The World Report
Bringing You the Most Important News Since 1678
1878, Third Age
Excerpt from a Letter of Personal Correspondence from Professor Dominka Rusta of the Grand Dutchy of Clyne to Premier Duke Shace et al del Ilfin-Gergone of the Kingdom of Vergone
“...this
last year's expedition has led me to considerable concern with regards to the
fate of Ede Rame and Mun.
“We have passed back into the perpetually-darkened lands of the Shattered Lands, with good Mr. Heinik leading the way. We have passed back through the lands where once men and women and children laughed and loved and worked... but today, in this age, we find the endless procession of the damned, those who once lived now have not life but unlife, those that once loved not feel naught but the chill hand of death. I hate this place, Shace, oh, how I hate it!
“We arrived at New Bielsko, finding that the colony had become considerably more busy than last year. Ships from Khulov, Clyne, and New Andlan were using the colony as a trading post, a halfway point to build their markets. Certainly, had the terrain been more appealing, its population might have exploded, but a busy port had evolved as traders from Ede Pono and Ede Rame met and mingled, swapping their wares. I was most intrigued, Shace, when I met for the first time in my life a Deeru sailor. He spoken only broken Common, but I found him fascinating! If I should ever find myself free of the hellscape of the Shattered Lands I should very much like to seek travel to the Lands of the Deeru and wild west of Ede Pono.
“Still, I knew that I must journey into the Shattered Lands, seeking more knowledge of what had transpired in that grey land, bringing more knowledge of the Hanged One and these terrifying Cheti that wandered under the canopy of hell and ruin.
“This time, Shace, we had a defined mission and set out to accomplish it. Mr. Heinik, Dr.Gleinwicz, and myself set out, leaving the relative safety of the colony to the west, heading into danger, darkness, and madness.
“We traveled down a different path, a great cobbled stone path once laid by imperial engineers that carried goods and soldiers and travelers to the various parts of the Heartland. We moved westward, whereas before we had traveled to the south, this time seeking an artifact in the name of the Grand Duke of Clyne.
“As usual, Mr. Heinik had become obsessed, driving the mission ever-forward. His eyes had become wild again as he returned to this place, to the place where graveyards vomited out their dead and the living feared madness more than death.
“Shace, I am sure that he loves this place and I fear for us all.
“We traveled down the Great Road, Dr. Gleinwicz sweeping aside the zombie menace as it emerged, although we found we faced considerably fewer of the zombies than in the past. I suspect that the west must have been a much less populace region than the central plains, but I have little knowledge of the demographics of the Old Empire. If you have any texts to loan me on the matter, Shace, I should be very grateful!
“We moved along, the endless dreariness of every day wearing on me as I lost myself in this place. Thus, it was after better than two weeks of travel that we happened upon, in the middle of no where, mind you, a small monastery.
“It was covered in the same gray film as everything else in this damned place, but not in the same state of total disrepair as everything else we had come across thus far. That is not to say that it was in pristine shape; it was most certainly not! However, its quality was much less diminished than most everything else we had seen... save the Palace of Mor.
“I saw Mr. Heinik steal his hand away to the totem clutched to his chest, with a fond absentmindedness as he led us to the monastery, his eagerness counterbalanced by our dread.
“His weapons were drawn, the stubby shotgun and the wicked curved blade as he leaned against the monastery's door, evidently surprised as we all were that it swung readily open, its hinged maintained through the years. He crouched in a battle stance and gently sneaked in, his Vampiric blood making him a silent and deadly killer.
“Dr. Gleinwicz and I followed behind and I was amused to see that my traveling companion, a wielder of necromancy and fell magicks carried in his hand a revolver! Imagine, a crude gun from the western woodlands of New Andlan in the hands of such a sorcerer! Despite the surroundings, I knew a smile stole over my face and I was most glad that the gloom prevented good Dr. Gleinwicz from seeing my reaction.
“We wandered through a dining area first, free of the ever-present corpses or undead that littered the landscape. In fact, it seemed to be taken care of remarkably well and it occurred to me for the first time that someone lived here. I shivered and wished I too had a revolver.
“We moved like thieves, silently, following the good Mr. Heinik, in whose mastery of the blade and gun I trusted completely... while his judgment I did not.
“We turned a corner and found a length hallway which made a sharp turn. At the turn, though, we noticed a great deal of light as though someone had a fire in there to keep the chill of the Shattered Lands away. I tensed, but Mr. Heinik, of course, led us on.
“We eased down the hallway, our natural racial characteristics making us silent. I was fearful but trusted that Mr. Heinik could deal with any opposition.
“Mr. Heinik slipped around the corner and we waited a moment, then followed.
“What I found astounded me.
“The room appeared to have once had a different purpose, but had now been transformed into an overly-large study. In the center of the room sat an overstuffed green chair... and it was occupied.
“Obviously taken by surprise, the creature looked upon us with wide eyes. In his hands sat a book, while the creature looked at us.
“Its body was a bloated nightmare, a lumpy mess that was covered in a soft brown robe. It's head was a misshapen lump protruding from its robe, a neckless stump that bore nothing but a wide mouth that was hanging open as though it were struggling to breath. Atop this 'head' were two eyestalks that carried bright blue, remarkably expressive eyes. Its skin looked damp and was a yellow-green hue that looked clammy to the touch.
“The creature sprang up from its chair with shocking speed, casting the book aside. Its brought its huge hands up quickly and, to my surprise, it spoke.
“'No beast! Back! You cannot take what is my charge to keep!' it shrieked, its watery voice making me feel nauseous. I was quickly losing my fear of this sad looking creature, but Mr. Heinik sneered, not raising from his battle stance. At this, the Slugbeast held its hands out and from across the room came a great shining silver sword and a shining silver shield, hurtling through the air as it by magic.
“Mr. Heinik straightened himself and held the murderous shotgun in front of him, discharging the weapon. The SlugBeast ducked behind his shield, absorbing the shotgun's blast before springing forward, hurling itself as Mr. Heinik.
“Mr. Heinik dropped the smoking shotgun and the two warriors came together with a great crash! I was shocked at the speed of the SlugBeast, although Mr. Heinik remained faster. Their swords ringing off of one another, they raged about the small room like wild men. Savagely fighting, the SlugBeast was clearly falling behind; it was clearly stronger, but too slow for the nimble Mr. Heinik.
“It was with a great cry that Mr. Heinik sank his blade into the creature's bloated abdomen, deep into its heart. However, the creature did not appear to notice the blow and swung its shield into Mr. Heinik, who was hurled across the room.
“Dr. Gleinwicz and I gasped, but Mr. Heinik leaped back to his feet and continued back into the melee. After much struggle, Mr. Heinik swept his cruelly-curved blade in a wide arc, severing the creature's shield hand.
“The beast came on, heedless.
“It was clear that Mr. Heinik was beginning to despair, but instead he hurled himself forward, redoubling his efforts. Finally he launched himself into the air, swinging the sword, cleaving the monster's eye stalks from its head, blinding it! At this, the creature began to scream a warbling, watery sound, but still fought on blindly, its fear lending it even greater strength.
“Mr. Heinik was obviously distressed, not knowing how to fell the horrible beast, not knowing what might bring a deathblow to such a creature. The SlugBeast was flailing about, swinging its sword all about it, searching for its attacker but Mr. Heinik simply looked on, struggling with how to best approach the creature.
“We were all surprised when Dr. Gleinwicz spoke a single word: 'BURN.'
“From the necromancer's outstretched head sprung a black flame, which leaped across the room, striking the SlugBeast in the chest and immediately spreading across the bloated monster's body. Its warbling screams continued for a few moments, before the mystic flame consumed the creature, sending it to the ground. Once dead, the fire vanished, returning the place where spent dreams lie.
“At that, we set ourselves to searching the monastery for the SlugBeast's prize that it had so vigorously defended. We searched for some time, finding nothing else alive in the monastery... until we reached the basement.
“I was the first to stumble upon the stairwell. Despite my night vision, I took my flashlight out, fearing the darkness and I plunged down the stairs, looking for the SlugBeast's secrets. In retrospect I am most shocked by my boldness, but I suspect that my new demeanor was brought about by the emotional weariness and stress of our journey. I had become numb and reckless.
“At the base I the stairs I stopped and shone my light around the room, searching for something, anything. In times passed it was clear that the basement had been used to store the monk's wine casks... I suspect that may have been the monk's primary means of support for their clerical activities. In the gloom I found nothing, sweeping the electric light back and forth several times, when, not but a few feet from me I splashed the light on the face of a CHETI.
“Never in all my life had I been so terrified, Shace. Never. Despite all I had seen and experienced, I was terrified at being alone with one of the squid-faced beasts. I began to shriek and recall nothing more.
“I awoke nearly twenty minutes later, outside with the good Dr. Gleinwicz fanning me, attempting to get me more of the stale air of the Shattered Lands into my lungs. I recalled nothing of the incident and the good Professor seemed ill-inclined to speak of it. There was something new in the air, some tension between Mr. Heinik and Dr. Gleinwicz... not from some measure of hostility rather, but a shared experience that apparently neither, particularly Gleinwicz, had enjoyed.
“Nonetheless,
we camped that day out front of the monastery, as I was sure that I could not
enter the building again. We turned back, laden from our journey, moving towards
the comforting walls of New Bielsko, ready to return with the new items, new
stories, and new horrors in our wake.”
Monsters in the Rame Ocean?
The Outlook
VATIKAR- Sailors across the Rame Ocean, running from the Straights of Amah to the coast of Bardek have reported seeing a most shocking sight: A zombified Air Whale.
Air Whales, while relatively rare, drift above the skies of Mun and cause no particular harm, save for the occasional droppings which can be difficult to clean off of one's property. The Air Whale is generally noted for being a creature that children delight in seeing float lazily overhead, often surrounded by a flock of birds who feast on the millions of tiny insects that make their homes on the Air Whale's back or simply to catch a ride.
This, however, was not the case.
The creature in question was identified on numerous occasions by sailors as a zombie construct, including one New Andlan sailor who had the following to say:
“That it was a zombie we had no doubt. The Air Whale makes certain movements which are clear to those who know 'em; a long, lazy flick of the tail, occasionally wobbling back and forth to shake some of the more aggressive birds from their back, ya know, things like that. This monster did nothing of the sort, but instead just propelled itself through the air in a straight line, its tail mostly drooping down. Plus, there was the stench! Not that an Air Whale smells all that pleasant, but damn, I know rot when I smell it!”
Several inquires were made to the Undead Lords of Clyne, questioning whether or not the creature was one of their constructs. These accusations were met less with denial than absolute confusion. Expressing not only that the creature was not theirs, the Grand Duke indicated that he was very interested in locating the creature for study. The Necronon, eager to discover the nature of such a creature, dispatched at least two different parties to locate the creature, but to no avail.
The Necronon has offered a cash prize to anyone who can give them information about the creature.
Punkab Receives Arms Shipments from Elven Powers!
The World Globe
Emperor Hiresh Uday,
the Emperor of the vast Empire of Punkab, has acquired a vast sum of modern
weaponry from the Kingdom of Vecchio as well as their erstwhile enemy, the Grand
Dutchy of Batogne.
With the lifting of the blockade that had crippled Batognese trade along the high seas, vast shipments of weaponry were transported to the great Ogre Empire in North Avvikar. The weapons shipments were most impressive, including modern equipment to outfit over half a million infantrymen as well as enormous amounts of heavy equipment to outfit a vast force. While the vast majority of the equipment came from the Kingdom of Vecchio, the Grand Dutchy too contributed a significant portion of the weaponry.
Many have begun to speculate on what the Emperor of Punkab could possibly seek such a great host for. Dr. Willem von Hoffner of the University of Ravorek-Holljam, a noted for anthropologist and historian commented:
“While we know comparatively little about the Ogres as a civilization or a people, it takes no great mind to understand that the Emperor of Punkab fears the new modernized forces of Ede Rame. To his north he has doubtlessly received word of the plight of the Emperor of Zendoh, who just a few short years ago was leading the most powerful nation in his world, the most feared man in Ost Rame and now finds himself besieged from all sides by well-armed opponents. If the Emperor of Punkab should wish to keep his throne, he will have to emulate the Minotaurs of Maveren, whose investments in industrialization and technological complexity have surely made them the Rising Sun of Ost Rame.”
Railway Completed Between the Empire of Khulov and the Grand Dutchy of Clyne
The Imperial Review
BIELSKO- The Grand Dutchy has completed, belatedly, its commitment to the construction of a vast railway connecting the Empire of Khulov to the Grand Dutchy of Clyne. The railway is a modern marvel, replacing the older horse paths that had been commonplace in the lesser-developed eastern portions of the vast Empire of the Great Czar of All-Trolls. Further, Clynite trade has already noticed signs of growth, no longer dependent on the slender, ill-serviced rail lines that ran through the medieval fiefdoms of the Urks, connecting it to Republics of Dauberkamp and Ravorek.
As word of the sacking
of Neldheim the previous year reached General Ajax's forces on the western side
of the Great Canal, the mood was dour but defiant. The soldiers under Ajax's
command were prepared to continue to resist the Andlan invasion.
Further, the invasion and establishment of what many are already calling an Andlan 'colony' in the city of Neldheim had many Manlu worried, who saw encroachment of the powers of Ede Rame proper into the Manlu region as a serious impediment towards Manlu independence.
As such, many Manlu were swarming to Ajax's force, many calling him “the Champion of the Manlu.” Still, many of these volunteers were green farmers and laborers, hardly trained, career soldiers, Ajax was glad to have the additional manpower. Further, some additional forces were dispatched from Megarati, precious few, but enough to bolster the Stratego's position.
Of even more note, however, was the emergence of two additional mercenary bands, who joined Ajax's force. The Last Corps and the Flaming Sword, both veteran mercenary corps touted much-needed battlefield experience and commanders whom had fought in many campaigns in the past. Many questioned where the city-state of Metagari might have found the funds to acquire such prize mercenary bands, leading many to suspect that foreign powers might have been meddling in the affairs of the Manlu even further.
Nonetheless, General Wolseley, commander of the Andlan forces in Manlu, had orders to destroy the enemy and subdue Megarati itself, ending the war. Rather than risk the ire of the powers of Ede Rame, Wolseley decided not to try and cross the Great Canal proper, but instead to move via ship around the Canal itself, seeking to land his vast forces on the other side of the Canal to engage the Metagari.
An amphibious assault was the least desirable option left to Wolseley, despite his Royal Marines. As such, Wolsley engaged in a disinformation campaign to keep Stratego Ajax off-balance and struggling to locate the site of the actual landing. This was wildly successful, as Ajax found various conflicting reports with regard to where the enemy would land and thus spent precious time sending squads of Lancers up and down the coast in a futile attempt to locate the enemy while at sea. Further, Wolsley chose to land his forces in three different areas, hoping to use his numerical superiority to confuse the enemy and keep him from striking any one portion of the Andlan force with any particular strength.
Thus, the Second and Fourth Royal Armies landed uncontested west of the Canal, while the Crimson Band, the Manlu mercenary force hired by the Crown of Andlan landed further up the coast.
The Second Royal Army had made its landing most close to Ajax's position, a shallow valley nearly twenty miles inland. As word of the landing reached Ajax, he immediately set his force to march. All told, Ajax now commanded nearly 150,000 Manlu Infantry (including the veteran mercenary troops at his disposal), 5,000 Manlu Marines, 15,000 Lancers, 30 Motorguns, over 150 cannonade (primarily from The Flaming Sword's considerable artillery advantage), 35 Clockwork Knights, and an unknown number of gyrocopters drifting overhead. However, nearly 50,000 of his Manlu Infantry were untrained and unbloodied “soldiers” who were of little value on the battlefield themselves. Nonetheless, Ajax felt confident that he could succeed against the invaders.
The Second Royal Army was commanded by Wolsley directly and was composed of just under 200,000 Royal Marines, 30,000 Lancers, 5 cadres of Battlemagi, 100 SteamTanks, 100 Clockwork Knights, and 700 pieces of artillery. Further, most of Wolsley's command were troops who had participated in the landing against the Canal several years earlier as well as the sacking of Neldheim and were no strangers to combat. In addition to this, the famed Andlan Geomancer Archibald Murray was amongst force and prepared to wield his magicks on the field of battle.
Ajax advanced surprisingly quickly, advancing aggressively towards the coast to engage the enemy. As he approached, however, his resolve began to falter. A mud-splattered messanger had arrived, informing Ajax of the landing of the Fourth Royal Army to the west and rumors of another Andlan force even further up the coast. In addition to this, Stratego Garish, commander of The Flaming Sword mercenary band and noted artillery commander was warning Ajax that Wolsley had a significant advantage in that his warships were still off the coast and could hurl their massive ordinance into the Manlu positions with impunity. As such, Ajax called off the advance, drawing himself away from the coast and attempting to reposition himself away from the guns of the Andlan fleet.
Wolsley, disappointed but expecting his movement, immediately sent orders to the Fourth Royal Army to link forces and make a massive push inland to crush the enemy. The Fourth Royal Army was composed of 150,000 Royal Marines, 600 artillery pieces, 100 SteamTanks, and 5 cadres of battlemagi, making it a truly formidable force. These troops were fresh from Andlan and although highly trained, remained unbloodied in battle.
To the east, the Crimson Band moved quickly overland, attempting to get behind the forces of Ajax, preventing from them from retreating into the city of Megarati itself. Ajax had no such intentions, although saw the movements by the Crimson Band as an attempt to assault the city itself and Ajax was further thrown into confusion about what to do. The answer came in the form of Stratark Olan.
Olan, a seasoned warrior feared throughout the Manlu region for his modified Clockwork Knight Phalanx, demanded a command of his own to face the Crimson Band himself on the battlefield. Ajax, wary of losing Olan himself, but glad to have someone to take care of the Crimson Band, instructed Olan to take The Last Corps and engage Stratego Huko and the Crimson Band.
Thus Ajax deprived himself of 15,000 veteran Manlu Infantry and his most able warrior.
Marching eastward, Olan located the enemy force with his gyrocopters and immediately began to bear down on his position. Stratego Huko, an experienced commander, immediately set his forces up for battle, readying himself to receive the enemy assault on Dairytop Hill, shooing away the handful of farmers who lived there.
Olan moved quickly, ready to finally engage the enemy. Arraying his forces into a hard wedge of power, Olan surrounded himself with several Clockwork Knights gave the all-ahead order. Huko held his men back, steadying them and ordered his cannonade to begin to fire on the enemy forces as they advanced up the hill. As they drew in closer, Huko's speedshooters opened up, but Olan spurred his men onward.
Phalanx was a Clockwork Knight designed and maintained by Olan himself. A heavy red Clockwork Knight, Phalanx had the additions of four arms total, one flamethrower, two powerful crushing arms, and a huge steel saber protruding from the end of the forth. Further, Phalanx had a thick adamant chest plate to protect Olan himself. Needless to say, this was an impressive machine under a veteran pilot with a fearsome reputation.
As the mercenary forces clashed, many went down screaming. Olan's forces were taking heavier causalities due to their uphill advance, but once Olan entered the battle, things began to stabilize. The monsterous Phalanx began to lay about it with its murderous appendages, hurling fire into the enemy ranks and slicing men in half effortlessly. Several of Huko's men turned their speedshooters directly against the machine itself, to little avail. Inside Olan was shrieking manically, laughing at the destruction he wrought and urging his weapon onwards to crush and maim and kill in the name of Neldheim.
The melee grew increasingly vicious, with veteran soldiers engaging one another in close range with the traditional Manlu shotgun or large serrated steel knives that were common amongst Manlu warriors. The fighting shifted back and forth, with Huko skillfully moving his forces to keep Olan's troops at bay, but Olan's savagery and battle prowess kept his men fighting.
Throughout the afternoon, the fighting shifted back and forth, until finally Huko determined that the fighting was too inconclusive and the hill of little strategic value. Presiding over an orderly retreat, the Crimson Band began to back down the hill, a steady stream of disabusing Olan's soldiers that they had routed the enemy.
Olan had a mind to continue to advance and pursue the enemy, but it was clear that his men were in little shape to continue to fight. Many were dead or wounded, suffering from devastating shotgun blasts or deep knife wounds. Further, the enemy had made use of their speedshooters and artillery to good effect and had inflicted significant casualties on the aggressor. Still, Olan declared the Battle of Dairytop Hill a great victory and sent a runner back to Ajax informing him of his success.
Ajax, however, was in a very poor position. Wolsley had united his armies into an impressive force and was marching inland. With over three-hundred-thousand infantry and significant heavy equipment support, Ajax had little choice but to keep giving ground in the face of the enemy advance. Outnumbered more than two-to-one, Ajax kept withdrawing closer and closer to the walls of Megarati itself, not knowing how to properly engage the superior host.
Wolsley was satisfied with his advance and kept a methodical press against the enemy at all times, patiently moving his forces against the enemy and compelling Ajax to keep moving his forces away from the enemy, until Ajax had little choice but to move his troops into the city itself, garrisoning its heavy walls and waiting the enemy onslaught.
Wolsley laboriously dragged his massive siege train forward and ringed the city with artillery. Inside the city, Stratego Garish placed his cherished artillery well, commanding them with great elan, but to little effect. The artillery arrayed against him was simply too great and he watched as his prized artillery pieces went up in a column of flame one after the other.
In the city itself, life was becoming more and more chaotic. Ajax was furious at his position, railing against the others cities in the Manlu for not supporting him, while Stratark Olan was trapped outside of the city with his smaller force. Civil order was breaking down and the constant artillery barrages were diminishing the quality of life throughout the city. Water mains were breaking and electricity service was cut in many areas due to artillery damage.
Into this, Wolsley ordered his dirigibles.
Overhead, the Destroyers, who had brought so much destruction to Neldheim the year before, were sent in, dropping their horrific payloads over the city. Ajax had precious little to return fire with as his few Gyrocopters had been swept away with little effort on behalf of the Andlaners. Instead hudnreds were dying in the streets and Ajax had to assert control on a daily basis to keep some semblance of order.
Eventually Wolsley decided that it was time to move on the city itself. Forming his Royal Marines into two columns of shock troops, Wolsley prepared for a rush on the main gate, which had taken considerable damage due to the constant bombardment. Preparing for a grand assault, Wolsley readied his Clockwork Knights and Royal Marines and ordered a strong assault on the main gate.
Instead the city, Ajax ordered his most veteran troops to the front, although many of his mercenaries were melting away, seeking escape from the city, not prepared to die for the cause of Manlu independence. Still, Ajax placed a strong force of speedshooters and veteran infantry around the gate to try and hold back the vast enemy onslaught.
The gate itself was teetering, barely held upright and Andlan Clockwork Knights moved in, gripping the gate with their massive mechanical hands and tearing it away from the wall as speedshooter bullets bounced ineffectually off of their hull.
The city itself had become a nightmare, as Manlu Infantry clashed with Royal Marines in desperate house-by-house fighting. Wolsley had laid-out a policy of rotating tired soldiers out of combat to move in fresher troops which he could afford to do due to his numerical superiority.
Still, desperate street-by-street fighting ensued, with confusion reigning in the city itself. Andlan's Clockwork Knights wandered through the streets, constantly needed to assist in overrunning enemy positions, while outside of the city Wolsley held his SteamTanks, wary about the return of Stratark Olan.
In Megarati itself, the city had dissolved into an increasingly violent, wild fighting, as small groups of Royal Marines clashed with Manlu infantry. Fires had broken out in several areas, but no one was available to fight them. Observers from neighboring Batogne warned of “widespread disease brought on by inadequate/tainted water, smoke inhalation, or injury from fire/combat” plaguing the civilian population. A steady stream of civilian refugees fled the city by land or sea, crowding into steamers bound for other Manlu cities. Many more were left in the city.
For six weeks the fighting dragged on, as Andlan forces pushed back the desperate forces of General Ajax. By the end of that time, Ajax was not even sure how many troops he still had under his command as the command structure was breaking down in many places. It became apparent to Ajax that he could not hold the city and thus ordered his troops to “cease resistance” to the invader.
Abandoning his uniform, Ajax put on civilian clothes and boarded a steamer out of the city amidst a group of civilians, seeking refuge abroad.
By the end of the year, the
city was in Andlan's hands, and the Queen's forces were working furiously to
repair some of the damage done to the city by the fighting. Potted water was
being brought in from across the region, purchased by the Royal Treasury of
Andlan to attempt to restore some basic civilian infrastructure.
The Big Bruhaha
The Daily Courier
ARKANGELISK- The
long-standing dispute between the Empire of Khulov and the Kingdom of Waagehaus
over the status of the Urkite-territory Wacla came to a head this year Kaiser
Weinmuth I ordered his forces to cross the border into Wacla to liberate the
province from foreign control.
The Czar of Khulov remained adamant about his commitment to maintaining his
"divine right" to rule the territory and instructed his forces to "repel any and
all attacks" on the Empire of Khulov and her territories.
Dr. Ahhax Mekarr, "The Kaiser's Bruhaha: Assault
on Wacla." The Journal of Military Studies in Ede Rame,
Vol. 2, Issue 4.
In Wacla, the 1st Imperial Army awaited the orcish assault. Composed of 100,000
Berzerkers, 35,000 cavalrymen, 250 speedshooters, 250 SteamTanks, 200 pieces of
Bombardum, and 120 cannonade, the 1st
Imperial Army was a formidable fighting force that was well-balanced and under
the command of the famed infantry commander General Ragetusk. Further, they
were supported by the 2nd Imperial Air Corps, which had a great deal of
reconnaissance biplanes, over 300 military biplanes, 200 warflots, 100 Airships,
and 50 Destroyers drifting overhead. Further, the Czar had constructed a vast
Heavy Fortress in the territory, comprised of steel-reinforced concrete, a
surrounding host of pillboxes, land mines, and a significant amount of
pre-positioned artillery and speedshooters. All told, Ragetusk felt confident
of his ability to hold the territory.
In Waagehaus, the Kaiser's vast military build-up had provided him a vast host
of more than 400,00 fresh soldiers for the campaign in Wacla. Commanded by the
beloved Warboss Jung, Da First Warband was composed of 100,000 Line Infantry,
150,000 Trench Infantry, 100,000 Stormtroopers, 50,000 bicycle troops, 50,000
cavalrymen, 500 SteamTanks, 300 Clockwork Knights, 500 speedshooters, 1000
cannonade, 750 bombardum, and 10 cadres of Battlemagi. Supporting this movement
was Da Flyin' Boyz, commanded by the formidable Airboss Winguts Kanne, who had
in his possession 20 Airships, 40 Warflots, 50 Destroyers, 100 Military
Biplanes, and a host of reconnaissance biplanes. The orcs were certainly
confident of victory, but the Kaiser had also hedged his bets and put his
formidable intelligence service to work.
Sending $3,000 aside to arm dissident Urks in Wacla, sending instructions to
cause disruptions through the province. This largely took the form of many
bands of drunken, unemployed Urks taking to the streets, discharging weapons
into the air and running off civilian governments in many towns. However, some
Urks had organized a bit more effectively and in the easternmost portions of
Wacla, serious problems were developing for Khulovite control. The garrisons in
those regions were forced to put much of the population under martial law and
speedshooters were set up in front of many townhalls to protect the Imperial
administrators from violence. Nonetheless, large portions of rural eastern
Wacla were lost or largely ungoverned by the Empire as wild and rowdy Urkite
resistance fighters took to arms.
In the west, however, things were somewhat more quiet. The presence of the vast
armies of the Czar kept many would-be troublesome Urks from rising in rebellion.
All of this, however, was simply a prelude of what was to come.
Warboss Jung took his forces across the border and into Wacla amongst much pomp
and ceremony. Several visiting dignitaries and military scientists from
Ebacorum and Karthago were present, eager to witness the titanic clash.
Almost immediately, aerial clashes began to take place, as General Ragetusk
ordered his numerous fighters into the air to gain "air superiority and blind
the enemy's reconnaissance aircraft." Overhead, a vast swarm of more than 300
Trollish biplanes clashed with the 100 military biplanes of the Kaiser's air
corps. As orcish troops turned their heads skyward, they were treated to the
whirling battles taking place overhead as Imperial pilots clashed with the
Orcish boyz. They were, however, disappointed as the superior numbers of the
Trollish air corps began to weight against the orcish pilots and flaming
wreckage from both orcish and Trollish aircraft began to crash in their midst.
The Ebacoran delegation was nearly killed when a massive Trollish biplane
crashed a scant ten yards from their position. Outnumbered more than
three-to-one, Airboss Winguts Kanne ordered his fighters to break off contact
and would eventually give the order to keep his aircraft grounded, surrendering
control of the skies to the more formidable Imperial Air Corps.
As such, the orcs were forced to rely more on their cavalry to screen their
movements and locate their enemies, all the while aware that high above,
Trollish aircraft watched their every movement, reporting back to General
Ragetusk about the advance.
The orcish plan, Warboss Jung's Thinky-Plan, was simply but effective. Hoping
to cut-off the enormous fortress and its defenders from their supplies in Khulov
itself, the orcish force focused on western Wacla, moving its cavalry in a wide
movement and began to seize Trollish trucks bound of the forces of the Czar.
This assisted the Orcish cause, given that the forces of Waagehaus, despite
their close proximity to their own border, were having some slight logistical
problems of their own and in many cases quartermasters were purchasing food
locally from Urkite merchants to supplement the army's advance.
Nonetheless, Da Boyz were ready for fightin' and Jung ordered his forces to
advance to the imposing Heavy Fortress.
As General Ragetusk began to realize the vastness of the host arrayed against
him, he set his forces on high alert and prepared to deal the invader a decisive
blow. Ordering his forces to "rain on the invader," the 2nd Imperial Air Corps
was dispatched to assault the enemy while still on the march. More than 350
dirigibles were available for these missions, including 50 enormous Destroyers,
100 all-purpose airships, and 200 smaller warflots as great swarms of unopposed
trollish biplanes took positions to the defend the force.
With the impressive orcish force spread-out along the roads, marching with
purpose towards the Imperial fortress, the trollish airships drifted overhead,
ready to unleash their payloads on the orcs.
The long columns of orcish troops began to realize that the trolls might not be
so easily driven from Wacla as they had been expecting. As the aerial bombs
began to drop along the orcish columns, many orcs fled the road altogether,
seeking some sanctuary amongst the trees or geographic barriers. Soldiers
closest to the orcish Geomancer High Mukamuk Shaman Hans Gorebiter found some
respite as he shaped a small cave in the ground as the airships appeared
overhead.
For the most part, airships are notably inaccurate and many of the bombs strayed
wide from the thin orcish column, but those that landed caused considerable
destruction. Several orcish SteamTanks were
amongst the causalities, sending-up streams of roiling black smoke as the orcs
abandoned the destroyed machines and moved on.
In an act of desperation, Jung ordered his biplanes into the fray, sending word
back to his airfields along the border to dispatch fighter cover. By the time
the biplanes had arrived, the airships, payloads empty, had turned away and were
leaving the scene. Determined not to take such a beating without any response,
the orcish fighters dived back into the fight, facing off against their more
numerous trollish counterparts once again. However, several orcish fighters
broke through, peppering the enormous gas bladders with gunfire, sending the
hydrogen up in a huge explosion. Several dirigibles went up in a gout of flame,
causing the orcish troops, now emerging from the cover that they had taken, to
cheer their brave pilots. Nonetheless, the Imperial Air Corps was inflicting
heavy damages on the orcish fighters, who soon broke off and made their way back
to their airfields.
Fifteen miles from the Heavy Fortress, advance cavalry units of the orcish force
encountered some minor Trollish cavalry, which led to inconclusive skirmishing
before the Trolls withdrew, moving back towards their fortifications.
Within four days the orcs had closed on the fortress and were awed by the
preparations awaiting them. After having plunged through four days of aerial
bombardments from the trollish air forces, the orcs discovered that the trolls
had been busy laying more and more land mines in preparation for the fighting.
In the fortress, many Trollish soldiers were shocked by the vast forces arrayed
against them. Outnumbered by not-quite four-to-one odds, the trolls were very
disheartened. Further, no fresh supplies were reaching the fortress, although
the Czar's troops still had plenty of supplies available to them from storage,
they all knew that a lengthy siege would break them.
The orcish forces began to array themselves for battle, laying their heavy
artillery out in a stunning display, with more than 1000 cannonade and 750
Bombardum available, the orcish guns began to open up with a great deal of fire
on the fortress.
Inside the fortress, the Troll defenders began to return fire, ordering their
much smaller artillery corp to open up on the enemy. The 200 pieces of Bombardum
and 120 cannonade that Ragetusk had brought with him was added to the fortress's
existing guns, although the orcs had considerably more firepower at their
disposal.
For several days the artillery duel continued, as orcish troops dug make-shift
trenches around the fortress and its supporting pill boxes, slowly extending
their lines, hoping to envelope the fortress and slowly starve the defenders
out. Orcish shovels worked furiously while overhead the trollish air force ran
as many sorties as possible to attempt to augment their artillery advantage.
Orcish troops were careful to remain outside of speedshooter range as their
trenches slowly snaked around the enormous complex.
Rumors began to spread in both armies as word of a Clynite force reached their
ears. Apparently the Undead Lords of Clyne had dispatched their forces to
Khulov that they might "defend the ancient
homeland of our neighbors."
Many orcs began to wonder aloud amongst themselves, fear of the horrors of a
zombie factory awaiting themselves breaking through the surface. However,
within a few days it became clear that the Undead Lords were literal about the
defense of the Khulovite homelands, and the Clynite forces marched into southern
Khulov and began to dig-in and erect considerable fortifications should the orcs
attempt to assault Khulov itself. The Undead Lords would fight for Khulov, but
not the Czar's conquests in Wacla, it seemed.
That matter behind them, Warboss Jung decided that his men needed a display of
their power and something to shake the nagging concerns his men were raising
about the Trollish airforce and zombie armies and decided that an assault on the
trolls was necessary.
Nothing so grand as an assault on the fortress itself, but attacks intending to
seize some of the pillboxes outside of the fortress would improve morale and
have the effect of allowing the orcs to shorten their lines.
Moving a column of sturdy orcish stormtroops, battlemagi, Clockwork Knights, and
SteamTanks into position, Jung ordered his two magi forward; BigMan Grog, a
famed orcish centurion, and Gorebiter, the Geomancer. Grog would led the
assault, his battle prowess and magical skills urging his men forward.
The orcs began to reposition their vast artillery to focus on the southernmost
pillbox, that the orcish troops might begin their assault. Subjecting the
pillboxes to a two-day bombardment, the Trollish defenders realized that
something big was coming. Ragetusk ordered more defenders into the area through
their underground tunnels and awaited what he was sure would come.
Grog stood before his men, waiting to led the assault column through the hellish
landscape of barbed wire and land mines when Gorebiter stopped him, readying his
magic.
Removing all of his clothes, the Geomancer did an intricate dance that had the
effect of both compelling the Ebacoran military attache to vomit and excuse
himself, but also began to gather his magics. Once prepared, Gorebiter placed
both of his hands firmly on the ground, staring at in the direction that Grog
would soon lead his troops. Breathing rapidly, Gorebiter unleashed his spell.
The earth began to tremble as Gorebiter's spell flooded through it, shaking the
ground before the trollish pillboxes. While the effect was not a massive world
shaking event, the Trollish-laid land mines began to explode one after the other
as the tremors detonated themwhere they lay sleeping. Soon the whole mine field
was an explosion of fire as the deep work done by trollish battlefield engineers
went up.
Grog's men began to cheer and Gorebiter nodded, sitting himself down to recover
from the usage of his magicks.
Grog let out a deep orcish yell and waving his war ax over his head, led his men
into the fray. Orcish SteamTanks rumbled forward, their coal-fire engines
spewing black smoke as they advanced, absorbing the trollish speedshooter fire
and crushing the vast tangles of barbed wire down so that the orcish infantry
might have an easier route to advance.
As the orcs force collided with the pillboxes, the trollish speedshooters began to open up. In their cement bunkers, Trollish gunners fired with impunity into the enemy, unleashing devastating fire on the attackers. Many orcish troops took cover behind the chugging SteamTanks, who began to return fire with their own speedshooters and main batteries.
The Clockwork Knights would be the weapon that ultimately broke the stalemate. The lumbering machines waded into the fight, advancing on the various pill boxes, spraying fire into the cement slits, cremating many Trolls alive. In some cases this was not possible due to intense gunfire and many Clockwork Knights set themselves to pounding on the bunkers themselves, with their enormous steels fists, having some effect. At least one Clockwork Knight pilot was able to form a massive crack in the roof of the bunker and spray murderous fire into the pill box.
Grog himself led a final infantry push against the fortifications, ordering his men to storm the pillboxes. The only entrance to the pillboxes was through the tunnel network below or through a single, steel-reinforced door that was heavily bolted and well-protected. With the use of Clockwork Knights or battle magi however, these doors represented little serious problem and many of the pillboxes were abandoned by their garrisons once it was clear that they could not hold the position.
Some fighting took place beneath the battlefield, as some orcish troops pursued their trollish rivals into the tunnel network below. This led to savage fighting as fearsome Troll berzerkers squared off against Orcish stormtroopers in the gloom beneath, in cramped quarters. Most of this fighting was hand-to-hand as the ancient enemies struggled with sword and bayonet to sweep the other away. Still, the Kaiser of Waagehaus had invested heavily in upgrading his standard infantrymen's weapon to lever-action elephant guns, intending to give his troops a much-needed boost in hitting power. Thus, many trollish soldiers found themselves out-gunned as the powerful new guns allowed the orcs to fire several, more powerful shots, in the time that it took the trolls to fire a single shot.
Eventually, though, it was clear that the southernmost portions of the pillbox systems could not be held and Troll soldiers began to abandon their fortifications entirely, fleeing back to the main fortress. Care of was taken to be detonate many of the tunnels, rather than face the possibility of an orcish force storming the fortress from below.
In all, the orcish assault was a complete success, smashing the Trollish defenders with comparatively few causalities and had destroyed a significant chunk of the trollish defenses. Further, some of the bunkers were of use to the orcish battlefield engineers, who intended to incorporate some of the more outlaying bunkers into the string of defenses.
Something, however, had come to Jung's attention. With his air forces still mostly grounded, he was forced to rely on cavalrymen to maintain an eye on his opponents. But, as he sat in his command post, listening to the steady stream of reports from Grog's position, he became aware that he had received no word from his westernmost patrols for some time. Thinking quickly, Jung ordered another cavalry screen to move out and discover the problem.
They discovered it.
The Czar of Khulov, gambling that the orcs would strike hard into Wacla, had left instructions that “once the battle is joined, the 2nd Imperial Army Group must press into Wacla from Khulov, encircling the enemy.”
The plan paid off. The 2nd Imperial Army Group, composed of 50,000 Line Infantry, 50,000 Berzerkers, 5 cadres of battlemagi, 130 speedshooters, 100 cannonade, 100 Bombardum, and 40 Clockwork Knights was bearing down the orcish position with considerable speed. Overhead, the 1st Air Corps circled, composed of 280 military biplanes, 100 airships, 50 Destroyers, and a swarm of reconnaissance planes.
As runners brought word that this new trollish force was bearing down on them, the Warboss had to act quickly. While not overly large, the 2nd Imperial Army Group was preparing to assault from the rear with a significant number of Berzerkers and Clockwork Knights. Jung immediately ordered a line of defense be prepared, moving some of his toughest stormtroopers and trench infantry into position, while his SteamTanks immediately began to move from the battlefield to the south.
It was too late. The Trollish commander, Col. Pyotr, receiving word from his heavy air cover that the orcs were on the move, ordered his forces to make for the battlefield with all haste and to engage in a “general assault.”
Lead elements of the 2nd Imperial Army Group crashed into the orcish camp, causing Warboss Jung to have to flee his command tent to take personal command of his forces. Disorganized orcish troops were fleeing in all directions as the murderous Clockwork Knights of the Czar were sowing destruction and confusion in their wake. Troll Berzerkers waded into the fray, firing their rifles and laying about them with their heavy swords.
However, the orcs were regrouping, as the Warboss managed to gather to him a considerable host of his finest soldiers and SteamTanks. As soon as Grog arrived on the scene, Jung ordered his men to staunch the enemy advance and drive the enemy back. As Troll Clockwork Knights continued to scattered many orcish troops, Centurion Grog arrived on the scene, leading his column of assault troops into the fray.
Troll Berzerks collided with Orcish Stormtroopers, pressing their momentum, trying to take the fight out of the orcs and scatter them. So significant was the pressure from the Trollish forces, this may have succeeded, at least temporarily, had it not been for the bravery of Centurion Grog. As the wild battle raged around him, Grog lept into the troll forces, swinging his enormous battle ax about him. As a Clockwork Knight bore down on him, he turned dropped his weapon, reaching within and called out the magic that lie within. Opening his mouth abnormally wide, Grog puked out a thick, pulsating bolt of lightning, which streaked into the Clockwork Knight's heavily armored chest. The contraption began to jerk wildly as it collapsed amongst the fighting. At the sight of such bravery, the orcish troops rallied and with their SteamTanks rolling around them, they began to push the 2nd Imperial Army Group back. At this, orcish battlemagi were finally deployed, hurling hexes and murderous magicks into the mass of trolls and clashing with their less-numerous troll counterparts.
Inside the fortress, the Khulovite artillery responded by opening up with all of its guns, hoping to assist their brothers in combat. Overhead trollish dirigibles were dropping their deadly loads, although received orders to discontinue, given reports on the ground of friendly fire.
As the surprise of the assault wore off, Col. Pyotr had to make a decision. There was no way that he could hold off the masses of orcish troops alone and even if the 1st Imperial Army Group marched out of their fortifications, it was likely that the orcs could still triumph. Their numbers and superior guns were simply too great for him to hold back and it was too much to expect of his troops. Further, the orcs were turning some of their vast artillery advantage against him and orcish shells were landing amongst his largely unprotected troops. Pyotr, cursing, called for a general withdraw, ordering defensive lines be made to the north-west, to keep the flow of supplies coming to the fortress.
Warboss Jung had his own problems to deal with. He was still off-balance, although starting to get control of the situation. He had no idea how many trollish soldiers were part of the 2nd Imperial Army Group and did not know what awaited him. Further, his troops not had to maintain defensive lines on two fronts and Jung was troubled by this realization. As such, Jung ordered his troops to begin digging a line of fortifications along their western front and Jung began to redeploy some of his forces to hold the line. Throughout the night, orcs and trolls dug furiously, each hoping that enough dig could be moved, enough logs thrown up, that the enemy could not break through.
Now that regular communication was restored between Col. Pyotr and General Ragetusk, Ragetusk knew that he could have to support the 2nd Imperial Army Group or Pyotr was clearly going to be overrun. Thus, sending a strong column of support out, which was greeted by cheers from the exhausted men of the 2nd Imperial Army Group, they continued to dig through the night.
Jung was redeploying his troops as quickly as he could and found the next morning that his trenches were as strong and secure as could be possible. Temporarily suspending work on encircling the Fortress, lest those troops need to be redeployed to assist in the west, Jung began to send cavalry patrols out to harass the Trolls. Troll cavalry, dispatched from the 1st Imperial Army Group, clashed with the orcs, but generally gave ground to their more numerous counterparts.
Jung was beginning to realize that he was not facing the enormous foe that he had feared and thus began to draw-up a plan to push Col. Pyotr's men out of his way so that he might cut off the Heavy Fortress and hopefully destroy or capture two entire Khulovite Imperial Army Groups.
Jung ordered his troops into two columns, the first primarily composed of stormtroopers while the second was composed primarily of Line Infantry and Trench Infantry. Alongside this, the Jung placed a number of his battlemagi and Clockwork Knights for additional hitting power.
Opening up on new Troll trenches with his artillery, Jung gave orders to advance.
The first column advanced quickly, advancing through a storm of speedshooter rounds, the stormtroopers reached the enemy trenches, landing amongst the Trolls with wild combat ensuing. The orcs fought hard, but the trolls were too well dug in and eventually the orcish officers began to blow whistles ordering a withdraw from the trenches. As the stormtroopers began to draw back Jung ordered his second column of troops forward.
At this point, the weary defenders began to give ground as the second wave hit them. The savagery of the combat was greater than anything yet seen, but eventually the Trolls were forced out of their trenches, with Col. Pyotr personally commanding the rear-guard, as his troops began to give way and march northward.
The 2nd Imperial Army Group, knowing that if it left its positions, however, that there was no hope to keep the defenders of the vast Heavy Fortress supplied, immediately began to dig a second line of trenches. Col. Pyotr, worked his men furiously, ordering the weary troops to dig even more trenches to keep the supplies flowing into the fortifications.
Warboss Jung was furious. The troll's desperate movement out of Khulov and into his rear had prevented his grand sweeping movement that would have finished the province in a single year. Still, time was on his side. His troops had received significant battlefield experience and his soldiers had proven their capability on the battlefield. The prodigious amount of artillery kept the enemy suppressed and his soldiers had proven their capabilities on the field of battle.
General Ragetusk was having his own difficulties. The 2nd Imperial Army Group was keeping his men well-supplied, but it was not clear how long he could hold open the supply lines to the fortress. For the trolls, Col. Pyotr's dramatic rear-assault had staved-off the encircling of the Heavy Fortress and their airpower had managed to bog the enemy advance throughout the entire year. Even so, it was clear by the end of the year that orcs held a clear advantage in the territory and that the Czar would have to work hard to turn things around for his beleaguered troops.
Takmi Absorbed by the Kingdom of Vecchio
The Imperial Review
RANE- The island of Takmi was absorbed by the Kingdom of Vecchio this year, citing generous terms offered by King Victor Archangelo III, including infrastructure improvements and military protection. Vecchite authorities arrived on the island, taking a census of the island and scouting the terrain, preparing a report for the King's desk regarding what would be necessary to improve that island's infrastructure.
Straights of Amah Fortified
The Sylvan Times
The ancient halfling port-city of Nav-Al-Rhoni has witnessed a new construction effort on behalf of the great Sultan of Ras Faraj. Massive new fortifications have been constructed along the Straights, including enormous banks of analytical engines to improve the accuracy of the gun emplacements currently there. Also, observers have noticed unusual new construction occurring and many are curious as to what the enigmatic Sultan might be undertaking. Many rumors are flying about, concerning a “secret weapon” that the halflings have undertaken construction on, but the Sultan has, thus far, not yet revealed anything.
Elves Amongst the Ogres; Batogne and Vecchio Establish Trading-Cities in the Punkab Empire
The Imperial Review
RANE- The Kingdom of Vecchio has begun construction of a trade-port on the coast of Punkab at the invitation of the Emperor of Punkab. While exact details of the deal are unknown, it is known that Vecchio has begun to station a small garrison in the port, which was named “Port Passaggio,” apparently by the King himself.
The Grand Dutchy of Batogne has undertaken a similar policy with the construction of their “Punkab Station.” The Grand Duke has further ordered the construction of a light fortress on the spot and has witnessed many dark elven merchants moving in to take advantage of the new trade opportunities.
Already Pukabi goods were showing up across Ede Rame as saris, Ogre-cut gems, and new spices have spread to markets across the continent. The economies of Batogne and Vecchio have noticed a solid economic boost from their investments in the region.
The Great Canal of Batogne Opens!
The Guardian
VATIKAR- The Great Canal of Batogne opened this year amongst much fanfare. Delegations from Waagehaus, Eboracum, and Karthago joined their Batognese hosts in the opening of the great Canal.
The Batognese Canal, apparently constructed in response to the vulnerability of the single Manlu Canal, is nearly twice as long as its counterpart in the Manlu and has already witnessed a large amount of traffic in the last six weeks of the year, particularly ships bound from Punkab.
The new Canal promises to prevent incidents such of the recent closing of the Great Canal of Manlu, brought on by the Andlan invasion of Neldheim, which had considerable negative effects for the nations of northern Ede Rame whose trade was briefly closed as a result of the hostilities.
The Terrornaut Revealed!
The Chronicle
BIELKSO- The Grand Dutchy of Clyne, responding to fears of an orcish invasion of Khulov, moved its 1st Expeditionary Force into Khulov, traveling along the newly-completed rail lines. This, however, was also the first sight of the newest mechanical construct of the Undead Lords of Clyne; The Terrornaut.
The Duke Nikhael II, is a dreadnought, placed on massive treads, which slowly chugged forward. Bristling with massive naval guns, the monsterous construction spewed a great deal of smoke in its wake and terrified troll children as it rumbled passed numerous villages in eastern Khulov. The ship-tank, so massive, ran into difficulties in the more thoroughly developed eastern Khulov as its pilots had to find a path to the Khulovite border with Waaghause that would allow it to avoid crushing Khulovite villages in its wake.
Rebellions in Czabo!
The Independent
The Dutchy of Czabo was wracked by a series of riot this year as many Urkites took to the streets of the Dutchy's few towns, expressing a general frustration with the medieval-like policies of the ruling aristocracy. Expressing frustration and confusion with the riots, Duke Ragel called out his forces, only to find the riots spreading.
An embryonic movement gathered around the populist farm leader Dominik Adelbek, a poor farmer from eastern Czabo. While the Duke desperately attempted to regain control over his rebellious people, Adelbek issued a call to “the honorable people of the Republic of Ravorek to assist us.”
In neighboring Ravorek, the 3rd Republican Army Group immediately crossed the border into Czabo, citing, “concern about the stability of the region.” The army group, composed of nearly 50,000 infantry and heavily supported by a great deal of heavy equipment, crossed the border, immediately sweeping aside the small border patrols and police forces that the Dutchy regularly maintained.
Duke Ragel, shocked by the sudden invasion, found that his forces were far too spread out to form any cohesive defense, immediately fled the country, surrendering it to the invasion force from Ravorek without a fight.
Leaguers Arrested in Andlan!
The World Review
The United Kingdom of Andlan and Culohill have suffered from anti-satyr groups operating in Andlan in recent years. In response to the anti-satyr movements, including localized gang violence against satyr communities, public hate speeches being delivered in public areas, and widespread discrimination against satyrs. The most prevalent anti-satyr organization has been the Andlan League, which has denounced “satyr subversion of human values” in recent years.
Prime Minister Aleric Cedrel announced a crackdown on the organization declaring it to be, “an illegal organization.” Cedrel immediately ordered the confiscation of their finance and possession and arrests of known members of the Andlan League.
This actions have also been coupled with an intense campaign to raise awareness on the benefits of the Union between Culohill and Andlan and attempting to smooth the racial violence that has thus far been plaguing the nation.
Semi-Official State Visit to Ras Faraj
The World Herald
The Kingdom of Waaghaus, apparently attempting to smooth-over relations with the Sultan of Ras Faraj, dispatched “Da 'xplorers” to Arrale to meet with halfling officials. This fleet was dispatched to Ras Faraj, with instructions to “say hi to da shorities.”
This was met with some
surprise by the halflings, who saw the unannounced oncoming approach of five
orcish warships as somewhat concerning. After a tense stand-off by warships of
the Sultan, the fleet was permitted to dock in the port city of Nav-Al-Rhoni and
the delegation met with halfling officials. The ever-polite halflings managed to
choke-down much stout orcish graf while the somewhat cruder orcs laughed at
great length over halfling wine.
A Manlu Confederation?
The Outlook
The Holy Empire of Eboracum and the Grand Dutchy of Clyne have undertaken efforts to fuel a movement towards confederation of the Manlu city-states has begun this year. Baroness Katherine Borowsky, a brilliant ambassador who success in securing peace amongst the elven powers of Ede Rame, is seen as central to securing such attempts, has been dispatched to the region to aid in negotiations.
In years past, such a confederation was inconceivable as the extremely independent city-states of the region have resisted any attempts at unification, either through diplomacy or force. However, the presence of 400,000 Andlan soldiers in western Manlu has changed the minds of many Manlu.
Meeting in the city of Oblis, delegations from across Manlu discussed the possibility of a federal system to unite the various peoples of the Manlu. Most vocal in support of such a system was the delegation from Olipis, who cited that “the people of the Manlu need to fight for their freedom and way of life.”
Surprisingly, this became a matter of contention, as the delegation from Hollek claimed that “the delegation from Olipis simply wants to bilk us of our hard-earned money to fund their re-building efforts!” This caused a considerable floor fight, which nearly broke out into actual fighting amongst the delegations.
At this, Baroness Borowsky shouted for order, banging her gavel to return order to the proceedings. By the end of the third week of the proceedings, an unidentified aide to Borowsky claimed that, “the Baroness has taken to the bottle” in response to the unruly delegates of the Manlu.
South Wacla Joins the Holy Empire
The Outlook
VATIKAR- Generals Kira and Valogg of South Wacla, taking control of the sliver of territory along the Eboracum border after the Khulovite invasion unseated their Duke, agreed to join their territory with the Holy Empire of Eboracum. Lord Prefect Octavius Magnus bestowed upon the Urkite commanders the titles of Imperial-Governor and Imperial-Senator respectively.
In addition to this, the Eboracan military was called in to remove the Urkite refugees that fled across the border after the trollish invasion, and return them to South Wacla. More than 575,000 Urkite refugees were forced back across the border, being settled in the various regions of South Wacla. This has caused some difficulties as many of the refugees are not natives to South Wacla and imperial troops were required to sort out many problems across the region.
The Emperor of the Sky Besieged!
The Imperial Review
The Empire of Maveren and the Kingdom of Vecchio, working in concert, launched a vast assault on the Empire of Zendoh this year.
The Sky Emperor, who had been organizing his forces in response to the Vergonian occupation of the imperial province of Denhow, suddenly found that two other nations had joined in the assault against his ancient homeland.
In the north, the imperial province of Zenkoh, already struggling with a Minotaur invasion force, found that that additional Minotaur reserves had been pushed southward to support General Eso's assault. Eso's forces now included 5 cadres of battlemagi, 53,000 veteran Samurai, 200 cannonade, 150 SteamTanks, 250 Clockwork Knights, 60,000 bicycle troops, 20,000 Trench Infantry, and 20,000 cavalry.
Opposing this force was the very battered forces of the governor-general of Zenkoh, Qasba. At his disposal were 7,000 veteran Immortals, 12,000 Mounted Archers, 10,000 Pikemen, and 10,000 Crossbowmen. All of his siege equipment and Giant Tortoises from the year previous were destroyed and Qasba felt that he had precious little chance of stopping the enemy advance for another year.
Thus reinforced, General Eso immediately pushed his forces forward, causing Qasba to give ground before the strong advance. Qasba, desperate to find some ground that might favor his smaller force. Marching steadily southward, Qasba desperately floundered about, looking for some place to make a stand.
Eso pushed forward, his led units continually pressing at Qasba's rearguard as Qasba finally abandoned the province altogether, moving into Zendoh proper.