181 / 03 / 20

With the coming of spring the war on Laiqua between Mikel's Town and southport has begun intensifying again. While a delegation from Filishar had hoped to negotiate a peaceful end to the conflict over the winter, no way could be found to bridge the gulf between the two towns. In fact, the rhetoric has reached a level where it is doubtful that anything other than the destruction of either the Drak family or the Order of the Rod could bring about peace. Each side accuses the other of various crimes such as importing dangerous creatures to terrorise innocent villagers or deliberately sending forces into an elven ambush. However at its heart, this conflict is about who controls the south east of Laiqua.
The forces of the steel guard, reinforced by heavy recruiting over the winter, launched a series of raids against the villages of Rithford and Malonn. While the Order of the Rod was able to hold Malonn, Rithford was captured by the steel guard. In both cases the Order and the inhabitants of the villages endured heavy losses as a result of the Steel guards use of an ice Mage and large quantities of alchemists fire. Southport has responded by launching raiding parties by sea to attack the fishing villages that look to Mikel's town. These raids have had limited success as the steel guard quickly deployed catapults and archers after the first attack.
Both sides have attempted to draw others into their conflict, with appeals made to both the Kingdom of Caresnas and the Knights of Nacht. While the Kingdom continues to keep trading links open with both parties, requests for military aid have been repeatedly turned down. The Knights have adopted a similar approach, refusing to take contracts from either side.