December 2010

High Council of Britannia Declares War on VirtueBane! Submitted by Martyna_Zmuir on December 20, 2010 at 10:38 PM CST During the 353rd session of the High Council of Britannia, Chancellor DaKaren proposed that the High Council take the step to formally declare war on VirtueBane and his followers: the Bane Chosen and the Daemon Conclave. Citing the fact that the Ophidians and the Meer both visibly came to the defense of Cove this past weekend, the official Crown forces appeared "...reticent to engage the enemy directly." The Chancellor believes the recently passed 'Britannian Peace Act' has unduly set the Crown's forces at odds with itself, essentially paralyzing an official response to the patently aggressive actions of VirtueBane. The Chancellor cautioned that such a declaration of the High Council would not carry the weight of the Crown behind it; but it would loosen the reins on the Britannian Armed Forces and allow them to act swiftly in the event there is another incursion into a Britannian city. The proposal carried unanimously amongst all vote-eligible Council members present. The High Council was now at war. Councilor Darkwind of Yew proposed that Galen of the Legacy of the Fallen be tapped to lead the B.A.F. into battle against the forces of VirtueBane. The proposal was met with praise by those assembled since Lord Galen had recently led three highly successful crusades against the Bane Chosen and Conclave forces occupying the Isle of Magincia, endearing him in the hearts the Isle's displaced citizens. However, Galen, an antiques dealer by trade, humbly turned down the offer. "I appreciate the confidence and I hope to lead more campaigns, but I do not think an official role does anyone any good....I apologize. Leading the Magincian Crusade is more than enough for me." Galen should be hailed as a hero of our age; willing to fight against that with threatens our freedom, yet grounded enough to resist the pitfalls of Pride. May the Virtues guide his hands against our Kingdom's enemies. There is one slight glimmer of hope that the Crown may pursue this battle in earnest. Regardless of the 'Britannian Peace Act,' there is a powerful artifact now resting on a pedestal just south of the First Bank of Britain: The Bell of Courage. It is hoped that displaying an icon of this stature will fortify the hearts of Britannian citizens and give them the will to survive these trying times. In the end, it will not be a piece of legislation that secures peace, or a symbolic bell that ends this war. It will be the Courage and Love of the Britannian people to see through VirtueBane's lies to the Truth. Long Live Britannia! Death to VirtueBane! Martyna Z'muir, Library of Sosaria [Discuss This Article]

In the Shadow of Virtue: Prelude to War Submitted by UO_Herald on December 17, 2010 at 6:57 PM CST Originally posted 17 Dec 2010 20:01:10 EST by Mark Steelman on the UO Herald: “Your majesty, may I get a moment of your time to approve the final design?” Dawn was sitting on a small bench outside of her private chambers adjusting her boot.  She paused a moment without looking up as she tried to figure out what he meant.  She remembered and answered in a weary voice, “I will be there in just a moment, Rankin. Has there been any news of my husband?” “No, your majesty.  I’m sorry, but his location is still unknown.” Dawn stood and looked Rankin in the eye.  Rankin was an older man, the gray hair on the top of his head slowly disappearing, but he seemed to be making up for it by growing out what remained.  Though he was about Dawn’s height, he was noticeably heavier and the and the skin around his cheeks and eyes sagged like a hound.  Dawn thought he looked like he belonged in his long robes, padding about a great castle. “Lead the way.” The worry was making her old too, Dawn thought grimly.  She wasn’t sleeping well.  She wondered if all leaders grew old before their time.  Where could Ors be?  Is he still alive?  There were too many shadows of late, too many angles.  Her gut told her that he had been kidnapped by the Bane Chosen, but they had set no ransom and those who had been questioned seemed to know nothing about it. To read the full article on the forums, click HERE.

G-V December Shard Event Submitted by Martyna_Zmuir on December 13, 2010 at 11:47 PM CST From Harloff of the Guardians of Valhalla: This month, We're holding a Holiday House Decoration Contest. So break out all your holiday goodies, Decorate your house and enter for a chance to win one of three cash (gold) prizes. 1st place 25mil 2nd place 20mil 3rd place 10mil How to Enter: #1 decorate your house #2 mark a rune with your name on it #3 drop rune in mail box (1st house east of G-V Library /Museum) before 8pm cst Sunday Dec 19th At 8pm cst Dec 19th the Elders of G-V will start our tour of houses. Check here later for winner placement list on Monday Dec 20th or our web site. [Discuss This Article]

MOA Does Christmas Submitted by Martyna_Zmuir on December 13, 2010 at 11:28 PM CST

An Act of Peace or Peril? Submitted by Martyna_Zmuir on December 13, 2010 at 12:08 AM CST Last Tuesday, the Queen's Advisory Council enacted a piece of legislation with the potential to tie the hands of our military when swift action is required. Spearheaded by Lord Kendal, the 'Britannian Peace Act' may be a contradiction in terms. Full text of the Act: Britannian Peace Act To avoid provoking our neighbors and bringing the kingdom into another war, all actions and activities that are viewed to provoke hostility must end. To that end: I. The bounties on demons are removed from the public lists. II. Government officials who do not get approval for all military activities will be fined or removed from their office. Signed, Lord Kendal, Chair of the Queen's Advisers On its face, the Act appears innocuous enough, though perhaps a bit vague and over-broad in its terminology. Since Britannia has only recently emerged from a time of kingdom-wide peril and governmental treachery, it is understandable that those currently in power may wish to be a bit overcautious. On the other hand, we emerged from that period with our long-time alliances intact, have gained the friendship of the people of Ter Mur, and have rebuilt our nation. Should we not fight to keep what we have and ensure that those who wish to take it from us are resoundingly discouraged? We wouldn't want to offend or enrage any of the neighboring kingdoms, let alone incite them to war. Hence, our military routinely requests the permission of, or coordinates a joint action with, sovereign nations for actions on their soil through diplomatic channels. I contacted Lord Kendal through the palace Press Office for an interview regarding the act. As per protocol, I submitted the questions to be asked, which unfortunately prompted his response in the form of an official press release. However, for ease of public consumption, I have broken the release down to his responses to my questions: Do you believe that this Act will actually promote peace, or potentially cause the Kingdom's ministries to react less swiftly to emerging threats due to fear of censure? "The Britannian people are tired of unnecessary war. It has become vital for the kingdom's stewards to protect peace." Why did you single out daemons as entities unworthy of bounty? Are they not traditionally antagonistic to our Kingdom and its peoples? "The Queen's Advisers believe that by singling out demons for bounty, we encouraged their organization and mobilization against the Kingdom. It seemed foolish to pay a great deal of gold to organize future enemies to the Crown. We believe there is a better way." What of the daemons who have attacked the capitol on several occasions, such as when the theft of the Crystal of Duplicity occurred? "From the reports I have read, I believe that the individual demonic creatures responsible for the attack on Britain and Yew have been dealt with by our forces. If anything, the enemy has received greater losses than we have. I will not allow the kingdom's warmongers to use those incidents as an excuse for any future escalations." The Bane Chosen have been willfully hostile to our Kingdom and its allies. Going so far as to attack the Meer in Lakeshire, the prison in Yew, and a wholesale invasion of the Isle of Magincia. Do really you believe this Act would allow us to make peace with the Bane Chosen, or potentially tie the military's hands at a critical juncture? "As for the Bane Chosen, we are keeping a close eye on that situation." I must admit, I was somewhat taken aback by his lukewarm response to the hostile actions taken by entities known to be antagonistic to the Britannian way of life. The daemons he dismisses as having been 'dealt with' are members of a vast Conclave whose goals include the death of Queen Dawn and the return of a powerful elemental titan of fire. The Advisor's 'close eye' on the Bane Chosen must have been looking the other way when Magincia fell without protest to their forces. The fact that this hostile army is in fact led by the same daemon who controls the Conclave must have escaped the Advisor's hawk-like gaze as well. I would be remiss if I failed to point out that Ors, the Queen's husband, had also been abducted by the Bane several weeks ago. One could begin to question when the observation of an enemy's actions crosses into apathy and negligent inaction. History clearly shows that conflicts with the Daemon Conclave and the Bane Chosen were not due to warmongering on the part of the Royal Guard or the Ministry of Security. In fact, neither Britannian organization paid them any heed until they engaged in blatantly belligerent and aggressive actions on our soil or against our allies. In response to Lord Kendal's press release, I sought out Commander Keel of the Royal Guard. As the frontline head of Britannia's military, I asked her what she thought of the new legislation. "The Royal Guard isn't going to stop to ask permission before saving lives and defending the kingdom. If Kendal has a problem with that, he can get out his rusty family sword and discuss it with me directly." Relieved that our military would continue to protect the people regardless of potential censure, I next sought out the head of the Ministry of Security, Lord Grey. His reply was diplomatic, "The Ministry of Security understands the desire for peace. The Act will certainly help the cause of peace with law-abiding and virtuous foreign powers." However, under condition of anonymity, several individuals in both organizations expressed significantly less-publishable sentiments towards both the Act and its author. Strangely, when I approached the Queen's Private Secretary for a comment on the Act, I was immediately told "The Queen has no official comment at this time." Hard to comment on what one has yet to be asked... The true worth of the Britannian Peace Act will be proven in the days to come. With both the Conclave and the Bane Chosen acting with near-impunity on our soil and against our interests, Britannia cannot help but be drawn into another war. Would not a dragon protect both its hoard and its eggs with every means at its disposal, or rather bind its jaws shut and slip into a torpor hoping the world only consists of the light of Virtue? The Conclave and the Bane Chosen seek to remake our world in VirtueBane's image. They will smash our eggs, steal our hoard and end our lives to do it - unless we stand up to them. Britannia's enemies must learn how sharp the dragon's fangs truly are! Martyna Z'muir, Library of Sosaria [Discuss This Article]

Walrus Festival Submitted by Martyna_Zmuir on December 12, 2010 at 11:59 PM CST Originally posted December 11th, 2010 by EM Elizabella on the Great Lakes EM Site: In its early years, Vesper, a bustling port and mercantile city, had a steady trade in walrus. The walrus gave food, pelts, and ivory to Vesper. Walrus oil kept its lanterns burning through the cold, dark nights of winter. At this, the darkest time of the year, the people of Vesper give thanks for the creature that sustained their ancestors. This year, Vesper will observe the Walrus Festival on Friday, December 17th. Meet at the Vesper docks at 8 p.m. CST. P.S. Bring snowballs! [Discuss This Article]

City of Magincia to sponsor Boat Race to Newcastle’s Port Royale Submitted by Martyna_Zmuir on December 12, 2010 at 11:55 PM CST From Lady Silverbrook of the Magincia Endowment for the Arts and Community Affairs: This month, in lieu of a literary contest, Lady Silverbrook of the City of Magincia will be hosting a boat race to the newly christened Port Royale of Newcastle Township this Wednesday, December 15th. All individuals shall meet at the Library and Museum in Nujel’m who wish to participate. From there, every person/ group will be given a book detailing the sea directions necessary to reach their destination, as there will be a ‘pick up point’ for items that need delivered to the port. Those who are able to pick up and drop off the supplies first will be deemed the winners of this challenge. All proceeds from the items delivered to Port Royale will be given to the displaced refugees of Magincia, who are still currently scattered across many crown cities, as well as the Buc’s Den Orphanage for children. In addition, the First Place winner will win 2 million gold, the Second Place winner will take home 1.5 million, and the Third Place winner will have 1 million given to them in gratitude of their service to Magincia. The event will start promptly at 8pm under central skies (9pm eastern) at the Library (the former counselor’s guild in Nujel’m, on its eastern shores). Runes will be available across several crown city banks the day of the race as well on the steps of Lady Silverbrook’s estate, which is on Magincia’s northern beaches. The coordinates for the Library and Museum in Nujel’m is 37.11N 172.20E. The Port Royale of Newcastle is at coordinates 93.41N 45.21E. Just a reminder that there will be a ‘pick up point’ for supplies that will be given to participants the evening of the race, and you must pick up and drop off these supplies in order to be eligible to win. It is our hope to see many there who wish to aid their fellow Britannians. [Discuss This Article]