Dispatch from Ethean Capital Grace
Reported by DuMont
It’s been two years since tensions at the Orzu Ruins exploded into open conflict between The Empire of Duvos and the Principality of Ethea. What all thought would be a long-term peace treaty signed between the two states three years ago lasted only a year. Although both states have been trying to keep the conflict local, it is having implications for our world at large. The Kingdom of Seesai have declared that any attack on Ethea beyond the Orzu region would draw it into the war. The Alliance of Free Cities, meanwhile, have been trying to stay neutral during this conflict, even after the events of Sandrock and Portia, much to the chagrin of most of its citizens. It has, however put pressure on both parties to lower the temperature. The result of this diplomacy is a potential meeting in the coming weeks between the Third Princess Corliss of Ethea and the Foreign Secretary Torkin of Duvos to discuss a ceasefire.
Preparations have started in the Ethean capital. Many citizens on the streets are apprehensive about expecting too much from this meeting. Buck, a banker, said: “We all want peace you know; I don’t get why Duvos want to drag this out.” Rico, who works in the medical industry, added: “They’ve been talking about peace forever, nothing ever comes of it. In the end, politicians do the talking; we normal people do the dying.”
In the opinion of this reporter, this ceasefire is a delay tactic employed by Duvos for their next big move. Although Duvos now have de facto control over most of the Orzu Ruins, the Ethean military, backed by Seesai’s promise to defend Ethea proper, have continued their attacks on the Duvos army, putting them on the defensive. This low intensity has become a drain for Duvos, as their relic supplies are unable to maintain the replacement rate, leading to a potential long-term advantage for Ethea. However, as everyone knows, the Duvos Empire does not like to lose.
The Alliance Council refused to comment for this story. I will be the first to report on the results from the meeting. Stay tuned!
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