Ye Olde News

RMSMAN HUGH VAUGHN had accepted the quest of cleansing the Capital of Britain for the infested and poisonous rats. Armsman Vaughn lead the Guards to the Britain sewers and somehow discovered a secret path leading to the Lost Lands. After a quick expedition to the foreign terretories, the Guards stumbled upon the long-forgotten Town of Papua.

ATHERING as much riches as they could, they patrolled the area for soon to return to Minoc to inform His Lordship, the Baron, of their findings.

ORPORAL HENRICH BEAUFORT lead a mining mission to the Covetous mines, on Covian land, to look for expensive and rare ore. Rumours were that these particular mines was filled with gold and was the source of all the Covian wealth.

NFORTUNATELY the Covian Army did arrive, commanded by Baron Octiovus himself. This lead to a significant loss for the Britannian Guards and they were forced to push back to the Town of Minoc. Now, surrounded by rebels on all sides - what would they do?

T WAS TIME for another Guild Championship in the Guard, and they had all assembled at the Minoc status, not for from Cmdr Jordan Jurrels office, in Minoc. It was time for the valiant women and men of the Guard to show their worth and fight for the glory of becoming the Guard's Champion.

FTER MANY tough battles, and some not-so-tough, Veteran Guard Illuge won the championship and aquired the Sash of Honour from the old Britannian Commander Elliot Wood.

HE guards attended another Trinsic Fight Night yesterday. Many guards had come to participate in the tournament. At the end of the tournament a few favourites stood out and Lolindir Calmil run an impressive match against Duchy-Captain Kuro, but had to give up and won a respectful third place.

MONGST the competitors you could find Ron O'Sullivan who vigilantly trained beforehand by doing a series of situps and various other warm-up exercises.

FTER A LONG and tough hunt to the Ice dungeon, the guards enjoyed a night off at the Trinsic Rose last night. Fortunately, the ale was on the Baron and the guards surely enjoyed themselves.

HE TOWNSHIP OF JHELOM, being a fiercely loyal town to the Kingdom, has decided to enter the royal guardsforce and serve the Kingdom in these hard times. This will result in a merger between JLM and LB. The existing members of JLM will assume the same rank they currently have when they enter LB. They will form the new Jhelom regiment until they are ready to fully be incorporated into the guards regiment.

- Command

IR ULRICH SINGARD lead a small contingent of Britannian guards to the fierce lands in the froniters of Ilshenar a few days ago. The purpose of this exepedition was to locate the so-called "free" City of Vesper's militia and to retrieve the location of their leader, Kain Twothumb.

O THE EXPEDITIONs great surprise, locating the Vesperian forces turned out to be no trouble at all. "Thou couldst hear their brutual warcries and smell their filthy rebel-red clothing miles away," said Sir Ulrich after returning to the tents outside Minoc.

OWEVER, the night turned to be a disasterous defeat on the Britannians side as the Vesperian-coalition of the Knights Hospitallers, the militia and "freemen" defeated the once proud Britannian guards.

HIS FIRST DAY of constructing the Minoc wall was very exhausting. Yet with the help of the guards it looks very promissing. The local gypsies already told me they are very happy with the defence we build so far.

I WOULD LIKE to thank both Ron O'Sullivan and his girlfriend Eodwyn Danuril for the great effort they showed tonight. The lass is quite eager to fortify the border gate running up and down with filled pitchers even more than her own weight and this help is what we need to secure Minoc.

ART OF THE WALLS are still weak, very weak if I may add. We need the help of more guards to fortify the structure, get more barrels and a huge supply of water to make the wall last for years. So I urge all member to help building it, all little bits help alot, we all know that!

Signed,
Lemon

My Lord Baron,

RADING with Nujel'm was a success as expected, The caravan arrived at our checkpoint at exactly 9pm without delay, and thankfully without interuption from any of our agressive neighbours. Not that they would have been a problem given the number of guards they had to protect them.

N exchange for our four crates of Iron Ore they gave us 2400 stones worth of exotic Nujel'm food, enough to keep us stocked for the remaining winter months and beyond.

Y LORD, I would recommend using this group again, the "Collegium Ditio Potentia Lex" they call themselves, they seem very reliable indeed.

INALLY I'd like to thank Ron and Eodwyn for acting professional and showing great initive whist on duty.

Signed,
Captain Devante

H, a fresh morning in the big city. Edmund knew these streets as his own pocket. He was born and raised here. As he was standing in the courtyard he could see the towering college of history in the background, where he attended in his younger days. Not many knew the story, but his father was from Britain as well. The only one that knew much about his past was his late wife, Laulile. Oh, how he missed her dearly. Not a day went by without his thoughts going to her. The capital was boiling with life. Jesters at the bank, noblefolk, commoners, guards, scholars, bards and adventurers. He couldn't deny the good feeling of being back in Britain. But he knew that they had work to do in Minoc. If they were to make it before dark, they would need to set off soon. Luckily a few of the recruits still had some supplies from the journey from Trinsic the night before.

E explained to the guards that they would be travelling through the marshes outside Britain to get to the provience of Altmere, outside Cove. The guards seemed better prepared today and they all soon set off to reach the Town of Minoc. It was along journey and hopefully they wouldn't run into too much trouble.

HE COMPANY OF GUARDS pushed forward through the marshes, and put it behind them with little difficulty. Edmund was pleased how the recent trainings, and perhaps in particular the crosshealing, had finally payed off. He smiled confident to himself.

HEY travelled through rebel lands now. Virtue knew what would happen if they were to run into a Vesperian scout on their way... he did not wish to think of the consequences. However, luck was with them, and both Sir Kent and Edmund said a lowly praising to the Virtues as they closed up on the County of Minoc.

FTER a promotions ceremony, the division of guards headed onwards to the Barony of Minoc. Rumours had it, according to the newly appointed Corpoal, Henrich Beaufort, whom had served in the Cove Militia before, that Cove had turned royalist. "Hm," Edmund thought to himself, "Perhaps we can use this."

RRIVING at Covetown gates, Armsman Ron O'Sullivan headed off to find a Cove official, returning with Sergeant Erik Arkay which the Baron had met earlier. Now the hard part started. Being a people used to the wilderness, these Covians were very sceptical. A silver tounge would do no use here.

FTER a long discussion with the sergeant, it was clear to Edmund that we couldn't expect to see them doing anything out of good will for peace, and he offered them a trade caravan: They would supply Cove with more ale and materials and help for rebuilding Cove in return for peace and no hostility with the Cove Militia. The plan seemed to work out perfectly. Erik Arkay told them that the Yew Militia had burned almost all the houses outside Cove, and Edmund immediately saw this as an oppertunity for gaining more trust with the Covians. Rather honestly, he did not wish them any more harm. Especially not if they had no hard feelings for the Throne. Erik Arkay told him: "Well, least we'll not beh opposin' 'im!" referring to the King.

O furthermore show that they would stand by their words, Edmund ordered Veteran Bowman Atrag to take the rest of the men to the orc fort behind the Town of Cove to slay all the orcs in sight and bring the gold back to the Covians. Atrag didn't seem too happy about the whole thing with going friendly with the Covians, but Edmund knew he was loyal and would do as he asked.

S Edmund set off back for the gypsie tents outside Minoc, where they were based, he came to spot a few Knights Hospitaller scouts in the Vesper forests. Riding swiftly past them, he hoped they hadn't spotted him...

IT was a frosty afternoon when the guards assembled at the garrison. After many discussions, arguments and disputes in the Guard Command, he had now finally ordered the move to Minoc. He knew there would be many strong reactions to this, but he also knew he had a duty to fulfill. A duty not only to Trinsic, but also to the remaining loyalist people in Britannia.

S he approached the line of guards, he found that Captain Devante had already briefed them. He smiled confident as he addressed them, but he also carried a grave face. A knowing that their mission was not the easiest. Edmund explained to them what their plans were and how important their work was. The last thing he wanted now was another rebellion in the Guard. He knew he had to keep up the dicipline, even though it was quite honestly not one of his strong sides.

APTAIN DEVANTE took the men to the stockpile to gather what they needed to set up base in Minoc. Once the caravan was ready, Shadow Bubba was ready to take the men to Trinsic by the help of a magical portal. To the mens great annoyance, two of the packhorses got killed during the travel through the mysterious blue portals; only proving the danger of these so-called "gates".

HEN the caravan arrived in Trinsic, the only Duchy official they found was the Duchy guard Kaelyn. The Baron informed her of their intentions himself. He could see on her face that she wasn't overly happy about their desicion, however Edmund was sure she would understand. Whether the Duke, or left alone the Baroness would, he was more uncertain of.

ANQA had helped the caravan with food supplies. Edmund hoped the men had shown their gratitude for her kindness.

FTER a long walk, the men decided to rest at the first tavern they saw in Britain. In good old fashioned tradition they popped a few ales. The Baron however soon arrived accompanied by Guard Mondrious and he took them to the courtyard of Castle Britannia.

HE GUARD was now back in their hometown, Britain. Many of the guards who were ex-guards of the City of Britain was clearly rather happy to be back. However, they knew that tomorrow would be another harsh journey through the northern swamps to get to the County of Minoc.

T was unsure where the so-called 'Earl' had gone, and what had happened to his rebellious men. Vandrich Chaucher had declared war and attacked the Guard after the death of Edmund's wife, Laulile Fairholm. He had claimed that it was the Baron himself, Edmund, who had murdered her. Naturally an outragous accusation which the Baron did not take lightly on.

T had been a long time since the last Promotions Ceremony when Baron Fairholm, the Commander of the Britannian Guard, called together for a new ceremony of medals and tradition at the new garrison headquarters outside Britain. There were many promotions, and most notably two officer promotions.

• Crossbowman Sentry Henrich Beaufort
• Gringo, Servant of Virtue
• Corporal Cairn
• Sergeant Ulthwe

FTER the Promotions Ceremony there was time for a new Guild Tournament, in good tradition as well. Student Gringo, surprisingly, became the new Champion of the Guard at the newly built barracks. Many men had turned out to try their prove their valour, however it seems this young man of the Cloth showed them all.

ATHER FOXBERG of the Clergy lead a small group of men to locate what he called The Oracle a few nights ago. According to a few ancient manuscripts located in the library of Britain, the Oracle was supposed to be a centre of all-knowing wisdom. To the mens great surprise, the Oracle spoke with a big trembling voice back to them, answering their questions. The old cleric rubbed his hands grimly together imagining the possibilities of such a tool.

FTER many months of hard work, the new garrison headquarters are finally finished. The Baron himself, Henrich Beaufort, Master Lemon, Bubba, Vaugh Hughes and Tom Lorn helped with the decoration. The new garrison will serve as the Britannia Guards new headquarters.

See also the map.

T was late when the Royal Guard was gathered at Castle Britannia yesterday evening. Before us Jordan Jurrel, the Commander of the Royal Guard appeared. He promptly announced that he intended to disband the Royal Guard on reason being their incompentence in handling the situation with the young Miss Glade and Father Antos whom sacrified their lives in Yew last week.

OMMANDER JURREL spoke both of the named traitors to the Crown, and demanded that they all would return their Royal Guard sashes. He also declined both the King and the Ruling Council, calling himself the ruler of Britannia. The gathered, including large forces from Cove, some from Trinsic and merely Baron Fairholm, Court Guard Kent and Sergeant Illuge of the Britannian Guard were shocked at his statements.

EFORE people had got the chance to reflect upon what the Command had just said, Ione the Crane appeared and accused the Commander of not being himself. She cast a spell on the Commander, and he disappear. She said she had just came by large forces of the Commander's so-called "Black Order" gathering at Lord Blackthorne's disbanded castle in Britain.

T should not be long before the Royal Guard arrived there, met with heavy resistance from Commander Jurrel and his Black troops. But the Royal Guards were many and worked their way to the top of Lord Blackthrone's old castle. At the top they found the evil Commander of the Royal Guard waiting. It was soon to be proved that he was truely some other creature, for his powers were godly and surely from out of this world. The Royal Guard fought for many hours and in the end, Jordan Jurrel the evil was vanquished. A few minutes later, the true and real Jordan Jurrel was found climbing out of one of Lord Blackthorne's closets.

HE TRUE Commander assured us that he was alright. He said he couldn't remember who kidnapped him. But he said he remember being "trapped" inside the evil Jordan Jurrel, but without the ability to do anything. The Commander was very shocked by the whole experience and promised he would answer questions at a later time.

FTER this the Royal Guarded headed to the City of Yew, and the swamps had already begun to heal as a result of the dear sacrifice of Miss Glade and Father Antos. Jordan Jurrel retrieved the Brightblade that the evil Jurrel had claimed the Duke of Trinsic had hidden and planted it in the ground next to the rip in space. He said that in seven days the Royal Guard should hold a ceremony for remembering the late Miss Glade and Father Anots who gave their lives for the City of Yew.

ARON FAIRHOLM attended a virtue service in Nujel'm held by the young and much talented Waterfay Eversky. It seems the Empire of Maginica is taking up old traditions of praising the Virtues in the middle of all their conquring. The new governor of Nujel'm, Venom d'Orsay, seemed lighthearted and cheerful as people all across the lands had ventured to Nujel'm in the occasion.

FTER the service the gathered headed for the Silver Bow tavern in Nujel'm to enjoy a cool and refreshing drink in the summer heat. The Emperor himself did not show, however. The governor said that he hoped the Virtue service could be arranged weekly or fortnightly.

HE BARON fell to his knees in tears as the saw the ruins. "These blasted," brigands he muttered to himself while his eyes were flashing. He glanced up and about the once proud and monumental Castle Moses, the home of the retired Cardinal Moses and the Britannia Guards. Once a beacon in the northern highlands of Britannia, it had stood up and resisted many a rebel attack.

DMUND didn't know how to break this news to the Baroness. He sighed once more. There was no easy way of telling. Now, with both the Stanmere Stronghold and the honourable Castle Moses in ruins, he did not know what to do. He decided to call upon a council meeting of the Guard Command as soon as it were possible. Not only did the ones who committed this cruel act of terror need to be hunted down, but also punished with the fury of Justice upon them.

EVERTHELESS, the Command had to be addressed about this. He feared tough times were ahead not only with the Castle in ruins, but also for the loyalist armed forces and its allies. He armed his shield and headed to Minoc to find the Baroness, whom had been captured by the so-called 'Earl' Vandrich of the Minocian Milita.

ERGEANT ATRAG and Corporal Ulthwe lead a hunt to give the new trainees and recruits some good and valued training yesterday night. Accompanied by several of the other guards, bowmen and even a templar; Atrag decided to head for the Dungeon of Destard. A quote from Guard Mondrious' report:

HE stench of the dragons could be noticed already outside the dungeon, and some of the guards frowned when they stood outside this nest of evil, looking through the entrance. Atrag lead us inside the dungeon, where he showed the recruits about the square formation. And told us to try and hold that formation at all times. We then ran straight into the dungeon looking for prey. After walking to the other side of the dungeon a mighty beast appeared before us. A dragon it was! I could notice some of the lesser experienced guards faces as they turned white. [...]

RITANNIA GUARDS had heard news of a roadblock on the King's roads outside Cove, on the highways to Vesper. Cleric Champion Tristan Elmwood took a band of men out to sort this roadblock out, but was met by a Cmdr Eason of Cove and two other Covian militamen. After a short argument they claimed the road belonged to the rihgtful Baron Octiovus of Cove and conflict broke out. Just in this moment their received reinforcements by more Covians, including Baron Octiovus himself. The Guard lost and had to return to Stanmere with their heads down.

URELY this is not the last time we see the Covians taxing the people of Britannia.