[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 1802[/h2][/center]

[img]https://i.ibb.co/pZLR96Q/Country-Labelled.png[/img]

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

The European Trading League acts. Reeling from the revelations made by the tribunal of [b]The Holy Territories of Edoniras[/b], condemning [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b] for performing subterfuge to stoke the flames of rebellion in Belgae, the Trading League quickly holds a summit of all members. In a series of letters, an ultimatum is delivered to [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b]. If Attolia accepts the League's terms, then the League will intervene in the Ubren-Attolian War in Attolia's favour. The terms are simple, that Attolia recognizes the province of Centrix as belonging to [b]The Redcliff Empire[/b] once more, and that Attolia signs The Colonial Treaty of the New World. Although there is some debate, Attolia agrees to both of the terms, and the League unanimously agrees to come to Attolia's aid. The nations of [b][color=007236]The Three City's Republic of Ianian[/color][/b], [color=f26522][b]The Republic of Toubres[/b][/color], [b]The Echyan Empire[/b], [b]The Holy Territories of Edoniras[/b], [b]The Republic of Oflua[/b] and [b]The Redcliff Empire[/b] all now prepare to intervene in the war, as well as lifting the League's short-lived embargo on Attolia. While the balance starts to shift, [color=9e0b0f][b]The Hastel Dominions[/b][/color] continues to sit dominant, quickly becoming one of Ubren's only allies. The riots and protests continue to rage, crippling any plans that the Dominions may have that do not involve at least acknowledging the plight of their neighbours. 

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

Around the city of Nartoise, an uneasy siege has begun. The formidable army of [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b], commanded by General Janik Tillich, has dug in within the city walls, and the army of [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b], intended to liberate the city, has begun a loose siege, not wanting to be outflanked by the second Ubren army that they are all too aware is slowly making it's way to the city. But it is not here that the first conflict of the year is fought. The idea of Ubren fighting it's war against Attolia simply with the aim to liberate the people of Belgae, and to return Centrix to [b]The Redcliff Empire[/b], is abandoned, as from the province of Kleinhut, General Fritz Hecker marches. With nearly eighty thousand men at his back, General Hecker is keen to build on his exploits, the conquest of Centrix already under his belt. However where Centrix was barely defended, Bergen will prove a greater challenge. Although without a General to command them, the garrison of the province still stands at more than thirty thousand men. And the garrison is prepared. Somehow, the Attolian army knew that the Ubren army were coming, and scattered reports from the Ubren army itself tell of strange, distant shapes in the sky. Regardless of how they did it, the Attolian garrison uses the time to prepare, entrenching their positions. Although the Ubren army comes looking for an open battle, they instead find well-defended cities, and so it is one of these cities that they march towards. The Siege of Argenles begins. 

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

As if summoned, General Eerikki Klemetti returns to the province of Bergen. Five thousand cavalry at his back, Klemetti races back from the raiding of Obertal, and joins the defence of [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b] province. He is so loved by the men under his command that the news of his mere presence in the province ignites a fire in the garrison, and as Klemetti rides to the province capital, the defenders grit their teeth and continue to stand resolute against the forces of [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b].

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

Bloodied yet again by the fleet of [b]The Shuren Dynasty[/b], Admiral Topi Valtonen finally seems to abandon his apparent vendetta against the Dynasty. In truth, it is only the Admiral's charm, and the respect that his men have for him, that have seen the sailors of [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b] have not broken following their string of defeats and narrow escapes. Now, at least, they seem set to return to more friendly waters. The order is given for the fleet to sail south, to lick their wounds at the Attolian colonies. Although their route inevitably takes them past the Shuren Dynasty, they are left unchallenged, although they are never without the distant shapes of ships watching them on their journey. Finally, they arrive into relative safety, but the fleet that arrives is a shadow of the hopeful fleet that stopped at the colonies months before. Their numbers are in tatters, the thousands of crew have been lost to the sea, and the ships and sailors that do remain are in tatters. The slow process of repair begins. 

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

No doubt inspired by the recent discovery by [b][color=2e3192]The Kingdom of Aontas[/color][/b], and encouraged by the war that only continues to escalate against [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b], [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b] begins work towards the creation of a new musket. Although Ubren still boasts one of the finest trained armies across Europe, a workman is only as good as his tools, and the musket of the Ubren army is becoming increasingly outdated. The full force of the Ubren Academy of Ballistic Science is put to work, their previous project of rockets largely abandoned. 

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

Although bound by a colonial treaty to the west, to the east, [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b] still has clear aspirations of colonial expansion. A colonial party is gathered, protected by a regiment of Attolian Line Infantry, but the journey ahead is a perilous one. Following a route that had only previously been charted by [b][color=007236]The Three City's Republic of Ianian[/color][/b], Attolia sails even further, finally reaching their intended destination. They find that the island is already inhabited, and that the inhabitants are not the most welcoming. Although they watch the newcomers warily, the three thousand armed men accompanying the colonists is more than enough to dampen any hostile thoughts amongst the natives. Not to be put off, the colonists establish themselves, and although they are careful to keep the soldiers between themselves and the natives, the colony of Rouzon is formed. What is most surprising however, is that the offer from Attolia for the Attolia East Asia Trading Company to expand their charter to the new colony in exchange for shares is rejected. While Attolia has been racking up debt, the Trading Company has been flourishing, and they have been only further increasing their power in the colonies of the region. The Empire of Attolia is ruler only in name. 

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

With their colonial holdings only growing in strength, [color=f26522][b]The Republic of Toubres[/b][/color] looks to encourage the migration of it's people to the colonies. They look to achieve this through the creation of three 'convoys', regularly travelling between the Toubres mainland and The Western Territories, The South-Western Territories and The Southern territories respectively. Embarking from Toubres laden with bright-eyed new colonists, and returning with the crucial colonial taxes and other luxury items, the convoys are to be protected by a branch of the Republic's formidable navy, and they are prepared to begin at once. 

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

Clearly in response to their pledge to intervene in the Ubren-Attolia War in favour of [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b], [b]The Holy Territories of Edoniras[/b] begins mustering an army in the province of Sul. Nearly eighty thousand men, with the Pope's personal blessing, stand ready to march to the aid of Attolia. Whether they will actively engage with [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b] still stands to be seen, as no deceleration of war has been made, but it is still a clear sign of intent. 

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

Looking to build further on the burgeoning Officer Exchange Program, [b][color=007236]The Three City's Republic of Ianian[/color][/b] proposes a further exchange with [b]The Redcliff Empire[/b], a promising Echyan naval officer becoming an Admiral for Redcliff, and in return an equally promising Redcliff army officer becoming a General for Ianian. By chance, General Roberto Valier has long been considering his retirement, his long tenure in the colony of New Genia convincing him to spend his last years there. The man that takes his place is Stagio Fiorensi. A young man, but already the most talented general that Ianian commands, Stagio is reckless, but brilliant. Although he is yet to earn his men's trust, he may well be soon put to the test. 

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

The war of [b]The Empire of Rubrus[/b] and [b]The Kingdom of Claidor[/b] against [b]The Kingdom of Vendsyssel[/b] and [b]The Kingdom of Ilastiri[/b] has ground to a halt over the cold winter months. Although Norzeg is firmly under Rubrus control, the Rubrus army was quick to abandon its planned further invasion of the province following the deceleration of war between [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b] and [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b]. Keen to honour their pledge to Attolia, Rubrus have since then been attempting to negotiate their way out of their own war. And finally, those negotiations can come to a close. The terms laid out by Vendsyssel and Ilastiri are far from generous ones. Rubrus and Claidor must both concede that the war was started by Claidor, and that all actions taken by Vendsyssel and Ilastiri following that outbreak were just. The conquered land will remain conquered, and Rubrus and Claidor must pay for the damage and loss of life they have inflicted. It is a brutal and woefully one-sided treaty, but Rubrus and Claidor both sign, and the war officially draws to a close, the main Rubrus army retreating back to friendly territory. Perhaps in preparation for the next war, the Empire of Rubrus makes contact with their allies to the north, [b][color=2e3192]The Kingdom of Aontas[/color][/b], placing a sizable order for the 'Aaberg Musket'. The factories of Aontas are happy to accept the full payment, and begin work at once. 

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

Despite the conflict with [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b] raging to the west, [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b] is not entirely focused on war. In Altubren, a vast project, aimed at further increasing the already burgeoning industrialization of the region. By pouring more of the nation's sizable economy into new and developing industries, as well as attempting to tempt new talent from neighbouring nations, Ubren is continuing to define itself as one of the leading industrial powers in Europe. 

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

The Second Siege of Nartoise continues. By now, the second army of [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b] has also reached the city, and half-circled the besieging army of [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b]. Neither Ubren or Attolia seem willing to play their hand yet, waiting for orders to reach them. The tension in the air around the city is thick, but relief is coming, or at least a form of it. While the Attolian army under General Joel Keskitalo awaits their orders, Admirals Antti Erkkilä and Kai Kauppinen receive theirs. Abandoning their raiding of the ports and coastal settlements of Torrik, the Attolian fleet is ordered to sail down the flooded rivers of Belgae, to attack the Ubren forces. Months have passed since the initial flooding, and the waters have largely flooded, but a handful of sloops still make the journey, harassing what supply lines they can reach. It is around the city of Nartoise itself that the fleet finds the greatest success. The bombardment requires some control, due to the Attolian forces gathered around the city, but steadily, the Attolian ships begin to chip away at the Ubren armies. 

[b][i][u]20th of January[/u][/i][/b]

With the ink on the Colonial Treaty of the New World still drying, [color=f26522][b]The Republic of Toubres[/b][/color] sends a diplomatic party to [b]The Echyan Empire[/b], keen to establish a working relationship between the two nations, not only as they divide the south-western continent between themselves, but also opening the possibility for collaboration in further exploration of Africa. This diplomatic party is warmly greeted by Echya, and the two nations quickly go to work. 

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

[b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b] continues it's sweeping invasion of [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b]. The Siege of Argenles is continuing to drag on, the army of Ubren unable to break down the spirited and entrenched defence of the cities Attolian garrison. But to the north, General Wulf Weigl is also on the march. More than eighty thousand men make use of the narrow passage between the provinces of Obertal and Calae, conquest in their heart as they flank around the Attolian army still besieging Nartoise. What they find in the province of Calae is a welcome surprise. While General Fritz Hecker struggles to break down the spirited defenders of Bergen, General Wulf Weigl finds that in the province of Calae, there are no defenders at all. Conquering the province becomes a simple task of travelling from city to city and tearing down the Attolian flags. The City of Camsir falls first, and the Ubren force marches onwards, towards the provincial capital of Calae itself. 

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

In the province of Centrix, an army of [b]The Redcliff Empire[/b] is mustered. Redcliff has lost some of the awe-inspiring might that it once possessed, but when needed, it can still call upon one of the most powerful armies in Europe. The army that musters in Centrix stands at more than eighty thousand men, highly trained veterans of war, summoned to honour the Empire's allegiance to the Trading League. No more will the Empire need to rely upon goodwill and pity, it will forge it's own path once again. 

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

While their homeland is ravaged by [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b], the army of [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b] marches not to aid their compatriots, but instead to the south, returning to the capital of [b]The Kingdom of Sescos[/b]. Larymnas is a burnt and broken ruin, abandoned by all but a few stragglers, and Sescos have instead taken the city of Kavros as their capital, deep in the untouched province of Svoza. The nearly fifty thousand strong army of Attolia serves as an honour guard for the signing of the new alliance, a show of solidarity with the Kingdom, even while their own nation is invaded. 

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

The province capital of Calae falls. In truth, with no garrison of [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b] to defend it, the conquering of the city is little more than a formality for the army of [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b]. Only the port city of Poirac remains, and it's people can only sit and wait for the Ubren army to reach them. No doubt buoyed by the sweeping advances of his compatriots, General Janik Tillich, entrenched within the city of Nartoise, decides to decisively break the siege of the city. The supporting army of Ubren, further bolstered by reinforcements from the city of Houte, stands at more than a sixty thousand men, and within the city of Nartoise itself, General Tillich personally commands almost the same number again. Although the bombardment from the Attolian fleet has certainly taken its toll upon the Ubren force, the Attolian army is still outnumbered more than two to one as the Ubren army charges their lines. But finally, General Tillich meets his match. While the Attolian General Joel Keskitalo is poorly suited to besieging a city, in holding a line, he is more than equal to General Tillich, in fact, he is a greater strategist. Rings of exquisitely designed and constructed defensive fortifications make the superior numbers of Ubren count for little, and the Attolian soldiers fight like lions, General Keskitalo seemingly everywhere at once. With the Attolian fleet continuing it's bombardment, the Attolian soldiers hold the line. The battle is bloody and brutal, tens of thousands lie dead in the marshes around the city of Nartoise, but when the dust finally clears, the Attolian army still holds its ground. General Tillich is no fool, he knows he is sending his men into a meat grinder, and he does not enjoy the unaccustomed taste of defeat. Pulling back his forces, Tillich retreats into the city of Nartoise, seeking shelter from the naval bombardment. 

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

Finally, orders reach [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b] army in Belgae. With the Attolian fleets continued bombardment covering their retreat, the ragged, bloody but victorious army of Attolia retreats in the face of [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b] forces. By either a complete fluke, or a tactical masterstroke, they are ordered to retreat to the province of Calae. They arrive into the city of Poirac just days before the celebrating Ubren force arrives to finish their conquest of the province. The Attolian army has no time to lick it's wounds, but General Joel Keskitalo simply grits his teeth, and the Siege of Poirac begins. 

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

All too aware that war seemingly continues to spread unchecked, [b][color=007236]The Three City's Republic of Ianian[/color][/b] once again pushes for recruits into regiments of it's Foreign Legion. The move is a successful one, at least partially. It is clear that it is conflict that breeds soldiers, and in the colonies of north Africa, and the colonies of the Far East, plenty of men are found willing to sign up, if it means they have the safety of a weapon in their hands, and other soldiers at their back. In the flourishing colonies to the west though, the Colonial Treaty of the New World and years of rich living has made men soft, and far less willing to endure the rigours of a soldiers life. 

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

In Amzores, the capital of [color=f26522][b]The Republic of Toubres[/b][/color], a great fleet is being assembled. No doubt in response to the nation's pledge, along with the other members of League, to come to the aid of [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b], the fleet is formidable, and it does not come a moment too soon. Attolia is a battleground. In the province of Bergen, the siege of Argenles drags on, but the defences are beginning to crumble. The garrison of the city is still resolute, encouraged by the presence of General Eerikki Klemetti, but there is a chance that the city will break before the soldiers do. In Calae, the majority of the province is firmly in the hands of [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b], the last point of resistance is the Attolian army entrenched within the city of Poirac, and the city is totally encircled, only the sea to the north offering any possible escape, or relief. The situation looks desperate, but the nations of [b]The Redcliff Empire[/b], [b]The Holy Territories of Edoniras[/b] and the Republic of Toubres are all mobilizing, preparing to come to Attolia's aid. But soon, there may not be any Attolia to save.