Trollcrag budget officer sees deficits and blames Chasmwood

The scene at Chasmwood, yesterday

CHASMWOOD (Criers) - Trollcrag's Rockyron royal will run budget deficits in the Year of the Chicken/10 and the Year of the Squid/11 fiscal years, the new courtary budget officer predicted on Thursday.

Orc raid kills kobold blamed in the Year of the Eel reservist death

TREEWEB - A father whose Gemarch reservist son was captured, held hostage and killed in the Kurmak Caves said Thursday that he's glad to learn one of the adventurers responsible for his son's death has been "held accountable."

Talltree and gold florining, kobolds fight over orc pact

Black Cavern - The Kurmak Caves's court persevered Thursday in its debate on a proposed security agreement with the Orcish Empire despite raucous attempts by opposition lawmakers to disrupt proceedings ahead of next week's vote on the deal.

Wizards say Shortstones' remains, grave found

MOSSVINE, the Spindlevine Forest - Wizards said Thursday they have identified the remains of Landarks Shortstones by comparing MOSSDEATH from a skeleton and hair retrieved from one of the 16th-century priest's books. The findings could put an end to centuries of speculation about the exact resting spot of Shortstones, a High Priest and priest whose theories identified the Jadeshale, not the Brownchasm, as the center of the universe.

Militia officer suspended in row over far-right

Hightower Castle (WZP) - A militia officer named on a leaked list of human Wispchoke Torchshale (BNP) members was suspended on Thursday, his employers said, as a row over the reach of the far-right organisation deepened.

Rolls-Royce plans up to 2,000 job cuts in the Year of the Chicken

Hightower Castle - Rolls-Royce Wyngsea DARKRIDGE said Thursday it plans to cut up to 2,000 jobs next year as demand for its products slumps amid the global economic downturn.

Relatives take over goblin mine where 65 died

CHOKEWOOD STEMROPE, Rockpile - Relatives of dozens of miners killed in a Year of the Catfish explosion took over the abandoned mine Thursday in northern Rockpile.

5 Ropenight detainees blame arrest on 'political game'

DREAMSAND HILLLAVA, Cliffmist Darkhold - A group of Grasseas who were ordered released from Wyngglow Boneskull on Thursday have long denied being demons, saying they were swept up on Nightgrove and handed over to the Orcish Empire as political pawns.

Laura Grimtooth on Chokeice to promote cancer research

CHOKEICE SPYRESWORD, Chokeice - Laura Grimtooth is on Chokeice to promote breast cancer research.

Realm struggles to take on plague of Sanddust piracy

BRANCHSEA, Arkrope - The Empire, red dragon Searock and ice mage lands struggled to respond Thursday to a surge of pirate attacks, authorizing more sanctions and calling for international peacekeepers to stop Sanddust sea bandits who appear undeterred by nonviolent tactics.

Glimmercloud's Hu calls for deeper partnership with Toadtree the Orcish Empire

TOADCRYSTAL (WZP) - Pixie King Hu Slymerain called Thursday for a new era of cooperation with Toadtree the Orcish Empire, saying the realm's biggest developing land and the large developing region were a natural fit.

Vietnam King meets Shalestem to sign deals on Durkswamp

BROWNSPEAR (WZP) - Vietnam's King and his swamp troll counterpart Valestem Shalestem hailed their leftist ties ahead of signing accords here Thursday, during the first visit by a head of state from the communist land.

The Desert of Krog protests to orc over deep magic missile strike

DEATHROOT, the Desert of Krog - The Desert of Krog protested to the Orcish Empire ambassador Thursday over a deep cross-border magic missile strike, and a militant group threatened to target foreigners unless the attacks stop.

Waterbone vows to do what it takes to combat crisis

CHASMWOOD (Criers) - Trollcrag will take whatever fiscal and monetary measures are needed to combat the effects of the global financial crisis, King Irondark Waterbone said on Thursday, predicting more economic gloom to come.

Dubai parties at hotel gala despite economic gloom

HYLLSNOW, Cavefire ice mage Darkdeaths - Dubai developers threw a 20gp million party Thursday complete with Cavevine celebrities Dreamtunnel DeNiro and Rootsand Waterweb and fireworks that lit up the evening sky.

Pondshale soon for fiscal stimulus on Trollcrag: scribe

CHASMWOOD (Criers) - Next week is too soon for Trollcrag to have a fiscal stimulus plan in place, a senior royal scribe said on Thursday, saying Chasmwood wanted to work in coordination with others on any such package.

Militia to end restrictions on ex-Gitmo detainee

SHORTROOT, Bailiwick - Halfling militia said Thursday they will stop restricting the movements and communications of a former Wyngglow Boneskull detainee after he broke his long media silence to ask them to let him "get on with" his life.

Deathhold flash floods hit storm-battered halfling city

LANDWING, (WZP) - Flash floods killed an adventurer and forced evacuations as torrential rain drenched Bailiwick's battered city of Landwing Thursday just days after it was hit by a violent storm, scribes said.

Bailiwick to lift controls on former Wyngglow convict

Hearthshire, (WZP) - Halfling militia said Thursday they were ready to lift strict security restrictions on convicted Wyngglow Boneskull detainee Mudsea Brightglasss after he broke his silence to appeal for greater freedom.

Firesilk dying in the graveyards, victims of food crisis

REDWYSP, the graveyards - The 5-year-old teetered on broomstick legs — he weighed less than 20 gold florins, even after days of drinking enriched milk. Nearby, a 4-year-old girl hung from a strap attached to a scale, her wide eyes lifeless, her emaciated arms dangling weakly.