[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]Autumn of 1756[/h2][/center] [img]https://i.ibb.co/RyXVT7S/Labelled-Map-2-1.png[/img] [b][i][u]1st of July[/u][/i][/b] The horseman of war continues to ride across Europe, accompanied by it's constant companion, the pale horse of death. In the province of Shardvul, the ground continues to be watered by the blood of [b][color=2e3192]The Kingdom of Dorist[/color][/b]. The army that is intended to break the siege of Kronik continues it's grinding advance. The baggage train alone stretches back for miles, and Alp Tarkhan is quickly finding that perhaps this strange land to the west is not so different from the rolling steppes of his childhood. After all, a bandit is a bandit wherever he is, and he knows a rich offering when he sees one. With the riders of [color=FFD700][b]The Empire of Khazaria[/b][/color] at his back, Alp continues to terrorise this supply chain, striking from the shadows and then fading into the darkness before the Dorist forces can mount a counter-attack. While General Albert Riechsand inspires the men under his command, the other arm of the attack, under the lesser command of a General Tilman Grohl, begins to falter. Frantic messages cross the province, but Dorist soon finds that no matter how fast their messenger horses can ride, the stallions from the steppes seem to ride like the wind, and as communication begins to deteriorate, it is only around the two leading Generals of Dorist that the soldiers rally. Albert continues to grind onwards, while General Wolfgang Draton continues to hold the city of Kronik itself, withstanding the siege from [b]The Kingdom of Stevata[/b] with a grim indifference. [b][i][u]4th of July[/u][/i][/b] Kronik was built by Stevatan hands, and [b]The Kingdom of Stevata[/b] has not forgotten that fact. It may have been more than two decades since the flag of Stevata flew over Kronik, but the sprawling city has changed little in that time, and with old city maps spread out before them, the commanders of Stevata prepare to strike. In the darkness of the night, with clouds obscuring the moon and casting long shadows across the city, dark figures go to work. Moving through tunnels and sewers that have largely been forgotten even by the population above, the soldiers of Stevata make their way beneath the imposing walls, and emerge in a dozen cellars scattered across the city. A lesser commander would have been caught totally off guard by this move, their defence crumbling as the enemy appears from within. [b][color=2e3192]The Kingdom of Dorist[/color][/b] are lucky that General Wolfgang Draton is not a lesser commander. Wolfgang was careful to study those same city maps when he took command of the city, and Royal Guard soldiers of Dorist are stationed at every tunnel mouth, falling upon the Stevata men, and butchering them in the confined spaces. The victory brings a much needed morale boost to the Dorist defenders, but Wolfgang does not celebrate. He has heard the reports of the relief force faltering in the face of [color=FFD700][b]The Empire of Khazaria[/b][/color], but more concerning than that, he has also received word that the army of [b]The Kingdom of Teclav[/b] has reached Shardvul, and the Dorist defenders are now convincingly outnumbered. [b][i][u]5th of July[/u][/i][/b] Rebellion has spread through the province of Helensa like a sickness, and [color=BA55D3][b]The Republic of Kalseran[/b][/color] finally looks to rid itself of this plague. In a rare public court, the Grand Lady of the Republic dispatches General Bettino Gianni as her representative in the south, to bring the troublesome nobles back into the fold. Bettino is an experienced and well-respected figure in the Republic, noble blood running in his own veins, and he travels with the strength of the Republic at his back. Before he can even arrive, the message from Luisa A'Dera already begins to have an effect. Several of the weaker noble families, caught up in the excitement of the rebellion rather than dedicated to the cause, are quick to take the extended hand from the Republic, and pledge loyalty again. However the coastal city of Calassa has become a de-facto capital of the rebellion, and there the flames of unrest still burn. [b][i][u]7th of July[/u][/i][/b] [color=FFD700][b]The Empire of Khazaria[/b][/color] commits even more soldiers to the war against [b][color=2e3192]The Kingdom of Dorist[/color][/b]. Perhaps smelling the blood in the water, or perhaps simply keen to finish the war off quickly, the young emperor seems content with allowing Alp Tarkhan to run free. Although some orders are dispatched, they are little more than suggestions for the savage brilliance that is the bandit rider. A lifetime of preying on others has honed Alp's instincts, and he almost seems to sense that the army under General Tilman Grohl is faltering. As soldiers of [b]The Kingdom of Teclav[/b] continue to arrive in the province, further re-enforcing [b]The Kingdom of Stevata[/b] siege on the city of Kronik, Alp gathers a great host around himself and rides to war. While Tilman Grohl does not boast the dashing charisma of General Albert Riechsand, or the dogged grit of General Wolfgang Draton, he is still a capable commander. For the first time since war broke out, an army of Khazaria prepares to meet an army of Dorist in open battle. [b][i][u]8th of July[/u][/i][/b] On the outskirts of an unremarkable village called Bavin, almost within sight of Kronik itself, [color=FFD700][b]The Empire of Khazaria[/b][/color] and [b][color=2e3192]The Kingdom of Dorist[/color][/b] meet. The forces of Dorist have taken up defensive positions, but they are still outnumbered by the advancing Khazaria army by more than two to one. However, there is a sliver of hope. Alp Tarkhan is a brilliant commander, but he is reckless, and in his rush to the fight, he has left more than half of his field artillery behind, and the infantry under his command are tired from the forced march. Just after dawn, battle breaks out. Alp sends a series of feints against the Dorist positions with his cavalry, testing the strength of his enemy, and probing for any weakness. The morale of the Dorist soldiers has been battered by the long march into Shardvul, but they are all of them well-trained, and they find their steel when faced with the enemy. Several thousand men under General Tilman's command can claim Stevata heritage, and perhaps if it was Stevata soldiers who stood before them, their nerve might break, but the nomadic 'savages' of Khazaria are as strange to Stevata as they are to Dorist. Growing impatient, Alp finally commits his forces. While his infantry advance through the centre, enduring the cannon fire of the Dorist artillery, the amassed cavalry of Khazaria test the flanks. The Dorist army is formidable, and in open battle, there are few who can rival it, but the cavalry of Khazaria is a powerful force in it's own right, and under command of Alp Tarkhan, that weapon is wielded by a master. Around General Tilman, and his regiment of Royal Guard, the Dorist hold their position, but on the flanks, resolve begins to crumble. The line begins to buckle and strain, and the cavalry of Khazaria throws itself into these gaps with an almost fanatical fury. Some attempt to flee, but they are quickly cut down. The Dorist batteries fall to Khazaria, the guns falling silent, until it is only General Tilman, and the men standing shoulder to shoulder with him, that still stand, rallying around their regiment colours. As if in recognition of another warrior, Alp Tarkhan suddenly breaks off his attack, withdrawing his forces and allowing Tilman and the other bloodied survivors to withdraw back towards Dorist. There can be little doubt that the Battle of Bavin was won by Khazaria, one pincer of the Dorist relief force blunted and turned back, but Khazaria has been bloodied, and perhaps with a greater force, Dorist could beat back the horse-lords... [b][i][u]9th of July[/u][/i][/b] The West Indies have been little plundered by the powers of Europe, but that does not mean they have been lying idle. The handful of traders that do make the long journey west have recently begun returning with stories of a great power rising in the region, an empire that is beginning to unite the weaker kingdoms under a single banner. Any European powers that were eyeing the riches of the West Indies may now have cause to think again. After all, establishing a colony becomes a far more difficult task if those that already claim the land can back up that claim with force. [b][i][u]12th of July[/u][/i][/b] Where there is death, there is also life. Far from the battlefields of the east, a baby boy is born in [b]The Kingdom of Genstadt[/b]. And yet it is not a child of Genstadt, or at least not entirely. The baby is named Charles, in honour of it's uncle, King Charles XII of [b][color=ed1c24]The Kingdom of Hispalis[/color][/b]. It is a joyous coincidence that the baby is born in the homeland of it's mother, and Queen Margriet I of Genstadt is quick to meet her new niece. Perhaps the innocence of the new-born softens the queen, or perhaps it simply serves as a timely reminder of the importance of family, but whatever the reason, Queen Margriet quickly proves to be more accommodating to the offers of Hispalis. For now, she cannot sign a treaty dependent on her nations neutrality in the war to the west, as already traders of [b][color=2e3192]The Kingdom of Dorist[/color][/b] are making use of her ports, but she invites her sister to visit again on their return, as the envoy pushes north towards [b]The Kingdom of Fosbak.[/b] [b][i][u]13th of July[/u][/i][/b] The nations of [b]The Kingdom of Teclav[/b] and [b]The Kingdom of Stevata[/b] have long been friendly with each other, but marching to war together against [b][color=2e3192]The Kingdom of Dorist[/color][/b] has only strengthened those bonds. In a grand announcement, the two nations arrange the future marriage between Marita Soridov of Teclav and Marcin Kusiak of Stevata. Both are still children, and the marriage is planned to take place when Marita turns sixteen years old, some three years from now, but both are important figures in their respective royal families, and this move is a clear sign of intent. Marita undertakes the journey to meet her future husband for the first time, and it is a time of joy and celebration across both nations. [b][i][u]15th of July[/u][/i][/b] General Bettino Gianni has been deep in conversation with the rebel leaders in Helensa for almost a week, and slowly, progress is being made. Perhaps to help ease the conversation, or perhaps as a visual reminder of the republic's power, a group of warships under the flag of [color=BA55D3][b]The Republic of Kalseran[/b][/color] have appeared just off the coast of Calassa, creating an uneasy standoff between the coastal batteries of the city, and the cannons of the warships. The rebellion has offered up it's own negotiators in the form of three powerful nobles, and all three bring their own demands and expectations. The first is the most moderate of the three, an ageing nobleman by the name of Antoni Viscovi who is simply looking to protect his vast personal wealth from the rigid taxes of the republic. In a frankly incredible stroke of luck, Antoni grew up with Bettino, and the two men have been sharing nostalgic drinks with each other, reminiscing about their glory days. The second figure is trickier, a young and highly ambitious nobleman called Sicuro Donati, a man who sees the rebellion as a chance to greatly increase his own fortunes, but Bettino's reports suggest that the young man's greed far outweighs his commitment to the cause. It is the third figure that troubles Bettino the most though, and for good reason. Maria Toleas is the rebellion, just as the rebellion is forged in her image. It was her townhouse that saw the first skirmish, it was her men that tore down the flags of the republic, and it is her that holds the real power in the region. Her demands, from what Bettino can tell, are for the A'Dera family to release their grip of iron, the province of Helensa to effectively self-govern, owing loyalty to the republic only in name. Until her demands are met, Maria shows no sign of standing down. [b][i][u]17th of July[/u][/i][/b] The tensions between [b]The Kingdom of Arhan[/b] and [b]The Empire of Reria[/b] have been steadily climbing ever since the discovery of the plot to overthrow Queen Ameline I, and whether they chose to or not, [b][color=ed1c24]The Kingdom of Hispalis[/color][/b] has found itself caught between the two. The intentions of Reria to colonise North Africa was clearly something that Hispalis could not ignore, and it posed a difficult diplomatic situation for King Charles XII to navigate. Ultimately, the solution came from his wife, Luisa, and Hispalis suggested that Reria should focus it's colonial ambitions further to the east, so as to not disturb the lands Hispalis already have their own ambitions for. Reria accepted this suggestion, and their colonists have already begun their work. Although this move could suggest some leniency towards Reria from Hispalis, the Iberian kingdom is already moving to try and secure a defensive alliance with Arhan. The diplomatic envoy is allowed an audience with the Queen, if a little begrudgingly, but it is quickly made clear that the offer of a defensive alliance holds little sway. In fact, from what the diplomats report back, the Queen seems to be pushing for a more serious agreement, Arhan seemingly preparing for war. Although it is not explicitly stated, the reports that reach King Charles seem to suggest that if a military alliance is offered, or at least an agreement to side with Arhan over Reria, the Queen may prove to be more accommodating. [b][i][u]19th of July[/u][/i][/b] In the court of [b]The Kingdom of Altenten[/b], there is chaos. The tensions surrounding the kingdom's involvement in the war between [b]The Kingdom of Stevata[/b] and [b][color=2e3192]The Kingdom of Dorist[/color][/b] threaten to erupt into outright conflict, as two power bases begin to emerge. King Leonard II still calls for his people to support their new allies, to seek retribution in blood for the ugly events of Siege of Velerra, but there are many within his court who know of the siege only as folklore, and history has perhaps muddied the actions of both sides. In a surprising move, the loudest voice that emerges to condemn the war is Leonard's son-in-law, Philipp, the husband of his eldest daughter. Philipp is a powerful noble in his own right, and he begins to openly oppose the words of his father-in-law. With Dorist already faltering, why should Altenten be dragged into war? Why should Philipp's young daughter Elina, the king's own granddaughter, have to grow up amongst the horrors of war? It is not Altenten that started this war, and now Dorist calls on Altenten to protect Dorist land, as if Altenten is a mere hound to be ordered? Altenten continues to hesitate, and as support begins to flock to Philipp, things are looking increasingly bleak for Dorist. With one arm of the pincer movement beaten back, the increasingly demoralised army under General Albert Riechsand finally arrive before the city of Kronik. But with no supporting army to complete the encirclement, the full host of [color=FFD700][b]The Empire of Khazaria[/b][/color], Stevata and [b]The Kingdom of Teclav[/b] are free to turn their attentions towards this bedraggled 'relief' force. In a bitter twist of irony, the forced march has only served to isolate Albert's force, as they are not beset on every side. With little choice, the Dorist soldiers dig in, and prepare for the inevitable. Despite being almost with touching distance of Kronik itself, the defensive lines of the besieging army cut off the two great Dorist generals from each other, and General Wolfgang can only watch the beleaguered force from atop the city walls. [b][i][u]21st of July[/u][/i][/b] General Albert Riechsand is a brilliant leader of men and a gifted commander, but he is not a fool. He has heard the reports of the Battle of Bavin, and he knows that even the strength of [b][color=2e3192]The Kingdom of Dorist[/color][/b] soldiers is not unbreakable, and he is not blind to the fact that he is almost ludicrously outnumbered by the gathered forces of [color=FFD700][b]The Empire of Khazaria[/b][/color], [b]The Kingdom of Stevata[/b] and [b]The Kingdom of Teclav[/b]. His orders were clear, to encircle the besieging army and crush them between the two armies of Dorist, but looking around him, he can see how comical the idea is in reality. Besides, communications with the rest of Dorist have been all but cut off, and he has no more recent orders. In a move that is tantamount to desertion were it not for the seniority of the man making it, Albert rides out to meet the commanders of his enemy under a white flag of truce. Although Alp Tarkhan is a wild man, with little time for diplomacy, he is still licking his wounds from the Battle of Bavin, and General Albert is instead met by the respective leaders of Stevata and Teclav, men who are far more open to reason. General Jozef Motycka is the commander of the Stevata forces in the region, while the re-enforcing Teclav army is led by General Luka Volodin. Both men are civil to the Dorist general, but clear in their stance. The war against Dorist is in response to attacks against Stevata civilians, and the open insults levelled against their joint allies Khazaria. The war will only come to a close if King Freud Thumer issues an official apology for all offences, and returns the province of Shardvul to Stevata as reparation for the blood already spilt. Albert attempts to make contact with General Wolfgang, but his messengers are spat at as traitors and sent back without any chance of an audience. It is clear that Wolfgang will continue to hold the city, but Albert gathers his army and marches west, refusing to spill his men's blood for nothing, and carrying a message for his king. [b][i][u]23rd of July[/u][/i][/b] Far to the east, the Americas have become a proxy battleground for [color=87CEEB][b]The Empire of Grimhout[/b][/color] and [b]The Kingdom of Kehsi[/b], but there is now a potential end in sight. The negotiations between the two nations have dragged on for weeks, both side keen not to appear weak to their historical rivals, but there is still common ground to be found. Great charts are drawn out and discussed in detail, lines drawn and redrawn, discussions lasting long into the night, but finally, a conclusions seems to be reached. The ships and troops that have been gathering in the docks of both nations are largely stood down, and preparations are made to reduce both nation's military presence in the Americas. While no official treaty has emerged yet, it appears as if the two nations have remarkably cooled the tensions between them. [b][i][u]25th of July[/u][/i][/b] As the economy of [b][color=ed1c24]The Kingdom of Hispalis[/color][/b] continues to boom, things continue to look bright for the nation. In the capital of Toletum, from an unassuming and slightly worse-for-wear workshop, a young man by the name of Julio Vera finally emerges into the sunlight and announces that he has created what he was already self-dubbed as 'The Vera Engine'. In essence, the engine is an improved design for a steam engine, and it does not take long for the important figures of Hispalis to take notice. The possibilities of this new engine, particularly in industry, are far-reaching, and it's invention represents a breakthrough in technology that could well nudge Hispalis closer to a new age. [b][i][u]26th of July[/u][/i][/b] While the forces of [color=FFD700][b]The Empire of Khazaria[/b][/color] continues to run rampant against the armies of [b][color=2e3192]The Kingdom of Dorist[/color][/b] to the west, the gathered soldiers of [color=#018c85][b]The Kingdom of Komentiolos[/b][/color] continue to hold their ground. From the reports that make it back to the court of King Nikolaos Andreas Koromelas II, Khazaria has committed a great host to it's war in the west. Surely only a handful of men remain to hold the border, and yet Komentiolos still sit idle? The military leaders of the kingdom are mysteriously tight-lipped, but the other nobles begin to murmur their discontent. Khazaria are the ancient enemy, and never before have they looked so vulnerable to the armies of Komentiolos. These nobles are not yet brave enough to voice their disapproval too loudly, but the ongoing situation in [color=BA55D3][b]The Republic of Kalseran[/b][/color] stands as a stark reminder of the power that angered nobles still hold, despite Komentiolos barring all non-military travel from Kalseran, and sending their own diplomats to try and ease the peace talks. [b][i][u]29th of July[/u][/i][/b] The nobles of [color=#018c85][b]The Kingdom of Komentiolos[/b][/color] quickly find that they were perhaps too hasty in their condemnation of their rulers inaction. The fleet of Komentiolos sails forth, and the tension that was building between Komentiolos and [color=FFD700][b]The Empire of Khazaria[/b][/color] finally breaks. A declaration of war is issued against Khazaria, and the message is barely received before the reality of war arrives. The Black Sea was always going to see action in the conflict between the tow nations, and it in those waters that the first blood of the new war is shed. The Khazaria navy has been patrolling the Black Sea with squadrons, and it is one of these squadrons that meets the amassed Komentiolos fleet. The patrol is vastly outnumbered, and the ships are torn apart by cannon-fire, but they have already fulfilled their role. News travels quickly amongst the Khazaria fleet, and as the other patrols flee back to the relative safety of their ports, the Ships of the Line raise their anchor. The Komentiolos fleet is formidable, but it is made up of Frigates and Sloops-of-War, while Khazaria's close relationship with [b]The Kingdom of Paranas[/b] has allowed the previously weak navy of Khazaria to be bolstered with formidable warships. Nearly thirty of these Ships of the Line, supported by Khazaria's own Frigates and Sloops, sail to meet the Komentiolos fleet, and what follows quickly comes to be known as the First Battle of the Black Sea. The Frigates of Komentiolos are masterfully built, their crews experienced, and the commander of the fleet, Admiral Basiliscus Verina is an exceptional strategist, but the ships of Khazaria dwarf those of Komentiolos, and although the Khazaria commander, the strange figure of Admiral Barjik, is no great tactician, he understands that overwhelming firepower tend to win battles. The battle would perhaps be better described as a dance, the larger, more cumbersome ships of Khazaria attempting to bring their devastating broadsides to bear, while the lighter ships of Komentiolos use their better agility to stay just out of reach. Some are not quick enough, and some Khazaria ships eventually succumb to the massed broadsides, until eventually both fleets signal a retreat, fishing the survivors from the water and salvaging what ships they can. Ultimately, while both sides may claim a victory, the First Battle of the Black Sea is largely inclusive. Komentiolos may have beaten Khazaria back, but they have far from removed their presence from the Black Sea, and while Khazaria may have proven their strength, they have also shown that they are outclassed by Komentiolos, even if they are not outgunned. No matter what the outcome, another was has broken out, and blood will be spilt. [b][i][u]31st of July[/u][/i][/b] The sleeping giant of [color=ed145b][b]The Empire of Stabuga[/b][/color] seems to finally stir, turning it's attention towards the war that continues to rage to the west. Keeping a close eye on the unfolding war, Tsar Viktor Barinov sends messengers to [b]The Kingdom of Stevata[/b], [b]The Kingdom of Teclav[/b] and [b][color=2e3192]The Kingdom of Dorist[/color][/b] with a request for Stabuga observers to be allowed to accompany the various armies in play. The omission of [color=FFD700][b]The Empire of Khazaria[/b][/color] is perhaps wise, for once Alp Tarkhan has slipped his chain, it is safer to not risk getting in his way. Even now, General Wolfgang continues to hold the city of Kronik, ingraining his name further into the folklore of Dorist, his men holding the line with a grim determination, the rest of the Dorist army seemingly shattered.