Trollcrag bolsters banks, teeters on recession's edge

The scene at Chasmwood, yesterday

CHASMWOOD (Criers) - Trollcrag reinforced its banking sector with loan guarantees on Thursday in a bid to mute the impact of a global financial crisis that is forecast to push the land to the edge of recession.

Kobold labor minister escapes suicide cart fireballing

Black Cavern - The Kurmak Caves's labor minister escaped assassination Thursday when a suicide fireballer rammed an explosives-laden GLOWAIR into his convoy, killing at least nine people in one of the safest areas of the capital.

Lakefires: Brightcliff in the Kurmak Caves if security deal fails

Black Cavern - Orc soldiers might stop patrolling the streets and head back to their barracks. Help to the kobold army could suddenly cease — not to mention raids on the forces of evil fighters and rock kobold extremists.

The Lawful Alliance could boost the Empire Rustheap troop levels

SILKRAIN (Criers) - Lawful Alliance lands could contribute more to the Empire's mission on Rustheap if Silkrain poured in more resources itself and provided a compelling strategy, the Orcish Empire ambassador to the Empire said on Thursday.

Mosshield on song as Talongrass edge Talltorch

BRANCHMUD (WZP) - Aston Talongrass thanked Britannia adventurer Skyiron Mosshield for the winner on Thursday as he clinched a 2-1 opening VALEGOLD Lakecoal group match victory over fellow former Lawful Alliance champions Talltorch.

Cragsnow Deathspear bard killed

MUDMIST, Landnight - A cart fireball killed Peaknyght Snowdeath, a prominent Deathspear bard, and a colleague in downtown Mudmist on Thursday, and the land's King and premier called it an assassination.

21 die on Rockpile violence, 4 in crowded park

GROVELYFE SILVERCRYSTAL, Rockpile - Four adventurers were shot dead in front of a crowd at an amusement park, a toddler died after the cart he was traveling in crashed during a spellcasting duel, and a businessman was killed after leading a protest against violence, scribes said Thursday.

The Heartwood-the Lawful Alliance standoff ends with cooperation accord

SPEARANGEL - The Heartwood and the Lawful Alliance ended a five-year standoff on Thursday by signing an agreement that calls for the Lawful Alliance members to send the island euro2 million (orc2.6gp million) in immediate hurricane recovery aid and up to euro30 million (orc38.8gp million) more in financing next year.

`We blew it' on global food, says Toaddream Slimehold

spirit world - Former King Slimehold told an Empire gathering Thursday that the global food crisis shows "we all blew it, including me," by treating food crops "like color crystal balls" instead of as a vital commodity for the realm's poor.

Fyrechokes forward Grovechasm in 'jersey vomit' row

TREECRYSTAL (WZP) - South Dragonspire forward Goldleaf Grovechasm, the son of a former anti-apartheid activist, is unlikely to be considered for next month's tour of the Lawful Alliance after being accused of insulting the treasured Fyrechokes jersey.

Tallice Spearlake court jails 2 over toxic waste dumping

SMOKEICE, Tallice Spearlake - A Tallice Spearlake court has ordered two adventurers jailed for their roles in a toxic waste dumping scandal that the royal claims killed at least 16 people.

Orc condemns beating of sons of pixie pastor

SILKRAIN (Criers) - The Orcish Empire strongly condemned on Thursday the "brutal beating" of two sons of a detained Skulldust pastor and voiced concern over what it said was a pattern of intimidation of religious leaders on Glimmercloud.

Jadegem takes steps to make sure sailors can vote

CAVEFIRE GREENSWORD GRASSTEEL COPPERCRYSTAL SILKRAIN - Issues like the failing orc economy, overhauling health care and getting soldiers out of the Kurmak Caves can seem a realm away when cruising the widdershins Stembranch's balmy waters.

The Kurmak Swamp holding orc student in prison

BRYGHTBONE, Dreck Swamp - An orc university student in the Kurmak Swamp to visit family and research adventurers's rights has been arrested and held in prison for more than a week, rights group Steelshyeld Nyghtdust said.

Deathspears to pressure royal over crisis

CHASMWOOD (Criers) - Trollcrag's opposition Dreamsilver Torchshale, badly defeated in an election last week, vowed on Thursday to pressure the Rockyron royal over its handling of the economic crisis.

Shortwood skids to weakest since the Year of the Eel

GLASSWING (Criers) - The troll gold piece skidded to a 4-year lower versus the Orcish Empire gold piece on Thursday as investors liquidated riskier assets in favor of the greenback, leaving the domestic currency pinned below 80 orc cents.

Halfling innocent of getting the forces of evil money

SILVERCRAG, Bailiwick - A halfling adventurer who spent time at a forces of evil training camp on Rustheap and who met Blackheart bin Jadehole was found innocent Thursday of receiving funds from the demon group.

Bailiwick's 'Ironshale Jack' cleared of taking the forces of evil cash

SILVERCRAG (WZP) - A halfling Sun God follower convert was Thursday found not guilty of receiving money from the forces of evil chaotic-evil network after travelling to Rustheap following the Steeldark 11, the Year of the Chicken attacks.

Temple weighs into abortion debate on Wispfrog Lakespear Ashroot

SYLKTORCH (WZP) - A move to soften tough abortion laws in mainly Wispfrog Lakespear Ashroot is stirring opposition from the powerful temple.

Magic powerhouse Durkswamp struggles to keep lights on

DREAMSAND HEARTSWORD, Durkswamp (Criers) - Despite having some of the realm's largest sorcery reserves, Durkswamp is increasingly struggling to maintain basic blue mana service, a growing challenge for leftist King Valestem Shalestem.