The Westbrooke Express: August 14th, 191 F.T

== VOHNENHEIM ADMITTED INTO THE REPUBLIC ==
Earlier today, the Archon of the Republic, Alheim Cornelius, announced with great pleasure that the town of Vohnenheim, which was recently freed from the grip of remnant forces from Sidonia, has been granted intro into The Republic of Westbrooke. According to reports from the Officer of Internal Affairs, Halrune Virynore, about 78% of the settlement opted to join the Republic, far surpassing the two-thirds majority required for admittance. The Council of the Republic celebrates the union between Vohnenheim and Westbrooke, the two oldest remaining settlements on the continent. A man by the name of Uriel Sortis has been elected by the towns populace as their Governor, with widespread support. Originating from the Kingdom of Frevon, Uriel has been a pillar of Vohnenheims community since its founding eight years ago. 
The Office of the Archon had little to say on the induction of Vohnenheim, with the Archon himself stating that "He could say little that the people of Vohnenheim have not already said".
With Vohnenheims entry into the Republic, the Chief Magister, Janus Thorne, has assured that his "Weave of Westbrooke" project will extend its hand to the settlement, as well as others nearby such as Highwater, Starcrest, and Alintera. Chief Magister Thorne assures the people of the Republic that he will not allow Vohnenheim to be isolated, and that with the Weave of Westbrooke, they will be just as close to the rest of the Republic as any other city.
== EMELIA EISELBRON ELECTED OFFICER OF LEGAL AFFAIRS ==
The Council of Westbrooke welcomes Emelia Eiselbron into their ranks, the first person to hold the title of Officer of Legal Affairs. A position of Westbrooke once delegated to the Office of Internal Affairs, administered by Halrune Virynore, but now in the capable hands of the newly minted Office of Legal Affairs. We spoke with Officier Eiselbron on what we can expect from her tenure on the Council. She had this to say:
"The people of Westbrooke can look forward to an extension of our current legal system. We shall work tirelessly, dedicated to the pursuit of justice, as The Republic always has been. We will ensure no man or woman in Westbrooke goes without this justice. That is the Office of Legal Affairs promise to you."
=== Retherdale Falls to Ruins ===
Reports from the south-east indicate the burgeoning town of Retherdale, directly east of Highwater and south of Starcrest, has been attacked, and destroyed. The town sprang up nearly overnight, amassing a population of about five hundred men, women, and children, seeking better lives. However, the towns close proximity to the Ash Wastes left it in a vulnerable state, and without any standing army, nor official support from the Republic of Westbrooke, the town quickly fell victim to a large warband of Gnoll Warriors.
While many of Retherdales people were slain in the ensuing violence, a great number of them were taken captive by the Gnolls, while others escaped into the night. Imprisoned for weeks, many were taken to the capital of the Gnolls, east of what was once their home. Languishing away, near starving and forced to fight in gladiatorial combat, the people of Retherdale were without hope. However, miraculously, a group of brave warriors, including members of the Westbrooke Armed Forces, and the Westbrooke Adventurers Guild, enacted a daring rescue mission. They stormed the city, freeing the captives and slaying the Gnoll Warlord, once called "The Ashen King". They then teleported into Westbrooke, their mission completed with minimal casualties, much to the surprise and amazement of onlookers.
The Office of the Archon congratulates these brave servants of Westbrooke, and assures that the rescued peoples of Retherdale will be welcomed into the Republic with open arms, not as refugees, but as brothers, and sisters. Word has come through that they shall be given grants of land to the east of the capital, along the Bronze Spear River.