[h1][b]Nilbergian Confederacy[/b][/h1] [img]https://i.pinimg.com/236x/43/1f/d0/431fd0f0feec72090c0b5d618cf3db3d.jpg[/img] Deep in the mountains, living in borderline isolation from the rest of the world there's Nilberg. Beautiful landscape ranging from snowy mountaintops, green valleys to unforgiving deserts. The home of Zeignons, also known as goattaurs. Though the Confederacy outwardly seems like a single ruling body in effect it's little more than just a strong alliance of nineteen cantons, each with their own autonomy and sovereignty. These cantons can be vary from de-facto kingdoms to democratic city states. Yet they share similar culture, beliefs and a strong historical bond. They are a modest sized country with scarce resources. This made forming connections with a wide range of other nations simple, nobody saw them as a rival or a potential target of conquest anymore. Combine this with the natural curiosity and wandering spirit of Zeignons and Nilbergians were prospering massively during the last two centuries. Yet their almost two hundred years without military threat might be coming to a swift end. The last few months were tense for the Nilbergians even though they weren't directly effected. This is actually the fifth time the Federal Diet talks of the so-called "Outlanders" as its main topic. With thousands of Nilbergians leaving the mountains and almost as many returning every day it isn't surprising they got news about these mysterious strangers rather early. At first they viewed them with curious wonder but after the swift fall of multiple countries they realized the full dread of the Outlanders. A party rose which urged action against these strangers while many appealed to their historical neutrality and impartiality to offer their mercenary services. [b]"Fellow representatives, you should be all aware by now that the Qalyxh Isles were overrun by these Outlanders. What you may not know that these savages murdered Crown Prince Keaon in cold blood and ruined the wondrous city of Ocia. They currently hold the First Princess and the Third Prince hostage. They're slaves within their own country! This is nothing but a short glimpse into what awaits all of us if we don't act now!"[/b] Vito Liggenstorfer concluded his short speech. He advocates for a massive continent wide coalition against the Outlander threat. [b]"Need I remind the Diet that this splinter force of the Outlanders completely demolished the single greatest naval power in the world? If we-" [/b]Agata Iller, supporter of the moderates and one of the many representatives opposing Vito was already making her counterpoint when Vito interjected. [b]"Pardon to interrupt but we don't know what sorts of foul trickery the Outlanders used. Given the swiftness of their victory they might've used a divine artifact or called upon the favor of the sea gods. This is why I call for the urgency of this alliance. Strike them while they're weak!"[/b] Vito tried to reinforce his argument at all costs. [b]"I am sure you're aware that Nilberg is a landlocked region without any access to the great seas. What do you suppose we'd even do, Herr Liggenstorfer?"[/b] Nils Kölliker spoke up in objection. [b]"We can thwart their intrusion to the continent. We'd be the shield of civilization, warding off the viles of barbarism! The enemy may have some underhanded means of triumphing on water but we have the advantage on the surface!"[/b] Vito continued his defense. [b]"That sounds so grand and brave, Herr Liggenstorfer. Did you happen to forget the Outlanders' personal might? They carry magic rods and stormboxes, unleashing invisible lightning which slaughters dozens in a mere flash. How do you even fight an opponent like that?"[/b] Agata didn't let go, either. [b]"Those are just empty rumors at best. Even if they do possess such artifacts the amount of magic needed would only allow the best spellcasters to operate these. If we take them out we-"[/b] Vito continued his retort but this time he got interrupted, instead. [b]"Herr Liggenstorfer, your spirited belief is admirable but I'm afraid we need something of more substance than just mere theories."[/b] Leon Denzler suddenly spoke up. [b]"What do you mean? How can you prove any of these baseless rumors?"[/b] Vito retorted. [b]"I contacted a group of mercenaries from the free company of Naporia. They managed to acquire the Outlanders' stormboxes and have been using them for a while. Let me just say their findings were... extraordinary.[/b] Leon continued with a wide grin. [b]"Wait, what do you mea-"[/b] Vito was at loss of words. [b]"Let them in!"[/b] Leon declared and the guards opened the front door, revealing a quartett of deertaurs. One of them was Isak Gasser, Naporia's mercenary. He carried a strange boxy object with various protrusions on it. He was accompanied by three of Leon's adjucants carrying a suit of plate armor, a pig carcass and a stand. The overwhelming majority of the Diet were surprised, others had a knowing smile. Isak and the servants bowed down in respect before the Diet, expressing their courtesy. Following that Leon just said this: [b]"I think an actual demonstration is in order. Herr Gasser, please?"[/b] The servants set up the target. It consisted of a pig carcass on a stand, with a plate cuirass put over it and further decorated by something seemingly taken from a scarecrow. Then Isak inserted a smaller box into the larger boxy contraption, raised the object and something surprising happened. [h2]BAM![/h2] Though very distinct from everything they heard before the Diet definitely heard the sound of a gunshot. From where? The noise seemingly originated from the front, where Isak stood. Yet they saw no signature smoke, although the more observant could see a bright flash. With the attention of the entire diet on him Isak continued the demonstration. BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! Leaving barely a second of rest he kept pulling the trigger. After that he put down the weapon, giving the audience time to see the results. [b]"As you can see this is a type of gonne which the Outlanders use. There's no magic involved as far as we know, just expert craftsmanship. According to our information from Naporia this is the rumored Stormbox used by the Outlanders. A gun of unthinkable quality. Now observe the results! I know you all recognize the crest of the maker, yes, this is a famed Desiderian Armor. In spite of that the Stormbox punched clean through it. You could also see the rapidity of the shots. This weapon can fire thirty times in a row! Yet you haven't seen the true terror of this type of weapon yet!"[/b] Leon proceeded to explain it to the Diet. Things were about to get crazy! RATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATA! *CLICK* *SLIDE* RATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATA! *CLICK* *SLIDE* RATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATA! *CLICK* *SLIDE* RATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATA! *CLICK* *SLIDE* If the crowd wasn't shocked before they absolutely were after exhibiting the gun's rapid fire capabilities. Isak unloaded 115 rounds within less than half a minute, swiftly exchanging magazines while all bullets hitting the target. Of course after withstanding over a hundred shots the entire dummy turned into scrap and mincemeat, plainly demonstrating the weapon's awesome power. [b]"This is what they call a Sturmgewehr, common for all Outlander warriors. As you can see this weapon has firepower superior to our volley guns while it's actually lighter than even a Grond. Each Outlander effectively carries a portable artillery which can decimate entire companies of our own warriors. Terrifying, isn't it?"[/b] [b]"Don't believe him! This is a trick! It must be a trick! It's just a-"[/b] Vito was in complete disbelief, desperately trying to deny what he saw. Yet his words got deafened by the noise of another gunshot, this time aimed at him. To be precise at his finely decorated hat. Just one shot, swiftly aimed 2 inches above his head. The bullet hit the golden crest, punching a hole clean through it. [b]"It is no trick, I'm afraid. Now, let's talk about our next plan of action..."[/b] Leon casually continued, knowing full well he just saved Nilberg from a terrible fate.