."

"Yeah, but there was no duel at Court either. How droll. You owe me three, buddy."

"I'm not your buddy, guy."
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Message: 1/10                      Posted        Author
Honoring the Dead                  Nov 06 2012   Anonymous
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        Seeing the wounded and the dead arrive from Revelation is nothing new to the people of Akko. As the wagon trains of the dead made their way yesterday to the south to pile the bodies of the dead outside of the foregate, the denizens of the great fortress city held up their candles and torches to create a hallway of light out of the streets guiding the fallen warriors to the Pancreator. Word is that there was some fiasco in the Spice Market involving bodies falling off of the wagon, but thankfully a handful of soldiers and crusaders were there to aid in making sure the dead made it to their final resting place.

        Word is that the legion made a push through St. Lextius Ward and managed to make some small gains. The cost, however, was terrible and high. The moans of the wounded is all that can be heard in the Exodite quarter where the healers of Sanctuary Aeon have set up their field hospitals and tents.

        Hundreds of crusaders and soldiers are dead, and hundreds more are dying slowly in the open air tents of the Amaltheans. Hundreds more arrive every day to take their place to reclaim the Holy City.
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Message: 1/11                      Posted        Author
Preacher Throwdown                 Nov 10 2012   Anonymous
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Word spreads in the drag of strange church happenings. A few days ago, during his regular sermon, the well-known street preacher Father Giordanus was rallying crusaders and the people of Akko with stirring words about cleansing Yathrib of the Kurgan menace. That is, until another priest showed up and interfered. Some Inquisitor, it seems, took issue with Giordanus burning the heretics without the Synod's say-so, and preached that the Pancreator wants all souls converted to the true faith - not simply killed out of hand. Giordanus didn't get arrested, but onlookers say there was tour-de-force preaching on both sides that kept the crowd enraptured. Accusations of heresy, schism, and ignorance of the scriptures flew both ways.

The Crusaders, of course, are less than convinced, and still think that punishing a few wayward Kurgans in Akko for their sins sounds like a great way to spend an evening until they get around to fighting in Revelation. And who ever heard of a soft-hearted Inquisitor, anyway? Things will go on as normal, for now.
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Message: 1/12                      Posted        Author
A New Order                        Nov 11 2012   Anonymous
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It seems as if a new order of knights has in fact cropped up in a city where there are already dozens of other orders. Made up mostly of a few Justinian knights, the Order of the Axe and Fist seems to not have a clear purpose. Their activities thus far seem mostly to revolve around drinking heavily in several establishments in Akko, and they have proposed a ride to Castle Sidon, their supposed Chapter House. Word has it that news of their order has been sent offworld, but any recruits have yet to arrive.
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Message: 1/13                      Posted        Author
Employment & Adventure Opportunity Nov 12 2012   Anonymous
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Rumor is spread around the city of Akko that the Charioteer, Captain Gaius Menglor is looking to put together a crew of intrepid souls yet again. Apparently, the Charioteer has gotten word that there may be a cache of jumpkeys buried by a Sathraist pilot in an oasis in the desert, and he has plans to retrieve them for the Merchant League -- who would no doubt be very thankful to him and any who helped retrieve them. The problem is, the Sathraists have heard about these jumpkeys too, and so there is a race to find the oasis first. All that is known about the location of the oasis is that it has a crescent-shaped lake and a mound of rocks; apparently, the Sathraist pirate concealed his stash in a cave beneath the rocks. So, every day the free trader Astraeus takes off from the Tarmac in Akko heading west towards the Great Desert in search of this Oasis.

OOC NOTE: A scene will be ran this Sunday at 6 PM EST involving the possible final search for this oasis and jumpkeys. Looking to get 2 to 4 additional folks to help out in this search. Contact Menglor if you're interested in participating. Also, I plan to run some flavor scenes during the week of heading out and searching for the Oasis, if you're bored and want some different Rp / possible action hit up Menglor.
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Message: 1/14                      Posted        Author
Raids on the coast                 Nov 14 2012   Anonymous
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While holding a hunt between the vale of Cussler, a portion of the Barony of Josselin, it appears that the small hamlet of Focault was subjected to a raid by a Kurgan naval vessel. Ruled by the elderly and venerable Baronet Diogenes DeMoley, and already reeling from a reduction in its fishing grounds, Focault had very little in the way of resources. 

With the Count Leon nearby however, with his personal retinue, but also joined by Count Auberry and Countessa Joberg and their retinues, by the Heroic Castellan of the North, Hugh the Bastard and by a merchant of some dubious distinction, relief was close at hand. 

Unfortunately, the nature of raids is their swift nature, never staying for a pitched battle. By the time the reinforcements arrived, most of the Kurgans had pulled out, leaving only a scant few stragglers as they tried to load their longboat to depart. Several prisoners were taken, and the chapel of Focault had its ritual candlesticks and other valuables returned. Still... several people, including Baronet Diogenes and several men of the town are dead, and more taken as prisoner. 


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Message: 1/15                      Posted        Author
Return from Issen                  Nov 14 2012   Anonymous
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Late yesterday evening, a small army of Swords of Lextius and Brother battle under the banner of the Jumpcross returned to Akko from the small hamlet of Issen in Leon. Led by Father Agravain van Gelder of the Inquisition, and accompanied by several more priests, including a one-legged Eskatonic with feathers in her hair and a rough looking Orthodox priest, as well as Sir Feng Charin Li Halan of the Swords and Brother Zebediah of the Brother Battle, those officially in charge are saying little. The retainers, though, talk of piling the dead bodies of all the residents of Issen on a pyre, and then setting fire to the bodies, the manor house, and the village. What the Church found in the manor isn't clear, but what is clear is that Issen is no more, all its residents were dead when the Church arrived, and the Inquisition felt whatever happened there could only be purged by fire.
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Message: 1/16                      Posted        Author
Slaves & Chainers                  Nov 15 2012   Anonymous
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Talk coming out of Camp Beth is that the new Chainer Captain has been seen throwing his weight around the flesh market, appearantly he was some big time slaver back on Criticorum, and is planning on getting involved in the trade locally.

About town as well, they say, he was seen at the Cafe, talking with one of the local Charioteers, the Merchant prince. Word is the discussion involved selling a lot of slaves to the wheeler!
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Message: 1/17                      Posted        Author
Return of the Baroness             Nov 16 2012   Anonymous
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Four days ago, Baroness Chiaka departed with her ship and an assortment of other notables including a Church Knight, a Justinian from the new Order of the Axe and Fist, and an amazingly beautiful noble of some house that could only be Thana, and who some stragglers mentioned is a Swordsman! Spirits were high, the crew seemed cocky, telling stories of a coming victory in the taverns the night before. Yet on their return? Spirits were anything but high, except perhaps, the spirits in their blood stream, even Baroness Avenal seemed quite drunk. Angry might be the best word. the Baroness herself seemed in the foulest mood. Her face apparently locked in an uncharacteristic scowl that bordered on both anger and tears as she stormed to the ground car that immediately took her to Avenal, her crew boarding other conveyances there to do the same for them. Needless to say, success must not have been the case, even with twelve prisoners in tow... Meanwhile, there is even some talk in whispers in the taverns that someone important was killed by the Baroness.
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Message: 1/18                      Posted        Author
Kurgan trade                       Nov 16 2012   Anonymous
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Word has spread that there's a new trader looking to charter ships for the transfer of goods to and from Tyche. The nature of the goods and the duration of any contract are as of yet unknown, though the offered pay is said to be generous. Possibly enough to wash away the bad taste of trading with the Kurgans.
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Message: 1/19                      Posted        Author
Swordsmanship                      Nov 16 2012   Anonymous
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Anselm Morrot a known and respected swordsman and instructor has recently arrived on Yathrib, further rumours are spreading that the duelist is seeking to set up a sword school in hopes of gaining students and possibly even finding other masters willing to share knowledge. He can apparently be contacted at the Auberge.
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Message: 1/20                      Posted        Author
Circulars and Articles             Nov 16 2012   Anonymous
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In the parts of Akko where the more literate sectors of society frequent, some person or persons unknown appear to have misplaced quite a bit of reading material. There are conveniently visible discarded flyers and open magazines left on tables and shelves - no more than one in any particular place, so they're unlikely to draw attention. The flyers and articles cover a range of topics, but the thing that these all have in common is a byline to one Roshan Jalili-Keddah.

(OOC: This is a deliberate excuse for other people to know who Roshan is. The reading material will probably all get picked up or thrown away after a day or so, so it's unlikely that anyone will make the connection, but a sufficiently observant individual might notice the guerilla marketing ploy.)
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Message: 1/21                      Posted        Author
Avenal's Banners Called            Nov 18 2012   Anonymous
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Travellers are begining to notice that in the Barony of Avenal, the Banners have been called. the Armsmen gathered at the fortress and the whole Barony is on high Alert. The timing of the travellers and the rumors seems to coincide with a little while before Chiaka returned from her recent Void excursion, so the reasoning is uncertain! But the case remains, Avenal seems prepared for War.
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Message: 1/22                      Posted        Author
Fire in the Flesh Market           Nov 18 2012   Anonymous
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        Late last evening, oily smoke poured into the sky from Camp Beth. The cause, though, was not another riot among the more down-trodden Exodites. Word spread through the camps quickly that an Inquisitor, at the head of a group of Crusaders, Swords of Lextius, and Avesti, had raided the flesh market, claiming illegal slaving was taking place there. After a tense standoff that looked like it might erupt into a pitched battle between Church and Guild, a number of chainers were arrested, their books seized, and the slaves and prisoners led off while the Avesti pilgrims put the entire market to flame. Some of the Muster escaped the Church's wrath by retreating into their heavily-armored bunker, but beyond that on structure, the flesh market is a smoking ruin this morning.
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Message: 1/23                      Posted        Author
Sorrow in the Tomb                 Nov 18 2012   Anonymous
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April 14 was a tragic day in the barony of Claudius' Tomb. The day started with a Kurgan raid on the village of Daris, held off by the local lord until reinforcements under Baroness Lysandra could arrive from Meekham, soon followed by Count Antonio and Baron Hugh, as well as a small unit of Brother Battle from Port Saint-Claude. As the defenders were organizing a pursuit, though, word arrived from Meekham: Daris was a diversion, and the Tomb was under attack.

Crusaders made for Meekham in all haste, but the flitter bearing the nobles, Brothers Battle, and the first wave of fighters was shot down in the street by a Kurgan gunship before reaching the square before the Tomb where two Kurgan tanks with mounted defenders attacked. By the time the defenders reached the square, the Kurgans were departing.

Reinforcements from Leon and Imperial ships arrived from Akko with tragic timing: By the time the message that the Baroness's son had been taken aboard the gunship could be relayed, missiles were already in the air. The gunship carrying young Hugh Decados, the toddler heir to Claudius' Tomb, was shot down.

When Captain Edward Graves brought back the body, they say the baroness fell to her knees in the square, cradling her son, before disappearing with him into the Tomb to deliver him to his father. While there's sorrow, the people of the Tomb remember the vengeance delivered on the Kurgans for the death of Hugh the Elder and wonder what worse may come for the death of Lysandra's son.
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Message: 1/24                      Posted        Author
Banners of the Vale                Nov 18 2012   Anonymous
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        Count Walker Justinian has begun to summon some of his armsmen to Olivet, and word suggests he is asking the same of his barons. He is not by any means calling up all of his soldiery, but it is clear that Olivet contemplates war - and Count Galen, too, appears to be mobilizing, though on a slightly lesser scale.
        Count Galen mobilizing means that Count Fredo is calling up his barons and knights as well, concerned that this may be a push by the Justinian counts to reclaim the Bees.

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Message: 1/25                      Posted        Author
Banners of the Lion                Nov 18 2012   Anonymous
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Count Renaud Germain Demoley of Leon has put out a call to several key armsmen. Many suspect it has to do with the appearance of Leon-flagged Fighters and heavy flitters over Meekham last night. The banners called include the 1st Assault Horse, the 3rd Aero-transport and the Leon Heavy Infantry. Additionally called are elements from every barony involving logistical capacity - trucks and wagons. 


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Message: 1/26                      Posted        Author
Twin Banners of Crossed Arrows     Nov 19 2012   Anonymous
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It is rumored that Count Feodor Kurakin of Auberry and Maleband, himself, has begun to summon the Armsmen of the County of Maleband and the County of Auberry towards mobilization.

His son, the Vice-Count Lyov Kurakin of Auberry has been meeting with his father's men and women, but it is rumored that mobilization was being conducted in contravention of the Vice-Count's original orders. Other sources say that it was the Vice-Count, not the Count, who has begun to summon the armsmen of Auberry and Maleband.

Whatever the case, there is a noticeable uptick in the activity levels of the Vice-Count's guards and travel to parts away from Akko with his contract flitter.
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Message: 1/27                      Posted        Author
The Trouble with Urchins           Nov 19 2012   Anonymous
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Word circulates among those who frequent the Spice Market that a blonde urchin girl was heard yesterday talking of a high Decados Lord. She said she saw a young girl dressed all in black pull his beating heart from his chest. And as he fell, his palace fell around him.

Very shortly after, a few Hawkwood men and an Amalthean and a Brother Battle escorted the protesting girl away, though the rumors diverge here; some say to be examined by the church, some say to be put in the Oubliette. Whichever the case may be, instructions were if she was innocent, she was to be returned to the Spice Market and paid for her trouble. They returned alone, but also a coin lighter.
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Message: 1/28                      Posted        Author
A Questing Knight Seeks Quarters   Nov 19 2012   Anonymous
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Rumors are abound that one of the Emperor's Knights, a member of the Company of the Phoenix has made his way to Yathrib. A large and imposing man they whisper he is a veteran of the Emperor Wars and seems to have some ties to the Decados family, though not on good terms. Not set on making bed in a low rent Inn he keeps Camp outside the city, maping out the desert and wilds, perhaps looking for adventure and ruins. While the Questing Knight sleeps in the wilds though it is clear that every noble family's honor is at stake if they have an open guest room! Regardless of the terrible black mark on all the nobles of Yathrib the man is stoic in fending off the barbarians and wildings on his own, Sir Knight Vasiliy Eisenstein makes camp out in the wilds, but is often seen in the city proper making some business there.
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Message: 1/29                      Posted        Author
Shipping Delays                    Nov 19 2012   Anonymous
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Only a few days after the burning of Camp Beth, the churches and monasteries begin noticing unexpected delays in shipments of all sorts, from foodstuffs, to incense to war materials. There has been no official statements from the Muster regarding the matter, however the teamsters have all said that there are a small handful of inspectors checking every shipment before it can leave, and it might be related to reports that there is concern that somebody is trying to ship proscribed goods through the Muster's teamsters.
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Message: 1/30                      Posted        Author
A death at the Auberge             Nov 20 2012   Anonymous
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In the early hours of Saturday, April 17th, a grim discovery was made in one of the guest rooms of the Auberge by one of the inn's handmaiden's. A man was found, his death presumed to be from violent means, and wearing the Jump Cross tabbard of a crusader. So far, none have come forward to identify the victim, and most of the staff seem confused, not remembering the man having checked into that room.
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Message: 1/31                      Posted        Author
The Sound of Silence               Nov 21 2012   Anonymous
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Travelers from Auberry report that the loudspeakers at the city center, markets, and squares extolling the Decados overlords, listing convicted criminals, and announcing production quotas, inter alia, have abruptly fallen silent.

If sabotage is at work, it is not readily clear. The Decados guards seem nonplussed at the sound of awkward silence that fills Auberry after years of nonstop announcements on repeat.
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Message: 1/32                      Posted        Author
Crusaders from the South           Nov 23 2012   Anonymous
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        Rumours that a large force of Li Halan crusaders under a senior nobleman of that Royal House are on their way to join the battle for the Northern continent appear to have been confirmed, as fishermen travelling up the coast from the port of Teldan in the County of Johburg brought word that a Li Halan armed transport convoy had jammed up the war-ragged harbour for resupply with permission from the Countess, before continuing their voyage.
        There have also been rumours emanating from villagers and merchants of sightings of Li Halan engineering platoons beginning survey work for the construction of military cantonments in the southern part of Cape Hattusas and north of Port Leon.

"I heard all those Li Halan were secret demon worshippers! No good will come of this, you mark my words!" - Bilious Jim, Mendicant Minstrel, Akko

"Guido told me that he'd seen quite a few men in grey and plum uniforms all over the Square recently, with funny accents. They've got coin to spend, though." - Franko Bivoni, Guild of Peddlers, Exodus Square

"About time a few more of the Flavians made it up here, instead of land-grabbing island chains and sitting around drinking coconut milk. Maybe they finally worked out how to build a boat." - Carly Flein, Exodite, Camp Aleph.

"You know, I saw that General walking up to the Mount last week; they say he's really devout, and fought on more than one planet, even, and he has a face like someone that's seen it all. I say Castellan Hugh is -so much- dreamier, though, he can give me that iron touch any day." - Jennet 'Red Hips' Santi, Maidservant, Esplanade
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Message: 1/33                      Posted        Author
An end to the delays               Nov 23 2012   Anonymous
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Throughout the day of April 21st, the religious institutes about Akko and beyond would notice a return to business as normal as the Muster Teamsters have seemed to have cleared their delays. Also of note, a Convoy of muster trucks, pulling three heavy artillery pieces departed the city, heading north along the roads with an escort of Muster Hoplites for security. The word is, they're on their way to the Priory of St. Claude by those in the know.
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Message: 1/34                      Posted        Author
Rumors from the waterfront         Nov 23 2012   Anonymous
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Shocking! Earlier today, the horse-mounted Bastard actually chased that teeny Torenson woman - you know, the one what is in that Li Halan Earl's household? Well, good ol' Hugh the Bastard ran her into the Gulf with his sword drawn! If it weren't for some Imperial fellow there too, who knows what might have happened? The Earl and his men showed up real quicklike though and there sure was a big to-do on the beach about it all! And then, I heard the Bastard ask that Earl if the noblewoman was his mistress, too. Right in front of half the city! Wonder if there is gonna be a duel soon!
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Message: 1/35                      Posted        Author
Violence in the City               Nov 24 2012   Anonymous
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Last night four men affiliated with the Scravers were set upon and badly beaten by a group of Crusaders. The four men had been hired earlier in the day to make sure that a Kurgan merchant's goods arrived safely at the Spice market.

A local Engineer was accosted and his guest thrown through a second floor window when several drunk crusaders renting the room next to the Engineer heard what they believed to be Kurgan being spoken. The guest, whom the Engineer declined to identify, limped off into the night. It is not believed that the guest was Kurgan.

Following a sermon by Father Giordanus invoking the miracle of the club, a small crowd dragged a woman and her two children into the street and beat them with sticks. The woman was of mixed heritage, her father an al-Malik householder and her mother a Kurgan peasant. The Amaltheans are tending to the mother and children. One of the children was struck many times on the head and is unlikely to wake.

An unidentified man was hanged from a footbridge in the copper district. An upside down cross was painted on his clothing in blue paint and a handful of daisies tied by a leather cord to his hand.
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Message: 1/36                      Posted        Author
The Comital Pimp Hand              Nov 25 2012   Anonymous
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While the halls of Castle Joyeaux are alive as always with the talk of war, the servants were particularly buzzing in the aftermath of a recent gathering of the crusader noble-elite. Although the meeting between the ruler of Oultrejoyeaux and several nobles was not unusual, the way it ended was: with Baroness Lysandra Justinian all but fleeing the chamber, the side of her face redenned by the Count's own hand! Gasp!

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Message: 1/37                      Posted        Author
Sir Joscelin's Challenge           Nov 26 2012   Anonymous
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        Sir Joscelin de Moley rode on the back of his white horse straight into the courtyard of Joyeaux House and then rode around there in circles, calling for Don Antonio to emerge. When at last the count appeared on a balcony, Sir Joscelin cried out that he was a low man, no true noble, and that he would answer to Joscelin's sword for the blow he delivered Baroness Lysandra. In turn, the Lord of Joyeaux told the upstart knight that he stood by his blow and would teach the De Moley whelp a lesson for sticking his nose in matters where it does not belong. The duel fixed, seconds arranged, and knight and count are to match blades in a few days' time.

OOC: Joscelin and Antonio will duel on Thursday night, about 6:00 Pacific.
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Message: 1/38                      Posted        Author
There is a flame...                Nov 27 2012   Anonymous
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Word spreads around the City of odd happenings at an Inquisitorial Tribunal held publically in Exodus Square last night. A week after the burning of the flesh market, Inquisitor Father Agravain van Gelder put a dozen mustermen on trial for illegal slavetaking. All were excommunicated, and three who did not repent were sentenced to burn. That, in and of itself, is notable but not exceptional. 

What happened next, though, has everyone talking. While the details aren't clear, the Inquisitor and the three men to be executed had some sort of spiritual experience that knocked Father Agravain to his knees, all of them talking of the Holy Flame. As the three men sang in a language that no Earthly person could understand, the Inquisitor walked into the heart of the ka-oil fueled flames, but was not burned, and the three men's chains fell away at the slightest touch. It was only after they were free that all four began to feel the fire. The quick action of Dame Diana Hawkwood of the Swords of Lextius and Sir Edward Graves of the Imperial Legion saved the Inquisitor and two of the men. The third was carried unmoving from the fire by an Avesti. 

Those who witnessed the event are certain the hand of the Pancreator was at work, and a miracle occurred, the meaning of which is not entirely clear. The injured were taken to the Amalthean Hospice across the Square to recover from their burns.
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Hiring Hall Reinforcements         Nov 27 2012   Anonymous
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At the outset of the trial in Exodus Square, Muster troops began rumbling into the Entrance Plaza of Camp Aleph, an entire platoon of hoplites, accompanied by a section of Medium guns, Chrysanthemum eighty-eights to the discerning soldier. By the time the fires were in full bloom, the troop had deployed their guns in defensive positions, and the hoplights taking up security. Aside from this added security, there appears to be no further disruptions to the operations of the camp, gates remain open during the day, and the plaza vendors are allowed to continue business as usual.
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Message: 1/40                      Posted        Author
The Constable's Plan: Fortress Riv Nov 28 2012   Anonymous
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        The new Constable was heard telling some of the Li Halan crusaders - even that general - that he does not believe it is worth trying to hold the lands above the Lesser Fork. Instead, he thinks the Crusader State should be focused across the River of Joy, advancing towards Revelation. What does this mean for Sidon and Arsuf? Is Sir William suggesting the northern part of Auberry and Maleband should burn?

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A Desert Meeting                   Nov 28 2012   Anonymous
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Rumor has it that Baroness Avenal has been traveling through the Pass of Arrows for reasons unknown. Some say merely surveying former lands of Malefaux, perhaps to try and restory the Earldom, as she has been seen meeting with Engineers too. Still others claim she has gone to meet with the Desert Tribes she so commonly defends the pass against. And others claim perhaps exploring the ruins. No one knows for sur
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Message: 1/42                      Posted        Author
Alam's flight, Arsuf's 'fall'      Nov 29 2012   Anonymous
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After a declaration of claim by the Marquis of Sidon and the subsequent dispatch of his troops and the Knights of the Axe and Fist to Arsuf, many local serfs and yeomen were waiting with some trepidation to see the outcome, fearing internal war within Auberry's already threatened northern border. But within a few days, tales of battle and bloodshed are scarce to nonexistant. Some traveling through the region return with rumors of small skirmishes along the roads, but few can attest to anything resembling an actual battle.

It later becomes known that the illegitimate and disputed Baron Alam al-Malik fled from his holding. Some praise his generosity, saying that he showered the peasants with wealth as he fled. Others note his cowardice and greed, claiming that he looted the best for himself gave the rest only out of spite toward the coming Justinians. Among those who speak with Sidon's own knights and soldiers as they return home, a darker story is given life, that Alam was worse than a coward, setting traps in his wake rather than giving an honorable defense or surrender.

Regardless of what stories are to be believed, it becomes clear within a few days that the Marquis Karl Justinian of Sidon and his young knights have taken and occupied Arsuf. The populace, of course, is of mixed mind, but Alam's rule was short and soon enough they return to their fields. If there is much ill-will, it seems placated by the 'redistributed' riches, any such looting subsequently pardonned by the Marquis.

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Message: 1/43                      Posted        Author
The Duel                           Nov 29 2012   Anonymous
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        Joscelin de Moley and Don Antonio de Joyeaux fought their duel as promised - and it was an unfortunate affair for the young Questing Knight. Don Antonio proved himself a master of the blade, outmatching Joscelin in every pass, and he left the Questing Knight yielding on the very edge of the cliff above the city. Even Baroness Lysandra - the ostensible object of combat - was forced to fall to her knees and apologize. The duel produced two notes of gossip, perhaps. The first is the hint of some connexion between Lysandra and Joscelin; the Questing Knight has a reputation as a bit of flirt, but there was something heavier between them for sure. The second, however, and more exciting one is the accusations cast at Don Antonio by both Sir Joscelin and his brother Count Renaud, accusing Antonio of sorcery. There is no indication - besides his masterful combat - that Antonio in fact used dark powers to win the duel, but the appellation 'Witch-Count' may be sticking despite Antonio's angry denials of any such association.

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Message: 1/44                      Posted        Author
Dancing Lessons                    Nov 30 2012   Anonymous
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Word is spreading in the eastern portion of the town that Baroness Katerine De Moley is seeking a dance instructor. Though it is not at all unusual that a lady should learn to dance (actually it's kinda expected), it is unusual that someone her age would be doing such. Perhaps she is just attempting to increase her skill. Or perhaps she's just looking for a fun fling? Scandal.
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