Pirates Attack Diplomatic Ship

PIRATES ATTACK!

Phineas Hightower, Metropolitan Orlandia

Early this morning, a marauding band of

Pirates attacked a convoy bearing the

senior members of the Orlandia Council

of Faction Representatives en route to Wentington

Cross as it was returning from a diplomatic mission regarding the OSS Vigilant incident.

The terrible assault, which left the sky

burning with clouds of toxic aether, was

witnessed by several passing traders. One

Council ship, the OSS Phoenix Tear, was

lost in the ensuing battle. Among the

unfortunate perished are OES Chief

Engineer Albus Huxley and OSDF Air

Marshall Austin Godwin. Loremaster

Elias Lightlifter of the

Benevolent Order of Stone Mages was

extricated from the wreckage and is

currently in the infirmary. The Skyfather

was not part of the

envoy and has issued his condolences to

the families of the deceased.

The League of Privateers for the Acquisition of Antiquities and Free Trade issued a statement this afternoon, condemning the heinous attack and distinguishing this atrocity as having been perpetrated by brigands acting separately from their faction. Despite derogatory public opinion, The League insists that it represents a contingent of over three thousand freemen, merchants and couriers who wish to distance themselves from such criminals in hopes of maintaining relations with Orlandia. League representatives, had in fact met with the Council recently, engaging in a joint effort to recover the crewmen of the OSS Vigilant, which had crashed due to mechanical failure. Brief discussions had also taken place regarding the allowance of League members to attend and engage in commerce within Orlandia's borders during the annual Stone Blessing Festival. Currently, the Council has yet to decide on granting League members admittance.

An investigation is underway to identify the culprits responsible, and bring them to justice. The incident occurred in Wyldehaven airspace, less than a kilometer away from the Orlandian Terrestrial Border. The League has offered to assist in the investigation, though the Council has yet to respond to the League. The Council office has also declined to offer comments to this publication for the time being.