The Chronicle

of the month of Setheran in the year 153

The Citadel has announced several major victories against the Noord. Our forces have advanced to the very edge of Nyskilde and have removed any threat to our northern borders. The navy has swept the coast, scattering the few remaining longships to the winds. Speculation is now widespread that a siege may be laid upon Nyskilde to deny them this year's harvest; an option which would devastate the north and inflict a fair revenge for the murder of our Prince. If a full siege was to be laid then it would require the calling up of Linrodeth matching watch to provide the necessary manpower.

The activities of Cllr Marcus Lambourne and his followers are being blamed for the riot which took place in Cripplegate and which resulted in the burning of the home of Alderman Grendle. Anti-Reshite sentiments were already running high following a number of speeches by the temples, however Lambourne's campaign, which ran throughout the city in the month running up to his trial, has stirred up a city-wide fear and hatred of Reshite heretics. That campaign made it very clear that the city should not tolerate the Reshites and cannot take the risk of permitting their evil to spread any further. That Alderman Grendle's own house could be attacked when he has significant support within the ward, shows just how divided the city has become. Those opposed to the evil of Resh have clearly given up on the Witanmoot and found it necessary to take the defence of our souls into their own hands. The Citadel, clearly fearing that Salvoyn will take offence, has threatened to impose martial law if the situation is not brought under control.

The city of Salvoyn has demonstrated the power of its Royal Navy in a major exercise to destroy the pirates which have been plaguing shipping between Salvoyn and the city states. The victory celebrations were enhanced by the successful launch of three Great Cogs, all of 1,500 tons, and specifically designed for ship-to-ship combat. These huge ships have been named the St Edward, the Queen Kybele, and the King Edward II. In what will be seen as a countermove, Linrodeth has successfully launched the remaining Consortium ships of this year's build, although the sea trials of the new Sabre class apparently revealed some manoeuvring difficulties.

The contest for the post of Envoy to the Kingdom of the Western Isles, between Samuel Rucche and Randolf Flambourd, was hard fought. Voting eventually resulted in a victory for Flambourd when he gained the backing of the Cutario and Trueman factions.

Princess Selina's pregnancy is reported to be in difficulty. Her Royal Highness has all but withdrawn from contact from all but a few trusted advisers. General Olvini, recently returned from the northern campaigns, is effectively running the city until she recovers. The Citadel is at pains to suppress any sense of panic or major concern, but hushed discussions are already taking place about the consequences if she does not recover quickly. The fact that General Olvini has been recalled is in itself significant as it would be he who would be the Regent for the young prince should anything happen to the Princess.

Several football matches have been held across the city this month, each ending with what could become a traditional toast to the wisdom of Princess Selina. A grand Harvestide contest is now being planned with teams from each ward competing in a knockout contest to find the best ward in the city. Alderman Petro Cutario will be funding the contest and is reported to be in discussions with both the Goldsmiths and perhaps more bravely the Glaziers about the commissioning of the Cutario Cup.

Cllr Marcus Lambourne has been found guilty of Misleading the Witanmoot over the funding of his Reshite trading motion. A hearing and subsequent trial in front of Sheriff Bowden turned into a major public event. Lambourne's entire faction spent a month campaigning for his acquittal and suggesting in the plainest terms that the entire accusation was politically motivated by those who wish to see the motion fail on technical grounds because they could not defeat it on its merits. Indeed at some points it seemed as if Lambourne was looking forward to being found guilty and proving to the world the corrupt nature of the Witanmoot. Cllr Lambourne, in his closing the speech of the trial, left the court in a no doubt that the trail was a test of the Lady Andrews power and not a test of his guilt "It is all too apparent that this charge of misconduct is motivated, not by any concern for the way business is conducted in the Witanmoot, but by a desire to overturn a decision that has been arrived at by the Witanmoot after full and democratic deliberation." Lambourne's case was however somewhat constrained by the sheer number of his fellow counsellors willing to stand up in front of a court of law and confirm that they remembered Councillor Lambourne telling them that the proposals were already budgeted for. Even if Councillor Lambourne could not remember making such statements, certainly enough other people could that his guilt was never really in doubt. Sheriff Bowden, clearly irritated that what should have been a simple case had turned it into a major show trial, and not wanting to prolong things any further declared Lambourne guilty but simply banned him from the Witanmoot for one month. A punishment which is one of the most lenient sentences ever recorded for such an offence. Commenting afterwards Sheriff said "whilst I deplore the actions of Councillor Lambourne in this last month in creating division and fear within the city, it is not that which is on trial today. If it were I can assure you the sentencing I would carry out would be undeniably severe.”