An article in the Sharn Inquisitive, dated 1st Olarune, 998 YK.
VULYAR—Government officials in Karrnath, including Countess Xeria ir'Boratau, have called on the elves of Valenar to cease construction of a fortress situated southeast of Vulyar immediately. Speaking during a general court audience last week, the countess said she was planning to petition Korth for an immediate military response to the fortress, calling it "a provocation that Karrnath cannot ignore."
"There are no elven communities within a two-day ride of the fort they're building, so there is no way they can continue to bring out the tired claim that it's self defense, as they always do," she pointed out. "This fort, if completed, could only be a dagger aimed directly at the heart of eastern Karrnath."
Vulyar's militia is reportedly moving to a war footing at ir'Boratau's direction. The countess, with the support of many of Vulyar's nobles, revealed in a further statement that they are considering a supplemental levy to fund a mercenary cadre. "We can muster quite a bit of support locally right now, and I expect that all of Karrnath will be behind us once word gets around," she said. "The Valenar have made a grave error, and the sooner they realise it, the better."
War Leader Shulach Miritarn in Taer Valaestas said in response that ir'Borutau was engaged in what he called "provincial saber-rattling." "The Valaes Tairn have no designs on Karrnath," he said. "However, we will defend our heritage to the death. I hope this Karrnathi countess never has to learn the lesson inherent in those words."
The Valenar war leader further clarified that the fortress in question isn't being built so much as restored. "These forts, what we call taers, were guarding these lands long before humans were even aware that Khorvaire existed, nevermind conceived of Karrnath. The Karrnathi are the interlopers in this instance, not the Vaelaes Tairn," he asserted.
"The peoples of eastern Karrnath and the Talenta Plains can go about their business, peacefully, with no interference from the Valaes Tairn," continued Miritarn. "But if Karrnath threatens the reconstruction of this taer, we'll paint the plains red with their blood."