Editor in Chief & Principal Reporter: Bric Vignette
EXTRA! EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE COURIER! LINKINGRAD SHOWCASE SPECIAL!
We're delighted to bring you the announcement that the Sovereign Municipality of Linkingrad is formally joining the global Brikverse community! The Courier is very excited to have gained exclusive rights to bring you, in this very article, the detailed profiles of our leaders AND an overview of our armed forces! This is your one-stop shop for all things Linkingrad, so read on to find out what you need to know before planning any diplomatic missions or not-so-diplomatic wars with our beloved homeland!
What is Linkingrad?
The Sovereign Municipality of Linkingrad, sometimes colloquially referred to as a village-state, or simply Linkingrad, is a settlement which has recently emerged out of the darkness of The Great Disassembly. We have a wonderfully diverse population, amassed throughout a rich history which spans close to thirty Rekonstruktions, although this is the first time that our society has been properly formalised under one name. It is also the first time that our past is being properly studied and recorded by our historians. Now, united under the leadership of four mythical warriors from ancient times who have witnessed all of history and come together to guide us, we look to the stars and beyond!
The Four
The "Venerables", the "Ancients", the "Mythics", the "Old Farts" - they go by many names, but everyone knows who they are. These are the sages that brought Linkingrad out of the darkness at the Square Table, and will lead it to glory, prosperity and immortality.
The Four, clockwise from top left: Samgren, The Shogun, Centauris, Fenrir Goldbricksson
Samgren
Do not be fooled by Samgren's boyish looks - above the enigmatic half-smile and youthful freckles you'll find the calm gaze of a man whose has spirit has been weathered and polished by the tides of war and peace for perhaps more than two dozen Rekonstruktions. As the designated master of laws and administration, these days you'll see him armed with a quill and briefcase more often than a sword and shield. Samgren is almost universally respected and trusted by the people of Linkingrad. For the purposes of this photograph, and exclusively for the Courier, he kindly agreed to hold aloft the municipality's most sacred artifact: the silver greatsword known as The Mirror's Edge, an eternal symbol of strength, which is rumoured to be an unbeatable blade.
Shogun Urusai Furui
The Shogun may be of the oldest Linkingradians by chronology, but his soul is young and care-free, owing to his strict adherence to the philosophy of Par-Tee and mastery of the ancient art of Karao Ke!
You'll often hear the tell-tale sounds of pop tracks blasting out of his helmet-mounted boombox announcing his imminent arrival in the vicinity. He is the Linkingrad master of arts and culture.
Centauris
Centauris is in charge of developing and maintaining Linkingrad technologies. Legend has it that he used to be a space butler to a Zotaxian captain and was abandoned by his fleet after being sent on a "scouting mission", when the Zotaxians discovered he couldn't make a decent cup of tea for love nor money. Through the eons, he has continued to gather data on the workings of the universe and has been swept up in the many conflicts of pre-Linkingrad societies. Now, his wealth of experience, combined with superhuman memory, calculation and engineering capabilities, make this technodroid a formidable force on the battlefield and in the strategy room. However, he still struggles with the more nebulous bioform concepts like sarcasm, humour, fashion - and for the love of Brikthulhu, if he says he's going to put the kettle on, run for the hills!
Fenrir Goldbricksson
Impulsive, violent, and headstrong, Goldbricksson was the chieftain of a Viking horde which once controlled our realm. He is a master of war and drink, and few enemies have ever survived an encounter with his weapon of choice, Sixaxe.
Armed Forces
The formal state forces are referred to as the Verts. The Verts are organised into "Stands" with each Stand led by a Vertmaster and fulfilling a distinct role in armed conflict. As the army of Linkingrad is still in early stages of development, there are currently only two active Stands, both of modest size.
First Stand: Linkingrad Guard ("The Rods")
The Guard functions more as a deterrent to keep public order within Linkingrad than as a military force. They are unarmoured and simply armed, wielding steel staves (the "rods" which give rise to their nickname among the general populace). Led by Vertmaster Nebby, a proud model citizen chosen for his enthusiasm and the fact that nobody else volunteered, the Guard patrol the streets, nipping trouble in the bud and giving regular townsfolk peace of mind.
Second Stand: Ray-Gunners ("The Zappers")
The Ray-Gunners are the pride of Linkingrad. These are the foot-soldiers expected to perform on the front lines in any armed conflict, outfitted suitably with oxygen tanks for interstellar combat should the need arise, and armed with Mk I Wind-Up Ray-Guns designed and produced by Centauris. Look at those gold visors gleam! Their Vertmaster is the dashing dandy Keratin Capillus, whose beard is as sharp as his rapier, and who feels as much at home strategising on the battlefield as he is planning out his skin and hair routine.
Vertmaster Keratin Capillus
"He doesn't need his own oxygen if he's gonna leave everyone else breathless" - bolicob
------------------
And there you have it! No going back now! Linkingrad is rising, and the Brickverse better take note - we're on the way to galactic glory!*
*Just as soon as we figure out how to build a spaceship
