1855 : Alternative Divergence [AH][IC][REBOOT]

by **Second Helghan Empire** » Sat Jan 02, 2016 1:09 am

Größere Hansebundder Germanischen Völker

Elected for a second ten year term on the eve of new years Chairman Alfonse Schmidt had made huge gains fore Hanse in the last 10 years, not only modernizing it fully but establishing it as the most industrialized nation in europe. It's mammoth economy churned out jobs and products left and right. Even in the colonies railroads had begun to track across the landscape. In Jemen the Gulf Line ran from Fort Mullhaus on the shores of the Persian gulf to the city of Aden in the Gulf of Aden.In East Africa the oldest of Hanse's colonies a second Rail line was under construction and slaves and supplies from interior Africa brought by local native tribes gave the Hansa the blood of the growing nation. In the Kongo the Slave labor had paid in dividends the coastline was well along it's way to becoming a major trading region of african produced items.

In Europe Belgium had come to heel rather easily. Though that hadn't been the only news in europe. Hanse remained the only nation in Atlas to retain the slave trade. It's workforce was complemented by enslaved persons but by only a few. Slave labor was a very rare occurrence save in port cities in Belgium and Daneland. Abolitionism had begun to grow in ever increasing numbers and a bill in process was set to ban slavery in mainland Hansa. It would force slave owners to send their slave back to the colonies or pay a fine and have the government do it. Besides the slavery issue a new level of conscription parameters had been installed. Belgians now served alongside the rest of the Hanseatic forces, and troop numbers exceeded anything before in Hanseatic history, causing many of the populace to believe the soldiers would be moving via ships once again across the sea, or possibly invading Russia. the second had brought extensive newspapers to interview military officials, all of which could only state they had no idea what the Council of Military leadership (Rat der militärischen Führung) (RMF) would order. The troop numbers had remained heavy in Belgium as the Majority of Hanseatic forces never left and instead enforced the new laws and regulations as well as helped work to bring Belgium up to the Hansa Standard of technology and industrialization. It was believed they would be leaving the area withing the next few months with the Belgian units beginning to finish their training.

Much news and love had switched recently from the army to the navy. Following it's victories in the Gulf of Aden the Navy had a massive increase of funding and recruits. With the Admiral Wiseman Jollenbeck moving from leader of privateers all the way to a seat on the RMF. He had rallied the people behind him and the government. Now the nation almost unanimously supported Chairman Schmidt and Admiral Jollenbeck. They along with a small group of supporters most notably Field Marshal Johan Reider and Councilman Hans Ludson had seemingly seized complete control over Hanse. Whatever they wanted pushed through the people seemed to want aswell and so the councils had no choice but to grant their wishes.

The Kamerun Expedition

Captain Ludwig Harcroft peered through the telescope at the growing shoreline in front of him. Harcroft whistled as the sight filled him with happiness. He led a team of men to establish a new Hanseatic colony in Kamerun an area just north and west of Harcourt. They would be followed by another 13 ships in the coming weeks and as long as they had finished the first few buildings and scouted the area they would be able to report their mission as a success. Naming the settlement Port Schmidt they hoped to begin further colonization from a main base here.

Hanseatic Kongo

The Hanseatic soldiers and supporting tribes began advancing into the thick brush of the jungle. Rifles occasionally cracked along the advancing front but the attacking tribesmen were systematically pushed back. The separate Luba tribes formed the front line firing at the other Bantu tribes with old flint lock rifles. Behind them the repeater or dreyse needle-gun armed soldiers kept any major counter attack from breaking through. The Bantu tribes were being pushed this time all the way back to the village of Kisa which had become the main base of operations for resistant tribes in the area. They had stopped several caravans of goods bound for the Hanseatic ports as well as shipments of guns and ammunition to the allied Luba tribes. They had begun their fight when their people had been captured and enslaved early on in the Hanseatic colonization of the region. However they had slowed the amount of slaves leaving the region down by nearly 60% placing the port towns along the Kongo coast in jeopardy of a major labor shortage as the brutal life of a colonial slave took the lives of the majority of the slaves.

As the Bantus were pushed into the village proper they allowed themselves to be surrounded. Women and children fought back as well. Some with little more than rocks or their fists. However it mattered little and they were gunned down. In the aftermath the women were either given as trophies to the loyal tribes or enslaved the same for the children. All men older than 24 were executed to avoid able bodied resistance. Many Luba tribesmen had been killed and a small amount of soldiers had but the last vestige of resistance to the Hanse in the Kongo was crushed.

Potsdammer Institute of Technological Advancement

Jerome Schindle, a chemist at PITA, reached into his pocket and produced a small note pad. He scribbled some notes and pleasantly waited. to his left sat his colleague Friedhelm Fraust, a metallurgist and to their right paced Dr. Friedhelm Eisenberg a brilliant physical scientist and leader of the team on their project.

A mass produced smelting furnace. Dubbed the Schindle Furnace after Dr. Schindle, the group awaited the two government officials and PITA president to either accept or deny their patent. It was a long process and had taken nearly a month already but today would either send them back to tweaking their creation or see their hard work finally pay off.

The first of it's kind the Schindle Furnace is not unlike furnaces used since the 11th Century, however it is the first to be able to mass produce and be mass produced. The door creaked open and a man with a blue cap and trousers marking him as a government official stepped out. He produced a large piece of paper with a large stamp on the forefront. in large red letters was spelled ACCEPTED.

The three men seemed to act like small children suddenly, they celebrated as if it were their first touch of joy in many many days.

by **Conwy-Shire** » Sat Jan 02, 2016 5:24 am

The Kingdom of Courland

Karaļvalsts Kurzeme

Mitau, Courland Proper

The Broadsheet crumpled in the King's hand as he reclined in his beige armchair. Around him, the carpeted drawing room seemed to lean in, waiting for the King to speak. Such was at least the case for the Peer of Narva, who sat across from the king in an equally beige armchair, clutching a glass of scotch whisky - carted out from the King's own cellars. The paper had been printed that morning, and smudged ink on the King's hands bore testament to the paper's age before Friedrich gingerly placed the broadsheet on a mahogany tabletop by his shoulder. Friedrich finally pulled himself out of his reclined position, setting his rear into the backend of the seat. The Peer of Narva took a sip of his scotch. The quiet took hold again.

"I can't do this anymore!" The king finally exclaimed, violently rising from his armchair before snatching up the broadsheet again. His friend, understandably startled, almost dropped his glass on the carpet, saving it and its contents with deft fingers. "We've had five years of peace, and now the world is back to the brink of madness, I won't sit and let this pass!"

"I beseech you sir, don't do that again," the Peer cried out, for he much loved his scotch whisky. "You yourself said this room was for quiet contemplation."

"Screw that, you know I was talking crap back then Johann," Friedrich retorted, exasperated by the calmness his friend presented. "What are we to do, how are we to respond?"

"However you wish, your majesty," Johann said, in a jokingly demure tone he knew would annoy his friend further. It worked

"Fine, if that's how you want to play, that's how I'll play;" Friedrich's exasperation turned to a twisted smile. "I'm sending you on a diplomatic mission, no, a conference." A groan was all the response the King needed before he continued, "You'll go to the Hanseatic Embassy, request an audience, and see if a Cambrian diplomat can't come along too. You'll be discussing this Scandinavian question, of course - see what you can do for your country."

"You forget, my king, a Peer cannot lead a diplomatic delegation," Johann triumphantly trumpeted. "You'll have to find someone..."

"I don't think that should concern you, Johann," the King responded. "Afterall, you're now the Duke of Narva."

"That title doesn't exist, Freidrich" Came the new Duke of Narva's response, his face turning crestfallen, he knew what was coming next

Friedrich strolled over to his writing desk, scribbled indiscriminately on a piece of scrapped parchment, and signed his name with a visible flourish. He then returned to his friend, presented the paper, and took a step back.

From the Desk of his Majesty,
Freidrich Casimir I von Biron

Herein is the recipient of this letter; one
Johann von Liefland,
hereby elevated to the title of Duke of Narva, with all respective titles, tithes and honours not yet dedicated to the Peerage of Courland afforded to the aforementioned, his children and his line, until the end of time.

From the desk of his Majesty,
Friedrich Casimir I von Biron, King of Courland

As Johann set the scrap down, Freidrich took one final stab at his friend,
"You were saying?"

Port Harcourt, Harcourt Colony

Glistening white plaster greeted Edouard as he stepped down from his coach and onto the busy thoroughfare of Port Harcourt. The King's street was abnormally busy, market day had climaxed an hour or so ago, manservants and porters carted purchased goods to their masters homes whilst ducking and weaving between the carriages of the more wealthy in this city. Before him loomed the Governor's house, his house, a structure of cut stone and glass as white as the plastered houses of the city around him.

Edouard's first governorship began as soon as he stepped within the threshold of the House, a place visibly unoccupied for some weeks. Running a finger along the grand door-frame revealed a light coating of dust, much to Edouard's disliking.

"Why is it that I am greeted by dust and mites?" he muttered to himself, inadvertently speaking within earshot of his keen-eared personal guard

"They say the last governor didn't take too kindly to 'is dismissal" one of them chimed in, obviously unable to explain who 'they' were. "They say he retired to Finland in a huff an' took his 'ole staff with him."

That would explain the dust, and why not a soul inhabited the administrative centre of the colony - heaven knows what would have transpired if the former governor's early exit was made known to the colony, but business had continued as if nothing was amiss. The feeling of incredulity inside Edouard was only compounded by the missives and reports lying on the floor before him, for he had not taken another step after entering the house. They had all come through the letterhole, meaning documents could be delivered without knowledge of the supposed occupants whereabouts, especially useful when the supposed occupant was over 6,000 kilometres away.

The documents were carried up to the Governor's quarters, also covered in dust, before Edouard's house staff arrived on the premises. They would spend the next week cleaning out the Governor's house, whilst the new Governor read dispatch after dispatch, catching up with the events of the world which had occurred during his uneventful trip from Riga to Port Harcourt.

Khulna, Couronian East-India Company

Tadeusz von Biron gripped tightly onto the balcony of the Governor-General's residence, watching the sun set across the lands of the East-India company. Down below, guests and respectable Couronians poured into his host's gardens, attending one of the many parties held by the Couronian Governor, one Jacob de Giers. Tadeusz didn't like de Giers, the man was intolerant, overly religious, and if his suspicions were correct, corrupted. This was the fourth party held on his estate this year, of which there had been only 13 days.

The pretext for this party was Tadeusz' own coming of age, the day when de Giers would relinquish his guardianship of the young royal. Tadeusz had pleaded with his guardian to abstain from any large gathering, but de Giers was not one pass over any pretext for celebration, lord knows how he came to his post, some error of judgement on the part of Tadeusz' eldest brother no doubt; but de Giers was a king in his own right here, and whilst the Couronian King was held in massive esteem by the people of Khulna, the esteem was easily surpassed by his distance from the East-India company's territory.

Tadeusz had other plans for the night though, draping a dhoti he had purloined from de Giers' staff over a sturdy coat and linen shirt. The young prince had to make use of the garden exit for fear of being detected at the main entrance, but by avoiding the larger clumps of party-goers already circulating in the gardens and keeping his head down the young man was mistaken by many to be a simple servant, whilst those who saw through the disguise were distracted enough not to make contact of any sort.

Outside of the residence, the world was completely different. The streets of hightown-Khulna were still very respectable areas, but compared to the opulence of the Governor-General's residence they were swineherds' homes and worse. Tadeusz wasn't fazed by the differing sights, this was his fourth outing, after-all, but the first in which he would go at odds with his guardian.

The tavern he arrived at was not respectable, to say the least. Frequented by the middling classes of this strange Couronian-Indian society, it's facade tried to emulate European Inns, as though it could compete with the European civilisation it was so detached from. It was here that the heads of the Company Guard often occupied, having long-ago come to an agreement with the tavern's owner, a pockmarked and bull-necked Scandinavian. As Tadeusz entered, a split tableau of colours assaulted him. To his left were citizens of the city, Indians and Couronians mixed in with foreigners of every descent. To the prince's right was a sea of blue and maroon - regulars of the Company guard. The guardsmen were the loudest of the lot, but wedged deep in a corner of the tap room, a table of quiet and official-looking men sat; at least they weren't carousing like the rest.

Tadeusz made his way to the corner, but was stopped as a cumbersome hand clamped down on his shoulder. It was a drunk soldier, bearded and brazen like a pirate of old.
"You," he snarled, showing yellowed teeth. "You belong over there, with the others," the soldier gestured at the other side of the tavern, where patrons cowered and winced at every shout and cry of the drunken soldiers. The putrid breath of the man smelt like beer and gruel which had fermented over the past year, and so Tadeusz pressed on towards the quiet table before the reeking air overturned his stomach.

This night the Company-Guards' captain was in attendance, having received the prince's clandestine letter two days prior. The officers had not taken a sip of the alcohol before them, instead they brought a map of Bengal, and at the Prince's arrival they made way for him, mumbling salutations and quietly praising him on his coming-of-age. The sixteen-year-old prince was a novelty to them, but a novelty held in the highest regard, and so they humoured him and his treasonable plans.

The Company-Guard would move out at dawn, they had been ready to move for a planned expedition in the new year, but de Giers had put an end to that when his favourite riding horse caught an infection in the foot - it had to be put down. De Giers had not communicated with the company guard since. Tadeusz wanted them to go north, to establish control over Dhaka, it was a risky investment, de Giers was friends with the Raj of Dhaka, but the prince was adamant. Corounian rule would be brought to the region, and de Giers would be brought into line soon after.

The meeting ended as soon as it began, and Tadeusz slipped back into the Governor's residence without a question asked - leaving de Giers clueless to the imminent expansion of the Company's fortunes.

Helsinki Docklands

Hunched over a "flammable" stamped crate, Ignacy Łukasiewicz was on the verge of a panic attack. The shipment had arrived that morning, and Ignacy had just the right amount of change to hire a porter for his crate, leading the dock-worker through the labyrinth of warehouses on the waterfront before finding a derelict hall, the property of his declining wealth.

The crate had sat in the warehouse all day, Ignacy never losing sight of the prize from the colonies at Harcourt. The pharmacist took his time setting up the equipment with shaking hands; this was all to much for him. A wicker candle was all the light he could afford to see through the final touches of the experiment - for it was indeed an experiment. He finally turned to the crate, un-boxing it gingerly and with bated breath. The shipment was in order, six large vessels of petroleum seep, carted and shipped from some rock-mine in Galicia.

Using just a fraction of one vessel, Ignacy filled the input valve with the petroleum seep, and set the rest of the glass and metal instruments into motion. The experiment went by too fast for the Poles' dimming eyesight, and the night was snatching away at his thoughts, beckoning for the ageing pharmacist to rest his brain. clear liquid began filling up the terminal outlet - the end product began to form. Ignacy separated a portion of the extract and, hands shaking, removed the liquid and its glass container to a table many metres away from the distillation equipment.

The wicker candle was dying, but enough flame remained to finish the experiment. The pharmacist brought it over to the extract and, standing well back, lit the separated portion. Ignacy fell back onto the floor, his eyes tightly closed - but an image seemed to imprint itself on the backs of his eyelids, a single flame leaping up, illuminating the whole warehouse with its solitary tongue.

The next day Ignacy packed his equipment up, resigned from the Pharmacy he worked at, and closed down his small house. He had no family to farewell, and so made his way to the Helsinki docks, to find a ship bound for Riga, and then straight to the patent-house of Mitau.

From the Desk of the King of Courland:

by **Novacom** » Sat Jan 02, 2016 7:37 am

A Storm is coming, thought Cizita, as the wind whipped about her hair, which was filled with a frenzy of activity as the colonists were hurling themselves yet more into their tasks, she had become something of an explorer in the past few years, spearheading Aztek exploration and the practical furthering of their interests. Under her stewardship the Tletltlan Isles had become a fully functioning and prosperous outpost of the Ascendancy and so too would this isle be, there were some who called it Bermuda, Cualli’Ilhuicatl or Great Sky Isle was what it instead been called, so ironic that seemed now.

They had made landfall scant days earlier after surveying the isle for good sites to lay the first foundations, while small on a map being on the ground was another entirely, and so the foundations were being lain. A small few buildings had already been completed, mainly on the beginnings of a proper dock which had been hastily thrown together to expedite the unloading of supplies and other things. Water had been found nearby and the local wildlife were mercifully docile, or perhaps they had scented the change in the weather and bedded down to wait out the tumult, this among other signs made the new inhabitants hurl themselves into raising their new homes with yet more zeal.

“Hurry, unload everything before the weather gets even worse!” Cizita bellowed over the lupine howling of the skies, her raven hair writhing about her like the coils of the gorgon, “whatever we don’t get off the ships now could be lost to us!” At this last the already quick pace of the settlers increased yet further, she and the captains had even considered beaching the ships so that they may be saved potential destruction, but in the end it had been decided to make them completely empty should indeed the worse happen.

And then the heavens opened, and with squawks of consternation the procession hurried inside, leaving Cizita to confer with the captains ignoring the downpour now steadily drenching both her and them. The two men and woman looked dour at the thought of the fate of their ships, however they were not about to argue the point, their lives held more value than planks of treated wood, as everything had indeed been stripped away, even the furnishings of their quarters they had had removed.

Cizitia looked over her shoulder as the storm bore down upon the nascent settlement and smiled, she was secure in the knowledge that they would likely survive the night and scant days later the next waves would arrive, she was mildly aware of some complications back in the Homeland however she had been assured measures were in place. With a smile and a wild laugh she raced in the direction of the largest of the standing buildings her fellows huddled around the door waiting for her and a raucous light flickering away in the background and as she went in the door slammed shut with a resounding bang.

by **Of the Quendi** » Sat Jan 02, 2016 9:36 am

Palácio Imperial de Verão
The Imperial City of Petrópolis
The Empire of Brazil

Dom Luís de Araújo e Lima, Viscount of Sousa

1852 AD

As the final ink of the signatures of himself and his French counterpart Joachim Louis Napoleon Murat, Foreign Minister of France, was drying on the pages of the Petrópolis Treaty Brazilian foreign minister Dom Luís de Araújo e Lima, allowed himself an exasperated sigh of relief, pulling from the pocket of his evening dress a flamboyantly colored perfumed handkerchief with which he quickly wiped imaginary sweat of his brow.

The signing of the Petrópolis treaty marked the culmination of a long and arduous negotiation process with the French foreign minister that was itself but the conclusion of a gargantuan diplomatic effort by the foreign ministry to minimize the damages that the aftermath of the unfortunate pirate resurgence had done to Brazilian diplomacy, interests and prestige at home and abroad. With its doctrinal call for the respect of the sovereignty of the new American states wantonly disregarded by all but a few great powers in the name of maintaining an international order against the pirate induced chaos Brazil had been gripped by crisis after crisis, forced to act in contravention of its own ideals to defend its vital national interests. While the Petrópolis treaty could scarcely be said to reverse looses and restore the prestige of the Brazilian state it was a major leap forward in the right direction.

The treaty was undoubtably a good deal, the Viscount of Sousa knew. Recognizing the de facto undeniable state of French dominion over the Iberian peninsula, while certainly not uncontroversial, was an acceptable price to pay for the security on the northern border that the acquisition of Colombia, Venezuela and the Guianas brought. Seceding the Burmese possessions, the "accidental colony" as it was humorously called by the Brazilian press who, like the rest of Brazilian society, marveled at why a trade post had been allowed to grow into a colony, accepting French claims on the Canary Islands and selling some ships of the line was nothing compared to that major hurdle. While no doubt conservatives would protest surrendering claims to Portugal, never knowing how hard Dom Luís had fought to retain Madeira, in truth it was a small price to pay.

So when the French delegation found some nice bottles of champagne Dom Luís smiled and happily took a glass. "Messieurs." The viscount declared in his perfect french. "A toast to our agreement. A toast to the Empire of Brazil, and a toast to France La Belle." The viscount declared, more then ready to do three toasts in a row. Then, elated as he was at having finally brought his country a diplomatic boost, the viscount had a bright idea. "Maybe later today I could pick your brains on another matter on which I would very much like to know the French views, minister?"

Limon Bay
The State of Panama
The Empire of Brazil

Dom António de Carmona, Admiral of Brazil

1850 AD

To say that Panama did not agree with his fleet was the understatement of a year, Dom António thought. The hot and humid climate of the sparsely populated rugged region offered none of the pleasantries of the atlantic islands Dom António had been based out of since the Brazilian attempt to build a coalition against the piracy menace he, to his chagrin, had been prohibited from suppression unilaterally. Rather it offered the unpleasant experience of malaria, yellow fever and other such tropical diseases as well as a rich animal life consisting of venomous snakes, spiders and insects which inhabited the dense jungle that covered the region. Dom António had dispatched as few troops and native guides as possible with the geographers and scientists that had insisted on traveling inland to explore the land, not willing to risk their lives for the pipe dream of a canal across the harsh land of Panama.

Instead Dom António had erected three camps on the isthmus west of the Limon Bay which separated the Atlantic Sea from lake Gatun, contending himself to wait for the scientists to return with their reports and his messengers dispatched along the considered canal zone to Panama City to treat with the local authorities there. Worryingly while the scientist sent west had begun to return there was no news from the ones sent east. Dom António was beginning to consider sending men to search for them, or their corpses.

That was when the savage arrived. Possibly Aztec the man was stopped attempting to enter Camp Gatun from the east. Brought onboard the flagship of Dom António's fleet the man then delivered a chillingly hostile terse message. Eyeing the man suspiciously Dom António, via a translator, barked at him; "Who in God's name are you?"

by **Novacom** » Sat Jan 02, 2016 10:15 am

The fools, he thought to himself tersely as he was loaded onto a rowboat by the hopeless fops masquerading as soldiers, they appeared to have spent altogether far too much time setting their hair and applying pomade then preparing for combat. He knew there and then that his men would easily prevail against them, though not without cost, and he knew that time was ticking away, their leader must be a craven coward if he skulks on his ship, and that this delay was the countdown to doom. If he returned alive from this there would be scant time to alert the forces before they would attack, they had after all been given orders to attack regardless if he did not return after so much time, he was shaken out of his reverie with a crack to the small of his back by the end of a rifle. With a look of thunder and rattling away in Portuguese or so he assumed for he understood little of it, as they gestured towards the approaching Aztek fleet, and although his jaw was dead locked his face lifted in a smirk.

Savage they may call his people their own arrogance would be their undoing, and it should make his message more easily received when the pompous fools realised their position of strength had evaporated, the Aztek Ironclads slid out of view as he was kicked harder this time and indicated to go up the rope ladder that had been thrown down. The group waiting at the top looked only marginally more pleasant than the two wimpish thugs he had had the displeasure of meeting thus far, of course this was to quickly be put paid to when with an arrogant sniff one of them beckoned to follow wordlessly.

Finally he was brought before a man most foul, he had dressed himself impeccably by a peacock’s standards and the air was thick with rich perfume and pomade, the supposed man practically preened and puffed his chest out and practically oozing self-importance. Cha’co surprised an inwards smile as he relayed his words, the man’s entourage made great theatrics show as they attended him and translated for him, when his meaning began to sink in it was immediately apparent and the truth of the man was laid bare. The blue veins upon his altogether far too pale skin pulsed as he spat back with venom a demand for his name through a waif of a man acting as translator, again he supressed a smile, if he wanted to complicate matters he easily could, the stick of a man looked to struggle with Nahuatl, evidently not well versed in the language. “My name is not important, merely that I represent the Aztek Ascendancy, which one again demands that you leave this place and go home,”

His point couldn’t have become clearer as through one of the windows of the chamber beneath a ridiculously ornate boudoir could be seen a much larger naval force arrayed against the Brazilian one, he again suppressed the urge to laugh. Going so far as to gently and unnoticeably bite the inside of his cheek as he considered what could happen now, the supposed man, nay over stuffed pheasant before him would be as likely to see him put to the sword then treat with him, and he realised again that he had perhaps been in earnest when volunteering for this. As he waited for the implications of what he had said and the not so subtle threat of the fleet waiting around the bay and the seeds of doubt that must surely now be settling themselves in this man’s mind, after all the entire forest could be teeming with Aztek Soldiers and they wouldn’t know, not until they chose to attack. He smiled to himself and allowed the corners of his lips to tug upwards, this frilled fool has no idea what awaits him in the forests, yet will he chose wisely and go home to his wife, a woman no doubt nowhere near as wonderfully dressed or made up, or stand and fight in the name of some foolish pride.

by **The Ik Ka Ek Akai** » Sat Jan 02, 2016 11:00 am

नेपाल अधिराज्य

अतिपरिचयादवज्ञा संततगमनादनादरो भवति।
Too much familiarity causes contempt. Frequent visits cause disrespect.

A diplomatic mission it would be, then. The queen had chosen her target, the Curonian East India Company, and was prepared to set out with a company of wonders displaying her power and grace. The queen herself donned a mix of Western and Eastern fashions. She choose the colors considered most royal by the Europeans, a violet sari with golden leaf patterns near its borders. This was fairly uniform across the whole of the outfit, which strangely covered European modesty standards by the skirt covering the ankles, and yet the exposed midriff that often accompanied such saris was seemingly no issue. She choose this instead of the traditional Newar version of the sari, both as a statement of her Indic nationality and because the Newar red-and-black would not have left nearly the same impression. In older times, the purple of her dress would say she was of low caste, but the association had been faded for a decent length of time. To add the Western flair, she donned both gloves and boots of rubber, showing off her new product while protecting herself from the harsh Bengal delta and its overall wetness. This would be one of the only times products such as these being pushed as fashion could be useful, although she still thought her plantation owners a bit silly. The gloves reached past her elbow, a European fashion that had come and gone a few times, most recently returning in the previous decade. The boots, likewise, adopted a European manner and were styled after the equestrian boots of the nobility, giving the Nepali queen an aura of regality if the other fashions had not yet made such a statement. Lastly, she adorned herself with a great amount of jewelry to display her wealth, coming down to gold and silver rings, bracelets, anklets, some necklaces, two belts, and a choker. This was the finishing touch as she looked in the mirror, and noted how silly she felt. And yet, to a European man, she probably looked both noble and mystical, civilized and exotic, and this was exactly her intention.

She met up outside of her palace with her general, Bhintuna, who overlooked the plantations. He had styled himself in less of a mixture, wearing a stiff Napoleonic military coat and a white shirt, with deep blue velvet pants and his own pair of equestrian boots. The other soldiers of the group, though, all wore their traditional, and much more comfortable, traditional attire from the various ethnicities they came from, with leather scale and chainmail. Accompanying the royal guards were a plentiful host of her maids, who were dressed up as dancers, and indeed would play the role, accenting the queen's already powerful display. A good deal of time and effort had gone into showing off both how civilized the Nepali elite were, while maintaining the touch of Indic appearance that the Europeans adored so much. The procession started up, making its way to the territory of the Curonian East India Company, expected to find their way to the government in little time.

A few days later...

The group had been travelling for a while, the dancing servants helping to keep morale up and spirits high, alongside the barrels of alcohol being carried by the queen's elephants. The queen was kept comfortable by her bondmaids, although each time she saw her own reflection, she realized just how more uncomfortable she could be. The stiff and asphyxiating dresses of Europe may appear elegant, but they were deathtraps, and in the general heat of the Indian region, wearing such heavy, bulky, and strangling clothing could be a very quick death. It was a scary thought, but she found some amusement in it from remembering that she'd only wear those indoors, if ever, and that the European women just looked silly with their massive skirts. As the sun shone high above, Avani tried to apply perfumes to herself, smelling of incense. The Europeans had one thing right in perfuming their gloves, a neat trick that could not be repeated thanks to the product placement. Still, though, she was kept dry, which was something to be happy for in Bengal.

After splashing a bit of perfume on herself to give a pleasant smell, the Curonian Company's capital came into view. She told her maids to get ready to dance, her bondmaids to climb onto the elephant with her, and the soldiers to march and sing her praise in Sanskrit as the group approached the town. Bhintuna climbed with her on top of the largest of the elephants, and the whole party knew it was showtime.

by **Cuprum** » Sat Jan 02, 2016 12:30 pm

Republiek Argentinië

May the laurels that we were able to achieve be eternal.
Let us live crowned in glory or let us swear in glory to die

Mitre stood on deck as the port of the Capital appeared on the horizon. During her journey at sea he had briefly seen the wonders of the free world. They had quickly stopped at the ports in London, Calais, New York, and Cabinda while the traders aboard the ship bartered their various goods. After taking off from Cabinda the ship sailed into The Capital for its final destination. They had been so long at sea that he wondered if they would ever reach America. The thought of seeing her ancestral home excited and terrified him.

"But how can we get to Africa when none of us can sail a ship? Only madmen would dare travel to The Doom…and that must be what we are. But what an adventure awaits us! Even if we face certain death, we will have seen a part of the world that few eyes have looked upon. There is nothing left behind for me in America than my family, and hopefully the magic of Africa lies ahead."

He descended from the ship as it unloaded in the enormous Argentinean harbor. The city spread its numerous buildings along the Plate river. Turning to his companions she witnessed an array of emotions across their faces. James Olokwane shifted uncomfortably in this new land. Mitre could sense his distrust and could tell his gun was itching for a fight. James's curious gaze shot around the harbor as he took in all he could. His constant sense of adventure and ambition had inspired and spread to his companions.

Alsina had taken off down the harbor while the others followed. He knew his quick mind was already planning their next move. Mitre speed up to catch him.

“So Admiral, how do you propose we find a ship to Africa? Perhaps along the coast we might find the power we seek. Particularly the ruined city of Basuto, which lies on the edge of the continent. I think we should take a voyage by sea halfway along the coast. With that we should be able to avoid the roughest waters by Africa itself. There we can march the rest of the way along the road.''

James walked into the nearest tavern to the docks. He hated the Docks, he decided. He hated the food, the smell, the weather and those stupid elephants that everyone insisted on riding everywhere - his boots were covered in the dung they left behind them. But if he needed information on the capital the best place to start would be at a tavern.

On his way in someone walked into him, spilling a flagon of ale all over his brown tunic. The man who spilled it looked as though he was about to shit himself, "terribly sorry ser, this one will clean it up for you."

James wasn't too bothered, worst things had happened to him comparative to a wet tunic, "No, no it's fine, friend, don't worry about it."
He went as well, pulling the hood of his cloak up, if this city has any policemen, they'll be here in a few moments. He ran from the tavern deeper in to the city, searching for his friends.

Mitre sees James slowing from a run as he catches up to her. His face is slightly flushed and his decorative sword looks as if it's been hastily put back into place.

"Hello James. Any news from the Stock?"

by **Tracian Empire** » Sun Jan 03, 2016 10:46 am

The Roman Empire
Imperium Romanum
"Empire of Empires, Ruling Over Those Who Rule."

A message was sent to the Russian Tsar, via the Roman Embassy in Moscow, since until now at least, the embassy had received to invitation to move to the new capital. The message, from the Emperor himself, was then taken from Moscow, to Perm.

A message was also sent to the Austrasian Empress, via the Imperial Embassy in Vania.

by **Lenyo** » Sun Jan 03, 2016 2:30 pm

Le Père Duchesne
Établissements Charrière manufactures hypodermic needles.
Swiss-born Parisian Joseph-Frédéric-Benoît Charrière (and naturalized citizen since 1843) has proudly announced that his surgical equipment company is rapidly expanding production. Établissements Charrière is most famous for manufacturing catheters, but Charrière expects the hypodermic needles will prove even more valuable to the medical community. The screw-operated hypodermic needles are made out of silver, though Établissements Charrière is testing less expensive substitute materials. The hypodermic needles can inject a precise amount of medicine directly into human veins without a surgical incision. The invention is a godsend for treating varicose veins. Joseph-Frédéric-Benoît Charrière was awarded the Legion of Honour in 1851 (Read more on page 2.)

Twenty-four Brazilian ships of the line set sail for French Caribbean harbors, where they would be refurbished to French naval standards. The screw propellers will be updated so that the warships do not need to depend upon the winds. One third are 100-gun first-rate ships of the line, another third are 90-gun second-rate vessels, and the remaining eight are 74-gun third-rates. Although the age of the sail is coming to an end, ships of the line will still prove useful as the navy gradually replaces its ships with ironclads, a long-term project by necessity.

by **Old Tyrannia** » Mon Jan 04, 2016 5:49 am

Konoe Castle, Kyoto
Empire of Japan

Kururugi Yuichiro stood with his arms to his sides and bowed stiffly before the kampaku of the Great Japanese Empire, Konoe Tadahiro. Lord Konoe inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment of the young man's gesture of respect.

"Kururugi-san. I am glad to welcome you to my home. Please sit," the older man politely ordered. Yuichiro did as the kampaku commanded, his face showing no sign of nervousness although internally he felt deeply uncomfortable sitting at the feet of the most powerful man in Japan. Lord Konoe had been the ringleader of the coup which had, almost five years ago, ended the personal rule of the Emperor and his supreme council and re-established the Fujiwara Regency after over seven hundred years. Since then, he had seen Japan rise to a position of prestige and power on the world stage. The Western devils had easily been outmanoeuvred in the southern Spice Islands, proving that the Emperor had approached them with an unnecessary degree of caution; Japan had negotiated a treaty with Brittany and Scandinavia that had allowed those nations control over New Guinea in return for the cession of Taiwan and Hainan to Japan, allowing the Empire to assume possession of those long-desired territories without fighting. But New Guinea proved too difficult for Brittany and Scandinavia to control- the pirate population, quietly stirred up by Japan's pirate ally Liu Bang, rebelled and eventually won back control of the island. In accordance with the terms of the treaty, sovereignty returned to great Japan as soon as the Europeans gave up control of the island; subsequently it had been easy for the Japanese to secure control of New Guinea through their agent. It was a masterstroke of manipulation.

Meanwhile, a son of the former Khan of the Shai dynasty had been installed as Khan of Manchuria by the Japanese. Mukushen Khan had proved an easily pliable puppet, and Japan had effectively endeared itself to the people of Manchuria by presenting themselves as the restorers of the old dynasty whilst their Korean and Chinese rivals had annexed much of the once independent country into their own empires. Of course, in practice Manchuria was a Japanese puppet and many Manchus knew it, but still they found their traditions well respected by the conquerors from across the sea. The fight was gone from the Manchus, but the territory was proving profitable to the victorious empire. Meanwhile the seemingly-useless, barren lands of Siberia were also proving profitable as Japan tapped into the extensive reserves of coal and other resources there. The new Kamuchakka Shogunate was now producing a steady supply of resources to fuel the home islands' industrial development. The navy was being expanded, and trade with foreign powers was also being promoted.

"I am honoured to be in your presence, Your Excellency."

"It is an honour you have earned. You graduated at the top of your class from the Imperial Military Academy. I understand you had a highest score of any graduate in the Academy's history."

"The gods blessed me with plentiful luck, Excellency."

"I do not believe in luck, Kururugi-san. Congratulations. You have been appointed to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the Imperial Army. A unique honour."

Yuichiro was taken aback; his shock must have been evident in his face, as the edges of the kampaku's mouth curved upwards into a small smile of satisfaction as he watched him. After a moment of grasping for a response, he finally replied, "I am doubly honoured. I did not expect such a high rank. I must ask that Your Excellency reconsiders. I am not experienced enough for the rank of Major-General. I am newly graduated from the Military Academy-"

"You possess a unique mind which I feel I can make use of. I have personally read your essays. You understand military tactics and strategy in a way others do not. Your predictions on the development of warfare in the future were of particular interest to me, as was your critique of Sun Tzu's theories on war. Few men can truly understand the meaning of The Art of War, let alone develop a thoughtful criticism of it. There is a particular task I wish you to fulfil. Although our successes against the Bretons and the Scandinavians have demonstrated that the Western barbarians are far from undefeatable, it is not prudent for us to underestimate them. Technology in the West has advanced greatly in the last half century, and the technology of Japan and Korea is at constant risk of being eclipsed. I know from your writings that you have foreseen, as I have foreseen, a future in which warfare will no longer be limited to conflict between soldiers on the front lines but between entire civilisations, where economic production and technological superiority will be more important than numbers or tactics in achieving victory. It is of the utmost importance that Japan understands fully the capabilities of its rivals, both near and far, if we are to adequately prepare for future conflicts."

Lord Konoe paused, and Yuichiro remained silent. A servant entered the room with two vessels containing Japanese tea. He bowed his head in gratitude as one of the vessels was placed before him, and the other before the kampaku. Konoe sipped the tea, then continued.

"We have arranged a diplomatic mission to Europe which will tour the Western nations and hopefully open official diplomatic relations with them. I wish for you to join the mission as an observer, and report back to me directly on the economic and military capabilities of the Western nations. You will accompany our envoy, the honourable Tagomi Seitaro-san. We have received news that the Viceroy of Chuk-Jae-Do, Kwon Dong-Nyuc, is intent on marrying the pirate Laura Angent in Constantinople, capital of the decrepit Roman Empire. As any ally of Korea, Japan will be expected to send a representative. This seems to be an auspicious way to begin the tour of Europe, although Romania is far away and of little concern to our interests. I am more interested in Cambria, France, the Hansa Federation... The main colonial powers in the region."

Yuichiro inclined his head.

"I understand what you ask of me, noble lord. I will fulfil my duties to the best of my ability. However, I must ask that you reconsider your choice of agent for this mission. Surely there are others, better qualified for work such as this?"

"As I have already said, Kururugi-san, I believe you to be uniquely qualified. Let there be no further discussion. I am confident that you will fulfil your duty without fail."

The kampaku stood, and Yuichiro followed suit, bowing deeply. Lord Konoe inclined his head in acknowledgement before walking out of the audience chamber, a servant guiding Yuichiro out through a different door, the young soldier's head swimming.

Honolulu, Oʻahu
Kingdom of Hawai'i

King Kamehameha IV was only twenty years old, and yet with the death of his uncle Kamehameha III, he had succeeded to the throne of the Kingdom of Hawai'i. Now the young monarch was celebrating his recent investiture at a royal gala in his palace, sipping imported sake and moving among the elite of Hawai'ian society. At his side was the forty-two year old Japanese Minister Resident in Hawai'i, Kanegasaki Shizuo. In an age of imperialism and great empires, it had become clear that the young nation of Hawai'i, unified a mere sixty years ago under the legendary Kamehameha the Great, could not survive indefinitely as a sovereign nation unaligned to any of the major powers. The Great Japanese Empire was keen to carve out its own empire in the Pacific and to keep the Europeans out. Hawai'i's monarchs were far from anti-European in their sentiments, having converted to Christianity and welcomed European as well as Japanese and Korean traders to their island nation, but it soon became clear that the great powers of Europe were neither able nor willing to protect Hawai'ian sovereignty. As Japan sought to increase its influence over Hawai'i, Kamehameha III had surrendered to the inevitable and accepted the status of a Japanese client state, in this way preserving both the royal house of Kamehameha and most of the prerogatives of self-governance that Hawai'i enjoyed. However Hawai'ian trade, foreign policy and defence was now controlled by the Japanese Empire.

"Are you enjoying the festivities, Your Majesty?" asked Kanegasaki. The Minister was not an unkind man, and the young king was grateful that it was he and not one of the appalling Imperial Japanese Navy officers stationed in Honolulu who was the Hawai'ian monarch's primary point of contact with the Japanese Empire. Still, a part of the young Kamehameha resented the Japanese official's presence.

"Yes, Minister Kanegasaki," he responded in Japanese. "I am most elated to see my people's love for me."

"Your Majesty's house has brought great honour to these islands," observed the minister. "It is natural that they should love their monarch so. Ah, here is another of Your Majesty's noble breed; the young King of the Ryukyu Islands, His Majesty Shō Tai. I am informed that this is His Ryukyuan Majesty's first trip beyond the borders of the Ryukyu Kingdom. His Excellency the Kampaku felt that it would benefit the king to see more of the Empire his kingdom is blessed to be part of."

The twelve-year-old monarch approached Kamehameha carefully, then gave a polite bow. He glanced back at the Japanese escort accompanying him, who nodded encouragingly.

"Your Majesty, please allow me to congratulate you on your succession to the throne. I am honoured to be Shō Tai, King of the Ryukyu Islands, vassal to His Imperial Majesty the Emperor."

Kamehameha returned the bow.

"Thank you, King Shō Tai. If I may, please feel free to call me brother, as we are of equal rank and each sovereigns of our own kingdoms."

The younger king lit up.

"You honour me greatly, Elder Brother. Please forgive my poor Japanese, I was raised to speak the tongue of the Ryukyu Islands and did not begin to learn the imperial language until late in life."

"I, too, am more familiar with my native tongue than Japanese," replied Kamehameha reassuringly. "Please do not worry. This is intended as a relaxed event, not a formal ceremony. It is my foremost hope that my guests will enjoy themselves. My land is famed for the warmth and kindness with which we greet everyone, be they family, friends or strangers; this is what we call aloha, the spirit of goodwill. Indeed, I am sure my honourable friend Minister Kanegasaki can tell you with what enthusiasm we welcomed the Japanese when they came to our shores."

Kanegasaki smiled; if he detected the tone of sarcasm in King Kamehameha's voice, he did not show any indignation. Just then, another man approached the newly installed king. He was young, perhaps in his late twenties. His dark hair was tied back in a bun. He was dressed in a plain grey kimono, contrasting with the more ornate red and gold robes donned by King Kamehameha IV for his swearing in ceremony. He wore a katana at his side, a fine-looking blade, and chunky gold rings were displayed on his fingers, a golden earing in one ear. He grinned boorishly as he approached, displaying a mouth of missing and blackened teeth. However, his bow was polite and well executed. Kanegasaki looked upon the newcomer with distaste, whilst the young Ryukyuan king drew closer to his minder, unsure how to respond to this unusual guest.

"Your Majesties, I am honoured to present to you Liu Bang, Chairman of the New Guinea Trading Association and naval and trade advisor to the Shogun of Kappashotō. Liu-san has been appointed by His Imperial Majesty's Government to oversee the exploration and colonisation of the Marshall Islands. Liu-san, it is my honour to present Their Majesties Kamehameha IV, King of Hawai'i, and Shō Tai, King of the Ryukyu Islands."

"Why, I was told that I would have the opportunity to meet one king here today, but I did not know I would have the honour of meeting two," replied the man named Liu Bang. "It's an honour, Your Majesties. Do pardon my manners, I'm not used to moving among such people as yourselves."

"It is a pleasure, Liu-san. If I may inquire, how goes the colonisation of the Marshall Islands?"

"As well as can be expected, sire. The savages there, well, they're of the same race as Your Majesty but of a far less cultured sort. A few of my men have had run-ins with 'em. But we've also been able to set up trading posts, and what you might call cultural exchanges with the barbarians. Soon we'll have them all swanning about in kimonos and sipping tea just like you and I."

Ignoring the man's rudeness, Kamehameha responded, "Liu Bang... That is a Chinese name, is it not?"

"It is indeed. The personal name of the glorious first Emperor of the Han dynasty, as it would happen. My mother must have expected great things of me, eh? And here I am, hobknobbing with royalty. Not bad for a son of penniless migrants in Chuk-Jae-Do. Gods bless our noble kampaku for giving me such opportunities, I guess. Well, I must be going, Majesties, Minister. I see an old friend of mine I'm just dying to catch up with."

Liu Bang wandered off to speak to an Imperial Naval officer Kamehameha recognised as Captain Nara Katsuhito, commander of the steamship Ryuugamine. The king wondered exactly how the strange Chinese trader knew the famously straight-laced captain. Turning his attention away from Liu Bang for a moment, he turned back to Shō Tai.

"Younger Brother, I must go now and speak to my other guests. I would be honoured if you were to join me."

The beaming younger monarch nodded politely, and Kamehameha led him away to rejoin the throng.

大日本帝國外務省
Imperial Japanese Ministry of External Relations

TO: Foreign Ministries of all European Nations
RE: Diplomatic Tour of Europe

To whom it may concern,

Greetings on behalf of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor. We, the Great Japanese Empire, wish to inform the rulers of the West of Our intention to dispatch to Europe a diplomatic mission with the intention of opening formal relations with the Great Powers of Europe in the hope of developing closer cultural and economic ties with your nations. It is Our hope that we might in this way advance the noble cause of international brotherhood and the peaceful coexistence of all peoples, a cause which this Ministry has been established by His Imperial Majesty's edict to pursue. We invite the leaders of Europe to contact us if it is their desire to host Our diplomats at some point in their tour of your great continent. We wish the blessings of the eight million kami upon your nations.

Yours faithfully,
折原正成
Orihara Masanari, Daijō-kan Minister of External Relations

Signed and approved,
近衛忠熙
Konoe Tadahiro, Regent of the Great Japanese Empire

by **Lenyo** » Mon Jan 04, 2016 8:54 am

Cho Jun Ho was working on a unique project at the illustrious École Polytechnique. The French Navy sought the greatest shipbuilding technology in the world, and fortunately the Republic was allied with technological powerhouses who were willing to share invaluable technologies and tactics. Although France had invented the first ironclad, the famous Gloire, Cambrian engineers had already invented a more efficient warship, the HMS Warrior, which was much more heavily armored than the pioneering but wooden-hulled Glorie. The United Kingdom's armor-plated, iron-hulled warship was the envy of the world, and the French were eager to import not only Cambrian but also Hansan and Korean designs.

Cho Jun Ho was one of a dozen elite Korean military engineers who had set sail for Paris in 1850, shortly after the Second French Republic and the Imperial State of Korea had established an alliance. Five years later he was proficient in French, though his thick accent permanently marked him as an outsider in Paris. This stigma did not phase Cho Jun Ho. He was doing far more important work that these snobbish Frenchmen: teaching and learning cutting-edge naval technologies with similarly passionate military engineers at the École Polytechnique, which paid all the costs for the few military men admitted into its ranks.

The Nexus Naval Project employed forty engineers hand-picked from their respective governments: ten form Korea, ten from Hansa, ten from Cambria, and the final ten were French citizens. Over the last half a decade the engineers had found a common tongue, and they eagerly worked towards a new synthesis of modern naval technology. The French brought their new rifling technology, which made both small arms and cannons far more accurate and powerful. The newest French cannons could fire a variety of mass-produced shells up to 3,000 meters. At sea this range would prove priceless. Korean engineers provided an array of defensive measures, such as specialized plating and reinforcing spikes to dissuade enemies from boarding. Korean fireproofing would also greatly strengthen the Nexus vessels against incendiary weapons. And of course Hansan furnaces were the most efficient in the world. Hansan technologies could renovate French manufacturing to be more efficient, reducing the time necessary to produce so much material for French warships. Combined these technologies would create a fleet the likes the French Navy had never seen.

In January the Nexus Naval Project submitted its plans to the Naval Department of the War Ministry, which promptly approved the design for manufacture. France's goal was to replace its many ships of the line with a global fleet of first-rate ironclads, which of course would require many years. Nonetheless the Naval Department assigned Cho Jun Ho to lead the effort to immediately retool naval shipyards in Marseille-Fos Port. Cho Jun Ho was very optimistic. He expect to witness the creation of the finest vessel in military history. Once the production was operating at full speed, France's allies would surely want to export the Nexus design to Cambrian, Hansan, and Korean shipyards. Naturally the Second French Republic would permit this, as each of the four powers' expertise was vital in the invention of the new Nexus design.

by **Oscalantine** » Mon Jan 04, 2016 9:55 am

Waters of Andaman Sea,
Viceroyalty of Chuk-Jae-Do.

Off the coast of Andaman Sea, Admiral Cheon Min-kun looked out from his quarters in Spirit of Yesterday, a magnificent, 120-gun flagship of the Fifth Imperial Fleet of the Most Serene Imperial States of Korea. Consisting of 10 Ship-of-the-Lines, 7 Frigates, and 2 Turtle Ships, the fifth imperial fleet’s main role was to create blockades and enforce embargos from afar rather than direct combat. Of course, the standing Turtle Ships meant that it still had ship-to-ship combat capability, but Admiral Cheon knew better than to engage in close-quarters combat without at least 5 Turtle Ships against imperial powers. Admiral Cheon’s fleet was armed with latest armaments available, and it especially carried fragmenting and anti-armor shells.

Admiral Cheon knew better than to take what bureaucrats told him from Hall of Admiralty in the mainland. The armaments that Cheon’s fleet carried were too much even if Koreans were expecting resistance from Brazilian fleets. There was no need for such a massive fleet to be stationed when simple border control could have accomplished the same feat. He also knew that the high-brass positioned him precisely because of this exact rationale: Cheon was notorious for overstepping military chain of command and adapting to the situation.

Cheon was in telegram’s range with his captains, maintaining a tight formation between the battleships and keeping frigates on frequent patrol. Despite the orders to establish a position in the Andaman Sea, Cheon was not a fool. He kept close to the merchant-controlled islands even had his frigates dock in the nearby ports to ask the seamen and locals of the paths that the ships took and weather patterns at this time. It was Cheon’s reasoning that the operation “Taming the Indochina” was already complete. There was no need to establish control when all that these natives had were simple fishing ships manned with archers. No, his fight will be something else… and for once, the old guards agreed that Cheon’s insubordination was to be used for the better.

Movement in the Colonies

OIF wasted no time retaking the northern portion of the peninsula. Tamankran intelligence, after all, was ready for all possibilities: just as they were trained, their network was already well-entrenched before the actual offense took place. The “Pretender” Sovereignty of Tamankran and its Surroundings were quickly dispatched with its chain of command dismantled before the OIF forces armed with Korean supplies came in.

Of course, the resistance was fierce nonetheless. Once they have realized that their communications were compromised, the pretenders sabotaged the governor’s office in their capital before retreating to more defensible position in the rear. OIF, who expected a quick victory, were caught off-guard. The skirmished ensued for hours in the capital, incurring casualties from both sides. Seeing the OIF in disorder, the Korean generals operating as a rear guard for OIF intervened, quickly putting skirmishes to rest. Korean Shingungs made quick work of pretenders in the urban capital, tactically killing those in the vulnerable position before silently repositioning for another kill. Its numbers reduced and morale broken, the capital fell.

However, the fortified pretender leadership was difficult to overcome. Korean generals were somewhat expecting this; what they did not expect was Admiral Cheon’s disappearance from the field, leaving OIF without any cannon support. The frustrated OIF and Koreans had to wait until proper Chong-tongs arrived from the Chuk-Jae-Do. Once in position, Daejanggun-Jeon and Bikyukjin-Cheonrei made a quick work of the fortification and its defenders, and the fortification was taken overnight. Unfortunately, it took roughly five days for the messenger to carry the news of Cheon’s insubordination and to ferry the new howitzers into position.

Regardless, the Tamankran government was unified under OIF’s regime, which wasted no time to establish control in the region. While the warlords were not convinced, the immediate region and its surroundings submitted to OIF’s rule. Rather than hiding the involvement, Korean generals often times took positions alongside OIF when major events took place. This was intentional, as Koreans wished to express that OIF was under their protection. Another reasoning was a bit more subtle: Korean influence in Tamankran would indicate that the sovereignty territory was no longer treated as equal, and thus the natives would be more inclined to seek protection of Koreans rather than fighting them.

This was ironic when anyone thought too much about it: it was their independent movement which destabilized Tamankran in the first place. However, the warlords in Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos believed in unity of Tamankran to last; they just didn’t like that the seat of power was in remote location ruled by “white” minority. However, with Tamankran’s neutrality gone, the warlords were directly threatened, no longer immune from clever diplomatic tactics of Tamankran. In the end, their own arrogance caused their own downfall.

While many knew that the end has come, some still tried to resist. This made the complete colonization effort difficult. Envoys were often met with hostility, and to warlords’ joy and surprise, the envoys simply left. Little did the warlords knew that the Korean army were treading behind the envoys and purging the villages that refused the offer of new Sovereign nations.

Taking notice of this, the region of Laos resisted fiercely, almost coming to killing the envoy rather than letting them escape. Koreans begrudgingly excused themselves from the region, self-justifying that this was only to maintain their word with the French to keep Laos region for French occupation. This was a deceptive move form Korean generals. Korean generals dispatched Shingungs to the Laos region, which proceeded to systematically terrorize the warlord's realms, assassinating warlord's military leaders and advisers. While Korea cannot take Laos without diplomatic justification of unifying the Indochina region as "sovereign territory," the Patriarch's instructions were clear: if Lao people refuse Korean offer, cripple them for French assimilation. If there was one thing that Korea has learned from the past, it is that natives of Indochina could not be trusted, and it was better in European's hands than be left free.

by **Cuprum** » Mon Jan 04, 2016 8:34 pm

Republiek Argentinië

May the laurels that we were able to achieve be eternal.
Let us live crowned in glory or let us swear in glory to die

War of Brothers

Since 1837 Argentinean entrepreneurs Jozef Urquiza and Franziskus Rotehaare exploited deposits of sodium nitrate in Bolivian territories (salitreras "Las Salinas" and "Carmen Alto" 122 kilometres (76 mi) and 128 kilometres (80 mi) from Antofagasta respectively) secured by concessions from the then Emperor of Chile. Later, in 1848, British capital was associated and founded the Compañía Melbourne Clark. The company obtained a license to construct a railroad from Antofagasta to Salinas, and the company was renamed to Compañía de Salitres y Ferrocarril de Antofagasta (CSFA), with a minority of British capital of 34% from the Antony Gibbs & Sons of London, which were also shareholder of salitreras in Peru. The company was established in Goede Lucht, Argentina. Its shareholders included a number of leading Argentinean politicians. In 1851 a new Chilean Government invalidated all contracts signed by the Emperor. But on 22 November 1852 a Bolivian decree allowed the government to renegotiate the contracts, which is what the company and the Bolivian Government did. On 27 November 1853 the CSFA obtained from the Bolivian executive a license to exploit saltpeter duty-free for 15 years, but it was disputed whether the decree needed the authorization of the Bolivian Congress.

Since 1854 was in force the Chile-Argentina Boundary Treaty of 1844, whose article 4 explicitly forbade further tax on Argentinean enterprises for 25 years:

The duties of exportation that may be levied on minerals exploited in the zone referred to in the preceding articles shall not exceed those now in force, and Argentinean citizens, industry, and capital shall not be subjected to any other contributions what ever except those now existing. The stipulations in this article shall last for twenty-five years.
— Article 4, Chile-Argentina Boundary Treaty of 1844

In 1845 the city of Antofagasta had attempted to impose a 3 cents tax on the CSFA, but the Bolivian State Council headed by Serapio Reyes Ortiz, later Foreign Affairs Minister during the crisis, refused the tax, because it violated the license of 1853 and the Boundary Treaty of 1844.

On 14 February 1848 the National Congress of Bolivia and a National Constituent Assembly approved the 1853 license under the condition that the company would pay a 10 cents per quintal tax, but the company objected, citing the 1844 treaty, that the increased payments were illegal and demanded an intervention from the Argentinean government.

The CSFA's directory board perceived the tax as a move in order to displace Argentineanfrom the nitrate production as occurred in Tarapacá in 1855 as the Peruvian Government expropriated the salitreras.

Having surrendered its claim to the disputed territories in return for a Bolivian promise not to increase tax, Argentina responded that the treaty did not allow for such a tax hike. Bolivia suspended the tax in April 1854. In November Argentina proposed a mediation and cautioned that Daza's refusal to cancel the tax would force Argentina to declare null the 1844 Treaty. In December 1854 Bolivia, counting in its military alliance with Peru, challenged Argentina and said the tax was unrelated to the treaty and that the claim of the CSFA should be addressed in Bolivian courts, and revived the tax. When the company refused to pay the tax, Bolivia confiscated its property on 11 February and threatened to sell it on 14 February in order to liquidate the tax's debt.

In December 1854, Argentina dispatched a warship to the area. On 6 February, the Bolivian government nullified the CSFA's license of exploitation and confiscated the property. These news reached Goede Lucht on 11 February and on this account the Argentinean
government decided on the occupation of Antofagasta. On the day of the planned auction, 200 Argentinean soldiers arrived by ship at the port city of Antofagasta, and seized it having received no resistance. The occupying forces received widespread support from the local population, the majority of whom were Argentinean. Antofagasta's population was 93–95% Argentinean. On February 18, while in Antofagasta, Argentinean colonel Klaus van Ritzbaam intercepted a letter from the Chilean president Hilarión Daza to Bolivian prefect-colonel Severino Zapata. The letter mentioned Daza's worry of Argentinean interference with Bolivia's confiscation of saltpeter companies, and mentioned a previously secret treaty that Bolivia would, if necessary, demand that Peru honor should Argentina declare war.

On 22 February, Peru sent a diplomatic team headed by José Antonio de Lavalle to Goede Lucht, to act as mediator between the Argentinean and Bolivian governments, meanwhile Peru ordered its fleet and army to prepare for war. He arrived in the Capital on 4. March. On February 27, Daza had made a public manifesto informing Bolivians about the occupation of Antofagasta and calling for patriotic support. The same day the Bolivian legislature authorized a formal declaration of war upon Argentina, although it was not immediately announced. On March 1, Daza issued instead a decree which prohibited all commerce and communications with Argentina "while the state-of-war provoked upon Bolivia lasts," provided Argentina ten days to leave Bolivian territory unless gravely ill or handicapped, embargoed Argentinean furniture, property, and mining produce, allowed Argentinean mining companies to continue operating under a government-appointed administrator, and provided all embargoes as temporary "unless the hostilities exercised by Argentinean forces requires an energetic retaliation from Bolivia."

In Goede Lucht, Lavalle asked for The Republic's withdrawal from Antofagasta in order to transfer the province to a tripartite administration (Bolivia, Argentina and Peru) without a Bolivian warranty to end the embargo nor of canceling the new tax.
Then, on March 14, in a meeting with foreign powers in Lima, Bolivia announced that a state of war existed with Argentina.
This declaration was aimed to impede further Argentinean arms purchase in Europe and to scuttle the Peruvian mediation in Argentina. Bolivia called on Peru to activate the alliance treaty, arguing that Argentina's invasion constituted a casus foederis.

On March 21,Argentinean representative in Lima, Joachim Bretfeld telegraphed the Argentinean government about the secret Peru-Bolivia treaty, which had been revealed to him by Peruvian President Prado.

On March 23, while on their way to occupy Calama, 554 Argentinean troops and cavalry defeated 135 Chilean soldiers and civilians dug in at two destroyed bridges next to the Topáter ford. This Battle of Topáter was the first combat of the war.

Argentinean president Mitre sought and received legislative approval to declare war, which he did on 5th April 1855. Peru responded on April 6, when President Prado declared the casus foederis.

by **Obilisia** » Mon Jan 04, 2016 8:40 pm

The Tsar had ordered the 38th cavalry brigade under command of general Vasilivich, to establish four forts from the Russian Border along the coast of siberia. Vasilivich was a veteran of the civil war and had plenty of experience leading his men in combat. However something like establishing new borders in a relatively unsettled region was as new to him as his soldiers. He had over 2,000 cavalrymen at his command as well as around 1,500 wagons with supplies, complete with civilian workers and merchants.

The going was slow and bitterly cold in some regions but as the trailing line of men and beast left Russia for the east. In Perm Tsar Kasimir wrote edicts and letters as he worked to bring Russia into more modern technology and force it's more savvy neighbors to recognize Perm as a new capital and the Tsar as a world leader.

He had already received letters from other nations, Both Christendom and Rome. They both wished to begin more talks and increase general relations between Russia and their nations. Rome wished to increase relations based strongly on similar religion and past interaction with the previous russian empire. Christendom had no real previous relations with Russia and their request was odd to say the least.

He responded to both in turn.

To: King Giuseppe of Malta, Kingdom of Christendom
From: Tsar Krasimir II of Perm, Neo-Russian Empire

I am happy to begin relations with a nation that is willing to work diplomatically with others around the world. I will gladly accept your envoy into my own palace as a guest. Welcome my envoys aswell if you wish and hopefully we will become fast friends. I will allow your diplomats to make the first offer for negotiations between our nations.

From the desk of,

Tsar Krasimir II of Perm, Neo-Russian Empire

To: Imperator Julius II of Constantinople, of Imperium Romanum
From Tsar Krasimir II of Perm, Neo-Russian Empire

I am happy a friendly attitude can remain between our nations. With the old emperor gone and Moscow a shadow of it's former self I believe it would be fitting to move your embassy to the city of Perm. When your envoy arrives in Perm I shall welcome them into the palace to discuss new property for such a new construct within Perm. I would also like to invite yourself and/or other members of your royal family for a stay in the new palace in Perm. I believe we can better negotiate and speak our minds peer to peer rather than through messengers.

Sincerely,
Tsar Krasimir II of Perm, Neo-Russian Empire

by **Lenyo** » Tue Jan 05, 2016 8:36 am

Lieutenant Agramunt sat behind a makeshift desk in Fes, flanked by his Bureau Arabe and surrounded by guards who protected the lock-boxes filled with francs. As France won military victories against the Sultanate of Morocco, morale among the Moroccan troops had dropped considerably. Many Moroccans were ready to desert, and France was ready to capitalize on their desertions. The Republic needed men who knew the terrain and the local languages, and France was not above hiring mercenaries. And so in addition to managing his French platoon, Lieutenant Agramunt had to rapidly interview Moroccan volunteers, who were very clearly motivated by money. Sellswords were paid roughly four times higher than Moroccan troops, so defection could be quite lucrative.

"Ismu?" asked Agramunt's Arab secretary, Musaddiq Koroma, who spoke perfect Arabic, Berber, and French. Musaddiq Koroma had flunked out of madrasa, but his linguistic knowledge was priceless, so the French were eager to employ such a useful collaborator. This Bureau Arabe consisted of Lieutenant Agramunt's personal translator, two secretaries, a doctor, and various lower officers. Since the doctor and the other officers were busy elsewhere, Agramunt and his clerical staff formed the de facto government in occupied Fes.

"Qaaid Pirani," responded the aspiring mercenary. The conversation continued in Arabic, and the interpreter rapidly translated everything into French for the lieutenant.

"What military experience do you have?" asked Musaddiq Koroma.

"I served five years in the Black Guard," answered the Moroccan. Lieutenant Agramunt's interest was piqued. Although the Black Guard wasn't as formidable as in 1700, they still were a key part of Moroccan administration. This man could even become a colonial officer one day. After so many applicants with little or no practical experience, this was a catch.

"Report to Sub-Lieutenant Crozier for processing. We could use someone with administrative experience. Did you just manage tax collection, or did you organize military regiments?" asked Lieutenant Agramunt.

"I was personal bodyguard to the sultan," responded Qaaid Pirani. Lieutenant Agramunt was shocked. Morocco was unraveling so much that even members of the inner circle were defecting.

by **Cymrea** » Tue Jan 05, 2016 11:17 am

United Kingdom of Cambria

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

To: Your Grace, Johann von Liefland, Duke of Narva

On behalf of Her Majesty Queen Victoria and her Circle of Archons, representing the Crown and Government of the United Kingdom of Cambria, it is my great pleasure to receive your invitation to a proposed summit between our nations and that of Hansa. If you can secure a similar reply from our Hanseatic friend and colleague, please consider your invitation accepted.

We await further details.

Ever in service,

Right Honourable Meredith Aurelia Rhys-Jones, Praetor Extraterritorialis
Royal Cambrian Senate
for HM Queen Victoria

In response to:

Conwy-shire wrote:
From the Desk of the King of Courland,
To the distinguished Sovereign of Cambria

Greetings to thee, most honourable friend,
With the unsatisfactory closing of the Copenhagen convention we, acting in the interests of Courland, would like to convene a tripartite convention on the Scandinavian question. We are aware such talks have already progressed bewteen yourselves and the Hanseatic peoples; however Courland, being as much a neighbour to Scandinavia as Cambria and the Hansa, would like to be involved if not participant in this discussion over the fate of such a large and prosperous territory.

We hope to facilitate a peaceful and binding resolution to this issue, and hope that the Cambrian state agrees to bestow the honour of hosting such an august assembly to their friend and peer Courland, in the hopes of furthering our co-operation in these trying times. The Duke of Narva has been elected as the representative of Courland, and we await whether or not such deliberations can be made with a suitable personage of your great nation.

We humbly await your reply, knowing only good can come of it,
His Royal Majesty,
King Friedrich Casimir I von Biron, Sovereign of Courland and all her associated honours

by **Lenyo** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 8:39 am

Several French colonial officers were imprisoned in Laos on suspicion of opium smuggling. The Second French Republic used the "baseless" incarceration of its colonial officers as justification for an intervention in Laos. While most Tamankran troops were engaged against the Koreans, the Republic sent three military columns into Laos to assert French control. The remaining Tamankran troops retreated to their forts, which the French promptly besieged and bombarded. Advanced artillery technology would quickly lay waste to the second-rate Tamankran fortifications. French gunboats steamed up the Mekong River, intimidating Western Laotian border cities into surrendering, as the obvious alternative was relentless military action.

As for occupying rural Laos, France depended upon its own warlords in Vietnam to do the heavy lifting. Over the years of colonialism in Vietnam, French collaborators had built up several pro-government militias with French funding. Many of these militias dreamed of controlling Laotian lands. Whether these expansionist claims were ethnic, religious, or simple greed were of no import to France. The important thing was that France had volunteers ready to patrol the jungle and highlands of Laos, an environment where French conscripts would perform poorly. Locals, on the other hand, could operate in the difficult terrain without getting lost and speak many of the locals' languages. In the case of Laos, pro-government militias were more adept than French regulars at "colonial negotiations."

by **Cymrea** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 9:41 am

On the Obsidian Way, en route to Tenochtitlan

Doyle listened carefully to Icnoyotl's words. Conflict with Brasil indeed seemed unavoidable. The oppressive heat and disappointment in the inevitability of martial action irritated him, but he was stoic enough to remain discreet about it.

To his host, he said, "I have it on good authority that Cambria will assist Aztek in defending her interests in this matter, particularly from Jamaica. We'll need to consult our allies in France, of course. In the meantime, what do you suggest, Icnoyotl-ci?"

Whitehorse, Yukon

The hall in the fort was the logical choice for the election. It was the biggest structure for many miles around and was large enough to not only host the ballot casting and count, but also a banquet. It wasn't often that the settlers and trappers and fishers and Indigenas would come together; when they did, a community celebration was always a grand idea.

Fiddlers played jigs and reels, and good honest folks ate and danced, laughed and clapped. The fort was bright with lamps and the mood was just as bright. After supper, when the count was finished, the announcement was made. By a vote of 242-7, Fort Whitehorse - for itself and on behalf of local settlements like Carcross, Ibex Valley, and Haines Junction - had decided to petition the Governor General for admission into Canada and Cambria.

There were whoops and cheers for a moment and then the more important matters of food and dance were addressed again.

by **Cymrea** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 9:57 am

United Kingdom of Cambria

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

To: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Second French Republic

Monsieur,

It seems that Brasil and Aztek are locked on a collision course. Cambria's stance is to assist Aztek in defending their claims and interests in Central America and the Caribbean, against the aggressive encroachment of Brasilian forces who have violated an exclusion zone in place these last three years. Cambria is, of course, concerned at the possibility of offending against our Atlas League allies. Please advise as to France's reaction to Cambria's assistance to Aztek and how any potential offence may be avoided.

Ever in service,

Right Honourable Olivia Tertia Wellesley, 1st Countess Cowley, Legata Extraterritorialis to the Second French Republic
Royal Cambrian Senate
for HM Queen Victoria

by **Cymrea** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 10:40 am

École Polytechnique
Paris, France

Francis Tertius Petit-Smith was a man driven by his passions. Since childhood, his passion had been sailing vessels. As a boy he had acquired great skill in the construction of model boats and took special interest in their means of propulsion. This fascination with boats remained with him and, in 1834, on a reservoir near his farm, he perfected the propulsion of a model boat by means of a wooden screw driven by a spring. He became utterly convinced that this form of propulsion was greatly superior to the paddle wheel which was in use at the time. The following year, he built a superior model with which he performed a number of experiments at Hendon and in 1836 took out a patent for propelling vessels by means of a screw revolving beneath the water at the stern.

After securing the financial backing of several parties, he helped organise the Propeller Steamship Company which in 1839 built the world's first successful screw-propelled steamship, SS Archimedes. A short time later, he was instrumental in persuading Isambard Kingdom Brunel to change the design of the SS Cambria from paddle to screw propulsion, by lending Brunel the Archimedes for several months. He also helped persuade the Cambrian Admiralty to adopt screw propulsion.

Now, as he neared his 37th birthday, Petit-Smith found himself a tenured professor and contributing engineer with the Nexus Naval Project. The positions at the Polytechnical school were a cinch for Petit-Smith - he was a Cambrian with a French mother, and fluent in the languages of both nations.

But even the successful screw-driven frigates like HMS Imperious and the spanking-new HMS Warrior were still rigged for sails. Petit-Smith was driven by the idea that the next generation of ships born of the Nexus could do away with sail-rigged masts altogether and run on steam-powered engines exclusively. He presented this latest innovation to the project council.

by **Lenyo** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 10:50 am

To Right Honourable Olivia Tertia Wellesley, 1st Countess Cowley, Legata Extraterritorialis to the Second French Republic
and the Royal Cambrian Senate, representing Her Majesty Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom of Cambria

The Second French Republic is allied with the Aztek Ascendancy. France will fulfill its obligations to its allies. In the event of a war between the Azteks and the Brazilians, the Aztek Ascendancy can expect the full support of the French Navy. A joint blockade should cut Brazil off from its overseas trading partners, dealing a decisive blow against the Brazilian military effort. After all, Brazil is an export economy. France welcomes Cambrian support in a potential naval war.

However, as Brazil is an existential threat to none of the Atlas League countries, a full-scale land invasion of Brazil seems unnecessary. France considers the current crisis to be a border dispute, not total war. A war of destruction against Brazil's agricultural and industrial base would cause more harm than good. After the possible war - which France hopes to be short - France wants to go back to importing rubber, timber, and coffee from Brazil. Put simply, mobilizing millions of men for an invasion of South America would not be worth the great cost.

Long Live the Atlas League,
Foreign Ministry of the Second French Republic and
War Ministry of the Second French Republic

by **Cymrea** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 11:15 am

United Kingdom of Cambria

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

To: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Second French Republic

Monsieur,

Your words are most welcome; it is a pleasure to confirm that we are of a mind with regard our foreign policies in the Caribbean. I will be sure to pass the information along to our delegate in Aztek, that we may move forward in resolving the conflict in Central America. It is expected that the naval station in Port Royal will be receiving orders shortly and that Cambrian ships will be sailing south.

We are in full agreement that an invasion of Brasilian soil is wholly unnecessary, and would likely only provoke matters further. Cambria enjoys much trade with Brasil and would very much prefer to leave our civilian relations intact.

Vive la Ligue Atlas,

Right Honourable Olivia Tertia Wellesley, 1st Countess Cowley, Legata Extraterritorialis to the Second French Republic
Royal Cambrian Senate
for HM Queen Victoria

by **Oscalantine** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 7:14 pm

Region of Laos within STTR,
Newly-instated Colonial Region of Second French Republic

Shingungs, as soon as they saw the Vietnamese troops, started to infiltrate deeper into Lao territory. The squad leaders of Shingungs were instructed to assist the French invasion of Laos, and they knew that they would be harming both the diplomatic relations between Korean and French as well as Vietnamese troops if they stayed. Instead, they served as pathfinders, finding roads in the jungle which were large enough for French military columns to pass without difficulty. These roads were mapped out by Korean merchants since the first colonization effort in the region: as Koreans once had only mercantile interest, expansion further into native lands were halted in favor of mapping out possible locations to travel and camp. While some of the roads were already blocked by clever Lao people, the roads to Vietnam were opened, as the Lao warlords didn’t expect an invasion from France.

Once Shingungs completed the survey, they met up with French field commanders for safe passage through the roads. Merchant campsites and roads served as an excellent location for French troops who were, while not vulnerable, uncomfortable in the foreign jungle and woods. Based on the Korean merchants’ information, Shingungs were also able to display exact locations of possible fortifications, allowing French artillery to arrive earlier than if they were on reactionary positions.

While there were reasoning of alliance and cooperation involved, Korean merchants in Chuk-Jae-Do do not disclose their mercantile secrets without a profiteering cause. The French invasion set the rest of the Sovereign Territories ablaze with fear. Warlords in Cambodia and Thailand were expecting to continue resistance until they could settle a comfortable negotiations for their independence with the Koreans, believing in the merchants’ news that French were too occupied to fight in such remote locations. Although that exactly wasn’t a wrong answer, Dong-Nyuc was never someone who acted only on information from far-away sources, and has already set up possible plans in advance prior to leaving for Persia. After all, Dong-Nyuc could tell from previous meeting as well as several letters back and forth that French Governor of Vietnam was an ambitious man… a man who would probably enlist Korean support if needed to attain French glory. The young viceroy knew that his “senior” would never back away from such an opportunity to expand French lands.

The disparate warlords were more eager to sign the papers to salvage what they could obtain: while they had no love for either Koreans or French, they would sooner die than allow Vietnamese warlords to have hold of their families. Cambodian warlords quickly pledged their allegiance to Koreans for this new protectorate, while Thai people were still hesitant, believing that the war shouldn’t be called off until it was truly called.

However, by this they were no fools. The Thai warlords gathered together to invite the Korean envy in a formal meeting to draft the possible grievances that the new protectorate would face. It was obvious that Thai people would wish to be the seat of power in the new protectorate. Knowing too well how conflict divides people, Korean envoys decided to also send the news to Cambodians and Tamankrans, which were met with outrage and conflicts. After all, strong, unified protectorate would rebel: Koreans needed them fractured and perhaps independent of each other so Koreans could benefit from the boons that these nations held.

Waters of Arabian Sea,
Onboard flagship First Traveler

The flagship First Traveler was rather old ship, although this only applies to the beam and much else. Korean merchants, despite their attempts as civil life, were a suspicious lot. When they heard that their young and successful viceroy was to travel the high seas, they immediately lent this 100-cannon flagship, which were only recently renovated with French hulls to contain 2 rows of cannons. It was a sailor’s superstition that First Traveler and its track-record of surviving several storms was the only fitting ship for Dong-Nyuc to be traveling on. While the viceroy himself were completely unaware the effort that the merchant guilds went through to obtain First Traveler for viceroy’s use, he sure felt their safe prayers with so much charms and trinkets littered throughout the vessel.

“Voodoo? Really, captain?” Dong-Nyuc questioned the captain of the First Traveler with one eyebrow raised.

“I understand that this does not meet sire’s preference, but it is a standing tradition among the sailors to bestow charms to those who are traveling to open waters.”

“Yes, and I am happy that so many came to send me off: this room is drowning with charms and it smells like diviner’s house in the mainland.”[/color

[color=dateslateblue]“But seriously, Voodoo? That isn’t even in our pantheon! Which merchant with the right mind would send me off with a Caribbean superstition?”

“I believe that was thrown on board at the last minute by sketchy looking thugs with missing body parts,” the Captain replied with a sign, lamenting on the viceroy’s inadequate lore with the sea, “and that doll is not inherently “voodoo” per se, rather that it is and old witchery from the West with an intent of causing harm rather than goodwill.”

Dong-Nyuc, at this realization, gave eye to the captain’s obvious insubordinately behavior, but dismissed it with a smile. He tossed the effigy into the nearly lantern, to the captain’s shock, and stretched himself out from his chair in his private quarters.

As the captain started to spew out concerns and general nagging at young viceroy’s disregard for sailor’s superstition, a crewman hurriedly ran into the viceroy’s quarters with a message. Seeing that it was an excellent opportunity to cut the conversation on superstition short, the viceroy eagerly received the letter without chastising the crewman for cutting captain off from his conversation. Captain, although irritated that his crew overstepped his bounds, ordered the unruly crew to fetch a scribe for Dong-Nyuc.

To my Emperor, the Most Serene Imperial Majesty,

May the Emperor reign forever!

Your Imperial Majesty, I wish to inform you of utmost important news which I must regretfully send through passenger hawks rather than a formal message through an envoy.

Your humble servants have found intelligence from Second French Republic that the movement in the West is stirring into action. This subject thus believes that Your Imperial Majesty’s predictions to be correct, and that the decision has already been made. Therefore this subject wishes to request Your Imperial Majesty to recall the great treaties which were made on the name of the Most Serene Imperial Majesty’s name.

On a separate note, this subject is humbled and honored by the dowry given to my future wife by Her Highness. May she forever be the bright moon besides Your Imperial Majesty.

Within weeks of passenger hawks being sent, the Ministry of Rites have proclaimed the following announcement to the world’s leaders sent by various means.

OFFICIAL DOCUMENT FROM MINISTRY OF RITES

To whom it may concern.

Under the dictates of the Most Serene Imperial Majesty, the Most Serene Imperial States of Korea reaffirms the contents of the Pearl Treaty, in which the Most Serene Imperial States will promote the security of the colonial holdings of United Kingdom of Cambria in the Southeast Asia.

It is thus in the interest of the parties involved that the Most Serene Imperial States have mobilized two of the four Gabuks, along with the Second Imperial Fleet to the colonies of Chuk-Jae-Do in order to maintain safety of Cambrian colonial ventures in the region. Nations have been warned that these fleets will openly engage in any activities that will threaten the security of the Cambrian colonial interests without hesitation.

Minister Chae Jun-bum,
First Seat of Ministry of Rites

by **Cuprum** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 10:47 pm

Republiek Argentinië

May the laurels that we were able to achieve be eternal.
Let us live crowned in glory or let us swear in glory to die

On March 10th, nine months before the crossing of the Andes, Jozef Felix Aldao led a group of Mounted Grenadiers to the Uspallata Pass. They had to find out whenever the pass was secure or the Royalists had fortified it. They found a scout Royalist group, and managed to capture them without firing a single shot. They captured a sergeant, a corporal and 15 soldiers. With this information, Mitre spread the news that the bulk of the army would cross to Chile by Uspallata. This was in order to deceive the Royalists in Chile, as they kept fortifying that zone, but the bulk of the Army of the Andes actually moved near the city of Mendoza.

During the Crossing of the Andes. The column led by Johannes Gregorius van Heeras was still crossing the mountain range, being 50 kilometers away from the Uspallata Pass. A royalist task force led by Miguel Marquelli, composed of three officials and fifty soldiers, surprised the patriots at Picheuta, which was defended by five soldiers, many privates and a corporal from the battalion Nº 11. Marquelli had orders to cross the Uspallata on a reconnaissance mission.

The royalists surprised the patriots with an attack from the left flank. Half the forces of Las Heras was captured and taken prisoners, and the others fled to warn the bulk of the Army of the Andes of the nearby royalist presence. This led to the battle of Potrerillos the following day.

Careful planning on his part had meant that the Royalist forces in Chile were deployed to meet threats that did not exist, and his crossing went unopposed. Nonetheless, the Army of the Andes had suffered heavy losses during the crossing, losing as much as one-third of its men and more than half of its horses.

The Royalist forces had rushed north to respond to their approach, and a force of about 1,500 under Brigadier Rafael Maroto blocked Mitre's advance at a valley called Chacabuco, near Santiago. In the face of the disintegration of the royalist forces, Maroto proposed abandoning the capital and retreating southward, where they could hold out and obtain resources for a new campaign. The military conference called by Royal Governor Field Marshal Casimiro Marcó del Pont on February 8 adopted Maroto's strategy, but the following morning the Captain General changed his mind and ordered Maroto to prepare for battle in Chacabuco.

The night before the combat, Antonio Quintanilla, who would later distinguish himself extraordinarily in the defense of Chiloé, confided in another Chilean official regarding his views on the ill-chosen strategy, that, given the position of the insurgents, the royalist forces ought to retreat a few leagues towards the hills of Colina: Maroto overheard this conversation from a nearby chamber and either couldn't or refused to hear me because of his pride and self-importance, called on an attendant with his notorious hoarse voice and proclaimed a general decree on pain of death, to whoever suggested a retreat.

Although all Maroto and his troops had to do was delay Mitre, as he knew that further Royalist reinforcements were on the way from Santiago, Mitre was well aware of this as well, and opted to attack while he still had the advantage of numbers. The royalists fought with valor, but the battle turned into a complete defeat for them. Maroto, who succeeded in escaping thanks to the speed of his horse, was slightly injured during the retreat.

Mitre received numerous reports of the Chilean attack plans from a spy dressed as a roto, a poverty-stricken peasant of Chile. The roto told him that the Chilean general, Marcó, knew of fighting in the mountains and told his army to "run to the field", which refers to Chacabuco. He also told Mitre the plan of General Rafael Maroto, the leader of the Talavera Regiment and a force of volunteers of up to 2,000 men. His plan was to take the mountainside and launch an attack against Mitre. On February 11th, three days before his planned date of attack, Mitre called a war council to decide a plan of attack. Their main goal was to take the Chacabuco Ranch, the Chilean headquarters, at the bottom of the hills. He decided to split his 2,000 troops into two parts, sending them down two roads on either side of the mountain. The right flank was led by Miguel Estanislao Soler, and the left flank by O’Higgins. The plan was for Soler to attack their flanks while at the same time surrounding their rear guard in order to prevent their retreat. Mitre expected that both leaders would attack at once so the Chileans would have to fight a battle on two fronts.

Mitre sent his troops down the mountain starting at midnight of the 11th to prepare for an attack at dawn. At dawn his troops were much closer to the Chilean than anticipated, and fought hard and heroically. Meanwhile, Soler's troops had to go down a tiny path that proved long and arduous, and took longer than expected. General O’Higgins, supposedly seeing his homeland and being overcome with passion, defied the plan of attack and charged, along with his 1,500. What exactly happened in this part of the battle is fiercely debated. O’Higgins claimed that the Chileans stopped their retreat and started advancing towards his troops. He said that if he were to lead his men back up the narrow path and retreat, his men would have been decimated one by one. Mitre saw O’Higgins early advancement and ordered Soler to charge the Chilean flank, which took the pressure off O’Higgins and allowed his troops to stand their ground.

The firefight that ensued lasted into the afternoon, and the tides turned for the Republicans as Soler captured a key Chilean artillery point. At this point, the Chilean set up a defensive square around the Chacabuco Ranch. O’Higgins charged the center of the Chilean position, and Soler got into place behind the Chilean forces, effectively cutting off any chance of retreat. O’Higgins and his men overwhelmed the Chilean troops and they attempted to retreat but Soler's men cut off their retreat and pushed towards the ranch. Hand-to-hand combat ensued in and around the ranch until every Chilean soldier was dead or taken captive. 500 Chilean soldiers were killed and 600 taken captive. The Republic forces only lost twelve men in battle, but an additional 120 lost their lives from wounds suffered during the battle.

by **Lenyo** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 9:06 am

To Kwon Dong-Nyuc, Viceroy of Chuk-Jae-Do

The Second French Republic thanks the Imperial State of Korea for its generous support in the partition of Indochina. Korean military action has been invaluable in the pacification of Laos. In a gesture of gratitude, France offers Korea the province that the Republic recently received from Brazil in the Petrópolis Treaty. Parliament has already authorized me the right to draw borders in Indochina, so Korea may keep Lower Burma permanently. It will make a fine addition to Chuk-Jae-Do.

Peace and prosperity,
Philippe Laframboise, Governor of Indochina
(Formerly known as the Governor of Vietnam)

The Canary Islands off the northwest coast of Africa had a modest economy producing wine and cochineal for many years. The archipelago had been a colony of Al-Andalus, but imperial collapse had given the islands the privilege of absolute autonomy. The Canaries officially pledged their loyalty to a defunct government, Al-Andalus, while in practice ignoring global politics. The islands' landlords made a good living exporting wine and dyes to Europe, so they saw no need for an existing imperial overlord.

The Canary Islands got one anyway. Having concluded the Petrópolis Treaty, France felt that the strategic archipelago belonged to the Republic. France deployed Naval Group Senegal to the Canaries, and the navy met no open resistance. The islands' fortifications were antiques from the early 18th century, and a blockade would devastate the archipelago, which depended upon food imports. Surrounded and outgunned, the islands' elite quietly sat down with the fleet's admiral in order to negotiate their integration into France. Right away the Republic deployed colonial officers and gendarmerie to speed the archipelago's transition to French rule.

1855 : Alternative Divergence [AH][IC][REBOOT]

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