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The First Issue of the Knob Free Press (solo)
Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2022 3:21 pm
by Franky
Glade 1, 122
It was a quiet morning around the bar of the Hobbled Gobbler. But it was a special day for Franky. He and Merielle and Weston were having breakfast at the end of the bar, steak and eggs and beans, with coffee all around. Franky was reading the very first issue of the Knob Free Press, with a showstopping front page piece. It was a smaller newspaper, but there on the front was a drawing, well made so as to translate properly through the printing press, of a man with dashing hair, running a comb through it, looking onward at winged man being held under the boots of soldiers with rifles, another Avialae man nearby, blood oozing out of his chest, crown tumbled away from him, arm outstretched for the first Avialae man.
That image alone would be enough to incite interest. The headline over the image read, 'The Prince of Light's Dark Wedding'. Franky read it and reread it carefully. This was excellent, this was dangerous. This was exactly what he'd been hoping to see when he invested in this endeavor. It certainly read conspiratorially, but that was fine with Franky, it was the teaser. More stories were promised to come. He could certainly see the interest being drummed up in finding out that information, much of which he'd have to find out as well.
But Franky kept much of it silent, for her knew, he absolutely knew, that this event was what Veronica had mentioned happening. He still had two days to turn away from the Imperium before executing her mandate. But he knew he wouldn't. There was nothing about what had happened at Prince Talon's wedding that he'd opposed. Franky had killed plenty in his life and it had shaped his unique view on violence. He didn't necessarily have any issue with Kalzasi or Prince Talon directly, but the world operated in bigger ways than himself. People always had to die, people always had to kill, that would never change so long as the realms of life and death existed.
He sipped at his coffee, "So war?"
Merielle nodded, "Most likely. Kalzasi views this as the first strike and will likely be launching a counter attack in the near future."
Franky nodded, "Time for the Zaichaeri forces to cut their teeth."
Weston grunted and Franky grinned, "No offense." Weston snorted, smiling.
"Do we have any buyers on Willowby or West End?"
Merielle grinned, "No, but that's by design. We will keep it exclusive in the Knob, let the whispers pass among the serving staff and the unseen workers as it worms its way into the West Side. I predict that by the time everyone in West Side has read this article, we'll be releasing our third issue. That's when we'll find new buyers, and charge a higher markup than our first buyers."
Franky grinned, "Perfect. And what additional stories are you following up on?"
Merielle was in thought, "I have my researchers gathering any information possible on the ship that was used, if any details were gained from what few corpses were obtained. Apparently Prince Talon made many of the attackers disappear into nothing in his blinding fury. Look into how a single ship managed to get past Kalzasi's defenses and almost escaped."
She smiled, "I'm preparing a piece on the predictions of Kalzasi's political upheaval and leadership, as well as putting feelers out for what has become of Prince Talon and Prince Aoren. Additionally, need to locate Mr. Dornkirk for an interview, look into his past, why he was placed on indefinite leave."
She looked Franky in the eye, "This is our focus for the season. And while I dig at this, we'll see what we can find that will be useful for our other endeavors."
Franky grinned, "Tumult and war will be good for business. And for the Knob."
Merielle looked worried, "Only if Zaichaer wins."
Franky shook his head, "No country wins in a war."
But in his mind, he thought, 'Not even the Imperium.'
Re: The First Issue of the Knob Free Press (solo)
Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2022 3:22 pm
by Franky
The Prince of Light's Dark Wedding
It was the wedding of the millenia, as signified by the once-in-a-thousand years Solar Convergence that took place overhead. Allow me to first introduce you all to the grooms.
Talon Alexios Novalys, Crown Prince of Kalzasi; Daizokusei of House Novalys; Demigod of Justice and Light; incarnation of Arcas. Prince Talon holds the office of Shinsei of Kalzasi, which largely handles the administration of Kalzasi’s military, an appointment granted by the Shokaze and affirmed by the Council of Elders, a position often utilized to groom the next Shokaze in various leadership capacities. Prince Talon took a very hands on and personable approach to the position, often called firm but fair by his subordinates and knowing every single officer who was promoted during his tenure by name. Prince Talon, despite not being a formal member of the Kalzasi military, was often seen joining both the Sky Guard and Dead Legion in a variety of excursions. There might be many opinions around the divinity of this demi-god, but at the end of the day, he’s still a man, and it seems often doing his best to be his best.
Aoren Jarik D’Maliet Kozoku of the House D’Maliet; Knight-Captain of House Novalys; Royal Bodyguard, First Prince Squadron; Former Dead Legionnaire-Volunteer, Survivor of 2nd Deep Expedition. Aoren is a Kathar Avialae, a former Knight-in-waiting for the Galerian Imperium, a man of stunning height, green eyes, and scarred exterior that belies his time as a mercenary. He has been awarded the Medal of the Phoenix for bravery and combat prowess against a powerful demon of the Warrens and associates of the Mad King and a horde of Warren spawn, as well as many other official commendations. Aoren has a history of coming to the aid of others, and not simply those close to him, but all who need protecting or aided. He’was a hero of the state in the Imperium, and is one now in Kalzasi. This is a man who was not born to Kalzasi but is no less truly a Kalzasern in the heart of its people.
In true Kalzasern fashion, the wedding was as open as the people of the mountain jewel, inviting any and all to attend. It was a much needed sigh of relief and a moment to relax for the Kalzasi people. Earlier in the season, a devastating avalanche triggered a monumental tidal surge that killed thousands and crippled much of Kalzasi’s fleet and docks on Lake Udori. But even for the Crown Prince, this was not truly a respite, for his sister, Lady Kisorika, is still missing. His royal consort and head of the Royal Guard, Rickter Maze was tasked with retrieving her and the airship she was escorting, yet there appears to be no sign or message concerning the whereabouts of either of them.
Still, the day would be beautiful and momentous. Prince Talon and Prince Aoren were joined in union, and all of Kalzasi was in attendance. The pair are loved, truly loved by their people, and it was evident in the face of everyone there. Prince Talon is just as much a member of a Kalzasern’s family as their own mother. And Prince Aoren was joined into every family in Kalzasi on this night. No one can ever take that from them.
But in a world as complex and varied as the one we all live in, nothing can ever stay the same. There are far too many forces at play, mundane and divine, magical and mechanical, political and personal, for this world to ever remain as it was. The reception had a cadre of the who’s who of Kalzasern elite and even a few notable faces from Zaichaer. It was held in the palace gardens and the people of Kalzasi flooded the streets in celebration of the marriage. And as the Solar Convergence began to form, explosions rocked the barriers protecting the palace. In the sky, an airship of distinctly Southern design, raining bombs and canisters upon the magical defenses over the palace. It is still unclear to this reporter how such a ship managed to penetrate so deeply into the heart of Kalzasi. Dozens upon dozens of people were injured and killed from that salvo of shrapnel alone. The barriers that protected the palace were quickly and efficiently penetrated, and soldiers descended upon the party goers. I witnessed this all first hand.
The soldiers attacked seemingly indiscriminately. There was a vivid green gas that seemed capable of reducing or outright preventing the use of magic. This seemed to have caught many of the Kalzasern off guard and led to many deaths at the hands of the guns and blades that were brought. It was chaos and carnage, by orchestrated intent. During this attack, King Savien was killed at the end of a rifle held by an unknown soldier. The King had been seen reaching out for his son who was being subdued by many more of these unidentified soldiers. And while many a Kalzasern were shown coming to the aid of their companions, there was one figure clearly aiding the attack.
One Brenner Dornkirk was seen, both by myself and many other survivors, as attacking the Crown Prince during all of this, somehow rendering the God weakened. For those of you not familiar with Brenner Dornkirk, he’s the epitome of Zaichaeri excellence. He holds the post of Air Commander of the Zaichaeri Air Defense Corps. He graduated with honors from the Zaichaer Battle Academy. He has served aboard ZADC Maelstrom, ZADC Conqueror’s Will, ZADC Searing Victory. But he’s not merely an expert tactician and airship commander, but has also served as diplomatic attache to the Kalzasern delegation later becoming diplomatic envoy. He also sits on the board of the Dornkirk Windworks. He has a history of commendations for meritorious service in mage suppression and insurrection deterrence, and was reward for his instrumental efforts in mitigating damage and loss of life during the Glade 8 terrorist attack last year.
According to official Office of the First Minister documents, Mr. Dornkirk was on indefinite paid leave from his post aboard the ZADC Searing Victory. This begs the question, “Was Mr. Dornkirk acting in official capacity as a representative of Zaichaer?” His role in the attack on the reception isn’t clear either. Was he part of the planning? The mastermind? Or was this simply a case of him being at the right place at the right time, and taking the opportunity to make a God bleed? And where is Mr. Dornkirk now?
After all, the attackers were not distinctly marked or identified as being representative of any one particular group or nation and no one has yet come forth claiming responsibility for the attack. But that’s not stopping Kalzasi from forging ahead with its own brand of justice. They know not any more than you and I do, yet they have already begun rounding up and interrogating anyone with associations connecting them to Zaichaer. This order appears to have come directly from the Generals for with King Savien dead, with Prince Talon missing-in-action, unknown if he is dead or alive, there is disorder in the Kalzasi political system as the ship tries to right itself.
But the rounding up of the innocent for interrogations and torture is wrong, no matter the context. Kalzasi is choosing to become divisive and insular in the aftermath of this attack. Zaichaer, on the other hand, must stand strong, for we are targeted as the apparent adversaries when the evidence of such is circumstantial at best. Zaichaer must unite all of its people, any who support the Zaichaeri way of life, in order to protect one another in the days that will inevitably come. West Side, East Side, noble or Greaseworker, none of that matters when the wrath of mages and gods is turned our way in blind arrogance.
The attackers of the reception are not innocent in their crimes, but this heavy handed response from the Kalzasern government could only inflame the entire region. This is what happens when unnatural powers are put in the hands of those with no emotional control or discipline. Gods will smite and mages will destroy, it is a cycle that is shown time and time again.
It is time for Zaichaer to stand strong, to not bow before the divine or the magical, to see that we are united against chaos and destruction.
'This reporter will continue to follow up on the many stories stemming from this and publish them as soon as they are available. The people of Zaichaer deserve to know the truths of the world.'
Re: The First Issue of the Knob Free Press (solo)
Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2022 1:26 pm
by Chronicle
Name: Franky
Knowledge:
- Leadership: Enjoying milestones with partners
- Leadership: Dictating the focus for a season
- Politics: Weighing a dangerous news story in the Zaichaer political climate
- Politics: Attempting to predict war based on the currently political climate
- Finance: Exclusivity will cause crossing of cultural lines
- Spycraft: Following the breadcrumbs of one's own participation
Points: 8
Magic: These points cannot be used for magic.
Injuries: Nothing to report!
Loot: Nothing lost, nothing gained!
Comment: I love the setup with Merielle here, you've done an excellent job fleshing out these extra characters
Welp, that's everything I'm sure! If you have any questions, or feel that something actually was missed; please do pm me so we can talk!
