Heylin Empire Declares Surprise War on the Federation of Kanti!
Imperial military forces, in a joint operation led by the new Planes Defense Force, destroyed a fleet of airships from the Federation of Kanti while patrolling the Elemental Plane of Fire. Shortly after the battle ended, those military forces continued the assault by attacking the capital city of Kanti. Tragically, several foreign correspondents were killed in the attack. The editors, managers, and shareholders of the Heylin Herald will remember and celebrate their lives. The members of the Kanti High Council survived by escaping into underground bunkers, however all major government buildings have been destroyed or severely damaged. Emperor Artem Maryy issued a formal declaration of war against the Federation of Kanti as the first airship was beginning the assault on the city. The High Council has condemned the attack as a surprise declaration of war. Full story on page H3.
Federation of Kanti Commits Crimes Against Humanity!
Editorial Warning: This story contains content that many readers will find to be extremely disturbing. Reader discretion is advised.
Investigators from the Heylin Herald received an invitation from the Ghost of Taisia, Lady Ingrid Veronika, to investigate alleged crimes against humanity committed by the Federation of Kanti. Our brave investigators departed the Empire for the harsh and hostile Elemental Plane of Fire. There, in a frozen city far above an erupting volcano, representatives of Lady Ingrid presented an overwhelming preponderance of evidence to support the allegation. Our investigators verified that thousands of innocent and unarmed civilians have been slaughtered, and that their bodies have been left exposed to the elements. More terrible and disturbing still is the method of slaughter. These poor souls had been killed by having their hearts, brains, and blood removed from their bodies. These organs and fluids were then placed into a mobile life-support system which apparently has some military application that is unknown to our editors. Full story on page H8.
Taisia Annexed!
Our beloved cousins and loyal allies in the formerly-independent nation of Taisia have accepted the Emperor's Decree of Annexation and willingly joined the Heylin Empire. House Nadiya has worked tirelessly to support a smooth transition to Imperial methods and practices of governance. Our senior correspondents in the Emperor's administration have discovered that very few changes were required in the transition. The King of Taisia has bent the knee to the Emperor and retains his noble title. The light crystal (1) stored in the vaults of the Bank of Taisia has been surrendered in good faith to the Emperor. As part of this transition, the former debts of House Nadiya were transferred to Great House Maryy. Many Taisian Military assets were absorbed into various branches of the Imperial military forces. Imperial citizens no longer require a passport to travel to Taisia, and the same is true in reverse. Full story on page H2.
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Kanti Black Site Raided! Treasure Trove of Engineering Secrets Uncovered!
After an official statement from Princess Natasha Maryy, the acting Minister of the Imperial Planes Defense Force, our senior government correspondents learned of a declassified raid on a Kanti black site (2) in the Elemental Plane of Fire. The location was said to contain pages and pages of engineering diagrams, blueprints, and other top secret documents of interest to the engineering of a fighter jet (3). The Princess insisted that these documents will aid Imperial engineers in understanding the limitations of enemy military hardware, save the lives of Imperial military personnel, and guide the design of safer and more effective fighter jets for all Imperial military forces. Some of these documents have been declassified and copies have been sent to various academic, industrial, and hobbyist institutions for study. Full story on page H11.
Economic Woes Abound!
As a result of the war with Taisia, the nation of Ayaru is suffering the worst economic depression in recorded history, according to our expert analysts. Without access to money, the nation is caught in a deflationary spiral (4). Even as prices fall, farmers destroy their crops and other products in an attempt to limit supply and increase prices. Tens of thousands of people have died because of starvation. Our analysts report that the depression began as a result of a single company, J.S. Gojko and Sons Inc. The company primarily sold risky financial instruments involving large networks of interlocking debts. As a result of military losses in the Elemental Planes, many crystals became unavailable as leverage. The company was forced to denounce their debts. Our senior economic correspondents have informed the Heylin Herald that both Taisia and the Empire of Heylin are insulated from this economic collapse. The Federation of Kanti is more exposed, and the depression may expand there. Experts say that the transition from the Taisian krismark to the Imperial bank note has triggered a minor recession domestically. Full story on page H2.
Editor's Notes
1: A light crystal is a type of crystal that is used by bankers to enforce contracts and debts.
2: A black site, according to our military correspondents, is a location that is so secretive that only a few top officials in the military or intelligence communities are privy to its existence.
3: A fighter jet is an aircraft that is capable of engaging in combat with other aircraft by employing missiles and other weapons.
4: A deflationary spiral occurs when individual buyers believe that prices will fall in the future, and therefore stop spending their money.