FIRST ARGEAN WAR COLLABORATION THREAD (OOC - TWI ONLY)

[Laeden]

This is a thread to jointly construct the lore behind the First Argean War. This thread is exclusive for the members of The Western Isles who are currently on the map. The purpose of this thread, if it's not already obvious enough, is to jointly discuss the details regarding the aforementioned conflict. For that, I recommend reading Dormill and Stiura's dispatch on the Great Argus Wars. I will be continuously editing this initial post to include all the information and lore that is accepted by all participants, until we finally have a final version of the War. So far, I recommend that everyone should make their first posts by offering a quick description of their nation at the time of the conflict (1818 - 1823), including their leader, their military and economic strengths, their goals in the conflict and their main adversaries. After that, we'll start figuring out the details together.

Nothing here yet

[Laeden]

Nation's Name: Kingdom of Laeden

Leader: King Antoine

Military Power: By the time the conflict started, Laeden had a standing army of 12.000 men, along with a Marine force of 2.800 men. Its real strength, as one would expect, was at the sea, where the Laedenian Royal Fleet still excelled at fighting, with its 121 seaworthy warships. Regardless of numbers, the Laedenian military had seen better days. After the loss of the Galbarie colony, the CMC (and, consequently, Laeden) lost a considerable source of income, thus reducing its capabilities of investing in its armed forces. The Army still employed slightly outdated weaponry and several of the ships had already seen a few decades of service. While the Royal Navy was still a force to be reckoned with, especially thanks to its competent, loyal and highly motivated officer corps, it was unclear if it could face its rival's navies with the same ease and confidence as it would've done in the previous century.

Economic Power: At the time of the struggle, Laeden was undergoing a rapid transition from a rural and feudal society into a modern one. Trade was still a crucial element of Laedenian economy, and while the CMC had lost its most precious colony, it still had holdings in Keomora, Hintuwan and the Spurs that allowed it to make a handsome profit. The Laedenian interior was still highly rural, but the nation had enough fertile farmlands and fishing grounds to single handedly feed its own population without much concern. It heavily relied in Keomora to have access to iron, however. The SSTN and the connection to the colonies were of vital importance for the CMC, and any disruption would possibly rip the nation's economy to shreds.

Friends and Foes: The expulsion of the CMC from the United Partitions would've make the Iszkari League a very hated foreign power. Commercial competitions would've also made Dormill and Stiura a less than popular nation for Laedenians. Solaryia, however, could probably claim the title of being Laeden's major rival at the time, due to its consistent competition over the mastery of the Mesder Sea and its intrusion in Laeden's colonies and political projects. On the other hand, Laeden would be in good terms with the Alvanian descendants that lived in Keomora, and it would've been quite friendly towards Roendavar, which was, at that time, Laeden's most relevant trade partner in all the Western Isles aside from Altera.

Goals: Laeden's goals in the conflict would've been: (1) securing its political influence and territorial holdings in Keomora; (2) securing its trade routes to Roendavar and the safety of the CMC's colonies; (3) decisively defeating the Solaryi navy and asserting its dominance as the major naval power west of Argus

General Overview: Under the confident and insightful rule of King Antoine, one of Laeden's most notable enlightened despots, the nation was quickly modernizing. Significant reforms were enacted to expand and develop the nation's infrastructure, to create new political institutions, to perfect its bureaucracy and to centralize the power that was otherwise held and often misused by petty feudal lords. Despite the unfortunate series of earthquakes that ravaged the nation a decade before, King Antoine's efforts for rebuilding the nation allowed Laeden to minimize the damages, as well as serving as a good incentive for the nation to begin its industrialization process. The CMC was past its prime, but it was still a major political and economic entity whose territorial possessions stretched over several different nations. While not an imperialist or a military enthusiast, King Antoine would certainly be very wary at the prospect of having Solaryia becoming one of TWI's major naval powers, as it was perceived that this would be a threat for Laeden's sea dominance. The King would be reluctant to start a war (especially because of the significant costs that a conflict of large proportions entails), but he would definetely not shy away from one, and he would be keen to explore Laeden's naval tradition to quickly gain a favorable position in the international stage by defeating Laeden's rival, preferrably in a few decisive battles that allowed the war to be concluded quickly.

Nation's Name:

Leader:

Military Power:

Economic Power:

Friends and Foes:

Goals:

General Overview:

[Hintuwan]

Hintuwan can't officially participate in the Argean War due to colonialism at the time, but I was thinking perhaps militaristic royal clans could provide mercenary services to one or more belligerents in the conflict. Think Amazonian warriors during Spain's wars in the 1700s. Perhaps this is where the CMC can once again come into play: delivering Hintuwani volunteers to fight for Laeden in exchange for money and a cut of the spoils.

Hintuwani troops could be used to fulfill scouting, skirmisher, or otherwise irregular battlefield roles as even under colonial rule the ancient art of Hintuwani sword/knifefighting would still have been held sacrosanct by some royal clans. Hintuwani sharpshooters could also prove useful, mainly former veterans of the colonial army who are looking for more profitable ventures across the Isles.

[Keomora]

Nation: The Grand Duchy of Ke'on, the Southern Realms, and the Kingdom/League of Mora (soon to be the Empire of Keomora)

Leader: Queen Tuaxaha xan Mohua, Artayar: Grand Duke of Ke'on

Military Power: By the time of the First Argean War the Grand Duchy of Ke'on was the premier power within Ke'on-Mora, retaining a standing army of 24,000 men on land and 6,000 marines. The developing Keomoran fleet was small in size compared to its contemporaries, 50 warships, a feat which nearly crippled the governments' finances. While the army was one of the finest in Argus, the navy (in the eyes of it's contemporaries) was untested in warfare, with only its officers corps understanding of what they have constructed after decades of preparation.

Economic Power: With the loss of the Duchy of Mora by the Iszkari league, the center of trade shifted from the north to Ke'on in the South. A de facto bridge between the Southern Mesder and SSTN the rising Duchy has entered an unparalled era of economic growth, in addition to being in the height to their own industrial revolution which was amplified by Moran immigration and sustained by Moran crops and cattle.

Friends and Foes:

Goals: The Goals of the Duchy were simple: Unify the empire by completing the conquest/unification of Mora, expel all foreign powers from Imperial soil, aid the independence of other argean states and vengeance on DCE and the Iszkari League.

General Overview

[Tired, will finish the rest latter and fill it up some more)

[Jeriga]

Ooooohhhhh now I'm gonna spend time figuring out jy navy at the time. Love this. Will respond in depth soon.

[Veldhaven]

Posting here to remind myself about this, will go indepth later.

[Jeriga]

So, after reading Dorm's excellent summary of my nation, I would like to provide a synopsis of what we do here.

Given the timing of the conflict being at the end of a long period of internal political debate, economic growth, and the start of an industrial revolution in our country, I think the war would provide excellent context for Jeriga to decide on a more executive rule while still leaning towards the democracy we would eventually become.

My nation at the time would have had about 3 million people. It's military would have about 30,000 people in both the Navy and the Army (16,000 in the army/marines and the rest in the Navy) and somewhere between 90-100 naval vessels. These would be mostly smaller vessels meant for patrolling Jeriga's own waters. Only some 20-30 of these vessels would be considered ships of the line. A merchant fleet would also exist however, and Jeriga's navy would be the only ones allowed to man guns on armed merchant vessels, thus explaining the 14,000 strong navy in terms of manpower. It's navy would also be supported by mostly private shipwrights and dock owners rather than a large state owned naval infrastructure.

Our economic situation would be one of transition. As mentioned in the synopsis, our nation would be facing a series of panics and bank runs that eventually lead to the adoption of our constitution as a way to centralize power in the nation, control the person of the king, and allow for representation of landowning classes. Once the constitution is adopted in 1820, the nation will found a true central bank, set up institutions similar to the FDIC, and stabilize itself. Only after this will the industrial revolution really kick off in Jeriga as capital gets freed up across the nation, spurring growth and thrusting our society into the imperial age.

Socially, we will still be divided pretty thoroughly. King Arsenio, who was mentally ill and could not reign, died in 1815 and his son (he could still have sex, apparently) was of much better constitution. King Julio would rule strongly and guide the last years of the debate and the negotiations around the writing of a constitution. The break out of war in 1818 and the threat it poses to Jerigan trade interests will finally allow the debate to end with the constitution that results in a strong monarch and a representative parliament with the power to check him.

Our entry into the war would have the following objectives: Lessen Laedenian power, increase our own influence over trade in the Mesder and in Argus, and to establish a military holding on the continent itself so as to claim resources for our ailing economy. And, of course, to strengthen the legitimacy of the new monarch.

As long as our military seeks to do these things, remains a strong naval power, and does manage to put itself into a better position following the war, then I'm open to pretty much any plot. I plan to have the 19th century be the ascendency of my nation from second rate power to one of the great powers. So, maybe this can be the start.

EDIT:

Our merchant fleet would be under a joint-stock company owned by the crown called the Mesder Sea Trading Company, or MSTC. I imagine this company would have privately owned ports in some nations, or have some interest in the going ons of the eastern side of Argea. This would be a great way to pull Jeriga into the war.

[Wellsia]

Wellsia is an absolute monarchy at this time under a hedonistic king who spends the treasury on elaborate parties and sycophants, ignoring the kingdom. The Army is suppose to have some 16,000 men but through corruption and theft, in reality has about half that number. The majority of the troops are still armed with matchlocks and fight in compact columns 8 deep and 32 wide. The army also uses war elephants covered with heavy armor and carrying a small 2 pounder cannon (1 kg). The strength of the army will be cavalry units of both regulars and irregulars. The Navy is in somewhat better shape but tradition has kept the majority of the ships propelled by a combination of sails and oars. The largest ships carry some 24-36 pdr (16 kg) and a dozen or so sweeper cannons. The ships carry a large number of Marines and prefer boarding tactics.

King Hanno VIII will support any group that can provide him with more money to spend on his parties. The Council is concerned by the power of Laeden and its growth of power in the area. Other nations is southern part of Wellsia can have rival factories for trading with the natives in the area. This war is what convinces the leaders of Wellsia to expand in land and occupy the interior regions of modern Wellsia. The natives are semi-civilized and can provide armies of warriors armed with a variety of firearms and melee weapons.

[Jeriga]

Wellsia is an absolute monarchy at this time under a hedonistic king who spends the treasury on elaborate parties and sycophants, ignoring the kingdom. The Army is suppose to have some 16,000 men but through corruption and theft, in reality has about half that number. The majority of the troops are still armed with matchlocks and fight in compact columns 8 deep and 32 wide. The army also uses war elephants covered with heavy armor and carrying a small 2 pounder cannon (1 kg). The strength of the army will be cavalry units of both regulars and irregulars. The Navy is in somewhat better shape but tradition has kept the majority of the ships propelled by a combination of sails and oars. The largest ships carry some 24-36 pdr (16 kg) and a dozen or so sweeper cannons. The ships carry a large number of Marines and prefer boarding tactics.

King Hanno VIII will support any group that can provide him with more money to spend on his parties. The Council is concerned by the power of Laeden and its growth of power in the area. Other nations is southern part of Wellsia can have rival factories for trading with the natives in the area. This war is what convinces the leaders of Wellsia to expand in land and occupy the interior regions of modern Wellsia. The natives are semi-civilized and can provide armies of warriors armed with a variety of firearms and melee weapons.

So, if the MSTC got in there starting in 1810-1815, what would the relationship between essentially the commercial arm of a foreign government and Wellsia be?

[Wellsia]

Wellsia is built on trading, it would welcome trade with it, but would oppose contact with the native tribes and cities as cutting them out as the middle man. Think if a local nation had been powerful enough to oppose the various East India companies that built factories throughout India. At this point Hadast (Carthage) is similar to the Hanse towns.

[Jeriga]

Wellsia is built on trading, it would welcome trade with it, but would oppose contact with the native tribes and cities as cutting them out as the middle man. Think if a local nation had been powerful enough to oppose the various East India companies that built factories throughout India. At this point Hadast (Carthage) is similar to the Hanse towns.

So how does the government control trade in Wellsia? Would there be a black market of untaxed or regulated trade directly to natives?

[Wellsia]

Since the merchant class is the government, you could call it state capitalism. The king could care less about anything but his own pleasure so the black market would be strong and corruption rampant. At this point except for a few coastal holdings the southern part of Wellsia, below the lakes, is claimed but not controlled. It is this war that causes Wellsia to take more interest in the interior, to prevent loss to other countries.

[Jeriga]

So the MSTC attempting to bypass your government's monopoly on trade and develop relations with the indigenous population in the interior could motivate your government to step in to stop that?

[Wellsia]

Some of them yes, but a little bribe or two could get papers lost or cause forgetfulness. Think of the area somewhat like India, before British domination, when you had Portuguese, Dutch, French, Danish and English factories buying and selling goods. Hadast claims the coast but except for our on trade factories in the area, has little or nothing to do with it. As long as the MSTC doesn’t interfere with Hadast or tries to establish trade factories in the north part of South Argus or the southernmost part of the large island, things will be overlooked. The king might even sell trade rights to the MSTC or other groups to finance his lifestyle.

[Jeriga]

Some of them yes, but a little bribe or two could get papers lost or cause forgetfulness. Think of the area somewhat like India, before British domination, when you had Portuguese, Dutch, French, Danish and English factories buying and selling goods. Hadast claims the coast but except for our on trade factories in the area, has little or nothing to do with it. As long as the MSTC doesn’t interfere with Hadast or tries to establish trade factories in the north part of South Argus or the southernmost part of the large island, things will be overlooked. The king might even sell trade rights to the MSTC or other groups to finance his lifestyle.

Interesting

[Alteran Republics]

I would be interested in Altera getting involved in some format. Happy to discuss possibilities and expand upon ideas.

[Laeden]

Transcription of the conversation in Discord VC in 17/08/22 between Jeriga, Laeden and Keomora


@Keomora, EVERCLEAR NUCLEAR destroys the Dociaran fleet in a big battle. The Laedenian fleet is dispatched, prior to that, trying to reinforce the Dociaran fleet. Realizing that they are too late to save the Dociaran, the Laedenians try to intercept Keo's fleet. Keo's ship race to port, where @Jeriga (Thuz), has trump warrant's fleet was stationed. They emerge, charging the Laedenian fleet, which is tired and in need of resupply after the tiring journey around the southern tip of Argus (where it faced tropical storms that damaged the ships). The combined Keomoran-Jerigan fleet destroy most of Laeden's large warships, leaving only small frigates that are nimble enough to run away.

The Laedenian survivors divide in two: one minor fleet makes a run back to Laeden, raiding coastal cities in Wellsia in order to ressuply and making use of the frigate's superior speed to elude the Jerigan navy. Meanwhile, another half of the survivors tried to escape to @Hintuwan, Last of the Romans, where the CMC had facilities and where they expected to be safe. They make a quick stop at @Uprea, slam dunk expert, to resupply (and maybe the Upreans help fight back the Jerigan pursuers?) and from there they head to Hintu. In Hintu they ressuply and they gather other CMC vessels, which are used as transport ships to take back a huge colonial army to strike the relatively unprotected eastern coast of Keomora, in order to split her forces and relief the Laedenian armies in the west.

The sea battle would be known in Laedenian historiography as part of the ''Eastern Storms Campaign'', as Laedenians would try to blame the rough summer weather as being the main cause of the poor display of the Laedenian fleet against Keomorans and Jerigans

The fleet returns from Hintu to Keomora, being intercepted in the way by the Iszkari Confederation @Razzgriz, Pending MD, who attacked Laedenian ships, destroying part of the fleet and making a portion of the Hintuwan army rest in the bottom of the sea. The part of the fleet that arrives manages to land the Hintu colonials in Keomora, and while they're too few to change the course of the war, their numbers are large enough to make Keo to partly divide her forces, thus allowing the remaining ships in Laeden to rescue the laedenian army

[Wellsia]

The southern coast of Wellsia, outside the islands and peninsulas across from them, is mostly held only by native tribes and towns, Consider this region similar to India or the Guinea Coast in the 1600s and early 1700s with numerous nations having trade factories built there. Laeden instead of raiding fortified coastal cities of Wellsia, I would suggest that you have a port or two for your ships to stop at. This war is what leads Wellsia to expand in the south driving out other nations and occupying those trade towns.

[Jeriga]

The southern coast of Wellsia, outside the islands and peninsulas across from them, is mostly held only by native tribes and towns, Consider this region similar to India or the Guinea Coast in the 1600s and early 1700s with numerous nations having trade factories built there. Laeden instead of raiding fortified coastal cities of Wellsia, I would suggest that you have a port or two for your ships to stop at. This war is what leads Wellsia to expand in the south driving out other nations and occupying those trade towns.

This could be a good way for the war to have started between Laeden and I, or at least one of the sparks (we all know every good war has multiple sparks on multiple kegs of gunpowder). I could have started setting up shop to the extent the monarchy would allow in Wellsia, so Laeden, in fear of competition in the region, starts raiding my trade factories there (see the style of the portuguese colonies) so we fight back by arming and supporting the Keomoran rebels in their aim to oust foreigners. In the process, we move most of our navy east of the continent to raid Laedanian ports there with Keomoran support.

Laeden responds by aiding the pro-foreigner side of the Keomoran civil war and sending its fleet to the east side of the continent as well. Thus, the events transcribed by Laeden in his previous post come about, thus deciding the war in southern Argus.

[Jeriga]

Soooo are we ready to put together a timeline?

[Keomora]

[placeholder to explain the political divides of Keomora aka the Moran-Kevoran rivalry]