Month: December 2016

Blackwood Gazette #288- Orphan Twins Give Testimony in Secret Triumvirate Authority Hearing on Klankenvroot Incident

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By Jeanne Dupris, Nor Eastern EIC

17/12/282- Another single, bright ray in the darkness surrounding Crowndon broke through today, as the Triumvirate Authority told us today that they have taken the twins Vertiline and Pigott Torp into custody.

The Torps, interviewed by Adella Chatelaine earlier this year, have become the face of the horrifying action taken by the Crowndon Empire known as the Klankenvroot purge. After a rally last week that ended in a scuffle with the city watch, Chatelaine was able to escape into a nearby channel by the Hawk’s Blood River. It was there that she reunited with the twins, who had been hiding in a small cove since the night of the Purge.

Using her contacts, Chatelaine was able to get both the twins and herself out of the Crowndon Empire and into Triumvirate Authority hands. The Authority reports that all three are healthy, and in good spirits.

The twins were given lodgings at an undisclosed Authority outpost in the mountains, where they were interviewed about the ordeal. They survived the flooding of the dry docks thanks to a pipe that ran from their hovel at the base of the dock wall up to the factory grounds above. They spent nearly an hour submerged, taking turns breathing through the pipe, before the watch opened the flood gates and drained the dock. From there, it was merely a matter of hiding amongst the dead until the guardsmen’s ranks thinned out, and sneaking away.

Chatelaine, who arrived in Oeil de Fleur yesterday morning, told me that she is hopeful the twins’ testimony will lead to definitive action by the Authority against Crowndon. Until that happens, she is simply thankful someone lived to tell the tale.

Blackwood Gazette #288- Orphan Twins Give Testimony in Secret Triumvirate Authority Hearing on Klankenvroot Incident

Blackwood Gazette #287- What is Argyle Von Grimm Doing in Nor Easter and Why Isn’t He Being Arrested?

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By Jeanne Dupris, Nor Eastern EIC

16/12/282-A new scourge on Nor Easter has reared its ugly head in recent days. They started as rumors, but now we have confirmation from the Palace: The Mad Mechanist, Doctor Argyle Von Grimm, has come to Oeil de Fleur, and along with him a retinue of his mechanized gang.

What has the Palace done about this development? Nothing, nor do they plan to.

“Doctor Von Grimm has been granted immunity in Oeil de Fleur for the duration of this month,” said Henri Degeau, a spokesperson for Her Imperial Majesty. “The circumstances behind this are not the concern of the Gazette, or the citizen.”

It’s a rather strange, and disturbing stance, by what is considered to be the most open ruling figure in the Triumvirate. And given Von Grimm’s history, the atrocities he’s committed (including those committed against the Empress herself), I feel the people of Oeil de Fleur have a right to know why he’s being allowed to walk amongst them freely.

Doctor Argyle Von Grimm used to be the Imperial physician, first coming into the position with Empress Marcelette’s grandfather. It is even said that he delivered Her Grace into this world. But halfway through the reign of Empress Marcelette’s father, it was discovered that Von Grimm had a horrible secret, experimenting on the inmates of Marseille Asylum.

Von Grimm had become obsessed with the idea of the mechanical body, first removing the limbs of unwilling victims and replacing them with prosthetics of wire and clockwork. It is said that when his crimes were discovered (after a failed attempt to kidnap the young Empress Marcelette and turn her, literally, into a puppet), he had been trying to remove a human brain and place it into a completely mechanical facsimile. His workshop at the asylum is said to have been littered with the failed attempts towards this grisly goal.

I cannot fathom, dear reader, why the Empress has allowed this, nor why she is unwilling to address it. We can only hope that the Mechanist’s stay is uneventful, and that he leaves when his immunity has expired.

Blackwood Gazette #287- What is Argyle Von Grimm Doing in Nor Easter and Why Isn’t He Being Arrested?

Blackwood Gazette #286- Chaos in Crowndon! City Watch Deploys Automatons to Disperse Boisterous Citizens!

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By Chester Seaton, News

12/15/282- A mob descended upon the steps of the Crowndon Capital building yesterday. Spurred on by egregious reports coming from rogue actors outside of the Empire, they demanded that the Imperial Ruling Body answer for alleged actions taken at the Klankenvroot factory last month, as well as the recent sentencing of the traitor Maurice Merchant.

The streets of Crowndon have seen much unrest in the last week, but this was the first time the demonstrations had reached the Capital. While such demonstrations are not necessarily legal, they are often overlooked unless they present a clear and present danger to government officials or the citizens involved. Clearly, the unruly horde that descended upon the building, hurling insults and rocks alike, constituted such a threat.

In response, our valiant city watch deployed its newest asset, the Gladstone Aerial Reconnaissance Device (or G.A.R.D., rebranded from A.R.A., trade marked by Gladstone Enterprises) upon the crowd. The magnificent devices, operating completely autonomously, took position over the crowd and out of their reach, and deployed a payload of noxious powder derived from basilisk lotus pollen and diluted Barrier Tuna oil. The mixture proved too much for the rabble to handle, and they were quickly dispersed. The city watch reports that no one was seriously injured, and arrests were few, though the smell of the tuna oil will likely result in weeks of scrubbing the Capital’s front steps with tomato juice and the lawn must be completely replaced.

“We knew the pungency of the barrier tuna would prove problematic,” Argathal Gladstone said, when asked about the performance of his machine. “I’m still working on the right balance for the concoction. Other than that, however, the G.A.R.D. worked wonderfully!”

Once the situation was resolved, the Watch quickly posted new guidelines for public demonstrations, namely that they are strictly forbidden for a time to be determined by the Imperial Ruling Body. Anyone caught engaging in disruptive political discourse will be promptly arrested and tried for sedition.

Blackwood Gazette #286- Chaos in Crowndon! City Watch Deploys Automatons to Disperse Boisterous Citizens!

Blackwood Gazette #285- Rogue Nor Eastern Spy Reportedly Spotted in the Pyrossi Islands

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By Isairo Palantes, Monteddorian Correspondent

12/12/282-Sources in the Pyrossi Island region have reported that former Nor Eastern Subterfuge Society agent Pixie Sinclaire, thought deceased, has been spotted in the port town of Xev ti Lais. If true, these reports could lead to dire consequences for Nor Easter.

Sinclaire, along with Sir Rigel Rinkenbach, were involved in the destruction of Sarnwainian military interests earlier this year. The incident led to a continent spanning man hunt that ended in the apparent deaths of Sinclaire and Rinkenbach. With the pair seemingly brought to justice, the Sarnwainian Empire seemed placated. If Sinclaire proves to still be drawing breath, however, it could reignite the situation.

Empress Marcelette Bastian was quick to try and dispel the rumors, saying that there are millions of women in Nor Easter and around the world that match Sinclaire’s description (although, reports that the woman in question was meeting with a known information broker and black market salesman doesn’t help matters). She also went on to explain that if Sinclaire is alive, it is not the result of an attempt by the Nor Eastern Empire to dupe Sarnwain.

No statement on the matter has been given by the Sarnwainian Empire. This news, however, comes hot on the heels of a military demonstration of new weaponized vehicles close to the Sarnwainian/Triumvirate border. Military officials state that the weapons test is unlikely to be a response to this report, but the rumors of Sinclaire being alive could exacerbate the situation if not put to rest quickly.

Blackwood Gazette #285- Rogue Nor Eastern Spy Reportedly Spotted in the Pyrossi Islands

Blackwood Gazette #284- Adella Chatelaine Gives Heartfelt Speech in Crowndon at Klankenvroot Memorial, Barely Escapes Arrest

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By Jeanne Dupris, Nor Eastern EIC

11/12/282-For several days now, citizens of Crowndon had gathered at the site of the old Klankenvroot factory, holding a vigil for those who lost their lives. A company of Crowndon city watch stood by, watching them like a hawk.

Despite the high profile situation, former Gazette writer and person of interest in the Gazette sedition trial Adella Chatelaine made an appearance yesterday afternoon, where she gave an impassioned speech memorializing the workers and decrying the way the situation was resolved.

Earlier this year, Chatelaine visited the area of the factory known as the gutter, where she interviewed a pair of orphans, Vertiline and Pigott Torp. It is unknown whether the orphaned twins survived the Klankenvroot purge, and a large portion of Chatelaine’s speech lamented the state of their lives when she met them and the possibility of their death.

Chatelaine’s time on stage was brief; as soon as the watch identified her, they moved in to arrest her. Her speech had caused unrest within the crowd, however, and the throng lashed out. It is believed that Chatelaine was able to slip away, though we’ve received no word as to her fate at the time of publication.

The altercation between the watch and the people gathered was short lived, as the crowd dispersed with the discharge of a single firearm. Luckily, no one was seriously injured. Even still, our sources inside Crowndon tell us that a feeling of unease persists in the capital city of Crowndon. The city watch retains a presence on the factory ground, removing any objects of memorial and running off anyone who approaches to replace them.

Blackwood Gazette #284- Adella Chatelaine Gives Heartfelt Speech in Crowndon at Klankenvroot Memorial, Barely Escapes Arrest

Blackwood Gazette #283- Maurice Merchant Found Guilty of Treason and Sentenced to Death

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By Jeanne Dupris, Nor Eastern EIC

10/12/282-Two days ago, I was able to express hope that Crowndon may be able to heal itself thanks to the actions of its people against those who ordered the murder of 200 of its citizens. Today, however, that hope is a thing far away indeed. So very far away, thanks largely in part to my personal proximity to the issue at hand.

The Imperial Court of Crowndon returned a ruling in the Gazette Sedition case today, and it is a sorrowful turn of events. Maurice Merchant, owner, proprietor, and son of the founder of the Blackwood Gazette, was found guilty on charges of sewing unrest against the Crowndon Empire, and has been sentenced to death by firing squad, to be carried out later this month.

On a slightly less grim note, Mister Merchant’s alleged co-conspirators, most notably Ada Herschel, were sentenced to life in labor camp at an undisclosed location, with possibility of release following rigorous re-education.

I cannot believe the situation in Crowndon has devolved to such a point in such a short time frame. Since the attack on the Imperial summit meeting late last year, Crowndon has moved further and further away from the ideals the Triumvirate was striving for. And if we believe that Nor Easter and Monteddor are not complicit in this descent, we are fooling ourselves. We’ve left our sister Empire, and its citizens, to freeze in the cold.

I do not know why I even bother to try again, but I implore the leadership of Nor Easter and Monteddor, Empress Marcelette Bastian and High King Mario Adallantes, and the governing body of the Triumvirate Authority, to intervene before this matter grows worse. Evicting Crowndon from the Triumvirate is not an option: she must be healed, not left to die.

We call ourselves the Imperial Triumvirate. It’s time we remembered how to be that again.

Blackwood Gazette #283- Maurice Merchant Found Guilty of Treason and Sentenced to Death

Blackwood Gazette #282- Leviathan Investors Claim Prison Conditions Will Be Rectified

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By Isairo Palantes, Monteddorian Correspondent

9/12/282-A spokesperson representing the board of investors for the prison ship Leviathan released a statement today concerning the recent developments of alleged abuse of prisoners and deplorable living conditions.

“The investors behind Leviathan are as troubled by these reports as anyone,” the spokesperson said. “Not only are the conditions described, if true, unacceptable, but they reflect poorly on those whose money made the prison possible.”

The spokesperson went on to say that the investors are in the process of negotiating a tour of the ship, accompanied by Triumvirate Authority officials. The announcement comes on the heels of a failed request by the Authority acting on its own, who claim to have no jurisdiction over the ship.

“If the allegations should prove to be true, the investors are willing to make it a priority to replace the current personnel of the ship with people who are more agreeable, following an overhaul of the ship’s structure to help curtail accounts of the ship already falling into disrepair.”

Blackwood Gazette #282- Leviathan Investors Claim Prison Conditions Will Be Rectified

Blackwood Gazette #281- Citizens across Empire Demand Explanation from Crowndon Government in Light of Controversial Pictographs

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By Jeanne Dupris, Nor Eastern EIC

8/12/282- Tensions in Crowndon have reached a fever pitch, as the citizenry have begun taking to the streets in the wake of leaked pictographs depicting what really transpired on the Klankenvroot factory grounds last month.

Despite Crowndon officials’ best efforts, or perhaps because of them, to suppress the circulation of the graphs, the images have spread like wildfire through the lower boroughs of some of Crowndon’s largest cities, including Walsh, Toring, and even the capital itself.

Groups gathered outside of town halls and civic centers, demanding the heads of officials who ordered the flooding of the Klankenvroot dry dock. Even a few of the empire’s more prominent citizens took to these rallies, using their influence to gain audience with Imperial leadership.

What fruit these meetings will bear remains to be seen, but that members of the Oligarchy are willing to meet and discuss the events of the Klankenvroot Purge is a step in the right direction. We can only hope that the actions taken against the former workers living on the factory grounds were ordered by a small portion of corrupt elements, within the Crowndonian oligarchy, elements that can be weeded out in short order.

I wish that the Gazette Nor Easter could take some credit for helping these graphs circulate, but our intervention proved unnecessary, and the outrage expressed by the citizenry of Crowndon is a testament to their integrity and humanity. If Crowndon can fix itself, there might be hope for the Triumvirate as a whole.

Blackwood Gazette #281- Citizens across Empire Demand Explanation from Crowndon Government in Light of Controversial Pictographs

Blackwood Gazette #280- Pharassian Military Unveils New Motorized Vehicles in Blatant Display of Power

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By Jeanne Dupris, Nor Eastern EIC

6/12/282-The average citizen couldn’t be blamed for thinking that the situation between the Nor Eastern and Sarnwainian Empires had cooled down in the wake of the destruction of the ancient fortress of Ma-Droit and the deaths of rogue agents Pixie Sinclaire and Sir Rigel Rinkenbach. Sarnwain had ceased it seemingly ceaseless chest beating and trade between the two Empires had resumed in recent months with little to no trouble.

That lack of chest beating should have been a warning, according to Nor Easter Admiral Alexia Tremonte, who told us that the Pharassian military recently conducted a test of new motorized vehicles in the Tarsian desert, right near the Sarnwain/Triumvirate border.

“That Pharassus would conduct such a test on the opposite end of the Sarnwainian Empire in a completely different province is something we’re taking as a direct threat to the safety of Nor Easter,” the Admiral said. “I implore that the Triumvirate Authority, as well as our Triumvirate sisters in Crowndon and Monteddor, take this threat with the utmost severity.”

The vehicles tested by the Pharassian army certainly sound terrifying, if the reports given by Society spies are to be believed. They describe high velocity armored vehicles, belching a noxious black smoke, armed with cannon and rapid fire weapons that put even the Crowndon army’s crank driven repeaters to shame.

“That they would so openly display such weapons is what worries me the most,” Admiral Tremonte went on to say. “The Triumvirate just launched the most advanced air ship the world has ever seen, and Pharassus didn’t flinch. They’re either fools, or completely confident in their new weapons.”

Crowndonian officials are betting on the former.

“I really don’t think there’s anything to worry about,” Admiral Henry McTolliver said. “Sarnwain has been trying to keep up with the Triumvirate for centuries, and so far their efforts have proven impotent. Their reluctance to embrace Blackwood and pursue oil based energy is a fool’s errand. Honestly, I’m more worried about what’s going on inside our own Empire than anything from without.”

Admiral Tremonte disagrees, vehemently. “That’s rich, coming from a Crowndonian Admiral. It wasn’t so long ago that another Crowndonian Admiral made the mistake of hubris, and was taken down by new technology he didn’t see coming. Nor Easter has proven its foresight in the past. If the Society are telling us we should be worried, then we need to listen. To do otherwise could prove disastrous.”

Blackwood Gazette #280- Pharassian Military Unveils New Motorized Vehicles in Blatant Display of Power

Blackwood Gazette# 279- Anonymous Source Leaks Pictorgraphs of Dead Following Klankenvroot Purge

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By Jeanne Dupris, Nor Eastern EIC

4/12/282- Crowndon is in an uproar today, following the release of pictographs depicting the aftermath of the Klankenvroot Purge, as it’s come to be known in the rest of the Triumvirate.

I say the rest of the Triumvirate, because sources claim that nearly 85% of the Crowndon citizenry is under the belief that the Klankenvroot factory squatters were evicted peacefully, a story they were told either through sanitation of the story via the Ministry of Information Distribution, or outright lies. Any paper brave enough to tell the true story did so in the form of short blurbs buried on the inner pages.

Since the release of the photos in the ‘Ex-Humanor’, an underground publication popular throughout the Triumvirate, the Ministry is said to be working overtime to suppress the issue’s distribution. Release of the information has outpaced the propagandist’s arm, however, and people are starting to ask questions.

The biggest hurdle these pictographs face, however, is the question of their authenticity. The venue of their publication certainly doesn’t help matters, but many of the graphs are poorly shot and hard to discern.

As for the source of the graphs, Crowndon authorities are said to be rounding up and interrogating anyone known to be associated with Oculus, the mysterious figure who runs the infamous tabloid. So far, their efforts have turned up nothing but go-betweens or ‘friends of friends who know a guy’.

Meanwhile, we here at the Gazette Nor Easter have employed the services of pictographers and police forensics experts to help validate or debunk the pictographs. Should they prove to be authentic, we will promise to do anything in our power to inform the people of the Crowndon Empire, who seem to be living in the shadow of an increasingly draconian government.

Blackwood Gazette# 279- Anonymous Source Leaks Pictorgraphs of Dead Following Klankenvroot Purge