A Brave New World

With the offical institution of the Military branch of the CITRA system, the micronational world we once knew has begun to quickly evolve. Already comanders both at home and abroad have begun to pull together their military might. On the home front so called "Standing armies" which are supposedly no more than defensive forces though i wouldn't wager my scaly rear on that have begun to spring up all over the place. So far the most extravegant and heavily equipted ground is that of none other than our King Bayen ronToketi. His force is stuffed full of Elite magic users and items which took great skill and cunning to conceive and create. Other rumors abound of events transpiring across the boarder in the nation of Novatainia. It has been said that at the MANA Academy there that an army of mages has begun work constructing a complete army of Golems.

There are even reports of activity south west near the city of Barax and north around the Port Jookoo area. In fact of the areas so far involved in this CITRA agreement the only group to show no movement to readyness is the militaristic nation of Chelkran In the south eastern isles hidden in the depths of the Chelkran desert. This reporter in perticular finds it slightly disconcerting that as of this time no movement has been made by the lord of this land nor any of our city barons to ready a defensive force to protect our land.

Yet in my humble opinion things do not yet appear very troublesome, No armies have begun to march the drums of war have remained to this point quiet. However the future is a winding path and no matter how hard we try to look down we can see only to the next turn and anything could be waiting beyond it.

-Varesh

Worries Abroad

One hopes beyond all hope that when planning for the safety of ones own people that they need worry only about enemies abroad. That those nations close to home are indeed the friends they make themselves out to be. that you need not worry about their internal affairs or members of your population currently within their boarders. Unfortunately the recent events in Spartanistan have brought a great amount of unease to members of neighboring Toketi. Rumors of death squads and mass executions have begun to run rampant. Our Yashere Demon of the North who was in Spartanistan at the time in question has refused to comment on the situation; however he has ordered an increase in military alertness and the early activation of a torpedo buoy picket line near the realms major costal cities. From what I have been able to ascertain there has yet to be a deployment of any significant amount of military personnel but things can evolve rapidly.

There are further rumors that the entire Spartani population has picked up and left. Both Ships and planes have been reported to have been seen leaving the island nation.

The situation is further complicated by the recent assimilation of the Spartani islands by Ostshon, Yashere Sir Gerk. Surely if the claims of mass murder were true then a treaty offering safe haven such as this would not exist. Perhaps Sir Gerk either doesn’t know what is going on in Spartanistan or understands that the situation is not as it is rumored to be.

This reporter knows that he is indeed disheartened by the recent rumors, but still hopes for the whole situation to merely be getting blown out of proportion. But if things are as bad as they appear I trust that our leaders will quickly get the situation under control and take the necessary action to get us past these hard times.

-Varesh

Grallund Training Facility

Between the gem like cities of Damev and Yaskhona lie the Great Barrens, the desolate wasteland that was once the mighty Grallund forest. The Barrens stretch for many kilometers, nothing grows in the barrens, nothing has for many centuries. The terrain is rough and travel across is often difficult. This unique area does serve one important purpose however; it has proven to be an excellent training ground for military forces. The barrens are located far enough from civilization to avoid disturbing the peace and are large enough to conduct full scale war games. Construction is underway of multiple full scale military bases to serve as both outposts and bases of operation during the planned simulations and exercises. Already the first shock division has deployed to the barrens to conduct training and tactical drills, they have practiced aerial insertions and securing a mock village that was set up. Later this month the first and second armored as well as the fifth infantry and third support are scheduled to arrive and begin joint training exercises. There is even rumor that a contingent of the Chelkran Elite Guard have set up an outpost to drill in the Barrens with North’s shock troops.

-Varesh

Moving into the Future while Preserving the Past

For Centuries the ruins of Damev have stood as nothing more than that, ruins. An abstract reminder of ages long past and a race long extinct. Yet it does not do well to swell in the past and the time to move on is at hand.

A recent influx of new life and culture to the area has lead to the decision to once more put Damev on the map. The city will be rebuilt, though a bit further north to preserve the ruins. The ruins will stand as they have before, as a reminder of ages past and things not to be forgotten. The new city shall be built in the image of the old, if adjusted a bit for changing building techniques and new innovations.

Rumors have begun to seep out and spread with regards to the construction of a grand palace but looking at the site of construction, I see nothing to support these wild claims. I will however be the first to admit that one can never be sure in a nation such as Toketi this supposed palace may just spring up out of the ground at random. In a land with magic we can never be sure. We do know though that attempts are being made to replicate the architecture and style of the city which was lost so long ago.

I will continue to watch and report on the construction efforts on the grounds which have become known as Damev proper.

-Varesh

Reaching Out

For nearly 8000 years there has been an Academy of Magic located in the mountains of Taonas. For almost 6000 years Draconians have been the dominant species of the lands. Yet not since they were a young race have Draconians been permitted to study at the academy in large numbers.

The original Draconians were said to have once been of the Malrek race. It is said the Malrek came and built the academy then their entire people were reduced to wraiths. Then after centuries of searching for a new life they found a way to start anew, using powerful magics to change their form the disembodied Malrek were able to achieve a second chance at life. They changed themselves into many creatures but could not retake their original form. The most intelligent and cunning race that came about were Draconians. Since the time when the first Malrek changed their form the Draconian race has become self sufficient.

The lack of Draconian students at the academy is most often blamed on the previous head of the academy, a wraith known as Drathir, Drathir however was recently slain by a demonic artifact and is obviously no longer the head of the academy. Yet while he was in charge he allowed only the first generation of Draconians to study within his academy walls, only select individuals from subsequent generations were trained often to be used to control the rest of the Draconian population. Due to this multi-millennia long practice there are few draconian mages currently dedicated to academies of magic, though some still learn to use their innate gifts on their own.

However with Lord Drathir’s death and the subsequent appointment of Nargoth as Lord of Magic this practice is likely to end. Nargoth better known as Demon of the North has made it clear he wishes to train a much greater number of Draconians and help the race achieve what he sees as its great potential. A simple change of one man however is not enough to sway the views of an entire race many Draconians are still weary of trickery or deceit though others have jumped at the opportunity to learn the Arcane arts.

Although my sources tell me the Lord of the Academy Nargoth is still discussing specific terms and arrangements with Sobek1 it indeed looks as though the academy doors may finally be fully opened to the Draconian People.

-Varesh

1 Sobek is the leader of the “Brothers of the Black Wind” this is the largest and most powerful Draconian group currently in existence. The group dwarfs even those draconian groups which have strong ties and support from the Academy itself.