Yorban Times

It is once again time for the bi-annual Landsraad Plenary to review recent events and to set public policy for ongoing initiatives. House Eleusis, as speaker of the Landsraad, has called the event to order and set the iteniary for an ambitious, and hopefully productive, session. Unfortunately though, the rest of the Landsraad does not yet appear to be up to the challenge issued.

Already there has been serious confusion as some scheduled speakers have failed to appear. What the final outcome this will have on the proposed slate of work has yet to be seen.

Once again the Empire faces a shortage of important goods. On top of the recently noted shortage of slave labor due to the fall of Geidi Prime, we must now contend with an even more serious lack of munitions making it to market. While some might see this as a good thing, i.e. a lack of ability for the various houses to engage in wastefull wars, most of the greater and lesser Houses are quite alarmed by this turn of events.

In a sudden reversal to their recent fortunes, Duke Alman and his kin have recently enjoyed a nigh unto unprcedented improvement to their status. Readers might recall that it has been the Almans who have for ages been preaching solidarity among the ranks of the minor houses with only limited success. Within a period of less then a month though they have left those ranks behind and find themselves on the cusp of greatness.

In a stunning announcment from the Guild directors, the nobility and great schools of the Empire learned of significant increases in the prices for the coming years shipping fees. Accross the board rate increases have been put into effect which raises the prices that everyone wishing to do business in the Empire must bear. In some cases these increases can amount to more then a 300% hike that leaves many of the smaller houses wondering how they will manage to keep doing business.

After several months of insurrection on Eridanos, the man regarded by many as having pushed the fief to the brink of civil war has been found dead. Count Markov Alexin has died of an apparent accident within his family residence. This leaves his young son, na-Count Klaus Alexin to apparently inherit a world in turmoil.

The upcoming wedding between our beloved Princess Irulan Corrino and Ilario Poritrini, the na-Doge of House Poritrin, recalls to mind similar plans from a few years ago. At that time, it was another Poritrin noble who was due to be wed to the Princess Josefa. This was announced in September of 10,184 to much fanfare and celebration. Who could have known at the time though the horror which awaited the Empire in the coming months?

In a move that was as surprising as it was sudden, it was announced today that the Emperor had decided to award the newly christened Baronetchy of Gangishree to House Ecaz. This after the Ecazi had boldly requested said fief in a petition to His Majesty. Many thought that such a brazen request from a family so recently returned from disgrace would be doomed to fail.

Shogun Li-Han Ziyaira, after recent set backs in his family's fortunes, has decided to step down in favor of his son Shen Ziyaira. This after the family ceded control of the governorship of Arrakis and had gone into a brief period of isolation from galactic affairs. It is not known why exactly the old Shogun chose to lead his family down this road, especially considering the close ties he enjoyed with the Imperial House. What is known though is that he is the one responsible for bringing his house out of the shadow of fundamentalism and into a Golden Era of respect.