PAXLAIR NEWS

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The PaxLair Times
10 April 2006
Volume 2 Issue 10
Special Edition

Tension Rises between PaxLair City and PaxOku City!

As reported after the Port Baldmor meeting of March 28th, Viceroy Gareth of PaxOku declared an economic sanction on PaxLair City, Felucca due to the increase in Evil into that city.  The sanction prevents any imports from PaxLair City into PaxOku, and any exports from PaxOku to PaxLair City.

In a follow-up report after the meeting at Dragon's PaxLair City, Felucca April 4th, it was reported that Lord Darius stated that the PaxOku trade sanction was having no effect on PaxLair City.  However, Darius said that such an action by PaxOku would not go unnoticed.  Therefore, Darius declared that PaxLair City, Felucca would set up a toll at the PaxOku Moongate on Tokuno to help bring more funds into PaxLair City for growth.  He said this was not an invasion of any sort into PaxOku.

Viceroy Gareth was quick to respond to Viceroy Darius' plans by imposing a tax on his own establishments in PaxOku.  The housing tax would help pay for the tolls. Gareth listed the individual buildings being taxed, and appeared to cover most buildings in PaxOku.

Sunday, April 9th found a toll booth set up at the Homare-Jima gate by PaxLair City.  PaxLair City's Deputy Viceroy, Dutchess VanHorn's voice rang out clearly over and over, "There is a gate tax for all whom enter PaxOku."

PaxOku Deputy Viceroy Tatania Karthina asks, "Is there no way to settle this?"

Dutchess VanHorn replied, "They must call off the trade embargo with PaxLair. But apparently they would rather go to war."

The Mayor of Zento soon arrived asking, "PaxLair City is taxing my lands?"

PaxLair City Deputy Viceroy Dutchess VanHorn replied, "Your lands refuse to trade with us."

More arguments followed this until the Mayor of Zento boldly stated, "Then by the power invested in me by the people of Isamu-Jima, Homare-Jima and Makoto-Jima, I hear-by declare war upon PaxLair City. Good day Dutchess."

Mayor Winfield stated, "PaxLair City did not declare war over a trade sanction. Zento does not speak for PaxOku. In fact, I don't even think Zento has claim to this Island. It's just another city in Tokuno. Now, if PaxLair City put up a toll at Zento gate, that would be different. Then PaxOku would not be involved. Maybe PaxOku has treaties with Zento that I don't know about?  A city of PaxLair having external treaties without me, the Mayor informed?"

The Mayor's speech was interrupted by a great roar and a general scrambling as Taurik of PaxOku bellowed, "Tokuno FREEDOM!!! Fight for your freedom Yamadons!!!"

The only person at the gate that was injured was Lord Xavier Reed of PaxOku, who paid with his life. Taurik and the Yamadon were soon enough gone from the clearing.

There seems to be some confusion as to who actually owns the Moongate at Homare-Jima.  The Mayor of Zento claims it as his and Viceroy Gareth claims it as PaxOku's.  Attempting to keep peace with Zento so as not to bring another city into a dispute with a PaxLair City, Mayor Winfield suggested moving the toll booth closer to PaxOku. A tentative agreement was reached with Mayor Winfield and Viceroy Darius when Viceroy Gareth arrived.

Viceroy Gareth announced a new law that states a toll booth is legal at the gate but it will be taxed 200%. For every 100 gold collected, 200 gold would be paid to PaxOku in taxes. Viceroy Darius agreed to 50% tax on the toll.

Much arguing back and forth happened at this point until Viceroy Gareth stated, "I think I've had enough. Winfield,  I no longer declare loyalty to you. I am breaking PaxOku City off from PaxLair. We will see who is stronger."

Mayor Winfield was thoughtful a moment before replying, "I think you are confused Gareth, PaxLair is not PaxLair City. PaxLair is 5 cities."

Lord Gareth left the gathering at the gate and Deputy Viceroy Tatania Karthina formally announced her resignation as Deputy Viceroy. Tatania immediately started the PaxLair Reporters [PxR] as a group who would remain neutral and report the news as such.

Lady Lenora of Yew and Tatania went to the BLT to check on Lord Gareth where he seemed calm and resigned to the fate of PaxOku. Gareth made this chilling statement, causing Lenora to gasp and rush off in a frenzy. "I am sorry Lady Lenora but, we go to war.", Gareth stated.

"WAR!!! WAR!!! Gareth is talking war!!!" the normally quiet Lenora bellowed as she galloped up to the Moongate, almost falling off of her horse.

"I thought they just worked it all out." Mayor Winfield stated with much concern. "PaxLair city has a shop here now. And pays taxes I heard.", he added.

Mayor Winfield then said, "I am not sure what the Mayor of Zento will think about PaxOku's annexing this gate to PaxOku. I thought that was Zento's problem to begin with, that this was Zento property. I'll have to go see Gareth now and find out why he is trying to pull out PaxOku from PaxLair-wide"

Gareth had indeed pulled PaxOku from PaxLair and pledged his loyalty to the Mayor of Zento, giving the Mayor these reasons, "Homare-Jima will welcome its new Heir to the island. To save us from evil. The evil your viceroy has put into this City. Starting at its gate. You let them come into this city. When you should have stopped it. You didn't and still it stands. The toll gate. Yet Darius refused to follow your orders and you brush it aside."
 
Mayor Winfield answered, "Well, they were outside the city at the gate. The Mayor of Zento made that clear. But now, you let them have a toll booth establishment as part of PaxOku. I told him to move it as I did not want conflict with Zento.

He found another solution to avoid the conflict. I needed to prevent Zento from becoming involved in an inter city conflict. I'll need to talk to the Mayor of Zento again about PaxOku. I sense some sly dealings on his part. Some we may not be aware of."

Mayor Winfield replied, "I will do everything I can to keep our cities together.  But I wish to allow as much freedom of action by the Viceroys until it disrupts the whole of PaxLair or relations with cities outside PaxLair. And it seems two things have caused both. The trade sanction and the toll booth. Maybe our cities are not that resilient yet, as a unity of cities. Yet, all cities must remain committed to PaxLair overall."

"This makes me feel disheartened", the Mayor said sadly.

-&&-

Interview will be following soon. I will do my best to keep everyone updated on this breaking news story.

Until next Issue,
Peace and Knowledge be with you
Tatania Karthina
PaxOku Historian
Editor PaxLair Times
Silent Rose Library