Wizardry Times 2nd Edition (June 16)

Other editions released by Wizardry Times.
April 20th Edition- http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...;f=15;t=003988

***********************World News Section***************************
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*************Rattkin Bough is now officially a Province
*********************Complete Edition
It’s official. After 2 months of debating, from races around the world, including a Rapax Ambassador, the Rattkin are now officially recognized as an independent province.
Chief Gari, now local chieftain/leader of Trynton, announced the decision alongside Razuka leader Don Barlone. After Chief Gari’s speech, both leaders shook paws, followed by a loud applause from Rattkin and Trynnie alike.
Plans to fight for freedom on the Rattkin Bough began two months ago, when the Rattkin were sick of constant Trynnie raids. Instead of giving into Trynnie demands (give up the bough and the Rattkin can leave Trynton peacefully), Razuka leader Don Barlone sent an emissary to meet with Chief Gari. What transpired during that meeting is unknown to the public, but shortly after, Trynnie fighting deceased.
A board of representatives was soon established, consisting of a major diplomat from each nation on Dominus. Rodan Lewarx and Drazic T’rang represented the Umpani and T’rang factions, as well as the Umpani-T’rang alliance. Higardi spokesman Lord Braffit also joined the board. Surprisingly, the Rapax cooperated with the requests and sent a local but influential smith named Ferro Rapax. RFS-81 attended too, now administrator of the declining STC (Savant Trooper Conglomerate).
The fact that a robot attended, who was also part of the Dark Savant’s empire spurred controversy among the world. Because of this, meetings were postponed a week due to discussions about the Robot. But ultimately, RFS was allowed.
What occurred during these meetings is completely unknown to the public. Reporters for various papers were allowed to attend, but were not allowed to release information to the public. Umpani Outpost Times reporter Pvt. Sampson was able to record each session, and all the information is now being stored in the EWAXX security system.
What the people have learned however is that the Rattkin has some commitments to the Trynnie that they must obey, or else they are denied the privilege of being recognized as an independent nation. They are:

1. For allowing the privilege to share the same tree, the Rattkin must pay 1,000 gold monthly to the Trynnie. This has been called “Permanence Fee”
2. The Rattkin must agree to create a “conglomerate nation” (this is explainer further in the article)
3. Trynnie patrols are allowed to inspect the Rattkin Bough whenever they feel it is necessary.

The main issue that is being dealt with is the “conglomerate nation.” The Trynnies have always had plans for future expansion due to much available room in the trees. But if Trynton was to continue expansion, the Rattkin Bough would cause movement problems.
The answer was simple but negotiations were tedious. The future expanded territory would be a nation where Trynnies and Rattkin lived peacefully. But to get to the new conglomerate nation, you would have to pass through Rattkin Territory. Obviously, this caused many problems. There still hasn’t been a final solution to this problem, however future negotiations between Rattkin and Trynnie officials will resume in two weeks.
The real problem was determining the form of government that the Rattkin would follow. The new and only political party is the Razuka, the infamous crime syndicate. Obviously, this created an entirely new problem.
No one liked the fact that the Rattkin Bough would be led by a crime organization that is responsible for many of the latest thieving sprees and assassinations. However, head boss Don Barlone assured the people that there would be no problem.
Don Barlone said there would be two organizations, the RR and the RRPP (Rattkin Razuka) (Rattkin Razuka Political Party). The RR would take care of all ‘business’ while the RRPP would focus on the political matters in the country.
Since the establishment of the Rattkin Bough, several treaties and alliances have been made. The Rattkin are already negotiating with the Black Dominus Gang, a vast gang full of brigands that plague the Arnika roadways. They are trying to establish some form of protection to travelers.
The Rattkin have also terminated all dealings with Rapax, though an anonymous tipster has informed us that RR members have met with Rapax.
As a last token of gratitude, the Rattkin have created the Rattkin-Trynnie Company, a business empire that will soon have international trade with all countries. The best part for the Trynnies and Rattkin is that all goods to and from both races via the Rattkin-Trynnie Company will see amazing discounts.
“The future looks good.” Said Don Barlone, when asked to comment on the current situation. “It looks very good.”

*************Dark Days Done!
*************Bomb Tower Neutralized--Unknown Heroes Destroy Androids
*********************Arnika (agency)
The City of Arnika celebrates today their freedom from the forces of the self-named Dark Savant who had warned the Citizens of their doom should anyone attempt Ascension. Tramain, Captain of the local Lunar League, has reason to believe the explorers who had visited him earlier this week are involved:
"Well. on Tuesday, this bunch came to see me, and they had Marten's badge, so i thought lettin'em in would be at least interesting. They hadda ask me all these questions about the Savant, and when they left i watched'em go up to the tower and try to get in. They ran into some o'those Androids in the back, but before i could dispatch the patrols, they had knocked 'em all down. If anyone coulda taken that bomb out, it woulda been them, for sure." Other sources indicate they'd overheard them talking amongst themselves about that very feat. Anna L'am, proprietor of the Bait Shop had her own troubles with the Androids when they first came to town, and praises the apparent heroes: "They come in here shoppin' oncet or twicet, 'n we got to talkin about them 'droids, and how ta fix'em, and how to get Arnika out from under the Dark fellah's thumb. Anyway, i gotta say thanx to'em, now we can get the light goin' again and get some ships in an' outta here! 'N i getta see my fellah again! Hope them explorers ascended like they was talkin' about." Brother Braffit said he, too, was grateful, and hoped the heroes got to Ascend like they were talking about. He had news just yesterday from his missing Temple-mates, who say they, too, were rescued by the same group, this time from some Rapax who had aligned with the Dark Savant and was holding the Brothers in a cave in the Mountains. Similar stories are coming in from all corners of Dominus.

***********************Local News Section]***************************
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*************Exclusive Interview with Vi Domina!
*************Vi Domina says she knows nothing about savant's plans
*********************-even though she traveled with him for years

Our newspaper managed to get hold of the freshly rescued Vi Domina for an interview. Here's what she had to say:
Wizardry Times: Thanks for agreeing to the interview.
Vi Domina: No problem. I don't actually have too much to do here.
W.T.: Is it true you have traveled with the Dark Savant these last years?
V.D.: Yes.
W.T.: Could you please elaborate?
V.D.: Well we went here and there, among the planets. I went on a quest for knowledge.
W.T.: What happened to your eye?
V.D.: That bastard took it. He said he needed it for something.
W.T.: Do you know anything about why he is here on Dominus?
V.D.: No.
W.T.: Come on! You were close to him for years.
V.D.: Still he never told me anything about his plans. He seemed only to be tagging me along. And then after he took my eye he abandoned me.
W.T.: And that is where that group of adventurers came into the picture?
V.D.: Yes. They were kind enough to help me out in a bad situation. Now if you'll excuse me He'li has invited me to her place and I must go.
W.T.: No problem. Thanks for the interview.
EDITOR'S NOTE: our correspondent also sent us a detailed report of what Vitalia did in He'li's bar, but because we have underage readers we refuse to post that. (If you really want to now, then slip some coins to He'li and she will tell you)

*************Arnika Land Contract Obtained
Following the recent termination of peace between T’rang and Umpani, a massive war between the two has been on the horizon. However, the remaining citizens of both empires who wish peace have recently formed the Umpani-T’rang alliance. Since this formation, no real official headquarters has been established until now.
The temporary HQ of this fragile Umpani-T’rang Alliance was located just outside of Arnika. People described it as an “army camp” looking base. True to its word, tents and shoddily built towers lined the camp.
But all that is to change. The process to establish an official headquarters in Arnika has been going on for weeks. The expansion Arnika allowed a headquarters to be built for the alliance, but Arnika Officials and HLL had concerns.
“Well, fer one thing it’s er, a security issue if I’ll be darned.” Commented HLL leader Tramain.
A security issue it truly was. Obviously, both non-aligned Umpani and T’rang do not wish for this new alliance, and Arnika could be the target for an all out invasion from both T’rang and Umpani. This was deemed the ‘War zone’ theory by an anonymous HLL officer.
Other problems were the size of the building, and other facilities it may require. Lord Braffit commented on this aspect of the argument. “For one thing, there is a building size restriction cited in Article 21 of the Arnika Rules and Regulations. Only governmental buildings can exceed this restriction, but take in mind that the Umpani-T’rang alliance is not part of our government, and there in lays the problem. Power consumption is another issue. A full scale, operational base with such technological equipment uses a lot of power. This base was to be more technological than the HLL building. Our power source is a secret, but we know for a fact that it could not handle the needs for this building.”
The headquarters was to be fitted with the latest weaponry and computers, not to mention the best of 3d visual display boards and advanced H3 Holograms. Clearly, it would be too advanced for the power capabilities.
But all issues were resolved. To solve the size restriction, Rodan Lewarx and Drazic T’rang, cooperative leaders of this alliance found a loophole in the law. They declared the headquarters as an Embassy. All Embassies have the same privileges as governmental buildings.
As for the power consumption, a power line is being established underground from Mt. Gigas to the headquarters, but for a price. A secondary generator in the Headquarters is being established, one that supplies more power than the Umpani Power Line, but what kind is being kept confidential.
Arnika also has no reason to complain. The UTA (Umpani-T’rang alliance) also said they will lend services to Arnika including: Protection (Troops and Weapons) Training, new technologies, and a more efficient, monitored dock.
Originally, the HQ was to be built with the new building space provided, but because it would be so large, they moved the HQ to where the old Savant Tower remains. The tower was demolished right after the Dark Savant’s disappearance. The headquarters will contain a research lab, barracks, the power building and the Main Operations Base. Further Updates will be posted ASAP.

*************MOOK EMPIRE IN UPROAR
Just a few days after the incredible rescue of Vitalia Domina another major event has happened in Arnika. The same group of adventurer's who freed Vi seemed to have stolen an object of great value from Mook headquarters in Arnika. Due to heavy security measures in effect in the building our reporter only managed to speak to a hologram. We were told that the Mook were here only on a mission of peaceful research and that this unacceptable theft would not go unpunished. The adventurer's left town shortly before the incident became public; however He'li revealed to us, that she had heard rumors that they were working either for the Umpani or the T'rang. No confirmation of this was available before publishing this paper. We also have no indications upon what the stolen item is, although going by rumors gathered from several sources the device was extremely powerful. We shall keep you updated on this scandal.

*************Umpani traitor unmasked
We have been very kindly offered this article from our sister - newspaper The Mount-Gigas Umpani Federation Herald (MGUFH): (translation by Rodan Lewarx a passing IUF soldier)

"Security Bulletin to the attention of all IUF forces (and non regulars too): A traitor has been unmasked in our midst (translator's remark: the Umpani, not us). Let it be known, that a sergeant, whose identity we shall not reveal has been spying these last months for the despised T'rang. Some newly joined recruits told Sgt. Balbrak about the issue, who after receiving proof solved the problem. The security leak is now solved; however the damage this bug-lover has caused could be extensive."

Our newspaper did some sniffing around for rumors of this event. Clearly Mt. Gigas was in an uproar and several soldiers were willing to tell us what they knew. However the MGUFH had said all they could tell us. In Marten's Bluff all rumors of involvement were denied.

***********************Tabloids Section***************************
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*************The T’rang are Bugs!
********************* Local Photographer is amazed
If any species has ever piqued our interest, it would by far be the T’rang. The most alien like creatures ever to walk Dominus, their past is as mysterious as the future. Most indigenous people to Dominus know little or nothing about the T’rang, but now we know something that even the Umpani, or Helazoid, or any other race knows about… The T’rang beetles!
None can explain the phenomenon better than local photographer Flidelius, a local gnomish gadgeteer who recently created his no flash camera.
“I was out by Marten’s Bluff taking pictures of some wildlife and pictures of the fort. After I finished the outside, I headed on in. This is where it got really interesting. The T’rang took interest in my ‘no flash’ technology. I was planning to sell it to them when some Higardi Ghosts attacked them. A T’rang was killed, and out came several bugs from its body. I quickly got a snap shot and got out of there, fast.”
No one can explain why this has happened. T’rang officials refuse to comment. The pictures were developed but they were soon sold back to the T’rang Empire for a hefty price of 3000 gold pieces a picture (3 pictures in total).
Flidelius says he will continue taking pictures with his camera. The T’rang refused to buy his technology, and so Flidelius says he will take it to the I.U.F. He also hopes to obtain some I.U.F. weaponry, more specifically, a rocket launcher for his new ‘disposable camera bomb’.
Flidelius hopes to make a digital connection with the rocket launcher and create “film rockets” which take a full view picture of the area when it explodes. Of course, there is no real explosion, just a big flash and then the rocket disintegrates.
“I have to be environmentally conscious.” Says a laughing Flidelius.

***********************Classifieds Section***************************
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Help Wanted---

Administrator and Assistant Administrator.
Positions to fill as soon as possible. Experience in managing a wide-ranging investment and consolidation operation. Some background in enforcement a plus. Resume to: Suite 1A, Rattkin Bough, Trynton.

Bank Teller.
Arnika Community Bank. Bondable required and 3 years' Teller experience. Notice for previous applicants: Manager has removed the "no weapons for non-guards" policy.

Shopkeeper.
Must be self-motivated and enjoy solitude. Inquire this Saturday only at Crock's Outback Emporium. Assume stock and existing fixtures, may rename shop.
Emporium Chain Management is not responsible for survival.

Technicians Wanted
3 years experience. Must be able to repair Class 3c mechanical machines. Contact Mt. Gigas Power systems at EWAXX A-server, 1:1-A:02
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[dplax]

Great work for editing it together and from the other writers too!