[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]Autumn of 1800[/h2][/center]

[img]https://image.ibb.co/jPNMd0/Country-Labelled.png[/img]

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

In the port-city of Mussara, the city that [color=f26522][b]The Republic of Toubres[/b][/color] still controls in [b]The Redcliff Empire[/b] province of Resdian, preparations are underway. Ships regularly travel between the city and the Republic's mainland, ferry portions of Toubres' army to the Mediterranean port. Few outside of the Republic yet know how this gathering army will be used, or where Toubres' formidable naval strength will next be brought to bear.

[i][u][b]4th of August[/b][/u][/i]

"The Bastion of the Faithful" army of [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b] marches. Having been barred from access by [b]The Redcliff Empire[/b], they look for an alternate route. Moving south, the army crosses the border into the lands of [b]The Holy Territories of Edoniras[/b]. Unsurprisingly, this is not an offensive move, and the army makes the short journey to the coastline of the province. There, they are met by a surprising ally. Ships of [b][color=39b54a]The Echyan Empire[/color][/b] arrive, and the process of ferrying the army back to the Echyan homeland begins. Relief for Sescos is on its way. 

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

Continuing to follow it's allies to the south, [b]The Kingdom of Ilastiri[/b] also joins in swearing a pact of non-aggression to [b]The Akkadian Empire[/b]. Considering their long shared border, and historic rivalry, this goes a long way in ensuring at least the promise of peace in the region. The alliance between Ilastiri and [b]The Republic of Oflua[/b] only continues to grow in strength, and it quickly becomes clear that the bond forged in the fires of war is a strong one. 

[b][i][u]9th of August[/u][/i][/b]

[b][color=2e3192]The Kingdom of Aontas[/color][/b] continues to awake from its apparent slumber. Ships, flying the flag of the new King, lower their cannons for now, and moving to aid in the transport of displaced troops and refugees in the province of Torrik, ensuring that those who wish to remain Aontas citizens are moved to Aontas territory. Considering the resounding strength that Ubren possesses, and has shown in its seizing of the province, a fair number decide to remain. 

[b][i][u]12th of August[/u][/i][/b]

The rebels of northern Africa, still reveling in their victory over [b]The Redcliff Empire[/b], ensure that Europe does not forget them. The Naziim Caliphate controls vast swathes of land, but it is a loose control, and few know for sure if the rebels act under the authority of the Caliphate, or according to their own desires. Regardless of who controls them, what is striking, is who they strike. The colony of Linia, of [b][color=007236]The Three City's Republic of Ianian[/color][/b], finds itself bloodied by a string of attacks, and the natives of the province may begin to question their own situation. 

[b][i][u]14th of August[/u][/i][/b]

[b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b] begins the long and arduous challenge of raising an entirely new army, the orders demanding at least fifty thousand men. This will likely take years, but is a clear sign of intent. The Ubren army is incredibly powerful, and it is only growing more so with time. In truth, few nations could hope to stand against them alone. 

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

Continuing their growing tradition of diplomacy, [b][color=007236]The Three City's Republic of Ianian[/color][/b] sends representatives to [b]The Redcliff Empire[/b]. The diplomats carry a message of good will, which King Marino welcomes, and an offer to exempt the Empire from the Strait Tax for a period of five years, which the new King quickly accepts. Again, King Marino shows that he rejects the principles of his predecessor, forgiving Ianian for their actions against Redcliff, and shaking the hand of future friendship. 

[u][i][b]22nd of August[/b][/i][/u]

Due to their growing bond, the courts and nobles of [b]The Kingdom of Claidor[/b] and [color=0054a6][b]The Empire of Rubrus[/b][/color] continue to mingle. Perhaps of particular note is the nobleman Valentin Rykov, a long time close-friend of the Empress, who now makes the journey to the court of Claidor. He is welcomed there, and his natural charm quickly allows him to become a confidante of King Jakub Sadoski. 

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

The Second Siege of Batko drags on, both sides refusing to lose an inch. The combined army of [color=0054a6][b]The Empire of Rubrus[/b][/color] and [b]The Kingdom of Claidor[/b] continues to throw its forces against the defences of the city, the cannons roaring a relentless barrage against the walls. But Claidor's cities are as resolute as it's people, and the walls refuse to break. 

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

Continuing to build their colonial empire, ships of [b][color=007236]The Three City's Republic of Ianian[/color][/b] sail south from the newly established colony of Venito. They find no real resistance, the natives welcoming of the new colonists, and the colony of Casata is born. Now sharing a border with [b][color=39b54a]The Echyan Empire[/color][/b], albeit a colonial one, it will be no doubt interesting to see how the two nation interact further.