An editorial in this week's Mystonian TownCrier, written
by a well-aged reporter and native islander who has witnessed King RedBeard's
reign, and who is also of the somewhat unpopular (but not unheard-of opinion)
that the King's daughter is hardly up to the task of filling her father's
shoes.
The Question Begs an Answer: What Has Become of Our
Isles?
by Magni Thistlebecks, Senior
Editor
(The views expressed by one editor do not
necessarily represent the collective views held at this newspaper.
~Mystonian
TownCrier)
Dear citizens, it is a new year, and I feel that a thick bed of thorns have embedded in our gentle island sides. We grew complacent in 471, comfortable in our cushions, and blind to the signs of evil darkness around us. I am calling out to ask each one of you to take notice! If you do not, we may lose our precious tranquility forever. Those who know me, know I'm a man of integrity. I do not exaggerate the truth nor spin tales as a bard may do. I present, henceforth, what I know as the truth.
Her Majesty, the Queen of the Isles of Myst, Janessa Molentia, has been away from our shores on diplomatic missions to strengthen our country's ties and develop trade relations with other nations. While this is all well and good, could she not have spared an advisor or two instead perhaps? For in her absence, I am afraid the island has begun to sink into the depths of lawlessness and depravation to such a degree that has not been seen since the Miligantanzi uprising in 463.
The notorious Wyvern Gang is responsible for the massive destruction of the DragonMyst Inn, as well as suspected for numerous other crimes around our fair land, but they remain elusive to capture and question. But as if that were not enough dear islander, this paper has learned that this same gang kidnapped and tortured four Royal Guards to the point of death! Among them, Brookshire Captain Rue Denali. And I hear you shouting out "Find them! Hang them!"
But what has happened instead? The gang members have been paid handsomely by way of ransom for their damage to our fearless guards. We ask you, is this the sort of image the Isles was accustomed to in the RedBeard Reign? I think not!
Now granted, perhaps there's a covert plan underway to apprehend the gang members. Fair enough. I certainly do not envy the full plate before the new Lord Marshall in any way. Former Lord Marshall Pithscomb Tynr gave an honourable effort, but his departure from the post left a gaping hole in the Royal Mystonian Guard force that had never properly closed from the previous disappearance of former Lord Marshall Clen Thoran.
In fact, I will be the first editor at this newspaper to say that perhaps the entire Royal Guard needs an overhaul. Perhaps the new Lord Marshall will consider taking on such an endeavour. Clean it out, I clamor to the farthest mountain top of the Key Peaks! Weed out any corruption. Start from the ground up. Mold the guard in the image of the Elites of old, when honour and duty were the only thoughts in a guard's mind. I can hear the chorus of volunteers already at the door!
Now dear reader, perhaps you have not heard about the savage slaughter of two Mystonian families, one in the outskirts of Brookshire and the other outside of Alcornal? Men, their wives and children, slaughtered in the sanctity of their very homes without even a sack of grain stolen to give cause! This newspaper has sought information regarding the investigation so that you might better know what acts of violence are being carried out around you, but we're being stonewalled as to who may bare the responsibility for these heinous crimes.
Is it any coincidence that the Brookshire Captain was kidnapped at the time of these murders, or that the Alcornal Captain was heavily investigating a string of bank robberies? And even without their captains, where were the guard patrols? Does this not perhaps smack of a larger ring of lawlessness, the likes of which resemble the seedy long arm sects of the Wyvern Gang? Perhaps, dear reader, they stretch into the very guard force themselves.
Add to this the previous kidnapping of Duke Branton's merchant fianc� by foreign ruthless rogue Resque Maessen several months ago, and now the recent mysterious kidnapping of Senica del Riccoli, a MystHaven University student from the remote country of Algathar, and I begin to ponder if mass chaos isn't in the works for the very near future of our beloved, once peaceful land.
Mark my words, islanders. Wake up and stand vigilant in this new year, citizens. Arm yourselves well. You never know if you might be next victim of the lawlessness in this land!
