[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]2nd of February[/u][/i][/b] [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b] mobilizes. Declaring a state of emergency, the nation frantically rallies it's people, ready for the war against [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b] it already finds itself firmly in the grip of. Although help is coming, Attolia's armies lie in ruins, their provinces aflame, so the Emperor himself takes to the streets, desperately attempting to keep up the people's spirits, to prevent the nation buckling under the unbearable weight. In Calae, the grim determination of General Keskitalo is being pushed to the limit, forced to defend a city with a tattered army, a desperate last stand against overwhelming odds, every street becoming a bloody and frenzied battlefield. And in Bergen, although General Klemetti does what he can to rally his forces, the city of Argenles is on the brink of falling to the Ubren invaders. [b][i][u]3rd of February[/u][/i][/b] True to it's word, [b][color=007236]The Three City's Republic of Ianian[/color][/b] officially declares war on [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b]. Clearly fearful that the war could spread even further, or perhaps wary of opportunistic uprisings, General Giano Barbario is redeployed to watch over the Republic's colonies to the west. Also staying true to their word, [color=f26522][b]The Republic of Toubres[/b][/color], [b]The Holy Territories of Edoniras[/b] and [b]The Redcliff Empire[/b] all also declare war on Ubren. The balance of the war has drastically shifted. [b][i][u]5th of February[/u][/i][/b] [b][color=2e3192]The Kingdom of Aontas[/color][/b] seems hesitant in involving itself too greatly in the war against [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b]. The memory of the massacre that was the attempted defence of Torrik is no doubt still fresh in the minds of the Aontas people, and for now, the Aontas armies do not march. General Herjolfsson remains in the colony of Suveren, establishing himself as a temporary 'governor'. His first proclamation is far from popular. Reparations are offered only to 'loyal' Aontas citizens, and this only reignites the flames of inequality amongst the native population. Only the military presence prevents the hostilities from beginning again, and after what was seemingly the last straw, almost the entire native population flees into the welcoming arms of [color=f26522][b]The Republic of Toubres[/b][/color] to the west. [b][i][u]7th of February[/u][/i][/b] The riots and protests all across [color=9e0b0f][b]The Hastel Dominions[/b][/color] have continued for months. Industry has ground to a halt, and the rulers of the nation cower behind their walls and their soldiers, terrified of the blazing fire that burns in the people's hearts. The pressure is constantly building, and it is close to bursting point, if the nation continues to ignore the war of it's ally [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b], the violence will only continue to escalate. Now that the balance is shifting against Ubren, the calls for the Dominions to aid them only grow louder. [b][i][u]8th of February[/u][/i][/b] Aware of the high cost of war, or merely not enjoying how low their impressive wealth has fallen, [b][color=007236]The Three City's Republic of Ianian[/color][/b] announces an increased tax rate. In truth, the people of the Republic are content, flush with trade, and secure in the security that the European Trading League has created, and the change is barely noticeable. Once again, the coffers begin to fill, even with war on the horizon. [b][i][u]9th of February[/u][/i][/b] Relief arrives for the entrenched army of [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b] in the province of Calae. It is a blessing that the city of Poirac is a port city, as it allows the European Fleet of Attolia to sail to its defenders aid. As well as bringing in fresh supplies, the ships braving the artillery firepower of [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b], the fleet also brings firepower of it's own. With their attacks co-ordinated by the same shapes in the sky that Ubren first sighted over Bergen. Balloons, tethered to the ground and floating high above the city, the men hanging in a rudimentary basket beneath the balloon communicating with the forces below, directing their fire towards the Ubren formations. The Attolian cannons take a bloody toll, as well as giving fresh hope to the cities garrison. [b][i][u]11th of February[/u][/i][/b] The recovery of [b]The Kingdom of Sescos[/b] is once again given a welcome boost. A diplomatic party embarks from [b][color=007236]The Three City's Republic of Ianian[/color][/b], crossing over [b]The Echyan Empire[/b] and offering Sescos industrial planners and designers, continuing the spark of the Kingdom's rebuilding. Sescos is quick to accept the offer, and the industry in the nation roars into life once again. [b][i][u]13th of February[/u][/i][/b] The army of [b]The Holy Territories of Edoniras[/b] marches north. Wary that [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b] has already proven itself canny in outflanking and outmaneuvering the armies of [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b], the Edoniras army under General Bertino Fioranati arrives at the province of Augverne, almost eighty thousand men under the Pope's flag taking up positions in defence of the province. The defensive line that Ubren faces has been seriously bolstered. [b][u][i]14th of February[/i][/u][/b] Aware that [b]The Echyan Empire[/b] has pledged to intervene in the war, as a part of the European Trading League, [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b] is quick to send a diplomatic party to their fellow member of The Continental Alliance. The diplomatic party expresses it's understanding that Echya cannot spare any of it's forces, not with the combined might of [b]The Eternal Hadeen of Dashkatar[/b] still on their border. Instead, the Attolian diplomats ask for financial aid, all too aware that their economy is on the brink of collapse. The Echyan Empire, their own economy enjoying the relative success of their colonies to the west, accepts the offer. They agree to providing Attolia with one hundred thousand Echyan Crowns, an impressive offer, with the unspoken agreement that Attolia will come to Echya's aid, should the Hijeen armies march to war. [b][i][u]15th of February[/u][/i][/b] Admiral Tristão Gouveia takes command of the 1st Fleet of [color=f26522][b]The Republic of Toubres[/b][/color] and sails to war. Giving the conquering army of General Janik Tillich no respite, the formidable fleet begins a seemingly relentless series of attacks against [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b] forces in the province of Belgae. The flooding has receded almost entirely, but the coastal cities of Houte and Nartoise have no shelter from the roaring cannons of the Ships of the Line. The naval power that Toubres can bring to bear is intimidating, even for the might of Ubren. While one fleet raids Belgae, the 2nd Fleet of Toubres, commanded by Admiral Diogo Florencio, sails to the direct aid of [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b], joining the European Fleet of Attolia around the besieged city of Poirac, lending their firepower to the Attolians, as well as providing vital supplies. [b][i][u]17th of February[/u][/i][/b] The fleet of [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b] in the far east continues to lick it's wounds. They find that the colonies they left behind have changed in the time they have been away. The East Asia Trading Company wields almost total power in the region, their private army seeming to run nearly every aspect of the colonies. Regardless, the fleet is able to resupply, the Trading Company making a great show of providing discounted goods. For now at least, [b]The Shuren Dynasty[/b] does not stir. [b][i][u]20th of February[/u][/i][/b] Continuing to show it's commitment to waging war against [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b], [b][color=007236]The Three City's Republic of Ianian[/color][/b] orders General Stagio Fiorensi to muster an army in the province of Rodesia. The main strength of this army lies in the regiments of the Foreign Legion, highly trained and well armed soldiers that stand ready to march to war. Despite Ianian and the other nations of the European Trading League coming to the aid of [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b], the war is far from won. Although the dogged defence of Poirac continues, Argenles finally falls. The walls in ruins, the garrison is finally overwhelmed, and the Ubren army continues along the river, towards the provincial capital of Bergen itself. [b][i][u]21st of February[/u][/i][/b] No doubt growing weary of the naval bombardment that he has suffered in the coastal cities of Belgae, unable to fight a war against ships at sea, General Janik Tillich is glad to receive his orders. Leaving the captured cities of the province garrisoned, the main force of [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b] marches south. Wary of Attolia's allies mobilizing, Tillich decides that the battle over Bergen needs to be drawn to a close. Reaching the city of Orris, Janik sieges the city. With the taste of defeat still fresh in his mouth, Janik is in no mood for wasting time, and the attack on the city is ruthless and relentless. [b][i][u]22nd of February[/u][/i][/b] Admiral Meo Viari sails to join the allied fleet surrounding Poirac. With a fleet of [b][color=007236]The Three City's Republic of Ianian[/color][/b] at his back, the Admiral makes the short journey easily, and when he arrives, it only pours more woe onto [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b] army besieging the city. The combined fleets of three nations bombard the army almost relentlessly, and thousands already lie dead, no shelter from the raining fire. [b][i][u]23rd of February[/u][/i][/b] Orris falls under the burning fury of General Tillich. Now only the city of Bergen remains, a final stand by the forces of [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b] against the seemingly overwhelming numbers of [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b]. One army already besieges the city, and now the army of Tillich marches to join them. The already slim hope for the garrison has now been all but extinguished. The aid of The European Trading League is still arriving, but it is slow. To the north, an army of [color=f26522][b]The Republic of Toubres[/b][/color] is mustered in the nation's capital, Amzores. Highly elite riflemen, well-drilled and well-equipped, they stand ready to march to war in the coming months. [b][i][u]25th of February[/u][/i][/b] [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b] shows the first sign of perhaps doubting itself. All too aware that it has left it's flanks weakened during their push to the west, and very wary of the army of [b]The Redcliff Empire[/b] that is gathering to their southern borders, General Fritz sends several thousand men from his force back to garrison the cities of Kleinhut, as well as preparing for [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b] to receive reinforcements from the south. The main force remains focused on the Siege of Bergen, their numbers significantly bolstered by the arriving army of General Tillich. Although the garrison of the city is still in high morale, thanks to the command of General Klemetti, they are almost ludicrously outnumbered, and they are forced to fight almost endlessly to maintain their tenuous control of the city. [b][i][u]26th of February[/u][/i][/b] The Siege of Poirac has dragged on, but the balance has turned against [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b]. Any attempted attack that the Ubren forces launches is quickly sighted by the balloon hanging above the city and reported down to the vast fleet sitting off the coast, who are able to target their fire and quickly blunt the attack before it can build momentum. Perhaps realizing that victory is slipping away from them, General Wulf begins preparing a new strategy. While drawing up plans for his force to retreat back to Belgae, or to hold the already captured cities of Calae, Wulf sends a scouting party to the capital province of Attolia. What they find is particularly surprising. [b][i][u]27th of February[/u][/i][/b] With the path now open through [b]The Redcliff Empire[/b], the army of [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b] previously stranded in [b]The Kingdom of Sescos[/b] begins the long march back to their homeland. Their orders call for them to aid the defence of Bergen, but with only the provincial capital still in Attolian hands, and with a significant journey ahead, their may not be any Bergen to defend by the time the army gets there. [b][i][u]28th of February[/u][/i][/b] The vast army of [b]The Redcliff Empire[/b] once again marches to war. But now, the nation is not standing alone against the combined weight of its neighbours, instead, Redcliff stands shoulder to shoulder with its allies in The European Trading League, and alongside the members of The Continental Alliance. While the army of [b][color=00aeef]The Empire of Attolia[/color][/b] is still miles away, and the army of [b]The Holy Territories of Edoniras[/b] seems to focus on reinforcing the defensive line, the Redcliff army takes the fight to [b][color=708090]The Kingdom of Ubren[/color][/b]. General Melezio Parenti is keen to shake off the resounding defeat he suffered at the hands of [b]The Republic of Oflua[/b] and [b]The Kingdom of Ilastiri[/b] in wars past, and he marches into the province of Bergen with eighty thousand men at his back. The meagre Ubren garrison left to hold the city of Argenles is shattered in a matter of hours. Redcliff has a taste for war again, and the beast is reawakening.