|
|
Post by Fleischmann on Jul 9, 2022 0:37:27 GMT
Location: Somewhere Deep within the Bowels of the EarthTime: Between the the Dawn of the Universe and Its Heat Death
The Tholes had become belligerent. They had stopped upholding agreements and had started posturing ever since the Raikh had assented to them taking that most decrepit colony of Heel. Sa Dräkh af þis Raikh faur so Hebiðdräkhskapiz af þis Garda, Hairas Wiljheelmo Wuslah af hize Mariskstalkjen en Goþijin, had been assigned to the problem of dealing with the wayward allies. Looking at the map, he saw the biggest problem of all. The border lands were ill-defined. The mountains themselves were the main culprit there, as they made it harder to establish clear definitions and lines. This had allowed the Tholes to feel entitled to encroachment and safe from reprisal for their inhospitable nature when it came to those that sought to enforce the law. Harbouring criminals and slaves was quite the insult. Before he could hope to begin to address the Tholes though, he needed a stronger grasp on the borderlands. He identified areas which were problematic, as there were several districts that fell on the other side of the mountains. While most of them were parts of the southern march, a few were not. Even if only informally, he needed to see the march expanded to include them. He also saw that the border was relatively undefended in that area. Only one regiment was responsible for its protection, in comparison to the five that defended Meinitzmark. As he looked over more and more documents, issues kept popping out to him. Reports were frequent from the forces there, but they indicated a disturbing trend of unilateral enforcement of the border. He could hardly find any reports where the Tholes had stopped smugglers or other ne'er-do-wells from crossing from their side to the Raikh or the other way around, where as the reports indicated that they had even skirmished with the Raikh over slaves once. After writing more notes and recommendations for Hebiðdräkh Drake, Wuslah sat back and thought a moment. The border patrols were costing on average at least thirty-three Þaler a month to carry out. The fuel usage was the biggest culprit. Looking at it from a purely economic standpoint, it made little sense to continue the enforcement of the border beyond guarding against military movements. He could have them cut down on costs by issuing orders to shoot anyone found violating the border, as it would drastically reduce transportation costs, but there was something else niggling at his mind. He leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling going over the variables... The Tholes were comfortable allowing slaves and other untouchables cross the border only because they had not been bitten by it yet. Their lax policies would likely end should they start getting hit by much worse 'visitors'. It hit him all at once. 'The Raikhsharjis is made of drug runners!' He did not need to sue the Tholes, he did not need to pressure them directly, all he needed to do was give them a taste of what the border would be like if the Tholes persisted in their depravity. Border raids, drug traffickers, and others would follow if the Raikh stopped protecting them. With this new idea firmly in his head, he went about seeking the permissions he needed to start this.
To: Sa Frauja-Haarskalks af þis Meinitzmarkharjis, GrendelFrom: Sa Dräkh af þis Raikh faur so Hebiðdräkhskapiz af þis Garda, WuslahMy Lord, I hope your men are still criminals. I have been tasked with resolving the Tholish Problem and I feel that a rather specific strategem is required for it. While I would prefer to avoid unnecessary suffering, I require your men to help provide the Raikh with drugs, slavers, and other such unsavoury characters. Specifically, I require them to go to þai Fraujinassusen and start raiding south from there. I am already in contact with Frauja-Haarskalks Steiner and have received his permission for this. For his part, he has agreed to cease full enforcement of the border and is now to only do partial enforcement, so your agents should be unharassed by his men. It should be stated, that should they come under attack without the Raikh, they are not going to be rescue nor supported and that the forces of the Saudeinsmark are only to stop military incursions into our lands. Finally, I would ask that you second two regiments to the Saudeinsmark for the duration of this. I am also to ask the Hebiðdräkh af Kreg for men, but I thought it best to ask you directly for some as I do not wish for this to be forced upon you unexpectedly. Yours, Hairas Wiljheelmo Wuslah af hize Mariskstalkjen en Goþijin
To: The Grand-Chairman of DunwikFrom: Sa Frauja-Haarskalks af þis Meinitzmarkharjis, GrendelWe need more drugs. Tholes have the government head-up, the government wants us to do stuff to the Tholes. Smugglers, gunmen, slavers, so on. We need them. We are willing to pay them five Schillinge a month, plus expenses, but on the condition that we get a sixth of their profits from doing business. Make sure they know to dress like slaves too, since the Tholes are partial to them. Yours, Grendel
The expanded southern border. 
|
|
|
|
Post by Dunwik on Jul 9, 2022 1:14:59 GMT
The Grand Chairman was not an easily shaken, surprised, or confused man, but staring at the missive in his hands, he wondered if the whole world had gone mad. Then, he remembered a vital fact. He was in Dunwik, the seat of all madness in Victrix. Once he had verified the missive was legitimate, it was a matter of calling one man.
Normally, he would delegate such interior manners to Minister Haig, but it was time for him to meet face-to-face with one of the most feared men in Dunwik, and even the Minister of the Interior was too lowly a man to address the likes of Oscar Bayer, the Magnate of Sin.
---
Bayer looked at the contract. He looked at the Grand Chairman. He looked at the drink in his hand, and slowly took a sip, looking at the men next to him. The Minister of the Interior had for once taken his head out of his papers, and was looking at Bayer with something approaching respect. The Minister of Science's seat was empty but covered in bright red feathers, and the Grand Chairman's face was as it always was - famously unreadable.
"Mister Bayer," Chairman Nelson opened, "we have... business to discuss."
"Ah. Business," Bayer said back, "you want how many whores?"
The Grand Chairman did not laugh. "The Sadaler have want of our services, or shall we say, your services. The writ was for 'smugglers, gunmen, slavers, and so on.' You, Mister Bayer, stand to gain... tremendously. Your men shall be paid for whatever expenses they accrue out of the Sadaler purse, but in exchange must surrender one sixth the profit to the Sadaler. Thankfully, there is a workaround, and we can bleed them all white. Merely... increase expense, as it were. Think as the socialist does. Your men shall be well equipped. Anything they must purchase will come from here, the finest quality. You will not pay a dime. Your business shall receive all the tools it needs to stay competitive in the market, and shall not pay a dime."
"And if this goes up?"
"Very few outside Dunwik know of... your services. Especially not by name. They will assume - as is their custom - that this is an unorganized rabble. Take your nearly dried out prostitutes, the diseased ones, and send them to every red-light district. Give them knives. Establish a monopoly of whores. Purchase every gadget you need, it is all at Sadaler expense. You will gain... incalculable sums. The socialists and the monarchists will lose... incalculable sums. The only word you need to say, is 'yes, Grand Chairman.'"
Bayer blinked, then grinned, "as you wish, Mick."
----
To: Grendel
From: Sin
As it is said in my hometown: a real mick knows where to step.
----
[Debauchery and skullduggery description a WIP]
|
|
|
|
Post by Wilhelm Cransnikov on Jul 10, 2022 16:57:58 GMT
Word of the horrid raiding across the border from the Raikh has swept across the Tholish realm like a wildfire. While exact details are sparse, tales of desecrated temples, murdered soldiers, and pillaged villages abound. Spurred on by newspapers, social clubs, and street preachers the people are up in arms both holding demonstrations against the vile Raikh and readying their militias and men for war.
His majesty, beset by the court, re-enlisting retired officers, and petitions for justice, has decided to send one message to the Raikhish king to get to the heart of this matter.
To: Haimfaths Haukuno of the Raikh
From: Wilhelm Cransnikov High-King of all the Southern Germans
Haimfaths,
Word has reached me that you have allowed and even hired Dunwikki raiders to enter my lands and harm my subjects.
While I cannot confirm if this is the truth I do know that Dunwikki men have somehow been allowed, armed, into your lands and were permitted to freely despoil my people and your men fired upon my soldiers who were seeking to free captured Tholes.
I will not mince words, if you do not capture every Dunwikki raider within your lands, free all captured Tholes, And handover the men responsible for attacking my men there will be consequences of the most dire sort.
Justly,
Wilhelm Cransnikov
|
|
|
|
Post by Fleischmann on Jul 11, 2022 1:56:09 GMT
To: Wilhelm Cransnikov, King of Þoles, Picts, and Franks
From: Sa Hauhkuno af þis Raikh af hize Dalin, Haimfaðs þata Mattman Robertsunus af hize Dalin en Goþijin
Wilhelm,
We are having a full accounting and record of all financial transactions prepared for shipment as we write this by the Hebiðdräkhskapiz af Taljing.
You accuse us of such things, when your people openly invite criminals into your lands and refuse to extradite them or allow us to retrieve them. We can no more hunt these possibly criminal Dunwikki than you can raise the sun, so long as you do not enforce the border in its entirety and proper manner. We do not know whence they came nor how some might have ended up in your lands, as we have seen your policy of harbouring outlaws and decided to not interfere in your pastime. One good turn deserves another though, so should we see your people acting once more in good faith, we shall in turn reciprocate.
We are also quite willing to help hunt down such outlaws in your country, but we must insist that you hand over all those involved in the first invasion of our lands some six years ago and all those involved in the most recent one. The fortress of Khrobaurgs was attacked by your men without warning, though it was able to withstand such unparalleled aggression. Should this have been an honest mistake, we shall simply charge them with criminal trespass and the officers with incompetence and leave it at that, though we would recommend providing them with maps in future.
We await your reply,
Yours,
Sa Hauhkuno af þis Raikh af hize Dalin, Haimfaðs þata Mattman Robertsunus af hize Dalin en Goþijin
|
|
|
|
Post by Wilhelm Cransnikov on Jul 11, 2022 2:08:35 GMT
To: Haimfaths Haukuno of the Raikh
From: Wilhelm Cransnikov High-King of all the Southern Germans
Haimfaths,
You are worth less than the sum of your parts.
When I have requested action, you send meaningless paper. When we have acted justly, you have hidden behind lies and deceit. When my people suffer, you smile at a job well done. I will not debase anymore myself by requesting good will and honesty from a snake. You knew full well the weight of actions before your vile raid and before sending me dogshit and yet you decided to follow your misguided course regardless. Consider this a formal declaration of war.
By the will of God,
Wilhelm Cransnikov
|
|
|
|
Post by Dunwik on Jul 11, 2022 16:11:22 GMT
A message would arrive to all relevant authorities on the Tholish side of the border, reading simply as follows:
To Whom It May Concern
The bandits you face are no mere lackeys, nor are they opportunists. These are professionals who will evade and destroy any and all sent to catch them. Only a force with the proper experience in this field could hope to contain or corral them. Who better to fight a Dunwikki - than a Dunwikki? I know all their tricks. Where they hide, how they hide, how they are armed, and whom arms them.
For an appropriate fee, I will remove their presence from your lands.
Act fast. The longer you take, the more familiar they will grow with the terrain, the more criminal networks they will set up, the more arms they will seize, and the higher the price of removing them grows.
To your good health and clarity
-Sin.
|
|
|
|
Post by xander10 on Jul 11, 2022 16:14:38 GMT
Jon Harvey was on holiday in Hull when he got news of the outbreak of war in both local news and over the phone from the Alliance Court. He had been chosen once again to broker peace between the powers of Ostrea. Typical, he thought, that he would have his holiday ruined by the hot heads of Ostrea.
To: Wilhelm Cransnikov, King of West Thosel-Cransconia
From: Jon Harvey, Mayor of Tvickerland
Your Highness,
It has come to my attention that your people and the Sadaler are at war once more.
As I am required to by the Treaty of the Hanseatic league of the ringsea, I am offering to hold a conference between yourself and Haimfaths once again in my office when I have finished my holiday here in Hull, which I expect has been cut short. I hope you consider this offer seriously as I do wish to be able to complete the rest of my holiday, I had planned to visit all of the members of the Hansa and having two members at war would certainly not assist my ability to vist one when I have already gone to the other.
I hope that you will make the right choices here,
Yours,
Jon Harvey
And then he sent a second letter to the Hauhkuno
To: Haimfaths Robertsunus, Hauhkuno and Husband of Dyson Yerkes.
From: Jon Harvey, Mayor of Tvickerland
Dear Yerkes's Husband,
It has come to my attention that you are at war with the Tholes.
As I am required to by the Treaty of the Hanseatic league of the ringsea, I am offering to hold a conference between yourself and Wilhelm once again in my office when I have finished my holiday in Hull, which I expect has been cut short. I hope you consider this offer seriously as I do wish to be able to complete the rest of my holiday, I had planned to visit all of the members of the Hansa and having two members at war would certainly not assist my ability to vist one when I have already gone to the other.
I have also been asked by Dyson for you to visit him sometime, he misses you.
Yours,
Jon Harvey
|
|
|
|
Post by Wilhelm Cransnikov on Jul 11, 2022 16:27:56 GMT
To: Jon Harvey, Mayor of Tvickerland
From: Wilhelm Cransnikov, King of West Thosel-Cransconia
Honorable mayor,
I am bound by obligation to attend this meeting.
I will be candid and say there is little chance at this point to steer this situation away from its inevitable conclusion, however I shall listen to what you have to say and judge it carefully.
Sincerly,
Wilhelm Cransnikov
|
|
|
|
Post by Fleischmann on Jul 11, 2022 16:34:11 GMT
To: Jon Harvey, Mayor of Tvickerland
From: Sa Hauhkuno af þis Raikh af hize Dalin, Haimfaðs þata Mattman Robertsunus af hize Dalin en Goþijin
Honourable Mayor,
We are glad to see such duty in these dark times.
We are of course going to attend and show that we have taken every reasonable action to avoid conflict and to bring about a more excellent peace.
Please tell our husband that we plan a holiday once this latest incident is over.
Yours,
Sa Hauhkuno af þis Raikh af hize Dalin, Haimfaðs þata Mattman Robertsunus af hize Dalin en Goþijin
|
|
|
|
Post by Fleischmann on Jul 11, 2022 16:53:35 GMT
The First Battle of Khrobaurgs
Sadaler forces: 250, 5 guns
Tholish forces: 2.250, 12 guns
Sadaler losses: 1 (2 buried) field guns, twenty-five men
Tholish losses: 10 artillery pieces, six-hundred men
The Tholes were spotted on approach and were subjected to an early bombardment, resulting in some six-hundred deaths. The Tholes continued to advance and used their guns to open fire, no effect. More exchanges were had between the artillery pieces of both sides, resulting in only one Sadaler gun being destroyed and six Tholish guns being destroyed, though the Raikh was forced to abandon two due to them being in untenable situations. The Tholes managed to hit a few lucky shots on the fortifications and caused the superstructure to partially collapse, leading to twenty deaths. The defenders retreated into the interior corridors and held them while the Tholes tried to use chlorine gas to force them to surrender. The Tholes were forced to retreat after being reducing to only two guns by the Raikh's artillery, resulting in the Tholes purposefully causing an avalanche to bury the fort. Five more men died due to being trapped at their gun posts without supplies.
Pyrrhic Victory for the Raikh
Khrobaurgs in need of repairs and expansions, pass blocked.
|
|
|
|
Post by Wilhelm Cransnikov on Jul 13, 2022 0:20:34 GMT
Transcript of the Hansa meeting over the Tholish-Sadaler border conflict Jon Harvey - Alright gentlemen, so this is the second time we have been in this room together, and on roughly the same topic, from what I have heard the current border disagreements are due to each side not enforcing it to the standards expected by the other indeed?
Wilhelm Cransnikov - Not enforcing to standards expected is one way to put it. On the same day multiple bands of dunwikki crossed the border and raided the tholish countryside. The sadaler soldiers were under orders to not fight them and the dunwikki in question claim -unanimously without contact between them- to have been hired on behalf of the sadaler. Haimfaths - No such orders were given. They were ordered to only stop military incursions, as the Tholes had taken to allowing criminals to pass into their lands and not upholding the treaty regarding the application of law and its enforcement. Wilhelm Cransnikov - You do not deny that these men were hired on your behalf? Haimfaths - We do deny it. No such authorisation was given, nor have we paid for any such thing, as the records show Wilhelm Cransnikov - yes the records you have sent me -that being all your public financial records in existence- do not claim that you hired them. How did these men arrive armed into your nation and escape unhindered? You have a stringent hold on internal and external travel do you not? Hundreds of armed dunwikki men and tens of soldiers and civilians just slipped by? Jon Harvey - alright then, It appears that there is a simple solution on both sides, a strict border enforcement with people only allowed through at certain border checkpoints, and whomever has hired these dunwikki are stopped by a joint force. Is this an agreeable solution to either of you? Wilhelm Cransnikov - No, we are owed a debt of blood. Haimfaths - We do not deprive people of their weapons and weapons are legally obtainable on the open market. To add to this, we imagine the same way those slaves you assist crossed. We would agree to the proposal. Jon Harvey - alright then, seeing as I expect this will not go well no matter what I say without offering a few thousand sadaler slaves as tribute to King Wilhelm, My secondary offer to both of you is 2 glasses of whiskey. Haimfaths - We would accept the whiskey, though we would prefer a tightened border. [Jon harvey begins to pour some whiskey into 3 glasses, and hands one each to himself, Haimfaths and Wilhelm]
[Wilhelm coldly looks to the glass before shaking his head]
Wilhelm Cransnikov - I will not partake in such frivolities until I see my subjects freed. I refuse your offer of tribute for all the slaves of the raikh could not buy the hair of one of my innocent subjects.
Jon Harvey - So, a tightening of the borders for Haimfaths, and the freeing of every single tholish subject in Sadaler custody, is this an agreeable compromise or are we to call this meeting a failure?
Haimfaths - And what of the men yours have repeatedly murdered and my subjects which you harbour? Should Tholish subjects be found in residence here, we shall gladly return them, but we require reciprocity.
Wilhelm Cransnikov - They too are my subjects; I have granted them my hospitality and protection. I will not abandon them to your cruel chains. You have no room to speak of murdered men, the blood of my men stains the mountains just the same as yours
Jon Harvey - If a sadaler crossing the border becomes a thole, then what makes a thole crossing the border not become a Sadaler subject King Wilhelm? If the Sadaler were to provide an equal level of hospitality and protection to anyone coming in that direction, then what would be the difference?
Wilhelm Cransnikov - There would not be, do you compare offering fleeing slaves salvation with kidnapping tholes and dragging them across the border to be slaves?
Haimfaths - From a legal perspective, they are subjects upon enslavement by one of the Raikh.
Wilhelm Cransnikov - You are a waste of seed.
Haimfaths - Should they have been enslaved by the Dunwikki, then you should contact that government and seek them out.
Jon Harvey - I merely attempt to find a solution, if the Sadaler were to end their law of allowing slavery and make those who had crossed the border free to live in either Sadalen or WTC, that could be a possible solution
Wilhelm Cransnikov - It would more expedient if you simply called your associates for them back.
Haimfaths - Ending slavery is not an option, as it is a constitutionally protected right. That said, the Tholes are not allowed to live within the Raikh proper as is, so the latter problem does not exist.
Jon Harvey - well then, I believe we have exhausted almost all options, perhaps a duel under Sheenish legal law could be a solution?
Haimfaths - If that is the only course left.
Wilhelm Cransnikov - So be it.
[Jon Harvey reaches for his set of dueling pistols and loads into each a single round, and follows up to explain that Sheenish duelling laws only permit for each side to shoot eachother at the knee or below, but otherwise is the same as any other pistol duel]
Wilhelm Cransnikov - I would prefer a more traditional form of duel.
Jon Harvey - It is the only form legal in the Association, and I'd rather not have to explain to either of your peoples why their king was found dead on my property
Haimfaths - We find it disturbing that you find yourself the equal to one without a left leg, but that might be expected given the current situation and history of honorable conduct.
Wilhelm Cransnikov - I agree you are far below me.
[Harvey begins pouring his second whiskey, this time without ice]
Wilhelm Cransnikov - I will permit you a champion.
Haimfaths - No.
Jon Harvey - look gentlemen, I've already loaded the guns, if you want to duel, do so now please.
Wilhelm Cransnikov - A man must fight his own battles, if this is what you wish, though I must reiterate that sheenish dueling is unfair for I've twice the target as my foe.
Jon Harvey - I must also remind you that if you aim too high and mortally wound your opponent, you have just broken local law, so please do keep to one another's knees. I shall permit for Wilhelm to also aim for the groin as a replacement for Haimfath's other knee.
Haimfaths - How about the elbow?
Jon Harvey - I believe that would be a fair option too.
Wilhelm Cransnikov - I would be aiming for two parts separated by great distance and would not be allowed to shoot between them.
Haimfaths - Our member is not that great in length and girth.
Jon Harvey - Fair point. As a final option, his whole leg is open to you as a knee
Wilhelm Cransnikov - And what are the terms of loss and victory?
Haimfaths - When we win, the border is enforced properly and the Tholes return all that was ours and stop with their games regarding nationality and ownership. Also, any Dunwikki with suspicious cargo will be deprived of the cargo and it will be handed over to the Tholes.
Wilhelm Cransnikov - I cannot wager my subjects like chattel.
Haimfaths - If it must be so, we can allow a grandfather clause with enforcement taking place going forward from the start of the next month.
Wilhelm Cransnikov - In victory I demand that all Tholishmen are to be returned, the raikh must recover all lost tholes from the dunwikki at their own expense, and that men who cross the border into WTC and are accepted are recognized as no longer beholden to the raikh.
Haimfaths - Fine.
[Wilhelm shot Haimfaths in the knee and won the duel] |
|
|
|
Post by Fleischmann on Jul 17, 2022 19:41:57 GMT
The Battle of the Xander
First Battle
Losses
Raikh: 24.750 from 82.000.
Tholes: 22,2k. from 80k.
Strategic victory for the Raikh, pyrrhic tactical victory.
The Battle of Hadd's Pass
First Battle, Årsbaurgs
Losses
Raikh: 22.500 from 22.500
Tholes: 40.651 from 60.000
Strategic victory for the Tholes, costly to pyrrhic tactical victory.
|
|
|
|
Post by xander10 on Jul 17, 2022 23:13:33 GMT
To: The Fellowship of the Ringsea
From: The Alliance Court of the Association
Dearest Friends,
It is with great regrets that due to the current circumstances, the Alliance Court is in full agreement that the Association must withdraw from the defensive pact, effective immediately. We regret this has to happen as we have done everything in our power to prevent our need to withdraw, but the public and the guilds has lost faith in the integrity of the defensive pact and as such we shall act with an independent foreign policy from now on.
Kind Regards,
The Alliance Court.
|
|
|
|
Post by Wilhelm Cransnikov on Jul 22, 2022 18:04:30 GMT
Royal Notice
All unauthorized ships are barred from passing the below line.
You have been warned |
|
|
|
Post by Fleischmann on Jul 22, 2022 18:07:50 GMT
The Second Battle of the Training Camp
Tholes:
Dead: 4.710
Surviving: 15.290
Raikh:
Dead: 4.851
Captured: 393
Escaped: 255
Insane: 1
|
|
|
|
Post by Fleischmann on Jul 22, 2022 22:38:33 GMT
Location: Somewhere within the Hebiðdräkhskapiz af Kreg'Excuse me, sir.' 'Yes, what is it?' 'The ships, sir. The ones in Sheen, they are finished.' 'I'm sorry?' 'We ordered them six years ago, sir. We've just received word that they finished production and are awaiting pick-up.' Hans Gruber began leafing through authorisations and orders, had he really ordered a fleet? How many ships were in the order and why were they being built in Sheen? He kept looking for the document until one of his assistants came over with the file in question. 'Let's see what we have here, I took out a loan for... I am sorry, but I think my eyes are acting up. Could you read this for me?' 'Certainly, sir. It says...' 'Yes, what does it say?' The assistant cleared his throat and steadied himself. 'Two-million three-hundred and fifty-four thousand nine-hundred and seventy Trade Guilders.' The fly's breathing could be heard for a moment as the men in the room went quiet. 'Ah... How many ships did we order?' 'Fourteen (14) battleships, three (3) battlecruisers, twenty (20) heavy cruisers, forty (40) light cruisers, and a hundred (100) destroyers of our own designs, as well as two (2) new Great Tit-class ocean-liners by the names of the Common Shag and the Hoary Puffleg.' Be it from the last two items or the absurdity of the whole thing, Hebiðdräkh Gruber broke down into laughter and then into tears. The sight of the man greatly disturbed those around him and after a while, they left him in his office to sob alone. After a day, he went to the Hauhkuno and formally tendered his resignation, citing his detiorating mental faculties and inability to effectively manage the war.
DESPERATE, INDIGENT, OR SIMPLY SEEKING FAME AND FORTUNE? THE HAUHKUNOLEIKSFLUTT IS RECRUITING NOW, JOIN THE CAUSE, BE THE HERO SHE WANTS YOU TO BE, AND MEET EXOTIC WOMEN IN TROPICAL LANDS! 
Posters of the late Daigijon Selblom in various types of military apparel began appearing throughout the Associated Cities of Sheen. Beneath such posters, next to them, or on them, they were accompanied by payscales and bonuses for those that signed on. 2.000 Schillinge was promised to any qualified seaman with applicable skills that joined up, as well as the usual shares in prizes, pensions, medical plans, and more. At the actual sign-on events, bands were hired and attractive women were dressed up in naval uniforms to encourage men to join up.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dunwik on Jul 22, 2022 23:35:37 GMT
News of the death of The Magnate of Sin quickly made its way to the Dunwikki thugs still slinking away from armies in the valleys, melting into the cities, dispersing effectively. By this time, they had started to integrate with the local criminal underworld, their rough and crude language little impediment to their violent, practiced, and lethally effective skills in organizing a mob.
However, it was all dependent on a single man, Bayer. He had played off every wannabe leader against each other, leading to his uncontested dominance. Men feared him, men obeyed him, and cooperated when they otherwise wouldn't by his threat or command. With his death, his empire was hacked apart in seconds. Most went to the rich, but for those few thugs, they saw their chance to become a Big Man like Bayer was - and they reached for it with everything they had.
Weapons orders became disorganized, movements lost coordination, and splinter factions began staking each other out. Slowly, a complex web of alliances was formed. They would all attack any outsider seeking to dislodge them, but alone they attacked each other almost as often as they attacked anyone weak or unlucky enough to catch their eye.
Overall raiding efficiency has dropped, but the frequency of activity has increased markedly.
|
|
|
|
Post by Emperor Florin von Marcum on Jul 24, 2022 3:17:49 GMT
Sempronius Densus, Centurion of the 1st Praetorian Tormentarius, arrived unannounced and uninvited upon the Tholish shores. He pulled the white cloak tight about his body, though it did little to ward off the chill. Even in milder seasons, this was clearly not Divinian weather. Densus carried his papers, official documents from Duke Estrana, on his person, fearing they would fall into the hands of some cutpurse looking to make easy money. One of his servants had hauled his trunk ashore (after an annoying inspection), but he insisted on holding onto his vitis. If the reports were true, he’d need a new one soon.
For the sake of propriety, Densus had a letter from the Duke sent ahead of him, informing the Tholes that he had been sent to help drill his men, and asking if they had interest in procuring Divinian artillery for themselves.
|
|
|
|
Post by Fleischmann on Jul 28, 2022 2:18:19 GMT
The Second Battle of the Xander
367.535 (from 377.800) dead Tholes
9.600 (from 377.800) critically injured Tholes
2.559 dead Tholish civilians
2.354 (from 7.125) lost Tholish guns
0 (from 11.425) 18 pounder (W.T.C.)
0 (from 4.600) 13 pounder (W.T.C.)
21.186 Tholish Gunners
293.896 (from 293.896) dead Raikhers
5.251 (from 7.041) lost Sadaler guns
5.860 (from 11.727) 18 pounder (Raikh)
82.419 Sadaler Gunners
Total Tholish Military Dead: 388.721
Total Sadaler Military Dead: 376.315
Total Tholish Dead: 391.280
Total Sadaler Dead: 376.315
Tactical Stalemate, Sadaler Strategic Victory
|
|
|
|
Post by Fleischmann on Jul 29, 2022 0:09:43 GMT
The First Gas Attack of the War Thousands of shells had fallen on the foremost line upon the Sanderawha. For four days they had held the bank and exchanged artillery with the Tholes, far away and pinpricks of light in the night. It was now the early hours of the morning and the men were readying, Kregja Isarhairto had just finished carving words into the side of his bunk in the trench. As he lifted himself up, he noticed that large blue cannisters had been brought up and were not being placed along the edge of the lip of the trench. At the same time, windspeed measurements were being taken using pole like instruments with spinning cups at the top and flags were being put up to check for direction. Curious about the actions, he tugged on his boots and put on his helmet before then heading over to one of the teams messing with the cannisters. Kregja: 'Lo! What have you here?' Men: 'Perfume.' Looking at the thing, he was mildly amused to find that it did indeed say it was a perfume before then reading the various warnings of death via sundry methods. K.: 'Hoping to make the Tholes smell better? A nice gesture, I'm sure.' M.: 'Straight from Sheen! It's supposed to smell like grass and the scent is long lasting.' A chain of shouts started coming down the line, with teach team sounding off in the form of a count-off followed by clear. M.: 'Get thee to thy mask, it's a crime to be without and it is death if this goes wrong.' Seeing sense in the reminder and not wishing to be fined when an officer inevitably came along and saw him without his mask bag, he went back to his bunk and finished readying himself. Shortly there after, his entire section was given the call to assemble and so he was soon swamped by his compatriots. Before them was a strange officer and his own superior. The sun had not risen yet, but the way they were acting made it seem like they would be charging the enemy. Everyone paid attention. 'You are all privileged! We are about to see history being made and a possible leap forward in military power... For too long have we allowed the perfidy of foreign powers to go unpunished and now we have the solution. We expect every man here to do his duty and mark this, for what we are about to see is but a taste of what is to come...' The officer continued speaking and Isarhairto tuned him out. It was only when he was surrounded by dead silence that he started paying attention again. 'Masks!' Everyone present took off their helmets and quickly strapped their gasmasks on, if they had not already had them on in the first place. The corporals then went and checked their men, confirming they were properly equipped and in turn the lieutenants shouted that their platoons were ready. Some sort of signal was given, though he did not hear it, as the teams of men outside the trench started releasing whatever was inside of their cannisters. Quite anticlimactically, the cannisters seemed to give off nothing at first, but then they heard the sound of the gas leaving. They did not need to be told to, the men who could went to the ladders and watched intently as the wind carried off the invisible death. After twenty minutes, they started hearing faint shouts carried from the enemy position and then alarms. Whatever the gas was, it seemed to be wreaking havoc. Seemingly satisfied with the demonstration after a few cheers went up over the misfortune of the Tholes, the officers had the men go back to their usual activities. Isarhairto not having anything better to do, went up and inspected the spent cannister. He could not help but wonder how many men would die from such innocuous weapons and whether they would be remembered in songs. |
|
