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- Archive Page Thirty Four -

DEI ELIGERE QUITS AFTER ‘VISION FROM THE GODS’

Dateline: 12-8-516

The leader of the religious organisation Dei Vigilare has suffered an extraordinary public collapse, which has been attributed to a vision from the Gods. As a consequence of this vision, she has shocked the Dei Vigilare and the whole Kingdom by announcing her resignation.

Three days ago, according to eye witness in the vicinity of the Dei Vigilare Chapel in the Courtyards of the Icehaunt Catacombs, the Dei Eligere of the Dei Vigilare, Dese Sanberligne, came stumpling out of the Chapel in a highly disoriented and confused manner. Her hands immediately went to her throat and she made sounds similar to one being strangled. “Her eyes went pure white, she made a sort of slow full circular turn, and then she just collapsed,” one eyewitness said.

Fellow members of the DV were quickly on hand to assist their fallen leader, and in excess of two dozen Crusaders formed a ring of steel blades and shields around her fallen body. After nearly half-an-hour, during which she was ministered to be several priests of the Six, she was carried it into the Dei Vigilare Chapel in solemn procession with the Crusaders following behind.

Initially the DV would make no comment other than to confirm that the Dese Sanberligne was alive, but there then followed an extraordinary announcement that she is stepping down as Dei Eligere effective immediate. There were rumours that she had received some sort of prophetic vision from the Six.

In a statement released today the Dei Vigilare said “The present Dei Eligere, Dese Sanberligne, has stepped down from the position of Dei Eligere and is making preparations to leave Bereny to serve what she proclaims to be The Will of The Gods of Light. May Purity and Vigilance follow her in pursuing her path. A select few, already nominated, will accompanying her in her Quest.”

“Dei Vigilare is in the process of determining and then announcing the new Dei Eligere. As matters are decided and confirmed, there shall be further announcements.”

The DV’s spokesperson refused to answer further questions as to whether Dese Sanberligne had received a vision from the Six, what the nature of her quest is, or where she is leaving for. There has also been no statement from the Office of the High Priest.

The main contenders to replace her as Dei Eligere are considered to be the two deputy leaders of the DV, the Discipulus pro Sanctimonia, Jasmine Whisper, or the Discipulus pro Vigilance, Auralie Bracken. However it is said that the outgoing Dei Eligere herself favours another candidate, and this is rumoured to be Amdrel Gettleman, Baron of the Estate of Pilgrims’ Keep on the border of the Black Hag Forest east of Poldoon.

WAY OF THE FIVE PATHS SUPPORTS ‘VAMPIRE QUEST’

Dateline: 14-8-516

The controvertial Guild The Way of the Five Paths has agreed to support an expedition being undertaken by a number of vampiric ‘scholars’ in the Pits of Poldoon to investigate the origins of vampirism. “If your looking for help and funds, just let me know if we can be of any help,” Lady Clarissa Stormpath, the Leader of The Way of The Five Paths told expeditions leader, Lady Cambion Winterfall, who describes herself as a ‘Greater Vampire Scholar’.

The Poldoon area and the Pits of Poldoon in particular have a long association with vampirism, and Lady Cambion hopes that her exploration will reveal the origins of the condition.

“It is no mystery that the number of vampires travelling the lands of Bereny has been increasing in the previous months,” Lady Cambion announced in an open letter to the Regent. “Yet, hardly anything is known about their history, their roots, and about the nature of their 'disease'. Even to me, being one of the only scholars who is a Greater Vampire herself, most knowledge remains unknown.”

The Regent however declined to give Crown support to Lady Cambion’s expedition, declaring “I cannot in good conscience fund research into the causes of vampirism undertaken by a vampire; there are clear conflict-of-interests issues.”

Although the Duke of Poldoon has granted permission for the expedition to enter his city, many of its inhabitants are not to keen on the idea and have taken to retreating indoors after dark, and not only locking and barring their windows, but inscribing them with the Star of the Six to keep out evil spirits. The Duke’s wife Baroness Glaze Fierein has publicly spoken in opposition to her husband’s decision, declaring “I am becoming more and more disconcerted with the way we allow these creatures to walk among us without any challenge. I am sure it can only lead to disaster and ruin.”

Lady Cambion herself has denounced the fears as being based on ignorance and superstition.

However the Bereny Bugle has heard rumours that a second, unidentified, guild has sponsored its own expedition into the Pits of Poldoon to seek out the cause of vampirism, in direct competition to that being lead by Lady Cambion Winterfall.


DUKE DIRK CLAIMS THE THRONE  

Dateline: 18-8-516

Dirk Steadfast, Regent of Bereny, Duke of the White Citadel and Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Armies of Bereny, has announced his intention to claim the Throne of Bereny as the rightful heir to the late King Mark III. Duke Dirk has ruled Bereny as Regent through the years since the sudden death of King Mark and the disappearance of the King’s brother Duke David Tredach.

In a proclamation from the Royal Court, Duke Dirk announced “The Regency must come to a natural close, and we must have a King again. We are a monarchy, the King is dead, and it is time the heir to the throne took up the Crown at last. I will therefore be crowned King of Bereny at the earliest convenience.”

The Regent has also named his son Drake Nathaniel Steadfast-Tredach, Earl of the Southern Glaciers, as his official heir, with his wife Juliette Tredach, Duchess of Torlia, as second in line to the throne.

Duke Dirk has cited being named as heir by Duke David as the basis for his claim. Duke David is said to have made this pronouncement prior to his departure on the fateful mission to the Land of the Dead to discover the fate of his brother, from which he never returned. Duke Dirk has brushed aside the reticence of the Royal Commission on the Succession, which has failed to announce any findings after three years of deliberation. “The Crown Commission For Sovereignty announced some time ago that ‘the Crown of Bereny would nominally pass directly to the first in line to the throne, which is the Regent, Duke Steadfast..... The time for ‘advice’ and ‘recommendations’ is over. After so long, I see no reason for further delay,” said Duke Dirk in his proclamation.

Once crowned, the Duke will become the first king in four centuries who is not a direct descendent in the male line from Lionel of Tredach. Duke Dirk is a cousin of King Mark’s.

So far Duke Dirk’s proclamation has met with widespread support and acclamation. Although neither Duke Dirk nor his family are in residence at the minute, a large crowd of citizens gathered before the gates of the King Tobias’ Royal Palace in Crownheart to read the proclamation, cheer for their new king and sing patriotic songs. A similar if smaller crowd gathered outside the Golden Castle in Lionel. However reaction in other cities is said to have been more muted.

The majority of the major Guilds have also spoken in support of Duke Dirk’s ascension, in particular the powerful White Tower, and the Royal Guild of Adventurers, whose historic ties to the Crown make their support particularly influential. The Dei Vigilare have also spoken up in favour, although their leader Dei Eligere Dese Sanberligne, considered by many to have been the behind-the-scenes architect of the move, has not been heard from..

The only voices to speak up in opposition so far have been from the rebel Baron Uryen d’Agrillac, on the run after the suppression of his rebellion with a price of 25,000 gold on his head, and from inveterate anti-royalist agitators the Red Scarf. Uryen in particular has countered with his own offer of 10,000 gold for the assassination of Duke Dirk.

No date has yet been announced for the coronation, but high society in Crownheart is already rumoured to be in a whirl over who will be invited to the coronation, and wholesale prices for cloth and silk have doubled overnight.



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