And so it begins. Corey, feel free to introduce your character, but keep in mind, Analis is not yet available for a conversation, though you can retcon one with Rafel before he flees if you like. Andreas, it would be helpful if you could add in what Waldgrave is going to do about all this.June 12
EMPRESS DEAD: MAGICAL RADIATION POISONING BLAMED
A source from within the Chief Justice's office gave the news mere hours ago that Empress Kara had passed away from suspected magical radiation poisoning.
The source, who wishes to remain anonymous, reported that the long-missing Empress passed away in what remains of the city of Skoitomashu, where she has likely been hiding since she disappeared, but was unable to give any further details.
The Chief Justice's office confirmed her death, but was unwilling to comment on the circumstances or the larger issue of the magical sickness. The Lord General's office was unavailable for comment.
This marks the first time that a source from the government has provided an explanation for the widespread disease that is sweeping across Gralus. Renowned thaumatologist Dr. Ewan Gray said that a so-called magical radiation would explain why some areas of the country seem to be affected more than others, and why the symptoms vary widely.
Kara's death leaves a sizeable hole in the Gralan government, as an heir was never chosen for the position...
---
June 15
WHERE IS OUR QUEEN?
I don't know about you, but I was pretty excited at the time of our dear Queen Analis's coronation.
It was something new, something fresh, a change of pace. With all due respect to her father, he was old, tired, and quite possibly insane.
But now the honeymoon phase is over, and where are we? Right in the middle of maybe the biggest crisis in history, and, like so many before her, she is nowhere to be found. Her office refuses to comment, and His Justness Rafel dodges just about every question he's thrown. I wager you wouldn't even get a straight answer if you asked him his favorite color.
What happened to the promise she made at her coronation, that she would strive to do better than those before and make time to serve the needs of the people?
It seems to be something of a vicious cycle with these monarchs; everything is good for a time, and then they decide they have to go on some adventure, or need some time alone, without telling anyone where or how long they'll be. When was the last time we had a monarch who was devoted to properly running the country?
They say there's a new conDoin out there, testing the waters, interested in re-establishing his family's history. I think there's hardly a better time for it than now. We're in need of some change...
---
June 20
ANONYMOUS SOURCE REVEALED: SAUL PARSONS FOUNDS NATIONAL LIBERTY PARTY
The faceless whistleblower who provided insight into the goings-on in the Chief Justice's office has revealed himself as Saul Parsons, former law clerk, and founder of the new National Liberty Party.
Over the past week, Mr. Parsons has used his position within the Chief Justice's office to provide the rest of the world with critical information regarding the death of Empress Kara, as well as the growing magical radiation crisis and the steps, or lack thereof, being taken to manage it.
A spokesman for the NLP said that Mr. Parsons is not worried about governmental retaliation now that his name is out, due to the stagnation of the Emperor's office, and the severe backlash it would generate among already high domestic tensions.
Mr. Parson's new political party has been created on a platform of freely distributed information and popular government oversight. It is already gaining widespread support amid the growing national outrage about recent developments. The NLP released a statement calling for a "halt to all magical activities" until more is known about the cause of the supposed magical radiation, as well as the creation of a committee of citizens to temporarily oversee governmental decisions during the crisis and "shed light on how much information the government is keeping from its citizens." The statement also suggests the establishment of an "emergency executive legislature" to enforce the law and command the national guard until a new Emperor can be chosen.
The Lord General's and Chief Justice's offices were unavailable for official comment on these developments, but Fleet Admiral Jack Nightingale has thrown his support behind the NLP, stating, "I never did trust those magic types - you never know for sure what they're capable of. Why did we ever put them in charge of the country anyway?"...
---
"We are tired of being looked down upon!"
Saul Parsons looked out over the mass of people gathered in the streets all around him as they cheered loudly in assent.
"We are tired of being looked after!"
He accentuated each 'tired' by slamming his fist into the podium in front of him, drawing even more energy from the crowd.
"We are people just as much as they are, and we are capable of taking care of ourselves!"
The roar that erupted shook the very walls of the Capitol Building behind him. When the crowd had quieted, Saul began again in a more subdued tone.
"My friends, for far too long we have been governed by those who have abilities we can only begin to fathom. We have allowed them to lead us, because we thought they still understood our best interests, but recent events have proven that this is not true. This very day, our friends and family lie sick at home and in hospitals because of mistakes that were made by the very people who have sworn to protect us. They have lied to us! They have ignored our needs! We will not stand for this any longer! Our demands will be heard!" He turned to face the building behind him. "Listen closely, Gralus, because here they are:
"We demand equality!" Saul raised his fist into the air to punctuate each demand, as the crowd around him cheered.
"We demand transparency!" The cheers grew louder.
"We demand apology!" Louder still.
"But above all else, we demand the liberty to decide for ourselves how our government should meet our needs!"
Saul Parsons turned and waved to the crowd as he stepped away from the podium, his speech complete. It had gone better than he expected for their first rally in Shelsa. With this many in attendance, maybe the party would finally start earning some credibility from the government and accomplishing some of the goals he hoped the NLP would be able to address. Lost in thought, Saul took his seat as the next speaker, another top party official, took the podium.
Saul was not very familiar with many of the people he was now working with. He had met some of them through a mutual friend back when he was still working anonymously. It was those people who had advised him on the best moment to unveil himself, and it was their idea to create the NLP to give themselves a platform from which to pursue their goals. Once the party was founded, it grew so rapidly that Saul was forced to delegate much of the work to these relative strangers, and more and more people appeared among the inner circle as important party officials. Saul could not keep track of them, but the weeks had been so busy that he could not turn anyone away.
The lack of control bothered him, but he had been assured many time over that all these people were only looking out for the best interests of the party. So when his inner circle decided that allowing Admiral Nightingale to speak at this rally was in the best interest of the party, he had reluctantly agreed, but insisted that his speech stay in line with the party platform. Still, seeing the current speaker finish and Nightingale step up to the podium brought no small amount of worry to Saul's mind.
"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen," he began in his usual gruff tone. "It is a pleasure to be speaking to you on this fine summer day. In case you don't know, my name is Jack Nightingale, though most call me Captain Jack. I am here today because I believe in the message of Mr. Parsons, and I believe the National Liberty Party has the potential to bring about real change." Captain Jack paused with a thoughtful look on his face. "I've never been a man of words. Words are cheap. They tend to get in the way. Me, I'm a man of action. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate all the words that have been spoken up here today. Words are important in some respects, but action, in my experience, is the only way to drive change. So I think it's about damn time we did something!"
A weak cheer rose up from the crowd, as Saul's face screwed up in worry. He wasn't sure he liked where this was headed.
"Come on, you lot, what happened to the anger? It's only been a few weeks since Mr. Parsons started leaking information; don't tell me the outrage has already disappeared! Think about all the people you know who are sick! All the lies they've told! I don't know about you, but I'm pretty damn angry!"
The cheers grew louder and angrier, and Saul fidgeted in his seat, wondering whether he should do anything.
"So I say standing around here and talking about it isn't enough anymore! The time has come for us to do something! If we want our demands to be met - if we really want all those things Mr. Parsons spoke so reverently about - we have to get off our asses and work for them! I say we storm into that building right now and make sure those bastards are listening!"
The crowd roared in approval, and Captain Jack continued, but Saul was no longer listening. This was not at all the message he wanted to send with this rally. Saul made to stand and put an end to the inflammatory speech, but was halted by a firm hand on his shoulder that forced him back down into his seat. His head whipped around and found one of the more influential party leaders, whose name escaped him, giving him a stern gaze.
"Don't," the man whispered. "We need this."
"But," stammered Saul, "this isn't the way -"
"Isn't the way?" His voice grew louder to be heard over the roaring crowd. "This is the only way that anything will ever change. And by serving as the catalyst, we will surface on top after the flood!"
Saul was about to respond, but then the dam finally broke.
He looked back around to see the mass of people swarming over and around the stage toward the Capitol Building, led by Captain Jack. Before he could offer more protest, he was surrounded and swept away by the turbulent surge of bodies.
---
July 8
RIOT IN SHELSA: NLP SEIZES CONTROL
Angry protesters stormed the capitol building yesterday following a National Liberty Party rally in Shelsa.
The rally, which started off peaceful, turned suddenly violent following a speech by Fleet Admiral Jack Nightingale. Tens of thousands of demonstrators flooded into the Capitol Building, overwhelming security forces. Many government officials were seen fleeing the scene, including Chief Justice Rafel.
The NLP proceeded to establish new offices within the building and assume control of many governmental activities, including the founding of a new "People's Legislature," of which Saul Parsons has been named President. A spokesman for the party said that the incident was "unfortunate, but necessary," and that the Gralan people have mandated their leadership through their overwhelming support. Public reactions to the event have been a mixture of shock and approval.
Officials report 47 people were injured during the incident, though there have been no reports of death...
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July 11
SHOWDOWN AT STORYÄSH: QUEEN ANALIS REAPPEARS IN A BATTLE OF EPIC PROPORTTIONS
...
Next section will be about Storyäsh, so you won't have to worry about me teasing that anymore. Probably won't be done for another two weeks, though.