The Midnight Watch

Linaeus

Administrator

Registered: 2013-05-16

Posts: 143

[NEWS] The Altmere Dispatch

MAY 25, 2020 - A NEW REPUBLIC

Despite the vile assassination of Orson Miles, leader of the provisional government, the people of Altmere came together earlier this month to elect a new government for the nation. It was decided by those assembled that this government will be composed of a representative council of, with each councilor overseeing a specific area of interest, and matters pertaining to the nation as a whole being decided by majority rule. New elections will be held at regular intervals, with the possibility of additional seats being added left open. It is unclear what the criteria for such an addition would be, but surely any faction which might arise and grow too powerful to be ignored would be able to claim a place at the table.

The first councilman elected was Judicael Ebonblade, a fighter of some renown, and a man known for his principles and good character. He bravely volunteered to head up the new Altmere Militia, which will be overseeing the security and defense of the city going forward. Following this announcement, the militia's numbers swelled with volunteers, both veterans of the revolution and newcomers seeking their fortune.

The second to be selected was Aaron Leech, of the Merchants' Guild, who will represent the city's commercial interests. Leech is a native Altmerian and a skilled crafter in his own right, who has recently pulled together many of the town's prominent businessmen and artisans to advance their interests as a unified bloc. With the Merchants Guild now holding a seat on the Council, it seems certain that businesses operating outside of the Guild's auspices will be at a severe disadvantage.

Third and finally, relatively unknown (and reportedly filthy) "sewer services" proprietor Jory Jomyr has been elected to attend to the town's administrative needs. We were unable to reach him for interview.

With the formation of this council, our new nation has officially emerged as a Republic!

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MURDER AND MAYHEM IN WALLSIDE

A brutal murder took place in Wallside this evening, though this has come as no shock to local residents. Reported gambling nest and den of iniquity 'The Coffin Nail' was ransacked and its proprietor murdered by unknown assailants. As of writing, the militia had not released any statement regarding this murder, though uniformed personnel were seen investigating the premises and removing a body. The building now sits abandoned, surely to become one more run-down property in Wallside's slums.

This, however, is only the latest in a string of violent crimes in Wallside. Reports of muggings, break-ins, and even attacks on patrolling militiamen have been common in recent weeks. Citizens are advised to never walk the streets unarmed.

Linaeus

Administrator

Registered: 2013-05-16

Posts: 143

Re: [NEWS] The Altmere Dispatch

MAY 31, 2020 - THE GUNS OF ALTMERE

A stunning victory was won this evening by Altmere's fighting men and women. Some time ago, the city's leaders rejected the extortionate demands of notorious pirate admiral Graeson Banjax, initiating weeks sporadic raids and a piratical blockade of Altmere's harbor. With the city's gunpowder reserves still depleted from the recent siege, the cannons overlooking the harbor were unable to engage the hostile ships, allowing the dastardly curs to disembark landing parties directly onto the docks!

This has changed, however, and in dramatic fashion. Having returned from a mysterious rendezvous to the east with a fresh supply of shot and powder, the militia was greeted by black sails on the horizon. The pirates were coming back for more! Marshal Judicael reportedly rallied the militia's best marksmen to man the guns, and succeeded in forcing the pirate vessel aground to the north. Celebrations were short-lived, however, as a concealed cannon mounted in the ruined lighthouse to the north returned fire against the city. Recognizing the danger this posed and unwilling to pass up the opportunity to raze the stranded pirate ship, the militia mounted an overland attack on the surrounding palisade.

In a short but sharp fight, the city's fighters overran the pirate stockade, putting every one of the sea dogs therein to the sword. Their ship was scuttled, and their cannon spiked and pushed into the sea. No longer will this outpost threaten ships passing through the strait, and with its destruction, the blockade's grip on Altmerian trade is one step closer to being broken.

Linaeus

Administrator

Registered: 2013-05-16

Posts: 143

Re: [NEWS] The Altmere Dispatch

June 7, 2020 - RAIDERS AMBUSHED, ROUTED

Following the repulse of the most recent seaborne attack on the City of Altmere, the so-called "Dread Fleet" has seemingly changed tactics. Reports of attacks on travelers and outlying settlements have increased, and smaller pirate vessels have been observed repeatedly dipping into range of the city's guns to provoke their fire, only to swiftly retreat beyond their reach as soon as the range has been found. Sources within the militia have speculated that the purpose of these maneuvers is to exhaust the city's scant supply of powder and shot.

These provocations have not gone unanswered, however. Just tonight, the militia reportedly intercepted a pirate raiding party attempting to set fire to our crops, and taking them at unawares destroyed them completely. Our source declined to comment on how the militia knew where and when this raid would take place - perhaps there is an informant within the Dread Fleet's ranks?

Whatever the case, a few more pirate heads adorn the city walls, and the republic is all the safer for it.

Linaeus

Administrator

Registered: 2013-05-16

Posts: 143

Re: [NEWS] The Altmere Dispatch

June 14, 2020 - THE BATTLE OF BUCCANEER'S DEN

BANJAX IS DEAD! Let every Altmerian rejoice, for the Admiral of the Dread Fleet, Graeson Banjax, has been slain in a daring raid on his lair in Buccaneer's Den! Though our militia contacts have cited operational security and declined to divulge details, it seems that the Altmere Militia was able to enlist the aid of a traitor within the pirates' ranks. At a time when Banjax was known to be ashore, and many of his loyal crews at sea, the traitor arranged to ferry a militia strike force to the island. Accounts of the ensuing battle have been heard set to rapturous acclaim among patrons of the Tempest all week.

It seems that, late on Sunday evening, the militia embarked aboard a ship flying the jolly roger in the Bay of Cove. Sailing south by southeast, they approached the island of Buccaneer's Den, anchoring across the harbor from the main docks. Under cover of twilight, they launched boats and had nearly reached shore before the alarm was raised. Inaccurate fire from shore batteries failed to find its mark, and the force reached the shore and swept inland like a wave breaking over a ship aground. All who stood fast in their path were swiftly cut down, and though hasty obstacles were erected in their path, the courage of men fighting for kin and country carried the day. Most of the pirates fled into the jungle, while Banjax's loyalists hid in tunnels beneath the town and prepared their last desperate defense.

Descending into the tunnels with axe and torch, the militia blazed a bloody trail through a veritable thicket of scalawags, scoundrels, and cutthroats. Though casualties were significant, they reached the pirates' last bastion. There, Banjax fought with no more courage when cornered than he had when he believed he held the advantage: he hid behind barricades, allowing his men to fall one by one, until at last he was taken alive by the militia.

Hauled to the surface, Marshal Judicael pronounced a summary judgement and sentenced him to death by beheading. In view of any lurking pirates who remained, Banjax's head was taken, his treasure trove thoroughly looted, and several caches of supplies put to the torch before the militia re-embarked for the journey home.

Another fine feather in the militia's cap, and a clear signal to all that would assault or extort our nation: Altmere is not to be trifled with, and will repay aggression in kind!