-Bederiche- Raurosian War (PT, Closed)

[-Bederich-]

It was the third month of the year 1643, war had finally broke out between the two great military powers of Raurosia and -Bederich- after a two year "trade conflict."

Starting in the in 1641 under the direction of, Steven, the Earl of Sergesbraggen, currently serving as acting Raurosian Regent, the all supreme Raurosia navy was assigned the task of coming by extra national funds by raiding the constant chain of -Bederiche- trade vessels that passed through the waters east of Raurosia. Nevertheless, this by no means was meant to be a public occurrence, and the Raurosians attempted to keep it secret. However, word soon reached King Ravenburg IV of -Bederiche-.It was concluded that these ships, raiding the -Bederiche- trade vessels, were obviously Raurosia. As the Raurosians were the unquestioned master of the seas of western Bethel Park, and essentially no other nation has the military might to risk war with the -Bederiche- nation. Pirates were ruled out due to the sheer number of trade ships raided, and that trade vessels raided were not taken, nor sunk by the said attackers.

After slight thought, and without further evidence, as King Ravenburg IV believed he need no more, a threat of war document was sent via -Bederiche- Royal Navy ship, as attacking a Royal Navy vessel would be a blatant act of war. The letter was simple and abrupt

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To: The Belligerent Principality of Raurosia
From: The Royal Commonwealth of -Bederich-

It has come to our attention that your nation is engaging in warlike act with our Royal Commonwealth, ie; raiding our trade vessels as an attempt to pillage our ever strong economy. Regardless of your Principality's view on this is, this act will not be tolerated. If not stopped immediately, war will be the result, and Raurosia will be no more.

Signed,
King Ravenburg IV
The Royal Commonwealth of -Bederich-

After this threat of war a series of alliances were made, and the Principality of Raurosia stopped raiding -Bederiche- trade vessels. Nevertheless, in 1642 Prince Charles IV of Raurosia, much more eager to go to war than Steven, the Earl of Sergesbraggen who had acted as regent, would change this short peace, into full blown war

Before Charles IV taking full power of Raurosia, neither -Bederiche- nor Raurosia wanted a war. Though if necessary each would go to war. Though Charles IV was much different, he was thrilled to be able to fabricate a reason to go to war with -Bederich-. Of course, blame the -Bederiche- for everything, and accuse them of greatly offending the Principality of Raurosia. Although, the real reason, gain large amounts of money from conquered -Bederich-, was not announced, as it would have put Raurosia in the wrong, which Prince Charles IV certainly didn't want.

A Deo et Rege

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To: The Royal Commonwealth of -Bederich-
From: The Principality of Raurosia

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The Principality of Raurosia would like to inform -Bederich- that we will not tolerate the lies and false accusations made by your so called Royal Commonwealth. We maintain Raurosia had nothing to do with the raiding of -Bederiche- ships, and that just because your nation's miniscule Navy cannot control its waters, is not a reason to threat us with war. We also contend -Bederich- is the cause of all of Raurosia's problems for various reasons, and is a bad influence over the Bethel Park Region.

War is officially declared to the Royal Commonwealth of -Bederich-. You have offended and lied about us enough, and we shall take no more of this.

Sincerely,
Prince Charles IV
Principality of Raurosia

It was March of 1643, and war was now occuring...

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(OOC: Please refrain as much as possible from making Out of Character Posts in this thread, if possible try to conceal them within an IC post. Also, this thread is open to all Bethel Park members, please telegram me and Raurosia to join, and make an IC post on this thread announcing who's "side" you'll be on.)

[Raurosia]

Prince Steven IV of Raurosia might have been fearful of starting a massive war, but he was confidant that the mainlanders from the north could be crushed. Raurosia had always been threatened by barbarians and warlords from the mainland, and as a result had built up by far the most powerful navy in this part of the world. Their army, while strong compared with that of most nations in Bethel Park, could not match their fleets in both strength and skill.

The second reason Charles IV was not worried was because he knew he had the most brilliant naval commander in Raurosian history leading his fleets. The Duke of Carlise, Obbransson, had won hundreds of battles against pirates and enemy fleets alike. He was an old man, almost 65, and had survived the dangerous Civil Wars when he was only 25. It was Obbransson whom Charles now commanded, in the particular fashion that tradition demanded of the Prince ordering his Admiral to war:

"Arthur Obbransson, Duke of Carlise, Explorer of the Southern Seas, High Admiral of the Raurosian Navy, Founder of the First Order of Seamen, I now charge you," Charles IV said (while seated in the First Palace in Smalkbraggen).

"What is the charge, Prince Charles IV, Acting Leader of the Principality of Raurosia and the New Pittsbraggen Isle, that you command in this the first year of your reign?" the Admiral said, all in one breath as tradition stated.

"Verily I now tell you, Arthur Obbransson, Duke of Carlise, Explorer of the Southern Seas, High Admiral of the Raurosian Navy, Founder of the First Order of Seamen, journey forth to the Northern Sea, and meet the Navy of -Bederich- in honorable battle, not returning until you have succeeded, or else until you are convinced that the charge is not possible."

"Prince Charles IV, Acting Leader of the Principality of Raurosia and the New Pittsbraggen Isle, I accept your charge, to
journey forth to the Northern Sea, and meet the Navy of -Bederich- in honorable battle, not returning until I have succeeded, or else until I am convinced that the charge is not possible. Gladly I will perform this charge, for the Prince commands it."

As soon as the words passed the mouth of the Admiral, he began breathing heavily. "May we now discuss the matter in more detail, my lord?"

"Of course, Duke. Let us go to the Hall of Cartography."

The two men wlaked into the Hall of Cartography, one of the wonders of Raurosia, and began to discuss their plan in more concise terms. One thing was certain, and that was that the Navy would be off in less than a week.

[-Bederich-]

It was February of 1643, and recently nominated High Commander of the -Bederiche- Royal Army, Edward Plzen, High Minister of Dalibor, and Libertie, now had to deal with the massive military problems -Bederich- was now facing. The lands of North-Eastern -Bederich- had long been annexed by -Bederich-, however there were still several large settlements of barbarians from New Posiedon, who would without reason attack the -Bederiche- city's of the north. Those of the New Posiedon lands always, had, and still claimed the north-eastern -Bederich- lands as theirs.

Nonetheless, as Plzen worried about this, he still new, as well as this, his appointment as High Commander of the Royal Army also meant securing the many ports of the -Bederiche- Riviera, as they would surely be the first location for the all massive Raurosian Navy to attack. Due to the small size of their own Royal Navy, Plzen, and the whole nation, expected the Raurosian Navy would have quite an easy time reaching port.

After little deliberation, Plzen determined he would need to immediately go to the Riviera and begin overhauling the outdated forts of the city's of Vysehreadburgh, Argosing, and Servannia. Plzen figured if he did not do this, it would be ordered by the King.

The next day, Plzen, accompanied by several other Ministers of War headed to the Riviera to soon meet the Garrison Commanders in the three cities, and oversea fort reconstruction. Also coming with them was the bulk of the -Bederiche- Royal Army that would further secure the coastal areas. Command of north-eastern armies was given to Nathaniel Delswel. He had the over growing task of protecting the north-eastern cities from the barbarians.

◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

Meanwhile, in Jezero -Bederich-, a port city of the far north-west(lands not wanted, nor ever claimed by barbarians) High Admiral of the Royal Navy Nathaniel Eltwin was overseeing the massive expansion of the Royal Navy. Although this was not the main naval port of -Bederich-, it was chosen for several reason. Those being; the fact no ships could essentially get in or out of the harbor without great difficulty until mid April, as the waters would be somewhat frozen (OOC: see below), Jezero was not threatened by any, and Jezero was located in one of the most wooded areas of -Bederich-. Though the harbor itself would not be the sight of the ship construction, Lake Jezero which connected right to the harbor was of massive size, and only had minimal amounts of ice in it. The city was ideal for ship building when you needed somewhere where the ever looming threat of attack in the south, has no effect.

The miniscule fleet in the southern areas of -Bederich- was left in control of Nathaniel Eltwin's most trusted and experienced naval officer, William Sternmark. Although the fleet was small, he could do accomplish essentially anything with it. As the navy has always been small, Sternmark learned to fight in a more unconventional way.

(OOC: For further clarification on Jezero Harbor, it's not frozen solid. Though it essentially is in the dead of winter. But its current state would be more large ice chunks floating around, and many icebergs right outside of the harbor. So essentially limiting any large ships from getting in an out, though it would not be entirely possible. As for the ships being built, they are being built in lake Jezero which connects directly to the harbor. The lake at this time has very small amounts of ice present)

[Raurosia]

High Admiral Arthur Obbransson of the Raurosian Navy was on his flagship, the HMS Dolphin. He was sailing north with the bulk of the Raurosian fleet, 166 ships. The remainder were docked outside of New Pittsbraggen, in case of the unthinkable defeat. They were making for the Jižní Island, a group of isles on the southern shore of -Bederich- that would serve as the stepping stone to the reat of the nation. They would first capture the village of Dawsling. From the island, the fleet would launch a massive attack on the major port of Vysehreadburgh, perhaps the most fortified of the southern ports. After capturing the city, a military buildup could occur, perhaps ending in a significant portion of -Bederich- being annexed by Raurosia.

The fleet, if not challenged by storm or foe, would reach the the islands in about 2 months. The total number of ships was 166, with mostly heavy warships and galleons and several smalle, faster vessels. All told, about 63,000 men, the largest in Raurosian history.

(OOC: Soory about the length, it's basically just info)

[-Bederich-]

William Sternmark, current commnander of thirty-four small and underarmed -Bederiche- ships in the southern seas was now preparing to dock his fleet in Vysehreadburgh. After some time all thirty-four ships were docked and the sailors began to disembark as the ships were further prepared. Attack on the port at this time was essentially aimpossible, as at the minium it would take a warship from Raurosia two months to reach -Bederich-. And it was essentiallly impossible for the waters of off southern -Bederich- to be navigates by a large warfleet up until mid February. Nevertheless, the Raurosian fleet would be coming.

◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

Edward Plzen, and a massive force of around 12,000 men (total army size; 46,000), was marching down to Vysehreadburgh from New Prague. They would arrive in roughly one week. With them came an immense amount of cannons taken from the New Prague Military Base reserve storage. Upon arriving in Vysehreadburgh they would install a small fraction of the cannons on Sternmark's ship, while placing the rest in the forts at Vysehreavurgh, then Argosing, and finally Servannia.

◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

Meanwhile, up in Jezero, -Bederich-. The Royal Navy fleet was being built. Ice still layed outside of Jezero Harbor, though would be clearing soon. The ships, High Admiral of the Royal Navy Nathaniel Eltwin expected would be done within four months. After being complete it would take them another month of so to sail down to southern -Bederich-. That presented a problem, considering the Raurosian fleet could be there within two months, and they couldn't.

Nevertheless, if everything worked out as planned, that wouln't matter. Eltwin had to hope that was what happened, and everything went to plan. First, Sternmark would have to sail arounf the Dawsling area scouting out for the Raurosian fleet, and hopefully reaking some havoc. Thougb eventually the -Bederiche- would be over powered. However, the fleet of Raurosia would be weekened, and hopefully would then fail in an attack on any of the three Riviera ports. Though if this did not happen, exactly like that, Eltwin could only imagine the results.

[Raurosia]

One month later

The Raurosian fleet under the command of Admiral Obbransson has about halfway to the southern shores of -Bederich-. Following the most direct route to Dawsling, the fleet would see is they were challenged by any naval resistance. No -Bederiche- fleet could stop the Raurosians, but if they were weakened too much, the assault on Vysehreadburgh would take too long. Seizing the port quickly was critical, because of the power of the enemy army.

With any luck, the southern ports would be a Raurosian territory in half a year.

[-Bederich-]

The fortifying of the three Riviera cities, Vysehreadburgh, Servannia, and Argosing was well underway. The old undermanned forts in the cities were soon packed with soldiers, and stronger than ever. Five-thousand (5,000) men were stationed at Vysehreadburgh, three-thousand and five-hundred (3,500) at Servannia, and an additional three-thousand and five-hundred (3,500) Royal Army soldiers in Argosing. Edward Plzen himself was returning to Vysehreadburgh, on his way back from Argosing. He would arrive in roughly one week and a half. Hopefully, within three weeks all cities would be fully fortified to take on the might of the Raurosian Navy. Little help could be expected from their own Royal Navy, not for several months at least.

◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

William Sternmark and his fleet of thirty-four ships, none of which were ships of the lines, were recently fitted with additional cannons as they were previously quite underarmed. Sternmark's fleet had left Vysehreadburgh about one week ago, and was now scouting out the waters just north of the Dawsling Islands. If they could get a few quick attacks in, that could be quite beneficial. The small -Bederiche- Royal Navy ships by all means could outrun Raurosian war ships after a quick attack. This was deemed the best thing to do, a quick attack, then retreat. Hopefully which would cause some damage on the Raurosian fleet.

[Raurosia]

Admiral Obbransson, his flagship the RNS Dolphin, and the rest of the massive fleet were nearing the Dawsling Islands. The Islands were expected to come into view within a few days. The Admiral gathered his officers in his stateroom.

"Now when we come into view of the Islands, alert me at once. The fleet will pass the Islands completely, unless the -Bederiche- navy shows itself. In that case, we will raise our flags to parley. Assuming they refuse our demand of the Riviera, we shall use our superior numbers and guns to simply blast through them. From our intelligence, there is no chance of any significant threat, from their navy, that is."

"Aye sir," the officer said in response.

[-Bederich-]

The fort at Vysehredaburgh ws really shaping out to be quite a foot. Its previous peacetime state was far from its current. The foot was positioned right at the edge of Vysehreadburgh harbor, essentially at the "corner" between the Dawsling Seas, and the harbor of Vysehreadburgh. It was approximately one mile up from the main city. So before the Raurosians could get to Vysehreadburgh, they'd have to get through the fort.

Regardless, the fort at Vysehreadburgh was one of the biggest of the time, and was now filled with as many troops as possible, and as many cannons as possible. In total, at all of Vysehreadburgh there were five-thousand (5,000) soldiers. The walls of the fort as well were up to eight feet high, and thirteen feet thick. Several hundred cannons adorned the tops of the walls of the fort and were stationed around it.

In all, it would essentially be impossible to take by naval force.

[Raurosia]

The Raurosian fleet came within sight of the Dawsling. The officer on deck, Mr. Simmons, alerted Admiral Obbransson.

"Sir, th Islands are in sight."

"Thank you, Mr. Simmons. I relieve you." the Admiral replied.

"I stand relieved." Mr. Simmons went below deck to prepare ofr either battle, parley, or speedy sailing.

Obbransson looked though his spy-glass. He could see the Dawsling Islands, as well as a shape that could be the -Bederiche- Navy, or might just be a trick of the light. He signaled the fleet with the Dolphin's flags.

Hard to starboard, approach the Islands. Do not fire until the command.

"Master Inchev, if the -Bederiche- landlubbers do show their faces," the Admiral spoke to his mate. "Be sure to raise the blue-checked flag of parley." For Obbransson was an honorable man, and he would truely parley, not use it as an excuse to slaughter them, as some did.

[-Bederich-]

William Sternmark, currently with his fleet several miles off the coast of the Dawsling Islands, looked into his telescope, off into the distance. He peered in all directions, knowing if the Raurosians were the ones to attack, and his thirty-four small ships were on the defensive there was no hope, at all. Regardless, at the moment he could see nothing in any direction. Sternmark has several of his officers also verify that the Raurosian fleet was nowhere in sight at the moment.

"Captain, nothing in our vicinity that could possibly be a naval ship," an officer said.

Sternmark replied somewhat tensely, "But remember, if anything at all is seen, it is almost certainly the enemy. Trade has been halted in this area by decree of the King himself, so even a trade ship would be the Raurosian dogs."

"Yes Sir, will report to you immediately upon the sight of anything at all that closely resembles a ship of any type."

"Dismissed," Sternmark said in reply.

William Sternmark sat down in his chair as the officer went our onto to deck. He had several ideas on how possibly steal a strategic victory from his Raurosian enemies. Of course, he knew a tactical victory of any sort would be essentially unachievable. Though, his comrades back on the -Bederiche- mainland were counting on him to weaken the enemy. Thus, Sternmark pushed the bad thoughts out and away from his mind, and though of the best way to achieve something at all.

Despite the fact that Sternmark was a battle hardened captain, had victoriously fought pirates in the north for some time, and was highly respected, the battle that was soon to come was not going to be at all like anything he had ever done or been involved in before. Although the exact size and power of the Raurosian fleet was unknown, it was surely larger and more powerful than his. Of course, along with his experience and the respect of his crew, Sternmark has one more thing going for him. His character and ingenuity would certainly work to the -Bederiche- fleets advantange.

(OOC: Post Complete. To further clarify, the fleet is essentially not moving, justlooking our for the Raurosians.)