The Griffon Falls, the Son Rises
January 5, 1012

President-Marshal Alexander Kemerskai, hero of the Revolution and architect of the new Republican Order, succumbed last night to the Skynoxian plague. Despite the tireless efforts of the Republic’s best doctorgriffs, the illness that he once dismissed as a passing northern fever proved more resilient than anticipated. He collapsed in the late hours, was rushed to Cloudbury General, and, surrounded by his staff and son, gave what are reported to be final words of encouragement to Alexander Jr. before passing from this world.

Republicangriffs awoke to a capital draped in silence. Flags flew at half-mast. The radio played only solemn music. And by noon, the Republic had a new President-Marshal.

In a brief ceremony, officials named Alexander Kemerskai Jr. the new President-Marshal of the Republic. Now he must make a decision. The late Kemersai Sr. had made promises to restore democracy eventually, but only after the threats to republicanism were over, after the Republic had defeated the Griffonian Empire. That has not yet happened, and some republicangriffs have said that for security reasons President-Marshal Kermeskai Jr. should retain the absolute powers his father obtained. A strong leader can make a difference for the future of the Republic.

Others have said that Kermeskai Jr. is not a strong leader, not the military commander like his father, and only has had limited time to ready himself for rule of the Republic. Republican ideals also would suggest that power should return to the civiliangriffs, not form a second dynastic reign.

The Republic stands at another crossroads. Whether Alexander Jr. will rise to meet the legacy of his father, or be devoured by it, remains to be seen.