Message Received Cousin Kendra!!

Plans are well underway. Soon you will be free.

Odd Things Afoot

Begin transmission.

To: Foreign Affairs Ministry, Internal Affairs Ministry
cc: MI 5 Operatives
From: Head, MI 5
Re: Concerning events of the last few days
Recommendation: High Alert. Be mindful of all that is happening around you. Please send reports directly to this office for coordination of intellegence efforts.

Events:

1. Undercover Gnome, Agent Tinlegs has been out in the field. Following is the report he filed.

Due to the damnable conditions for flying in SL today I decided to reconoiter NeuAltenberg instead. Not much to report really. A large lady gave me a beer. A lovely Baroness welcomed me to NeuAltenberg. I watched Herr Edelweiss
apparently struggling to operate a lock on a door to what could have been either a stables or a shower room. I rather think a stables since I see no reason to attach an armored locking door to a shower.
...they seem to be part way through refurbishing the guardhouse at the old city wall to be a modern barracks. Not very sensible to me as that would leave the local manner house and beergarten outside the defensive wall and open to attack. While Herr Edelweiss did caution a visitor that there were spies all about no one challenged me. Even though I was standing right there. So I was not forced to use my well thought out and cunning escape plan. respond to any challenge with "I
bist ein jelly dougnut!" then run like hell whilst they try to figure out what I said.
Hopefully there may be a useful tidbit you can pull from this report. (Perhaps instead of pumpkins we should invade and take over their beergarten for a right good piss up wherein we drink their entire supply of beer.)

2. This report was filed from BardHaven's Department of Scandal and Innuendo.

3. Seen by Head of MI 5. A group of shadowy figures skulking about the Falling Anvil in Tamrannoch. In the dark of the night - even with my steampunk night vision goggles on - it was difficult to discern the faces of these characters. What was obvious was that several of this number were female although near as I could tell they were all dressed alike. They appeared to be holding some sort of conference. What they might be planning is of concern to me particularly with all the talk of war between Caledon and Neualtenberg. I must learn more about this group: Are they citizens of Caledon? Are they friend to Caledon or foe?? What are they planning?


Further communications will follow.


End transmission.

Ready for the Fields – or Divans – of Battle

Just a quick article today to sing the praises of my good friend, Edward Pearse. It is well known that as the war efforts began, Edward rapidly began uniform development. Shortly after I learned that he had completed design and creation of several of these uniforms for the men and women of Caledon, I took the short walk from Loch Avie to his shop in Victoria City. I was pleased to find that his work was on display and was of the highest quality. I was sad to learn, however, that the Highlands uniform was not available to those of the fairer sex.

Given my heritage, I felt that I MUST have the Highlands Regiment gear, and thus I contacted him straight away.

Good man that he is, he took my commission to develop the fine uniform, which you see presented before you today. The workmanship is fantastic, and the detail – right down to the red roses on the stockings and the sterling chain of the sporran – is incredible. I am most pleased that he agreed to design this for me.


Watching from the Loch Avie keep. Ever at the ready.


Scanning the horizon for airships.


Colonel Bellambi


Given my role as head of MI 5, and my title and responsibilities as Duchess Loch Avie, I may never actually see (public and open) combat on the front lines. However, I am now prepared to be present for the troops in the field, whether in close combat beside them, or assisting with the planning whilst on the divan in the campaign tent.

Thank you Mr. Pearse.

Spies, Talk of War and Other Things

This week has moved with all haste toward the weekend. Normally this is not a bad thing, however, I confess I feel a little guilty that I have posted so little here for your review.

Much of the week has been spent in pleasantries and quiet conversations with friends here in the æther. My particular friend, Lady Kate, and I have been steadily planning the manor house, though not much building has taken place since last Sunday. She is also making great strides with brilliant furnishings and exploration gear. Some of that gear may indeed come in handy as this writer goes into the field of battle for Caledon, not only as Duchess Loch Avie, but also as a Colonel in the militia coordinating efforts as I can under the direction of our Commander-in-Chief, Mr. Shang, and our fearless RFL Captain, Lapin Paris. But more on war later....

One evening, Lady Kate and I were exploring Tanglewood. As we did so, we were so pleased to find Darkling Elytis' new shop there. What a wonder!! So organic and beautiful. I am sure that I will enjoy spending more time shopping and exploring there.


I found the most relaxing spot in Ms. Elytis' shop. It was simply too tempting to pass up.

Later the same evening, I received word from Ms. Virrginia Tombola that the hunting and riding habit I had commissioned her to create was ready for a fitting. I arrived at her shop in Tanglewood and promptly went to the airship platform. Noticing the diving board attached there, I HAD to give it a try. What great fun! I think the Loch may need one of these. *grins*
Ms. Tombola pulled my family hunting tartan out of her closet in the form of trim on the habit and wonderful sash and hat decor. I cannot describe how pleased I am with her work. I am sure she and I will continue to do business together. I shall post a picture for your review later - I fear I was so excited about the new gear, that I simply neglected to snap a few poses.

I have now moved completely out of the Moors. *sigh* I shall miss my home and first distillery there. But thankfully the Loch is not so far away that I cannot easily visit my former neighbors at will.

Mr. Jess Patton continues his fine work on the distillery at the Loch as well as the development of the build for the public house, which will be right next door. Both of these are on the waterfront and nearby the telehub. I am sure that we can expect many wonderful impromptu get togethers there as well as things like another game of RIPPER, story-telling, other games, concerts, &c.

Last night I was present as Mr. Shang was discussing the awful events of the night before, described in the following eyewitness account.
Several of us gathered at the Falling Anvil shortly after the guvnah left Tamrannoch on his recon mission throughout Caledon. The nepharious spies must be flushed out! Of course the topic of WAR was the primary point of conversation. Many of us (those who had not previously done so) immediately found the nearest Relay For Life Recruiting Station and signed up for service to our beloved Caledon.

Pictured above are Mr Janitor, a new steampunk friend; Mr O'Toole; Ms Pennyfeather; Colonel Somme; and Mr Stern.


Pictured above with me here are Mitsu Figaro, Hermoine Pennyfeather, Betty Doyle, Aldo Stern, Zenmodo Wurmser, Hotspur O'Toole, and Exrex Somme.

Until next time.....