With Fire and Steel - AH RP (IC)

[The Kingdom of Glitter]

1796 AH RP
Links: OOC | Map

OP Board:
- OP - The Kingdom of Glitter
- Vice-OP - Liecthenbourg
- Co-OP's - The Jonathanian States, Aden Protectorate

RP Description:
On the backs of their subjects, European monarchs have vied to control the world for centuries. Ever since Columbus' famous journey across the sea and the beginning of the quest for a New World, the powers of Europe have been engulfed in numerous wars, with each campaign writing a new chapter in the books of history. Now, the world is engulfed in the flames of war once more. The Europeans, discontent with the loses they have faced, turn to one another to gain new territory. The land empires of Europe look to consume their neighbors, while the colonials look to the Far East to establish their global hegemony. Can you lead a nation to glory, or will you let her fall to her foes? For it is with fire and steel that the boundaries of this world will be redrawn.

With Fire and Steel is a player-defined alternate history roleplay. Our timeline begins on the 11th of March 1796, with a nominal point of divergence of 13 April 1204 - the date of the Sacking of Constantinople and the failure of the Fourth Crusade. . Players may take up the mantle of a state that they craft using the app, or one that has already been applied for, if the person who originally made it no longer RPs it. You may apply for whatever you want, within the bounds of realism and the application, and also within the bounds of preset history as laid down further below. Other than that, you are free to create whatever nation you want; let your imagination run wild. However, note that if an area has been applied for before, then its lore cannot be changed from what is in the app from before 1796 (*note, there are few exceptions to this).

Rules for the IC:
1. Date your posts
2. No reservations
3. Please refrain from introductory posts

Guidelines for Reservations and Time:
1. If you must reserve a post, the following must be done:
-You must include all of the dates that will be used in your post. For example, use the 15th March 1796 for every day you intend for an action or event to take place
-A summary of the action or event must be included underneath the date.
2. Time - While time is free flowing, please note that each post should cover approximately one month in time. A post must encompass a minimum of two weeks, and at most maximum of four weeks. Due to the fact that the time lime is entirely determined by the players, it is essential that every player dates their posts.

[Sveltlana]

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Rossiyskaya Imperiya
The Russian Empire



Съ нами Богъ!

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-THEME-

1. A Crisis of Masculinity
0 · 2
11 March, 1796

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The Tsarskoe Palace in Moscow, 1798

Moscow, Mosvka Oblast
Tsarskoe Palace
11 March, 1796

A thick fog lay about Moscow on that morning. Emperor Alexander Jagiellon enjoyed the fog – for some reason, it seemed to be to him as utterly refreshing as a breath in a spruce forest, or a bath in the spas of Germany, where more than once he had gone in his childhood to improve his health.

A servant brought a samovar in. The strong, bitter scent of the Black Tea emanated profusely from the ornate silver container. The servant poured the Emperor a cup of the dark liquid, which the young Tsar eagerly put to his lips. From the palace, he could see the Kremlin on the other side of the Moskva. Its red brick seemed almost brown in the thick fog.

"It's going to be a lovely winter," thought the

"My Emperor," said a footman in full livery as he stepped into the balcony and saluted his Tsar. "Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov."

Suvorov, his grey hair combed cautiously around his head, stepped into the balcony and began by bowing to the 19-year old Tsar.

"Emperor," he said.

"Alexander Vasilyevich, please, do not bow to me. That would have been fitting for my grandmother!"

"Ah, yes," said Suvorov. "May she rest in peace, of course."

"Naturally. Now, Alexander Vasilyevich, I may be young, but I am not a man of idle gossip – if you requested an audience with me, it must have been for a reason in particular. You are Russia's most celebrated general!"

"Well, my Emperor," began Suvorov, "the Chancellor has told the board that we are to prepare for action against enemies in the West."

"Indeed. He was obeying my orders."

"Very well, my Emperor. I may say what I believe. But if you're planning to take this country against the French— it is a simple matter of men."

"A simple matter of men? By God, our nation is the most populous in all of Europe, Alexander Vasilyevich, we have twice the population of France, and twenty times the size. Men will be no problem. Resources either. What is the issue, then?"

"The issue," began Suvorov, "is that the French are twice as better armed as us. They have twice the guns. Their morale? Their morale is twenty times our own. What care has a Russian to strike at some fop on the other side of Europe for politics' sake? My emperor, if we wish to be victorious against the French, which you seem to be planning, we will require morale."

The Tsar placed the tea on the table and rested his hands on his knees. Suvorov was still standing.

"What do you suggest, General?"

"Volunteers. Reactionaries, anything or anyone who would indisputably be against a Republic – we need to put into the task force to be led against Western Europe to be reliable. If half of the army deserts before the fighting begins, what is the point of the army?"

"Suvorov, you are a man of sarcasm."

"Indeed, my Emperor."

"But you are also a man who has yet to lose a battle..."

"They say many things about me, my Emperor."

"All of which are true, I would expect. Alright, Alexander Vasilievich, your request is granted. I haven't the slightest idea of how you plan on bringing this "volunteer corps" about, but you might do it as you wish. Take leave of me now, General. You have been correct in all of these predictions, I fear. It is dangerous to keep you in my presence."

"Your wish is my command, my Emperor," said Suvorov courteously with a bow as he took leave of the Tsar.

"Quite a character, is he?" said the Tsar to the servant as he came to remove the empty samovar.

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To the Foreign Relations Office of Bosnia:

Greetings,

Both of our nations share bonds in that both are primarily Slavic nations, and perhaps the greatest of them. Our two governments, the most powerful of Slavdom, represent the Slavic people before the rest of the nations of this world.

All Slavs are like brothers in this Earth; we share common bonds that make Slavdom special as a unique and unrepeatable culture and ethnic group. As such, it is crucial that we Slavs learn to work with each other with the goals of our people in mind – that never again will other races dominate Slavdom as the Turks did centuries hence, or as the Mongols did in the first millennium.

Our two people are one kin. As such, I would like to offer a Guarantee to the Independence of the Kingdom of Bosnia against internal or foreign aggression. We would be honoured if the Kingdom of Bosnia and all of her people would accept the protection of the Russian Empire.

Alexander I Pavlovich Jagiellon, Emperor of All Russia

On behalf of the Emperor,
Dmitri Fyodorovich Perevalov
Chancellor of Russia

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Moscow, Mosvka Oblast
Tsarskoe Palace
18 March, 1796

The Tsarina was a liberal. It was widely known across the Imperial Court, and she was widely regarded as the cause for the planned reformations of Alexander I, who had suddenly appeared before his Imperial Diet and announced that he was to issue a decree reforming the state of Serfdom in Russia.

It seemed to fit her. Quiet, discreet, and a lover of the arts and literature, the most recent trends among progressive circles applied to her and her lifestyle perfectly.

She was in their bedroom when the Tsar suddenly burst in.

"Again with those damned books, Lishchka?" asked he with a grin. "What now? Romanticism? Fairy tales?"

The Tsarina looked at her husband. "Chemistry. Still, it's not in your way to tell me what I should read, Alyosha."

"Is it?", snickered the Emperor. "If I told you I should read politics? Of the utilitarian style? I have this brand-new leatherbound tome, came straight from Britain. Do you speak English?"

"I speak better Swedish than English."

"And that's saying something!" the Emperor sighed loudly as he collapsed in a seat. He wasn't feeling stressed in the least, nor did anything seem to trouble him. Elisabeta approached her husband with intention written in her face.

"Alyosha... you seem carefree."

"I am carefree. The Ministers are ruling my realm for me, the soldiers are mustering and ready for war, and my chancellor has been informed about all of my plans. What more is there to it?"

"The court has been speaking... they say you plan to rally against the French."

"That is correct. They are a threat to the peace of Europe."

"But not to the peace of Russia..."

"Nobody will dare attack Russia, my dear. France would not, even in the wildest of dreams, consider invading Russia — their armies would not be able to defeat ours, and much less so far from home."

"Alyosha, if you're sending men to the West, then you're taking men from Russia."

"Nobody will dare attack Russia," repeated the Emperor with a stern face.

"An invasion would be disastrous. Alexander, you must secure a treaty of non-aggression with our two most powerful neighbours."

Alexander observed her sternly.

"I will not sign a treaty of non-aggression with the enemy of my father; with the enemy of my grandfather, and all those before them!"

But half an hour later, he was busy with the production of a document calling for the four neighbors to meet in Krakow to discuss a treaty of no-agression.

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To the Foreign Relations Office of Prussia, Austria, and Bosnia:

Greetings,

It has come to the attention of the civilised world that, in the country of France, a group of upstarts have overthrown the monarchy of Louis XVI and in its place established a republican government, in a scale unprecedented in either its magnitude or its scale.

This democratic government presents a threat to the stability of Europe. As has been shown by the revolutionary republic brought about in France, a republic is an inherently unstable form of government whereby the uneducated masses are entrusted with a decision of what the country should undertake.

It is therefore in the best interests of the people of Europe to recognise that a Monarchy is the form of government that best suits the interests of peace of prosperity, and to therefore at first contain this upstart form of government in France and subsequently annihilate it from the face of the Earth.

For this purpose, I would like to propose a twofold plan.

On a first instance, I would amicably like to suggest that we should convene in a place of mutual accord to discuss the ongoing state of affairs in Europe, and reach an agreement as to the terms of a clause of non-aggression between our Four Nations until the Republican threat has been extirpated from Europe.

Similarly, the second goal of this Conference would be to discuss ways by which the French could be brought to reason, be it through diplomatic or military means. In any case, gentlemen, the very existence of peace in Europe depends upon our ability to end the Republic.

For this purpose, I would like to suggest that we meet in the city of Cracow, which is in close proximity to all of us.

I hope to meet all of you soon, sirs.

Alexander I Pavlovich Jagiellon, Emperor of All Russia

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Minsk Town Hall, 1791

Minsk, White-Russia Oblast
Headquarters of the Imperial Western Army
25 March 1796

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BY ORDER OF THE EMPEROR.,

The Grand Duke, NIKOLAI PAVLOVICH JAGIELLON, et cetera, will be relieved of his command over the Imperial Western Army and be replaced by Sr. Bagration.

This gentleman will undoubtedly prove to be a good leader.

The Grand Duke has been requested to return to Moscow Immediately, where he will be received at the palace of the Emperor to be granted his lordship over the Duchy of Neva.

BY ORDER OF THE EMPEROR,
D.F. Perevalov, Imperial Chancellor.

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Moscow, Mosvka Oblast
Offices of the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs
27 March 1796

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To the Foreign Relations Office of the New Khanate:

Greetings,

Please accept the congratulations of Russia on your most-recent successful bid in the conflict for independence. Now that the New Khanate is an independent state, it will most certainly come to be a fair and just government that represents well the interests of her people.

It, however, has come to our attention that tyranny over the people of the New Khanate may commence anew following hostilities begun by the upstart Chinese Republic.

For this purpose, we would like to offer arms and supplies to the New Khanate in order that it might better protect both its territorial integrity as well as the well-being of her citizens.

Alexander I Pavlovich Jagiellon, Emperor of All Russia

On behalf of the Emperor,
Dmitri Fyodorovich Perevalov
Chancellor of Russia

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[The New Lowlands]

THE BATAVIAN REPUBLIC

THEME
"Concordia Res Parvae Crescunt"

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Paleis van de Republiek, Brussels, Batavia
11th March, 1796
The National Assembly was in full swing: gathered in a grand crescent around the office of the Chairman, the many members of the legislative had come together to argue their points, make laws, and otherwise contribute to the operation of the state. Such a grand assembly of democratic representatives was largely unheard of in Dutch history: the old States-General certainly had not heard of such a system, preferring to retreat to small drawing chambers in the Admiralty of Amsterdam to quietly, and without consultation, make decisions for the state at large.

Today's debate, however, was a matter of great importance- the first of such to be discussed in a democratic forum. Across the room, two broad factions faced off: the Unitarians, who were mostly aligned with the new revolutionary government, and the Federalists, members of the republican wing of the old order, who had remained in place as the new conservatives of the young Republic, desiring to return to a state before the country' electoral and political reforms. Between them sat the moderates, mild-mannered inbetweeners of the new order.

They spoke on the matter of slavery.

"Gentlemen of the National Assembly, Mr. Chairman, if I may speak." Pieter Paulus, the leader of the Unitarians, piped up.

"We have heard, repeatedly, of the interests of the Cape Colony, and of our possessions in West Africa, and of the thought of Carib slave-holders from the islands or from Surinam on the the topic of barring the trade and barter of slaves. They have made extensive arguments, from the economic perspective, of continuing the trade of slaves for their own sake. But the slavers of Africa and of the Americas fail to consider one thing- our Republic, wealthy though it may be from the fat of commerce, has little to thank the slave trade for: our merchantmen have found little profit in it, and it has been only through the subsidy of the state, at the behest of Western and Southern slaveholders, that it has continued, for the worse of the moral stance of our country."

"For it is undeniable as always that the institution of slavery, necessary though it may be to the interest of the Carib plantations, is vile in performance, base in motive, pernicious to the condition of freemen by its degradation of the sanctity of labour, and unnatural in its transplantation of the African populace to locales they have never seen before. Would the gentlemen of this Assembly be happy, for example, to move our meeting-place from this palace, in the centre of our fair country, to the heart of Portugal? In the same way the movement of the African slave displaces him from his natural condition, makes him bilious in disposition, and profits little the merchant who undertakes the journey, both in money and in spirit."

"And if it is true what some say- that to bring the Negro into slavery is to bring him under the protection of our righteous God- then it must be said to be a very narrow justification indeed for so vile an institution, which poisons our souls for every minute that we allow it to continue, especially when the Negro himself may find more gainful employment, both for himself and for the state, as a free man, absent his bonds to seek his own destiny in the manner that may best suit his ability and desire to work, as it is with the rightful employ of Christian freemen."

An interruption, from Jacobus Kantelaar- one of the Unitarians.

"And it is unnatural to suggest that the position of an African savage should be equal to that of a Christian freeman!" the man yelled aloud, springing to his feet. The Chairman knocked his gavel, Kantelaar pausing to acknowledge him; "Mr. Chairman, Members of the Assembly, if I may!"

"Mr. Paulus speaks of Christian protection, and of the rights of Christian freemen, and of the natural condition of the African Slave. May I be the first to point out that the natural condition of the African slave is one of short life, brutish subsistence, living hand-to-mouth in the plains and forests of the darkest continent! Suggesting that a Negro may hold the same place as a freeman is, quite simply absurd, when the same merchantmen we speak of today raise them from their natural condition- one of filth, degradation, and even slavery to their fellow African or to the Turk- leaves them without hope of gain or of spiritual salvation. Even if Paulus is right in suggesting that the state of the trade fails to make the best use of the African's propensity to labour, we have little reason to believe that the African freedman will seek his righteous place in Christian salvation!"

The Chairman cleared his throat, knocked his gavel, and reminded them both: "The National Assembly is not here to debate the matter of African slavery, Mr. Kantelaar. We are speaking here of a bill to prohibit the trade and sale of slaves."

The debate continued.

BY ORDER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

ON THE SLAVE TRADE IN THE REPUBLICAN COLONIES

Be it enacted that by the order of the National Assembly, both in the First and Second chamber, and with the consent of the Grand Pensionary, assembled here on the 12th of March 1796, that from the 14th of May of the year 1797 and onwards all manner of dealing and trading in the purchase, sale, barter, or transfer of slaves, or of persons intended to be sold, transferred, used, or dealt with as Slaves, practiced or carried on, in, at, to or from any part of the coast or countries of Africa, shall be, and the same is hereby utterly abolished, prohibited, and declared to be unlawful;

and also that all and all manner of dealing, either by way of purchase, sale, barter, or transfer, or by means of any other contract or agreement whatever, relating to any slaves, or to any persons intended to be used or dealt with as slaves, for the purpose of such slaves or persons being removed or transported either immediately or by shipment at sea or otherwise, directly or indirectly from Africa, or from any island, country, territory, or place whatever, in the Caribbean, or in any other part of America, not being in the dominion, possession, or occupation of the Republic, to any other island, country, territory, or place regardless of condition or location, is hereby in like manner utterly abolished, prohibited, and declared to be unlawful;

and if any of citizens of the Republic, or any person or persons resident within the Republic, or any of the islands, colonies, dominions, or territories thereto belonging, or in the Republic's occupation or possession, shall from and after the date aforementioned, by themselves, or by their factors or agents or otherwise howsoever, deal or trade in, purchase, sell, barter, or transfer, or contract or agree for the dealing or trading in, purchasing, selling, bartering, or transferring of any slave or slaves, or any person or persons intended to be sold, transferred, used, or dealt with as a slave or slaves contrary to the prohibitions of this law, he or they so offending shall forfeit and pay for every such offence the sum of one hundred (100) Guilders of lawful money of the Republic for each and every slave so purchased, sold, bartered, or transferred, or contracted or agreed for as aforesaid, the one half thereof to the benefit of the Republic and its Government, and the other half to the benefit of any person who shall inform, sue, and prosecute for the same.

Signed and Confirmed,

Pieter Vreede, Chairman of the National Assembly

Jacobus Spoors, Grand Pensionary of the Batavian Republic

19th March 1796
-Herman Willem Daendels is made commander of the I Corps
-David Hendrik is put in command of the 2nd Grenadiers
-New members of the Admiralty appointed

24th March 1796
-Tensions between the Admiralty and land commanders
--The Grand Pensionary orders the raising of additional regiments

[Liecthenbourg]

The French Consulate Republic


Chapter 1: To Free a Nation
Paris, March 11th, 1796

Napoleon reclined angrily, bringing his boots up onto the oaken desk the shared office. Jean and Charles-Francois shook their heads disapprovingly before setting themselves in their seats opposite him. The Second and Third Consuls were generally on the same side, with Bonaparte advocating for immediate action compared to their slower process of easing the Republic into European existence. It had proved fruitless to try to get cooperation between the Consuls, as Francois had wished to do. Napoleon and Jean agreed initially, but their differences soon boiled over to unconditional shifting of their policies.

"They're coming again." Napoleon declared, lifting his eyes from the gaze of his hands to the other two Consuls.

"Who this time, Bonaparte?" snarled Jean.

"The Austrians, Russians, Prussians, English - name them, they will come to halt us. They don't like a new ideal on the block. They will try to destroy us. Again.

"I'm afraid I agree, Jean." Charles Francois interjected. "But we cannot go about this military we shou-" Napoleon slammed his fist down angrily, glaring at both lower Consuls with fire in his eyes. He inhaled sharply, sitting on his chair properly before narrowing his eyebrows.

"We should what? Talk?" Bonaparte gestured outside before stepping onto the balcony of their office, pointing out towards the streets of Paris. "They'll never accept that. Oh, no. They'll gut us in the streets for even considering that proposal. They want blood. Give them blood. I shall lead the army, Carnot called a levy for a reason, to Italy and Southern Germany. I shall smash the Austrians into the ground before they can even lift a finger to tell me that our Republic is going to die."

"And what do you propose we do with this newly acquired land, Bonaparte?" both other Consuls seemingly said in unison.

"Prop up a government here or there, give land to Venice. I don't particularly care what we do, my goal is to smash Austria." The General's hands turned back out to the streets of Paris, a faint tremble in them as he spoke. "They want to spread the ideals of the Republic, let them do it."

Both other Consuls looked at eachother, waiting for one to speak before the other.

"Fine." Jean replied, tenting his hands. Bonaparte smiled, put on his bicorne hat and strode defiantly out of the chamber.

Now, Charles-Francois looked on at Jean with a confused expression on his face. The younger man stood up slowly, tilting his head in curiosity. "You.. you gave in?" The smirk that crossed Jean's face was one to behold, a grin from ear to ear that would turn even the most steadfast man back to his hovel to consider what terrible fate awaited him.

"Bonaparte will get himself killed. He plans to lead an army against foes that will outnumber him exponentially and in a terrain that favours them for defensive position. Let Bonaparte die, let the military flare of our Consulate be extinguished. Who will remember the name of a Napoleon Bonaparte?"

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Champs-Élysées, Paris, French Consulate Republic
March 14th, 1796

Napoleon Bonaparte clambered aboard his white stallion, a magnificent creature that had served him in Italy,Toulon and his brief excursions into Northern Italy a few years prior. Along the road known as the Champs-Élysées, was the enormous column of the French "Armee d'Italie", a group mainly comprised of the veterans of Napoleon's campaigns, old soldiers from the days of the Royalty and some "greens" as Carnot had grown accustomed to naming the very enthusiastic and revolutionary driven young men that he drafted into the Consulate Armies. There was a lack of cavalry, Bonaparte had noticed but it mattered not. Enough remained for him to successfully pursue his objectives. Napoleon was a master strategist, as had been evident by his early victories. He was a man of the cannon, the infantry line and the cavalry charge and had good officers commanding each of those fields. The General flicked the reins on his horse and rode up to the two awaiting Consuls by the Palais Bourbon. The great force was already on the move out of Paris - beginning its march south to Marseilles before its assault into Northern Italy to completely eradicate the "Piedmont Suisse."

Both Consuls bowed respectfully and smiled at Bonaparte. Despite the obvious resentment on Jean's face, Francois shook Napoleon's hand over enthusiastically and smiled once again.
"Show those Austrians what for, General Bonaparte! Drive them back across the Danube." The French General merely nodded solemnly and kicked his horse with his spurs, galloping off down the road to meet with his officers staff. Off all the while, between the rolling of cannon wheels, the trot of horses' hooves and the unison marching of the infantry, was the mighty booming of the musicians playing La Marseillaise. The people waved from their balconies, threw themselves at their feet at the sides of the columns and proclaimed the revolution noble and justified. Women kissed the brave soldiers, soldiers ruffled the hair of children and Bonaparte merely smiled back at his two Consuls.

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Nearing Piedmont-France Border
Apirl 11th, 1796

Flags were raised high, banners fluttering in the wind. The mighty symphony of military noises was huge and booming now. Chants about the glory of the Republic, La Marseillaise, rolling cannons and wagons, neighing horses and trotting hooves and the joyous atmosphere of the marching men. "Libérer l'Italie !" was a common phrase now amongst Bonaparte's Napoleonic force, being chanted by Swiss and Poles too. Bonaparte's force was a purpose, a righteous liberated descended from the heavens to cast out the Austrians and oppressive monarchies. Napoleon would give the power to the people, by ripping it out of the throats of the rich. And even now, as the French army continued to march along the roads; the imposing sight of the Alpine mountains was coming into perspective and before long, the French had marched into Italy. The Liberation had begun.

Total Force: 300,000 Infantrymen.
- 200,000 are proper infantrymen. 20,000 are Poles, 8,000 are Swiss. The rest are French.
- 100,000 are Revolutionary Infantrymen, conscripted by Carnot. While lacking in training, they have the spirit and motivation to fight.
45,000 Cavarlymen. Mostly Hussars, Polish Lancers and Chasseurs a Cheval. Some half filled Cuirassier regiments.
500 cannons of varying calibre and their crews, numbering somewhere nearing 6,500 artillerists.)

[The Kingdom of Glitter]

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The United Provinces of Columbia

Verenigde Provincies van Kolumbië

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15 March 1796
Washington D.C., Columbia
The White House

Like any other day in the capital, President John Adams sat in his office shuffling through papers handed to him by his secretaries. Nothing of importance - requested meetings from Senators, a few from the Chamber of Representatives, inquires from various governors, a letter or two from the military leadership, and the last a notice from his secretary reminding the president of his meeting with Vice President Jefferson. Adams snarled and crumbled up the paper, tossing it to a nearby wastebasket. Jefferson was his fierce rival, and the two seldom saw eye to eye on anything. Adams was a Federalist and Jefferson a Democratic-Republic. Adams wanted the capital to have almighty control, while Jefferson wanted the provinces to be allowed to retain their limited sovereignty. An odd combination for the occupants of the White House, however a fluke in the Constitution allowed the President and Vice President to be elected separately from one another. This resulted in a rift in the White House, as Adams defeated Jefferson for the Presidency in 1792 while Jefferson managed to secure the Vice Presidency. This had started four years of constant conflict and a lack of harmony within the executive branch.

Adams hoped he would be able to delay his rival from arriving, but alas he had no further options. He had already postponed the meeting twice, and a third postponement would cause Jefferson to become even more of a thorn in the side of the President than he already was. The two did not see eye to eye on the topic of France, something George Washington himself attempted to remain neutral on. The French Revolution was a touchy topic within Columbian politics. France was the reason Columbia secured her independence - or so many thought - but the Reign of Terror damaged the nation's reputations in the mind of the Federalists, who in turn became very hostile to French interests. The party viewed France as a thread - with French holdings to the North and French holdings to the West. However, the Democratic-Republicans - led by Jefferson - knew France was not a threat. Instead, they saw the young republic as a natural ally.

A knock on the door was heard, and Adams looked up from his desk and issues a reluctant "come in".

John Henry Adams,
Second President of the UPC

The door opened, and in walked Vice President Jefferson. "Salutations, John. It is a pleasure to finally meet you."

"The pleasure is mine. I must apologize for my previous cancellations, I have been rather busy with presidential affairs. "

"If I were to consider sitting on my arse a presidential affair, then I suppose I would have considered you rather busy. However, I'm not here to discuss our hostilities. I'm here to discuss France. These proposed acts are more than foolish. You and I know exactly why they are being passed as well - to quell support for the Democratic-Republicans and silence any voters who may be pro-France. It is a disgrace really, Adams, that your party is so petty and acts as such an impediment to democracy."

"We are the majority party, Jefferson. Therefore, we speak for the majority of the American people. We will do what we deem in their best interests, as they have elected us to do. We shall do no more and no less than that." Adams said angrily. "Now, onto France herself. They are the impediment to democracy, not the Federalist Party. How can a nation that executes political opposition promote liberty and democracy? It cannot. France is not our friend, but our en-"

Jefferson promptly cut Adams off "I suppose passing legislation to remove political opposition still allows your party to promote liberty and democracy, even though it is a clear violation of our Constitution and goes against the very principles this nation was founded upon. France is not our enemy. Robespierre is gone, as is his horrific government. This Bonaparte promises true reform. You would be a fool to deny him the chance to prove himself, but seeing as how I already know you are a fool I already know what your answer will be."

Adams slammed his fist down on his desk . "I am not the fool who supports the threat on our Northern and Western borders, am I?!" Adams shrieked. "France is an enemy that we cannot trust."

"They are not and you know it. We would not hold our offices if it were not for the French, nor would this city even exist. Hell, we would have likely been hanged alongside Washington, Franklin, Hancock, and the others if it were not for the French. You are a damned fool, Adams. November will show you that the Columbian people no longer trust you or your party - mark my word!" Jefferson said as he began to stand up from his chair. "I shall show myself out, I have more important matters at hand other than discussing global affairs with a glorified baboon. I'll let you get back to sitting around on your arse, handling 'important president affairs'."

Adams sat seething with anger in his seat, and as Jefferson closed the door he slammed his fist down on his desk once more, knocking over the container holding the ink for his quills, spilling black ink all over himself.

21 March 1796
Washington D.C., Columbia
The Capitol Building

"Having now reviewed the bill, I ask you to please cast your votes." Speaker of the House Frederik Mulder declared in front of the 7th United Provinces Chamber of Representatives.

The Capitol when first occupied by Congress
(painting circa 1795 by William Russell Birch)

One by one the Representatives began to vote. 107 men from all over the United Provinces were tasked with passing the Alien and Sedition Acts. Before them were four bills that would forever change the political climate of the young nation. The Naturalization Act increased the residency requirement for American citizenship from 5 to 14 years, preventing recent Francophone migrants from voting in elections. Likewise the Alien Friends Act allowed the president to imprison or deport aliens considered "dangerous to the peace and safety of the United States" at any time, while the Alien Enemies Act authorized the president to do the same to any male citizen of a hostile nation, above the age of 14, during times of war. This was an entirely political move, and was aimed to curb the support for Vice President Jefferson and his Democratic-Republican Party - the faction immigrants often supported. The Sedition Act was the most controversial of the four acts, and essentially silence all critics of the federal government, placing heavy restrictions on any criticisms of the Federalist run government. The vote was expected to follow party lines, with the Federalists holding both the House and the Senate.

"On this vote, the Yeas are 57 and the Nays are 50. The bills have now been passed." the Speaker said.

The Democratic-Republican began shouting in protest, and as a result the Federalists began yelling back. Soon, chaos has descended upon the Chamber, as it would once more later that day in the Senate.

26 March 1796
Fort Mackenzie, Northwestern Territory
Fort Mackenzie

A sketch of Fort Mackenzie

Following the end of the Northwestern Indian War, the Federalists hoped to better organize the territory in order to prevent another Native American uprising against rule from Washington F.D. In order to do so, the government commissioned teams of surveyors to venture out into the Territory in order to determine potential borders for future provinces. The team, headed up by explorer Richard Van Dyke arrived at Fort Mackenzie after departing from Ohien. It was unknown just how long it would take for the team to fully survey the Northwestern Territory, as it had never been done before. The Territory was first created in 1787, and while it was organized it had never been explored. The lack of Columbian knowledge of the region greatly hindered the effort to subdue the revolting Native tribes, and Adams did not wish to see the incident occur once more. The uprising had greatly impacted his popularity, which had been in a steady decline since he took office.

1 April 1796
Greeneville, North Carolina
Greeneville County Courthouse

Col. John Sevier

"Gentlemen, I am honored to be able to meet with each and everyone of you to discuss the future of our great countries! Since the establishment of the Carolina Colony, and the subsequent North Carolina Colony we have been property of Raleigh. Well, gentlemen it is time for that to end. I propose that we succeed from the Province of North Carolina and establish ourselves as the Province of Franklin, and petition our nation's capital for admission to the Union." Colonel John Sevier bellowed before the crowd of representatives from every county of North Carolina between the Allegheny Mountains and the Mississippi River. "Today I ask you to join me in declaring our provincehood. We are not like those to our East. We are Frontiersmen! We are farmers! We live off the land! Those in the East live on plantations, on estates, and in cities. Those in Raleigh are unable to represent us the way we deserve to be represented."

Accolades from some of the representatives began to cheer, signalling support for the Colonel's proposal. "Gentlemen, I ask you to sign this Declaration of Session, announcing to Raleigh and to all in this nation that we are now represented by ourselves while petitioning the Congress for admittance to the Union. Can I expect your support?"

The men gathered shouted in agreeance with the Colonel, and one by one began to get up to sign the Declaration of Session, and in turn declared the Free Republic of Franklin as an unincorporated territory of the United Provinces.

[Aden Protectorate]

Lisbao, Império do Portugal

Chapter One: Another Jewel in the Crown

05 de março, No Ano de Nosso Senhor 1796

Maria reclined on a large oaken chair in the Quelez, her husband was to her right - they clasped hands, a symbol of their continued devotion to one another after thirty-six years. In front of her a large mahogany table had been pulled up - and in front of her sat her loyal Cabinet, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the Governor of the Casa d'India Oriental, the Secretary of Africa, the Secretary of Home, the Premier of the Câmara, and the Marshal of the Empire - a British man by the name of Beresford. Her son, João had not been invited for reasons - namely he was incompetent and power hungry - not a good combination for the future ruler of a massive empire.

She had called her Cabinet to discuss the state of the Empire and brainstorm as a group - they did whenever the Empress felt like it, which was often every few weeks. Otherwise the individual cabinet members would just consult her privately. Maria was not an imposing figure, she was elegant, and graceful but she petite, and did not look like someone who would command an Empire - yet she did, and she did it well. In fact she was the first undisputed Queen Regnant of Portugal, approaching her twentieth year of rule along with her consort Henry, her second-cousin by her great-aunt Infanta Isabel Luísa of Portugal.

A few other courtiers who had been invited filed in and Maria signaled for the meeting to begin - the first to stand was the Secretary for Africa - charged with organizing the African settlements and relations with indigenous peoples.

"Your Most Faithful Majesties, Maria the First of Portugal and Henry the Second of Portugal the rest of Europe has begun to plunge into War - as we all know the Empire of Portugal does not interest itself in the ideologies of nations, and we have no connection to the exiled Bourbons or their French monarchy - the Foreign Secretary has recommended that we remain neutral in a conflict with France, and instead pursue our colonial ventures while Europe turns its attention inward.

The Secretariat of Africa has come to the conclusion that Africa is a valuable resource to our Empire - we must quickly snap up what we can before other powers realize that. Your Most Faithful Majesties, I have prepared a communique to be dispatched by three ships-of-the-line Expeditionary Fleet to the Malagasy King which asks for her submission to our authority, I have also prepared a charter granting the Colonies of Zanzibar, Mozambique, Angolaland, the Gold Coast, Bissau and Igboland to use their Regiments of the Army of Africa to subjugate their nearby coastal areas - I have also drawn up plans to facilitate this and orders to be dispatched to each Regente. Do Your Majesties accept my recommendation?"

The Empress did not need to think twice - she knew how valuable Africa would be and incorporating Madagascar would be another jewel in the crown of Portugal. She nodded and then spoke.

"Secretary, your plans are exquisite, and we expect them to go smoothly. I give my assent."

The Secretary smiled and he handed Maria the papers which detailed the plan he had proposed - Maria read over the fine details of the plan for about fifteen minutes, and then printed her signature upon it. The next minister stood - the Governor of the Casa d'India Oriental.

"Your Majesty - I come on behalf of the Agency of India, the Agency of Timor and the Agency of Macao - the various Regente's of the Agencies and myself have come to the conclusion that our operations in the East are in need of greater attention - already we are being eclipsed by nations such as Britain, and the Netherlands are to entrenched in Malaya, so I recommend not projecting any influence there, however Arabia provides a different opportunity. The Cities of Muscat, and Aden are close to our African colonies and could provide valuable trade - I would like permission to mobilize a portion of the Expeditionary Fleet, namely ten ships-of-the-line and twenty frigates assisted by seven-thousand reserve troops of the Contiental Army."

"I give my assent Secretary."

The plan was read over, and within ten-minutes it was signed. The rest of the secretaries put forward plans, most were dismissed - however one remained - the Secretary of the Home and the Premier stood.

"Your Majesties, discontent grows within Brasil, Macao, Portuguese Honduras, and Dominica - all areas which have a majority Portuguese population yet are treated as colonies - direct subjects of the Crown. Having consulted the colonies named we ask that they be elevated to a special administrative unit - not Provinces, or Colonies. They should not be Colonies as they are majority Portuguese, and they cannot be Pronvinces as incorporating them into the Câmara would be impossible - I propose we elevate them into a new category designated "Overseas Province" - they would be managed by a Governor, not a Regente, they would have their own Legislative Council which would act in place of the Câmara - the normal laws passed by the Câmara would be applicable - yet they would also pass their own laws by their own Legislative Council. They would in a sense by extraordinary of autonomous provinces - they would share the same relationship with the Crown as does Portugal itself."

The Empress thought for a second.

"Your a correct Secretary - Brasil, Macao, Goa, Honduras, and Dominica are to valuable to be lost. These Overseas Province designation would be just perfect to appease the majority Portuguese populations there - we cannot have the revolutionary tide seen elsewhere in Asia and South America spread to our lands. I grant my assent."

And with that the meeting was concluded. Once everyone was gone it was just the Empress, and the Empeorr.

"Is the communique to France ready my beloved wife?"

"Yes husband - in fact it has already been dispatched."

Imperial Seal Portugal Comunicado Imperial Imperial Communique Neutralidade Neutrality Her Most Faithful Majesty, Maria of Braganza, the First of Her Name, Empress of Portugal, Queen of the Algarve, Brazil, and the Azores, Ruler of of Portugal and All Her Domains in Africa, Asia and the Carribean To: The French Consulate From: Portugal Codification: Top Secret To the Consuls of France; Your excellencies The Empire of Portugal has long admired France for it's power projection in Europe, and we congratulate you for accepting liberal enlightenment as Portugal has - though undoubtly you have taken it more to heart than we have. The Empire of Portugal does not wish to get involved in the affairs of the continent, preferring instead to turn our attentions to our maritime empire - we understand that some nations do not support your regime, we also understand that the situation is very tense and that war could be a result. Should war come to Europe the Empire of Portugal would like to guarantee our neutrality towards France. We promise not to assist any nations who would take action against, but we hope you understand that means we will not take action to assist France either. May god bless you all. Please respond with haste, Maria I

26 de março, No Ano de Nosso Senhor 1796

The Fleets that had departed from Porto two weeks ago on missions to Madagascar and Arabia had just stopped in Mozambique to re-supply. There had been favourable winds throughout their voyage and they had made good time - the Fleet heading for Madagascar was picking up around 500 Professional Portuguese Soldiers who formed a fraction of the Garrison in Mozambique. Their job was to escort the communique and to use aggressive persuasion to have the Malagasy accept the Portuguese Crown.

The Fleet headed for Arabia was going to land in Aden first, after bombarding it heavily the 7,000 Soldiers from Lisbon would land and take the city. They would then head up the peninsula to Muscat, while the fleet would destroy the coastal forts along the way and then bombard Muscat before it was taken. This portion of Arabia had little population, organization or technology.

The Fleet to Madagascar arrived on the western-Portuguese-dominated coast. They refilled supplies at the town of São Pedro, and then headed into the highlands to Antananarivo, the Royal Capital. As they progressed through they had a cartographer map the areas they passed through. Madagascar was in the middle of a famine - and several natives joined the Portuguese who promised them food. This bolstered their ranks to approximately 1, from the 700 at the start with 500 being untrained natives with basic weaponry.

They reached the royal capital a week later and were brought into the audience of King Andrianjafinandriamanitra of Imerina. The communique was presented to him and the expedition awaited for his response as a translator read him the contents of the letter. Little did the King know even if he did not accept the letter Madagascar would fall into the hands of Portugal - for you see while the King read one hundred of the Portuguese soldiers had already begun disarming the palace guard and securing the palace, while the rest had been securing the city.

Meanwhile in the rest of Africa the colonies had taken advantage of the new charter and had been expanding along the coast. Progress was slow but various tribes had been subjugated and their land incorporated in the period of four weeks since the issuing of the charter.

Imperial Seal Portugal Comunicado Imperial Imperial Communique Protecao Protetion Her Most Faithful Majesty, Maria of Braganza, the First of Her Name, Empress of Portugal, Queen of the Algarve, Brazil, and the Azores, Ruler of of Portugal and All Her Domains in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean To: King Andrianjafinandriamanitra of Imerina From: Portugal Codification: Top Secret To King Andrianjafinandriamanitra of Imerina; Your majesty; The Empire of Portugal would like to offer you the benefit of our protection from the outside world. While our Empire has always been benevolent towards the most glorious Kingdom of Imerina - with all it's natural beauty we know of some nations who wish to undermine your sovereignty and security - such as the scheming Spaniards or the British. If you should accept your offer it would require you to accept a Portuguese Regente in your lands, raise the Portuguese flag above the Royal Capital, and swear allegiance to the Crown of Portugal - we assure you that your throne will be secure for you and your dynasty. Please respond with haste, Maria I [/blocktext]

Light green is expansion of colonies in Africa, if any of this is unacceptable just don't include it.

Last edited by Aden Protectorate on Sun Jun 14, 2015 1:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Caltarania]

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Zhōnghuá Mínguó
Chinese Republic
中華民國



Chapter 1 - The Dragon Awakens

Theme: "Emperors Road"

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Peking, China
18th Day of the Fourth Month, Year of the Fire Dragon
(11th of March 1796 in the Gregorian Calendar)

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Chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp. Crickets chirped along, as the darkness of night veiled itself over the Imperial City. Across the wide streets of the monstrously large city, folk slept; except for the soldiers who stood guard sleepily. At the heart of the city laid the Forbidden City, the Imperial Palace of the Qing Dynasty. It was enormous. It covered one hundred and eighty acres of land, and housed a countless number of imperial subjects, including the young Jiaqing Emperor himself, in addition to the Empress Regent and the majority of the Imperial Court. Indeed, the Forbidden City was quite the sight to behold.

It was hard to see the Forbidden City from atop it, yet Ling Yao attempted to take in all that he could. They did not lie about it's beauty, or it's grace, or it's magnificence. It was truly astounding, just as they said it was. Yao, however, had a job to do, and could not afford to wait around, staring at architecture; he had a deadline, and that deadline was dawn. He clutched his jian, in order to make sure that it was still in it's scabbard, in addition to his dao. He also checked his other side for the Pistool Mle 1785 Dralleerd which he had purchased from a Dutch merchant at Poort Artur a few months prior. He also checked that it was loaded; luckily, it was. With his preliminary checks completed, Ling Yao darted across the roof of the Forbidden City, lightly running across the tiles in order to invoke as little sound as possible. He quickly pulled out the map of the Palace which he had acquired and checked that he was heading in the correct direction.

After a few minutes of moving into position, and checking the map, Ling Yao had found the building which he wished to enter. He slid down the sloped roof and quietly climbed down onto a walkway below. He knelt and kept himself close to the floor on which he walked, as he approached a guard who stood with his back towards him. Ling quietly unsheathed his dao, and approached the guard from behind. Quickly and silently, Ling leaped up, covered the mans mouth and cut his throat. He lowered the body to the ground, and climbed into the palace through the door which he had been guarding. Ling then clambered up the walls and crawled through a window in one of the inner walls. Ling had reached his first destination. He quietly crept down from his position and sat beside the Empress Regent, who lay in her bed asleep. He slit her throat with his Dao.

Ling quickly clambered out of the Empress Regent's room and sprinted towards his next target; the crib of the one-year-old Emperor. The crib lay in it's own, more lavish room, and he was aware that there were more guards there; not that it mattered much. Quickly, Yao darted to the door which - on his plan - lead to the bedroom of the young Emperor. He saw that there was a single soldier guarding the door, and that he was tired; barely awake. Ling Yao threw his dao into the man's skull, leading to his untimely death. Yao sprinted forwards, grabbed the dao from the man's skull and kicked down the doors to the Emperor's room. Quickly, Yao once more threw his dao at the closest of two guards in the room. The man dropped dead, and Yao quickly drew his jian in order to block a blow from the jian of the guard. The two had a short time of swordplay, before Yao sent his jian through the guard's heart. Then, in the last moment, he drew his Dutch pistol, aimed it at the young Emperor and pulled the trigger. In a bed of blood, the Jiaqing Emperor was ended.

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Outside of Yancheng, China
25th Day of the Fourth Month, Year of the Fire Dragon
(18th of March 1796 in the Gregorian Calendar)

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As a gentle breeze made it's way through the rebel encampment outside Yancheng, the cloth tents gently swayed. In the largest of the tens - near the centre of the encampment - Zi Lianhua stood over a map of the city of Yancheng, moving markers which symbolized various armies and divisions in the region. Across from her stood generals Wang De-lu and Yang Fang, who was both young men, no older than thirty, who had both attained their positions by mutinying against their superiors and taking command of sizable forces before declaring themselves for the republic. As the three tacticians debated and laid out their battle plan for the attack on Yancheng, a messenger hurried into the tent. He bowed towards Zǐ as he entered.

"Your Presidential Excellency." he said to Zǐ, in a thick Hui accent. "We have received a report from the Imperial City of Peking; the Jiaqing Emperor, and Empress Regent Xiaoyichun, have perished." the messenger was rather happy when he stated this.

Liánhuā let out a smug smile. "Excellent; do we know who carried out this... affair?" she inquired.

"Yes, your Excellency." he replied. "It was a man by the name of Ling Yao." the man said. "He has not only destroyed our enemies, but also made the trip down to our encampment, your Excellency. He is waiting for me to give him leave to enter." he said.

Zǐ nodded, and the man entered. Ling was a rather sullen fellow, Zǐ noted. He entered clad in black robes, and did not seem to feel comfortable with the fact that his weapons had been confiscated before he entered the tent; the man showed caution, and it was apparent.

"So this is great Zi Lianhua." Ling said, while walking around the tent seemingly aimlessly. That being said, he held a stare on Liánhuā for such a time that it began to trouble her. He approached her slowly. "Well, they did not lie about your beauty, your Excellency." he said, before gently lifting up Zi Lianhua's hand in order to gently grace it with his lips. "I have killed your enemies, oh beautiful and glorious one. For these deeds, I offer unto you one request." he exclaimed. "Allow me to protect you and yours, as your personal body guard."

"You seem to have shown some measure of worth." Zǐ said, attempting to ignore his somewhat creepy sexual advances. "I will allow you to fight and die for our protection." she responded, seemingly to great appreciation from Ling. "Since you are now mine to command, I suppose I should put you to good use. Listen closely; these plans have been worked on for hours, don't ruin all our hard work, Ling Yao."

After Zǐ had gone over the final plans for the attack on the city, the assault began. Under the cover of darkness, Ling Yao lead a small group of five agile warriors into the city of Yancheng. They scaled the walls, mostly evading detection from the Yancheng guard. All except one - who found and caused mutual death in the arms of an Imperial guard - had succeeded in scaling the walls. The men quickly scattered themselves across the town, and began to open the large gates which protected the city from attack. When four of the five gates were open, Ling headed to the top of the tallest tower in the city and lit a flame so bright that it ripped through the sky.

As soon as the fire was lit, the Republican troops charged into the city shouting battle cries and, after a small fight, utterly crushed the defending Imperial forces in the eastern half of the town, who were caught completely unaware in the attack. Those Imperial troops who were ready for an attack proved, however, to be more formidable, and provided a more stalwart defence in the west. Eventually, however, the Imperial troops were forced to stand down, as the forces of Zi Lianhua had surrounded them, and had liberated - or occupied, depending on the perspective you wish to take - the city of Yancheng.

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Taipei, China
30th Day of the Fourth Month, Year of the Fire Dragon
(23th of March 1796 in the Gregorian Calendar)

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Waves crashed into the shores of Taiwan, as a storm raged off the coast of the small trading port of Taipei. Though the port and town were small, they were the only signs of true settlement in Taiwan, and it was known to all that he - or she - who controlled Taipei would, inevitably, control Taiwan. The sleepy town of Taipei was quiet throughout this day, until the sound of cannon fire was heard. This sound was a strange and unusual one, one which made a large crashing sound and left a wake of destruction in it's path. The small imperial fleet docked at Taipei quickly began to man it's ships and attempted to sail them out to face the attackers, however it was no use.

The ships - the majority of which had been hired in the Dutch port of Poort Artur - were lead by a single Chinese junk ship, and utterly ravaged the port in cannon fire before landing a small force of Chinese soldiers who quickly burnt the imperial flag and hoisted up the banner of the republic. Any surviving imperial soldiers or seamen were imprisoned by the republican troops, who quickly set about sending the good news to the rest of China, so that all knew that Taipei - and ergo Taiwan - had been liberated by the Chinese Republic.

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Chengdu, China
4th Day of the Fifth Month, Year of the Fire Dragon
(27th of March 1796 in the Gregorian Calendar)

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"So it is true? The Emperor is dead?" a sullen and crooked voice croaked. "If that is the case, we should immediately declare ourselves for the Republic. It is the only way that we will be able to maintain our control over Xinjiang and the Western Provinces." he said, before slowly rising from his seat. "Bring me ink, and my good parchment. I have to write a letter to our new President."

Governor Amursana waited patiently and - when the servant arrived with his parchment and writing equipment - he began to write a letter to the leadership of the Chinese Republic, within which he would denounce the Empire, rejoice over the death of the Emperor and declare the allegiance of the Western Provinces to the Chinese Republic. Amursana had faced war before, against the Qing. He knew that it was foolish to back the losing side, which was why he had waited before declaring who he supported. Now, though, with the Emperor dead and the Regent lost to history, it was clear which side would be the victor.

"Hua, get the best horse we have and ride for Guangzhou. Deliver them this letter immediately." he commanded.

From Governor Amursana of the
Western Provinces of China

To the President of the Chinese Republic,

In light of the murder of the unjust Emperor of China, I - Governor Amursana of the Western Provinces of China - have decided to renounce my loyalties to the Emperor and the Empire, in exchange for a newfound loyalty to the Republic and the values for which it stands. I hope that you acknowledge this shift in allegiance, and allow our forces to work together in order to topple this Empire!

Yours Sincerely,

Amursana,
Governor of the Western Provinces of China.

[Vredlandia]

The Kingdom of Bosnia

16 March, 1796

The Crown Prince stood in the overexpensive office of his father and waited. His name was Aleksandar, a symbolical gesture to tighten bonds with Russia. Aleksandar would choose a fresh name when ascending the throne, though, that much he knew. Miro seemed fitting, although it was a little short and common, but he would not let his father dictate his life even after he died. Just as he reminded himself not to be angry now, the doors opened in a swing and the Royal Guard made room for the King and his advisors. The King sat down and Aleksandar wondered how his father would get these old bones up again. Then the King commanded his son to speak.

"Father, thanks for receiving me. As you might have gathered from the notice there is much to discuss. First I have ordered to send you the weekly report. There is not much to tell in these regards, so let me continue: The Emperor of Russia wrote us and I believe the message is of utmost importance. Please read it yourself", the Crown Prince asked and handed an advisor of his father the letter. Interestingly enough the Duke of Hum was not attending; Aleksandar figured out that he was too conceited to join this noble scum in vying for the favor of an old man.

With the trembling voice of an old monarch the King read it out loud, so his advisors could listen. Few seconds later they all rushed to him like a pack of hyenas. Usually they all agreed on their topics, especially if they managed to throw Aleksandar out of the game of politics this way, so they only did that to present themselves as valuable. After a small while the King nodded and raised his hand to tell his advisors to get off. "You look as if you have something to say, Aleksandar", his father assumed correctly.

"Instead of going with Russia, we should join a faction that is willing to change the status quo. Naturally it is a great risk, but..",

"Your father always supported Russia, it would be foolish not to do so now. We are independent because they side with us, my Prince", one of the advisors interfered - a minor baron with countless family ties to Russia. Oh, how he hated them. Aleksandar only needed to look at his father, and old, gray-haired man who was stubbornly watching his own hands, to know that he did not have the slightest chance to influence the course of the nation. "I believe I have work to do then", the Crown Prince simply replied and walked out of the door backwards.

To Dmitri Fyodorovich Perevalov, Chancellor of Russia

Most esteemed Chancellor Perevalov,

We are very grateful for the existing bond between Russia and Bosnia. It is true that out of all the people, yours are the closest to ours. His Majesty read the letter thoroughly and was immediately convinced that this is our natural destiny and we are meant to follow it. Our Kingdom and its people will gladly accept the protection of the Russian Empire and look forward to our cooperation.

Aleksandar Kotromanić
Crown Prince of Bosnia

24 March, 1796

"Vlade, I was worried when you asked me here! You do know I do not like to be uninformed, but the mail did not tell much", the Duke of Hum introduced himself to the King. They were no friends, but knew eachother long enough to give a damn about formalities. Maybe they even disliked eachother, but still they had great trust in eachother. "Let me make it quick: I am sick and not able to travel to an important conference. I was told my son is very biased in this affair, so after long discussions with my advisors I decided to send you. Do you accept this honor?"

The Duke could have shouted - how could the King forget that the Duke and the Duchess already invited to a banket around the time of the conference? However, there was no chance he was able to decline that honor. It would destroy his ties to the King, while the guests of the banket needed the Duke more than he needed them. "I serve at your pleasure, Your Majesty."

To Alexander I Pavlovich Jagiellon, Emperor of All Russia

Greetings,

I received your letter and am honored by this invitation. Unfortunately I am currently not suited for the travel, but rest assured that my representative enjoys full authority and my complete confidence. We sincerely hope that, at this conference, we will furthermore be able to convince Austria to let go of Slavic lands, especially Serbia. Many of my ancestors lived and ruled it, it would greatly strengthen our alliance if I could get it back with the help of Russia.

Vlade III. Kotromanić,
King of Bosnia and Serbia

Kept it short. Who reads Bosnia anyways, except for involved guys/girls.

[Krugmar]

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The Sovereign Military Order of the Knights of Saint John
Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum
Ave Crux Alba

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Grandmaster Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc

11th March 1796
Palais Rohan, Tunis

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"Alas, Europa, you are not the eagle that I once knew" mumbled Emmanuel, looking over an up to date map of the various European powers. Master Ramon sat uneasily near him, confused by his statement yet remaining silent. "Stipendium peccati mors est" he muttered, slowly running a finger down the deep blue region of France.

"The reward of sin is... death" repeated Ramon, beginning to understand what the Grandmaster was thinking about.

"The revolution brought plenty of it" replied Emmanuel, a scion of a formerly wealthy and noble family of France now left without the connections he once enjoyed.

"Not to mention by act of law they removed the tithe paid to our Order. Vive la révolution as they say" said Ramon, the disappointment sitting heavily in his voice.

"No, Vive les chevaliers de Saint-Jean. Perhaps it would be best to align to these républicains, have them reinstate our tithe and provide support. They are after all bons catholiques, soon their république will be over and a monarchie reinstated." replied Emmanuel, ever the optimist.

"Alas I do not share your hopes. your Highness, but I agree heartily with such an alignment. I will gather the Masters in a weeks time, and send word to the French Republic about possible indirect help" said Ramon, pushing himself from the bench in an effort to leave.

"Remember that it must be indirect, Master Ramon, God did not send us on this crusade to involve ourselves in European affairs. We require money and support to fight against the Mohammedan, secure French support against Morocco and the revival of our old tithe. Offer the usage of our Ghazi corps and our Barbary fleets should they require them" commanded the Grandmaster, before he returned to his map and secluded thoughts.

"Oui, votre Altesse" replied Ramon with a courteous bow that went unseen by the Grandmaster, before he left the large and ornate study of Emmanuel. His movement through the palace went quickly, and he marveled at how quickly it had been built and how luxurious the standards were. Yet he had not time for gawking, and went about his business with the utmost urgency.

Master Ramon Despuig

21st March 1796
Palais Rohan, Tunis

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"Fellow Masters, His Eminent Highness, Grandmaster Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc has convened us here to discuss the possibility of a loose alignment with the French Republic, for the benefit of bringing the Lord's enlightenment upon the heathens closest to us with the support of the French military" stated Master Ramon, taking his seat to first listen to some of the opinions of the Knight Commanders gathered.

Unfortunately old Albert von Mecklenburg-Schwerin, an anti-French Master hailing from an old family in Prussian territory, stood first. "Fellow Masters, this is clearly an attempt by His Eminent Highness to alienate those in our order who are not French. This will result in a loss of our independence, and the death of our most holy Order as we become killers of fellow Christians through the work better done by vermin than soldiers of Christ" he spat out, before taking his seat and leaving the room in silence. He was referring to the mercenary work undertaken by their Ghazi corps and the Knights Pious, something he had been adamant in opposing.

Luckily he was in the complete minority, as eight out of the twelve Masters were French in origin due to Grandmaster Emmanuel's Francophilic nature. Master Philippe de Croÿ stood next, to Ramon's relief. "It is my belief that his Eminent Highness is most correct in this action. For the past century we have taken little action against the heathens due to lack of support, but with the help of our Catholic brothers in France much could change. I will vote aye to this, with a most joyous and content heart" he said, receiving nods of approval from most of the masters.

"If that is all of the opinions on the matter, then we shall take a vote. Those in favour say aye and raise your hand" said Master Ramon, counting nine hands raised as all of the French Masters and one of the Spanish Masters raise their hands. "It is settled, an alignment between our nations will commence. I will meet with the Moshir, and then send a letter to the French Consulate. Dieu soit avec vous" he said, adjourning the meeting and sending the masters on their way.

Moshir Yushua Karim

25th March 1796
Ghazi Quarter, Tunis

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-Master Ramon meets with the Ghazi Moshir (Marshal) to discuss the possibility of fighting in Europe, and to relay the Grandmasters plans and commands.
--The Moshir agrees, and asks for permission to begin recruitment of 2000 new Ghazi's to prepare for any potential losses which is agreed to.

Master Ramon Despuig

26th March 1796
Despuig Manoir, Tunis

---

Ramon sat at his desk, scrawling furiously away at the letter. He could have delegated the task to one of his underlings, yet he felt that personal care of this matter had to be taken. There was no way he would be able to find out if the contents were changed otherwise, as he always made two copies of the original himself and inspect the neater copies made by the clerks just to make sure. He pulled the letter up and read it over, just to make sure he had gotten all of the details correct.

---

---

To the Foreign Relations Office of France

Salutations,

News from France has reached the shores of Afrique, and our Grandmaster, his Eminent Highness Emmanuel de Rohan-Podluc, has been keen to resolve any differences that might exist between our two states in a way that would be most beneficial to both parties.

The removal of the tithe, the subsidy paid to our order to encourage the work of our fight against the enemies of Christ, has been a blow to the courage and morale of our brave knights. The seizing of our properties and priories has been met with great outrage amongst the more pious and less understanding of our order. Yet we understand that such seizures and stops were accidents of a revolt against decadent nobles unwilling to act in the interests of all sons of the Church.

Therefore, his Eminent Highness hopes that such properties can be returned to the order, and the tithe paid may be restored. He also hopes that France will provide support, both monetarily and militarily, of assistance to restore his Eminent Highness as Sovereign Prince of Rhodes and Morocco.

In return, the use of the famous Ghazi corps in whatever need France has of them will be permitted. The assistance of the Barbary Fleet shall also be given, and the ports of the most Christian States of Tunisia and Tripolitania will be open to French vessels. As a Prince of the Church his Eminent Highness will also work to having France set high in Papal favour.

It is my wish that good relations between our states can exist, for the improvement of all Christendom.

Stamus contra malum,
The Right Honourable Ramon Despuig, Grand Bailiff and Knight Commander, Count of Djerba

The letter looked in order, and so he barked orders to one of his servants and handed it to them. It was folded up and taken to the Rohan Palace, where clerks would check it over and rewrite it. Then it would be sent to France, and a reply would soon follow. But it was the reply that Ramon feared most, for a refusal might push the soldiers of Christ against fellow Christians, and involve them in politics despite oaths binding them against such actions. Only time would tell.

[Neo-Assyrian Empire]

---

Königreich Groß-Bayern
Chapter 1: A New Bavaria
Theme

---

Munich, Bavaria
March 11^th, 1796
The sun had begun to go down in the Capitol of Bavaria as the King and an aide walked in a local park. "Absolutely not," cried the aide, "Do you have any idea what sort of repercussions this could have?"

Karl shrugged. "I suppose we could be excommunicated and other states may shun us, but it is the right thing to do. If we do not make Bavaria a secular kingdom, what chance do we have of ever advancing? We claim to support the French in their secular revolution, yet we are slaves of Rome. We cannot progress unless if we remove religion from our government."

The King noticed a group of children playing in the field.

"Think of them, Frederick. While we may be excommunicated and suffer for our choices, the people of Bavaria will not. In fact, they will thrive! Just imagine it: A Bavaria in which the church plays no part in the government. Science and education would flourish and these children would be able to access education better than what they could now."

Frederick sighed. "There is no changing your mind at this point, is there? Well, if you wish to remove the church from politics in this country, be my guest. But, I will not take any responsibility in this. Any consequence of this action shall be on your head."

"Fair enough. Now, let's head back to the palace. There is other business to be taken care of."

---

Munich, Bavaria
May 16^th, 1796
King Karl Theodor sat at his desk, writing a doctrine. As he dipped his quill into the inkwell, he struggled to find the exact wording for the final line. After a few moments of thought, he dipped the quill in ink again and finished the paper. He signed it and walked over to Frederick.

"I need you to take this doctrine to a printer and distribute copies of this doctrine around the city. Today, we make history as the first German kingdom to separate church from state. Oh, and bring this back to me when you are finished. I want to send this copy with a courier to Rome."

On Catholicism and the State,
A decree from the King

For all of Bavaria's history, we have been closely aligned with the Catholic Church. Ever since the days of the Duchy, the earliest time in our history, until now, the government has been influenced by the Church. We even fought for the Pope for thirty years over a hundred and fifty years ago, and many times before then.

However, in light of the revolution that has freed France from the chains of religion, I firmly believe that in order for Bavaria to progress in this world, we must follow the example set by the French and cut any ties between the Catholic Church and the government of Bavaria. This will allow the Kingdom and any realm under its influence to pursue knowledge and sciences with less opposition.

This does not mean that any Catholic persons will be persecuted by the state. In fact, it means just the opposite. Catholics, Protestants, and anyone of any other religious denomination, are free to practice their faith without fear of prejudice by the state. It shall lead to a better society for every person under my domain.

Henceforth, the Kingdom of Greater Bavaria shall be a secular state, free of any religious influence towards the government.


~König Karl Theodor

---

Munich, Bavaria
April 9^th, 1796
The King rose from his bed this morning, drowsily looking at the clock at the other side of the room. 7:15. A little later than usual, but still early none-the-less. He started to get dressed when there came a knock at the door. Karl looked at the door "Who is it?"

"Frederick, my liege."

As the King struggled to put on his breeches, he gave out a small grunt. "Just a minute." After finally getting them on, and after putting on his jacket, he went to see Frederick. "What is it that is important enough to tell me at 7:20 in the morning?"

"Sorry, sir, but there is important news. Word is that Napoleon's army is getting close the the Piedmont border. It sounds like he is intent on conquering them, then the Austrians."

"That is certainly important enough to disturb me early in the morning... get me a sheet of parchment. I need to send a message."

Offizielle Kommunique von Groß Bayern

To the French Foreign Ministry,
It has come to my attention recently that Consul Bonaparte seeks to battle the Habsburgs in Austria, and is currently carving a path through Northern Italy to make it so. I would like to extend a gesture of good will by opening the borders of Bavaria for French soldiers to pass through in order to reach the Austrians. In addition, I am willing to mobilize my army in order to aid you in your quest to spread your revolutionary ideals throughout Europe.

Signed,
Karl Theodor, King of Greater Bavaria

[Kisinger]

Kingdom of Scotland

"In My Defens God Me Defend"

---

Chapter 1: We are Scotsman!

Edinburgh, Scotland
March 11th 1796

-Addressing Parliament with a Bill to slightly increase the size of the Navy

Halifax, Nova Scotia
March 27th 1796

The current Governor of Nova Scotia, Sir John Wentworth, along with several Prominent businessmen, lawyers, and members of the "Nova Scotia Parliament" which in all terms was illegal for all Edinburgh cared but, too maintain hold over their current Colonies the Government assented to the creation of a Dominion of Nova Scotia to allow the Colonies to govern themselves as well to reduce the chance of a repeat to something similar to the American Revolution and resulting massive lost of Prestige.

Standing atop a hastily erected wooden stage in the middle of Halifax they stood, reading off the Bill, "We the Parliament of Her Majesty's Government have found it to grant Dominion ship to the Collective Colonies known as 'Nova Scotia' and hence forth have achieved the right of Self Governance separate from the Parliament of Scotland. As well with this achievement of Self Governance, the Dominion must raise a Militia of twenty thousand men including the colonial guard to be of assistance to Scotland and all of her possessions." The surrounding crowd cheered, as this would usher in a new age of Freedom for the Colonies.

Edinburgh, Scotland
April 2nd 1796

Prime Minister James Ferguson, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sir John Gladstone sat across from one another in James's Parlor Room, a lamp in the corner lighted the room illuminating the two men as Night fell across the most Noble Kingdom of Scotland, thereafter James spoke up "John, how have you been this evening?"

"Quite well James, though I must bring up concern regarding our current standing in the world." He said gesturing with his hands here and there.

"How so?" James asked as he picked up a saucer a took a soft drink from the cup of tea.

"Well with the current Political Climate I highly advise giving me permission to begin talks to reinstate pacts with our former Allies the Swedes and Scots." John stated once more gesturing with his hands

"I suppose so, what do you suggest in a summary, all together to say." James asked.

"To secure our Southern Border asking for something akin to both sides agreeing not to attack each other, and as I stated previously, allowing me to rekindle our previous relationships." John blatantly said still gesturing with his hands.

"Yes I suppose I can" James stated as the conversation would continue on for the next few hours before John excused himself to go sleep leaving James Pondering what to do in the event of war.

---

To the most Noble and Prestigious Consulate Republic of France
From Her Royal Majesty's Government of the Kingdom of Scotland from the Desk of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sir John Gladstone
Pertaining on the Subject of Further Strengthening Ties With One Another

---

In the past, the ties of both Scotland and France have always been close due to the conflict over the English. It is in the view of our Government that maintaining such Cordial relations and reinstating the "Auld Alliance" might be in the Best interests of both of our Nations as we share a common rival, the English. As well we can tie down a large amount of English Troops if war is too break out between us and allow you to campaign unopposed across Europe without a large British Interference for a enduring period of time. Though we have grown apart over the last 200 years it is in His Majesty's Government's best interest to rekindle this age old alliance.

---

To His Royal Majesty's Government of the Dual Kingdom of Norway and Sweden
From Her Royal Majesty's Government of the Kingdom of Scotland from the Desk of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sir John Gladstone
Pertaining on the Subject of the Colonies of Greenland and Iceland belonging to the Kingdom of Denmark

---

Our most Noble Allies of the Dual-Kingdom of Sweden-Norway, we would like to open dialogue between both of our nations regarding the Colonies to the North of us called Greenland and Iceland. In the Past we were indecisive with our Campaign together against Denmark and failed to seize either of these, and with many of the Great Poers of Europe distracted by this new Republic of France, I suggest we strike Denmark with the combination of both of our forces against them to finally allow for the unification of you two and when the time comes we can discuss the division of both Iceland and Greenland, and how it should be done.

---

To His Royal Majesty's Government of the Kingdom of England and Ireland
From Her Royal Majesty's Government of the Kingdom of Scotland from the Desk of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sir John Gladstone
Pertaining on the Subject of the the Creation of a Non-Aggression Treaty for the Duration of Five Years

---

The Kingdom of Scotland would like to sign a Non-Aggression Treaty with the Kingdom of England and Ireland to guarantee the Safety of both of our Nations as a War on the British Isles would be a prolonged conflict and it is my opinion that neither Scotland or the humble Kingdom of England and Ireland should wish that upon either side so I wish to further guarantee the peace of the Isles with this treaty.

[The New American commonwealth]

Habsburg Realm
Habsburger Reich

Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser

Chapter 1: The Habsburg and their place

Vienna, Upper Austria, Habsburg Realm March 11th, 1796

Franz II looked over his capital city, the capital of an Empire that spanned from the Alps, to the Danube, but had many different nationalities,the Habsburg had only gained them through marriage, and conquest. Now, the old days of Absolute Monarchy is beginning to fall, as a Corsican Rapscallion, one Napoleon Bonaparte, most likely is aiming at one of the oldest Monarchist Empire in Europe. Franz knew that his Realm could fall, with the traitorous Bavarian's being Wishy Washy, and the Venetians to the South who most likely fear the Habsburg, but then, he had to strong allies, the Habsburg former Enemy, the Militaristic, Kingdom of Prussia, and the large, and Man filled Russian Empire. He knew he was going to fight for the old order, but he needed, to strengthen his position. He called all of his major Generals into his throne room.
As they all entered, Franz began to speak,
"Gentlemen, war is coming, and the possible end of the old order. We must strengthen our armies, or we might fall!" Franz said.
"My Emperor, my suggestion is quite outlandish to our Germanic way, but we have a fair bit of man power in Hungary, Bohemia, and Croatia, so why do we not call upon our Slavic and Maygar subjects to fight for our noble House? And to entice them, we should bribe them with Maygar and Slavic Officers, Generals and even possibly Nobility of their tongue gaining a seat in your court, my liege." said his younger brother, Archduke Charles of Austria. Franz looked at his brother, contemplating his proposal. finally, after a minute of thinking, Franz responded.
"This proposal is not at all my Brother, what would be Outlandish is to decline it, and doom our Empire. I henceforth, decree the creation of a draft across the entirety of our Empire, along with the Holy Roman Empire, for which we our family is still Emperor of." Franz stated. His Generals bowed, and left the room, when a Courier under the Habsburg crown ran in, and delivered him a message, from the Tsar of the Rus. Franz read it, and walked himself to his study, and wrote in reply.

From Franz II, Kaiser of the Holy Roman Empire, Archduke of Austria, Apostolic King of Hungary, Croatia and Bohemia, and Head of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine
Tsar Alexander I Pavlovich Jagiellon, I agree entirely that in order to keep the old Regime in tact in our realm's and what all major powers who wish to keep in place their house, is a Coalition against the French! But here's what I propose my self, the assassination of Napoleon Bonaparte, a French General, who appears to be on the rise. If we possibly capture him, he must be killed, but if we don't have that chance, we must get our hands dirty, and hire mercenaries to kill him.
Regards,
Franz II, Kaiser of the Holy Roman Empire, Archduke of Austria, Apostolic King of Hungary, Croatia and Bohemia, and Head of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine

All over the Habsburg Empire

ATTENTION!
Our ancient Empire is now on the brink of war! Join his Majesties Government to fight for our ancient ways, and let the Liberal threat crush our ancient way of life! Must we lose our ancient and beloved Catholic Church? Or possibly to have more then yourself in your own home! Join the Imperial Habsburger Army, and fight for God, and crown!

(OoC:Imagine this is in the language of where the poster was placed)

Buda and Pest, Habsburg Realm, March 18th, 1796

In the cities of Buda and Pest, seperated just by the Danube, two town criers, simultaneously, enter the town square, and proclaim something, ordered by the Kaiser himself.

"By Imperial and Royal decree, the two cities of Buda and Pest, shall henceforth be merged into the city, of Budapest! And also, by decree of his majesty as well, any Nobility within the city, may apply to the Kaiser himself to join his court in Vienna, but must be of high class, and communicate with the common people on a daily basis, to further give the Hungarian people a say, in the government in Vienna!" they shouted, the Kaiser did this to improve his relations with the Hungarian People, and rally them behind him, against the French hordes.

[Jaslandia]

Frederiksberg Palace, Copenhagen, Kingdom of Denmark
March 12, 1796

---

Crown Prince Regent Frederick sat in his study, carefully reading a report on the price of cattle in Denmark. However, Frederick’s reading was interrupted by the arrival of Chief Minister Andreas Peter Bernstorff and War Minister Harald Amundsen.

“Gentleman,” Frederick greeted as he got up and shook the Ministers’ hands. “Good to see both of you. Please, sit down.” Frederick returned to his seat behind his desk, while Bernstorff and Amundsen each took a seat on the other side of the prince’s desk. “What brings you here?” Frederick asked.

“Well, sir,” the War Minister began, “I think –-“

“AAAAHHH!” yelled a voice from another room. “GET OFF ME! I AM KING!”

“Please ignore that,” Frederick said. “The King is having another… incident. I’m sure the servants have it under control.”

“Yes, I’m sure,” Harald Amundsen awkwardly replied. Amundsen, having only recently been appointed War Minister, was still unfamiliar with the extent of King Christian’s mental illness. “Anyway, I think now is the time to consider a serious invasion of Norway.”

Frederick rolled his eyes. “Not this again. We’ve been talking of taking back Norway for decades. What makes this time special?”

“Because we have France,” Bernstorff responded. “If there’s one thing Napoleon loves, it’s war. He can support us in invading Norway.”

“And why would France help us?”

“If France agrees to help us take back Norway, we’ll agree to help Napoleon when he decides to invade Prussia.”

Crown Prince Regent Frederick

“Invade Prussia?” Frederick questioned. “And I thought my father was the mad one! We couldn’t possibly resist a Prussian invasion!”

“Prussia won’t throw their whole army at us,” Amundsen said. “They’ll be too busy fighting the French. Prussia won’t be able to withstand a two-front war forever.”

“Exactly. So they’ll focus on us and knock us out of the war quickly so they can turn their attention to France.”

“Napoleon is a smart man, Frederick,” Bernstorff explained. “I’m sure he can figure out some grand strategy to protect us.”

“And what if he doesn’t?” the Crown Prince Regent asked.

“Well, we won’t know until we ask.”

Frederick sighed. “I suppose you’re right. I’ll send a letter to the Corsican. “

“Excellent,” Bernstorff replied. “Oh, before I forget, there is one more thing I wanted to discuss with you.”

“And what would that be?” Frederick asked.

“I think a treaty of non-aggression with the Netherlands would be prudent. We’re both seafaring, mercantile people, and I think we can find some common ground. Besides, we may find ourselves isolated if we are only tied to France, because then if France falls, we fall. The Netherlands are one of the few nations that seems remotely friendly to France.”

Frederick nodded. “I can see your reasoning, Andreas. I shall write a letter to the Dutch at once.”

The Chief Minister smiled. “I’m glad we could reach –-“

Suddenly, the three men saw a plate flying through the hallway behind them, and then shatter with a loud, crashing sound upon hitting a wall. “Be gone, demons!” Christian VII yelled from the end of the hall.

“Your Majesty!” a maid cried, “you need to calm down!”

Prince Frederick shook his head. “This is why my father no longer runs Denmark.”

To: Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of France
From: Frederick, Crown Prince Regent of Denmark

Greetings to you, great leader of the French!

Firstly, we would again like to thank you for your acceptance of a Franco-Danish alliance. May our alliance stand the test of time!

However, we write to you today to discuss a proposal with you. As you may know, Norway was unjustly taken from Denmark by Sweden several decades prior. Now, with your help, I believe we can finally take back what is rightfully ours. In exchange for you providing military assistance in our invasion of Norway, the Kingdom of Denmark would support in a war against Prussia, and would invade Prussia from the north. Of course, you are welcome to make a counter-proposal, and I look forward to your response.

Signed, Crown Prince Frederick

To: Jacobus Spoors, Grand Pensionary of the Batavian Republic
From: Frederick, Crown Prince Regent of Denmark

Greetings to you, honorable leader of the Netherlands!

We hope this message finds you well, and your republic prosperous. We write to you today to propose a non-aggression pact between the Kingdom of Denmark and the Batavian Republic. Our people have much in common, seeing as we are both historically seafaring, commerce-minded nations. Thus, we’re sure we could find many common interests and concerns. In addition, we have both been influenced by new, liberal ideas, although it is evident that your nation has more fully adopted those principles.

Furthermore, times are changing fast. War is on the horizon, and the coming years could dramatically change the face of Europe, and possibly the world. In the midst of such crises, it would be wise for nations to join together and present a united front. This is especially true for your nation, which is not attached to neither the Napoleonic, nor the anti-Napoleonic side. While Denmark favors the Napoleonic side, we believe that making deals with neutral nations such as yourself would be wise in case Napoleon falls; if the French First Consul is defeated, your nation could be seen as having revolutionary sympathies, and our realms would unite to protect ourselves against a potentially vengeful anti-Napoleonic coalition.

We hope you consider our humble offer, and may God bless the Dutch people!

Signed, Crown Prince Frederick

Gottorf Castle, Schleswig, Schleswig-Holstein
March 15, 1796

With war seeming to be on the horizon, Crown Prince Regent Frederick issued orders to prepare the Danish army for mobilization. Prince Charles of Hesse-Kassel, governor of the Danish-controlled Duchy of Schleswig-Holstein, was given command of the forces on Denmark’s southern border. Charles was given command of 8,250 men, evenly divided into two armies; the First Army was under the command of Prince Charles himself, while the Second Army was commanded by Duke William Frederick Philip of Württemberg.

Prince Charles of Hesse-Kassel

As Charles was a man fond of pageantry, one of his first acts as commander of the Southern front was to commission a new uniform for himself.

“This one is too red,” Charles said to his tailor as the former examined one of the outfits. “I want my uniform to be red, but not too red, you understand?”

“Yes, sir,” the tailor replied, feigning comprehension. “I shall fix my mistake right away.”

“Good,” Prince Charles responded. “Off with you, then.” The tailor then hurried off to continue working on the uniform.

“Sir,” a courtier said to Charles, “war could come any month now. Perhaps we should authorize some military drills?”

“Oh yes,” Charles said, only half-interested. “Almost forget. Send word to the officers to start the usual drills.”

“Of course, sir. Do you have any other orders?”

As the courtier was speaking, Prince Charles attempted to put on a military uniform from several years prior, only to be interrupted by the sudden tearing of the coat’s jacket. “Yes,” Charles replied. “Tell that damn tailor to hurry up with my new uniform. My favorite one just ripped! Shoddy work, if you ask me.”


Just outside Hjørring, Kingdom of Denmark
March 15, 1796

In a large field beyond the city limits, General Ragnar Jonasen oversaw military drills. “Atten-hut!” Jonasen yelled. “Forward march!” Jonasen, who had moved from Greenland with his family at age nine, was the textbook example of rising through the ranks through merit alone. Coming from a poor and uninfluential family, Jonasen skill for tactics and leadership caused him to be accepted to the Royal Danish Army Officers Academy, and from there, he rose through the ranks, becoming a full general at the age of 40. Now, Jonasen was sent to the north of Denmark to take command of the Third Army, composed of 8,250 men. With the prospect of war looming, Jonasen and the Third Army were tasked with preparing for an invasion of Norway.

“Everything is coming along nicely,” Jonasen remarked to an officer as they observed the military drills. “These boys will be whipped into shape in no time.”

“Indeed, sir,” the officer replied. “At this rate, invading Norway will be a walk in the park.”

“Don’t get cocky, now,” Jonasen reprimanded. “The Swedes are not a group to be taken lightly. They know warfare. We’ll need to stay focused and push hard if we’re going to stand a chance of defeating the Swedes. Still, I think our boys have what it takes.” General Jonasen stopped and looked back toward the training soldiers. “Hey! You there! Don’t break formation!”

[The Jonathanian States]

KÖNIGREICH PREUSSEN
First Act - Hail to thee

11ter März, 1796
Stadtschloss, Berlin, Königreich Preussen

Friedrich Wilhelm, second to his name, King of Prussia, amongst so many other titles, stood at the table. Spread on the table was a map of europe. "France can directly threaten both Neuenburg and our Rhenish provinces. We must act immediately and with greatest haste, my liege". Friedrich looked at his adviser for a while. He would have much more preferred to have been in his smaller study, playing the Cello, maybe as part of his grand orchestra, maybe alone. He might have played something by Mozart. Or Beethoven, possibly. But he had to focus on diplomacy and war, for now at least. He'll do it, as much as he disliked it, and show them all that he was good at it. As good as his own uncle, surely. Or at least better than what his uncle considered him, before his death. "France is stronger than us, is it not? Surely rather than acting rashly in a war that does not directly concern us we should bide our time instead.".
"Your majesty, surely the Holy Roman Emperor and his ally the Tsar will expect of us to join their war.". The King raised his voice,"What the Emperors of either country expect matters not. Prussia shall remain defensively neutral, so is my command. And now I wish not to be disturbed, I believe I have gained some inspiration."
The two advisers were on their way out when the King quickly added,"Ah, wait. There is another thing. Sitting idle and waiting for the Revolutionary snakes to turn their heads to us makes no sense. We do have to use this time. I ask you to raise twenty thousand more Infantry of the Line. I also believe we shall commission an additional four thousand men of cavalry, to be divided into four regiments. And last we shall send for the production of new cannons, 76 piece, I say. Make them varying in caliber. Hire the required amount of crew and logistics as well. Now, move on duke. I do have the intent to return to my music.".
The two advisers, who had turned towards their king and heard him out, responded in a barely noticeable "yes, my liege" and went forth to manage the recruitment and production to come.

12ter März, 1796
Stadtschloss, Berlin, Königreich Preussen

The closest adviser to his majesty, Duke Charles William Ferdinand of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, was standing in front of the King he served. Or was attempting to serve, rather.
"I beg of you, Frederick. A spectre is haunting europe. It is the spectre of Liberalism. The Revolution has arisen in France and by now the kraken has spread its arms into the Netherlands as well. With the Pyrenees seas to all his other sides, sooner or later the radicals will look east. I beg of you, if you do not join this war, at least attend the conference. If not for my sake, then for the sake of Prussia, for the sake of our shared uncle, he who forged Prussia as we know it. Not through hesitation or extreme defensiveness did he forge this great state of Prussia, but by blood and iron....".
The monarch himself placed the Russian letter on the table around which they stood and interrupted his adviser, "I still have a dream, deeply rooted in my kingship. One day you might let me and this nation rest. But you have me convinced, that day shall not be this one. We shall accept the Russian invitation, I will have a response penned immediately.

KÖNIGREICH PREUSSEN

To his imperial Majesty, the Emperor of all Russias, Alexander I Pavlovich Jagiellon

As Prussia, at this moment in time, has the privilege of enjoying peace and tranquility, we have at first been convinced not to attend to your invitation. But in due time we have reached the understanding that even as we speak the republic gathers strength and stability, thereby threatening the stability of the rest and all of europe.
While we cannot, at this point commit to any actions that the Kingdom of Prussia may or may not undertake with or without cooperation with the Archduchy of Austria and/or the Empire of all Russias.
Therefore, in the hope to indeed reach a conclusion that is agreeable and beneficial to both our three realms and the realms of europe as a whole, we have concluded that we shall in fact attend the conference at Cracow to which you invite.

Dictated by his Royal Majesty, King of Prussia, Grand Elector of Brandenburg, etc, etc - Frederick William II

22ter März, 1796

"Links, Zwo, Drei, Vier. Links!", barked the Officer as he marched his troops across the small fortress of Neuchatel. As a rider, seemingly have taken his journey at significant haste, was coming to a halt he motioned for a different officer to replace him. Taking quick steps the officer nearly leapt towards the man now dismounting and leading his horse towards one of the sentries. After the horse was handed to a sentry to take care of, he asked the man, whom he now saw carried a Prussian uniform, "Kommandant Gottlied Ludwig von Beville, also his majesty's governor of Neuchatel."
The man nodded, and motioned towards the main building,"I am a messenger from his majesty and his War Collegiate. I believe we should talk under four eyes. It concerns your preparedness and that of Prussia as a whole."
28ter März, 1796
-Increased Alertness in Hohenzollern too.

[Sasutary Island]

If anything is wrong, tell me. I'll retcon if need be.

The United States of Mexico
Independencia, Unión
Mexico City, Mexico

---

---

3 April 1796
The halls of the Parliament were crowded with MPs, vividly discussing the rumored invasion of the Revolutionary alliance of America. Following the defeat of the Spanish Viceroy of New Grenada, Salvador Valdez had planned a simple plan to march across the Southern Front, into the Central American states and claim victory. It seemed simple enough, as the forces of the Federal Republic far outnumbered the Revolutionary Alliance's. Of course it wouldn't be as simple, with the dense Central American jungle to contend with, and the diseases that come with it. To lead this army was General Victor Chanchelaz, a child of the Southernmost state of Mexico, Yucatan. Though new to the battlefield situation, Salvador hopes that with his general knowledge of the forests of Central America, that they would be able to traverse it in relative ease. Aztec regiments had been mobilized, and Salvador promised that, if they fought for the United States, that they would no longer be 'second-rate citizens'.

The Parliament settled down, and it was time to put to vote whether the planned invasion was to take place. Salvador expected it to pass, after sufficient 'incentive'. The speaker of the House stood, and proclaimed that the Mexican Invasion of the Revolutionary Alliance was to be put to vote. One by one the MPs made their way forward, slid their votes into a small glass box on a podium and returned to their seats. It took a few hours to tally the votes, and the Speaker of the House came out of a small room, with a small slip in his hand.

"Your excellency, Prime Minister Valdez, your intention to invade the Revolutionary Alliance has been put to the vote of the Members of Parliament. Nay, 12. Aye, 16. Abstain, 1. The Parliament has agreed to the resolution, 'Invasion of the Revolutionary Alliance for Central America.' God help us. Parliament dismissed."

The MPs got out of their seats and walked out of the hall in a great buzz. Salvador had a small smirk on his face.

Tapachula, Yucatan State

---

---

The dust was kicked up as the soldiers marched down the main street to the mustering field in Tapachula. It was the last major city before the Revolutionary border, and a buildup of supplies and soldiers in the town made it prosper. Taverns were frequented by off-duty soldiers, so were the brothels. Drinking water, wheat, rice and meat was in high-demand, and farmers from as far as 200 kilometers converged on the town, set up shop on the streets and touted their wares to passing soldiers. A Sergeant was walking from door to door to inform the families of the militiamen that they had been called up, and unwillingly the DCM picked up their weapons, put on their uniform, and joined the long line of men walking down the street. Then, among the ragged militiamen and the even-more ragged farmers, a neatly dressed man on horseback came through, with a personal bodyguard of 12 other neatly-dressed horseback men. Soldiers saluted, and he made his way to a posh looking tent in the middle of the mustering field. Dismounting, he pulled off his gloves, handed it to one of his guards, who in turn handed him a brush, which he used to clean his boots and trousers. The bodyguards formed two neat rows outside, and the man entered the tent, greeted by one of his most senior lieutenants.

"General Chanchelaz,"-he said as he stiffened-"our men number 41,000 along the Southern Front, I have the list right here. We are ready to move when you are."

"Thank you Torres."-he picked up the list, on it scribbled lists and numbers-"31,000 infantry, 6,000 cavalrymen, 1,200 logistics personnel and 40 cannon. Thank you Torres."

The order to advance had already been given by Salvador, there was no time to waste, lest Victor would want to summon Salvador's wrath, he gave Lieutenant Torres the signal to advance along the line up to the border. The plan was set.

The Sergeants were getting their men in line, the cannons limbering up for the journey.

To President of the Revolutionary Alliance: Antonio Nariño
From the Prime Minister of the United States of Mexico: Salvador Valdez

---

May this letter find you in bad health, as we, the people of the United States of Mexico, have declared war on your nation for the conquest of Central America, and claim it in the name of the United States. As it would seem, you are dangerously outnumbered, and common sense would have you believe that you should simply concede the Central Americas and prevent any bloodshed on either side. The people of the Mexican States have spoken.

Prime Minister Salvador Valdez of the United States of Mexico

[The Kingdom of Glitter]

---

The United Provinces of Columbia

Verenigde Provincies van Kolumbië

---

11 April 1796
Washington D.C., Columbia
The White House

"The Mexicans have done what?!" Adams shrieked as Secretary of State Timothy Pickering informed him of the Mexican invasion of the South American Republics.

"Yes Sir, they have declared war upon the Republics."

Adams was by no means pleased with the Mexican aggression, and was most concerned. "The Mexicans are attacking a nation who subscribes to ideals similar to ours. The Mexicans are attempting to build their own empire out West, and what would stop them from coming East? Should they side with our foes in Paris, Columbia will be at war once more. We must condemn them, Timothy."

"I agree, sir. A condemnation is in order. But perhaps you should think of taking further actions against them." the Secretary said in response.

"And what do you suggest?"

"First I propose you summon the Mexican ambassador to this very office and berate him. Second, if the Mexicans refuse to back down I believe a blockade of the Mexican coastline is in order. Our navy is far superior to theirs and should they attempt to engage us we could easily sink them."

A sketch of the White House following its completion

"I will send word to the Mexican embassy as soon as you depart and request the presence of their ambassador. However, I am unsure a blockade is in our best interests. The Mexicans may see this as an act of war, and that would encourage them to side with Napoleon when he chooses to invade us from the North."

"Sir" the Secretary of War chimed in. "There is no reason to expect an invasion from the North. Napoleon is not going to concern himself with us - we are an ocean away from one another. We have many more resources than both Quebec and Louisiana combined and without reinforcements from the French homeland, we would easily defeat the French in a war."

"Silence! You do not know the French like I do, McHenry! They will come for us one day and we must be ready!"

The Secretary of State and the Secretary of War looked at each other and rolled their eyes, both knowing that President Adams was far from accurate in his suspicions against France.

"The French have never been the ones we have had to fear, it has been the English. They've oppressed my brethren in Ireland for centuries, just as they tried to oppress all of us just three decades ago. The French have always helped us, their status as a Republic will not change that. If anything, it will help our relationship prosper." Secretary McHenry said in reply.

"Get out of my office you damned fool!" Adams shouted as he whipped his head towards the Secretary of War. "If you insist on saying such foolish things, you can leave!"

The Secretary of War stormed out and Adams continued to shout at the Secretary of State for another thirty minutes. What had soon become clear among Adams' own cabinet was that he was slowly becoming more and more delusional, and even his own cabinet hoped Jefferson would defeat him in November.

12 April 1796
Washington D.C., Columbia
The White House

President Adams was siting alone at his desk impatiently waiting for the now late Mexican Ambassador. He wanted to bring a quick end to the Mexican excursions south of their border, and hoped to inform the Ambassador that Mexican aggression would not go unnoticed. Adams had the very vocal fear that the Mexicans would align themselves with the French - who he viewed as Columbia's natural enemy - and look to invade the United Provinces following a successful campaign in Central America. He sat alone with his paranoid thoughts until a knock was heard on the door.

"Yes, yes come in."

The door opened and in walked Santiago Buñuel. "Good afternoo-"

"Sit down, Mr. Buñuel!" Adams demanded. "You are already late to this meeting, I do not have time for any formalities. Now you are going to sit and listen to what I have to say, and you are to inform your superiors in Mexico City about what I have told you. Am I understood?" he said as he paced back and forth behind his desk.

The Ambassador nodded and Adams continued. "Do not think that we have not noticed the unwarranted aggression of your imperialistic and tyrannic nation. An invasion of a republic who is embroiled in a war for her own independence is appalling. The credibility of your nation has been damaged greatly, and I demand an immediate withdrawal of all Mexican forces from Republican lands at once. If your nation fails to comply with my demand, I will subsequently order a blockade of your coastline with my far superior navy. I will not stand here and let your foolish nation run around on violent rampages on my own continent. Have I made myself clear, Mr. Buñuel?"

"Yes you have, Sir."

"Good. Now get out of my office!"

16 April 1796
Raleigh, North Carolina

With the western half North Carolina's declaration of succession, controversy descended upon the provincial capital. The Governor of North Carolina, Samuel Ashe, knew that despite heavy pressure from members of the state legislature that sending in the provincial militia to restore order to the newly declared "Free Republic of Franklin" the plan would never work. Instead he decided it would be best to let Franklin go without a fight. While he was an Anti-Federalist, adding another province to the Union would in turn strengthen provincial rights rather than allow the Federal Government to grow stronger.

Addressed to the Office of Colonel John Sevier

Colonel,

Upon a lengthy discussion between myself and other members of the provincial government, it has been decided it is in the best interests of my province and your newly declared republic that North Carolina recognize the succession of the Free Republic of Franklin. North Carolina wishes for a long and prosperous relation between herself and Franklin. North Carolina's Representatives and Senators in Washington will offer their unwavering support for the admittance of Franklin should you pursue the path of provincehood.

May God guide you in your endeavors.

Most sincerely,
Governor Samuel Ashe
Governor of North Carolina

22 April 1796
Boston, Massachusetts, Columbia
Green Dragon Tavern

Emiel vander Woude sat at a table in the lonely Green Dragon Tavern, located in the heart of Boston. The Tavern is considered one of the Birthplaces of Liberty. Iconic figures of the Revolution from the Boston area would often meet here to discuss early Columbian affairs. He reached for his cup of tea and took a sip, waiting for a Mr. Eli Whitney. Woude worked for the Department of War and was sent by Secretary McHenry to discuss a contract for some ten thousand rifles.

The Green Dragon Tavern

The door opened and the spring breeze trickled into the empty tavern, only empty because it was two o'clock in the afternoon. Mr. Whitney walked in, smiled at the barmaid, and walked over to Woude. "Mr. Woude! It is a pleasure to meet you. I hope Boston is treating you well?" he said as he walked over to Woude's table.

"She certainly has been. What a beautiful city, no wonder it was chosen for the start of our Independence, eh?" Woude said in reply as he placed his cup of tea back upon the table. He got up to shake hands with Mr. Whitney, and the two then sat down.

"I am glad I was able to meet with you, Mr. Whitney. As you already know the Department of War is interested in signing a contract with you for ten thousand rifles. I am here to discuss the means of production and the cost."

"Ah yes, well following the cotton gin I am confident I will be able to use interchangeable parts. The Whitney Arms Company will be able to produce all ten thousand in this manner at a cost most pleasing to your government. In fact, if you would like you could visit Whitneyville, it's only an hours way out of the city."

"That would be most enjoyable."

[Caltarania]

---

Zhōnghuá Mínguó
Chinese Republic
中華民國



Chapter 2 - Dance of Dragons

Theme: "Forest Shade"

---

---

North of Yancheng, China
17th Day of the Fifth Month, Year of the Fire Dragon
(11th of April 1796 in the Gregorian Calendar)

---

High above the city of Yancheng flew the banners of the Chinese Republic. This was a statement on the part of the Republican Army; Yancheng was theirs. The army had stayed in Yancheng in order to maintain their control for around three weeks, yet now it was time for them to move on. Zi Lianhua had grander goals than Yancheng; she planned to march straight towards Peking. And so, she ordered her armies to march north, towards the Forbidden City and the urban sprawl which surrounded it.

"Your Presidential Excellency." Ma Chen - Zi's Hui messenger and protégé - announced. "A man arrived earlier today, carrying the banners of Governor Amursana of the Western Provinces." he said, before handing Zi a letter.

Zi calmly opened the letter, breaking the seal of the envelope and pulling the contents out. She studied the letter carefully.

"Excellent." Zi said, calmer still. "It would seem that Governor Amursana has finally decided to back the winning side; it does not surprise me that it took him this long." she said. "Amursana does not like to back the losing side." Zi studied the letter once more before putting it down. "Ma Chen, please bring me parchment and ink; i need to write some letters." she said, before walking over to the desk in her tent and beginning to write a response to the Western Provinces, in addition to letters to France and the Batavian Republic.

---

Peking, China
26th Day of the Fifth Month, Year of the Fire Dragon
(20th of April 1796 in the Gregorian Calendar)

---

In the Forbidden City, a meeting was being held in the former throne room. The room had been slightly redecorated so that a large table laid in the centre of the room, surrounded by a large number of chairs. Each of these chairs seated a general or commander, of varying rank. The generals had taken control of Peking as soon as the word of the Imperial assassination had gotten around. They had been quick to solidify their control over Peking, however it had come at a cost. Many generals had abandoned their arms, or worse, defected to the Republican traitors. This was simply not acceptable, and when word reached the generals that Zi Lianhua was leading her armies north, there was outrage among the so-called "Imperial Council".

"I will not allow the whore of the revolution to take another step towards this city!" a large man boomed. The man was General Wang Bo, perhaps one of the most prolific and well-known of the Qing generals. He was a veteren of a thousand battles, though his body suggested that he lead from afar, not from the front. "I want our armies to move south in order to take down this bitch at the earliest time possible." he commanded; though he held no official power in the council, his prestige gave him considerable sway in it's affairs.

"With all due respect, General Wang, we have more pressing issues to deal with." an up-start official by the name of Xiao Zhi said. Xiao Zhi was not a commander or general, per se, however he had a knack with money and was a decent enough tactician. "My doves send word of unrest in Peking. They say that the people are crying out for reform; for the Republic. They see the assassination as a heavenly sign of the end of the Empire." he said. "Of course, that is all superstitious foolery" he said, reaffirming his loyalty to both the 'Empire' and it's new leadership. "Perhaps, instead, we should split our forces. Send a token force south to stall the Republicans, while using the majority of our forces in the capital to maintain order. In addition, we could attempt to reaffirm our control over the rebellious Tibetans and this... this... 'New Khanate'." he suggested, to nods of approval.

Wang Bo nodded in approval. "This is why you're on this council, Xiao Zhi." he said. "Though, I think I speak for all of us when I say that I should lead the token force south; I do not intend to lose these men completely." he said. He pointed to various other officers, giving them orders to do various tasks. "Messenger-General!" he yelled. "Order your folk to send word to General Li Sang in the north and General Ma Ting in the south, they are to assault the Mongolians and Tibetans respectively. Well, what are you waiting for? Move it you Mohammedan bastard!" he shouted, before the messenger scrambled off.

"General! General Wang Bo, sir!" a young guardsman shouted nervously. "It's the city; it's gone into open revolt!" he announced.

Wang scowled. "Assemble the armies, I want this rebellion put down and any survivors in chains! Get to it!" he commanded.

The guardsman scurried off, and the entire garrison of Peking began to quell the rioters. It was nothing more than a massacre, with thousands of the rioters dead and barely any in chains. Those that were taken prisoner were subjected to torture and beatings. Word of this spread quickly, and it served only to add fuel to the fire. While Peking was pacified, elsewhere support for the Republic began to steadily increase.

---

Lhasa, Tibet
29th Day of the Fifth Month, Year of the Fire Dragon
(23rd of April 1796 in the Gregorian Calendar)

---

Within the Potala Palace sat the Dalai Lama and his chief advisers. The palace was large, and towered over the city of Lhasa; which itself towered over the lands below. In the Holy Republic of Tibet, the Dalai Lama was the official head of state and government, though did not have absolute control. The revolutionary ideas of democracy had made their way into the state, and so there were also fifteen elected positions who served under - or beside - the Dalai Lama, in a parliament perhaps more reminiscent of an imperial court. Nevertheless, the Dalai Lama had the support of the Tibetan people. He was the 8th Dalai Lama, known to some as Jamphel Gyatso.

"So it is done." the Dalai Lama said. "The Emperor is dead?" he questioningly reaffirmed.

"It would appear so, your grace." one of his advisers confirmed.

"In which case we should quickly work on reclaiming the remaining Tibetan-speaking areas in the region. Now that the Emperor is dead, we should be able to reaffirm our control over Amdo and Kham." he said, to near-unanimous approval through silent nodding.

There was a calm air around the enter palace, until a large bell was heard in the background.

"Your grace, that is the war bell! Lhasa is under attack by the Qing!" one of the Dalai Lama's associates exclaimed. "Quickly, you should retreat in case we fail this day!"

"I shall do no such thing!" the Dalai Lama exclaimed. "What kind of people would follow a leader who flees while his people suffer? Give the command to hold the line; for we shall not fail this day." he said. "There have been times when we have seen darker days than this! Days when the Qing or hordesmen would desecrate our holy sites and pillage our villages! But those times have passed, and now Tibet stands strong! We shall not fail this day, no, we shall push the Qing all the way back to Peking! For Tibet!" he exclaimed.

"For Tibet!" they replied, as they quickly gave orders to push back the small contingent of Qing forces that had been sent to 'pacify' the Tibetan state.

---

Karakorum, Mongolia
4th Day of the Sixth Month, Year of the Fire Dragon
(29th of April 1796 in the Gregorian Calendar)

---

Atop a burning pyre lay the first free Great Khan since the days of the Yuan dynasty, ablaze and without fear. He had died too soon, for Mongolian independence was not secure. Unfortunately, an arrow had pierced his heart and his life had been ripped from the world. Yet there was little despair. While one Great Khan was dead, another would rise. The Mongols had kept their ancient traditions of old, where a new Khagan would be decided by the clans themselves. Candidates would wait atop their clan homelands, and wait for the other clan leaders to join them. The man with the most clans backing him would become Great Khan; this system was not perfect, and often led to civil war, of course. Nevertheless, there was hope that a new man would rise, in order to lead the Mongols to glory.

Barga - leader of the clan of the same name - was the expected successor. He was an elder, with countless victories to his name, and he had been told to have never been defeated in battle. That being said, there was another candidate. Nergui, a boy no older than eighteen of a minor clan unknown to most, had also emerged as the main - and, after the other candidates giving up, the only - opposition to Barga. Nergui had a large support base, but it was not as large as Barga's, and in the end, when the clansmen voted with their hooves, Barga was named Great Khan. Nergui did not challenge this, and urged his supporters to also support Barga; Nergui knew that unity was need if the Khanate was to survive. For this, Barga named Nergui as his Vizier-Khan; a new position which was largely equivalent to a head of government, though with substantially less power.

Within a tent in the main encampment at Karakorum, the Kurultai - the assembly of all Mongol khans, chiefs and major clansmen - gathered, as Khagan Barga and Vizier-Khan Nergui addressed them. Barga had already been ceremonially crowned as Khagan, or 'Great Khan', though he still needed to discuss political matters with his Khanate.

"Brothers, today we must make a decision." he said "Do we sit here on our arses doing nothing, or do we march south and crush the Qing?" he said, his voice raised. "For countless moons they had denied us recognition or equality, yet now the Chinese fools fight among themselves! Shall we march down to Peking and reestablish our once great people's Khanate, or do we stay here and do nothing?" he said "I ask this of you; is not the Emperor's death a heavenly sign that the Empire, too, must die? I have seen it in the stars, brothers, the sky speaks to us! The old empire will fall, they say, and another empire will arise anew to take it's place! We are that empire, my kinsmen, we are the empire that will span from the Pacific to the Atlantic!" he said, with his voice now near to shouting. "The Russians have already agreed to send us weapons, and with these we shall be invincible!" "Will you stand with me, my brothers?" he asked, to cheers and unanimous agreement. "Let us take back our destinies!" he said.

It was all very sentimental; until the war horn of a sentry was blown. The Qing had arrived.

"Brothers, it seems that the Qing have stepped out of their castles, and believe that they can defeat us on the open field!" Barga said, somewhat jokingly. "Come, my brethren, let's kill these bastards!" he said, to chanting and agreement.

The entire tent of khans and chiefs emptied, as they readied their clansmen and mounted their horses. Across Karakorum, the clans readied themselves and began to gather around Barga. When they had fully assembled - which coincidentally was just before the Qing arrived - Barga rallied his men, and charged them forwards into the breach. On the battlefield of Karakorum, a great battle was waged, as Barga's Khanate fought against the army of General Li Sang's Qing forces. Barga's army of twenty thousand horse lords and counting clashed against the Qing infantry of General Li Sang, which numbered around fifteen thousand. It was clear from the start that the Khagan's army would be victorious, as they had not only a numerical advantage but also knowledge of the terrain. It was no surprise when General Li Sang was forced to retreat with his tail between his legs.

From Zi Lianhua, President of the
Chinese Republic

To Governor Amursana of the Western Provinces of China,

I thank you greatly for your reaffirmation of loyalty to the Republic and the values to which it stands. I am sure that your armies will be able to, greatly, tip the balance of power in our nation in order to bring down the Empire and raise the banners of the Republic. In order to fully reaffirm your loyalty and to aid us in our fight against the Empire, I humbly request that you march your armies east in order to contribute fully in the fight against the Empire.

Yours Sincerely,

Zi Lianhua,
President of the Chinese Republic.

From Zi Lianhua, President of the
Chinese Republic

To First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte, Second Consul Jean-Jacques and Third Consul Charles-François Lebrun of the French Republic,

It is with the utmost honour that I write to you on this day. It is well known that in Europe our fledgling republic is looked down upon, and not recognised as the sovereign state which it should be. This was, too, the position of your own Republic not too many moons ago. With the humblest of requests, I ask that you find it in your hearts to recognise our nation as the sole one of it's kind for the Chinese people. We also ask if - should you be able to spare them - you could ship us modern weaponry and drill our officers in the conduct of modern warfare. In return, we will openly support the French Republic, in addition to entering a preferential trade agreement with France and her allies and sister republics.

Yours Sincerely,

Zi Lianhua,
President of the Chinese Republic.

From Zi Lianhua, President of the
Chinese Republic

To Grand Pensionary Jacobus Spoors of the Batavian Republic of the Netherlands,

It is with the utmost honour that I write to you on this day. It is well known that in Europe our fledgling republic is looked down upon, and not recognised as the sovereign state which it should be. This was, too, the position of your own Republic not too many moons ago. With the humblest of requests, I ask that you find it in your hearts to recognise our nation as the sole one of it's kind for the Chinese people. We also ask if - should you be able to spare them - you could ship us modern weaponry and drill our officers in the conduct of modern warfare. In return, we will openly support the Batavian Republic, in addition to entering a preferential trade agreement with your republic and it's sister republic, France. We also ask that you would support our claims in the East, and in return we shall do the same to your territories in the East Indies. We also ask that you spare naval officers to train our own navy, as it is known that the Dutch Navy is the supreme ruler of the waves.

Yours Sincerely,

Zi Lianhua,
President of the Chinese Republic.

From Barga, Khagan of the
New Khanate

To Alexander I Pavlovich Jagiellon, Emperor of All Russia,

We thank you for your offer to arm us weaponry which we can use to crush the Qing in order to secure our independence. We will show you the utmost gratitude, in future, in return.

Yours Gratefully,

Barga,
Khagan of the New Khanate.

[Liecthenbourg]

The French Consulate Republic


Chapter 2: Bonaparte's Bombardment
Paris, April 12th, 1796

Jean Jacques inhaled deeply, reclining back in his chair with a glass of wine in his hands. Charles Francois looked on, slipping three letters onto the desk of his "superior" and returning to his seat opposite the oaken table post-haste. The table was a great piece of work, plucked straight from Versailles by a mob of angry women and confiscated by the Consulate for "heritage." How it ended up as the personal table for Jean Jacques, Second Consul of France, remained a bureaucratic mystery that many Parisians had held their noses up at, calling the Consul a "Man of many pleasures and little work." This didn't bother the Second Consul however and the man sipped on his wine contently before setting the virtually empty glass onto the table.

"Any news from Napoleon?" he asked to nobody, but Charles nodded slowly as if not to provoke the seething rage within the Second Consul. The atmosphere was tense, and the Third Consul could almost taste the anger on his lips and see it with his eyes. An odd creak filled the silence and he inhaled deeply, the faint traces of wine on the air being whiffed by Francois before he exhaled again. His shoulders dropped and he held up a document.

"Well, go on!"

"Napoleon Bonaparte has crossed into Piedmont territory as of this last report... he claims to have faced no opposition yet and the Revolutionary Fervour remains high... His uhm... supplies have been well received and the men are chanting his name as if he is the Messiah Italy has required since the Fall of R-"

A fist came down onto the desk, knocking the papers accumulated on it in ever direction. Jean's teeth were locked, clearly in frustration. "Enough, Third Consul. I got the picture. Bonaparte is no Messiah, he is a man who is going to lead his men to death in the Alps! How does he propose to assault the Swiss? He is no Hannibal, and if he were, the Italians are clearly in for a giant surprise when he decides to march on Rome itself!" Charles back off, setting himself back down into his seat before the situation grew anymore dire.

"Perhaps you should read the letters we have received, Jean?"

"Yes... yes, I should. Maid, more wine." As he awaited, Jean reached over into one of the drawers in the oaken desk and drew forth an ornate silver letter-opener with his own personal seal upon it. With a quick flick he opened the letter from the Bavarians and consulted on it with Charles. They both agreed that sending General Bernadotte into Bavaria would be a good course of action, now that Bonaparte had dragged them into a war. Following this he opened the letters from Scotland and Portugal respectively, agreeing to both their terms. "Woman! Where is my wine?!" he barked as he sliced open the letter from the Danes. The maid emerged through the doors, pushing them open with her back before she began to pour the sweet red vintage into the cup held in Jean's hands. As she did this, the Second Consul opened the letter from the Danes and his eyes grew wide.

"Addressed... to BONAPARTE?!?!" The Second Consul's reaction was both unreasonable and violent. He stood up unexpectedly, tumbling his maid over and causing the bottle of wine in her hands to spill onto his suit and smash onto the floor, covering the legs of the desk in the red liquid. She would have fallen herself had it not been for the quick intervention from Charles. Jean was fuming now and he clutched the Danish letter in his hands before throwing his now half empty glass at the wall behind the maid.

"YOU FUCKING WHORE!" He proclaimed angrily. "YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY USELESS!"

"Now Jean, that's uncalled for..."

"SO IS THIS!" Jean held up the Danish letter high. "HE'S NOT EVEN HERE!"

"Now, how were they supposed to know that...?"

"SHUT UP FRANCOIS! We have letters to write..."

To Frederick, Crown Prince of Denmark

It would be of great interest to the French Republic to aid her standing ally the Danes in their reconquest of their rightful territory, Norway. Alas, First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte is currently away from Paris and is fighting in Northern Italy. It would not be in our interests to discuss the ideas of military campaigns, especially in his absence. We can however reassure your government that when the time comes for Prussia to face the heels of the Republic - we shall march north and aid you in your own conquest.

Yours Sincerely, Second Consul Jean Jacques and Third Consul Charles-Francois, acting in the interests of the French Republic.

To Maria I, Queen of Portugal

It would be of great interest to the French Republic to remain at peace with a nation such as yours and we are most content in the ability to make friends in this trying time against the ideals of liberalism and republicanism. We are therefore grateful at your suggestion and we accept it with open arms.

Yours Sincerely, Second Consul Jean Jacques and Third Consul Charles-Francois, acting in the interests of the French Republic.

To Sir John Gladstone, Scottish Minister of Foreign Affairs

Sir, it would be of great interest to the French Republic to accept the terms of revitalising the "Auld Alliance" in face of English aggression. Whilst we cannot be certain we will be able to match the English in the seas for your defence, we can certainly guarantee their full mobilisation in the face of a threat from the English. We are proud to have the Scottish as friends of the French once more.

Yours Sincerely, Second Consul Jean Jacques and Third Consul Charles-Francois, acting in the interests of the French Republic.

To Karl Theodor, King of Greater Bavaria

We are most pleased by your assistance to the Republic and so have accepted your offer. General Bernadotte is to be leading a Consulate Army into Bavaria in the coming month and we hope that our forces can cooperate to cut the Habsburg Monarchs down to size and bring them to their knees. Despite the absence of Consul Napoleon Bonaparte, we know this would be in his best interests.

Yours Sincerely, Second Consul Jean Jacques and Third Consul Charles-Francois, acting in the interests of the French Republic.

To Salvador Valdez, Prime Minister of the United States of Mexico

The Republic of France cannot sit idly and watch as your nation unjustly declares war on a nation that France considers one of her Sister Republics in the Americas. We insist on your immediate ceasing of this abhorred action and we demand that you respect the right of sovereignty and rebellious cause of the South American Revolutionary Alliance. If not, we are afraid that France will be forced to take Naval Action against you and your ill ways.

Yours, Second Consul Jean Jacques and Third Consul Charles-Francois, acting in the interests of the French Republic.

Ramon Despuig, Grand Bailiff and Knight Commander, Count of Djerba

Salutations, fair Knight.
It is, unfortunately for your sake, not in the interests of the Republic and her People to continue paying a tithe towards your efforts, despite the claims of the revolutionary fervour being directed against decadent nobles or other such people of that sort. However, France will be willing to return the property sized by the Revolution to their prior owners - some elements of the revolution and specifically The Terror would best be forgotten and swept aside. We hope that you are willing to continue your offer with our modified terms.

Yours Sincerely, Second Consul Jean Jacques and Third Consul Charles-Francois, acting in the interests of the French Republic.

Reims, Apirl 15th, 1796
With news arriving from Paris that a new army was to be raised to march into Southern Germany, many more of Carnot's levies had been drafted and sent to Reims. The assembled contingent outside of Reims was a moving morass of men from all across France. So when General Bernadotte was presented with 50,000 proper soldiers of the Consulate Army, his expression could not have been more of gladness. A cold wind blew across the campsite and tents and flags fluttered in the breeze. Bernadotte tugged on his large blue coat, to shelter himself from the air. Suppressing a sniffle he walked towards the stables and mounted his horse. Cavalry, there was a distinct lack of it here in the Consulate Armies but it would have to do. Most regiments were either Hussars, Chasseurs a Cheval or half filled regiments of Lancers or Cuiassiers. When it came to artillery however, Bernadotte was more than pleased. A variety of pieces, each for a different task, adorned the wagon trains as the first parts of the newly formed Armée du Rhin began its trek to Bavaria. Austria would feel the hammer of the Consulate Armies, and that hammer came from the French guns.

Turin, Piedmont, April 30th, 1796
Napoleon smiled a devilish smile. The First Consul of France was a very happy man indeed. Here he stood, next to his fearsome cannon lines as they unlimbered atop a redoubt. Beneath them infantry, greens and veterans, had formed into their respective regiments and lined up ready to begin advancing upon the city. Cavalry too had been formed in their respective regiments, but some were noticeably missing men - an instrumental part of Bonaparte's scouting force that had darted off across the nearby Italian countryside to track the positions of this shadow force that Bonaparte's vanguard, rear and column scouts had all reported in. Not all of the First Consul's Armée d'Italie was mobilised, in truth. A good portion were set in reserves and even more so were facing in multiple directions aside from the city itself - Bonaparte had wished to have men prepared in case of an eventual flanking strike. It mattered not, in truth, if not all of the men could focus on taking Turin at once. He had ample men, more regular soldiers than in any of the Piedmontese armies. Veteran Frenchmen, Swiss men whom had either been employed by the Revolution as mercenaries or out of rebellion against their Piedmontese Masters, Poles from across the Vistula whom longed to see their home. Most surprisingly to the General was the extent of the enthusiasm displayed by the revolutionary conscripts. They had often requested, he could not blame them for sometimes forgetting they were in fact in a military, to be let loose onto the city. Bonaparte had been forced to decline multiple times, but promised them a chance of glory. Now, as he fixated his bicorne hat onto his head and pulled down his gloves, Napoleon watched with glee as his artillery began to fire. The liberation of Northern Italy had begun.

[Baja California y Sonora]

อาณาจักรสุโขทัยและอังกอร์
Kingdom of Sukhothai

April 13th, 1796

"You have always been my greatest disappointment" The old man sinking into his bed pointed at his son. Death was coming for him, if not already present, regardless that would not stop him from bashing his son one last time.

"Yes, and you were a terrible man. I've been waiting for this day, the day I see you laying as the miserable bad of bones you are. Your death will be the only good thing to come from your reign." Phra Bat, the son, bitterly responded to his father. The two had never gotten along, since the throne was never intended for Phra Bat, but his older brother who died early. Phra Bat was indeed is father's least favorite, both had a discontent for each other, yet now as the old king laid dying the same feeling of hatred remained. Phra Bat looked for this day, the 47 year old would finally ascend to the throne of the Sukhothai Kingdom, yet he was the last of his family. His older brothers had all died in their infancy or their young adulthood, and he himself had failed at producing a child. This was it for the Sukhothai Dynasty, but yes he would make his reign the most unforgettable one. As the old king finally died, Phra Bat, looking rather happy exited the chamber to greet the nobles and the advisers who were waiting outside the room.

"He has finally perished, let the new year begin!"

April 20th, 1796

It had been a few days since Phra Bat was coronated King of the Sukhothai Kingdom. He now stood as the most powerful man in the Sukhothai nation, he ruled undisputed and as he wished. His advisers had approached him a few days back inquiring on his first actions, and detailing him on the situation in Khmer. He had dismissed them, insisting on giving him time to think things through. He could still not believe that he was finally the unchallenged ruler of an entire nation. He knew that he could not evade his subjects for long, so as they knocked on his chamber's doors that day, he finally motioned for them to enter.

"Well, what do you want to talk to me about?"

"Your highness, we need to address the situation in Khmer, foreign merchants are still pressuring for us to open our ports, and lastly we should discuss on our neighbors. Dai Viet has been seen mobilizing on our borders, while Burma is pressuring our Northwestern border. In our Khmer region, we've been seeing an increase in dissatisfaction among the natives there. I'm not completely up to date, but last we saw a small riot in Angkor. They're calling for independence. Johor is pressing to a trade agreement with us, we believe that it must have something to do with the Europeans that reside in their ports, and the British continue to send ships to our ports. However, I believe that our greatest concern at the moment is our state's internal strife. The people are crying for change, they believe that monarchy has not done enough for them, and now we are in fear that we may face a revolt. Something that we do not wish, as if so the Europeans could see this as a chance to enter our lands, and Dai Viet themselves could see this an opportunity to expand."

"Yes, we do face a series of trails. However, I believe that the root of our problem lays with our isolation. Our neighbors have begun to underestimate us, we have fallen so desperately behind that we are now easy prey by foreigners. I will not lie to you, but our nation is soon to collapse. We can no longer carry the weight of our people on our own shoulders, and much less the weight of our enemies stepping on us. Tell me when was the last time our military was active?"

"It has been a while?" The adviser was clearly distraught. "My King, what do you plan on saying? Are you proposing that we open our nation?"

"No, not necessarily. Our people need to have their faith restored on the monarchy, they no longer trust us. We need a military victory, and though I may have been nonchalant during the rule of my father, I am aware that we have grown to become backwards, even in the standards of Dai Viet and Burma. I will wage war against the Burmese, yet alone we will only throw away our gold, and our years. The British have had their eyes on Burma for a while now? Perhaps we could arrange something. Regardless, I will open this nation whether the subjects like it or not. Today is not the day, but one small step at a time. Today we will prepare for our victory against the Burmese tomorrow. Now if you will, please fetch me some ink and paper."

The adviser stood in awe. "Are-Are you sure? This will not go well with the others, perhaps you want to discuss this more? I-I am not sure if this the approach you want to take?"

"Like I said, bring me ink in paper, I will deal with the court tomorrow. Also our gold reserves, do a report on them. I want to rehabilitate our nation's infrastructure."

The Adviser brought him back what he asked, as he left the room thoughts raced through his mind. He informed the other subjects of what had occurred, and their reaction was in fact a worried one. It was clear, they would do something, though the opinion of all the subjects was divided respectively.

Official dispatch from the Kingdom of Sukhothai

Addressed to: The King of the United Kingdom of England, Ireland and the ruler of the East India.
Date: April 20th

Greetings!
Our nation, based upon the holy city of Sukhothai, holder of the Hindu, and Buddhist faiths and their capitals, home to jungles of gold, centers of knowledge, and the crossroads of the orient, writes to you today. Our nations have no formal contact, yet we lie next to each other divided by the sea, and the nation of Burma. Sukhothai is a nation that has lived in isolation for too long, and as our enemies continue to mounts pressure on us, and the years changing we have been left behind. While we have no intention to open our ports, and leave behind our wall of isolation for now, we do have a proposal for your nation. Our enemies in Burma, once again look at us hungrily, though we have not much knowledge of your nation, we are aware of your presence in their western border. We wish for the United Kingdom of England and Ireland to supply our nation with new technology, and aid our cause in Burma. For this, Britain will be rewarded greatly. The details can be worked out later, but as for now we leave you with an invitation to our capital where we can arrange for a deal of some sort.

Signed,
King Phra Bat of the Sukhothai Dynasty. Ruler of Sukhothai, Khmer, and the riches of the orient.

[Mesrane]

The Dual Kingdom of Sweden-Norway
Chapter 1: The Gathering Storm
Theme

2 April
Stockholm, Sweden

"Christ All Mi-Sara! Sara get a handkerchief!" King Oscar of Sweden-Norway, first of his name, looked as if someone had plunged a dagger into his chest as an eighth -or ninth?- sneeze rocked his body.

Sara, an aging, heavy-set servant in her sixties bustled off to fetch the distraught king what he wanted. A minute later she returned, striding over to where Oscar sat fighting off a twelfth sneeze in his study. For her age, she moved quickly; but not speedily enough for her king.

"GOOD GRACIOUS WOMAN, THE GODDAMNED HANKERCHIEF!" Oscar looked positively apoplectic by the time the cowed servant woman flung the cloth into his hands. With a furious, window-shaking blow, he expelled the demons plaguing his nose. He sat back in his reading chair, looking as if he had just fought a bloody battle. Sharp blue eyes analyzed the titles on his shelf, falling upon a copy Xenophon's Anabasis.

Ah, a tome of war. I ought to start reading that again, he thought.

A nervous voice broke through his thoughts, "Your Majesty . ."

The King's eyes whipped back to the servant woman like a snake suddenly intent on new prey. "What?" he hissed, in that tone of voice that says I want you gone.

"It's just, ah, as I fetched your handkerchief, I was-."

"Spit it out, woman!"

"-informed that Marshal Toll awaits an audience with Your Majesty."

Oscar transformed almost immediately. The angry scowl faded, supplanted by a blank and unassuming expression. The muscles that had tensed in indignation relaxed somewhat, and he sat up straight. "Ah. Send him in at once, then."

With a bow, the woman departed. A few moments later, Marshal Johan Christopher Toll entered the study. The head of the Swedish Army was of average height and average build, not psychically imposing in the slightest. A pair of narrow green eyes flicked about, observing and absorbing all over a hooked nose and scarred cheek that knocked him one peg below handsome for all his fifty-four years. For all their lack of intensity, his green slits seemed to emanate an aura of intelligence. Apparently satisfied with his own analysis of the room, Toll inclined his head towards his king of thirty-eight years.

"Marshal Toll," bellowed Oscar. "I trust you didn't hear my sneezing fit?"

Toll's lips made to form a smile but halted halfway there, leaving a grimace to grace his mouth. "Actually, Your Majesty, I'm afraid I heard every one. Have you considered a doctor?"

Oscar waved the suggestion away. "I've already tried a dozen in the city alone. Nothing seems to help much. And with affairs on the continent getting out of hand, I simply can't be bothered to venture far outside the city right now. Too much to do. I suppose I'll just have to live with it until either the French liberal quacks or those that oppose them bleed themselves white and leave Europe in the peace that she needs so badly."

Toll's grimace deepened. "I'm afraid the unfortunate truth of the matter is that it will be Swedes that have to some bleeding too before this over."

The king nodded slowly, not wanting to recognize the growing ugliness of the monster in Europe but agreeing all the same.

"The Danes," they said together.

"Denmark," Oscar said again, his voice full of loathing. "Should that perfidious little strip of farmland raise it's fist against me and my realm, I shall seek to strike it with all of the Dual Kingdom's might. Good gracious, that regent of theirs, Frederick, has made Denmark practically France with a king!"

Toll, not a man prone to fury, was quick to point out the dangers. "That little strip of farmland has a powerful navy, a match for ours in terms of ships. And they control the entrance to the Baltic, or most of it. The Danish army is a small one true, but it is simply not a country easily subdued. I expect they will look to the French for support. While I am skeptical of France's ability to reach into central Germany and send an army to Denmark, I do not doubt that without allies of our own a war against Denmark will be difficult. Winnable, certainly, but if your majesty intends to oppose the French on the continent-"

"Of course I do! I called them liberal quacks didn't I?" Oscar looked offended that his primary general had considered the possibility of not opposing the French.

Raising his hands in a conciliatory gesture, Toll pressed on. "The Danes, for all their likely designs on Norway, are but one of two problems. We have the Russians to the east, who may have plans for Finland. Now, naturally the Tsar is going to be one of the prime opponents of France, but Russia has manpower that far exceeds any realm in Europe. Who is to say that they won't send an army into Finland while we are occupied with the Danes? We need to find the Dual Kingdom a friend, and a powerful one at that."

Oscar thought for a moment. "Prussia. They must surely draw back in revulsion at the news from France. Nor would they hold any love for the Tsar. Furthermore, they are perfectly positioned to send an army up into Denmark. Frederick of Prussia is the ideal ally, really. I think I will write to him at once."

Toll inclined his head once more, recognizing his dismissal. "For the sake of preparedness, perhaps it would be best if I order all three corps into increased alertness, and perhaps mobilize some of the reserve regiments as well . ."

The king nodded fiercely. "Of course, of course. Raise the young men of the Dual Kingdom, so that we may ride out this gathering storm, and perhaps, emerge even stronger."

11 April
North of Turku, Finland

The bunkhouse was a flurry of activity as men flung on the last items of their uniforms and grabbed the muskets propped up against the interior wall. Those that had completed the task of dressing and arming rushed out of the small cabin and into the chilly Finnish morning. In just two minutes, a company of soldiers of the 2nd Finnish Guards was formed up on the rough dirt drilling ground. Nearby, the remaining seven companies of the regiment formed up in their own drilling grounds.

One of the young lieutenants who surveyed the men of the 1st Company was not just a lieutenant but Crown Prince Gustav, King Oscar's eldest son and heir. The men looked good today, neat and orderly, as they were meant to be. Many were relatively new recruits from southern Finland, and the regiment did not have many veterans. Oscar had insisted that Gustav serve in a non-Swedish regiment in order to familiarize himself with the people of the Dual Kingdom outside of Sweden proper.

Still, despite the regiment's lack of battle experience, they worked at their drills with enthusiasm, to an extent not seen in other regiments of the Finnish Corps.

Gustav listened at his company's captain shed light on the recent burst of activity across the army.

" . . . War is coming, likely very soon. With France, with Denmark, with Russia or with a combination thereof, nobody seems to be exactly sure. But one thing is clear-you boys will soon face the horrors of battle. Are you ready? Not quite. But soon, we'll have you there. Today marks the beginning of an increased level of preparedness for this regiment and the army as a whole. From now on we drill an extra hour as a company, and an extra two as a regiment."

The enthusiasm of the 2nd was very suddenly washed away in a torrent of groans.

24 April
Stockholm, Sweden

"Harald please, do come in. Have a seat" Oscar gestured for his Prime Minister to enter the study. The king sat in the same chair from which he had addressed Marshal Toll weeks earlier. A glass of wine was at his lips as he contemplated the empty courtyard of the palace below.

Harald Ostberg took a seat next to the king in one of the room's finely carved oak chairs. He was Prime Minister of the Dual Kingdom, a Norwegian that stood at nearly six feet.

"I've already written to Frederick of Prussia," began Oscar. "He will provide an ample counter against the Danes from the south, even if most of his troops are committed against the French. Now, we must ensure that the Russians will leave us be. That they will oppose the French republic through force of arms is almost a given, and yet they have always desired Finland. Of all the great empires of the world it is they who possess the greatest reserves of manpower. By far, the greatest. How then, to ensure that they use it on the French, and not on us, who could be their ally?"

Ostberg though for a moment. "Well that's quite simple. Make no mention of it. If they make demands of us we shall negotiate, if not then we will say nothing. Why would we? We don't want to actively encourage the Tsar to take an interest in Finland, now do we?" He paused, suddenly remembering something. "Oh yes! A most intriguing missive arrived from Scotland just this morning. I have a copy here." Ostberg withdrew the letter from his breast pocket and handed it to his king, who began to read.

"Hmm. This could be absolutely worthless or very fortuitous indeed," said Oscar.

Ostberg frowned. "How do you mean?"

"Well, the Scots must constantly contend with the English to their south, who must surely want them back in the fold. Should Scotland choose to side with France to protect itself from England that will likely be the end of that little kingdom. The French Navy is not a match for England's Royal Navy, which is the world's very best, so no French troops will land on English shores, ever. This isolates Scotland and their defeat would likely follow. Their troops will never get to any of the Danish overseas possessions unless the English let them, which is unlikely. A wiser course would be to align themselves against the French in order to appease the English and remain in their good graces. Then the Scottish navy could be used against Iceland, Greenland and the Faroes. I simply worry that should they chose the former, Sweden-Norway will be ostracized by those opposed to Napoleon and left unsupported against the Danes."

A small smirk tugged at the corners of Ostberg's mouth. "Alliances can always be broken, Your Majesty. Should our continued alliance with Scotland prove to be more burden than benefit, we can simply terminate it. Any animosity that other nations harbor against us because of our alliance with a French ally would dissipate. I suggest we simply agree to their offer, hope they choose the sensible path, and if not, quickly put an end to it. Let them have a hint of our concerns in our response, though not so much as to offend."

The smirk was contagious, and soon spread to Oscar. "Devilish," he said. "Devilish indeed."

To Her Majesty Queen Charlotte I Stuart, Queen of Scotland,

Your missive comes at a time when war between Sweden-Norway and Denmark grows increasingly likely. We would be very pleased indeed to have Scottish troops occupying the Danish Atlantic possessions should things come to blows. Therefore we agree to your offer of assistance against Denmark, and are glad that the alliance between our kingdoms can be reinstated. With Europe spiraling into the fires of war the people of the Dual Kingdom will be relieved to have Scotland as an ally against the new French regime and their potential allies in the Danes.

I remain,

Oscar I Hesse, King of Sweden-Norway

His Majesty King Frederick II of Prussia,

These are troubling times, as you are well aware. With the liberal madness having taken hold of France and with that afflicted country now seeking to expand its tentacled reach, it will fall to the monarchies of the old order to stop it. However, I fear that already France's horrid revolutionary screed has permeated the Kingdom of Denmark. I fear that Denmark may look to France for protection and for assistance in taking back Norway, which Sweden won through war some seventy years ago, a victory that the Danes have never forgotten, and never forgiven. It would be Sweden-Norway's policy to provide limited assistance to any nation combating the French on the continent but if Denmark is hostile then we cannot do even this. I am sure that you would not want a French ally almost immediately to your north as well. Therefore I propose that Prussia and Sweden-Norway establish a military alliance for the purpose of the mutual defense of our realms from all who would seek to do them harm, namely in this case France and Denmark. I am aware that our kingdoms were at war some forty years ago, but that conflict seems small and insignificant compared to the monumental struggle which seems ready to burst upon Europe. It would be best for all monarchs to arm themselves as best they can against the tide of liberalism, and I see an alliance as the best way to accomplish this.

I remain,

Oscar I Hesse, King of Sweden-Norway

[Conwy-Shire]

---

The Dual Kingdom of Piedmont-Suisse



Fortitudo Eius Rhodum Tenuit

---

Nouvelle Palais de Turin
April 12th, 1796

The crisp Autumn air reigned supreme. It cut through cracks in window panes, it flew through the streets of Turin; all the while bringing a chill to the hearts of the Piedmontese. But to King Charles Emmanuel IV, it brought clarity. The patriarchal scion of the House di Savoie sat in his palatial solar, rifling through the Torinese paper print for relaxation. He was in a good mood; no, he was in a great mood. The nation was at peace, the Austrians weren't pressing for more influence in his court, and the Prussians weren't clamouring for an expansion to Neuchatel's transport inclusion zone. All in all, there was little to do; and that was what Charles liked the most about being King.

"Your Majesty." A faint cry echoed from within the palace. Charles sighed, wondering what needed his attention now.

"Your Majesty! Reports from the border provinces!" The cry grew louder; it seemed the courier knew just where Charles would be, in fact it was common knowledge to the palatial staff that their King was a little on the slothful side, prone to taking naps between meals and meetings. His rather reserved diet accounted for this though, the King was yet to turn overweight, striking the middle course in what many of the Piedmontese fought with during this extensive peacetime.

"Your majesty - " The courier burst through the carved oaken doors of his solar. Gasping for breath, the courier was ignoring protocol to the very breaking point of indignation, and a muddied trail of earth and soil gave Charles-Emmanuel much cause to raise his brow in reproach.

"Apologies, your majesty;" the courier continued, having regained sufficient air to make a nuisance of himself once more. "We've received a frightening report from our contacts in Nice, along with one of the mountaineering villages along the coast-road."

"Well goodman, spit it out!" The King replied with a fury. "First you run amok in the hallowed halls of my forefathers, and then you mean to tell me that someone has broken the peace? Incomprehensible! Merde! It's as though the world has lost all sense."

"My sincerest apologies then, your grace; I bring such news." The abashed courier responded. "In fact, would it be so that the world had turned on its head; the French make war upon us."

"The French? Those poor souls?" Charles asked with an askance look. "Weren't they going through civil turmoil, I hear it's being called le Terreur. No doubt they'll return to their senses and reinstate a monarch one of these days."

"Perhaps not, your majesty; they've brought some three-hundred thousand infantrymen..."

"Three-hundred Thousand! Now I know this is just a tall tale, come back when you make your story more realistic."

"My Lord, Garibaldi will vouch for my report, he says that a man named Carnot raised some hundred-thousand men in an effort to protect their fledgling republic." The courier concluded, looking for the exit.

"Not so fast goodman," Charles-Emmanuel called after him. "bring Garibaldi to my Map Room; if you're right then I have work to do."

"Very good my King, I'll return with la Premiere." The courier made a obsequious gesture, before turning and leaving.

"On second thoughts;" Charles Emmanuel yelled after the retreating figure. "You don't need to come back with Garibaldi."
Little Pisspot, the King thought to himself as he dragged himself off the reclining chair. It looks like some racketeer has disturbed the peace.

---

House of the Union,
April 14th, 1796
Question time was well underway by the time la Premiere, Umberto Garibaldi, slipped into the legislature tightly holding a batch of communiques to his chest. His seemingly unnoticed entrance suited him, Umberto's tardiness to parliament proceedings was renowned, and even though Garibaldi's majority government of traditionalists dominated the representation inside the House proper; you did not have to be a progressive to look down on latecomers here.

The unfortunate Speaker of the Union was lividly trying to reign in the house; riots occurred often, bloodshed and slurs even more so; so it was no surprise for Garibaldi to watch as the representatives for Aosta and St. Gallen were physically separated by the Sergeant-at-Arms. The endless formalities were an alien concept to la Premiere; having grown up in an autocratic kingdom left little doubt in the value of results, and this English system of government the Suisse had pressed on King Charles as a prerequisite to the union had never sat well with Umberto. He was a do-er, even if it meant snatching up something someone else wanted to do. Results, quotas and deadlines - those were the words Garibaldi lived by, and he was damned sure no fancy English parliamentarian style would stop him.

"Well what do we have here!" The cry came from the progressive stands. Spotted. Umberto cursed as the catcalls rained on him from left, right and centre. Even the Speaker of the Union, one of la Premiere's close friends looked on with disdain as Piedmonte's head of government took his seat by the parliament floor. Umberto's only satisfaction came from watching a pale orderly rush up to the Speaker's stand, reverently holding a missive with the King's Seal on it. The missive had been written by Garibaldi, Charles-Emmanuel was far too busy fleeing Turin to be of legislative assistance, but he had been quick to seal-and-assent to a wide range of communiques and missives; no doubt his frantic mind had skimmed through the address before moving onto the next letter. It was not a bad system, as far as Garibaldi's reasoning went; but god forbid the scandal if the daily print got word of his... less official capacities,

"The representative for Genua will be silent, or else his standing censure will be expanded upon into a royal dismissal." The Speaker's voice cut like a whip, silencing both sides of the house. He received the missive with tired hands, fumbling with the parchment before reading through the agenda Garibaldi and the King had signed off on. He continued with the official proceedings, although he was evidently shaken by the contents of the letter. "Question time will be cut short today, It appears la Premiere has arrived - late - with a collection of compelling documents and directives, the contents of which the House has been designated by royal decree to discuss for the remainder of this sitting. The Head of Government now has the floor..."

"My thanks, monseigneur, Garibaldi opened. If I may begin with the tabling of said documents, I believe that the discussion will be able to begin in earnest."

"Granted," the Speaker responded. "Unless there is any dissent, I delegate the right to table any-all documents for the purpose of this matter. If there is any dissent, speak now."

The silence was chilling; each and every member was captivated, after all it was a rare day in which the Speaker entrusted actual responsibilities to an elected representative.

"Very good," Garibaldi re-started. "The first document pertains to a series of border reports written on the..."

---

BY EXECUTIVE ORDER OF THE HOUSE OF THE UNION

ON THE STATE OF WAR (1796)

Be it hereafter enacted the fruits of deliberation as debated, proposed and assented to by the House of the Union; in conjunction with nominal Royal Assent and the representative will of the people of Piedmonte-Suisse. From this point until its purposeful and total conclusion a state of war now officially exists between the states of France and Piedmonte-Suisse. Be it so noted that the cause of hostilities originated in the punitive actions of one Napoleon Bonaparte, who is hereby declared an enemy of the state; and through the actions of said enemy, a royal imperative has been issued on the deliberated issue of the death of 'Napoleon'.

Furthermore, in the face of this state of war, and the serious threat posed to the sovereignty of Piedmonte-Suisse; the Undersigned have sought and gained the support of the combined parliament of Piedmonte-Suisse so as to set in motion article 78, Section 2 of the Dual-Kingdom's constitution, which pertains to the levying and armament of the Fourth field-army, drawn from the loyal citizens of Piedmonte-Suisse who are chosen - or volunteer - to take up arms in defence of her sovereignty.

The House of the Union has also confirmed the issue of letters of Marque upon the Marina Militaire, to be used at their discretion so as to focus all of Piedmonte-Suisse' resources upon this state of war.

Finally, the House of the Union has also criminalized the support of French forces within Piedmonte-proper. If any citizen of any nationality or creed is found to be supporting the French war effort within Piedmonte's borders the Legislature officially tasks the Executive branch of the Piedmontese government to prosecute and eradicate such dissidence, in whole or in part, at the discretion of the undertaking officer. The motive of French forces within the sovereign borders of the Dual-Kingdom cannot be guaranteed, and as such it is granted that citizens do all within their power to protect their property, both personal or communal; and strive for the unmolested sovereignty of the Piedmontese state to the exclusion of all else.

Signed and Assented,

Umberto Garibaldi, la Premiere de Piedmonte-Suisse

His Royal Majesty, King Charles-Emmanuel IV, blood-royal and Monarch of the Kingdoms of Piedmonte and Suisse.

---

---

Piedmontese Highlands,
April 24th, 1796
Cold. It was always cold high up in the mountains. The rest of the world conformed to a strict set of regulated temperatures, but up here in the Piedmontese Alps, Dante Filiberto knew it was - and indeed always would be - Cold. The young Torinese Grenadier led a sub-squad of nine men; a position he had held for nigh on a year now. The pay was adequate, adequate too were the lodgings, supplies and training he received. Truth be told Dante was a content young man, at the age of 25, his short military career of 7 years had been uneventful, a fact he was quite happy with.

In Dante's mind, the worst consequence of being a member of the prestigious 1st Field Armee was the posting. Whilst the 2nd and 3rd received coastal and basin garrisons, the 1st held to a long tradition of working in the Alps and along the Suisse border. His calves didn't ache anymore, but the perpetual patrols and night-watches were starting to get into Dante's head, which he duly noted as he rolled over in his sleep. Something, or someone, was jabbing him; repetitively. Dante, like most people, didn't like getting poked, but he could only manage to pry his eyes open for a split second before they seized shut.

What Dante managed to glimpse boded ill for him. The young infantryman opened his eyes again to the sight of his second, dressed in marching military dress and carrying his rifled carbine. The much older second wore a slight grin, obviously taking delight in the pain of his superior.

"Get up Sir, we have marching orders!" The second called loudly, trying to pierce the veil of drowsiness hanging between the two soldiers.

"Marching orders?" That got Dante up. "Give me a brief whilst I dress; the sun must have risen hours ago, why wasn't I informed earlier?"

"My apologies Dante, the orders arrived in tangent with the civilian mail, trouble on the roads apparently," his second explained. "Either way, the order only came to us a bare half-hour ago... And everyone knows how long you sleep in."

"That's just camp gossip Lodovico, you've been talking with the Line Infantry again haven't you?" Dante mistrusted the Line Infantry. Stuck up idiots who didn't understand that their lines made perfect targets for enemy rifles. Dante preferred to adopt a loose formation, and he had managed to convince his whole regiment that kneeling made a smaller target of your body; but even grenadiers had their cognitive limits.

"I had my night rations with them whilst you were meeting with the other sub-sergeants..." Lodovico began, trying to clear himself of guilt.

"Hah, I knew you were. Next thing you know they'll have you wearing one of those ridiculous bicorne hats and wearing a giant target around your neck into battle." Dante accused his second whilst stuffing a dried flatcake into his mouth.

"Uh, that reminds me sir; we're at war with the French now, that's what the orders said."

The flatcake went flying right into Lodovico's face, bouncing off onto the frost-covered ground with a thud. Lodovico's face screwed up in disgust, but it was Dante who was furious.

"At war with the French! You mean we're at war with our most populous, fervour-driven anti-Piedmonte neighbour and you waited to tell me this now!?"

"God protect us," Dante said, making the sign of the cross subconsciously. "Is the military courier still here, or did he leave with the civilian mail?"

"Sorry sir, the courier dropped the orders and then bolted off towards the French border, he was making for the north-West pass, so I guess he's got something for Paris."

"Hah, probably an insult or something just as ineffectual. Where's the rest of the squad, Armee-General de Bolzan will want an inspection of the Grenadier corps any minute now, get the squad here; AND DOUBLE-TIME!"

---

Nouvelle Palais de Turin,
April 28th, 1796
The Capital was fast-emptying, Garibaldi noted; absent-mindedly waving farewell to the Speaker of the Union. The French advance into Piedmonte had been left unhindered due to the indecisiveness of the Parliament. Garibaldi had been furious when the progressive left had stalled his motion to commandeer the 2nd field-army for delaying tactics in the Alps, and his ineffectual King had refused to respond to la Premiere's communique, a sure sign of his unwillingness to co-operate any further. To further salt his wounds, the departing parliament officials had almost unanimously voted on taking the 2nd and 3rd field-armies with them, abandoning Garibaldi and Turin to her enemies.

The fortification of Turin had continued regardless; in fact the volunteer turnout had been rather confusing for the traditionalist government, most of the male population had found itself 'conscripted' or 'volunteered' into joining the fourth field-army; others had been allocated into fortifying the city. Barricades, checkpoints and earthen ramparts had been thrown up in an effort to... delay the inevitable? That was a question Garibaldi had pondered long and often, alternating between his now sole-rule in Turin and a plethora of concerning thoughts. The crux of the matter was that Garibaldi was a man for the people; even though he was not especially beloved of them. He work up every day for them, wrote up every contingency plan for them, and he knew theirs would be an unkind future under the French, so on he toiled. The irregulars had arrived too, much to Umberto's relief. He was of a mind to regularize them, but if the French wanted to take the streets of Turin, they would be harder pressed trying to take streets which were lorded over by urban irregulars; an event Garibaldi pictured with a slight grin.

Canon was another issue, the French reportedly had hundreds, whilst Turin only had an arsenal of 10. They would be sprinkled around the earthen ramparts, but their exact location would have to be decided later. The work continued, and soon... soon, the mettle of the Piedmontese spirit would be tested in the hardest trial known to man.

War was coming to his doors, but la Premiere was ready.

---

[Capsland]

Theme

The United Kingdom of England-Ireland

2nd April, 1796
London
It was late in the afternoon, the sun was just going down. The king, George III, and his Prime Minister, William Pitt, sat down to discuss matters involving the state. First was the Scottish.

"Sire, it seems Scotland wants a non aggression pact with our fair Kingdom. They say they only want peace on the island." The Prime Minister waited for a reply

The king let out a slight chuckle.
"They what?" He took a sip from his EIC tea. "I take this as an insult. Why would we ever accept this? Scotland is just another vassal of the blasted French. We cannot and will not sign any treaty with them that blocks and invasion. We must be prepared to force peace on this island, if Scotland is friends with France then peace will never be achieved. We must send a letter immediately, rejecting their preposterous proposal"

"My cabinet and I talked about this early this morning and I can say that we fully support your decision. I will tell the scribe to start writing as soon as possible"

They both then sipped their tea. Outside the window you could see the ships in the Thames River sailing to the port of Dover in Kent.
"Now there is the issue of the aggressive French invasion of Piedmont. If we let the French declare these unjustified wars all over Europe think of their next target. Germany? The Netherlands? Spain? England!? They must be discouraged from this war. Maybe not full military intervention but... Perhaps we can make it costly for them to war other nations."

"What do you suggest?" George III gestured his hand.

"An embargo. Maybe even privateers. English merchants are just as successful as the Portuguese and the Dutch, and with Indian spices and Canadian and Australian iron. We can hur the French economy. Maybe not by much but the people will feel the effect. Now the privateers. We can hire a few privateers under us to disrupt French shipping along the Atlantic. We can handle the payment and the French will have no justification that it was us."

"Hmmm. Interesting. Fine, I give you my blessing. Issue the embargo and hire the privateers"
George III got up and walked out to his chamber, his royal robes and servants following behind him as he left the room. As his left the Prime Minister let out a quiet "Thank you sire" and rushed to the scribes room.

To the Queen and Prime Minister of Scotland, Mary Stuart & James Ferguson
From the Prime Minister of The United Kingdom of England-Ireland, William Pitt the Younger,

---

The United Kingdom of England-Ireland reject your proposal of a non-aggression pact. In order for peace to remain on this island. French supporters must be nullified. If Scotland was to break it's aliance with the French then England would consider this pact but for now we have no choice but to reject your proposal.

To the King and Premiere of The Kingdom of Piedmonte-Swisse, Charles Emannuel IV & Umberto Garibaldi
From the Prime Minister of The United Kingdom of England-Ireland, William Pitt the Younger,

---

May you find recieve this letter in the best of health.
The United Kingdom of England-Ireland would like to give you complete sympathy in this war of aggression with France. Unfortunately we cannot support you with military but we do offer the city of London, a fine and majestic city fit for an Emperor, to be your government's location of exile should the need arise. We also invite you to a possible coalition against the French aggression, although this coalition will not be put into effect immediately; the coalition will support you financially and eventually militarily should the coalition gain members.
Thank you for the time to read this letter, may the Kingdom of Piedmonte-Swisse forever live on.

To the First Consul, Second Consul and Third Consul of France ,Napoleon Bonaparte, Jean-Jacques Charles-François Lebrun
From the Prime Minister of The United Kingdom of England-Ireland, William Pitt the Younger,

---

It has come the the United Kingdom's attention that France has initiated a war of aggression against the fair Kingdom of Piedmonte-Swisse. This will not be tolerated within the civilised world. We tell you to stand down and retreat your armies back to French soil, if you refuse this. The United Kingdom will be forced to cease all trade with France. French merchants in London will be forced to return home and no ships bearing the French flag may sail in English waters. We hope you reconsider your aggressive actions against the civilised world, for the consequences will be great.

To the Noble and Just Emperor of Russia, Alexander I Jagiellon
From the Prime Minister of The United Kingdom of England-Ireland, William Pitt the Younger,

---

The United Kingdom of ENgland-Ireland would like to extend it's hand out in friendship to Russia and it's people. England-Ireland has seen much hostility with France and we expect this hostility to spread to the slavic countries of the east. In order to safeguard the civilised world, England-Ireland would like to offer you and your allies to form a coalition against France and it's aggression. We look forward to your reply.

[Sasutary Island]

The United States of Mexico
Independencia, Unión
Mexico City, Mexico

---

---

20 April, 1796
"They what?!"

"Your excellency, the French and Columbians have made it explicit that we withdraw from the Revolutionary Republics,"-Buñuel adjusted his suit, while Salvador stirred in his chair, bitting his fingernails-"might I suggest, your excellency, that we get on their good side and withdraw from the Republics?"

"Enough!... Damn the French, Damn them all! Send word to General Chachelaz. Withdraw all soldiers to the Mexican side of the border. This better be enough of an apology." Salvador pulled out a piece of paper from a cupboard, and wrote quickly.

To: The Revolutionary Republics of America
From: Prime Minister Salvador Valdez, of the United States of Mexico

To the people of the Revolutionary Republics. My most sincerest apologies for the uncalled for aggression in the Central Americas. My cabinet have been able to convince me that we should withdraw from your nation, after significant urging from other nations. Once again I wish to express my apologies for the debacle I have created. Too make amends, I wish to propose a non-aggression treaty between our two nations, and on a personal note, I shall not pursue any acts that would prove detrimental to the Revolutionary Republics' integrity. I wish that God showers his blessings on your people.

Sincerely, Salvador Valdez

"This better be worth it. Call in a horseman to send it for me."

La Paz, Kalifornia

---

---

The docks were bustling with the fishermen bringing in their daily catch. Nothing too out of the ordinary. However, moored on the pier, 3 Spanish-styled galleons were dutifully loaded with food, building materials and colonists. The three galleons were captured, after pirates had managed to subdue a convoy of Spanish Gold, their crews slaughtered like pigs. A young man carried a box of ammunition aboard, while an older, mustached señor was directing a flock of pigs down into a cargo hold. The Provincial Government had planned to colonize the islands of Hawaii for over a decade, although a lack of funding and volunteers made sure that it never materialized. Now, with Gold from Kalifornia making literal boat-loads of cash, citizens were now persuaded to sail to the West in the name of the United States.

The Admiral of the fleet of 3, Maximilian Santana, calmly read the maps strewn across his solid oakwood table as the breeze picked up. Scanning across the docks, he could see the once-towering pile of supplies needed for the voyage and colonization being loaded aboard one by one. The work was back-breaking, but at least it wasn't Maximilian who did it. He looked up at the sky, probably 5 o'clock in the evening.

"Alright you lot, get aboard. Signal to the other ships to begin the voyage. Boatswain, lower the sails. You there, unmoor the boat! We're leaving in 5 minutes."

There was a frenzy on the docks. Families cramming into the decks, the soldiers to be brought with them scurrying for a comfortable place aboard the ship. Among the 710 colonists, only 30 of them were soldiers. The disgustingly backwards and barbaric Hawaiian Islanders, under supervision of Admirals before Maximilian, couldn't stand a chance before modern might. It was time for the United States to teach the simple folk how to live their lives according to society and modern civilization.

(I don't know what else to post about atm)

[Lunas Legion]

21st April, In the Year of Our Lord 1796
Ancyra Citadel, Ancyra, Boukellarion Megyei

"Your Highness, surely you understand the chances available to us?" Tábornagy Nickolas sighed in a loose mix of resignment and defeat as he looked up at the Empress on her throne. The Crusaders' Hall, as the imperial throne room was known, sat within Ancyra's ancient citadel, now as much a palace fit for the imperial family as it was a fortress. "Kurdistan is ripe for the taking, and the Byzantines should be distracted by Balkan affairs."

"The Byzantines are never distracted by 'Balkan affairs'." Empress Anna Hunyadi replied smoothly. Although she had not sat on the Winged Throne, the seat of the Latin Emperors, for long, her education and experience of court had made her more than ready for the daily challenge that was managing the Latin Empire. "They are always watching, waiting for our moment of distraction so as to reclaim their so-called 'eastern themes'. If we are to move against anyone, We would move against our oldest enemies, but we lack the naval forces to do so, while despite their army's superior size, our Megyei system allows us to respond far quicker to crush any incursion before it can properly bring in supplies and reinforcements. We are in a deadlock, with neither able to move on the other."

"That is how it as always been." Nickolas snorted. "But you know as well as I do the Continent is changing. Italian, Savoyard to be precise, traders have spread word that France has invaded Savoy. I do not claim to know this 'Napoleon' who is their First Consul or his subordinates. I do not claim to know his goals or motives. What I do claim to know is that this 'Republic' has created a satellite state in Aeygptus and that it is surrounded by reminders of the ancient regimes of Europe, that the revolution sought to destroy. The Hapsburgs, the Italian states, those small states under the failing 'Holy Roman Empire'... I know Napoleon will start, and his starting shall be bloody. I do not know when he shall stop. Berlin? Vienna? Perhaps all the way to Constantinople or Moscow? If you wish to strike against our enemies, my empress, then bide your time. Change is coming, and our chance with it."

[Jaslandia]

Frederiksberg Palace, Copenhagen, Kingdom of Denmark
April 15, 1796

---

At around noon, Crown Prince Regent Frederick was sharing tea with Chief Minister Andreas Peter Bernstorff.

“Excellent stuff,” Bernstorff remarked. “Imported from India, I assume?”

“Of course,” Frederick replied. “Peter Anker, the Governor of Danish India, made a deal with some Mughal nobleman to export tea to Denmark.”

“He certainly made a good deal.”

As the two men sipped their drink, a courier entered the room. “We got a response from the French,” the messenger announced.

“Bring it here, boy,” Bernstorff ordered. The Chief Minister took the letter and began reading it.

“What does it say?” Frederick asked.

Andreas Peter Bernstorff, 1795

“A bunch of ambiguity, that’s what it is,” Bernstorff replied. “Looks like they’re interested in helping, but they won’t discuss concrete details until Napoleon returns from campaign in northern Italy.” Bernstorff handed the letter to the Prince and let him examine it. Frederick sighed.

“It’s not what I was hoping for,” Frederick said. “But it’s something. We shall wait until Napoleon returns before launching any campaigns of our own. Once Napoleon gets back, I’ll have our Ambassador Gustav Rasmussen meet with Napoleon in Paris. In the meantime, we should continue preparing our military for war.” Frederick looked up toward the messenger. “Is there anything else for me?”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the courier said as he handed a paper to the Crown Prince Regent. “A letter from the Netherlands.”

To the Honourable Prince Frederick,

Good health to you and your kin.

We have heard of your father's unfortunate madness. It is good, however, to see that his condition has not gone so far as to spread to his son, as some of the courts in Germany are liable to claim, and have made our assurances to our ambassador in Copenhagen that they may sign such a treaty of non-aggression as you propose on our behalf.

We are confused, however, about your assertions about the French cause. The Republic of Batavia, which remains as it always has been prior to the tyranny of the later Stadtholders, a free country under its own direction on the principle of the leadership of the citizenry, has been supportive of the leadership of Consul Napoleon, who has judged with a fair hand and sound mind while preserving the liberties of the new French Republic.

Talk of "uniting our realms" strikes us as odd when Denmark has made it explicitly clear time and time again that it is not a friend to liberty, as evidenced by the continued presence of the Sound Toll.

We cannot say that it is bad to hear a friendly hand from overseas, however, and would be willing to consider such an alliance in our mutual favour as soon as we can come to terms.

May God bless and keep Denmark and her people.

On behalf of the Batavian Republic,

Jacobus Spoors, Grand Pensionary

"Perhaps I could have worded my proposal better," Prince Frederick remarked after he finished reading the letter. "I think it would be best to send an envoy to clarify what I mean and conclude exact terms."

To: Jacobus Spoors, Grand Pensionary of the Batavian Republic
From: Frederick, Crown Prince Regent of Denmark

Greetings to you, noble Grand Pensionary!

We admit we could have worded our message better. Still, we are glad you are open to our proposal. We believe it would be best to conduct further negotiations in person. Thus, we shall send diplomat Felix Holt to Amsterdam to negotiate on our behalf and on behalf of the Kingdom of Denmark. Mr. Holt can address any concerns you may have, including the concerns in your letter. Once your concerns are addressed, Holt is authorized to negotiate the exact terms of our treaty. We shall have Holt depart as soon as possible, and upon his arrival, he can negotiate with you or your representatives either in the Grand Pensionary's residence, or at some other location in the city.

We look forward to close relations with the Batavian Republic in the future, and may God bless your great nation!

Signed, Crown Prince Frederick

Frederiksberg Palace, Copenhagen, Kingdom of Denmark
April 17, 1796

“I’ve been thinking,” Frederick began as he, Chief Minister Bernstorff, and Finance Minister Emanuel Lange had a morning meeting. “What if we were to propose a trade agreement with the Columbians?”

“The Columbians?” Bernstorff repeated. “Why? They’re an ocean away.”

“Not quite. We’re actually fairly close to them through our colonies in the West Indies and Greenland.”

Frederiksberg Palace, circa 1750

Lange shook his head. “That doesn’t matter. If it were up to me, we would have already sold those colonies. I keep telling you they’re more trouble to maintain than they’re worth. Frederick, you may recall that until you sent extra troops to the West Indies colonies, they were overrun by pirates. Given enough time, the pirates will return.”

“I suggest you stop being so pessimistic, Emmanuel,” the Crown Prince Regent replied. “Besides, those colonies are valuable sources of goods. Greenland and Iceland export furs. The West Indies export sugar and cotton. The Danish Gold Coast provides slaves, gold, pepper, and ivory. Danish India provides cotton and tea. We need those colonies and forts to maintain a favorable balance of trade.”

“Ah, now there’s your problem!” the Finance Minister responded. “You’re formulating your policies based on mercantilist ideas. I suggest you read this little book, it’s called An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. It was written by a Scotsman named Adam Smith.”

“You and your alternative ideas, Emmanuel,” Frederick commented dismissively with a chuckle. “It’s a miracle I keep you around. Anyway, I’m keeping the colonies and that’s that. Do you have any objection to my proposal of a trade deal with the Columbians?”

“What do the Columbians have to offer us?” Finance Minister Lange inquired.

“Lots. The English were quite determined to hold onto their Columbian colony, so obviously Columbia must have some wealth. Plus, I’ve heard they have quite a few cash crops. Tobacco, indigo, sugar, cotton, all that good stuff. Besides, trading with a French ally like ourselves might convince the Columbians to also ally with French.”

“That is possible” Chief Minister Bernstorff said. “Even if the trade doesn’t directly convince the Columbians to ally with the French, a treaty with the Columbians would strengthen our relations with them, so the Columbian leaders might be more inclined to pay attention when our diplomats try to persuade the Columbians of the benefits of a French alliance.”

“It’s settled, then,” Frederick stated. “I’ll send the Columbians a message proposing a treaty of amity and commerce, offering terms similar to those offered by other European nations in their treaties of amity and commerce. Someone hand me a quill pen.”

To: John Adams, President of the United Provinces of Columbia
From: Frederick, Crown Prince Regent of Denmark

Greetings to you, Mr. President!

It is an honor to write to you on this day. We admire your nation’s struggle for liberty, as Denmark has also attempted in recent years to bring about increased liberty in her own lands.

In addition, we admire your nation’s abundance of natural resources. Denmark is also a wealthy nation, with her colonies in the West Indies, India, Africa, and Greenland providing a variety of goods. We would like to propose a Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the Kingdom of Denmark and the United Provinces of Columbia. Our terms shall be very similar to the Treaties of Amity and Commerce that Columbia has already signed with other European nations. Should you be interested in this proposal, I shall send an ambassador to your capital in Washington to work out the exact terms.

We hope you consider our humble proposal, and my God bless the United Provinces!

Signed, Crown Prince Frederick