[center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/80589065/Random/Oslad.png[/img]
[b]The Oslad Federation[/b][/center]

[b]The Succession Crisis begins[/b]

Following the example of the leaves, the Oslad government began to face changes with the coming Fall and the soon return of winter. Over the year of 1836 Oslad faced a multitude of Sociopolitical issues that were inherent with their system. Issues stemming from the autonomy of King Ulgrin II's royal cabinet and the autonomy of each noble who held a seat within the Osladian Council. The changing of the leaves saw Oslad rise to the status of a Great Power, and with it the start of a long-lasting bias leaning northwest towards Autrina and Holsidan. Within the Royal Council Autrinan noble and ally to the Holsidans via marriage [url=http://www.christies.com/lotfinderimages/d55848/d5584813a.jpg]Matias VII[/url], grandson of former King Ottovan V and face of the Militarists, came to notable popularity with his declaration for heirdom. For months all of the nobility had known of Ulgrin's slowly failing health and it was only a matter of time before he was to subside. By October the only candidate had been Ulgrin's son, [url=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2453/3849253141_fcd75dcca5.jpg]Nikolai[/url]. However, Matias would prove to be a challenge in the future.

[b]Letters of Fall[/b]

With Oslad's rise in prestige came a flurry of letters to Ulgrin and his ministry. The modern era left the old King tired and stressed, the speed of the new age was simply too quick for a man of his time.

However, despite the troublings of the ailing King, the cabinet was able to manage the growing pile of congratulatory messages and requests.

[hider=To Emperor Conrad of the Zellon Empire][i]Emperor Conrad,[/i]

[i]Thank you kindly my friend for your welcoming. And of course I shall be in attendance for the wedding of your lovely daughter to that Skeptoni boy, may the Saint bless their lives with much happiness.

Now, on the issue of our neighbors.. I must decline your request of embargo. I fear that such an act would anger my fellow countrymen. Despite the unappealing nature of slavery and it's usage in our time, angering the sea-dragon is far from the ambitions I have for my nation.

Business aside. I once again thank you for your warm invitation to your home and look forward to seeing you soon my friend.

- King Ulgrin II[/i][/hider]

[b]There March the Soldiers[/b]

Over the summer months hundreds of men flocked to the banner of the rapidly modernizing Oslad Royal Army. The Patriarchs of Sarahek blessed newly formed regiments throughout the summer and artists flooded the streets to seal the faces of Oslad's heroes for the ages within their paints. It seemed that, at long last, Oslad could begin to stand alongside her fellow powers as a competent nation with an armed forces able to protect herself against her threats. 

[hider=Artist Rendition of men leaving towards Oslograde, circa 1837]
[img]http://blogs.bu.edu/guidedhistory/files/2012/09/Yuriev_day.jpg[/img][/hider]

None the less, the Osladian High Command pleaded to the Royal Cabinet to request that the strategists of Oslad travel to Anvegad and learn at the Military University there. After much pleading and a few 'humble donations' to certain ministers, the request was sent.

[hider=To the Anvegad Military Academy]
[i]To Whomever it may concern,

Blessings from King Ulgrin 'The Unifier, Second of his name. I am Bogdan Zhelyazko, Prime Minister of the Oslad Federation. Recently it has come to our attention that our current military administration is inadequate to suit our status as a rising power. Therefore the Osladian government requests some of our general staff into your highly respected institution. In return, the Osladian government offers a humble donation to your Academy in return for said admission.

Yours truly, Bogdan Zhelyazko.[/i][/hider]