[Villains] Of Pirates, Vampires, and Knights!

[Crimson]

PIRATES IN JAEDAXIA!
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JAEDAXIA -- the Carmelyn. On Cryxatum 24th the Protectorat du Paix announced that it has reason to believe that two well-known pirates somehow boarded a ship named the Scepter Mer and arrived on Jaedaxia. Shortly after the ship reportedly docked on the West Harbor of the city trouble brewed onboard the vessel, according to eyewitnesses.

"There was blasts of firepowder and the clash of steel was heard!" one dockworker told The Libertas Sentinel. "Me and my friends saw them -- a big one and a small one. The big one was probably half giant -- non, maybe two thirds giant! But the little one was clever too. Within minutes, the whole ship was a firestorm! So we ran to the Harbor Master immediately." When the gentleman and his fellow dockhands were asked why they did not intervene, they gave no comment. Whatever the reason, those who survive that brightening should be considered favored by the gods.

Over forty men perished that fateful brightening including more than thirty crew members died aboard the Scepter Mer including its Captain whose name was not disclosed in official documents; a small Protectorat patrol and dockworkers who reportedly joined the fray onboard the vessel. Until now, authorities are still netting the Harbor in search for mismatched heads and bodies as a result of the bloody confrontation between the pirates and locals.

Following the attacks, Le Protectorat issued wanted posters to be printed and posted throughout the city. Even the Imperial Protectorate have joined forces with local law enforcement to arrest and try the murderers before they have a chance to leave the city and spread chaos elsewhere.

[Crimson]

VAMPIRES RETURN TO JAEDAXIA?

CHATEAU NOIR -- Jaedaxia, the Carmelyn. Spring always comes late on the northern tip of the peninsula that separates Libertas Bay from the rest of the Telath's seas. But on this picturesque landscape just beyond the northern gates of Jaedaxia, a lonely but terrible reminder still stands like a mocking statue of the city's tragic and bloody past.

In Imperos 6 of Autumn Era 14, Jaedaxia was haunted by an ancient, immortal nightmare. The vampires returned and wreacked havoc on the Gift of the Empire. Local law enforcement issued a curfew and late darkening patrols grew increasingly alarmed as the number of victims continually rose. Fortunately, bands of heroes from all over Telath came to Jaedaxia's rescue. The New Order, led by Anthony Arellian, also lent a hand in storming the chateau countless times at the cost of dozens of lives and many more wounded. In the end, the vampires retreated and the fortress was taken by the city's defenders.

But why is it still standing? As a momunment of destruction and savagery, one would assume that such a structure would be razed, demolished by the locals. But as they say in Jaedaxienne: non.

"The chateau is of historic importance, this is why we do not disturb her" comments one of Jaedaxia's lead researchers from Le Socrates de Ambergois Institut pour la Recherche. Professor Frost is the institute's resident expert in paranormal sciences, natural sciences, and alchemy. When asked of the implications and rumors that the fortress somehow acts as a beacon to the undead and other dark creatures, Professor Frost simlpy scoffs and shakes his heavy blue beard. "That is nonesense! The institute has scoured the exterior and interior of the chateau. There is no evidence that can lead us to that entertaining, but horribly inaccurate, conclusion."

But the locals including its growing ranks of Protectorat guardsmen disagree.

"That place is forsaken, cursed!" hissed the Red Witch of Jaedaxia, Madam Rose herself. The self-proclaimed seer, ghost-whisperer, and Empire-supporter, does not have many supporters on her personal opinions but at least her neighbors agree with her on one thing: "that castle is an omen! Only with its destruction will Jaedaxia be saved from DOOOM!"

And it is this so-called "doooom" that seems to be on every lip in Jaedaxia. On the 26th of Cryxatum a caravan of villagers from a nearby, secluded village arrived at the city gates. Many of them were wounded and the watchmen immediately sent for healers to attend to them. After several brightenings, the youngest of the group -- a little girl named Cosette described the events that led to the destruction of her home.

Though she was not available for an interview with the Libertas Sentinal, reports and documents from the incident reveal that 'flying demons' raided the outlaying villages in the Carmelyn on occasion at first; this increased at the end of Winter until finally entire villages were left desolate, abandoned, and littered with the dead. Cosette and other members of her village made for the safety of Jaedaxia after suspicious kidnappings and disappearances began to take place.

"I would not have agreed with the local superstitions if not for my personal experience with the matter" Captain Marius Moran of Le Protectorat du Paix notes. As one of the leaders of the local law enforcement, the captain had the misfortune of leading his men out toward the northern tip of the peninsula several times last Imperos. And by his own account: "What we saw was ... nightmarish. The dead walked, demons with wings slayed my men ... my brothers. The vampire lords that attacked Jaedaxia then were real enough -- and if they have indeed returned, we must be vigilent and maintain order for Jaedaxia, for her people."





Reporting from The Libertas Sentinel.

[Crimson]

Les Chevaliers de l'Ordre Nouveau

LE QUARTIER DU SUD-- Jaedaxia, the Carmelyn. On the eve the news of Her Highness Nell du'Galle's death struck the Empire, a mournful silence came above Jaedaxia. But this moment of sadness was broken by the voice of Anthony Arellian. He and a dozen armored men atop white horses rode through the Southern Quarter of the city, heads bowed, singing the Anthem of Aelyria. They were met with mixed reactions -- some locals praised them. Anthony Arellian is the famed leader of the New Order, a band of locals who came to aid local forces against the vampires two seasons ago. But while the New Order certainly has its supporters, Anthony's antics may have cost him some fans -- those who suffered through the Second Seige denounced them as traitors and backsliders, pawns of this supposed Second Kingdom.

But it was now the knights' song that caught the attention of the Sentinel. At the end of their ride through the Southern Quarter, the riders paused in the roundabout in front of Chateau Mavloix and announced that the New Order was once again needed to fend off Jaedaxia from vampires and other forces of evil. "We will not sit idly by and wait while our friends, family, and children die in the wake of these nightcrawlers!" he called toward a crowd of frightened but determined Jaedaxians "from this brightening onward, we, Les Chaveliers de L'Ordre Nouveau, will not rest until this plague has been removed from Jaedaxia and her surrounding countrysides."

At that, the self-proclaimed Knights produced silver keys chained around their necks and asked that their brothers from outside Jaedaxia join them in this confrontation against the new menace. When asked how he was going to fund his operations, the former commander of Jaedaxia's now-non-existent navy simply smiled and assured us that "Justice is its own means to an end."

After his speech, the populace seemed keen to join forces and defeat this new enemy. According to Édouard Lefevre the owner of Épées et Plus, "Jaedaxia needs heroes like him. I will support him in whatever way possible. My weapons will be used to bleed these demons who dare harm my fellow Jaedaxians!" Other like-minded locals praised the Knights of the New Order for their valliant efforts and courage. Among them was the famous puppeteer Anton Aicher Baird whose family legacy includes the Brothers Baird Theatre itself. "The New Order's Knights have my support" the playwright commented for the Sentinel "and if they ever need any plays or songs made about them, the better for everyone!" His puppet, Napolean, was quick to agree.

Following the speech, Le Cathedral du Carmelya offered a letter of encouragement to be printed with this issue of the Sentinel. The druids there, led by the former Archdruidess Aa'ondra, have never been vocal in the politics of Jaedaxia. However, they were rumored to have sent magical aid for the Protectorat during the battles against the vampires in Autumn Era XIV.

To Master Arellian and the New Order ~

After much discussion among the council and myself we have decided to aid your endeavors against this darkness that threatens Jaedaxia, our home.

To the Jaedaxians: our cathedral and parks are open to any and all refugees left displaced due to these mysterious attacks linked to these vampires. We will aid any who seeks help to the best of our abilities and capacity.

We also beseech any druids or followers of Carmelya to join us in purging this plague from the homes of the innocent.

In Carmelya's Name,

Mistress Aa'ondra of Le Cathédrale de la Carmelya

So what should we expect from this sudden rise of heroes on the cobbled boulevards of the Gift of the Empire? Will doom finally befall the fair city? Has light come only to be defeated by the black fist of evil? Only time will tell ... and the fates as determined by the gods above.

Reporting from The Libertas Sentinel.