[Lorelai]

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1665AC - Independent Osronan Newsprint
Endorsed by Elstrange Industries

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AN INTERVIEW WITH A CONSTABLE PG. 6

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LONGEST RUNNING DROUGHT, SIGN OF THE TIMES? PG. 4

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MAYORAL DEBACLE, SYNDICATE OPERATION? FIRST LIGHT PLOY? PG. 8

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BREAKING NEWS

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Pictured above: Artist Redition of Jasper the Zombie Knight.

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A ZOMBIE IN THE ORDER? THE CHILLING ACCOUNT ON

 JASPER, KNIGHT OF THE ORDER 
PG. 2 

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PG 2.

In a still developing story, a tragic story that leaves many feeling unsafe and seeking answers from the church. Residents in Messaris and Sudbury have heard the tales of Jasper's triumphant victory against the Syndicate alongside the rest of the Knights involved in the raid. The story of the lengths he went to rescue Asphira, his student, has been an endearing tale that only brings more heartbreak when reports arrived of his death during an incursion to Moonfall a few months later. 

Beheaded by savages, and not given a proper burial, many report that it was a overwhelming shock. Some thought it impossible, while others looked to Asphira as she was expected to carry his torch. This only deepened the wound the latest news had brought when Jasper was found alive and in one piece despite numerous witnesses to his beheading. With Jasper walking again, this gives rise to the thought that perhaps he is not the real Jasper, but a fake.

The most extreme of the rumors say that he is in fact alive, but not well. It is no secret that many suspect the ritualistic nature of Moonfall has been attributed to witchcraft, and many believe that Jasper is a creation of said heresy. The evils of Moonfall has given the Order back one of their prized knights, and any knight who had questioned how Jasper could walk again after losing his head months ago was threatened to be jailed. One knight Nerin, was taken away.

Many residents are seeking prayer and protection at the church as this is sure to bring evils untold. Many question how the  Exarchs and Radiants can allow this, but reports say that Atrosus Vandigan was not only defending Jasper, but was deeply infatuated with the witch-like woman who governs over Moonfall leaving many thinking the Order has lost its way. ??

The article goes on to speculate the potential for impersonation and reasons for it, such as protecting the reputation of the Order.

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PG 4.
For ten months, farmers have been experiencing extreme hardships as crop production has ground to decisive halt. Many plants from the previous harvest season hasn't returned many seeds and the Osronan seed merchants have not been around in some time. Some say the drought is affecting the entire kingdom, others blame the taxes the merchants have to pay. Whatever it is,the working class of Messaris is hurt the most by the lack of seeds.

Lucky farmers who had stockpiles during the seed boom are the only ones still producing, and many farmers who were stuck without are learning from those who were more forward thinking about the situation. Could this be a sign of a greater issue in Osrona? ??

The article goes on to describe seeds, the job of a farmer, and how the seed shortage affects them over the next few pages.

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PG 6.
This article gives a brief summary of what it's like to be a constable and the way Knights are constantly encroaching on law-enforcement and the watch. It is a difficult line to toe as Knights tend to think they have the most authority. Names have been omitted and a number of questions as well. At the end of the story a more thorough interview is promised.

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PG 8.
The elections have made its first major update since the Sudbury debate. All candidates have been removed from the running with the exception of nobleman Claude vey Pelleaux, and Faith endorsed Erick Falstrik. The consensus on the streets of Messaris and Sudbury say that this is a rigged election. The candidates who were removed from the race resonated with their constituents, and the remainders only resonate with the pockets of those of the upper class.

Many are dissatisfied with the results and have been very vocal about it. The consensus is alaringly clear, "No one in Sudbury wants them, and most hasn't even heard of them" --Sudbury Resident circa 1665AC. The recent developments have even lead people to question the raid of the First Light and the allegations that Iris Arsali was a member of the syndicate. The alleged story dictates that the Order did not want a Rhoynish mayor in Sudbury, and used her Rhoynish descent and radical platform to substantiate a claim of her ties to terrorist organizations, and assassinated her before the elections could advance.

This certainly would ease their minds as a Sudbury favorite is taken out of the running and disgraced. No knight has been available to comment or refute these claims, but this story will be followed up in a future issue. ??

The pages go on to talk about the platforms of Claude and Erick separately.

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[Lorelai]

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1667AC - Independent Osronan Newsprint
Endorsed by Elstrange Industries

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AN INTERVIEW WITH A MINER PG. 5

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DOES THE OCCULT RULE OSRONA? PG. 4

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THE SUDBURY TOURNAMENT, RECRUITMENT DRIVE? CRIMINAL PROFILE? PG. 8

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BREAKING NEWS

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Pictured above: Knight in Prayer

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HAS THE ORDER LOST ITS WAY? 

 KNIGHTS AT LARGE, ROBBERY AND ASSAULT IN THE WILDS
PG. 2 

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PG 2.

The Order of the First Light has come under scrutiny lately with reports of banditry outside the capital city. Merchants, adventurers, and spiritualists have reported being harassed, arrested, and even attacked by Knights of the Order. Allegedly, this behavior is excused due to the fear of Moonfall. Many worry about their general safety and the affect this behavior will have on business when a simple isolated town can cause knights to forsake their rules and their duty to the people. Is this a threat worth giving up civil liberties for? Is this a threat the knights can protect us from? Or are the knights using this as an excuse to show their true colors?

One merchant who decided to go by the name of "M." had this to say. 

"It's pretty chilling. You can just be going about your business, looking for natural supplies, collecting, conducting your own business, and then before long you're getting harassed by the people who are supposed to be protecting you.

It's bad enough when you don't know that you can trust someone who you happen to see in the woods, but then you see someone you know you should be able to trust and they give you the option to be their toy, strip your clothes, give up your items, or be taken to jail, or just beaten.

And there's no accountability either, you're in the woods, you're alone. Who's going to speak up for you?"

People are starting to travel in groups or not at all, and business outside of Osrona is slowing to a crawl. The knights may be getting trigger-happy due to holing up in Osrona, afraid of Moonfall. Or perhaps with rumors around Moonfall are true, and that witches are real and the threat is too great for the knights to handle.

The article goes on with vague accounts on witches and witchcraft.

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PG 4.

 

Pictured: Artist rendition of a Knight defending occultic Noble
For years dangerous magics have been subject to scrutiny by the ruling class of Osrona. Knights condemn it and sentence people to death off rumor and accusation. The church condemns such magic and intentions and speak of its practitioners like absolute animals and monsters who's only salvation is to be violently put down. But what are these dangerous magics really? The Elstrange seeks to explore the truth of it.

The Occult, Blood and Shadow Magic, and other vague forms of destructive magics are considered taboo in the kingdom of Osrona. These magics must be registered, which begs the question... Why? When so many mages running rampant through Osrona can unleash the power of a volcano, bring down the stars themselves in destructive fury, command gale-force winds, cleave buildings in half with their blades, devastate the flow of time and cause earthquakes that are nightmares for local residents... The only answer must be in the faith itself.

Using the lifeblood of another creature, channeling destructive powers that can match, maybe even blot out the light of Leonaus is a slight against our civilization. Despite this, the Order of the First Light gives their service to Nobility who make active use of these very same magics. Some in the order use these magics themselves. Which begs the question, is this some form of oppression? Is this fear-mongering? The D'Arnettes are the most egregious offenders of this law with several of their own wielding at least one form of forbidden magic. 

Which begs the question, is this solely for record keeping? Then why just these taboo magics? Is this a stand against evil? Then why is evil invited into the upper echelons of the order, and our society? Or is this just some arbitrary decision to further empower those who seek to command anything and everything within the reach of Osrona?

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PG 5.
The behavior of the order is the subject of this next article as a miner has stepped forward to speak on a situation at Silverfall. The miner who refused to disclose their identity for the paper insisted that they've been harassed and stopped by Knights and Cadets in the mines while working. They've been asked to removed clothing, to give up resources, and threatened with jail and violence had they refused.

The miner reported that while they suffered from this kind of treatment, that they managed to keep their dignity when a certain cadet who were bullying them was put in their place by a hooded adventurer. This cadet, only described has having spiky blonde and brown hair, was beaten with the power of Earth and had a tooth removed. It is clear that the mines are not a safe place to operate, for commoners or knights alike.

The miner had this to say,

"Yeah, I was just there and this cadet with two toned hair demanded I take off my leather armor and my hood. And I really confused! This is silverfall after all! The monsters here are no joke! I had to protect myself, but when I decided maybe it just wasn't a good day to mine, he said I would have to come with him, willingly or by force. It was terrible!

That's when this other guy walked by, and then like, by Leonaus he demanded that man take off his hood. The man said no and the same options I had were given to the guy. He looked like a real serious adventurer, and then before you knew it the cadet was bleeding on the floor! The man pulled a tooth out of his mouth and everything!! 

I thought the whole mine was going to collapse. By the end of it I was allowed to walk out free and safely, but I know I definitely wont be going back there for a while! I ain't going to get beat up by any knights for just making a living. Rent is expensive for us in Sudbury. And even if the knights stopped bothering me, they don't seem like they can protect anybody."

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PG 7.

There is a Knight wandering the forests outside of Osrona clad in all black. The knight has been reported to wield a large weapon and doesn't speak a word. Merchants report receiving assistance from the Knight when in need, but don't believe them to be a part of the Order. Some have confused this knight for the likes of Zachary Retinea, but the difference in their loudness and aggression.

Pictured Above: Artist Rendition of the Black Knight

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PG 8.

The Sudbury tournament is expecteed to take place in the year 1667. The purpose of this tournment is unclear, some believe it to be for recruitment purposes, but others argue that the First Light has no interest in recruiting. The First Light is already so big, these dissenters speculate that this is an attempt to get information on the residents of Sudbury and to determine how strong the residents are, who they are, what magics they use, and who was otherwise considered a threat. 

The article goes on to elaborate on the conspiracies and the way the tournament will be conducted.