[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]Summer of 1756[/h2][/center]

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

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

Following in the footsteps of [b]The Kingdom of Paranas[/b], [b]The Principality of Asmont[/b] is the second nation to declare it's intended neutrality, if war should break out between [b]The Kingdom of Stevata[/b] and [b][color=2e3192]The Kingdom of Dorist[/color][/b], as many believe it will. Asmont shares a cultural history with Dorist, but in more recent history, their attentions have instead turned towards the west, and there are already rumours that perhaps the neutrality of Asmont is a symbol of how their neighbours, [color=87CEEB][b]The Empire of Grimhout[/b][/color] and [b]The Kingdom of Arhan[/b], will react to this coming war. 

[b][u][i]3rd of April[/i][/u][/b]

In a move that very few saw coming, a delegation is sent across the narrow channel between [color=87CEEB][b]The Empire of Grimhout[/b][/color] and [b]The Kingdom of Kehsi[/b]. The delegation travels under the official seal of Arch-Duke Jean-Baptise Dervau, and seem to take Kehsi as much by surprise as anyone else. Regardless of their past hostilities, and the tension that has been steadily growing between the nations, there are still diplomatic etiquette to be observed, and the delegation is given lodgings in the Kehsi capital of Sabica. An audience with the young king is requested, but what is discussed remains a closely guarded secret. 

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

While one pair of ancient enemies appear to be potentially looking to build bridges, across Europe another pair seem to have no such intentions. [color=#018c85][b]The Kingdom of Komentiolos[/b][/color] move a sizeable force of field guns to re-enforce the already heavily fortified border with [color=FFD700][b]The Empire of Khazaria[/b][/color], heating tensions that have not cooled for generations. While those within Komentiolos itself see this as a defensive move, looking to protect themselves from the war-hawks of the empire, Khazaria could well see this as a sign of intent. Khazaria now finds its attention split between their enemy to the west and their enemy to the south. Focus too much on one, and the other will no doubt seize the opportunity. 

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

Perhaps in reaction to the recent actions of [color=#018c85][b]The Kingdom of Komentiolos[/b][/color], or perhaps simply as a part of routine improvements, the [color=FFD700][b]The Empire of Khazaria[/b][/color] begins a series of improvements. Large areas of the empire are still sparsely populated, and should war come to the borders of Khazaria itself, supply lines can easily become overstretched and vulnerable. With this thought no doubt in mind, Khazaria begins improving the supply of it's troops, as well as drawing up grand logistical plans for the armies operation. It is a slow and laborious process, but it is a start, and just another step towards modernising the traditional practices of the empires forces.

[b][i][u]9th of April[/u][/i][/b] 

Ever since the effective closing of their court in the ensuing chaos of the conspiracy allegations, [b]The Kingdom of Arhan[/b] has been a closed book to even their closest neighbours. The great noble families have come together in the capital, and there has been an apparent changing of the guard. Still no news has escaped the kingdom's borders on the fate of Lord Favre, but some rumours still escape. Arhan has long had a rivalry with [b]The Empire of Reria[/b], and it seems that the rivalry is only continuing. Reria merchants are reporting that they have been turned away from Arhan ports, and the narrow border between the two nations has been all but closed.  

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

With their neutrality loosely secured, and their relations with [b]The Kingdom of Altenten[/b] and [color=FFD700][b]The Empire of Khazaria[/b][/color] still intact, it appears as if [b]The Kingdom of Paranas[/b] hes developed a taste for diplomacy. A delegation is sent to [color=BA55D3][b]The Republic of Kalseran[/b][/color], looking to improve their relations with their neighbours. While some nations in Europe are collecting enemies, Paranas seems to be doing quite the opposite. 

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

Perhaps spooked by the prospect of war elsewhere in Europe, or perhaps simply looking to make use of their impressive coffers, [b][color=ed1c24]The Kingdom of Hispalis[/color][/b] begin rewriting their logistical plans, and working to improve their armies access to supplies. Fresh equipment is distributed amongst the troops, and it is readily welcomed. All across Europe, war seems to be hanging in the air, and nations are beginning to move pieces into place.

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

While [b][color=ed1c24]The Kingdom of Hispalis[/color][/b] begins work on one side of the Strait of Gibraltar, they are not resting idle across the strait either. Missionaries are dispatched to the far reaches of the colonies influence, spreading not only the faith, but also the language and culture of Hispalis. The missionaries find natives with their own rich culture and history, but they are also natives that have seen the riches that Hispalis can bring, and are willing to welcome the missionaries. It is a slow process, but the colonies influence is steadily growing through peaceful means, and that in itself is admirable. 

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

The diplomatic party of [color=87CEEB][b]The Empire of Grimhout[/b][/color] encounters remarkable success in [b]The Empire of Stabuga[/b]. They are welcomed with open arms, and quickly find that the frozen north boasts great riches. The Imperial Palace of Monsk is a grand building, and the delegation is invited to feast with the ageing Tsar, Viktor Barinov, a man who they quickly find possesses an incredibly sharp mind. The Tsar is fascinated with the tales of the diplomats homeland, and invites them to stay as long as they wish. For now he avoids talk of possible treaties, but a man as sharp as the Tsar is no doubt aware of the coming war close to his borders. That is not to say that Stabuga is in need of help, for the Grimhout diplomats see no shortage of soldiers during their stay, and Stabuga boast impressive natural defences as well as military ones. 

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

As the power of [b]The Viswan Empire[/b] continues to crumble, it is not only [color=BA55D3][b]The Republic of Kalseran[/b][/color] that is looking to strengthen their own hold. The colony of [b]The Kingdom of Kehsi[/b] begins what can only be conceived as aggressive expansion. The colony is garrisoned by a militia force, but Kehsi begins training more soldiers, and improving the defences of their ports. This is an act o defiance against the Viswan Empire, and even though the Empire is starting to crumble, it is still immensely powerful. Cogs are beginning to turn, and even as Kehsi begin to prepare themselves, the slow beast of the Empire is starting to turn it's attention towards them. 

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

[b]The Kingdom of Genstadt[/b] is the third nation to declare it's effective neutrality should their neighbours to the east go to war. Although Genstadt shares a common history with [b][color=2e3192]The Kingdom of Dorist[/color][/b], much like [b]The Principality of Asmont[/b], the strength of Genstadt stems from it's navy, and while [b]The Kingdom of Fosbak[/b] continues to look at the potential war between [b]The Kingdom of Stevata[/b] and Dorist with barely disguised disdain, it is unlikely that Genstadt would be permitted to navigate their fleet into a position in which they could contribute to the war. Dorist seems to quickly be running out of friends.

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

While other nations look towards war, [b][color=ed1c24]The Kingdom of Hispalis[/color][/b] seems to have other things on mind. Hispalis already boasts an impressive treasury, largely drawn from trade across Europe, and their vice-like control of the vital Strait into the Mediterranean, but clearly the kingdom is not yet satisfied. They announce the founding of a rudimentary stock exchange in the capital, Toletum, intended to act as a tool to encourage ventures by the kingdom's businessmen. The news is greeted by the elite, but it is an enterprise largely lost on the masses. Hispalis, like the rest of Europe, is an agrarian economy, and it is only the rich that are currently looking to make themselves even richer.

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

As tensions continue to rise with their ancient enemies, [color=FFD700][b]The Empire of Khazaria[/b][/color], the actions of [color=#018c85][b]The Kingdom of Komentiolos[/b][/color] continue to do nothing to mend relations. Orders are issued to the soldiers of the kingdom's army, and training begins in earnest. Even the reserve forces are brought in and trained. The air seems to crackle in anticipation of... something, but whatever it is, Komentiolos obviously intends to be ready for it. 

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

Even while the two nations of [b]The Kingdom of Stevata[/b] and [b][color=2e3192]The Kingdom of Dorist[/color][/b] seem to be hurtling towards war, the border between the two nations had recently taken on an almost surreal air. Dorist has stationed soldiers along the border who can easily trace their ancestry to Stevata itself, and there are even cases of cousins standing on opposite sides of the border. Considering the two sides were effectively countrymen, there were numerous reports of soldiers crossing the border to share a fire and a drink on particularly cold nights. This sense of merriment is abruptly extinguished. The Dorist Infantry is pulled back from the border, and suddenly reports begin flooding in of dark riders crossing the border and harassing the people of Stevata. These riders wear no uniform, and disappear before Stevata can mount a response. They leave chaos and panic in their wake, knocking down men, women and children with the flats of their sabre. King Oswald IV is a young man still, but he summons his advisors, and war quickly seems all but a certainty. 

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

War is one wrong move away. [b]The Kingdom of Stevata[/b] accuse [b][color=2e3192]The Kingdom of Dorist[/color][/b] of sending their cavalry across the border and attacking the Stevata people. Civilians are move back from the border, and yet more soldiers take their place. Stevata demand a public apology from Dorist, or they will have no choice but declare war on their neighbours to protect their people. In the wake of this declaration, [b]The Kingdom of Teclav[/b] echoes their ally, condemning the actions of Dorist as barbaric and preparing their own forces to march to the aid of Stevata. The news is still making it's way across Europe, but one way or another, this accusation will have serious consequences. Many are already looking towards the reactions of [color=FFD700][b]The Empire of Khazaria[/b][/color], and [color=#018c85][b]The Kingdom of Komentiolos[/b][/color]. By chance, King Nikolaos II is a guest of King Freud, as part of the state banquet, and has been pushing for closer relations with Dorist. This recent development may well put those improving relations to the test.