[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]Summer of 1801[/h2][/center]

[img]https://i.ibb.co/JttwKW7/Country-Labelled.png[/img]

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

[color=9e0b0f][b]The Hastel Dominions[/b][/color] makes a clear display of power. Assembling it's entire army in the central province of Bruchval, a colossal military parade is held. This is a sign of intent, the Hastel Dominions no doubt keen to show that it has the power to stand by it's long-time allies [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b]. Once the parade is complete, and the people of the nation suitably whipped into a patriotic fervour, the soldiers of the Dominions are deployed to their posts once more. 

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

Perhaps looking to further strengthen their foothold in the region, or perhaps simply gripped for a longing to explore the unknown, colonists from [b][color=007236]The Three City's Republic of Ianian[/color][/b] sail into uncharted waters. Embarking from South Tilandia, and clinging to the coast of the colossal island to the south, the colonists eventually find a suitable landing point, and claim the land as the colony of Lombast. They encounter the locals before long, and they begin a tentative trade, exchanging trinkets for food, and rudimentary guidance. The land is inhospitable, but they persevere. 

[b][i][u]8th of June[/u][/i][/b]

The king of [b][color=2e3192]The Kingdom of Aontas[/color][/b] himself calls upon the Kingdom's greatest composers to compose a suitably patriotic piece, intended to spread all across the nation, and to inspire belief. War may yet be averted, but the Kingdom of Aontas is still a nation trying to find it's place on the international stage, and for the nation to prevail, it's people must believe that it can.

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

In another show of strength, [color=9e0b0f][b]The Hastel Dominions[/b][/color] orders the construction of three new Second-Rate Ships of the Line. It is clear that the Dominions will not be bowed by the strength of it's northern neighbour's fleets, and the dockyards of the province of Weidingen are quickly put to work. The nation's finest shipwrights are gathered, and they estimate that they will have the ships ready to sail within seven years. 

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

[b][color=007236]The Three City's Republic of Ianian[/color][/b] continues to look to spread it's influence over the other nations of Europe. Aware of [b]The Redcliff Empire[/b] yearning to industrialize, still struggling to grow it's struggling economy, the Republic offers to sell it's once enemies excess industrial equipment, for a reduced fee of course. The Redcliff Empire takes to this offer with vigour, and once again, Ianian improves it's influence through trade. 

[b][i][u]23rd of June[/u][/i][/b]

The walls of the city of Holbeck are shattered. The garrison of [b]The Kingdom of Claidor[/b] fights bravely, almost to the end, but they are outnumbered, and their morale is in tatters. They surrender in their droves, and the entire province of Holbeck is now out of Claidor's control. In what is no doubt a clause from the agreement between the two nations, [b]The Kingdom of Vendsyssel[/b] cedes it's claim to the land, allowing [b]The Kingdom of Ilastiri[/b] to claim it. Now, the combined army waits, the Kingdom of Claidor still reeling from the rapid string of defeats it has suffered. If [color=0054a6][b]The Empire of Rubrus[/b][/color] continues to sit by idly as it's ally is divided up by it's enemies, Claidor is surely lost. 

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

Severely bloodied by it's failed attempts, the soldiers of [b]The Kingdom of Claidor[/b] are forced to abandon the Siege of Ziva. Their own capital is at risk, and they have been beating themselves against the immovable anvil of [b]The Kingdom of Vendsyssel[/b] defenders for too long, thousands of men lying dead at the cities walls. Claidor is digging in, calling all the soldiers they can to man the defences. 

[b][i][u]30th of June[/u][/i][/b]

Buoyed with confidence by the lack of response from [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b], [b]The Shuren Dynasty[/b] grow more bold. Ships of the line, clearly influenced by those from Europe, but still bearing the distinct style of the Oriental warships, descend upon Fort Tian. The assembled Attolian fleet, the entirety of the nations Ships of the Line, is a formidable challenge, but the Shuren ships are not daunted. Making use of a string of reefs and swells that surround the island, the Dynasty's fleets appear from seemingly nowhere, and then are gone before their bombardment has even struck. The Attolian fleet is powerful, but they are cut off, and the island boasts little in the way of natural provisions. Unless they can punch their way free, or help arrives, it will be thirst and hunger that kills the sailors.