A World Worth Fighting For V2[AP Region Only]

[Togeria]

"When I was a young girl my mother told me of the ancient stories. Stories of how this world was founded about how long ago mighty gods with immense power were able to bend the fabric of reality to forge new life from nothingness. In my country water is the most important thing to us for it symbolizes the connected and flowing energy of this great and whole world we call, Earth. My mother told me the name came from those beings who forged us not like how a blacksmith would forge a blade, but a metal smith would spend days and weeks working with the metal and learning it's properties before melting it to create a statue of his imagination. She told me we were what those powerful beings imagined.

Earth seems so mysterious. Millions of years of creation and evolution of learning and harnessing the land around us and the energies of the ancients that surround us, but this great land still eludes us. Great deserts to the east and west and steppes provide natural barriers except for those who prove too daring to fall in line with common logic. The coast have become the home of a great many civilizations from the great birth of our species to the now in this time. It is often said by many that we learned to sail the waves before we learned to walk the land. It seems as though the energies of Pangaea is content in hiding her secrets.

Even with our technology, our magic, our science we still feel so young. To some magic is nothing more than unexplained processes of the the natural world and will sooner or later be translated as it were some language. To others science is nothing more than a watered down version of the energies of this planet tainted by man's eagerness to find quick solution. But, to others the two are separate with their own purposes both to be tamed and controlled or respected and learned from.

I have grown and seen many mysterious of this planet. Studied the sciences and the energies of this planet alike, my thrown away long ago I have thrown myself fully to one mission. Married to it as I hold it as my own.......our vows something known only to us. My purpose known only to others as a teacher, a giver of advice, a storyteller, a manipulator of fortunes. I do not know now what the men of my planet will do in coming decades.....yet, but soon I will as I watch idly by. I will know everything....."

[Parcia]

Ex ferro Imperii - People of Steel

The Imperium of Steel

The Monarch sat on his throne, the Republic was at peace, for once...that was to change soon. Not now though, for now, the people were at peace, toiling in the mines and factories. He was a young man, for a King, barely in his 40s. Yet upon his lap sat a girl. She looked like her father, same raven hair, same pale complexion, same stunning features. She was 14 now, her 15th birthday soon to come. Her mother, the Queen Mother, would have scolded her for doing such a thing, calling it childish.

But she was his princess, his Misha, and he was going to spoil her every now and then. And so, the lanky girl sat on her fathers lap, the two of them taking a bit of a break from their busy lives. Him from ruling the Kingdom, her from being groomed in to the next queen. "Did I ever tell you the story that my father once told me, Misha?" He felt his little one shake her head as it rested on his chest. "He told me, long ago, there was no such thing as magic, that man, in this ancient time when the mystical did not exist, relied purely on science." He paused, recalling the memory as his father had told it to him when he was her age. "He said that the gods were angry at man, for not staying true to their faith, and so a war was fought, between man and his science, and the gods and their magic." He recalled the way his father told him, trying to mimic his tone and accent. "But man, while young, was smart, he devised weapons that could harm and even kill the old gods. In the end, the world had been greatly damaged, and all but one of the gods lay dead."

"This one god is said to have been wise, he stayed out of the war in Heaven, and so when the last survivors of the war in Heaven found them selves with a shattered world, they made a deal. Man would be faithful to him, and so the God would protect them. How ever, as the world advanced over the untold millennia, and man was given magic, man came to execute his same mistakes, and many men turned from God's light. It is said that the last of us who were faithful would be rewarded. We would got to build a kingdom, an empire in the mountains. In return, he would strip away the great temptation that lead to man turning from the God's light: Magic.

God banished those who fallowed the wicked ways of the magic users, and left the kingdom, our Imperium. He told us that the blood line that would would this Imperium would be blessed by him, for he would gift us the one true divine magic: Fire. With this skill, and the fertile, mineral rich lands of the Mountains, we would rule and prosper."

He paused, stroking his dear daughter's hair as she drifted off to sleep in his arms. "My dear child, I am about to do something, to send our men on a crusade of righteousness. Some of our people see this as wrong, some of us see this as right. Know, that what ever happens, I do it for you."

She didn't understand her father's words, but she was too tired to ask him, and so, she drifted off to dreamland, unknowing of the fire that awaited her and her people.

[Togeria]

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NPC: Holy Rome

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The Holy Roman Empire has faced many struggles since the times of Luther. The great split of 1651 saw the merchant class of the empire rise up against the rules of the church of the nation and further weaken its authority and grasp, yet, the this change proved necessary. Since the split from Parcia their extremity had caused a rift in the empire and many of the religiously minded left. This void in faith had left a vacuum for the growing merchant class to fill, and like wolves attracted to the corpse of a dying sheep they did.

Merchants on behalf of Holy Rome sailed from the northern coast and began to trade in parts of the Caribbean and Africa often on behalf of the Dutch crown. An unofficial partnership would be established between the two that saw the trade of goods, slaves, and weaponry across the North Sea and Atlantic.

This of course if important in understanding the greater picture...
The merchant class however growing faced prosecution from the church. Many believed them demons and agents of chaos who used their wealth not as people of God to give their fellow man, but to flaunt and abuse the most holy of systems to their advantage. They preyed upon the weakness of the German and reaped profit and on behalf of His Mightiness and His People, The Church would restore the order that had been lost.
In 1781 a series of laws were enacted to limit these vile merchants, to give the church and the princely states(coerced from the Prussia Kingdom) to seize the wealth of these sinners. They went to needed projects such as the Lord's Army, a mighty and growing force of men who would fight to see the kingdom grow and the left over from such endeavors would be shared justly first to give the churches their means of furthering the most holy cause and second to the people.

But......this change would bring a fundamental shift in the mindset of the people. To them the church didn't help them they didn't aid the farmer who toiled in his fields praying that his harvest would grow, nor the humble city worker, peasant, or merchant. No, the wealth was seized for the benefit of a few corrupt and powerful men and the common man suffered. But, who would help the man? The worker? the soldier? Widow? Son? Daughter? The answer would lie in an age old solution so rudimentary all felt ashamed for not realizing it earlier. The people would, the Lord's People. Luther had showed them and showed them all that the word of God was absolute and free to all men, and these men who claimed to be of the cloth were nothing more than wolves masquerading as sheep. The Church which was once the haven of the people and the bridge between them and their savior was a lie, their faith lied within them, and would as one they would act upon a fiery vengeance that would burn the sinners to the ground. Prussia, itself which had been left as the only force unifying the Holy Rome was now home to the just crusader and as word spread the Church in fear would look towards its shields to help fend off the flames of justice.

Their shield would leave them....

Under the leadership of their generals a coup went underway that saw the king forced to give into the demands of the people and in his name a new army would be raised to defend the people. The power of the people, Populism would consume the nation. As states within Holy Rome found themselves in awe as seemingly in the hundreds of years of its existence man and woman within the borders of Holy Rome wouldn't be separated by faith or by state but by the common knowledge that they were united. United in their dissatisfaction against those who had tried to pull a wool over their eyes and they would act in kind to destroy those who did. This was the power of the people and truly the first and of a long line of People Crusades!

[Parcia]

Imperial Boarder town of Bruhl, 7th of May

The 50 man column had a special mission. They were to scout ahead across the boarder in to the heretical lands to the east. They were to avoid the local towns, save on in particular, engage only when they had a numerical superiority and to only take the smallest of settlements they could find.

That is, in 6 some odd hours, when they leave in the dead of night. Their rifles were ready, each man had a hammer at half cock, a ball and shot loaded, and a cap ready to fire, yet kept their weapons slung. Captain Roman Leone, son of a minor noblemen and noted commander, sat around the campfire, surrounded by his fellow men. He was rather unorthodox towards his men, treating them as brothers, rather then simple cogs.

The 7th Rangers were a special group of light infantry, trained and equipped for long range reconnaissance and raiding behind enemy lines. Instead of the red and blue, they wore a more plain green and brown uniform.



Each man was at least 21, and carried a pistol, sword or hatchet, and a set of tools to make and cast their own ammo. They were expected to hunt and forage for them selves, so they received little in the way of standard rations.

"And so I said, "Lass, I sympathize with your plite, but if you can take a dick, you can take a joke!" He burst out in hardy laughter, as did many of his men. "The next morning..." He took a breath. "The next morning, I get a knock at my door, and its the Calvert's commander, turns out, she was his niece!" Another burst of laughter.

As the laughter and cheers rang through the midday sun, the two men designated as sentinels stood watch over the field that had marked the boarder between the Imperium and the heretical city states of the Volkstradi lands.

[Togeria]

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Holy People's Rome

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With the revolution sweeping the nation the generals of the Prussian military knew they must utilize the full force of the German populace in order to lead a successful crusade. Speakers on behalf of the new republic now named "The People's Roman Republic" now sought three goals to establish a kingdom fit for him above:

1. To reclaim all lands that had belonged once under Holy Rome.
2. To establish allied states to aid the empire in times of need.
3. To spread revolutionary fervor and spirit through Europe.

In order to do this speakers on behalf of the new German Authority would move through towns and villages of the country asking for volunteers of the former princely states in order to indoctrinate them to the Lord's Army. This to presented a risk for the empire, talks stirred around the neighboring countries of France, England, and the Iberian states of the threat of this new nationalism and how it could shake the steady balance of power that was around in the country. It was of too much importance to keep this order though now the size and power of the growing empire was feared and the leaders would look to the Imperium of Parcia as the gatekeeper to keep German revolutionary though contained and controlled.

Their first true test and the test of Europe would soon come to ahead.

---

Oberst Franz Neuermann was born in the city of Berlin and bore witness to the growth of the mighty Holy Rome. His brother a merchant of the Dutch East India Company was imprisoned unjustly by the church, an act that would lead him to aiding in the Marching of Jenna. Now promoted for his loyalty he would oversee his force of 200 men behind Generalmajor Kurst. Their mission would be simple and to the point they were to march and escort their volunteer force of roughly 500 through Austrian (now Parcian) lands stopping in Budapest, the act would be simple yet powerful. The German people would not abandon those they ruled justly for millennium. He knew all to well this was a testing maneuver as well to gauge the feared Parcians and to send a message across Europe. Even now forces west were readying for French intervention and in the south as well near the Alps, but to win this crusade The Lord would only bestow fortune on the bold and they must be daring and yet cautious to win this oncoming war.

http://prntscr.com/gcrw6f
Marching order

[Communist Volkstrad]

In the Eastern edge of Europe, there's a foreboding land typically avoided by most people with sense. It's a deep, dark forest which has generated most of the continent's stories of monsters and demons.

Nearly eight hundred years ago, this dark land was a much happier place. Under the rule of House Markov, the Khaganate of Volkstrad had been flourishing, and was in a golden age. Long struggled with foreign barbarians had been pushed out, the harvest was plentiful, and the economy was booming like never before. This era of peace had been underway since the first of the Markov rulers, Valko the Great, a brilliant philosopher king who had driven out the nation's de facto overlords.

Decades passed, and eventually rule was passed down from one Khagan to another, until it reached the young Viktor. Viktor I was the last Khagan of Old Volkstrad, crowned in the year 1168. In the year 1178, on the anniversary of his coronation, Viktor had become bored. He was crowned at the young age of fifteen, his father having died of disease before him. He had ruled, with some guidance, fairly well, and continuing the prosperity that had come before him, yet he had become bored. He had done nothing notable, nothing like his forefathers, and desired not only to for the Khaganate to prosper, but for its influence and power to grow. He began on military expeditions and conquests to the South, to the East, and to the North, and did find some success...... that was until he hit the borders of the nomadic tribes who his ancestor, Valko, had defeated, along with that of their allies. Every time he'd venture in, he would be defeated or harassed until he was forced to retreat. Worse yet, similar alliances had begun to crop up all around the empire's borders, and soon they stopped being content to simply repel the Volkstradis.

These wars dragged on for years, and years more, and more Volkstradi towns were sacked every week, more Volkstradi people were put to the sword or enslaved, and more Volkstradi fields were salted and burned. As his nation and his people began to crumble around him, Viktor decided not to allow his people to be subjugated again. And so he made a deal, several in fact. He enacted contracts with primal spirits, and communed with old, forgotten entities. To each of these, he promised sacrifice, tribute, or other means of appeasement, and each time he gained more power, and he began to drive the invaders out. Yet, these dark and ancient powers began to fester and take more than was promised, and began to eat away at Viktor's mind. Some say that these beings drove him to more and more savage means of retribution, but others say that the war had taken its toll, and this was all by his own decision.

Regardless of the cause, eventually, he hit the same block as before. Having driven out the invaders, he sought not only to restore his land, but to punish them as he and his had been punished. However, by this time the Volkstradi people were largely tired of war and death, and so were outraged to hear of the cycle repeating itself. They too had become terrified of the beasts out of legend prowling their forests and harassing the towns. Fearful of what may come, the people rose up against him to depose the mad king and restore the peace.

These rebellions he spent much time crushing, and almost as much time summoning spirits to help him in the crackdown. Even still, his desire for vengeance was so strong that he summoned terrible demons and devils to him, and promised them whatever they wanted to defeat his foes, both at home and afar. He promised them the souls of all he killed, and swore to give them the land and all those who lived in them to the demons, even offering his own soul to them. He no longer cared for conquest, only destruction. However, it was somewhat beyond his power to deliver all that he had promised, something that not only these devils, but also the other spirits he had communed with. They accepted the offers of what he could indeed give, but requested something else. All the various creatures he summoned wanted the same thing, despite their very different goals and origins: they wanted permanency. The demons and devils wanted to be released and set free into the world, while the other beings desired old gates and paths to their realms re-opened. This is something Viktor could do, and so he began conducting rituals, digging up old temples and ruins, and all the tasks required of him to enact his curse. Of course, by then he was in too deep to realize what this may result in, and the repercussions of his actions.

On the Winter Solstice of 1186, he conducted his last ritual. Over a thousand prisoners from all of his various wars and all the prisoners otherwise were sacrificed on that day to pull the infernal beings permanently into our world, and it was on that darkest of days that the Khaganate's fall began. The devils fulfilled their end of the bargain, of course, and completely destroyed the enemies of House Markov, but, when their work was done, they set about on their own agendas. They tore away Viktor's soul and slew him on the spot, and began to carve out their own small realms, making other deals, and working to further themselves. Those primal spirits he had summoned, now without their master, broke free to do as they wished, and brought more of their ilk back into the boundaries of Old Volkstrad. Anarchy ensued within the cities and towns as the forest began to grow out of control, and dark things began to come out of it. Soon Volkstrad stopped existing as a nation.

It has been nearly eight hundred years since the Fall, and in that time, new powers have risen, thriving in this world by fighting against the odds and the powers of the realm, or by embracing it and riding it out to its fullest.

Those who are sworn to combat the primeval creatures, the malevolent forces of nature incarnate as well as the dark beings from the pits of Hell, swear themselves to the State of Vallgrad, the strongest economically and most technologically advanced of the Khans of Old Volkstrad. The city of Vallgrad itself is located on the Crimean Peninsula, and while they are strong, their followers are scattered and contact directly with their vassals is limited. As such, most of them rely on their ingenuity and strength of will to survive, doing so primarily on the borders of Old Volkstrad, where the reach of the forest is at its weakest. There are others who support this struggle, yet are not vassals to Vallgrad itself. These exist mostly within the depths of the forest itself, and live in heavily fortified settlements near the safe roads. A new faith has sprung up in Vallgrad, rejecting the old ways that lead their ancestors to ruin, and revering various saints and angels. The de facto leaders of Vallgrad are the Mournival, the heads of the church and leaders of the state's military, although the official leader is the Voivode, Grigori Dragovich Kovar.

There are some who embrace the power of the forest itself, and that of its enigmatic curators. These people can be divided into two categories, the wild men who live in roving tribes and covens throughout the dark forest, and those who inhabit what is left of Old Kristav on the Volga. They accept and follow the Old Way followed by their distant forefathers, and venerate the benevolent spirits of the forest and the river, and for the most part keep to themselves. They are willing to deal with complete outsiders, as well as with the Vallgradis, and as such their caravans are the most common source of internal trade between the various groups in Old Volkstrad. A Kristavite guide is the best way to avoid the dangers of the forest, and to find the shortest paths from place to place. However, the Kristavites are also superstitious, and follow many traditions and rules of their people. Further, their interactions are not always peaceful, and some tribes are known for raiding settlements. Even worse, it is a constant concern that Kristavites may turn to worshiping or becoming enthralled to the more malign inhabitants of the forest, and become a threat to all others. Some guides may lead an unwary traveler into the hands of whatever the guide has sworn himself to, becoming no more than a hunting tool for them. As such, they are treated with suspicion or disdain by those they encounter. Kristav itself is lead by the Khan, Vitomir, to whom all the true Kristavites are sworn. Other tribes exist who follow similar traditions and beliefs, but who are not sworn to the Khan. These rogue tribes are most often those associated with the dark powers of the forest, but not always.

The last of the major factions are a bit more..... complicated. The people of Vykongrad are best described as opportunists, and control many of the larger settlements throughout Old Volkstrad including much of the area around the old western capital of Vykongrad as well as other places like the town of Iskara. The Vykongradis follow an odd society that is part feudal, yet also part meritocracy. It possesses its nobles and aristocrats, but it is completely possible, and even common, to advance based on merit and ability. Although, this often takes the form of murdering your superiors in a quiet, or occasionally not so quiet fashion. The Vykongradis also have, to a degree, reclaimed the forest around their territory, and thus have an overall more centralized region of control than their neighbours, though this is not without exception. The aristocracy of Vykongrad also tends to have close ties to the demons which brought about Old Volkstrad's fall, although speaking of this is considered taboo. Many Vykongradis advance in their society by making deals with the devils to either grant them favour or power, or just to knock off their rivals. Some take the route of the Kistavites and commune with spirits of the forest, or simply take matters into their own hands. The Vykongradis follow the example laid out by Viktor completely unrepentant, and indeed many are descended from his loyal soldiers and allies, with rumours that some may actually be said soldiers and allies. Vykongrad is also the most heavily industrialized of the three factions, and have no qualms with using slaves to man the factories. Almost all Vykongradis wear masks in public, nowadays out of tradition. Yet this tradition has a more meaningful, dark purpose. Whatever the case, the Vykongradis never seem to lack funds or means to defeat their enemies, despite being universally reviled by the other Volkstradi peoples. They are led now by Empress Constanta of House Markov, a ruler who never really seems to age at all despite her long rule.

Dark times are ahead, even more so than before. Vallgrad is starting to muster arms and men for some cause, while the Kistavites are restless. Even worse, the Vykongradis are also beginning to stir, and the talk is that they're planning on expanding their influence.....

[Republic Under Specters Grasp]

Between the landmasses, of those whom fight and strive for power over land too large for their own good, lies the very silent empire, one which has a disputed history when it comes to titles. However, to the people whom live in the capital, they label it as "Taramul Fantom". Between every common folk, there is no true dispute. Not even between the 3 main regions, do no guard forces or mercenaries slaughter one another.

However, the fatal war lies behind the facades of peace: There is no true King; only 3 different leaders. To the north, lies the richest of personal wealth: the one claimed to be a god, not of his feats that men and women claim he does, but of his fairness and treatment of all beneath him. He gives no true irk to the people of the other regions besides their other leaders, but some find that he may be too perfect.

Beneath them, is the men of the Union. Ones whom have not taken one true noble to lead them, but many equal nobles to rule with the voices of many to back them: a more modern government then their neighboring regions which they share the same banner with. Their issue is of dealing with the psychotic men to their west, and their superior adversarial force above them. For now, their people, along with the others, have kept peace for around 3 decades now.

However, the last region may be too hostile to keep with the status quo: the men of the Islands. Ones whom haven't progressed well to make their own weapons and crafts, taking what's been left from marooned ships and slippage of cargo. Their encounters with the democratic and monarchists have led to skirmishes which are reported to be going on till this day, but that may only be rumor to fool the Union and their many economic guilds, which is where most of the Islanders innovation has been taken from. Instead of such parlimentary leaders or one single leader, they decided to just stay as was, and fight one another under very temporary clans: ones that had been forced to be calm after the last civil war, making the temporary bonds seem permanent.

But soon, something will cause one of the powers in the region to finally become superior over the others: what it would be, is unknown.

[Parcia]

Governs office, Budapest, Austrian territories, Impierum of Steel.

The boarder's would be watched closely, as the people of the Imperium, even those of the Austrian territories, whose acquisition from its previous owners some 20 years before, were already weeping the benefits of Imperial Rule. While some still harbored their love for the Roman empire, a name many thought humorous due to Rome being the Imperial capital, they had long since learned to hide their opinions and "Not bite he hands that fed them."

Still, when the Roman regulars were sighted approaching the boarder, the militia captain of that country was immediately notified. He gave two orders, first a runner was to be sent to Budapest to notify the regional governor in the Hopes of reinforcements from the Imperial Regulars.

Second, was to send out a call to arms in the country. All Imperial citizens, men and women over the age of 18 were called to pick up a rifle, or in some cases, a simple pike, and ordered to report the local armory. In the end, after three days, 107 men and women, young and old, reported. Most carried their own rifles, some crude weapons made at home, other masterfully crafted weapons used through out decades of hunting and war.

The commander split them in to three groups, the first was made up of 70 men, all young men fit for combat, yet not enlisted for reasons unknown, and were to meet the incoming forces. They were ordered to fortify a section of the road and hold it as along as possible. While this was happening, the other two groups made up of the older, more veteran men and most of the women volunteers, were to brake off and hide in the forests lining the road, just ahead of the fortified point.

When the enemy column was to meet the men at the fortification, they would be caught in a cross fire.


This was all explained in the letter that the governor read as he sat at his desk. He leaned back in his chair, and brought out a fresh paper.

My dearest Emperor
Governor Von Stauffenburg, Budapest

I have received reports that a force from the north, consisting of an unknown number of Roman regulars is approaching the city via the northern road. I have since given my consent to mobilize the local militias, and at the present time, have 107 men are going to meet them and stay them for as long as possible. I do not know if this is a deliberate attack, or some sort of rouge element, but until as time as I can discern which, I have put 1 regiment of the local garrison, the 69th Volunteer infantry, on standby to deploy to the area as soon as humanly possible.

The regiment consists of 2 companies of 100 men each.

I fear this may be the beginning of further hostilities with the Romans to the north.

The letter was sealed with the royal seal and sent off with the fastest runner around. The Regiment was due to reach the Militia unit roughly a day after the enemy did, and the letter to reach the capital in a week.

12 miles south of the boarder, road to Budapest.

The men worked quickly, setting up a road block of over turned wagons, spare doors, and large rocks. Each man had a rifle with 10 shot and a short sword of some make. They were not expected to repel the enemy, only to hold them. If emperor willing, they just might do it.

[Togeria]

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People's Rome: Outside Budapest

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http://prntscr.com/gcs9e6

As the column of 500 marched towards the city the spotter situated in front would look through his binocular to see the amassing force. His line of vision of would be obscured however and he would only be able to see the men most immediately in front forming a blockade. The forest presented ample cover of their flanks, in order to form a proper line they would be force to break through. Kurst himself knew this and sent orders to his aid to position the men as a brief but necessary stop was made for the encroaching conflict. The reserves were told to ready themselves as the recruits were ordered to form around the more experienced center.

This in turn would form a modification of an armored square, Kurst plan was simple, he would force himself through the blockade but to do so he would have to make sure his own flanks were protected. The recent recruits ahead of him severals lines forward move up tight and they would begin marching again as the line formed recruits formed. The line of men would follow back in experience, those in back restoring order among the less hardened ranks.



The recruits as they approached could feel the air seemingly deathen as they approached the adrenaline. As the blockade of men were the only thing they saw they prayed and hoped their training and numbers would push them to overcome this foe. Enticed by their more experienced brothers the front lines would scream out,"Gott Mit Uns!!!" in unison as if to try and break the air itself with their voices some of the battlecrys piercing the air as some soldiers would shriek the words out from their lungs in hopes of causing fear in these townsfolk. As they approached they kept their muskets in prone position and began to fire as soon as they could spot their enemy.

[Parcia]

As the enemy regiment closed in, the militiamen said their prayers. The ranking officer, a lowly sergeant, rose above the barricade, his rifle held high. "For the Emperor!"

Each man had a bayonet fixed. "Fire!" The 70 men lined up the enemy with the barrels of their guns, cocked their hammers back, and fired. A stream of .69 caliber ball fire roared out, surprisingly on time for a group of farmers and huntsmen. "For the Emperor, glory to the first man to die!" All at once, the 70 man charged over the barricade, hollering and yelling out war cries of "Ava Imperator!" "For the Empire!" "For king and country!" Those that lacked bayonets slung their muskets and drew their pistols and swords.

As they did this, the units to the side made their presence known. Using the forest for cover, they each lined up a Roman soldier and fired, not in regimental style, rather with a pause after each shot, giving them a steady stream of fire.

Their tactic was to use their presence, their noise and their unusual tactics to disorganize and crush the enemies moral. Ultimately it was suicidal, they all knew that, at this point, their objective was to reek hell on the enemy.

[Togeria]

"Brace!" would cry out the captains as the hail of bullets slammed into the first lines of the recruits many falling in the attack and many perishing as a result. Those in back would rally the men telling them to continue to scream out in defiance with Kurst and Neuermann in back rally the forces. As the forces along their sides began to fire so to did the recruits each man downed but still moving quickly moved behind the lines of his more trained companions. The first lines largely hit would be shifted as men from the second line stepped forward and in would fire their shots off with those that still managed to stand to try and dwindle the numbers of the incoming forces. After doing such they didn't bother to reload knowing it would take too much time and instead would budge close together to tighten the box, with their muskets readied, and bayonets fixed they thrusted their weapons at the attacks.

With attacks along the sides Kurst would order for his men to push forward,"There are but mere men! You are soldiers loyal to Germania and Rome herself, push! For the Revolution and her glory, push!" He roared out, succeeding in rallying many of the veteran members and slowly as the box tightened they made an effort to push back against the farmers, those in front battling the confusion of action seemingly moved forward not of their own accord as their fellow soldiers lines back pushed against troops in front of them cause momentum towards the city. In turn even causing the green in their ranks to be tested and face off against this foe with no option given by soldier or general of retreat.

[Parcia]

In the end, the charge was cut down, but not before every man got one good shot, or one good slash in on his enemy before he fell. In the end, the barricade was manned only be a pair of squires, young boys, barely past their 13th birthday. They each held nothing but a simple sword, barely able to heft it. The two brothers would wave a white flag as the enemy approached. "Don't shoot!"

Adeline Kraus

She shouldered her rifle, centered it on the head of a Romen, and fired, the cap lock going off with a distinctive crack. She had little time to enjoy her victory though, as a volley of shot rang back at her. Most missed, but a few impacted the trees around her as well as the one she was using as cover. She felt a searing pain in her arm and yelped. She slumped against the tree and pawed at the wound. She saw a large splinter, about the size of her pointer finger, lodged in her left shoulder.

She sat their and pondered her choices. She could surrender to the Romans...she looked around, seeing her fallen countrymen around her. Unlike most of the other youth of her town, she was born in the heart of the empire, her father a army officer. They had settled here just after it fell in to Imperial hands. He had been that same sergeant who led the charge.

She felt a ball of anger form in her belly, the type only the devil him self could muster. She though coldly for a moment, debating lighting her powder horn and walking in to the enemy lines. She shook her head and though better of it. She slung her rifle and began to creep along the edge of the tree line as to keep in sight of the road, while also trying to out pace the enemy. If she could get to her horse, perhaps she could warn the reinforcements of the oncoming storm.

And so she did, crawling through the bush. Praying.


Budapest

The city was a buzz of activity, the call to arms had also been sounded in the city, and the mustering of men, women, and arms was much more substantial.

With the renaming company of 150 regulars, the other half of the 69th Infantry, they were able to muster 250 militiamen and military retirees, as well as a set of 4 3 pounder guns. With only a few days until the enemy reached their fair city, the defenders sought out to form barricades in the openings of the old walls.

[Togeria]

As the men approached the boys the flags would be taken before they would be directed to Kurst. He towered over them in a way an Olympian hero of old would tower over a mere peasant and yet his face would soften. Doing nothing but removing a small letter from his coat pocket he gave it to the boys before speaking,"My mercy towards you not only comes from your age but also from a time when our people were under one flag. This is an act of brotherhood, return my kindness by giving their letter to your mayor." He said first in German and then Latin not sure which language they spoke.

After that was done he would simply order the men to briefly rest giving them the chance to plunder loot from the dead bodies before heading forward neatly resting the bodies to the sides of roads, some of them completely stripped. Rifles, ammo, powder, it would all be needed for the next length of the journey. Kurst debating turning back, though brief this fight had proven to him the capabilities of these defenders he could return in a weeks time and have readied a more substantial force, but by then the enemy would be in full alert. He would have depend on other units being sent into Parcia to alleviate their goal.

With this in mind he motioned his sword forward and had his men march onward.

---

As Kurst was busy in Hungary the Lord's Army was busy readying a mighty force. 40,000 strong it would take a month before they were ready, but their mission would be clear. They were to march to reclaim the old lands of their empire the former capital before Berlin, Vienna. From Prague they would march south towards the city and unlike their recent foray all would have to be readied and tested. Led by General Warburg, a former accountant turned soldier, he would be eager to both liberate the old lands and prove his loyalty to this German state by liberate Austria.

[Parcia]

The two boys would remain steadfast, though their fear was badly hidden. They glanced at each other, nodded to the German and quickly ran down the road.

Adeline Kraus

She had spent the better half of the day crawling through the bush, staying hidden. She stopped a few miles down the road. She had found her horse, a majestic beast of black, a halfbreed of a local pony with an Arabian steed. She stopped a bit, by a small creek. She sat down and shucked her over coat and corset. This was not a sly one women wore down at the boarding house, rather a simple, plain colored garment meant to hide her...more feminine assets from the enemy.

Leaving nothing but her undershirt and pants on, she sat out extracting the splinter from her arm. She took out a spare boot strap she kept on her, bit down hard, and pulled the splinter out. She screamed through the leather piece as the wood came out, slowly. Taking a breath, she threw the wood off in to the forest floor.

She took out her canteen, a simple metal flask, and filled it. Taking out a small pouch, she brought up a shaky hand to her shoulder and poured the water out over the wound, trying her best to clean out the dirt and wood splinters. She opened the pouch, and poured the contents, some finely grained salt, and emptied it in to the now half empty flask. Clenching the strap between her teeth and bit down hard as the salted water poured through her wound. She let out a long groan at this, working through the pain.

This was an old trick her father had taught her when she was younger, one that came handy in his service to the Empire.

Taking out a clean strip of cloth, she tied it tightly around the wound, wincing again. She retrieved her clothing, redressed, and mounted her horse. She rode hard for Budapest.

[Centro-Progressive Peoples Entity]

Quiet waves splashed against the shore near the stoic cliffs, a contrast to the usually boisterous ebbs and flows. The high pressure air in the area had temporarily created a calm and warm atmosphere, but just on the horizon a storm was waging a race with fishermen and merchants out on the sea. This storm was to be a furious one, but a final break in the clouds emerged before it began to pour....

The Kingdom of Anglia was seen by many, both native-born and foreign, to be a grim and cold place. The grim and cold weather certainly didn't help, what with storms and grey clouds dominating the skies for most of the year. It was only a semi-glamorous shadow of its former self, with previous splendor being shrouded in mystery and dubious fables. The King, whose throne had once been a prestigious one renowned and revered through the Isle, had fallen into a state of mediocrity and questionable lineage. Even the Royal Family was Royal only in name: they were in fact dirt poor, most of what they had being lost to debts and the bottomless lure of ale. Only the nobility remained as the symbols of former power and wealth, but none cared enough about the greater state of the Isle to look beyond their estates. Only one thing seemed to unite their opinions: collective aversion to the events in continental Europe. They saw these "populist" movements are idealistic, petty, and assumed that given time they would fall flat in disgrace.

The army was fractured and disorganized, and the Navy, though among the largest and most powerful in all of Europe, remained without orders or competent men to man them. For Anglia, the future was as grim as their weather. Yet graciously, glimmers of hope shone upon Anglia at its worst hour:
Morale and determination were high among the various armies of the different Noble Aristocrats as the breakaway Free City of Liverpool. This conflict was heating up over the city's refusal to submit to any of the Lords of the surrounding areas. Thus the Lords combined their forces for the first time in over 60 years to enforce submission in Liverpool, and the common folk were treating this as a good old-fashioned honor war, which long ago Anglia was always the uncontested winner of. Additionally, due to lack of foreign emigration or immigration causing a low birthrate among Anglians, more Lords were intermarrying their offspring again, causing a complex network of inheritances and Personal Unions to form all throughout Anglia. Some of these had already taken effect, most notably in the merging of Kent, Essex, Sussex, and Bucks Counties due to the Lord Beattie of Kent inheriting these counties. He was now considered the most powerful man in Anglia. Finally, a set of ambitious and competent young admirals have sprung up from affluent seaside families and populous shipbuilding areas, taking command of various fleets within the Royal Navy. They had recently held a conference in Portsmouth, agreeing to each combine their fleets under the capable leadership of Admiral Lord Thomas Holland-Kesteven Z(affectionately called "The Gambler" by his colleagues). He has long been a proponent of expanding the fleet to ensure naval superiority over the Irish Coasts and the North Sea, to show the Irish and Scottish and Welsh kingdoms that Anglia will once again assert economic dominance on the isle. The other admirals agreed with this and took control of specific squadrons.

[Parcia]

Budapest

The defenses had been set, the infantry lined the walls while the 4 cannon watched the the northern road. Each 3 pounder gun had been sighted the previous day, with the infantry setting up and practicing fire drills. The number was further boosted by another 200 militia men and 76 regulars from the surrounding counties.

The governor sat in his office, awaiting for the inevitable storm a runner entered. "Sir, I have a message from Rome." The governor leaped out of his seat and snatched it from the young lad, tossing him a gold coin for his service.

Governer Van Stauffenburg
From his royal Highness, Emperor Maximilian III

The news you send me is most troubling. I authorize you to use what ever forces you have on hand to defend the city from enemy advances, I and sending a formal deceleration to the Romans as I write this, one inquiring just what the hell they think they are doing. in 6 days, I can have a force of 2300 regulars, 12 cannon, and 250 cavalrymen as well as 200 grenadiers at Budapest. Your orders are to hold that city.

The governor took a shallow breath, a part of him hoped the king would order a retreat, but it seemed he was doomed to fight here.

Some miles down the road...

The 200 men of the 69th had set up their defensive position some miles down the road from the first battle, using the vary same tactics, they built up a wall of earth and stones, reinforced with lumber from a local mill. They had been reinforced over night by another 100 militia men and 2 falconets, refitted to use the same percussion cap system the infantry rifle did.

The field surrounding the earthworks were fortified with pitch in preparation to be lit ablaze should the men retreat. A lieutenant and 4 men stood some distance down the road, their distinctive uniforms marking them as regulars, with a white flag being held as a sign of truce. As the enemy would advance, the officer, mounted on his steed, would shout. "Do not fire, we come under flag of truce, and wish parlay with your commander."

This was an old tactic, used by honorable men to discern the course of battle.


Rome

The halls the Imperial palace were set in marble in guided in gold. Despite this, Maximilian still felt cold when walking alone through it. The news of the Romans advance in to the northern territories was troubling, and already he had ordered the local regular and militia units to form. By the end of the month, if the unit roster from 4 months prior was still accurate, the Imperial military could muster some 29,000 regulars and an untold number of irregulars to send north. Over all, he was pissed it had to happen so close to his beloved Christina's birthday.

A letter was soon sent northward by civilian courier.

To whom is may concern...

I know not why you have chosen on this endeavor to reclaim land lost of your own folly. But what ever the matter, it is now Imperial Land, and its people Imperial citizens. This act of barbarism will not be tolerated. I offer you one chance to meet under the flag of truce to commit a formal parlay.

Emperor Maximilian.

[Togeria]

Budapest
As the men largely regrouped from the previous conflict, Kurst would have them march towards the city. The square formation was abandoned for the moment as the men again formed into a column. Those who were injured were placed in the back with the reserves as again the lines shifted to allow for the more experienced to take the positions of the recruits.

"Learn well from these battles men, quick thinking and your own initiative will be the difference between if you see your wives by next season." He said firm and sternly.

Every day on the march since the first encounter the men had been practicing, the recruits taking the time to hone their skills to become more proficient in the next battle. Things seemed to change however again a scout would spot ahead for oncoming resistance and would be greeted by the sight of oncoming regulars. Their words though faint were clear to those in front,"Halt!" would call Kurst to his men. He allowed the Parcian regulars to move forward before meeting them halfway. He determined these men of honor and as such would not levy the field to place them closer to his own forces, it would show trust.

"I am Generalmajor Fredrick Kurst of Prussia, you have my company."

---

Major Event
Berlin
The times of revolutionary controlled Holy Rome were turbulent. In the aftermath of the Princely Revolts several royals had been taken from their homes and forced to Berlin, not on order of the king, but on the command of several Governor-Elects who called for their incarceration. In their fall the establishment a new order of extremist called the "Leichtswache"(People's Guard) had become the defacto police of the nation. Looking to mend the vacuum of power they acted on orders from the Governor-Elects and policed voting booths, enforced curfews, apprehended and imprisoned those who sought to undermind the revolution, and in the worst of cases would stealthy remove those who were termed too "Pro-Revertsionist". In order to establish the people's will courts were opened that judged those who went against the principles of the revolution and those judged guilty would be executed, their punishment: public hanging.

In the times since the people within Berlin have grown extreme within their rhetoric, royals and those once famed by the public have fallen out of favor and condemned to scrutiny. Today Hans Koffer, second nephew of Frederick III was executed deemed to anti-revolutionary for taking part in the spread of anti-populist propaganda. His crime was opening his house to hideaways fleeing from the Leichtswache. He would be hanged from the entrance of the People's Court and his body left to stay for two days, a fear tactic utilized to show that the power people fell on all equally.

In the time sense other royals and people have fallen a similar fate, but the act of hanging has become an inconvenience the process termed too long and brutal to be continued with other methods being sought out.

[The Bio-Regional Cooperative of States]

The Sun is Ablaze over the the Empire of the Phoenix. Having roots within Ptolemiac Egypt, it is a creation of the Egyptian peoples, having forged a great empire that stretches across the coast of Northern Africa, and reaches deep into the Mediterranean Sea, owning the islands of Sicily, Cyprus, Sardina, the Balaeric Islands, and much more. The Empire as well holds the famed Holy Land of Palestine, a source of pride for it's citizens. The People of the Empire are culturally diverse, including the Maghrebs, Alaouites, The Beja, Tuareg, Hebrew, and the Largest Ethnicity of them All, Egyptian. This Great Variety of Ethnicities adds up to a population total of around 42 Million, thanks to the upbringing of multiple cities across the Empire, as well as the expansion of Cairo and other Trading Hubs around the Mediterranean, such as Gaza, Rosetta, Alexandria, Tripoli, and Gibraltar due to either their location along important European trade routes, or the cities are major export sites. Great riches have come in from these cities, allowing for the construction of some of the most beautiful architecture to be constructed in these times. Great monuments have been built honoring the gods of the Citizens, and the housing of even the poorest have a unique sense of quality. The Great Wealth flows throughout the Empire, and the citizens live peaceful lives, away from the brewing voilence within their neighbors in Europe.

The Empire of the Phoenix, with it's great ethnic diversity, contains believers of many religions. History will tell you that their predessesors would have been Islamic, and in the Empire's Early history, it was Islamic. But during the early 17th Century, two individuals with great power rose to prominence. Utilizing their great power, the demonstrated themselves on equal levels to gods. Resembling the Egyptian Gods of Horus and Anubis, they claimed to be so. Those who openly questioned them were answered with acts of god like power, such as altering the weather, recreating Biblical Events with merely their individual power, and acts impossible to a mere mortal individual. The Individuals, now to be refferred to as their claimed God Names, gathered a great following, which as each time a god-like act was performed, the following only swelled. Horus and Anubis decreed themselves the new gods of the Empire of the Phoenix, as their following exceeded that of Islam and other religions. As other religions were quickly eclipsed or outright destroyed by the New Gods, Rahkesim was Born. Rahkesim was to become the official religion of the Empire, and the Twin Gods promised prosperity and well being to the people of the Empire. As they brought a new Pharoah for the Empire, the Trading Cities grew and the riches began to flow. The Power of the Empire grew under the Twin Gods, and faith in them to this day has only grown. The Gods have turned away from the public, becoming more hidden, but that does not mean that they have not been seen since the 1700s. Atleast once a Year they will come to the public in Cairo amoung the Great Pyramids to begin the Grand Commemoration of the Gods, a day where citizens of the Empire shall pay tribute to Horus and Anubis by holding a grand celebration of their yearly anniversary of them coming to the Mortal World to grant the great Wealth and Peaceful Lives of the citizens of the Empire.

Beyond the Gods' Power, to the True Government of the Empire, is ruled by a single Pharoah with their various advisors. This Pharoah is alike to their ancient counterparts, as they live with a higher class than the average citizen of the Empire. It has been conspired that the Pharoah is merely a figurehead for Horus and Anubis to rule over the People of the Phoenix, although the majority think otherwise, as the various Pharoahs have guided the Empire of the Phoenix to the promised Prosperity of the Empire. Pharoahs rule for a majority of their lives, being hand selected by the Gods themselves at the young age of 8. By the time the future Pharoah has reached the age of 20, they are led to their new lives ruling over the Empire of the Phoenix, as the Previous Pharoah is dismissed of their rule, usually after about 40 Years of Rule.
As they start their new lives, they are presented with the most pressing of issues of the Empire, such as declarations of War, The Empire-Wide Tax, and other Military and Financial issues. The Pharoahs Advisors will handle less pressing issues with approval of the Pharoah. Beyond the Nation-Wide Government, some portions of the Empire are allowed to rule themselves within parameters of the Pharoah's and Gods' laws, such as Sicily, a portion of Iberia, Sardinia, Morokko and other areas with a major cultural and politcal difference to the majority of Citizens.

With a Vast Empire with equally Vast Wealth, a well trained, well equipped army would be needed to protect such holdings that others may look upon with a greedy eye. With the stories of many Travellers, trading with Europeans, and other diplomatic ventures into Europe, the military technology of the Europeans has been "repurposed" to be able to be manufactured in the Empire. Artillery, Firearms, Uniforms, and Naval Vessels are all based off of European design. The Current Pharoah, having put protection of the Empire as one of the top priorities, has allowed the Military to become a larger presence in the Medditeranean and popular Trade Routes within the Empire. The State's Warships are often seen escorting their own trading vessels for sake of security, especially when nearing the neighboring European Nations such as Parcia and the Greco-Balkan State. Enlisted are 140,000 Well Trained, Loyal Men and Women seeking to keep the Empire secured. With these 140,000, another 60,000 act as Reserves, which include Local Militias, which are men and women capable of fighting if called upon.

The Sun Shines upon Greater Egypt, the Gods promising further peace for the Empire. Who can tell what the World might bring the Empire, and what trusts may be broken within.

[Parcia]

The lieutenant, fallowing the honor code instilled in him, saluted the General as a sign of respect. "Sir, it is my duty to inform you your actions constitute an act of war, an unprovoked one at that, against the Imperium of Parcia and her people. It is also my duty to inquire as to why you have chosen to do such things."

Rome docks

The docks were always abuzz, with ships coming in and out at a steady pace. Today was different. The civilian port was closed down temporarily, its spaces being used to house the ships of the Imperial fleet. The fleet had a specific doctrain not found in mos other navies: Frigates. The Imperial Frigate was known for its speed, guns, and durability, using an effective (and secret) style of layered construction that gave many of the Imperial fleet the name "Iron sides."

6 Frigates were currently docked, with them were two older make galleon. The galleons were loaded up with supplied and men, each packed 105 Imperial regulars, while each frigate packed an extra 25 Imperial regulars. By the end of the day, the 8 ships were launched from the port, heading west towards the gates of Gibraltar.

IMS Jade Tigris
44 gun frigate
34 nautical miles north of the Port city of Cairo

The Tigris glided through the water with ease, at full sail and making 11 knots with the wind at her back. The crew sang a shanty as she sailed, much to the annoyance of the Arch Duchess Clementine. Being the younger sister to the Emperor had its perks. Despite her reputation as a cold hearted ice queen, she was in fact a good person. She was, by royal technicality, a bastard child, one born of an affair between the late King Nicholas and a maid. Her brother, being 20 years her senior, took her in and gave her the royal title she had.

He had given her a personal ship and told her to travel the world, and she did so, becoming a sort of diplomat and being very good at it, for a 20 year old women. She shared his raven hair and pale skin, but had her mothers eyes and a body that was legend among many a lover, although she was never seen with a man in public.

With the news of the Invasion to the north, her dear brother had interrupted the casting off for her tour of the west indies and ordered her South. She was to propose a treaty of cooperation between the Imperium and the Empire of the Phoenix. She had only been to the land of sun and sand once before, when she was a little girl, and was eager to return.

They would arrive in port with in the next few days.

[Communist Volkstrad]

Within the war room of the Old Vykongrad Palace, the Voieved, as well as other military leaders from Vykongrad Proper and Iskara, were gathered.

"Voieved Petrescu, reports in from the West indicate that the Romans and the Parcians have began fighting amongst themselves."

"Really? That's..... intriguing. What exactly, Constantin, do we know?" said the Voieved, reclining in his chair, looking at the map of Europe and Old Volkstrad on the wall before him.

Lord Constantin continued in the same matter-of-fact tone as he had begun with. "The reports are sketchy, not least due to their source, but we can be fairly sure that they're fighting nearby, in Budapest, and that this conflict is probably ongoing elsewhere. The exact cause is unknown, but irrelevant, especially if the fighting is focused in another theatre."

Petrescu sat up. "Very intriguing. It's quite likely that they're also not looking in our general direction with so much scrutiny. I don't have much love for the Borderlanders, but it's no secret that the Parcians don't like any who inhabit this land of ours, least of all us. The Romans likely share this sentiment. We need to think carefully about what we're going to do, if anything at all. The Empress must be informed; the decision lies in her hands, ultimately. Zenkov, can you mobilize Iskaran forces for defensive or offensive by the end of the month?"

"Aye, mi'lord." Old Zenkov said simply, before giving a lazy salute and departing the room to start on his task.

"Then do so. I'll begin preparing general forces and mustering other troops, and firstly I'll send a reconnaissance team to see what the situation is with more clarity. We don't know enough about anything to act so quickly, but we must be ready. Whatever the Empress decides, we need all the facts on the table. The team will be on their way before sunset tomorrow."

"I'll contact our... benefactors, and see what we they know, and how they can assist us." replied Constantin.

And so the plotters and warlords had their missions, and began busying themselves with them. Soon they'd have their hands even more full, so all preparations must be in place before that. Blood was in the water, and the sharks were starting to close in....

[Togeria]

Budapest
"Our invasion was not one of senseless actions. These people who were once subjects of the former Crown of Austria were subjugated under your Imperium. By all means the people in that town, in this province and all that lay just above the Alps are Germany and practitioners of the teachings given by his Holy Majesty, God. Which in turn in translated by his people in the Vaterland of Germany and protected by the good mother Germania. Our will does not extend those of your peninsula nor the Alps, but as long as Austria and any Germans are not within Holy Reich, our crusade shall be eternal and our fury never sated. You may tell your governor these words."

---

HRS Barbarossa
32-gun Full-Rig
Departing Holland
With the government still in its infancy but all too knowing that their actions will likely justify a response of aggression from the Parcian government decided to send a ship to an unlikely place. The Empire of Phoenix, though armed for war this was only to stave off those who might prey upon its most valuable cargo, diplomats. Relations must be set in place and with key allies in order for the revolution to be a success. The ship would sail for (Barcelona equivalent) before being asked to be escorted to the capital proper. The diplomats led by Adalbert Schmidt, he was to ask of two things.

1. To allow no warring ships to cross the Gibraltar
2. To recognize the revolutionary government.

Being a nation of literal gods the men of board felt pits in their stomachs, the teachings of the former church had once demonized the Phoenix Empire as a nation of sin who took their power not from the holy one himself, but in this time of uncertainty their distance made them a potential ally. If war were to truly break out it would not be the ones of the sand covered lands who pose the immediate threat and as such they were valued highly above all others.

[The Bio-Regional Cooperative of States]

IMS Jade Tigris
44 gun frigate
34 nautical miles north of the Port city of Cairo

The Tigris glided through the water with ease, at full sail and making 11 knots with the wind at her back. The crew sang a shanty as she sailed, much to the annoyance of the Arch Duchess Clementine. Being the younger sister to the Emperor had its perks. Despite her reputation as a cold hearted ice queen, she was in fact a good person. She was, by royal technicality, a bastard child, one born of an affair between the late King Nicholas and a maid. Her brother, being 20 years her senior, took her in and gave her the royal title she had.

He had given her a personal ship and told her to travel the world, and she did so, becoming a sort of diplomat and being very good at it, for a 20 year old women. She shared his raven hair and pale skin, but had her mothers eyes and a body that was legend among many a lover, although she was never seen with a man in public.

With the news of the Invasion to the north, her dear brother had interrupted the casting off for her tour of the west indies and ordered her South. She was to propose a treaty of cooperation between the Imperium and the Empire of the Phoenix. She had only been to the land of sun and sand once before, when she was a little girl, and was eager to return.

They would arrive in port with in the next few days.

The IMS Jade Tigris would have been escorted by two 44 gun Frigates carrying the Banner of Anubis once the Jade Tigris came within visible line of the Eastern Trading Line, a popular Naval Trade Route between Palestine and the rest of Egypt for those who are too impatient for Land Travel, and is about 30 nautical miles off the coast of the Nile Delta. The Parcian Ship would be led to the Port City of Alexandria, a bustling Trading City with dozens of other ships docked, and street traffic was at the noon high, with merchants trying to sell their goods, Soldiers policing the streets for any "questionable substance", and normal civillians going to and fro within their daily lives. The Jade Tigris would have been instructed to enter one of the more private docks, meant for those of high status in the Empire. The Arch Duchess and her crew would have then been allowed to exit their ship, after some brief questioning by one of the many Port Managers of Alexandria, an Empire Standard to ensure Security of the City. A young man would approach the Duchess and her Crew once they have successfully docked and gotten onto the Pier.
"Greetings, my friends! As per Empire Standard I just need to ask you a few questions about what your buisness is around in Alexandria. If you lie, the Military will figure out and be on you soon enough. We'd like to know what you plan on doing here, wether it be selling goods or just have a trip around these parts. Also, We'd like to know where you'll go after you finish buisness here, you don't need to be specific, just state the general area or city you want to go to"


The Banner of Anubis, there is always atleast one on each Empire Warship

[Parcia]

Budapest
The young officer would sigh, for once, braking his steel composure. "You fail to see, Herr Generalmajor, that most of the locals have moved on, either to the north beyond the boarder, or to deeper in to the Empire. Many of the local men you see here, the regulars, the militia, the civilians, most of them are Irish immigrants." He would punctuate this with letting his own Galway accent slip in to the last sentence.

"Alas, we are but servants to our rulers. Vary well then, General, if you see fit to continue this...crusade, I am duty bound to notify you the Imperium will respond in kind, and to offer you the gentleman's chance to surrender your troops now."

Alexandria

The duchess would marvel at the city, it having grown since her last visit when she was but a girl. As she disembarked, a pair of Royal Marines, the elite of the Imperial regulars tasked with special missions and protection of the royal family, stood behind her, their rifles in hand, but held in a relaxed position, not expecting danger.

She bowed her head to the man and answering him in accented Egyptian. "Greeting, young sir, I am Arch Duchess Clementine Von Strauss, here to request an audience with your magisty the Pharaoh as soon as humanly possible, the Emperor, through me, wishes to speck about the relationship between out two nations."

[Communist Volkstrad]

By the next day after the meeting of the military command of Vykongrad, forces had already begun to be mobilized, troops equipped and prepared for movement, beasts of burden and war prepared, and a subtle sacrifice here and there to this being or that.

While this was ongoing, the Kraiovan Rangers, a specialist scouting team trained in survival and traversing of the dark forest, as well as intelligence gathering and stealthy movement, were already equipped and sent out to the West to investigate matters therein. They were fifteen in all for this operation, and they had been given the best their army could give them for this operation.

They wore no armour, but carried the finest rifles available to them. They wore dark green, humble uniforms lacking the typical flair and pomp of most military personnel, and also wore cloaks fashioned from specially prepared and alchemically augmented hides, taken from a beast of the forest called the vânător. These large, almost feline predators have hides which change to match their surroundings, making them very difficult to spot. When one dies, their hides usually just turn muck brown, unless collected with proper care and treated with rare and expensive materials soon after retrieval, at which point its powers remain.

One of the Kraiovans also possessed a mirror linked with a preserved drop of blood, allowing them to give and receive information from a devil typically called the Watchman. At last, most people assumed the Watchman was a devil, though there were some things that hinted at other possible origins.

Never the less, the Kraiovans set out, following a less direct path which was hoped to allow them to avoid the border towns and allow them to cross the border somewhere less likely to be watched. They knew, however, that they had to go through a marsh filled with all sorts of nice and friendly beings, and that it was likely that not all of them would survive to reach the border, and perhaps none would. Yet they had their work to do, and the last thing any Vykongradi wants to do is earn the ire of their socerous overlords, and so they had little choice but to do what they had to.

[Centro-Progressive Peoples Entity]

Ignoring the heavy frigate bearing a course right under Anglian territorial waters, Admiral Holland-Kesteven began to organize what he liked to call a "Revolutionary Fleet," assigning all ships in his fleet to patrol waters immediately surrounding all of the Isle, even if not technically Anglian coastline. He assigned R. Admiral Malcolm to create an especially thick blockade of the City of Liverpool, with further plans to bombard the city from all sides to force it to surrender. The fleet in general was ordered to patrol the coast in a clockwise and separately counter-clockwise vector set around the Isle. Smaller ships such as sloops and schooners patrolled the southern part in two layers, one heading from west to east, and another layer heading in the opposite direction. The vector sets would be changed at an interval which was to be kept secret by the highest involved naval personnel. Larger ships which bigger outfits and thicker hulls would go up and around the coast of Ireland and Scotland in either direction, their interval being different but also a secret.
This would display to immediate neighbors and the world that Anglia was back in the great game of the world and was ready to fight.

---

The Gambler sat in his leather chair aboard the HHV (His Highness' Vessel*) Pistolette, a modestly sized full-rigger with 32 guns and 190 souls to her name. He held a small die in his hands. He carried it around with him everywhere he went, even into bed when sleeping. Some say it was the only thing his father left him before being killed in battle at sea and perishing into a watery grave. Others postulate that this die came from the mess hall of the frigate he famously raided while on holiday in the Caribbean. The latter story is more dubious, but nonetheless it's the one preferred by Holland-Kesteven. He had a small smirk on his face, the look of a man having fun after years of boredom. "Pass the word for Williams" said Holland-Kesteven, calling for his first officer. Williams was aft from the bow in less than two minutes. The Gambler smiled at his young friend and ordered "Inform the fleets and their admirals. We squeeze Liverpool like a lemon at nightfall." Thus it was set in motion...

A ciphered message was delivered to General Trombley. He was to ready his men for the attack by sundown. Quickly he ordered his artillery to take their prepared positions behind hills but calibrated to hit specific targets. Next he ordered a captain to take two other men and commandeer a sailboat out beyond the docks, and once out beyond eyesight of the nearest seaside house he was to light the lantern and get the bloody hell back to shore. Once the blockade fleet saw the lantern, they would fire full broadside onto Liverpool while the men on land would make a surprise charge.

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*This is not necessarily in reference to the Royal Family, as they don't really hold much influence in Anglian life currently. It more commonly refers to the Lord who commissioned the vessel or whoever was in command of the fleet or battle group.