[i]"If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs, obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud. Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues, my friend, you would not tell with such high zest to children ardent for some desperate glory, the old Lie; Dulce et Decorum est Pro patria mori." [/i] -Wilfred Owen

[center][h2]Spring of 1800[/h2][/center]

[img]https://image.ibb.co/d33vte/Country_Labelled.png[/img]

[b][i][u]1st of March[/u][/i][/b]

King Lucious, of [b][color=ed1c24]The Redcliff Empire[/color][/b], is dead. The exact circumstances of his death are never entirely clear, but the news is spread to every corner of the Redcliff Empire, and to every corner of Europe as well. The throne passes to his nephew, the newly crowed King Marino, acts quickly. His uncle is barely cold before he issues his first commands, all too aware of the dire situation which the Redcliff Empire finds itself in. His first act is to issue a declaration to [b]The Echyan Empire[/b], ensuring an end to the hostilities and dropping the crusade for reparations, even issuing a public apology for his predecessors actions. Unsurprisingly, Echya accepts this, and the tension along Redcliff's eastern borders quickly cools.

[b][i][u]3rd of March[/u][/i][/b]  

[b][color=0054a6]The Empire of Rubrus[/color][/b] takes a controversial and radical step. The universities scattered across the nation are ordered, by the Empress herself, to open their doors to female students. This is an unheard of step at such a scale. While there has been a scattering of female's passing through universities, in some cases dating back centuries, opening all universities to both sexes is a old stroke. Unsurprisingly, this is met largely with staunch protest from the established patriarchal communities, but they can hardly argue against orders from the Empress. University is still an expensive prospect that only the elite can afford, but a slow stream of young, ambitious women begin to seize the new opportunity. 

[u][i][b]6th of March[/b][/i][/u]

Outside of Europe, [color=f26522][b]The Republic of Toubres[/b][/color] continues to colonize almost relentlessly. With The Western Territories of Toubres established and thriving under their new relative independence, Toubres continues to follow the tried and tested methods. A colonial expedition embarks from Toubrian Getares, sailing west and founding the new colony of Toubrian Valente with no difficulty. 

[u][i][b]7th of March[/b][/i][/u] 

Continuing his slew of new policies, King Marino, of [b][color=ed1c24]The Redcliff Empire[/color][/b] announces a controversial symbol of goodwill. Sending a ragtag merchant and civilian fleet as transport, the King summons all of the Redcliff colonists, and the remaining Redcliff garrisons of the colonies, back to the homeland. With this gesture, he abandons Redcliff's empire, knowing that the newly formed nation of [b]The Naziim Kaliphate[/b] will quickly move in to take control of the new land. He also outlaws slavery, freeing the handful of slaves that Redcliff still own. Through this action, he ensures at least the relative safety off his people, and although it weakens Redcliff's international renown, with far more pressing issues at home, few complain. 

[b][i][u]10th of March[/u][/i][/b]

[color=f26522][b]The Republic of Toubres[/b][/color] continues it's militarization by launching a recruitment program. With the recent resounding success of Toubres against the historically military powerhouse of [b][color=ed1c24]The Redcliff Empire[/color][/b] has been greeted with celebration across the Republic, and the patriotic fervor that has consumed the Republic leads to thousands of men signing up. With colonies across the known world, and already an intimidating naval force, this swelling of the Republic's ranks is a clear sign of intent. 

[b][i][u]13th of March[/u][/i][/b] 

Finding themselves at the mercy of [b]The Kingdom of Aontas[/b] guns, the invading force of [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b] begin constructing a series of trenches, attempting to give themselves some cover from the bombardment while tunnels are dug beneath the cities defenses. Despite the naval attacks, the Ubren army still hugely outnumbers the garrison that faces them, and before long, the city falls. With the Ubren flag raised, Inversen becomes a refuge for the Ubren forces while they plan their next move. 

[u][i][b]15th of March[/b][/i][/u]

Across [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b], a sweeping social policy is adopted. With the influx of new immigrants, citizenship is freely given in exchange for an embracing of Attolian culture. The stream of immigrants does begin to slow, citizens of [b][color=ed1c24]The Redcliff Empire[/color][/b] tentative as they wait to see the further actions of their new king, but in the newly-seized province of Centrix, this exchange is well-used, the people keen to embrace their new rulers culture. 

[b][i][u]16th of March[/u][/i][/b]

Larymnas falls. With it's walls breached, and the citadel standing as the last bastion of defiance against an overwhelming enemy, there was little hope for the defenders of [b]The Kingdom of Sescos[/b]. Like his father before him, King Pieter Mátyás dies defending his people. He is finally gunned down, deep in the heart of the citadel, with a musket clutched in his hands, and valor burning in his heart. With the Sescosi capital in [b]The Eternal Hadeen of Dashkatar[/b] hands, the Kingdom of Sescos is suddenly on the brink of surrender. Only one city remains in the capital province, the city of Hodov. If Hodov falls, then so does Sescos. 

[u][i][b]17th of March[/b][/i][/u]

Diplomats of [b][color=007236]The Three City's Republic of Ianian[/color][/b] travel to [b]The Republic of Oflua[/b], seeking to offer assistance for their payment of reparations to [b]The Kingdom of Sescos[/b]. However the recent developments, and the seemingly imminent downfall of Sescos, makes Oflua hesitant to engage in any economic scheme for payments, so the diplomats return home empty-handed. 

[b][i][u]19th of March[/u][/i][/b]

Across the territories of [b][color=007236]The Three City's Republic of Ianian[/color][/b], the Ianian Foreign Legion is formed. The force, operating largely independently from the bulk of the Ianian army, quickly takes on a romantic ideal, seemingly promising a life of adventure across the globe, and to rub shoulders with men from all across Europe, and the world beyond. Several thousand men quickly sign up, seizing the opportunity before them, and undergoing the rigorous training. 

[b][i][u]21st of March[/u][/i][/b]

Continuing to strengthen their hold in the far east, [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b] sends colonists on the short journey south-east from New Caledonia, and settle the new colony of Java. There is an undeniable sense of trepidation in the air, as the combined fleet of Attolia and [b][color=007236]The Three City's Republic of Ianian[/color][/b] draws ever closer, it's arrival expected within a month. 

[u][i][b]25th of March[/b][/i][/u]

The city of Avedua is quickly proving itself an imposing obstacle. Marines of [b][color=007236]The Three City's Republic of Ianian[/color][/b] join the offensive, supporting the army of [b]The Akkadian Empire[/b], but [b][color=ed1c24]The Redcliff Empire[/color][/b] garrison is resolute. The Ianian Marines begin organizing night attacks, inching through the darkness and using explosives to damage the walls of the city. This is certainly successful, but wherever the walls are damaged, soldiers of Redcliff willingly fill the breach with their bodies and muskets. This will be a long siege. 

[b][i][u]26th of March[/u][/i][/b]

With it's borders threatened, [b][color=ed1c24]The Redcliff Empire[/color][/b] recalls the army of Melezio Parenti. Relieved to be returning home after their bitter defeat, the army makes quick time, [b]The Echyan Empire[/b] giving them passage as a sign of goodwill. With all of Redcliff's forces returning to the Empire's homeland, their position is steadily growing stronger, as they still possess one of the most powerful forces found in Europe. 

[u][i][b]28th of March[/b][/i][/u]

[b]The Kingdom of Vendsyssel[/b] siege of [b]The Kingdom of Claidor[/b] city of Batko continues. With neither side having allies rally to their call yet, both armies are tentative, and the siege becomes more of a waiting game than a prolonged conflict, as both are wary of committing their forces too soon. However armies are still being raised in their respective homelands, and the conflict is on the verge of escalating into a maelstrom of war.