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DaveIronside:




ADRIANA PILGRIMMAGE COMPLETED
The pilgrimmage carried out by the young Rokkenjiman/Dartfordian Princess Adriana was completed three days ago. The two week long journey was organised as part of the girls education into East Moreland culture following her abduction by Borlanders and in the aftermath being seen cuddling a Borlander outfitted teddy bear. in photographs of the Rokkenjiman royals. The Princess was accompanied by East Moreland's Princess Freya and deviated from the traditional route from Portworth to Ostlake by taking in some visits to significant sites and meeting Morelanders affected by the Borlanders. One such person who spent a day hiking with the two Princesses was 51 year old Anna Gunning, mother of Melissa Gunning the Morelander hero teacher who when Freestone was hit by missiles pulled several of her students out of a collapsing classroom and was killed as the roof caved in trying to save another 11 year old, Melissa's body was found covering Hayley Spencer who sadly was also dead. Mrs. Gunning said, "All I did was show her photos of my daughter, she had lots with her students, many the Princesses age, many now dead because of the Borlanders. It's my hope she sees the innocent victims of those people and the damage they've done. I'm so proud of Melissa but I miss her everyday."

The pilgrimage meant they had to sleep under the stars and they bivouacked out at some of East Moreland's Temples and Shrines. At one they took part in a camp fire evening with local musicians. One, 27 year old Simon Rough said, "I always enjoy an evening out under the stars, some nice roast boer, a fine glasses of cider and music. It was lovely to share it with Princess Freya and I hope Princess Adriana learned a little about our culture and customs. We taught her about the importance of the Parting Glass and its place in our history of ordinary people standing up against tyranny."

The pair carried ingots of steel from the temple of Helus in Portworth to the Temple of Jekar on the Isle of Jekar in Ostlake, there they stayed for four days while Royal Blacksmith Max Norris helped her smith a sword. "We've made a decent sword, not the best I've ever made, but for a young lass she did well enough." the Blacksmith explained, "It's now sealed in a box which will be kept along with other swords of note in our crypt, when Princess Rhiannon determines its time and Adriana is at least 21 she'll be given it as a reminder of her duties to protect the innocent, something I hope she does."

Following completion of the pilgrimage she spent a day with the "Battle Back" programme at Ostlake which helps wounded servicemen and woman recover from life changing injuries. While there she had the chance to meet several soldiers including 19 year old Stephen Hollins who lost a leg in Academica. "I've meet royals a few times, King David is a regular here, he's been through the programme so knows what its like. I know Freya is heavily involved in the project too and she's a soldier so gets what its like here, but I know across Mundus not all royals serve they can't know then the impact their actions can have on those who serve, by coming here I hope this Rokkenjiman appreciates the realities of decisions she'll one day have to make."

The two Princesses then made their way back via helicopter to Northfort, there Adrianna spent two days with the Royal Family including the King's famous Chili Friday, when on the last Friday of the month the family gather for a home cooked chili con carne as a family whenever possible. It is thought this meal was attended by the King, Princess Freya, Princess Rhiannon, Alex Redfern, his ward Evie, and Archduchess Sophie Harrison-Ironside, fresh back from Hrothgar. Traditionally one chair is left empty as it symbolises King David's deceased sister High Priestess Joanna, who was murdered by Borlanders. As he left the Palace, Redfern stated, "It was just a meal with a group of people, hopefully the fact she can see the way Borlanders destroyed the Ironside family will have her see what damage these terrorists can do." The Princess was seen leaving Northfort airport heading presumably for Dartfordia onboard an East Moreland Air Force VIP Transport. As she boarded the aircraft she was seen to be carrying a new teddy bear dressed as a Red Legionnaire.

DaveIronside:




UNITED HEARTACHE LEADS TO FOOTBALL RETHINK
Following Northfort United's 2nd valiant Champions League run in three years the East Moreland Football Association has announced a major shake up of the league system. Speaking following a meeting with the leading clubs FA Chair Edward Neill explained the changes to the press saying, "We have a great base from which to build football in East Moreland, United have done amazingly well to get to two Champions League finals, despite having semi-professional players. Furthermore to see 70,000 East Moreland fans fill the King Robert Arena for the semi final was a sight to behold for a nation where football is not out leading sport. However if teams are to take the next step and the national side replicate what United have done, then things need to change."

Currently the East Moreland Premier League features 12 teams who play each other four times during the season, beneath that is a structure that according to Neill doesn't promote the game. "We have a structure seeing a Northern League and a Southern League, each with 12 teams in mirroring the four matches a season structure, it sees too many mismatches and the league has to be restructured every year depending on which team wins a playoff between the North and South for promotion." The new structure will see the Premier League extended to 18 teams with a team made up of players doing national service and an invitation being extended to Heyra to enter a club side. The other four clubs will see this seasons Northern and Southern champions and runners up promoted. The second and third tiers of Moreland football will now be made up of 18 teams each as well and teams will play home and away, there will also be the introduction of a new cup competition known as the Royal Cup. This new cup will feature teams drawn just from the top three tiers unlike the continuing East Moreland Cup which allows any and all  clubs in the country to enter. The Royal Cup will also include a rule that at least six of the starting players must be under the age of 25.

Additionally it was confirmed that due to the numbers of people who watched the Cup Final national TV station EMTV is to start a specialist football channel via its streaming services and every league game from the Premier will be available to fans who subscribe. EMTV Chair Melanie Oakes said, "We've looked and seen a massive increase in the demand for football, we hope this gives fans what they want and encourages a few new fans." It is estimated that the TV deal will see each Premier League team net an additional £800,000 in revenue for the first season. 

Northfort United manager Simon Coleman supported the idea. "We've now got a league that brings stability to lower levels and will hopefully see the money being pumped in filter down, it also means clubs like us will be able to give out more full time contracts which means players get fitter. We had to play two hours against Leubin in Dartfordia and by the end the lads could barely move to take their penalties. We can now have them train more often as they don't need day jobs. We've also the chance to attract bigger sponsers."

The move may however come too late for Northfort United to keep hold of their star youngster, 18 year old Henry Marshall. When not playing football he studies Physics at Northfort Science and Technology University and has been approached by IFK Krokom the team that beat Northfort United two years ago. It is thought an offer of a University placement at Krokom Science Institute, from where the Joint Nordic Space Programme operates, has been made by the Aland champions along with a wage of £10,000 a week, which would make him the highest paid East Moreland footballer. There however may be competition from Roberton AFC who, backed by King David, have been rumoured to have offered a similar wage.

DaveIronside:




KING PAYS RESPECTS TO DEAD HEAD GOTHI
Following an announcement that the Head Gothi Daniel Stenberg had died the King used his weekly statement in Council to pass on his and the nations respects. It appears that the religious and political leader of Nya Aland died in some kind of ceremonial fight and recieved a traditional funeral in private. While the manner of his death may be shocking the Alander media revealed that the man had motor neurone disease, a condition likely to have left him unable to walk or work in his carpentry workshop, something it is believed the Head Gothi enjoyed. The King paid tribute to Stenberg saying, "At times he was a man who could be a thorn in the side of many nations, however we stood with the Alanders many times and I considered the Head Gothi a friend. He faced challenging decisions right until the end and faced them with strength and courage, he was the first leader of his nation and he has set the bar extremely high for whoever has the task of following him. Rest assured the East Moreland commitment to support the Alanders as they continue to help the people of Uppsala is unwavering. Following the fight together in Marseille and now the Uppsala Crisis I know many of our military forces consider each other close friends, we stand ready to uphold that if still required. I am sure Daniel will find a place in his Valhalla."

The King went on to say that unlike The Iwi who have returned troops from Uppsala the East Moreland contingent will remain saying "Uppsala is getting back on its feet but is not there yet. It is right forces on the ground reflect the situation, no one wants to see foreign soldiers patrolling their streets, we have a closer connection with the Alanders so it is probably more appropriate for our forces to remain a little longer. The Maori have been fantastic and my officers can not speak high enough of their work." This means some 5,000 Morelanders will still be posted in Uppsala on a variety of duties ranging from policing to medical care.



LONGEST ALPINE TOBOGGAN RUN OPENS
A brand new tourist toboggan run opened today in the Alpine town of Keepton, the new 5.3km run makes it the longest in East Moreland. These types of rides are very popular amongst tourists and this one is a real record setter betting the previous record of Stoneton's by a full kilometer. The ride lasts almost 10 minutes as the rider drops a total distance of 400 meters around its twist and turns. The ride was opened by Nature Resorts Holiday Ltd, a company that specialises in Alpine holidays and ski resorts. It is expected that around 100,000 people will use the ride in the first six months. The companies directors, who were amongst the first to ride it said, "The ride is designed to add to the already thriving tourist market of East Moreland and the Alps. We have now got more and more tourists coming from across Mundus as various treaties make it easier to come here, we're very excited at being able to put together experiences like this for our clients."

It is expected that the King will complete a new Mhorish and Illumic organisation in the coming days and this could potentially open up East Moreland to even more tourists leading a director to say, "We can't wait for the people across the Mhorish to see the videos of this thing and come over to try it, they'll find a warm welcome and a ride of a lifetime."

A video of the ride can be found here




MATTHEWS JOINS DYNAMO LEUBIN

While it had been expected that 18 year old wonderkid Henry Matthews would leave Champions League runners up Northfort United it was expected that he would go to either Roberton AFC, arguably East Morelands richest team, or former Champions League winners IFK Krokom. Today however he has signed for three year deal with Dynamo Leubin in a deal which sees Northfort United receive EM£ 6,500,000 a record fee received for any Morelander. As part of the deal it is also understood that the Lodjain team will loan United two of their up and coming stars each season for the next three years. Matthews has confirmed that he has signed a EM£30,000 a week contract, also making him the highest paid Moreland footballer ever.

The move came about after Dynamo Leubin's coach was impressed by the midfielder during the competition and especially during their final game. It prompted the coach to make a call to the East Moreland ambassador to get the youngsters phone number and persuade him that Lodja was a much better deal that Nya Aland or remaining in East Moreland. Matthews took to his facebook page to thank Northfort United and wish their fans well. "I've been a fan of United since a little boy, to play for them in a final of that size is something that will live in my memory forever. East Moreland football needs to grow, and I want to test myself at a higher level, I hope one day soon the East Moreland Premier League will be as respected as the Lodjain one and I can once again test my skills with United."

DaveIronside:




TREATY DISREGARDED BY "ALLY"
Following an announcement that Orania are to send a carrier group to the Illumic, on the presumption of safeguarding against Kaitaine aggression the Minister of Defence Harry Samuelson has explained that the treaty in place between the two nations is now in tatters. "Several months ago we signed a treaty with Orania in which there was an agreement to use our embassies to communicate military activity of interest to the other. We have no deployments anywhere near Albion other than our commitment to the Uppsala, something which long pre dates any treaty. Meanwhile Orania have today announced, through their media, a deployment to the Illumic on the supposed grounds of defending against Kaitaine, when Kaitaine is over 5000km away. For any missile attack to even reach the Illumic it would need to fly through our airspace and our defence network would be triggered eliminating threats. Furthermore for Orania to launch any kind of strike from that region is frankly ridiculous. There is clearly something else going on, however this does not gloss over the fact that our alleged ally is aware of the stance on the Illumic and the notion that it is not defended sufficently is a joke and an insult."

In response to the announcement the Orania has been summound to the Palace where he will receive an official letter of protest which will outline the nations concerns and measures to be taken should the fleet enter the Illumic. Royal Press Secretary Malcolm Tucker explained. "Rokkenjima, a nation we have considered allies a number of years knows their ships are regularly shadowed by East Moreland vessels, on the rare occasion they have gone above their quota of ships with notice they are always shadowed. This process will be put in place, our fleet in the Illumic will move to follow the Oranian Navy and air assets will monitor them. The Illumic is a region that our Kingdom has ensured is safe, defended and open for trade, to now have a foreign power sending its navy here for what frankly doesn't make sense is an insult, especially when they expect support joining the CNN. On prior discussions it was likely we wound stand by our treaty with Orania and support their CNN application, however if a nation breaks one treaty why not others? Therefore I believe it highly likely King David will withdraw his support."

It was also announced that the Ekra-Badger will be heading into the Mhorish Sea for "speed trials" over the next few days.

DaveIronside:




KING SENDS BEST WISHES TO LODJA
Following the surprise announcement that Queen Viktoriya of Lodja had been attacked and lies in critical condition King David has made a statement.


--- Quote from: Statement ---
Queen Viktoriya is a young lady who in a short space of time had achieved so much, within a year of assuming the crown she has founded one international organisation, made major redrafts to another and taken her nation into a major alliance alongside ourselves, Ui Cenneslaig and The Iwi. I have been privledged to meet her many times and know that she is a monarch dedicated to her people and keen to ensure she lives up to their expectations. I and the rest of East Moreland send her our best wishes and hopes for a speedy recovery. While I understand the Lodjain officials have the situation under control I would remind them that if required our nation will offer whatever support it is within our power to do so. I then read that the Priory of Sion claim they carried out the attack, frankly it smacks of desperation to claim an attack that isn't yours, a group that look to exaggerate their reach. At this time I hope the media give them the publicity they deserve which is precisely zero. This is the last I'll speak of them in this matter. I will instead focus on sending my prayers for the Queen's speedy recovery.
--- End quote ---

The identity of the would be assassin has not yet been released nor their motive.



EMAC SHOW CASE "MINI DRAGON"
The East Moreland Aircraft Company today showcased their latest development at a showcase of new aviation products. The MiniDragon is a small drone capable of being carried in an infantryman's backpack and weights just 3kg. The system can be launched by hand and can stay airborne for 30 minutes using an electrical engine. It is capable of recording footage of the battlefield and transmitting this back to operators several kilometers away. The small drone is also equipped with a 0.75kg warhead which can be used effectively against light vehicles and ground forces. Sir Alan Maybury of EMAC said, "The ability to have eyes in the sky relatively quickly is a much needed asset for any ground force, no longer do infantry need to await aircraft to be able to check out areas around them from the air. It will provide them with a great deal of flexibility and all within the confines of a rucksack."

The company also showcased the Mini Dragon's bigger brother, the Tiny Dragon which is almost identical but weighs 7.5kg with some 3.5kg being a warhead. With a 60 minute flight duration this version is likely to be attached to canister carried on military vehicles allowing them to launch the drone as a reconnaissance platform while on the move.

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