The Sylvarian Civil War
In the heart of a continent, a small coastal nation burns - as envious eyes from across the borders and the seas divvy up the nation for their own ambitions.
Control map as of February 9th, 2024
Current International Intervention Level - 03 - ORBAT limited to 10k troops, heavy equipment permitted.
Whispers of the Sylvarian Civil War
Divine Salvation Movement Live Broadcast
A robed man with an assault rifle stands in broad daylight, against a mountainous background. Explosions and artillery fire can be heard in the distance. "Today, we have captured the town of Tinshold. Today, we have done a great thing. The holy warriors of Sylva-Ih have reclaimed this settlement from the nonbelievers. Today, the nonbelievers, the Infidels have been gathered here, to make recompense for their sins!"
The camera pans to 40 men - soldiers, journalists, bound, with black bags over their heads. Some of them weep.
"Listen to the weeping of the non-believers, the infidels! Know, Sylvaria, that all who defy the way of Sylva-Ih, of the religion of their forefathers, shall meet the fate of these men!"
40 robed militants, each holding a machete, enter the view of the camera. They stand behind each man, and kick him forward, as to kneel.
"Sylvah-Ih A A'kh! Sylvah-Ih A A'kh! Sylvah-Ih A A'kh!"
One by one, each man is beheaded.
The program cuts out, with the emblem of the Divine Salvation Movement emblazoned upon the screen.
A red-colored poster flutters in the wind of Vaylenburgh’s streets, as the sound of gunfire can be heard in the distance.
"Workers of Vaylenburgh, Comrade Ivan Nabakanov is pleased to announce the first People's Trial of the bourgeoisie! Come to center square, to witness retribution unto the oppressors!"
Sylvarian News Network: Nationalists clash with the Sylvarian central government in Havenbrook.
“The Sylvarian Republican Guard has been reporting shooting battles with the nationalist Sylvarian Liberation Front.”
“Now, to our man on the ground.”
“Thank you Jess.”
“The situation is pretty bad here. I’m here live in Havenbrook central park. Nationalist forces are advancing in 2 city districts-” the reporter is shot through the skull by a sniper, live on television.
ISI 21-B Special Report 21-B.
“ISI assets have firmly taken control over a Sylvarian militia, known as the Unity for Progress Militia. They should serve the interests of the state for the time being. We have directed units to move towards Siladen city...”
Rockets are screaming in the skies above Havenbrook. Nationalists have taken the country's prime agricultural land, and the most important port may soon fall into their hands. Religious fundamentalists are besieging the city of Point Overlook. Communist insurgents have seized the nation's industrial heartland, and all the while, a foreign backed-militia menaces the exposed and cut-off north.
It was meant to be President Voss's first term in office. Her election simultaneously sparked anger and hatred from all sides of the political spectrum, due to longstanding political tensions. The young Republic is at threat of extinction in 4 separate ways.
For President Voss, the stakes could not be higher.
She paced in the presidential office. Every second she spent there, was a time in which the enemies of her government - of the Sylvarian people - were killing their own countrymen.
And in the meantime, foreign forces began to make their move - the neighboring and utterly domineering Principality of Arakhkhar and the, for now, uninvolved, Commonwealth of Primeva eye the border. Covert units move to support respective sides.
In the meantime, from overseas, other forces seek to impress their own will upon the small nation.
The Grand Economic Consortium, seeking influence on the continent, sends a contingent of 2,000 troops to aid the government.
Likewise, The Socialist Republic Of Mercenaries sends a humanitarian aid convoy - and only time will tell what fate shall befall them.
The Federal Kingdom of Ardenia (Weltkria) sends a desperate operation to extract possibly 10,000 Ardenian citizens and journalists, in a race against time - it may not be long before the ports are blockaded, and their fates left to the murderous feuding factions - or the tender mercies of the Fundamentalists.
The Empire of Lysennia puts out calls to end abuses, although forces mobilize in unseen places, preparing to strike against the Communists and the murderous DSM.
In the meantime, other parts of the International community may take notice as time progresses - backing any of the 5 factions that have emerged in the Sylvarian Civil War.
Sylvanthor, the Presidential Palace War Room, February 10th, 2024
"President Voss." the Sylvanthorian Defense minister spoke softly, in the darkened room. 9 men and women stood in the room, stood around a map of Sylvanthor that had been hastily provided to them.
"Speak, Minister Jakar." Spoke the newly elected, and somewhat incompetent President Voss. She was fifty-three, and only newly elected.
"The situation is dire. I will not attempt to hide it, because doing so would do us no good. Siladen City, in the north, is being menaced by UPM units. We suspect that the damn Arakhkharans are aiding them, because they're inflicting heavy losses on us."
"To make matters worse, that entire region is cut off from the capital. Damn Commies under Navanov have taken full control over Vaylenburgh. The majority of that province - nearly 68% of our industrial capacity - is under their control. We've also lost access to the port of Uthikshaym, south of Vaylenburgh."
"The Capital, Sylvanthol, thankfully, remains in our full control - aside from the occasional Commie infiltrator, UPM Black ops, or DSM suicide bomber. We also control two ports along the coast. We also have full control over the island of Sylvanhaym, which should prove absolutely vital in preventing aid from reaching the Communists."
Thus spake the Minister - a veteran of the Republic for nearly 30 years, who spoke rather gruffly and pessimistically.
President Voss looked appalled, horrified for her own safety, and angry in equal measure. She spoke quietly. "And what of the South and West?"
Minister Jakar continued.
"The major port city of Havenbrook is currently experiencing heavy fighting. The nationalists, under the 'Sylvarian National Front,' led by the traitor General Marcus Kalden, are advancing. The city is not projected to hold much longer. In addition, nearly the entire south is under their control. with near total dominance in the province. "
The western border city, Point Overlook, next to Primeva, is under functional encirclement by the DSM. Reports of civilian casualties are mounting. The projected number of troops to hold the entire city is just 2,000... they are outnumbered nearly 5:1, and there are defections daily, on all fronts. You have seen the... beheadings, haven't you?"
President Voss looked at him with sorrow.
"Animals... just... animals."
The minister spoke sombrely.
"Defections are increasing daily. Over 40% of our current forces are encircled, or out of supply reach. We're on the verge of losing 3 major cities. Mrs. President - probabilities of success are decreasing rapidly."
The President now spoke.
"Damn it... we'll have to accept foreign aid, assuming anyone would even try and help us. But that help... those bastards are coming with strings attached, I just know it. And that'll commit the Nationalists against us to the death."
The minister of economics, a timid, thin young man named Osanus Vaul, now spoke up.
"Mrs. President... our industry is, as Minister Jakal mentioned, in the hands of the C-Communists. The loss of tax revenue off of the agriculture in the south has crippled our agricultural system. We are facing imminent food shortages. Inflation has hit... gulp 982% of pre-war levels. In terms of money... we have none. Bankruptcy is expected within 4 weeks."
President Voss was, although before angry, now utterly furious. She bitterly spoke. "Send out a call for foreign aid. Sylvaria is not yet lost."
"Oh, and - the minister of State Security - does anyone have a fix on his whereabouts?"
Minister Jakal now spoke.
"No, madame President. Minister Banalos' whereabouts are unknown."
There was no worse news in her eyes. The country was in tatters, innocent civilians were being beheaded en-masse, famine and poverty are all but imminent, and the military's morale was so low that it could barely operate. Defections and desertions were growing to the point where, at one point, an entire battalion joined the Nationalists - not to mention the fact that the government was widely unpopular in just about everywhere except the capital. To make matters worse, the one individual responsible for having suppressed all this is now missing - probably good for him. If She had her way, he would be shot fire allowing the situation to get this bad.
President Voss sat down, trembling.
"At least we hold the capital." It was a small consolation, but in truth, the president was nearly suicidal.
The fate of a people, a nation, hangs in the balance.
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