[b][/b][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 1756[/h2][/center]

[img]https://i.ibb.co/RyXVT7S/Labelled-Map-2-1.png[/img]

[u][b][i]2nd of March[/i][/b][/u] 

The news of the weakening grip that [b]The Viswan Empire[/b] has over the Indian subcontinent has still only freshly arrived in Europe, but already there is a reaction. [color=87CEEB][b]The Empire of Grimhout[/b][/color] already has colonial holdings in the Americas, but perhaps their attention now turn towards the east. A trade delegation is assembled and sent on their way, and many believe that if this delegation finds safe harbour, more will surely follow. While this move may well be seen as a threat by [color=BA55D3][b]The Republic of Kalseran[/b][/color], it also does little to sweeten the sour relations between Grimhout and [b]The Kingdom of Kehsi.[/b]

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

As war becomes increasingly likely, [color=FFD700][b]The Empire of Khazaria[/b][/color] begins swelling it's army. Not only does the empire begin raising more soldiers of the line, Khazaria also begins drafting the nomadic tribes into their ranks. These nomads are a callback to the hordes of Khazaria that were once the scourge of eastern Europe, and although they are perhaps relics of a bygone age now that powder and cannon-fire rule the battlefield, they are still a frightening sight, and they are more than willing to achieve a glorious death for Khazaria. 

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

[b]The Kingdom of Arhan[/b] has been the staging ground for a complex wrestle for influence between [b][color=ed1c24]The Kingdom of Hispalis[/color][/b] and [color=87CEEB][b]The Empire of Grimhout[/b][/color], and for the last few weeks, the air has felt electric, like the calm before the storm. Just after dawn, the storm finally breaks. The Hispalis diplomat in Arhan, Julio Cotilla, requests an audience with Queen Ameline, and reports on a plot that threatens to plunge Arhan into a civil war. Julio claims that a group of nobles, led by a 'Lord Favre', are planning to place a usurper on the Arhan throne. Even while this announcement causes shock waves to roll through the Arhan court, Julio continues. The diplomat lays clear the intent of Hispalis to form a dynastic union with Arhan, marrying Prince Adrian to Princess Marie. Despite the chaos already ensuing through the rest of the court, Queen Ameline remains calm, thanking Julio for his report, and retreating to meet with her most important advisors. 

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

[b]The Kingdom of Arhan[/b] issues orders for the arrest of Lord Favre and a number of other prominent nobles from the southern province of Colveil. Rumours are already swirling that Lord Favre has fled back to Colveil, others claim he has retreated to sympathisers in [b]The Empire of Reria[/b], while some even suggest that he has raised an army in Colveil and prepared for war. As is often the case, reality is far more bland than fiction. Lord Favre walks to the gates of the palace and surrenders himself. He is dragged before the inner court, and while the diplomats of both [b][color=ed1c24]The Kingdom of Hispalis[/color][/b] and [color=87CEEB][b]The Empire of Grimhout[/b][/color] attempt to be present for what follows, their requests are politely but firmly denied. 

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

While the dramatic events within [b]The Kingdom of Arhan[/b] continue to unfold, the rest of Europe does not sit idle. [b]The Kingdom of Paranas[/b] has been internally struggling, caught between [b]The Kingdom of Altenten[/b] and [color=FFD700][b]The Empire of Khazaria[/b][/color], but finally they find some respite. All too aware of their allies quandary, Khazaria officially announce that they will honour the neutrality of Paranas. No doubt inspired by this, Altenten make a similar declaration, and for now at least, Paranas can relax. However this move also favours [b]The Kingdom of Stevata[/b], at least temporarily, as their potential front-line narrows yet further. 

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

The trial of Lord Favre and his companions in [b]The Kingdom of Arhan[/b] has dragged on, and despite the best efforts of [b][color=ed1c24]The Kingdom of Hispalis[/color][/b] and [color=87CEEB][b]The Empire of Grimhout[/b][/color], their representatives have largely been kept in the dark regarding the proceedings. In fact, both delegations report back to their superiors that they have been carefully and subtly restricted to certain areas of the palace and its ground, and it is becoming increasingly obvious that while their presence is not yet unwelcome, it is also no longer 'required'. Rumours also continue to swirl that the kingdom's forces in Colveil have been mobilised, ensuring that their presence is felt by the local population. All throughout this, [b]The Empire of Reria[/b] is watching warily on. Reria and Arhan have rarely seen eye-to-eye, and this potential weakness may encourage the empire to be more bold. 

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

Even while relations deteriorate to the west, an attempt is made to perhaps mend the relations of the east. [b][color=2e3192]The Kingdom of Dorist[/color][/b] announces the holding of an elaborate state dinner. Invites are sent to the nations of [b]The Kingdom of Fosbak[/b] , [b]The Kingdom of Altenten[/b], [b]The Kingdom of Stevata[/b], [b]The Kingdom of Teclav[/b], [b]The Kingdom of Paranas[/b], [color=BA55D3][b]The Republic of Kalseran[/b][/color] and [color=#018c85][b]The Kingdom of Komentiolos[/b][/color]. With the attempts of Fosbak to steer Dorist and Stevata towards peace largely grinding to a halt, this is clearly a state dinner that is intended to act as a staging ground to resolve the conflict. However [color=FFD700][b]The Empire of Khazaria[/b][/color] is a noticeable exception, and behind the hope that the news of this summit brings, there rides a darker rumour. Reports tell of King Freud himself describing Khazaria as 'a land of savages', and in one fell swoop, all the good intentions falls apart. Stevata refuse to attend unless an apology is issued, and Khazaria are invited to any future summits. Teclav unsurprisingly follows the example of their ally, as Paranas also refuse, citing their self-imposed neutrality, although few believe that they take the words of the Dorist king lightly. The state dinner may well still go ahead, but it will be without Stevata, and so little progress will be made towards resolving the tensions. In fact, this seems to reignite the conflict, as Stevata resume the heavy patrolling of their border. 

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

While their attempts to improve relations to the south appear to have been scuppered by the conspiracy unearthed within [b]The Kingdom of Arhan[/b], there is more success to be found elsewhere for [color=87CEEB][b]The Empire of Grimhout[/b][/color]. The empire has long enjoyed good relations with [b]The Principality of Asmont[/b], and the charm of Princess Juliette is only helping their cause. But it is not only to the near east that Grimhout are looking. In a somewhat rogue move that few expected, a diplomatic delegation is sent on the long journey to [b]The Empire of Stabuga[/b]. The two empires have little history with each other, but Grimhout clearly hope to find some middle ground. Perhaps it is reading too much into it, but Stabuga have strong cultural ties with Teclav, and therefore with Stevata. Is another nation announcing which side of the line they stand upon, or is Grimhout simply looking for a potential new opportunity in the cold north?

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

[b]The Kingdom of Arhan[/b] finally breaks their silence. The official declaration is intentionally vague on the results of the trial, but the message is still clear. Arhan has been caught in a rug-of-war for too long, and Queen Ameline is tired of other nations treating her kingdom like a plaything. The nobility of Arhan closes ranks, and the delegates of the various nations that currently hold residence in the royal palace, [b][color=ed1c24]The Kingdom of Hispalis[/color][/b] and [color=87CEEB][b]The Empire of Grimhout[/b][/color] among them, are quickly left with the distinct impression that they would be advised to return to their respective nations sooner rather than later. For now, the kingdom of Arhan is closing it's doors, and rumours are already swirling of a purge amongst the ruling class, and perhaps even a drastic change in the nation's direction. 

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

Even as the trade ships of [color=87CEEB][b]The Empire of Grimhout[/b][/color] make the long journey towards India to capitalise on the crumbling of [b]The Viswan Empire[/b], those who are already there are not laying idle either. [color=BA55D3][b]The Republic of Kalseran[/b][/color] begins a wide-scale project on improving their colonies in the region, expanding their already impressive trade routes and looking to improve relations with the locals. The colonists have no way of knowing that other European powers have turned their attention towards the subcontinent, but they are already working to accommodate the shift of power in the region. 

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

While the feast of [b][color=2e3192]The Kingdom of Dorist[/color][/b] seems to be falling apart, the feast of [color=FFD700][b]The Empire of Khazaria[/b][/color] is a roaring success. Intended to bring the major tribes together in one place, the feast last days and nights, many great stories being shared between the tribes. It is rare for these nomadic tribes to gather together, and it has served as a reminder of how much they have in common with one another. There is violence, but it is largely brawls over 'honour', whether it is the honour of a woman, a man, a tribe or a horse, and the brawls all end in laughter and shared merriment. Not only does this feast unite the tribes, it also unites them behind Khazaria, and even more fresh recruits flock to the recruiting call of the empire's army. 

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

Far to the west, the tension in the Americas between the colonies of [color=87CEEB][b]The Empire of Grimhout[/b][/color] and [b]The Kingdom of Kehsi[/b] refuses to dissipate. The colonies of Grimhout begin a public display of training procedures for their militia units, no doubt intended to serve as both a display of strength, and a sign of intent. While few think Grimhout will be bold enough to launch any direct action against Kehsi, the various tribes that populate the un-colonised reaches of America may be wise to keep a wary eye on their European neighbours.