The World Report

Bringing You the Most Important News Since 1678

1875, Third Age

Deeru Embracing... Civilization?

The New Andlan Post

BURLON – Increasing efforts by the federal government of New Andlan have had some impact on lifting the savage Deeru out of depravity and barbarism. Saphanel Hunter, designated as the Ambassador to the Deeru, was sent amongst the five largest tribes, the Pequon, the Mattachuk, the Schauglikk, the Chittuouanne, and the Naggitt tribes, to create closer ties between them and the government of New Andlan.

Amongst the gifts presented was an undisclosed amount of military equipment as well as the construction of a number of Outposts amongst the Deeru tribes. These Outposts seem to be light fortifications, coupled with a marketplace for trading between New Andlanders and Deeru tribes as well.
 

The effect of these Outposts has been impressive, soothing some of the flared tempers of last several years of warfare. While a handful of minor attacks have occurred on the Outposts, largely by scattered remnants of Chief Jenks's forces, these areas have seen a great deal of trading occurring, leading to varied responses in New Andlan.

Assemblymen Joseph Monroe, an outspoken advocate of further western conquest and critic of the President has denounced the action as, “cowardly surrender to those we have beaten.” Many have complained about pursuing such a moderate course with the Deeru, who are generally regarded as “beast-men” by most in New Andlan.
 

However, there are many who also support the President's policy, including Assemblymen Charles Summer who has long supported a more moderate policy with the Deeru, claimed that, “We have taken the first steps towards making a true and just peace with our neighbors. A rising tide raises all ships and our two people can live side-by-side together as brothers.”

The effect of these Outposts has been interesting, according to Professor Gerald Winifield, of the University of Burlon. Winifield, who has made a long study of the Deeru tribes, has noted that there have been many changes amongst them as a result. “The rapid changes that have come into being are quite impressive. These new policies have brought many Deeru of various tribes together. Why, I have even heard rumors of a Deeru Confederacy, possibly modeled on out own Republican experiment. It is a rapid change in a short period of time, that is quite impressive.”

“Military Parade Accompanies State Visit to the Republic of Ravorek”

The Daily Courier

HUGUN- President Viktor Berger of Ravorek played host to representatives from the Republic of Dauberkamp, the Kingdom of Haargen, and the Grand Dutchy of Czabo. The invitation included several state dinners, tours of an armaments plant and a Beam Generator, and was completed with a large military parade in the capital itself.

Crowds lined the streets to witness the gleaming bayonets of Wolver soldiers, steam-spewing clattering Clockwork Knights, and a few rumbling SteamTanks. Upon its completion General Yves Bernier, a popular commander in the Grand Army of the Republic, gave a three hour speech in which he discussed the future of warfare in Mun and called for greater cooperation amongst the powers of eastern Ede Rame. In particular, Bernier noted the Urkite lands and the gnomes to their south. Conspicuously absent was any mention of Maclow, although some have explained this as simply a mistake.

President Burger called the visit, “a smashing success” and claimed that, “I am confident that peace in eastern Ede Rame will continue through the near future.”

New National Parks in Batogne

The Globe

LIMOLES- Grand Duke Alsca V, reigning monarch of Batogne, has announced the construction of a new National Park System in Batogne. The Parks System is impressive, covering tens of thousands of acres of pristine forests that had previously been in the hands of big business.

Batogne, like other elven states, has faced a long-standing crisis concerning the balance between industrial development and environmental protection. Considerable concern from Big Business has historically been voiced, claiming that environmental protection would “damage economic development.”

Many elves though, who have a long history of love for their forests, complain about the destruction caused by industrialization, noting that “our homelands are under assault by greedy businessmen.”

The National Parks System has appeared to have placated many, having created protection for some lands while allowing logging and development in other areas. While radicals on either side of the political spectrum have complained about the program, many have embraced the system. Count Antwan Marie, noted for his investments in The Tousalle Conglomerate called the action “an important balance in maintaining our national identity without destroying our economic development.”

A similar program has been undertaken in the Kingdom of Vecchio on a somewhat more modest scale, but it does show that the governments of elven states have begun to embrace change as well as maintaining a historic commitment to their old ways of life.

Vecchite Attack on Ves Siet!

The World Herald

RANE- King Victor Archangelo III of Vecchio has ordered a vast attack on the Kingdom of Ves Siet is response to the “poor treatment of our sailors” the previous year as well as “a long and obvious history of Fronnu abuses on elfkind.” Supreme General Fiocco was placed in overall command, and Admiral Visccoli was to command the Vecchio Royal Navy in support of the landings.

“Dieser, Rodney, “The Vecchite-Ves Siet War of 1876.” The Journal of Military History, Vol. 39, Issue 9, (1876), 128-136.

The impressive, modern fleet that the Vecchites had dispatched across the Pontias Sea to subdue the Fronnu was without challenge. The oldest of the ships in Admiral Visccoli's command was a mere three years old. The crews, while never having been in combat, were highly trained and highly capable.
 

Supreme General Fiocco was in overall command, however his lack of experience in naval matters meant that he gave Visccoli complete control of the situation. In the motley transportation fleet, Visccoli had more than 100,000 Trench Infantry, 10,000 Cersagliere, 20,000 Lancers, 100 SteamTanks, 100 Clockwork Knights, 200 Cannonade, 30 Bombardum, and three cadre of Battle Magi. In addition to this, Fiocco had some support cadre of Infirmari and an Engineer Corps to assist in the jungles of Ves Siet.

The High Command of Ves Siet had placed their forces on high alert, believing that the tense relations between themselves and Vecchio in the aftermath of Captain Aldo's raid could come to violence. Thus, the Fronnu had their fleet of fifteen ships-of-the-line available to engage the enemy.

The Fronnu fleet set out under the command of Captain Ngyuen Tray. Tray knew that he was vastly overmatched, but could not honorably chose not to engage the enemy and thus moved rapidly forward to engage the enemy off the coast of Ves Siet. Tray moved aggressively forward attempting a headlong assault on the enemy.

Visccoli, without much concern showing on his face, instructed his ships to spread out, ordering his ships to open up on the enemy as soon as possible. The elven Dreadnoughts unleashed a hellstorm from their 12-in guns first, until the Ironclads and Corvettes could join in the fire, while the ships-of-the-line were forced to weather the fire to close in for their smaller guns to engage the enemy.

The whole of the naval battle took a mere ninety minutes and Captain Tray presided over the destruction of the entire Ves Siet fleet.

Two days later, the Vecchite fleet arrived in the coastal city of Ves Nieme, ready for battle. The Fronnu, however, had received word from the campaign in Ponatu (see “Fighting in Ponatu”) and decided that they could not afford to allow the enemy to land unchallenged. As such, General Thu, Supreme Commander of Ponatu and brother to the King, ordered his forces into the city to prevent the enemy from landing.

High Command had feared an invasion and thus Thu had more than 25,000 Blades, 25,000 Archers, 25,000 Horsemen and 50,000 Spearmen at his disposal. Thu also had a War Wizard at his disposal, Magus Huiyi, a noted wielder of destructive magic and thus he was as ready as he could possibly be in the face of such numbers.

Thu readied his soldiers for the Vecchite landing. Fiocco knew that his forces would be at their most vulnerable during the off-loading process and thus he instructed a vast bombardment from his naval escort.

For three days Ves Nieme was subjected to a destructive rolling bombardment from the massive guns of the elven fleet. With twenty-five warships hammering the city, including 5 massive dreadnoughts, much of the city was reduced to ruin. Through the assault Thu had nothing with which to return fire and thus his men simply sat in blasted bunkers and absorbed the assault. Many soldiers through down their arms and abandoned their posts and Thu knew that he had to withdraw from the city or watch his army vanish. Thus Thu took his army and abandoned the city to the enemy.

Thu had made a mistake.

The Vecchite fleet, after three days, was running very low on ammunition and would soon had to call off the assault. However, Thu, who knew precious little about modern naval warfare, did not understand this and thus the Vecchites were given a heavily damaged, but usable port to carry the fight to their enemy.

Once in the city, Fiocco set his Engineers to constructing an airstrip that he might make use of his air power. The Engineers immediately began to construct the airstrip from on the Suki Boulevard in the city. Still, the work would take several weeks and Fiocco knew that he could not wait for it to be completed and thus determined to move against the Fronnu immediately.

After a week of unloading, the Vecchites were ready to carry the fight to their enemy. After establishing a base of operations in Mayor's Mansion (one of the few undamaged buildings in the city) Fiocco ordered his forces out of the city and to locate the enemy.

Thu had not gone far. Knowing that the enemy would keep coming, Thu wanted to keep them off balance. Moving his troops into the hills outside of the city, Thu wanted to assault the enemy rapidly and bottle them up in the city.

As Fiocco's Lancers moved out of the city, they came under sporadic attack from Fronnu horsemen. While Fiocco's Lancers were mostly able to destroy or scatter any attack against them, a few squads of Lancers went missing, victims of Thu's desperate tactics.

Despite this, Fiocco had located the enemy and readied his troops for a broad sweep at the Manhu Hills in which Thu's men camped. Dragging his vast artillery forward, Fiocco readied his prodigious artillery and immediately opened up on the hills. Much like the situation in Ves Nieme, the Fronnu had to sit and wait out the assault, causing many to lose their nerve yet again.

Still, Thu kept his men in line and waiting for Fiocco to finally launch his grand assault. The elves readied themselves, while the Fronnu infantry waited on top of the hills. Fiocco decided to lead with his SteamTanks and Clockwork Knights and ordered them spread throughout his long line of Trench Infantry and the feared Bersagliere.

Fiocco looked through his field glasses at the enemy and smiled. Looking to his second, Fiocco ordered, “Send the men forward... bring me Thu's head.”

The great SteamTanks clattered to life, belching smoke and fire from their smokestacks. Rumbling forward, followed by noisy, jerking Clockwork Knights and the great mass of infantry, the SteamTanks led the assault up the hills.

Many of the SteamTanks began to break down, dying with a shuddering groan, but the vast majority of the SteamTanks rolled on, carrying the fight to the enemy. Many of the Fronnu were filled with fear and fled at the sight of the great mechanical beasts, yet many more were held in line by their officers or simple dignity. Still, Thu was realizing that there was less and less hope for his people's continued independence.

Still, Thu was determined to do his best.

The SteamTanks crashed into the Fronnu line, spraying the line with speedshooter rounds, not even bothering with their main cannon. Right behind them were the Clockwork Knights, who loosed their flamethrowers into the massed Fronnu. Screams were immediate and the Fronnu line began to break almost immediately. They began to flee in all directions, just as the Trench Infantry and Bersagliere hit, spraying the enemy with more gunfire.

In some areas, Fronnu warriors continued to fight, hurling themselves into the elven lines, fighting with much savagery and making a name for themselves. However, the attempt was doomed from the beginning and Thu immediately began a withdraw.

The Fronnu fled down the hillside, barely maintaining any semblance of order. Thu himself fled on horseback, making his way inland, hoping to find a place to reconstitute his forces.

The elves, despite their success, were unable to pursue the enemy. Increasing numbers of SteamTanks were breaking down and the forests began to become more and more thick, preventing SteamTanks from being of much use. While Fiocco did order some of his Bersagliere and Trench infantry into the forest. While they were able to capture many Fronnu stragglers, the confusion and terrain kept Fiocco from being able to finish his foe.

Thu continued moving inland, gathering more and more Fronnu to his banner. Reaching the capital, Thu spoke with Crown-Prince Ho Poh Chewen, informing him of the disaster and begging the Crown-Prince to leave the city. Chewen agreed and took to the hills, moving north, into the swamps and thick jungles that have made Ves Siet a historically difficult nation to subdue.

The elven legions moved into the capital, taking it with precious little fighting. The few handfuls of guerrillas that launched attacks on the elven force were quickly dealt with and Fiocco found himself master of the city of Saikon. Also, his air forces were ready for use in the coming year and already his biplanes were flying over the jungle lands where the enemy was thought to be hiding, bringing back important information.

General Fiocco was satisfied by the work he had done so far. The capital was his, his enemies broken on the field of battle, and his legions had received much-needed battle experience. Still, Thu was still at large and gathering more and more men to him every day. In addition to this, Thu had determined that he was incapable of facing the battlefield and was re-organizing his forces and had thick jungle cover to continue to resist the enemy.

The coming year would prove to be the decisive in the campaign for the future of Ves Siet.

“Denhow Seized!”

The Sentinel

LIMOLES- The armies of Vergone were unleashed on the Zendoh providence of Denhow. The enormous wooden fleets of the Zendoh Emperor were not in the Pontias Sea, however, apparently on the other side of Ost Rame, worried about possible conflict with the Minotaurs of Maveren. As such, the elves found no serious opposition to their landing.

The Army of the Majestic Silvride Grenor, under the command of the beloved general Grievous Duke Veris et al del Monfrane was escorted by the impressive East Coast Fleet which served no purpose other than to raid Yakitaur shipping.

General Monfrane took the port city of Nerking with almost no fighting, save for the arresting of a handful of Yakitaur spearmen. The sleepy providence fell rather quickly after that, with Monfrane's 100,000 Zouvaes, 100,000 Bicycle Troops, 30,000 Lancers, 100 Cannonade, 100 Bombardum, 200 Speedshooters, 50 SteamTanks, 100 Clockwork Knights, and five cadres of Battle Magi. The administrators of the providence fled in the face of the vast elven force and within two weeks the whole of the province was within elven hands.

This, however, appears to be only the beginning of the saga, however. The Emperor of Zendoh, Emperor Shedohon II declared the assault on his territory an outrage against his vast empire and swore, “The elven commander shall be made a concubine and my men shall enjoy this treat.” Rumors spread throughout Denhow of the Sky Emperor calling up his vast forces, including several powerful Arch-Magi and his fearsome 'Immortals.'

However, the High Command of Vergone publically noted that, “the ramblings of a petty foreign warlord are no match for the mechanized forces of Vergone.”

Exploration Abounds!

The Sentinel

VATIKAR- Exploration abounds, as several states in Ede Rame have undertaken expeditions to learn more of the geography of Mun. Explorers from Eboracum, Clyne, Batogne, New Andlan, and others have made their way into the hidden lands beyond the edge of the map and returned, carrying new knowledge with them.

Most interesting was the work of Commodore Solinir Oceanus of Eboracum, who traveled along the coast of Arrale, making contact with the Nani colony in Khar and discovering the Antia race. Oceanus, using a portion of the considerable amount of money given to him by the KingPriest, provided several gifts to the Antia and was received quite well by the Antia Queen.

Elsewhere, ships patrolled the coast of Ost Rame while land expeditions traveled into the Shattered Lands and the forested western lands of Ede Pono.

Captain Aldo of Vecchio, of some fame for his adventures in Ves Siet, has been given a naval command and traveled down the coast of Ost Rame and brought back a great deal of information on the political and military situation in Ost Rame (See “Fighting in Ponatu” article)

The World Geographic Survey included this new knowledge in their Cartography of Mun, much to the excitement of many who are interested in new knowledge. Universities across Ede Rame have taken great interest in this new knowledge.

Innovation Unleashed!

The Outlook

NYSBURG- Many good-good inventions be made across da Ede Rame lately. Dis likely 'cause da little folks in not-EdeRame are askin' for a beatin' 'cause dey weak. Many folks build new guns and stuff a-big-big and dere be a lot of new invention thingies bein' made. Lots o' guys be hired to think and think and think until dey make new gooder stuff. New big buildings wit' big machines goin' up to, ya know, da factories. Dis real good-good news all ovah da place. Yay for us.

Excerpt from Dmitri Folcov's “A History of Khulovite Military Incursions”

“...it was thus that Czar Michaelov V ordered the First Imperial Army into Wacla, supported by the 2^nd Air Corps. This forces, numbering 50,000 Line Infantry, 50,000 Berzerkers, 35,000 Lancers, 200 Bombardum, 120 Cammpamde. 250 Speedshooters, 250 SteamTanks, 100 Recon BiPlanes, 280 Military BiPlanes, 200 Warflots, 100 Airships, and 50 Destroyers. This impressive force was arrayed against a vastly inferior foe, the Duke of Wacla.

Duke Nahkir of Wacla was a weak leader, but armed with a great host of fearsome warriors. More than 120,000 Urkite soldiers, armed primarily with steel battle axes and crossbows were available to the Duke to repeal the incursion.

However, General Ragetusk, the Czar's chosen commander, was ready to carry the fight to the enemy. A master of infantry combat, Ragetusk was also highly aggressive and ready to crush the foolish Duke quickly according to the Czar's orders. Ragetusk located the enemy forces in the capital of Krahew via his air superiority. Upon receiving this information, Ragetusk ordered his Airships and Destroyers to begin bombing the Urkite training grounds.

This caused considerable destruction amongst the Urkites, particularly the highly-effective Destoyers, which managed to flatten wide sections of the city, most notably the market district and the temple district. Urkite civilians begin to flee the city, despite the fact that the enemy was still seventy miles north.

Nahkir knew he was facing some problems. Realizing that he had no way whatsoever to challenge his enemies in the air, Nahkir was paralyzed. Not knowing how to cope with such a problem, he began to panic and his generals realized that there was no way that the weak-willed Duke could lead them through this crisis. As such, General Kira and General Valogg simply abandoned the Duke and took nearly forty thousand Urkite soldiers south with them, abandoning their Duke and the capital. News of this reached the Duke, who returned to his room and refused to be seen for three days, listening to the distant thunder of aerial bombardment.

All the while, the Trollish forces rolled ever-forward. Upon reaching the capital, General Ragetusk called off the air attacks and demanded that the city surrender itself. Unfortunately, there did not appear to be anybody willing to make a decision and the Duke sunk deeper into depression. Finally the Secretary of the Treasury met with Ragetusk and surrendered the city into his hands.

Ragetusk entered the city and immediately set about pacifying the entire region. Still, to the south the stronger-willed Kira and Valogg remained defiant and armed. However, Ragetusk decided to strenghten his position first, lest his supplylines become vulnerable to Urkite partisan activity. Instructing his soldiers to, “pacify the region and integrate it into the Empire,” Trollish troops found little organized resistance in their wake.

Some in Arkangelsk voiced concern that such a brazen action might bring the Empire into conflict with the Kingdom of Waagehaus and its relatively-unknown Kaiser. Others dismissed such talk as “prattle from housewives and schoolgirls.”

Regardless of the Orcish response, the next year, however, Ragetusk knew that he would have to find the two renegade Urkite Generals and make sure that none were able to defy the Czar.

Vampires Amongst the Urkites?

The Chronicle

BIELSKO – The Grand Duke of Clyne, Duke Kasimir III, has dispatched Katharine Borowski, a True Vampire, on a tour through Bardek and Vlad, in which she met with many state representatives. Borowski was well-received, under cover of darkness and it was made public that a number of weapons sales occurred, with zombie factories turning out an undisclosed amount of military equipment to Bardek and Vlad. Borowski said publically,

“Our government was in good faith discussions with the regime in Ravorek concerning a non-aggression pact. We find it exceptionally duplicitous that this regime would then seek to expand against every one of these peaceful states. Such an endeavor would put Ravorek against a full two-thirds of our border. This is unacceptable and does not keep with the principles of non-aggression.”

Construction in Ras Faraj... The Great Sultan?

The Imperial Digest

BURSA – The Imperial Government of Ras Faraj has embarked on a vast construction project, aimed at expanding the capabilities of machinery across Mun.

The new project, titled “The Great Sultan” is a vast Analytical Engine, which is a vast expansion over anything else found in the whole of Mun. The Great Sultan required a vast new complexto be constructed about it and takes up what has been described as “the size of several football pitches.”

This new construct has caught the attention of many of the intellectuals across Ede Rame, who have traveled to Bursa to marvel at the new invention. Professor Julio Ulin of Augutain noted that, “This new creation will allow us the ability to answer many of the mathematical and scientific mysteries of the universe! It's potential is limitless!”

Thus far the Analytical Engine has been used to compute the numbers for the national budget of the year. Next year, according to government officials, the Engine will “allow us to complete the whole of the government's economic business with a fraction of the workforce.”

Not everyone is pleased though. Shavi ip Lud, an accountant-bureaucrat who was laid off once The Great Sultan came online, has denounced the machine as, “an abomination that will enslave us all” and has called for the destruction of the “thinking machines.” Lud has gathered some fanatics to his banner, who have aptly named themselves “Luddites” although their impact has been negligible.

In addition to this, Sultan of Ras Faraj has undertaken another great project, constructing a vast bio-engineer's dream in the form of a “Factory of the Bio-Mancers.” The Factory is designed to alter the 'genetic code' of living creatures. There are many in the empire that look upon the vats as an “abomination to Saphir's will” and insisted on them being removed. However, many have insisted that this is the future and many bio-engineers have come from across Ede Rame, flocking to Ras Faraj to take advantage of the opportunity to work with such fantastic new equipment.

“Troop Build-up in Maclow?”

The Worker's Voice

PERLIN – The Commune of Maclow has undertaken a vast new military build-up program, adding thousands of new troops and heavy weapons to the already-formidable troops of the Commune.

Many have expressed confusion as to why the Commune would build more weapons, given the end of the Dwarvern Civil War and some are troubled by the idea that the fighting might break out anew. In neighboring Maradeen, these reports were greeted with fear and suspicion and the Council of Thanes regards these moves as, “threatening to the peace and stability of Ede Rame.”

 

“Darden, Donald Ray, “The Early Stages of Ras Faraj Imperialism.” The Journal of Military History, Vol. 39, Issue 15, (1876), 115-125.

BURSA- The vast armies of the Sultan were called upon by the Sultan to spread the Word of Saphir and the authority of Ras Faraj.

Instructed to cross the Straights of Amah, The Army of the Shining Lion, under the command of Caliph Tala Bey (known by his men as 'The Lion of Al-Rassan') was sent to The Vekkar, with instructions to “subdue the Wemics.”

The halfling force landed unopposed, as the Wemic tribes were not united to resist the invasion. As such, 'The Lion' found himself at the head of 25,000 Trench Infantry, 20,000 Kapikulu, 100 SteamTanks, 100 Clockwork Knights, 100 Speedshooters, 100 Cannonade, and 100 Bombardum. Immediately striking out, 'The Lion' found surprisingly little resistance from the tribal leaders.

Many Wemics, however, simply fled in the face of the invasion force, which was much slower than the swift-moving Wemics. While the halfling force was occasionally attacked by Wemic partisans, the halflings made short work of the enemy. Nonetheless, the halfling force was having problems subduing the wily Wemic chieftains.

The more further inland that the halflings moved, however, the more Wemics were unable to flee, lest they cause problems by encroaching on their neighbor's traditional lands. Thus, more and more Wemics were falling into the Sultan's grasp. However, it was clear that this campaign might be rather length, given the highly mobile nature of the Wemics and the wide open spaces of The Vekkar.

In Nakistan, things were going much better. The Djer King, King Dver XXI, was caught by surprise and halfling forces made an unopposed landing. This was, in part, due to the historic aversion of Djer to water, and thus there were few Djer ships to locate the landing force. As such, the halflings were able to land without any enemy interference.

The halfling force, The Army of the Foreign Lands, was commanded by the ever-capable Kurt Ismail Pasha, immediately secured the port-village of al-Jerfa and established a base for him. Immediately opening lines of supplies to Ras Faraj proper, Pasha took his force on the offensive.

King Dver, receiving word from rider of the enemy advance, immediately called upon his loyal Feydajeen to prepare to meet the enemy. In the capital of Tehon, Dver gathered more than 30,000 Feydajeen soldiers to him relatively quickly. Swaddled in heavy steel armor from head to toe, the Djer carried enormous steel maces and warhammers and were completely fearless in battle.

King Dver called upon the High Justice of Nakistan, Verki al-Shan, to offer him advice on how to operate. Looking through “The Corpus Juris Civilis,” the fantastically complex legal code of the Djer, to see how to best proceed.

As the halflings closed with the capital, Verki looked through thousands of lines of legal text, trying to determine how to best proceed. In the end, Verki found what he sought and returned to Dver, bearing his news.

As Pasha's legions drew within sight of the great domes of Tehon, they were greeted by a Dver messangers, under the white flag. Begging for Pasha's audience, the messenger requested Pasha meet with King Dver. Pasha was wary, but against all advice agreed to meet with the King.

Outside of the city, King Dver sat in a glade with the High Justice, completely without guard. Pasha arrived with his translator and the messenger, ready to discuss what the mushroom-men would want.

The High Justice explained, in highly complex legalistic terms, that King Dver was obligated to surrender his crown to the Sultan due to some vague legal mis-step. Pasha struggled to understand the Dver's legal code and listened for more than two hours, his brow furrowed and asking a host of questions.

Finally King Dver drew his ceremonial sword, interrupting the discussion, much to Pasha's alarm. However, the mushroom King dropped to his knee and presented his sword, and the kingdom, to the Sultan of Ras Faraj.

Special Note

Articles concerning the events in Pontatu and South Koku were discovered via Captain Aldo's exploration into Ost Rame. While these have not been verified, we have no reason to suspect that Aldo's men would develop such a ruse. Even in such an event it was the Editor's decision that these were of enough significance to be included in this year's World Report.

“War in Pontatu!”

Ashai Evening News

The most Honorable Imperial government of Shogun Toku Kawazaka I has dispatched his most feared warriors to the lands of the Kenku of South Koku and Fronnu of Pontatu to prove their honor in combat and bring the Most Honorable Word of Maveren to these peoples. 

Most Honorable Admiral Zeshobo and Most Honorable General Huiyian lead the Southern Strike Force down the coast of Zendoh.  The Zendoh Sky-Emperor, Emperor Shedohon II expressed frustration at not having been informed of the matter ahead of time, however took no immediate action. 

The King of Pontatu, King Showan XIII did not receive reports of the attack until the Southern Strike Force was a mere twenty miles from the coast. 

Excerpt from Shoru Dunon’s “History of Military Engagements in Ost Rame”

Admiral Zeshobo took command of the formidable Southern Strike Fleet, choosing for his flagship a newly-constructed Dreadnought.  Gathering to him much of the nation’s formidable merchant fleet, Zeshobo and his Army counterpart General Huiyian, oversaw the loading of the vast Southern Strike Force into the widely varied merchant ships.   

The Southern Strike Force consisted of 300 Battle Magi, 50,000 Samurai, 75,000 bicycle troops, 20,000 cavalry, and 2,500 cannonade, all of it secured in the cargo holds of the minotaur fleet.  As expected, many of the enlisted men complained about the conditions, however their officers kept discipline and the fleet set sail in early spring. 

Admiral Zeshobo had taken the precaution of amassing his fleet on the western side of Maveren, nearly two-thirds up the coast in the port of Wachikan.  Most trade with outside powers has traditionally taken place in the southern port of Kioto, including the Fronnu of Ponatu, which allowed Zeshobo to construct his fleet in relative isolation. 

Zeshobo took his fleet in a wide arc, moving westward to avoid much of he merchant traffic that would reveal his position.  While this took additional time, it did allow Zeshobo to avoid detection and those few Fronnu fishing vessels that wandered into range of the fleet were quickly dealt with by Zeshobo’s swift-moving Corvettes.  Most were seized outright and added to the fleet while others were simply sunk if Zeshobo determined that they were “unsuitable.” 

The voyage took some five weeks, however, Zeshobo was able to move his fleet in from the west.  Thus, it was not until the invasion force was sixteen miles off the cost that King Showan XIII of Ponatu received word of any attack.   

The Ponatu Ministry of Defense moved quickly, calling up its feared Blades, elite swordsmen who brooked no challenge.  The Blades, however, made up a relatively small portion of the Ponatu Army as the Ponatu had traditionally relied upon peasant levees to fill their army’s ranks in a time of war.  With an invasion fleet off the coast, closing rapidly, it was clear that there was no way to properly field an army.  Nonetheless, the Minister of Defense immediately moved inland and began drawing-up plans for establishing a true army to face the invader. 

Zeshobo was pleased with his advance thus far and as he closed in on the coastline, the Fronnu’s Ships-of-the-Line moved in, ready to engage the enemy.  Even so, only a portion of the Fronnu fleet was available for battle as Zeshobo’s stealth had prevented any true coordinated action.  As such, the Ponatu had a mere seven wooden ships-of-the-line to face Zeshobo’s modern, well-balanced fleet with.   

As Zeshobo closed in he immediately deployed his fleet, placing his flagship, the Dreadnought Aikokushin at the center of his line.  Around the Dreadnought he placed his three Ironclads and five Corvettes, while the transport ships bobbed behind the protective line.  Zeshobo’s fleet was much more modern than his opponent, however Zeshobo was interested in making sure that the Fronnu fleet was completely destroyed.   

Deploying three of his Corvettes in a flanking move, Zeshobo came straight on, sailing straight into the Fronnu ships.  Armed with only crude bronze cannon, the Fronnu gunners could only watch helplessly as the massive 12-inch guns of the Aikokushin and then his Ironclads opened up with a massive bombardment.  The Fronnu admiral, Tawa Koshin, immediately watched two of his ships go up in flames while being unable to return fire.  His only hope was to slow the enemy enough to allow High Command to prepare a force to meet the Minotaurs on the beach. 

Still, he was taking a horrible beating.  Within minutes he had witnessed four of his seven ships destroyed and knew that he had only a few moments left.  Making a hard decision, the Koshin ordered his remaining few ships to move north and away from the enemy.  However, Zeshobo’s swift-moving Corvettes had finally reached the enemy and the Koshin realized that his fleet was completely incapable of breaking through even the lightest ships of Zeshobo’s fleet.  Immediately striking his colors, Koshin surrendered his fleet and was taken into custody by Minotaur marines.   

Zeshobo was prepared to lay a heavy coastal bombardment to sweep the beach clean of any opposition, however the Fronnu had decided not to attempt to stop the landing.  Realizing that there were too few Blades available to stop the Minotaurs, the Ministry of Defense had instead held the Blades back, using them to become the core of a new Fronnu Army.   

Zeshobo immediately began to disgorge his precious cargo, the Southern Strike Force in the port city of Wanchi.  Under the guns of the Aikokushin, the unloading of the force went off with little problems, taking nearly a week to get all of the heavy equipment off of the ships. 

Taking the initiative, General Huiyuan immediately ordered a secure perimeter established by his prodigious Lancers while the remainder of his forces were organized for battle.  Of greater importance, however, was Ingen. 

Ingen, a trained warrior-scout with considerable woodcraft skills, had proven himself to be the foremost Scout in the Maveren Imperial Army.  Ingen immediately set out to locate the Fronnu forces. 

While not much is known about Ingen’s method of travel, it is known that he made his way further inward, moving through the wilderness and avoiding any towns.  Using his considerable skills, Ingen located the training ground of the Fronnu forces.   

The Fronnu High Command, under the command of General Shi, had gathered fifteen thousand Blades and nearly forty-thousand peasant conscriptions for the fighting.  Armed primarily with pikes and bows and arrows, it was clear that General Shi was facing an uphill battle against his Minotaur opponents.  Ingen immediately returned to General Huiyuan who set-out to locate and destroy the enemy.   

Huiyuan had more than 145,000 men available to him.  However, he also had to worry about his supply lines and maintaining his base of operations at Wanchi.  Leaving 10,000 Samurai, 10,000 bicycle troops, and 500 cannonade in Wanchi, Huiyan moved into the interior in search of his elusive foe. 

At sea, Admiral Zeshobo had scattered the remnants of the Fronnu fleet, including capturing five more ships-of-the-line, which were immediately sent back to Maveren under skeletal Minotaur crews to be re-fit for service.  Zeshobo immediately set his Ironclads and Corvettes to patrolling the sea lanes.  Taking the Aikokushin to port in Wanchi, Zeshobo and Major Aki Fumi of the Imperial Army immediately ordered the Fronnu prisons emptied and set the prisoners to building a vast coaling station for the Maveren Imperial Fleet.   

Huiyuan was facing some difficulties, however.  Realizing that the Minotaurs were moving inland, General Shi had instructed some seven thousand of his Blades out into the countryside to begin launching raids against Huiyuan’s supply lines.  Further, the Minotaur force found precious little support from the local population for their movements.  Huiyuan was hoping to find some support from dissatisfied local peoples.  Nonetheless, Huiyuan immediately ordered 10,000 Lancers, 20,000 bicycle troops and one of his Battle-Magi cadres to begin securing an interior corridor to supply his forces. 

In the Fronnu camp, the situation was becoming increasingly chaotic.  Fearing the Minotaur force, many of the peasant conscripts were hastily training with inferior weapons.  The Blades were overseeing the training, but it had been a mere six weeks since training had begun and the Fronnu force was clearly not ready for battle.   

General Shi immediately wired King Showan XIII, informing him of the poor progress.  Showan responded, “Our people face invasion.  They will perform as needed.” 

General Shi, ever the soldier, readied his troops for deployment and chose a narrowly valley some fifteen miles from the training camp to deploy his forces.  Hoping to keep the Minotaurs from flanking him, Shi had anchored each end of his battleline with Blades to keep the peasants from fleeing.  His archers laid-out in geometric squares, Shi felt his plan had the best chance of working of anything he could ready. 

Ingen, riding ahead on horseback, located the enemy force and immediately reported back to General Huiyuan.  Huiyuan readied his forces for battle, laborious dragging his artillery forward to prepare to smash the enemy.  However, Ingen urged him to move quickly, lest the Fronnu become overwhelmed with fear and flee.  Deciding to move quickly, Huiyuan moved his forces forward quickly, instructing his artillery to catch up “with all possible speed.” 

Arraying themselves on the opposite side of the valley, the Minotaurs immediately struck fear into the hearts of the Fronnu.  Knowing that there was much at stake, however, the frog-men stuck to their weapons and readied for battle.   

Huiyuan knew that he would have to make due without his artillery, at least for a while, but knew his enemy had nothing worthwhile, either.  The two catapults that the Fronnu had assembled were laughable and Huiyuan had his Battle Magi to make up at least part of the loss of his artillery.  Even so, Huiyuan had 10,000 Lancers 45,000 dismounted bicycle troops and 40,000 Samurai, five cadre of Battle Magi, and the powerful Ingen warrior to assist.   

Breaking off his Lancers, Huiyuan sent them in a wide arc around the valley, ordering them to move quickly to prevent the enemy from escaping the battlefield once the fighting had begun.  Ingen himself moved down at the head of a column of dismounted bicycle troops and readied himself for battle.   

The Fronnu began the battle first, with General Shi ordering his men forward, hoping to close with the gun-wielding enemy quickly so as to get his pikemen into battle quickly.  The Maveren Imperial Army immediately opened up with their rifles, firing into the mass of frogmen and causing a horrific slaughter.  Still, the Blades drove the peasant conscripts forward, into the guns of the enemy. 

Receiving horrific casualities, Shi knew he couldn’t let up.  If he could close with the enemy, there was a chance that he could break the Minotaur’s battle formation and then begin to disrupt their supply lines, ending the campaign.  It was risky, but the only path open to him. 

Further, the Fronnu had but one secret weapon at their disposal.   

Despite the carnage, the Fronnu charge finally crossed the valley floor, making contact with the Minotaurs.  The Samurai, whose mastery of the blade brooked no challenge, engaged the Fronnu Blades, as Minotaur and Fronnu clashed.  The pikemen charged into the main mass of the infantry, stabbing with their pikes, while dismounted bicycle troops fired their rifles into the mass and lashed out savagely with the bayonet.   

Despite their ferocity, the Fronnu were rapidly collapsing.  It was then that Shi ordered his surprise into battle, The Arch-Magi Wu Tonn into the fray. 

Tonn, a War Wizard of considerable skill, unleashed a hail of fire into the mass of Minotaurs, causing many to fall back, startled by the fury of the unexpected assault.  Tonn waded into the infantry, hurling death in his wake, creating a wide arc around him as Fronnu and Minotaur alike fell back.   

Ingen, however, had been waiting for just this moment.  Firing a concealed flare gun into the air, the Imperial Battle Magi loosed their magicks.  Tonn himself, engaged but not overmatched, held the onslaught back, if only barely.  Despite his considerable power, five cadres of Battle Magi were enough to force the War Wizard to struggle just for survival.   

But Ingen was not yet finished.  Ordering his men forward, Ingen charged, cutting a swath through the Fronnu.  Reaching the besieged spellcaster, Ingen leaped forward, his katana flashing but once, as the distracted sorcerer screamed, a long slash across his stomach.  Tonn looked up at the warrior, just in time to catch to be struck down, mercifully. 

It was at this climactic moment that Huiyuan finally had his artillery positioned properly.  Unleashing a hellstorm upon his enemy, Huiyuan ordered his artillery to fire on the incoming Fronnu reserves, sowing death and destruction in their midst 

With this, the Fronnu were utterly broken and fleeing in all directions.  Only small groups of Blades managed to hold together, only to be torn apart by Minotaur artillery or gunfire.  Huiyuan, shouting, ordered his men to round up the enemy, fearing the idea of mass numbers of armed men wandering the countryside.  Such a situation could take years to route out these bandits and Huiyuan had precious little time to squander on such menial tasks.   

By the end of the day, though, the Imperial Lancers had managed to prevent the escape of many of the would-be defenders.  Ultimately, Huiyuan officially reported 17,000 captured Fronnu, including General Shi who had personally taken to the field with his own Katana.  Ingen, however, located the general and personally disarmed him, realizing the value of such a prisoner.   

Huiyuan had broken the back of Fronnu resistance with very few causalities on his end.  Once the organized resistance was ended, Huiyuan began the process of sweeping up any other partisans in the country.  Securing the roads and ordering his men to “install the order of the Emperor,” Minotaur soldiers fanned out across the country, seizing the whole of the land in the name of Maveren. 

Despite these efforts, however, King Showan XIII was not yet located although many rumors had been flying as to the whereabouts of the King.  Huiyuan, on Imperial orders, announced that “The Emperor has guaranteed the safety of King Showan XIII and his retinue.  Turning himself over to Imperial authorities will make the fate of Ponatu and the Fronnu people much simpler.” 
 

 Armament in Ost Rame?

While the Maveren Imperial Army’s invasion of Ponatu was, by most any definitions a smashing success, there there appear to be some repercussions.  In the neighboring Kingdoms of Pel Chu and Chu, there was considerable concern with the invasion as well as reserved denunciations of the attack.  King Fu Swa II of Pel Chu decried, “warfare which has broken the peace of Ost Rame,” but at no point actually named the Emperor of Maveren, causing many to claim that the Fronnu of Pel Chu were concerned with Maverenian designs on their country.   

Crown-Prince Neshwan IV of Chu was somewhat less reserved, claiming, “the invasion of Ponatu has shown the treacherous face of the Emperor of Maveren.”   

In both Chu and Pel Chu the national government immediately ordered a complete call up of all available forces and new money was made available for, according to the Minister of Defense of Pel Chu, the “modernization and improvement of existing defenses.” 

Many assumed that the monarchies feared a surprise attack on their own interests and witnessed the failure of King Showan XIII to get his own forces onto the battlefield.  As such, it was clear to many that the situation in Ponatu had caused considerable angst across the continent of Ost Rame. 

Still, others have noted that there exists no truly modern industry in Ost Rame, save for that of the Empire of Maveren itself.  The thirty year mad pace at which the Maverenian government had brought industrialization to Ost Rame was scorned by many others across Ost Rame, notably the enormous Empire of Zendoh, historically the dominant power in Ost Rame. The question is whether the technology achieved by the technological and economic development will be able to allow the small island-nation of Maveren the power to truly challenge the Great Powers of Mun.
 

 
 “Imperial Fleet Sets Sail for Kenku Lands; Liso Taken!”

Ashai Evening News

KIOTO- The Northern Strike Fleet and Northern Strike Force, under the dual command of Honorable Admiral Yakami and Honor General Eso, set sail for South Koku. The impressive force contained more than 50,000 Samurai, 75,000 Bicycle Troops, and 20,000 Lancers, supported 2,500 cannonade, and five cadre of Battle Magi. Also of note was the Honorable Master Samurai Fujin, whose skill with the katana remains unparalleled in all of Maveren.

South Koku had achieved its independence from its northern neighbor nearly fifteen years earlier when a struggle for executive power between Crown-Prince Yong and his father’s favorite commander, Field Marshal Lee. Field Marshal Lee took control of South Koku and though there has been no open warfare between the two states for more than 12 years, the truce has been uneasy.

The Northern Strike Fleet set sail from northern Maveren and made the short jump across the sea to South Koku. So rapid was the movement that the authorities in South Koku failed to even get their fleet out of port to intercept the enemy. Even so, it was clear to everyone involved that there was nothing that the South Kokian fleet could have done to stop the invader.

Instead the Northern Strike Fleet made for Liso, in the south of South Koku. Upon arriving at the city, the fleet steamed within range and immediately opened fire on the city. The enormous 12-inch guns from Admiral Yakami’s Dreadnought flagship and the 10-inch guns of the fleet’s three Ironclads immediately began to hammer the city into submission.

However, there was precious little in the city that might of proven to be capable of resistance. Admiral Yakami disgorged the Northern Strike Force and set himself to sea, to make sure that the sea lanes between Maveren and South Koku remained open to provide the brave men of the Northern Strike Force with supplies.

General Eso immediately established for himself a base of operations in Liso and prepared a plan for battle.

Excerpt from Shoru Dunon’s “History of Military Engagements in Ost Rame”

General Eso knew that he would have to move quickly to take advantage of the surprise that he had achieved over his opponent, Field Marshal Lee. However, unlike the Fronnu of Ponatu, the Koku were still wary of continued violence against one another and thus had a sizable contingent of combat-ready soldiers at their disposal. Field Marshal Lee was also an accomplished soldier and ready to defend his homeland from aggression.

North of Liso, in the ancient capital of Sheol, Lee immediately began to issue orders to his commanders to abandon positions along the northern border and move columns of soldiers southward to engage the Minotaurs. Knowing that he was abandoning the border to a potential sneak attack from his northern neighbors, Lee also knew that the Minotaurs were a far greater threat and thus knew he had to focus solely on them.

The Kenku are noted for their swiftness and the bulk of the infantry spread along the border were simply able to fly southward, rallying around the capital in response to General Lee’s commands. The heavier siege equipment that the Kenku had prepared, ballistae, catapult, trebuchet, and even a handful of bronze cannon purchased years ago from Maveren factories, which then had just begun to produce quality weaponry, were moving sluggishly southward, given that the Kenku had to use Ostriks to pull the equipment a great distance.

In the capital, Lee was able to amass an impressive 150,000 soldiers, with nearly 10,000 veterans of the wars with their neighbors to the north. These troops were armed primarily with crossbows, spears, wakizachi, and some bows and arrows. Few of these troops were heavily armored as heavy armor precluded flight and Kenku warfare tended toward extremely rapid deployment.

Eso immediately dispatched his Lancers to locate the enemy. Lacking any aerial reconnaissance or Ingen, Eso needed to find the enemy and crush him quickly.

The Lancers swept across most of southern South Koku and managed to secure many of the southernmost towns. However, some Kenku fled, simply flying northward to escape the Minotaur advance. Eso, however, had little concern for seizing these civilians; It just meant fewer that he would be responsible for policing.

However, Eso faced a situation he had no considered; the Kenku could follow his every movement. Flying high above, Kenku scouts could keep an eye on Maverenian movement although Minotaur soldiers took to firing upon these scouts. While there was some limited success at this, Lee was able to keep tabs on his enemy.

In the capital, Sheol, Lee was finally able to get his siege equipment forward and decided that, despite his desire to assault the enemy, he would do best to force the Minotaurs into close combat in the city, to attempt to reduce the advantage of the high-power rifles and speedshooters that the Minotaurs carried.

Eso understood this and thus moved northward at a methodical pace, content to allow his enemy to sit in the capital while Eso was able to secure town after town and establish order in his wake. Taking care to make sure that he did not face partisan activity in his rear.

Even so, some swift-moving Kenku groups were launching constant attacks on his force. While only a minor irritant, the effects were sapping some of the morale of the impressive Minotaur force. However, Eso kept his force moving forward, keeping his soldiers busy to make sure this did not become a large enough problem to seriously threaten the campaign.

As such, by the time that Eso arrived at the Kenku capital the Northern Strike Force was composed of 50,000 Bicycle Troops, 40,000 Samurai, 10,000 Lancers, 4 cadre of Battle Magi, and 2,500 Cannonade. However, Eso had suffered very few causalities and those troops not accounted for were spread across most of of the country by maintaining internal order.

Lee had established a rather formidable force in the capital, however. While armed in an inferior fashion, Lee had more than 150,000 Kenku in the capital and had laid many barricades throughout the city. As such, Lee did not feel completely hopeless, although knew the fight would be, indeed, extremely difficult.

Eso dragged his Cannonade forward and subjected the ancient city to a three-day bombardment, which caused considerable damage in the city and several sapped the morale of the defenders. A long stream of refugees fled the city, northward, a ragged line of despair that flowed away from the fighting.

After three days of bombardment, Eso readied his troops for an assault on the city. Eso planned to move his troops in on two fronts. Taking the bulk of his forces, Eso would lead them into battle directly at the city, along a north-south axis. However, taking 10,000 Samurai, 15,000 Bicycle Troops, 3,000 Lancers and one cadre of Battle Magi, Master Samurai Fujin was to assault the city from the east, a sharp thrust at the enemy.

At dawn, Eso launched his assault, with everything going as planned. Despite some desperate volleys from catapults and archers, the Kenku were quickly pushed back by the brutal Minotaur assault. As Kenku forces desperately fought throughout the day, slowly being pushed back from the city's outskirts towards the capital's Central District.

The Minotaur assault was continuing, although being continually bogged by Kenku guerilla assaults and desperate actions by Lee’s troops. By the time that the Maverenian assault had reached the Central District, Lee had his last line of defense in the way. By this point, Eso and Fujin had linked forces and ready for the final, irresistible assault that would surely finish the upstart Lee and add South Koku to the growing Empire of Maveren.

In the Central District, Lee’s troops had desperately thrown-up wooden barricades composed of all varieties of junk gathered together. Maverenian cannonade were not available to bombard these positions, given the close proximity of their own soldiers to the barricades, thus Fujin had determined to storm the barricades. Calling forward his Battle Magi, the Minotaur spellcasters hurled fire and lightning at the barricades, hoping to de-moralize or break the Kenku before assaulting the position.

From all across the city, Minotaur soldiers were moving towards the Central District, having overcome enemy opposition, whereas Kenku soldiers were abandoning their positions, many simply throwing down their weapons and joining the endless procession of refugees fleeing the capital. Lee knew that he could not hold and thus instructed many of his reservist units to move north, abandoning the capital to the invader.

In the Central District, unaware of Lee’s movement, Kenku soldiers stood through the Battle Magi onslaught, waiting for the oncoming enemy. Once the last of the spells had been flung, Fujin led his forces over the barricade. As though he were a man possessed, Fujin cut a swath through the bravest Kenku fighters, his katana a murderous blur, cleaving flesh and bone. Thousands of Minotaur soldiers broke through the Central District defenders, inflicting many causalities.

Within three days the city was pacified. General Eso moved his headquarters to Sheol and he readied himself for winter. Knowing that, to the north, the wily Field Marshal Lee was nursing his wounds and ready to continue the fighting once the winter snows melted.

Dispatches

The Grand Duke of Batogne has dispatched Balere du Pont, a noted Imperial Emissary, to Takmi an island nation south of Batogne. Du Pont's mission was to secure a Port of Call Treaty, which was gratefully accepted. This likely had something to do with the considerable wealth that du Pont had brought as gifts to the various peoples of Takmi.
 

Vento Canzone, an Ambassador sent from Vergone, has also managed to secure a Port of Call Treaty for the Royal Navy of Vergone. Canzone has purchased a small villa in Takmi and is working to establish closer relations between Vergone and Takmi.
 

The United Kingdom of Correllia and Augutain has undertake a vast infrastructure modernization program. Already amongst the most developed states in Ede Rame, this new program has been undertaken to “make the United Kingdom second-to-none.” Many are impressed with the results that are already being seen, including the laying of a considerable amount of new rail line tracks.
 

J.W. Rudyard of New Andlan was promoted to the rank of Major for his role in capturing the Deeru Chieftain Jenks. Rudyard has become a hero in New Andlan for capturing Jenks and he has apparently been contacted by both liberals and conservatives for a possible political career although Rudyard has stated simply, “My life is that of a soldier.”
 

The Grand Dutchy of Clyne has launched a new airship line which would provide service to all of Ede Rame. Entitled “Grand Dutchy Airwaves,” the airship line is perhaps the finest on the continent and its morbid, tireless crew has been reported to be second-to-none.
 

Rumors of “terrible new weapons” being developed in Maclow have many concerned. Some have claimed that the Communard regime is testing new weapon's systems on “political prisoners and others” to hurry production of these new weapons and have some of their neighbors concerned.

A Clynian expedition has disappeared into the Shattered Lands. Amongst those traveling was Professor Dominka Rusta of the Necronon and the famed Gregor Heinik, a powerful True Vampire warrior commanding a small group of soldiers for defense. What exactly the Clynians are looking for is not known although many have speculated, given the Lords of Clyne's undead nature and the great hordes of zombies in the Shattered Lands.

The Kingdom of Vergone has undertaken a widespread development projects, rivaled only by The United Kingdom. These new projects have had considerable effect on the economy, most notably in the realm of agriculture.

Work has begun on a vast Trans-Khulov Railroad, which links the far-flung eastern portions of the Khulov Empire to its more populace western provinces. Rumors abound that the rail links may be extended into Clyne, pending approval of the Undead Lords.
 

A cast new Steam-Drill Mining Operation has been undertaken in Maradeen at the behest of the Council of Thanes. This new program has been promised to, “out-perform all other mining operations in history and make the dwarvern people even more productive!”