The Voyreem Herald, 2164

A Saltwave Campaign Journal

27 Greening 2164 - Sekkadian Adventurers Destroy Dread Artifact
An elite team of soldiers from the Barony of Sekkady destroy an evil artifact before it can be completed. A derro necromancer and priestess of Orcus was attempting to build a "Deadgate" high in the mountains north of Tarnlachen in the hall of the frost giant, Jarl Gnorgrak. The group was severely damaged several times but still managed to win the day.

32 Greening 2164 - Gurds Big Winners in 5th Vargas Games
The Gurdish tribes enjoy great success in the fifth annual Vargas Games, taking first place in many events. Lebensbruke, Amazonia, Chan Zhou, and other nations sent athletes and warriors to the games. Queen Anissette was gracious in her remarks to the winners, congratulating them on their victories and challenging them to do even better next year. Amazonian knights took an overall second place in mounted events to the Gurds' victory. Kal-then Khan, king of the Gurdish tribes, gloated at his people's successes, attributing their success to natural talent and intense training over the past year.

32 Greening 2164 - Prrexiland Announces Trade Pact
The trade mission leader, Chanunata Renwara, announces a new trade agreement between the Prreshtuwan Federation and Lebensbruke. Sir Drake will reopen the Air Market for general import and export trade. Prrexi leaders demonstrated their appreciation by holding an aerial parade of flying machines above the city. Many people old enough to recognize the devices from just before the War of Falling Stars swear that the prrextex machines bear a striking resemblance to the war machines Sir Drake distributed to the defenders of Saltwave to hold off the Sky Golem invasion.

7 Growing 2164 - Amazonia Defeats Landish Fleet in Battle of Hilo Straight
An Amazonian battle group of three cruisers and a carrier defeats a Landish fleet of three battlecruisers, twelve cruisers, and numerous smaller vessels in a two-day clash in the Hilo Straight between the island of Hilo and the Deeyami mainland. The Landish Western Fleet was hunting pirates and showing the flag in waters that the Amazonian Doctrine of Queen Sally demands remain free of Saltwave influence. Fleet Admiral Brackrich received an order from the Amazonian commodore to withdraw from the area but elected to ignore the warning. Less than an hour later, a flight of Amazonian aircraft attacked and crippled the Landish flagship, the King Rupert. Command was transferred to the King Farraday and the Landish fleet steamed to engage the Amazonians. The Amazonian carrier fired torpedoes to destroy all four Landish submarines, then launched another flight of aircraft. While Landish wizards used darkness spells to protect their ships from the Amazonian lasers, many shots scored and cut holes in Landish hulls. The Landish admiral tried to maneuver his ships to get within gun range of the Amazonians for most of a day, but was only successful when the Amazonian commodore allowed it. As the Landish vessels closed, she ordered a missile strike that sank both remaining battlecruisers and five cruisers. The surviving Landish ships withdrew from the straight.

10 Growing 2164 - Landers and Technikor Declare War on Amazonia
In response to the Amazonian destruction of much of the Landish Western Fleet, the Landers Houses of Nobles and Wealth declare war on Amazonia. The Technikor Senate responds to the request of its ally and follows suit. Queen Olivia delivers a speech in which she cites the obstinate and aggressive nature of the Amazonian leadership as an irresponsible danger to the peace-loving people of the world. She states that the purpose of the war is to defend the honor of the Four Kingdoms and to prevent the Amazonians from using their superior technology to dominate and conquer other nations.

30 Growing 2164 - Air Market a Great Success
With renewed trade at the Air Market now bringing goods by air and by gate, Voyreem finds itself at the center of an even wider network of trade routes. Flying machines from Prreshtuwan and the Mrrex colony now bring goods from Deeyam, Amazonia, and other prrexi lands to Voyreem and take back products from Lebensbruke, Ishan, and the Four Kingdoms.

2 Flowers 2164 - Western Fleet Naval Base Attacked by Amazonia
An Amazonian fleet of two carriers and supporting vessels attacks the Landish Western Fleet Naval Base on Tulane Island. Carrier-based aircraft sunk all three battlecruisers in the harbor and more than twenty cruisers. With a single strike, the Landish Western Fleet is virtually destroyed. The surprising success of the Amazonians forces allied military leaders to rethink their strategy.

19 Flowers 2164 - Prreshtuwan Declares War on Southern Patriarchy
The Prreshtuwan Federation launched a major military campaign against the heroes of the Southern Patriarchy overnight, declaring war against the great dragon and her minions. Lebensbruke observers described the attack of the prrex samurai and war machines as great and horrible in their devastation. The prrexi used very advanced technology that allowed them to easily defeat the kzinti. According to reports, the prrexi's goal is the overthrow of the great dragon, Uvikfarnis, and the conquest of the Southern kzinti. Ambassadors of other nations are concerned about the destructive power of the catlings' technology.

15 Flowers 2164 - Amazonia Signs Treaty with Lysander, Te-Qal
Queen Sally DuCourt signs a non-aggression pact with the councils of Lysander Isle and the Tribal Alliance of Te-Qal. Queen Sally was reported to have stated, "We have no quarrel with the peace-loving people of Saltwave. We wish only to uphold our rights to fair and free trade in our part of the world. Landers and Technikor are doing the bidding of the great dragon, Zkydraksis, in their war. We wish to make perfectly clear that this conflict is one of principles." The treaty guarantees the northern Saltwave nations safety and free passage for their vessels in the war zone as long as they remain neutral in the conflict and do not carry the dragon's goods to Eastern markets.

29 Flowers 2164 - Southern Patriarchies Hammered by Prrexi War Machine
The Prreshtuwan army swept over the Southern Patriarchies from the Mrrex Colony on the Spierland Peninsula to the Sea of the Wolf in just ten days. Kzin resistance was overwhelmed and destroyed in all major lowland strongholds. The capital city, F'teeonya, is now in flames while house to house fighting rages for control of Uvikfarnis' seat of political power.

3 Heat 2164 - Prreshtuwan Rebuffs Saltwave Alliance Offer
The Prreshtuwan Federation politely refused an offer of alliance with Landers and Technikor, stating incompatible goals and philosophies. The Landish ambassador offered a military and economic alliance to the prrexi, presumably for assistance against Amazonia and its superior technology. The Prreshutwan diplomats elected to remain neutral in that conflict, having their own war to fight in Jaastenland. Sources suggest that the prrexi from the west also cautioned their eastern Jaastenland counterparts in the Prrani Empire against involvement in the Amazon-Saltwave conflict.

6 Heat 2164 - Prrexi Capture Kzin Capital
The samurai of Prreshtuwan eliminate the kzin defenders of F'teeonya, the capital city of the Southern Patriarchies, and gain control of the city. Uvikfarnis, the great dragon, inflicts great damage on the prrexi, but is forced to flee the city under pursuit of the Prrex flying machines. Surviving kzinti retreat to mountainous areas and strongholds.

21 Heat 2164 - Rumors of Mind Flayer Domination Unfounded, White Hands Report
Rumors of people in high positions having been psychically controlled or dominated were proved to be false by the elite White Hand psion branch. Secret investigations by Lord Valdemar's finest officers revealed only two cases of influence and no instances of full control. Individuals having had contact with the mind flayers were questioned and examined by the White Hand to be sure that they bore no invisible traces of control or mental wounds. Sir Drake also gave the White Hand a clean bill of health, itself, certifying that there were no hidden commands or mental suggestions planted within the minds of the investigative unit. Rumors and concerns about mind flayer influence have been growing stronger since a major cell of the creatures was discovered and defeated by Baroness Anika Voorhes under southern Tarnia in Mist of this year.

28 Heat 2164 - Alliance Raids Amazon Harbors
Powerful teams of Alliance agents attacked four major Amazonian ports and caused damage to carriers, aircraft, and stores of armaments. The Landers-Technikor Alliance apparently decided to focus on magical strength to overcome technological superiority, as they used magic to infiltrate and the destroy their targets. Experts suggest that heightened technomancy is key to the new Alliance strategy. According to reports, two Amazonian carrier battle groups were crippled in the attack, halving Amazonian sea power. The Alliance agents all escaped. Sir Logan Dylever, the elven diplomat and merchant prince, was in Gallsboro when it was attacked. He remarked, "If that's they way they want to fight it, this little war just got a whole lot more interesting."

30 Heat 2164 - Dragons and Kzinti fight Guerilla War
With all of the cities and towns of the Southern Patriarchies in Prreshtuwan claws, Uvikfarnis and her followers begin fighting a war of quick raids and magical attacks to try and force out the prrexi invaders. While the strategy is expected, the prrexi still suffer losses from coordinated attacks of dragons and kzin Heroes. The resistance fighters use magic and terrain to neutralize many of the advantages of the prrexi's far superior technology.

8 Glow 2164 - Hawkships Blast Catalina, Lieno
The legendary flying hawkships of Mustang Sally roared over the skies of Catalina and Lieno early on Sunday, the 8th of Glow. The hawkships dropped weapons that successfully disintegrated the offices of the Admiralty in both cities, despite magical defenses and precautions. Experts believe a combination magi-tech weapon was used. The hawkships also destroyed eighteen specific factories and numerous other buildings in the cities. These were all later discovered to be owned by the great dragon, Zkydraksis, directly or through corporations. Loss of life was minimal, given the day and timing of the attacks.

12 Glow 2164 - Hawkships Strike Zkydraksis
In another early morning attack, Amazonian hawkships destroy the palace, grounds, and port of Zkydraksis, the great irridesium dragon. Since the Te-Qal Tribal Meet's insistence that Zkydraksis was not a citizen or resident of Te-Qal earlier this year, Amazonia had issued several warnings to employees of the dragon to remove themselves from danger. This strike made good on the warnings. The same weapons that disintegrated the Admiralty buildings in Lieno and Catalina were used in greater numbers to reduce the dragon's mountain aerie to a huge dust-filled crater more than a half-mile across. Despite the sudden nature of the attack, Zkydraksis himself was unharmed. He was said to be very angry, however. "This is a barbaric attack and it will not go unpunished!" Lord Zkydraksis said. "Blaming a business owner for political and military actions is foolish, short-sighted, and wrong. I believe that Queen Sally fears the peaceful influence of the dragons and has no real interest in racial equality and commerce. It is unfortunate, but not unexpected, that the elves have chosen to take her side in this matter."

15 Glow 2164 - Uvikfarnis Suffers Setback
A team of Sekkadian scouts working with a Prreshtuwan military advisor struck a major blow to Uvikfarnis' magical war plans. The team infiltrated a major ruin from the Keltanthyr period in the Alaan mountains and destroyed an artifact that the great dragon was preparing to use against the prrexi. The exact nature of this artifact is unknown, but apparently involved a ritual to make the dragon immune to the prexx weaponry.

25 Glow 2164 - Amazonia Captures Tulane Island
An Amazonian fleet surrounded Tulane Island and landed several regiments of marines, resulting in the capture of the Landish western naval base. Amazonian commanders swiftly moved to round up spellcasters and seasoned warriors across the tropical island. The sorcerer's gate to Catalina was disabled by Amazonian wizards and the island's industry was placed under control of the Amazonian military. This attack deprives the Saltwave Alliance of its western-most base of operations from which to strike at Amazonia.

27 Glow 2164 - Dylever Company Reveals New Ships
The Dylver House of Veldassa unveiled twelve new merchant vessels built in cooperation with the Chersea shipyards of Amazonia. These ships are designed to fly a short distance above the waves and even above the ground while carrying nearly as much cargo as an elven clipper. Designed using a combination of elven and Amazonian engineering, the "wingships" are both beautiful and functional; all that would be expected of the Dylever trading company. The ships will take over several trade routes, including the long distance routes between Shudai, Qoolm, Honura, Lebensbruke, and Amazonia.

5 Colors 2164 - Gurds Attack Sekkady
Gurdish Barbarians surge across the Aelizon River to attack the town of Veilosky in western Sekkady. The Gurds employed a greater number of shamans and sorcerers than in previous years, and used a strategy designed to reduce the effectiveness of the elite Sekkadian cavalry. Gurdish shamans used spells to raise steep ramparts to protect the warriors from cavalry charges and ranged fire from the town walls. While Veilosky holds, the outlying farms and ranches were destroyed and looted.

10 Colors 2164 - Baron Sekkady gets Special Blessing
As a result of the actions of elite agents of his army, Baron Sekkady gained some sort of powerful blessing of wealth—presumably resulting from the recovery of some powerful magic item from a nearby ruin. He extolled a new wave of prosperity for the nation in a speech to the citizens of Arkadia, Sekkady's capital city. This announcement might also have something to do with the new embassy that the Prreshtuwan Federation has recently built in Arkadia. If Sekkady gets a solid trade agreement with the Federation, one could expect greater wealth to follow. Some in Voyreem wonder, however, whether the prrexi really need or want alpaca!

12 Colors 2164 - Trespassers Ejected from the Aelvenwode
A band of treasure-seekers was forcibly ejected from the Aelvenwode into the Benaaflen River. The group had apparently been trespassing in the deep Aelvenwode and was caught by the elven warders. Queen Anissette issued a reminder that the deep Aelvenwode is unmistakable and remains off limits to those that the elves do not specifically invite in, regardless of a quarter century of friendship and peace with the elves.

15 Colors 2164 - Amazonian Trade Routes Targeted by Alliance
It appears that the Saltwave Alliance is attempting to hurt Amazonia's trade by destroying portals and ships. Existing Sorcerer's Gates to Amazonian destinations in Ishan, Honura, Lebensbruke, Qoolm, and Veldassa were destroyed overnight. The loss of the magical portals to and from Amazonia will likely have a detrimental impact on trade. Other targets included Dylever Company mercantile compounds and ships, including two wingships that suffered serious damage. Secret groups of adventurers loyal to Landers and Technikor are responsible for the attacks. The statements of several casualities and captured agents seemed to confirm this suposition. In Voyreem, Sir Willem Brust organized an effort to repair the damage done by local attacks on the Air Market.

17 Colors 2164 - Gurds Evicted from Sekkady at Height of Equinox
The Gurdish seige and pillaging of western Sekkady was halted as Baron Sekkady and his closest retainers rode into battle near Veilosky and personally defeated the Gurdish hordes. As the Warmwane equinox arrived, great magic from Master Ulisamaar, Lady Grace Trill, and Talishant Aykrug Gluth helped turn the tide against the Gurdish shamans. A mighty gold dragon flew above the barbarians, helping to turn the tide of battle into a Gurdish rout. Lebensbrüker observers suggested that the Gurds seemed to lose their stomach for fighting after the appearance on the battlefield of such staunch resistance. The invading force broke and fled back across the Aelizon River. The cost of the defeat remains high, as much of the immediate region has been plundered and the fields stripped of crops.

18 Colors 2164 - Sir Benjamin VanDerMeer appointed Baron of Stone Lake
The community of Stone Lake is now officially raised to baronial status under the leadership of acclaimed Voyreem native, Benjamin VanDerMeer. The young man and his wife, Serah, are expected to make excellent rulers of the area they personally helped claim from a wilderness of dangerous monsters and ne'er-do-wells.

23 Colors 2164 - Landers Presses Ishan to Enter War with Amazonia
In a communication from the Theocratic Patriarchy of Ishan, the Voyreem Herald has learned that the Kingdom of Landers has asked Ishan to join in the alliance against Amazonia. Reportedly, the Patriarch, K'zar-Kiir, replied, "Take up the issue with your dragon patron. I have no interest in this conflict." The Prophet, Rrkia-Friday, supported her husband's refusal of the alliance. She stated, "While we are certainly ready for a good fight, we'll fight for causes we believe in. This one bears too much of the scent of dragons coiling about behind the scenes. Go ask Dark Schniedar, if you can find him."

30 Colors 2164 - Prreshtuwan Federation Strengthens Grip on Patriarchies
The continuous action against the kzin resistance fighters in the so-called "United Draconic Patriarchies" by the Prreshtuwan army seems to be having an impact. The number of raids upon prrex soldiers and facilities has been decreasing steadily as more kzinti are killed or captured in each attack. The number of resistance fighters in surely dwindling. Even with this positive turn of events, the draconic leader, the great dragon Uvikfarnis, remains at large with nearly all of her dragon servitors. The Prreshtuwan ambassador has declined to state what the Federation intends to do about the deposed leader. The prrexi have much to do to completely restore order in the occupied lands. For now, both kzinti and freed slaves remain under strict martial law. The Federation has begun the process of repatriating captives and slaves from other nations. The Crown is certainly cooperating with such efforts.

3 Harvest 2164 - Dylever Company Wingships add Air Market as Port of Call
The huge aerial ships of the Dylever have added the Voyreem Air Market to their regular trading routes. They bring goods from Amazonia, Honura, Deeyam, Prreshtuwan, Trelesta, and the Four Kingdoms to market. Reasonable prices and excellent quality goods are hallmarks of the elven mercantile company, and now these benefits are available to Lebensbrükers and merchants from across Jaastenland.

6 Harvest 2164 - Four Kingdoms Technology Advisory Council Disbanded
In a move considered extremely dangerous by the druidic faith, the nation of Shudai, and many wizards throughout the world, the Technology Advisory Council decided this week to disband. The Technology Advisory Council was responsible for controlling the availability of potentially damaging or poisonous scientific products for more than five hundred years. The prohibition on gunpowder, widely debated among academic and technomantic circles, was a dictum of the Council. The Council's laws were often enforced by a loose band of so-called "agents" recruited as needed from mercenaries, freeswords, assassins, and wizards' associations. Lord James Falcon, spokesman and member of the Council, explained why the body decided to dissolve. "The purpose of the Council has always been to protect the people and the lands of Saltwave from the harmful effects of technology. Unfortunately, it has become impossible for us to fulfill this charter. The manufacture and spread of advanced scientific products from Amazonia and Prreshtuwan, among other places, has far outpaced our ability to regulate. We cannot even enforce existing rules, as we were able to do with the technology race in the Patriarchies thirty years ago. The rapid proliferation of technology by world trade leaves us unable to safeguard against problems this advanced science might cause. In resignation, we strongly demand that our individual governments and businesses take over and limit the deleterious effects this material will have on our society and our clean air, soil, and water."

12 Harvest 2164 - Druids Unleash Technology-Disrupting Pulse against Amazonia
A group of adventuring druids used a ritual spell of epic power to disrupt Amazonia's production, storage, and distribution of electrical power. Citizens of the Dominion quickly realized how dependent they were on these sources of power for daily life. Production, trade, and work is expected to be disrupted for most of a week while things are put back in order.

13 Harvest 2164 - Alliance Forces Attack Amazonia during the Black-out
Forces from Landers and Technikor marched through magical portals to attack the Amazonian capital and the port city of Gallsboro. With the power to Amazonia's technology drained away, most of the nation's defenses against such an attack were silent. Queen Sally herself rode forth at the head of her legions of amazons to battle the invaders brandishing Iceflame, the legendary blade of the ancient Ionian conquerers. Aircraft in regions unaffected by the druidic attack flew in to provide additional air support. Landish paladins riding griffons traded nearly equal blows with the high-tech aircraft. Losses were heavy on both sides, before the Alliance forces withdrew through the portals.

20 Harvest 2164 - Dark Valpex Kidnaps Prrani Princess
It appears that the evil archmage, Dark Valpex, has not been driven far enough into hiding. He kidnapped the royal Prrani visitor to Voyreem, Princess Mishari, from her box at the opera. Princess Mishari's bodyguard and companions were found unconscious by the head usher during the intermission. The calling card of the evil wizard was left in place of the princess. No demands have been received from the villain. The king and queen are reported to be calm, but angry about the incident. Lord Valdemar's White Hand began an investigation immediately.

27 Harvest 2164 - Special Agents Wound Zkydraksis
Amazonian agents attacked the great dragon, Zkydraksis, in Golden Valley, Landers. Although they succeeded in gaining access to the mansion where the dragon was staying, they were unable to slay him. The dragon's magic and protections proved too powerful to overcome and the agents were forced to flee.

2 Frost 2164 - Human Captives of Kzinti Brought to Lebensbrüke
The Prreshtuwan Federation transported nearly 6,000 former slaves to Voyreem and Kazaandu. These were people captured by kzinti in battle or raids, along with many humans and half-orcs born under kzin domination in the United Draconic Patriarchies. The Ishan temples in both regions are providing for those who have no immediate family or occupation to which they can return. More repatriation is expected in the spring.

3 Frost 2164 - Prrani Princess Rescued
Princess Mishari, royal princess of the Prrani Empire, was rescued from a secret base of the UDP Blackguard military organization by agents of the Crown. Neither Dark Valpex nor Uvikfarnis were apparently involved in the kidnapping. "The abduction of the princess was politically motivated by a rogue kzinlord within the ranks of the hierarchy of the United Draconic Patriarchies. This was done without the knowledge or consent of the great dragon or her advisors. We expect no further problems from this avenue," stated Lord Wilem Brust, Lebensbrüke's Lord Chancellor. The princess and the Prrani embassy were asked for comment, but declined to make any public statements.

6 Frost 2164 - Heavy Snowfall across Lebensbrüke; Roads Remain Open
Winter storms deposited more than 20 inches of snow from Pine Bluff to Vargas and as far south as Brulhafen. Despite the heavy snowfall, the kingdom's roads remained open for travel. The Crown's clearing teams quickly spelled the snow from the highways to allow food and other goods to move freely. Travel off the main roads is mostly shut down for the winter, except where sleds and other manner of transportation are available. The Air Market in Voyreem is open on its usual schedule.

15 Frost 2164 - Lord Brust Says Expansion Unnecessary
Lord Wilem Brust, Lord Chancellor of Lebensbrüke, stated today that it is not necessary for Lebensbrüke to expand its territory over the rest of Jaastenland to ensure growth and prosperity for an increasing number of citizens. Instead, continued settlement of the wild areas within the kingdom's current borders will provide plenty of opportunity for decades to come. The advisement of various druidic councils is to be taken under advisement as different villages and towns are encouraged to grow, while others will be limited in order to maintain a proper balance of nature. Accordingly, a proper natural balance will ensure favorable crop and timber harvesting conditions, as well as providing other benefits. This message is expected to be well received by the Gurdish tribes, elves, and others in Central Jaastenland.

Last updated 01-Sep-2003
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