Crown Prince Yan of Nitlas has been brutally assassinated. Yan, who won the love of his people for his gentility and exemplary ethical judgement, let alone his generous funding for the Arts, may have been murdered by rebel groups within the Papacy trying to start a war between the Papacy and Nitlas. The Palace currently refuses to comment either on the rumoured death of the Prince or on the military situation. Rebel group the Cult of Cemaris have been accused of complicity in the death. Should the rumours be confirmed, the new Crown Prince will be Prince Tarin Andor.
Chamata is making military preparations. War has not been declared, which has led to speculation that the object of the attacks will be the tribesmen of the Keshi Mshi. No recent atrocity has been committed against Chamata, and this newspaper believes that any military movement will be aimed at securing new leadership within Chamata by exciting patriotic fervour. Should war be declared, the most likely target is the nearby kingdom of Flencaal. Flencaal should respond by strengthening its border guard over the next few weeks.
Councillor Dominic Channelworth, representative of the Ten Stars Trading Company in New Taeorn, respected statesman and philanthropist, was assassinated last night. A tall black clad figure with a long knife with an unusually large blood groove was seen leaving his mansion from an upstairs window. The despicable assassin fled nimbly across the rooftops and escaped into the sewers. Although Councillor Channelworth was not born in this area, he was famous for his many public works and was a well-loved member of the council. We extend heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. Rumours abound that this is the start of a merchant war. Who knows who may be targeted next?
Word has come our way that the Landreth Diamonds were stolen from Landreth House in the city-state of Chute. The diamonds are some of the most impressive jewels in the land. Despite official denials, the word is that they are offering five thousand shields as a reward for information leading to their return. With the current value of the shield, this could set up the fortunate recipient for many years.
Diplomatic talks will commence in New Taeorn next week. Delegates are expected to arrive from almost every part of the world to participate in discussions of an as-yet-unconfirmed nature. A conspiracy of silence among both the organising parties and the New Taeorn Council has led to active debate and wild speculation regarding the subject of the talks. The lavishly appointed Council Chambers are being set up for the first meeting in what is anticipated to be a lengthy process.
Your faithful reporter noted an interesting sight recently. I observed an armed man and woman carrying a finely decorated box emblazoned with the Morell family crest though the streets of New Taeorn. The word on the street is that Alistair Morell is shortly to marry Gwendolyn I'Dari. Gwendolyn is of course the daughter of Allesandra, sister of the late founding councillor Aran Grimwood.
Prince Tarin Andor of Nitlas is likely to be the new Crown Prince following rumours of the assassination of his older brother Yan, which have not been denied by the Palace. What can we expect from the new Heir? Tarin is a good looking blond youth with an active and charming personality and a brilliant mind. According to sources close to the Palace, he would be the most romantically sought after bachelor in the Nitlan nobility even without the extra spice of his new responsibilities. We can expect Tarin to take Nitlas towards further intellectual and political development: he has a brilliant mind and has had an education second to none. Aristotle of the Philosophers Courts has described Tarin as 'the most brilliant man of his generation.'
A sign of the times? Councillor Channelworth was a close personal friend and one of the most admired figures in New Taeorn. Now that his death has come to light, there have been fewer condolences paid to his family than speculations about the disposition of his vast fortune and requests for financial aid from his dependants. Assassination is an ugly word, and an ugly deed. I hope that not even Dominic's political enemies would have stooped so low. Uglier still, however, is the terrible avarice leading to this lack of respect for the dead - and for the living.
Panic reigns as the world struggles to right itself following the terrifying augur of an eclipse. Two weeks ago the balance of nature was disturbed by the loss of sunlight in the middle of the day. Since then changes in nature have led to fear, turmoil, prophecy and the increased strength of those known as the Gifted. So far there has been little distress regarding the new power of the Gifted, but we only wait for the first atrocities to begin, founded by that small section of troublemakers in any community, and the inevitable public backlash.
The Enquirer has approached many noted organisations from New Taeorn and elsewhere, and hopes to provide a balanced report on this recent event. 'Glory be to the God-Emperor, for he has fought back the dark,' were the words of Andrew Eilon, Master of the Order of Discipline within the Papacy, and his words are echoed by organisations across the world lauding different leaders. The rebel Disciples of the White Lord saw the eclipse as a symbol of the end of tyranny, the Sun beating down the Darkness, the Cult of the Chosen exult about the beginning of a new age of mankind. The Cult of Inexorable Doom sees the momentary darkness as a warning of the greater darkness soon to descend.
Some organisations refuse to see anything prophetic in the event, with the Free Minds League merely stating that with the increase in Gifted potential they would have to be more careful than before, and the Philosophers Court in the City States commenting on the natural beauty of a natural phenomenon. What can be agreed upon by all parties, however, is that the entire world can expect many changes over the next few months, and it will take centuries for the aftermath of this eclipse to be forgotten.