The Imperial Herald & Public Gazette of the Forum

Frontiers of Blood: Egypt (Orkinon) and Persia (Xenonic) Refuse Every Overture of Peace

The frontier separating Egypt (Orkinon) and Persia (Xenonic) remains an open wound where swords are drawn on sight and no quarter is offered. Emissaries dispatched to treat for an exchange of prisoners were turned back at spear-point. Blood has also been spilled at Gulf of Pelusium, Jerusalem and Sinai this year. 'The stars say nothing of this,' admitted an astrologer, 'which is itself a sign.' It is observed that heralds on both sides have used the word 'glorious' so often that it has lost two thirds of its value.

Standard of the Foremost: Rome (Эльф ушастый) Commands 12 Centers

A commanding lead has been established by Rome (Эльф ушастый), which now governs 12 flourishing strongholds across the continent. Tribunes and magistrates express supreme confidence as the treasury continues to absorb abundant provincial tribute. In the amphitheatre of Rome, the crowd rose as one to cheer the returning standard-bearers. 'The surgeons say it was a clean victory, with few wounds to sew,' reported a physician attending the wounded.

Chersonesus Surrenders Again: Persia (Xenonic) Overcomes Greece (MonsterSerg)

Fortune swings once more over Chersonesus, which has now been taken 2 times, as Persia (Xenonic) decisively ejected the defenders of Greece (MonsterSerg). Both sides have bled copiously for walls that neither can securely keep. Experts of the rostra are unanimous that the outcome was inevitable, now that it has occurred. Horsemen galloped out from Greece with pleas for reinforcement, and found only shut gates in the neighboring cities.

The Ascent of Carthage (Базослав): 2 Cities Gained

An unbroken succession of triumphs has delivered 2 strongholds into the hands of Carthage (Базослав). Crowds thronged the colonnades to hear heralds proclaim the widening borders of the realm. Wine merchants of Carthage rolled their finest casks into the squares and gave them away to all comers. 'The spear decides what the assembly debates, but hunger outlasts both,' noted a cynical market overseer.

Masterful Campaign: Persia (Xenonic) Secures 2 New Cities

By pressing forward on every front with unyielding vigor, Persia (Xenonic) has increased its holdings by 2 strongholds. Neighboring monarchs watch with mounting anxiety as the balance of power shifts decidedly in one direction. Neutral envoys watched the tidings with guarded expressions, dispatching swift messengers to their respective masters. Stone carvers in the capital are already growing weary of chiseling new names upon conquered boundary stones.

Severe Blow to Egypt (Orkinon): 3 Citadels Snatched Away

A disastrous sequence of reverses has cost Egypt (Orkinon) no fewer than 3 cities in the course of a single campaign year. Dismayed elders held crisis assemblies through the night as messengers brought word of crumbling frontiers. Tax collectors in Egypt found doors locked and a notice posted: 'Come back when the gods are kinder.' 'Hubris has once again invited the wrath of Nemesis upon Egypt,' cautioned a visiting philosopher.

A Clash Across 3 Years: Greece (MonsterSerg) and Rome (Эльф ушастый) Locked in Strife

Generations of soldiers have grown grey in the camps along the frontier between Greece (MonsterSerg) and Rome (Эльф ушастый), where hostility has become a way of life. For 3 long years the sword has been the only language between them. 'Whoever commands the citadel, the caravans must still pay the crossing toll,' muttered a pragmatic ferryman. The Egyptian priests, who have watched empires come and go for three thousand years, merely noted the date.

Swords Never Sheathed: The Unbroken Feud of Carthage (Базослав) and Egypt (Orkinon)

Warfare between Carthage (Базослав) and Egypt (Orkinon) has spanned 2 straight years without a single treaty or festival truce to interrupt the slaughter. Both treasuries are strained to the breaking point, yet pride forbids any concession. Surveyors measuring the roads along the frontier report that fresh levies are already being marshaled. A scribe in the chancery was heard to remark that the gods have been very consistent in their silence.

Carthage (Базослав) reports abundant harvests and rising revenues, securing 2 additional strongholds to reach 9. Egypt (Orkinon) suffers severe contraction, forfeiting 3 cities to hold a diminished total of 2. A bleak ledger for Greece (MonsterSerg), falling to 2 strongholds following the loss of 1. Surveyors in Persia (Xenonic) redraw the map with 2 fresh boundary stones; the realm now counts 9 cities.

Merchants arriving from the east whisper that sea captains of Rome have been quietly escorting cargo galleys belonging to Persia. The agora is abuzz with the rumor that Egypt and Greece have drafted a secret pact of friendship upon a waxed tablet in a seaside villa.

Torrential autumn rains turn military roads into rivers of mud; baggage carts and ox-wains sink to their axles.

BATH ATTENDANT WANTED at the Baths of Agrippa. Must be strong, discreet and unafraid of hot water. Board and oil provided.