Rohirrim Rider: December 1909

[Ithekro]

July 7, 1909

Tochiro Oyama, known somewhat as a rouge swordsman and adventurer, and the man that killed Agrival Mars, was seen today in Rivendel setting up decorations with his wife Shinunora.  When asked what the decorations were for he simply said "Tanabata".  When asked about it, he said he was a little busy and for us "to come back later, their will be fireworks".  Reports of this paper know of no tradition in Rivendel known as Tanabata, and wonder if it is some custom from Ahtena or the older Eastern Kingdom.

July 16, 1909

After much work the Fortress at Erkenbrand has been completed.  The unit that will take residence there will finish training and fitting out the new fort to their liking by late December.  The Pacific side of the Canal should have its fortress ready by this time next year.  Rumors have circulated that the Mark will install several 14 inch guns at each fort within the next year.  It is hoped that these defenses will more than make up for the sales of several battleships and dwarven battleships.

July 18, 1909

With the Pacifc War being over for nearly a year, the Mark has recalled part of the Southern Fleet to defend the Western Gondorian Coast.  In light of the sale of eleven old battleships the relocation of one battleship seems not to make all that much difference in the greater scheme of things.

August 7, 1909

Border towns near Ahtena have become alive with a festival.  The locals call it Qi Xi.  Oddly the decorations seem similar to what was seen in Rivendel a month ago.

August 10, 1909
(Theoden's Day)

Today we remember one king who helped shape our destiny. Theoden King is remembered as a legend, but is considered to have been an actual living person by historians, as the written evidence from the archives of Edoras, Mundburg, and Dol Amroth along with some mention from other coninental sources indicates that he did live and that he was king of Rohan 8,200 years ago. His grave is also still present in Edoras. While most of his reign is lost to history, just that he was considered to have decayed during the last decade of the Third Age until his spirit was rekindled just before the great battles before the Hornburg and Mundburg that pushed the darkness back to Mordor. Theoden died in front of Mundburg at the hieght of the battle, but his spirit remains to remind us to keep our head in the light and charge when the worse seems to be upon you. Some say his tactics imply that the best defense is a good offense. They may be correct, and Rohan has followed this logic for land and naval warfare. While on land the days of the horse are ending, they still are a heavy and quick offensive tool that reminds our potential enemies that we can strike them back fast and hard should they attempt to take our lands or those of our allies. On the sea, this has brought about the practice of arming our ships heavily. They have to come to us, unless they wish to wait for us to come to them, but we will make them pay dearly should they try either option.

Today the King went to the mound of his fathers, his great-grand mothers, and uncles that were King of Rohan. Vistiting the 274 graves of the kings and queens of old, Theocro is reminded that one day he will be grave number 275. The Simbelmyne (Evermind) still bloom on every grave. The traditional reading of the names was done as is done when a new King is put on the throne, but the line breaks at Theoden to drink then continues until Theocro King is named, then the second drink is had. Rememberance of Theoden still takes centerstage on this day.

As a new tradition, Felaróf, Battle Cruiser of the Mark, was laid down on this day as the last several ships of its type have been.

August 13, 1909

There was much activity at the Harlock Estate in Mithlond day.  The Arcadia had returned to port a week ago and thus Lord Harlock is home for the time being.  There was much noise as a sky horse took to the air over an empty field.  An Mr. Clyde Cessna and some Confederate soldiers demontrated a single set of wings sky horse to Lord Harlock and Lady Oyama along with several Naval staff attacted to the Arcadia and the Northern Fleet.  Tochiro Oyama was said to have also been present and rather excited by the display, as was young Phantom Harlock.

August 16, 1909

During one of Mr. Cessna's training flights with young Phantom Harlock they crossed the Gulf of Lune from North Mithlond to South Mithlond and later back again (distance of 23 miles each way).  Phantom stated that he wanted to explore more but Mr. Cessna told him he could do that when we was older and more expericanced.

August 29, 1909

More activity at the Harlock Estate as several Army heads came to watch a display of two sky horses from the Wright company of New Switzerland.  Mr. Wilber Wright and Mr. Skywalker took out their two seater Wright Model B over the Estate and later Mr. Skywalker showed off the Wright Flea for the Military.  The Flea seemed more agile than the Model B and the Cessna Silverwing, but the Model B and the Cessna had room to train new pilots.  Young Phantom and Skywalker tooks a flight in the Model B, and did Mr. Oyama who did not ride with Mr. Cessna due to Mr. Oyama's unability to see from the second seat.  Mr. Cessna apologied, but could not thing of a proper solution in the time they had.  Mr. Oyama suggested that the wings be made over the seated area and that maybe portholes so that one could look or down...especially for one as short as Mr. Oyama.

September 3, 1909

Incidents in the Caibbean Sea and Gulf of Texas have resulted in an increased of naval activity for the Mark.  With several torpedo boats and destroyers on their way to be scrapped, the larger cruisers and newer destroyers have been assigned the task of hunting down pirates and smugglers.  Silvertine, Belted Cruiser of the Mark has been assigned to head up the patrols.  Other ships will be shifted as needed in the coming months as the Dwarven Battleships and Brego-class Battleships are moved to Umbar for their sales in December.

Septmber 15, 1909
(The King's Birthday)

Today the King had his own day. While the people generally make a large display of the day of any kings birth, Theocro tends to sneak away from the festival and spend time away from the crowds and court. This year was no exception. The House of Meriadoc took bets on how long before someone noticed the King was missing and if the guards would find him before the day's end. The House always wins. Theocro vanished about five hours into his own party and the guards have not found him as of this report.

To celebrate the King's day, the Naval Yards at Dol Amroth laid down Narm, Battleship of the Mark, second of the Aragorn-class Battleships.

September 18, 1909

Theocro King returned in Edoras with his wife as if nothing had happened. The press thinks the king gets a certain pleasure from being able to slip out from time to time under his own guards noses. While the guards are getting better at finding him, he is still able to elude them for days at a time.  It is interesting since he was unable to even attend his own party last year due to illness.

September 22, 1909

The River Lefnui flooded its banks early yesturday after several days of rain.  Towns and villages out to Anfalas have been hit and several hundred are expected to be dead and another few thousand are displaced for the time being.  Lord Eorl of Snowbourn has set out with the First Micelhusl of Snowbourn
(10th Corps, reserve) to help in this time of need.  The rest of the 10th Corps is standing by.

September 30, 1909

Eight destroyers for the Confederate States of America have been laid down in New Beleriand.  The previous set of eight ships have been handed over to their new owners after several months of trials.

October 2, 1909

The relief effort after the flooding of the River Lefnui have ended as the survivors begin to get on with their lives.  Lord Eorl of Snowbourn has returned to Snowbourn, as have the reserve units he called forth to assist in the relief efforts.

October 8, 1909

Brytta and Elfwine, Battleships of the Mark, have been reassigned to Ammon-In-Gelydh Base from Brithombar Base while Eomer takes their place at Brithombar.  This move is to keep the balance of firepower relatively constant in the Pacific.

October 15, 1909

The four Brego-class Battleships have left New Beleriand for the last time as Rohirrim warships.  They are on their way to Umbar to be decommissioned before sale to New Switzerland in December.  They will be joining five Dwarven Battleships of the Mark that have already arrived in Umbar last month.  Araval, Dwarven Battleship of the Mark, while scheduled for sale, has been transfered to Vinyamar Base to join her two sister ships until their time comes next year.

October 31, 1909

A pirate vessel was captured today by Nia Rampage, Destroyer of the Mark.  The vessel was said to be attacking fishing boats and Confederate Yachts from time to time.  They had several hundred troy ounces of gold worth of stolen goods and jewels in their hold.  The pirate ship will be towed to Brithombar and the crew tried there for piracy.

November 18, 1909

The Swiss Heavy Cruiser Constellation was finally completed today after a delay.  Fitted with functional engines after a design chance was given to the yard master, the new cruiser should be well suited to the Swiss Navy and not break down like her original plans would have suggested.  She may not be as fast as the original plans suggested, but she is safer.

December 2, 1909

The Harlock Estate has suggested that The Oyama name will be fitted to sky horses in the future, as Tochiro Oyama has become slightly obsessed with the flying machines.  The Lady Oyama suggests that this might be a phase for him, but Lord Harlock says that he believes this has something to do with his son young Phantom Harlock.  Only time will tell if Mr. Oyama will decide to build shy horses, or just buy them.

December 15, 1909

Representatives from three countries arrived at San Francisco Bay to take delivery of their purchased Battleships and Dwarven Battleships of the Mark.  Arcadia and Shadowfax, Battleships of the Mark were present to make sure things went smoothly.  Gran Columbia, New Switzerland, and the United Nations of South America each took what they had paid for and left after some ceremonies and flag changes on the eight vessls that left port today.  Three more Dwarven Battleships will be handed over to the South Americans in June.

December 25, 1909
(Fellowship Day)

A relatively quiet Fellowship Day was held throughout Rohan and Gondorian Land.  So quiet.