There are reports coming from the Bolitic Confederacy that Melson, after his surprise late entry into the war of succession, has either killed or captured his main rivals and has made a claim for the Emperorship. Six Barons have already "removed their helmets in his presence", the traditional sign they support his claim (though as this is the modern world of course 5 of the Barons did it via e-mail). It is likely, according to Bolitic commentators, that Melson will receive no serious rivals to his claim as most of the potential rivals are now dead.
To make sure Melson has begun a series of reprisals with several hundred potential men from rival houses rounded up and executed but it is thought his succession will be a lot less bloody than they usually are.
Melson has made a speech to the Bolitic where he said the "slide into irrelevance" would cease and the Bolitic would immediately begin to rebuild to make their enemies tremble once again. He ordered the shipyards to have 10 new Snarls ready by the end of the year, saying they would be rewarded if they succeeded. He did not say what would happen if they failed though it is thought to be rather unpleasant.
