[b]Port Valhal – New Nehalenia[/b] The Nehalenian expeditionary force returned from their trip to recover the RNN Victory that had been illigaly captured by the Amazonians. The trip ended up to be non-satisfactory as the Royal Navy proved to be unable to reach a diplomatic solution and was not able to locate the ship in order to recapture it with force. The coastal raid, capture of some Amazonian women and the captured Braiyusal vesse; where only a small bandage for the wounded Nehalenian pride. When news of the lost ship and failed expedition reached the king all actors where immediately summoned to the capital for a meeting with the government in order to explain this failure. [b]Ostara – Capital of Nehalenia[/b] All government officials had taken their seats in the grand meeting hall and stared at the same two men who stood lower then the rest. Today the Nehalenian government was going to question Admiral Gorthan and WSC board member Argibald Duvail about the loss of the RNN Victory. Justin Valor, minister of the navy was enraged. “How in the lords name did the WSC manage to lose a first rate ship to a bunch of undeveloped savages. That is simply unacceptable! That For this utter failure alone some heads should roll! Who was the appointed captain mister Duvail?” Mr duvail awnserd calmly “Percy Duvail, my son. He was a graduate from the naval academy without prior real-life experience. I used my influence as a board member to place him on a high spot. As a father I overestimated my sons abilities as a captain. A great misjudgment with a desasterous outcome. I accept the punishment the government sees fit.” All the government officials where silent as Duvail admitted his own failure and actions. Everybody expected it to be a long talk. It was king George Therus III himself who broke the silence. “ Argibald Duvail is hereby expelled from the board of the Western Sides Company. Furthermore he will stand trial in the Nehalenian court for corruption and abuse of his powers. Now we move on to why the expedition failed to retrieve the ship. Care to explain why you could not come to a diplomatic conclusion Admiral Gorthan?” The Admiral stepped forward with his back straight. Ready to deliver his plea on the situation. “The expedition was hastily assembled. Some of the ships where still undergoing repairs in Port Valhal when the order was given to set sail. Once the order was given there was not much room for preparation. In my opinion the expedition was poorly prepared. Also the Amazonians proved to be hard to impress, They refused any form of a diplomatic solution. They even took the diplomatic party hostage and tried to use their lives as a bargain to keep the ship. At that moment it was clear that they would not give in to our demands. This might be because Braiyusal is supplying them with firearms and cannons.” The king wasn't surprised that Braiyusal was trying to disrupt Nehalenian plans for the new world. They where still disgruntled over their loss of the war. However the Nehalenian influence in the old world is being challenged by many severely limiting the options in foreign policy. “Admiral Gorthan, what kind of force do you think is nessecary to subdue the Amazonians?” The Admiral was a bit surprised by this question. “The Amazonian navy is closely to non-existent. However their land forces appear to be numerous. Some say they command an army of 75.000av warriors, other say they have hundreds of thousands of fighting men at their exposal. I believe we will need at least 65.000 men in order to achieve a total victory over the Queendom of Amazonia.” The king nodded. “I allow you a change to redeem yourself Gorthan. You will assist in drawing up the invasion plans and execute the naval operations against. On the topic of Braiyusal, just trade is not enough of a casus belli to justify war. We'll send their government a strong message to stay out of our business.” Foreign minister Herald Omen took the word. “The greatest challenges we face in the old world is that we increasingly stand alone while other powers increasingly seek coorperation on many levels. We can no longer afford to sail an independent course as the combined might of our neighbors rival our own. We should make haste of increasing our relations with our neighbors and beyond.” The whole government agreed on that point. For most of the 18th century Nehalenia was the leading power due to its aggressive colonial expansion and the wealth that brought. Neighboring nations however had developed rapidly and closed the gaps in influence. Mordred Daltry, chairman of the Serranthian trading Company asked for everyone's attention. “My king and ministers, we've recently received this alarming message from a far away tribe in Serrantia.” The STC chairman read the message in front of the entire government. From the Mikassian tribes: Burning tree, this message comes as you are at our doorstep. We would speak with you, refuse and blood shall be shed. Chatan, War chief, Mikassian Tribes. For a moment the chairman paused before he continued to speak. “We believe this Mikassian tribe is located at the other side of the Bay of Cavalle. We do not know much about this civilization but we consider this a serious treat to the Nehalenian interest in the region. The STC urges the government to re-enforce the military presence in the region with a significant naval detachment and a strong fighting force.” With this message the prospect of war loomed on two fronts far away from home. A situation that is not very favorable but hard to avoid. [hider=To Braiyusal:] With great displeasement the Nehalenian government has taking notice of Braiyusalian arms trade to the Queendom of Amazonia. King George Therus III strongly suggests that your nation ceases those activities immediately if you don't want to ruin our relations. [/hider] [hider=To King Alorik II Of the Boletarian Commonwealth] Greetings, King George Therus III is pleased with the strong trade relationship both our glorious nations have. He believes that there a closer relationship between our nations would be beneficial for both. Nehalenian industry and Boletarian manpower will make a strong force. King George Therus III therefo would like to invite the great King Alorik II to discuss the opportunities under the pleasure of a cup of tea. [/hider] [hider=To warchief Chatan of the Mikassian Tribes] Greetings, It is always to the pleasure of the Nehalenian people to discus politics with any civilization around the world. You are free to travel to Serrantia Town, our capital within our Serrantian holding. Yours sincerely, Commodore Fredrick Delorian Governor of Serrantia [/hider] [hider=To the Zanoni] Greetings, For too long your people has suffered the dominance of the wretched Amazonians. They have raided your villages and enslaved your people. In return they demanded your fealty. Now to reclaim your independence and join us in the fight against the Amazonian Queen. The Nehalenian king offers the Zanoni the following deal: 1. An alliance against the Amazonians 2. Nehalenia will guarantee the Zanoni independence against both aggressors from the old and the new world. Signed: [X] King George Therus III [] Leader of the Zanoni [/hider] [hider=To the Sirthi] Greetings, For too long your people have been on the receiving end of Amazonian raids. Your women captured and your men enslaved. The time has come to rise up against the Amazonian dominance and fight for your people in conjunction with the Nehalenian forces. The Nehalenian king offers the following agreement to the Sirthi people: 1. Arean alliance against the Amazonians 2. Nehalenia will guarantee the Sirthi independence against both aggressors from the old and the new world. Signed: [X] King George Therus III [/hider] [hider=To King Karl von Kassitz – Osteria] For many years Nehalenia and Osteria have been good neighbors. However we see the world rapidly evolving and not for the better. This presents both our nations with many new challenges. King George Therus believes that such challenges should not be faced allone. Therefor he proposes a treaty of friendship, trade and look into the possibility of a military alliance 1. Both nations declare their friendship 2. Both nations open up their borders and ports for unrestricted trade 3. (Possibility) A military alliance between the Kingdom of Osteria and the Kingdom of Nehalenia. Signed: [X] King George Therus III of Nehalenia [] King Karl von Kassitz [/hider] [hider=To the greath Caliph of the Maljuk Caliphate] King George Therus sees the old world change into a much more dangerous place. War looms as the Sanguine are on an expansionist tour. At sea the Zellon Empire and Skeptoni's become more aggressive by the day. The Nehalenians have always regarded the Maljuk Caliphate as an important trading partner and friend. As token as our friendship we would like to offer these 25 beautiful Amazonian women from the new world as a token of our friendship. The Nehalenian government also seeks an alliance with the great Caliph. We strongly believe that mutual cooperation is beneficial for both our nations. Allying with a great power will increase your security against Sanguine aggression while our combined naval force will ensure that trade routes will always be open. 1. A military alliance between the Maljuk Caliphate and the Kingdom of Nehalenia Signed: [X] King George Therus III [] The Caliph of the Maljuks [/hider] [b]The Nehalenian Armada sets sail [/b] Over the past weeks the Nehalenian high command has been planning a full scale invasion of the Queendom of Amazonia. Hundreds of transport and merchant ships have been gathered to ferry a massive invasion force of 65.000 men, equipment and supplies across the sea to the distant land of the new world. This massive transport fleet is escorted by 10 3th rates, 8 second rates and 3 first rate ship of the lines. As the first light shines upon the ports of Nehalenia the womenfolk wave their men goodbye. The red flag with the golden tree shines high above the ships as they unfold their white sails. It was a spectacular sight to see so many ships leave the ports and form an orderly fleet. The spirits where high all across Nehalenia and everybody was expecting a quick victory over these savages in the Western Sides. At the same time a second fleet was assembled in the Western Sides colonies of Nehalenia. This fleet consists of all the ships involved in the previous expedition but was now re-enforced with additional transport capacity. The second fleet is carrying an additional 10.000 soldiers from the Nehalenian colonies into the direction of the Queendom of Amazonia. [b]Serrantia Trading Corporation announcement.[/b] In the light of the recent contact with the Mikassian Tribes we will re-enforce our military presence in Serrantia with 24.000 soldiers, 5 third rates, 3 second rates and a first rate ship of the line.