[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 1801[/h2][/center]

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

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

In another move clearly intended to hopefully stimulate it's economy, [b][color=007236]The Three City's Republic of Ianian[/color][/b] puts into action a string of tariffs. The idea is that the tariffs will be unobtrusive, so as to ensure that they do not become a burden on the poor and the needy, but effective enough that they will bring a welcome boost to the coffers of the Republic. Remarkably, the scheme works exactly as planned, seamlessly implementing itself amongst the other economic measures already in place. Ianian is quickly rebuilding it's status as an economic titan, if nothing else.

[b][i][u]5th of September[/u][/i][/b]

[color=9e0b0f][b]The Hastel Dominions[/b][/color] again look to increase the spending in their budget, this time in the government spending. Increasing the budget, the Dominions strive to increase efficiency, and to decrease corruption. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, pouring more money into the government does the opposite of decreasing corruption, instead allowing those already corrupt to run rife with more freedom than ever before. Although it does not have the desired effect, the move is still a clear sign of intent. The Hastel Dominions has aspirations of being one of the major powers of Europe, and it is willing to ruffle feathers to get there. 

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

Despite the tribunal of [b]The Holy Territories of Edoniras[/b] imminent, the Sentinels of [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b] continue their vigorous 'peace-keeping' actions in the province of Belgae. It is this vigour that may prove to be their downfall. A citizen of [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b], by the name of Josua Hasselmann, is seized by the Sentinel's. Dragged into a cell on suspicion of spying he is given the full assortment of rough 'persuading', almost bordering on torture, that the Sentinel's bring to bear. A few days later, he is cast out blinking into the sun, allowed to return home with his name cleared. This could have been the end of it, if Josua Hasselmann's cousin wasn't Kevin Holthusen, the man synonymous with newspapers in the Kingdom of Ubren. By the end of the day, the story is on the front cover of every newspaper in the Kingdom, spilling across into the neighbouring countries as well. It evokes total outrage, and the calls for vengeance for this injustice grow to a cacophony. 

[b][i][u]11th of September[/u][/i][/b]

The diplomatic party of [b][color=007236]The Three City's Republic of Ianian[/color][/b] need wait no longer. Soldiers, wearing a uniform that none of them recognise, and riding jet black steeds, emerge from the stands. They are whisked away, and although they are not blindfolded, they soon lose all sense of direction in the rolling dunes and the seemingly endless plains. After seemingly an eternity, they arrive at the sun-bleached ruins of an ancient city. There, they are led before a hooded figure. The figure explains that he is not Majdi al-Selim, he is instead one of al-Selim's 'prophets', one of the chosen few to preach the great man's words. The prophet gives the Ianian representatives a message. al-Selim has a vision, a dream, an idea, and he will see that vision realized, no matter the cost, and no matter who attempts to stand in his way. They are given an ominous warning, that the days of Hijeens being oppressed are over, and they will not be seen again. The prophet thanks Ianian for it's gifts, and promises that if al-Selim has more to say, then he will deliver the message himself, but for now, the diplomatic party is whisked away, back to Tangir.

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

With the rebellions across Suveren continuing, the King of [b][color=2e3192]The Kingdom of Aontas[/color][/b] himself invites the self-elected leaders of the rebellion to come to the capital for a "redress of grievances". This is a difficult request, because in truth, the rebellions are truly movements without leaders. However, some representatives are chosen from amongst the masses, and they begin the long journey to the Aontas capital, keen to hear what the King plans to propose. 

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

The Tribunal of [b]The Holy Territories of Edoniras[/b] begins. The spies are submitted to hours upon hours of rigorous questioning by representatives of nearly every European nation. They prove to be hardened characters, refusing to give up their employers, or even their mission. The handful of spies brought before the tribunal, four men and one woman, originate from all across Europe, so no clues can be drawn from there. They are difficult to break, but the tribunal is confident that they can be broken, and they continue their work. 

[b][i][u]18th of September[/u][/i][/b]

The Siege of Norzeg has been a long and bloody affair. The two armies, [b]The Empire of Rubrus[/b] and [b]The Kingdom of Vendsyssel[/b] are both made up of hardened warriors, who refuse to take even a single step backwards. The shelling from the navy of Vendsyssel has been relentless, and moored in the relative safety of the cities harbour, they have been beyond the retribution of the Rubrus forces. That, however, is soon to change. The cries of Rubrus for aid have not fallen on deaf ears, and the fleet of [b][color=2e3192]The Kingdom of Aontas[/color][/b] sails to war. Catching the Vendsyssel fleet off guard, what follows is a frantic, brutal, but ultimately one-sided naval conflict. The Vendsyssel fleet is left in tatters, and with their greatest strength in ruins, the courage of the Vendsyssel garrison begins to run out. As the Marines of Aontas land, and begin aiding in the attacks on the city, the spirit of the defenders breaks. The city is stormed, and Rubrus wins their first victory in the war. Unsurprisingly, the Kingdom of Vendsyssel is quick to declare war on the Kingdom of Aontas. 

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

All too aware that they are being doggedly pursued, the fleet of [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b] changes their route, cutting east and making for the friendly ports of [b]The Echyan Empire[/b]. This is no small feat, the journey ahead of them standing at more than eight thousand nautical miles, and the most generous estimations by the navigators put their journey at taking more than a month, assuming there are no weather problems, or other complications. With nothing but open water between them and their destination, the supplies of the ships will be unbearably stretched. [b]The Shuren Dynasty[/b] abandons their chase, although they watch carefully for the Attolian's return. If any of the fleet ever reach friendly waters, still stands to be seen. 

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

Concerned that they are losing control in Suveren, [b][color=2e3192]The Kingdom of Aontas[/color][/b] looks to bring in outside 'assistance'. That assistance comes in the form of mercenaries that Aontas hires, sailing them to the colony and putting them to work. This proves to be a lapse of judgement. The mercenaries are hired to keep the peace, and they do that with ruthless efficiency. Rebels are dragged into the streets and shot, their remains displayed as grisly reminders of what happens to those who disturb the peace. This all but entirely crushes the moderate rebels, but for the radicals, it fuels the fires within their souls, and drives them to committing to all but open warfare in the colony. The news of these atrocities cannot arrive at Aontas at a worse time, the stories being announced just as the King prepares for his meeting with the elected representatives of the rebels. The news is only made worse due to the well-known knowledge that [color=f26522][b]The Republic of Toubres[/b][/color] offered it's aid in restoring peace, an offer that Aontas seems to have ignored in favour of hiring savage thugs. Unsurprisingly, all of the rebel leaders refuse to attend the meeting, and the Aontas hopes of resolving the issue lie in tatters. 

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

At least in some corners of the world, peace seems to be shining through. Although an informal ceasefire has existed between [b]The Kingdom of Sescos[/b] and [b]The Eternal Hadeen of Dashkatar[/b] for some time, with the aid of [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b], this ceasefire is made official. Not only that, but an exchange of remains is arranged, a shred of goodwill in an otherwise foreboding world. How long this goodwill will last in such a bitter war, few can say. But it is a beginning, and it is hope. 

[b][i][u]29th of September[/u][/i][/b]

It is not only [b][color=007236]The Three City's Republic of Ianian[/color][/b] that has been looking to be granted audience with Majdi al-Selim. In the Holy City of Akteme, representatives of [color=f26522][b]The Republic of Toubres[/b][/color] await their own meeting. They are eventually greeted by a similar figure, a hooded man that introduces himself as a prophet of al-Selim, and they are given a similar message. The vision will be realised, and the Hijeens will no longer be oppressed. But the warning does not end there. It is not only the Hijeens that will no longer be oppressed. The power of al-Selim reach every corner of the world, and too long have natives been ground under foot by the European powers. No longer.