Ranves Darn

Ranves Darn was the pseudonym assumed by the anonymous writer of the controversial set of highly liberal and revolutionary pamphlets known as the Freedom Papers which were published in the early spring of 623 K.C. Directed mostly at the poor and downtrodden peoples of the Arathi Highlands, Stormwind, and the scattered enclaves of humanity in northern Lordaeron, the papers did much to spark controversy around the ascension of the Duchess Hellissa Brisby to the claimed post of Regent of the Kingdom of Stromgarde.

The papers, scattered primarily by secret print shops under the command of Ranves Darn, were dissiminated by traveling merchants and tradesman to many peoples throughout the north and south of the Eastern Kingdoms and were subsequently used by the merchants as the foundation for radical revolutionary speech and insurgent activity. The peak of this activity was witnessed in late March when, in a grand scheme, a fleet of several flying machines managed to drop leaflets and blare audio recordings of the speech to the massive throngs of spectators who had gathered in the reclusive Lordaerian state of Blackmarsh to witness a tournament held by Queen-Claimant Madelynne I.

Shortly after the publication of the third pamphlet of the Freedom Papers, publication of the series mysteriously ended. Within a matter of weeks many of the itenerate merchant revolutinaries under the employ of Darn were captured by local authorities are forced to flee to Brisby's lands. Today many of the supporters who were disappointed with the sudden end of their revolution, have since relocated to the territories ruled by Regen Brisby.

Secret Identity
Whilst unknown to all but the smallest cabal of co-conspirators, the pamphlets were actually penned by the high ranking church official and statesman, Count Erich Gottfried Manstein. Although the papers contained a decididly pro-Brisby liberal approach, the infamously staunch advocate of consverative noble policy Count Manstein, supposadly wrote them in an effort to drive a political wedge between the Regent Brisby and Queen Madelynne I. Manstein was, at the time, the chief Church diplomat operating in the Highlands and sought to use the division to gain influence and power over the disperate factions scattered about the Arathi Highlands.

In some respects the strategy was successful, as the ties between the Queen and Regent became strained over Brisby's refusal to publically denounce the papers. Ultimately, however, Manstein's goal of gaining total political control over the Highlands would fail. Suffering from disagreements too profound and deeply rooted to be overcome, the factions of Stromgarde soon descended into Civil War as a result of the growing instability caused by a myriad of sources, the Freedom Papers included.