Against All Odds: The Struggles of the Noyyau

[CaterpillarKing]

House Caterpillar would like to respectfully respond to House Florentanius by saying this:

Spoiler :

These are my troops under my command. I have no intentions of overthrowing the monarchy or doing anything of the sort. As Lady of the House von Caterpillar I am obliged to defend His Royal Majesty above all else. While this rings true, I am obligated to a certain amount of autonomy with my troops, that is, if they come from my lands and I contracted them, they are mine. If you wish for my troops to become a part of the Noyyau military, that is fine, but you will be required to the same. While we're at it, why don't we give our holdings away as well? Might as well if we apparently cannot be trusted.

That being said, my soldiers are none of your concern good sir. They are my soldiers and they are to do as I wish, not you. You are neither the king of Noyyau nor the Lord of House von Caterpillar. I recommend you worry yourself only with your own issues.

-Ich freue mich auf Deine Antwort,
Lady Felicia Wilhelmina von Caterpillar II

 

[Niccolo Edwards]

House Florentanius means no disrespect or offence to House von Caterpillar, nor does House Florentanius mean to suggest, or even imply, that House von Caterpillar means to commit treason. In the interests of peace, security and cooperation the representative of the Leadership of House Florentanius will deign to ignore the inflammatory comments directed towards him and continue representing the policy of the Leadership of House Florentanius. House Florentanius hopes that House von Caterpillar will seek to maintain the respectful tone of the House of Nobles.

House Florentnaius does not deny House von Caterpillar’s right to raise and mobilize soldiers under their command, nor does House Florentanius speak for His Majesty King Felix. House Florentanius, however believes that with the establishment of a unified Code of Conduct for the RANK external military groups who are not integrated with the RANK may pose a problem with the implementation of the code across the various armed forces of the Noyyau Kingdom.

House Florentanius would like to remind House Caterpillar that aside from the various private guards employed by House Florentanius to protect their facilities and employees and the personal guards of the Leadership of House Florentanius it has no military. There are no members of the RANK who are currently employed by or contracted to House Florentanius. House Florentanius does not even employ mercenaries. The only thing resembling a military organization that is related to House Florentanius is The Watch of House Florentanius; a civil organization funded by House Florentanius. The Watch of House Florentanius is under the command of the King of the Noyyau. While day-to-day decisions are may by local and regional commanders and larger policy set by the Commander General (C.Gen) and his national staff, it is only the King who can direct their activities. It was at King Felix’s word that members of the Watch were deployed to rendition the individuals who intended to assassinate him, it was at King Felix’s word that the Watch was deployed to London to advise and assist local forces. It shall continue to be at the King’s will and word that the Watch conducts its actives.

House Florentnaius is in no way suggesting that the House’s should be forced to give up their holdings or property. House Florentanius is only requesting that House von Caterpillar show restraint in their mobilization. Such movements have rippling consequences and may have unintended effects, especially at a time such as now when the various nations of the world are engaged in wars that may rival any the Noyyau have ever seen. It is perhaps best to not mobilize and army and make gestures that may appear to be hostile.

House Florentanius would like to inform House von Caterpillar that its choice to mobilize does affect House Florentanius and indeed the entirety of the Noyyau Kingdom. House Florentanius had hoped that previous issues with House von Caterpillar would be smoothed over and the various parties could maintain peaceful relations under which business could be conducted.

It is House Florentanius hope that this situation does not escalate beyond words, if that.

- Representative of the Leadership of House Florentanius to the House of Nobles and Royal Liaison for House Florentanius

Spoiler :

OOC: What's that gif from?

 

[Noyyau]

OOC Clarification

While King Felix has yet to intervene in this new Caterpillar-Florentanius debate, I'd like to remind our current civics.
Times have changed from the old days of the Feudal society and Vassalage army, when the Nobility was in power.
While the legal rights of a House to raise its own armed forces are still in effect, it has been a long time since any House has had military forces not for garrisons (like the various Florentanius Watch, Caterpillar Verteidigers, Greek Guards) or not directly under the Royal military (all other named House military units).
Our Burgeois society might begin to grumble about this apparent return to the past, and maybe even fear what that might mean for their Free Market profits.

 

[Spirictum]

Winter Break is coming for me! I can't wait to get updated with what has been happening in this story

 

[Noyyau]

Votes are currently:

0) Felix Doctrine
No amendments have been proposed, so it shall pass as it is.

1) Diplomatic and trade relations with the Romans

House Caterpillar: Yes
House Florentanius: Yes
House Greek: No

2) Collapse Dutch Defensive Pacts

House Caterpillar: Yes
House Florentanius: Yes (only with Rome)
House Greek: No

3) Invade Batavii

House Caterpillar: Yes
House Florentanius: No
House Greek: Yes

4) Sign Defensive Pact with Hittites

House Caterpillar: Yes
House Florentanius: No
House Greek: Yes


Voting will end on monday 4th july at 1700 GMT, if anyone wishes to change their vote (or someone else wishes to join in ) please do so before that time.

 

[Noyyau]

Winter Break is coming for me! I can't wait to get updated with what has been happening in this story

It'll be great to have you participate again!

(How are things going in Brazil? Has the craziness subsided or not?)

 

[CaterpillarKing]

I assure the people that the "Schutzmänner" are intended only for the protection of the Noyyau people at home and abroad. While they act under the authority of House von Caterpillar, the house itself acts under the authority of His Royal Majesty. While it may have been a long time since the houses had a mobilized military, that does not mean that it is immoral or unjust. I do not intend to do anything exceedingly extraneous with these men. For the time being they will simply act in and around Caterpillar lands.

-Ich freue mich auf Deine Antwort,
Lady Felicia Wilhelmina II

Spoiler :

OOC: I'm not sure where it's from, it just fit the situation perfectly

 

[Noyyau]

Votes are currently:

0) Felix Doctrine
No amendments have been proposed, so it shall pass as it is.

1) Diplomatic and trade relations with the Romans

House Caterpillar: Yes
House Florentanius: Yes
House Greek: No

2) Collapse Dutch Defensive Pacts

House Caterpillar: Yes
House Florentanius: Yes (only with Rome)
House Greek: No

3) Invade Batavii

House Caterpillar: Yes
House Florentanius: No
House Greek: Yes

4) Sign Defensive Pact with Hittites

House Caterpillar: Yes
House Florentanius: No
House Greek: Yes


Voting will end on monday 4th july at 1700 GMT, if anyone wishes to change their vote (or someone else wishes to join in ) please do so before that time.

Nothing has changed, so the various items pass as they are.
History shall soon march again.

 

[Noyyau]

Author's suggestion: Play this in the background.

Sturdy Noyyau contruction Stone was sold to Mongolia, to help them pave their nation's road network (thus allowing Noyyau Spies to cross Mongolia faster, on their way towards the Hurrians).
While the pricing negotiations were still ongoing, a Mongolian Warlord expressed his interest in working for the renowned Noyyau Military, with one condition: receiving state of the art Noyyau Cannons.

Spoiler :

In exchange for continued supplies of Noyyau produce and resources, the Dutch agreed to sell an entire fleet of East Indiamen, the ships having made quite an impression on Noyyau military commanders.
It was also a useful coincidence that their time and place of delivery (the Iranian coast) was perfect for transporting the troops for the planned invasion of Batavia.

Spoiler :

With the approval of the majority of the Noble Houses, diplomatic and commercial relations were opened with the Roman Republic.
The Romans proved easy to convince to go to war against their Holy Roman neighbours, their price steep but affordable by the sturdy Noyyau economy.

Spoiler :

The Mongolians too proved amenable to Noyyau suggestions, requiring supplies to outfit and feed their army.

Spoiler :

The Hittites, however, realized that behind the sudden war against the Holy Romans stood Noyyau manipulation, and revoked their willingness to sign a Defensive Pact.
The planned invasion of Batavia would have interrupted the Pact anyway, however there was hope that, by the time the invasion would be complete, the Hittites might change their mind again...

Spoiler :

Pakistan continued along the enlightened path of progressive reforms, becoming the first nation to establish a Constitution. What really interested the Noyyau government, however, was the new Pakistani nationalized Jail reorganization, which soon was copied across the Kingdom.
Despite (or perhaps because of) the economic growth, organized criminality, especially in the larger cities, was exponentially on the rise, the local law enforcement (House Florentanius Watch, Caterpillar Verteidigers, Greek Guards, and Shinto Guards) barely able to contain the situation.
For every criminal organization stopped it seemed that two more were just waiting to take its place...

Spoiler :

The corsair naval war against Canada reached its apex, the Canadians gathering all their reserves for one last decisive battle against the pirates.
When the smoke cleared from the ocean's surface, it was the Noyyau corsair fleet that remained floating, despite the severe damage to most ships.

Spoiler :

The second Florentanius Watch peacekeeping mission arrived in Venetian London, to further train and advise the Venetians.

Spoiler :

The Sea Raiders performed a training exercise against a small pirate harbor in the southern Arctic, while waiting for the RANK to link up with the newly purchased Dutch East Indiamen.

Spoiler :

Noyyau military aid to Siam continued to be delivered regularly, the Siamese needing all the help they could get against the never ending waves of Lithuanian attacks.
Case in point, the Lithuanians were once again sieging Khon Kaen.

Spoiler :

While the Canadians were still stunned by their fleet's disastrous defeat against the pirates, SIS agents in Montreal sabotaged key Canadian infrastructure.

Spoiler :

As it had announced, House Caterpillar began recruiting and training its force of Caterpillar Schutzmänner, under the guidance of the House Caterpillar (former) Noble Knights, in their new role of Schutz Kapitan.
There was no lack of volunteers, many coming from as far away as Latvia and even Spain and the East Coast to be part of the new military force, thanks to the famed Robertian weapons and Caterpillar pay.
Things ran smoothly for some time, until one day a Shinto Guard morning patrol found a small group of Schutzmänner, sleeping off a drunken night in an alley. What really disturbed the Shinto Guardsmen, however, were the bloodstains all over their new uniforms...
While the Schutzmänner were being taken into custody for further investigations, the alarm was raised at the house of the Florentanius Watch Liason to House Caterpillar: the morning shift of private house guards had discovered the dead bodies of the Florentanius Liaison and several guards, viciously killed with extreme violence.
The news travelled quickly across Robertia. Before midday, the Shinto Guard had found the personal diary of one of the Schutzmänner, the last entry consisting of incoherent ramblings about “those Florent bastards” and “what was coming to them”, the shaky handwriting probably caused by the drunken state of the writer at the time.
By the early afternoon, in collaboration with the Caterpillar Verteidigers, the bloody boot- and handprints on the crime scene were matched almost perfectly to the arrested Schutzmänner (not to mention the bloodied weapons found on them), while outside the Shinto Guard barracks two rival mobs were forming, one clamoring for the immediate execution of the murderers and the demobilization of the Schutzmänner, while the other supported House Caterpillar's decision to establish its own military force, and loudly questioned where the other mob's true loyalties lay.

Spoiler :

While trouble was brewing in Robertia, the Greek Army reached the southern Pictish coast and boarded their new transports, sailing southwest towards distant Batavia.

Spoiler :

The impending Batavian invasion and the certainty of victory spurred a wave of Noyyau nationalism, that, coupled with the recent growth in criminality, led to law enforcement having their hands full with all manner of disturbances, from organized crime to ethnic violence.

Spoiler :

In the distant Siamese Whiskers colonies, unrest continued, the central Siamese government barely holding the line against the Lithuanians, unable to meet the colonists' demands.

Spoiler :

The Security and Intelligence Service attempted to destroy Saxon Fort, recently recaptured by the Lithuanians. The operation unfortunately failed, the agent never reporting back.

Spoiler :

Other SIS operations were more successful, however, like the destruction of Rayong Fort on the Siam-Lithuania frontline, and the ongoing destabilization operations in the Ottoman colony of Diyarbakir, on the Moroccan peninsula.

Spoiler :

Military aid was sent to Rome, to show some token support to their war effort against the Holy Romans.

Spoiler :

At the same time, even more Noyyau mercenaries joined the Siamese in the defense of Khon Kaen, while the Lithuanian army circled the city in search of a good attack position.

Spoiler :

 

[Niccolo Edwards]

1. House Florentanius is pleased with the negotiated sales between both the Dutch and Mongolians and the Noyyau Kingdom.
2. House Florentanius is pleased with the successes of diplomacy in building relations with Rome.
3. House Florentanius is worried about the fallout in relations between the Noyyau and Hittites. However, House Florentanius is willing to accept this and move on.
4. House Florentanius is worried about the sudden increase in crime across Noyyau.
5. The Watch of House Florentanius would urge all law enforcement organizations to share information and cooperate in the fight against all crime, especially organized crime.
6. House Florentanius is pleased with the successes of the corsairs off the coast of Canada.
7. House Florentanius and The Watch of House Florentanius are outraged at the events in Robertia. This is a senseless killing and should not be tolerated. If House von Caterpillar cannot control their men then they should not have them. House Florentanius and The Watch of House Florentanius request that the King and his Justices prosecute this attack to the fullest extent of the law. All those who were killed during this event, guards and liaising personnel alike, will be given an honourable funeral and their families compensation.
8. The Watch of House Florentanius is requesting that House von Caterpillar permit a team of WHF investigators into enter the city and conduct an independent investigation. As well The Watch of House Florentanius has requested that House von Caterpillar and the Shinto Guard surrender the murders so that they might be tried in an unbiased location without the interference of a mob. Another liaison of The Watch of House Florentanius shall, with additional guards, travel to Robertia in order to resume the duties of the previous one with minimal interruption due to this tragic event.
9. The Watch of House Florentanius would urge all parties to the violence and crime in the Noyyau Kingdom to cease their activities at once.
10. House Florentanius is pleased with the successes of the SIS.

 

[CaterpillarKing]

Lady Felicia Wilhelmina II addressed the people, stating...

Just like a collection of perishable foods, there will always be a few bunches that have gone bad and are now inedible. These foods are to be discarded as they are a threat to the general health of everyone around. While the tainted foods are to be thrown out, what of the perfectly good food? The 99% that have had no issues and are not a harm to the general health? Should they be thrown out as well? No, they should not. Food that is useful to the people and has no issues should not be discarded, especially if they are the majority.

This applies to people as well. If these few men have committed murder, then they should be punished for their crimes. Should the entire band be punished and disbanded? No. The Schutzmanner will provide great service to the Noyyau kingdom and its people. There is no reason to blame the majority for the crimes of the minority. If one Noyyau citizen kills another, does that indict the whole group? Nay, it just means that law and order should be tightened and reinforced. This group is a necessary good, not an unwieldy hindrance.

In regards to the relevancy of House Caterpillar, in this age of uncertainty, one can never be caught flat-footed. We must always be on our toes. The Schutzmanner are not an attempt at trying to bring some lost age of glory. They are a necessary addition to a world filled with violence and hate.

These men accused of murder are to stand trial, and I request an investigation by neutral, royal forces from the king into whether they were framed. If they are found guilty they are to suffer the same punishment as any one else. If they are innocent then there is no reason to see them as anything but innocent. That is why I ask that the Noyyau royal forces take over the investigation and trial, to avoid any tainting of justice by either side. I do not want an innocent or guilty verdict, I want justice and a correct ruling.

Those of you that scream for them to be let go or scream for them to be hung are viewing this issue the wrong way. You must look at this through the glasses of civility and see that justice can only be gotten by trusting in the system, which is what we must do.

Thank you, and may the heavens bless our kingdom.

As for the royal houses, it has already been discussed with the king to have investigations and trials done by the royal house in Noyyau. It has also been discussed that the Schutzmanner are to be continued in their training, but that the law enforcement will become more stringent. It is ridiculous to think that any one entity, no matter its size or strength, can control every person all the time. These few men may have committed a terrible act, but that does not mean our house in incapable or that the Schutzmanner are bad people. There are murders every day in our kingdom, some committed by soldiers. Does that make them bad? No it does not. These few people may have committed a heinous action, but that is not a blemish on the rest of the men.

In response to House Florentanius I will permit WHF investigator in under the sole prerequisite that you allow a trusted Caterpillar officer be with them.

 

[Niccolo Edwards]

House Florentanius understands that the majority of Schutzmanner are likely good people. However, if House Caterpillar cannot control their men and if such incidences are the result of that lack of control then House Caterpillar should look to ensure that they can maintain control, by whatever means are nessesary.

House Florentanius is worried about the implications suggested by House Caterpillar. Does House Caterpillar question the neutrality of the Shinto Guard or of The WHF's desire for justice? The WHF has requested rendition to bring the prisoners to a neutral court outside of the sphere of influence of either House Florentanius or House Caterpillar. This will result in a more fair trial and in ensuring that none can doubt the results of the trial. Even more concerning; does Lady Felicia Wilhelmina II truly believe that these men are innocent; the evidence is overwhelming.

House Florentanius can assure House Caterpillar that it is the wish of House Florentanius and the WHF that these men are given a fair trial and face justice. However, House Florentanius would urge the King to hold the trial elsewhere from the City of Noyyau. This is an intensely political issue and risks being subject to the biases of a judge in the Noyyau Capital.

House Florentanius finds House von Caterpillar's conditions acceptable. However, the officer may only observe the investigation and must not hinder or obstruct the investigators in any way during the course of their investigation.

 

[jackelgull]

Given our privateers recent and embarrassing failures I propose we establish some requirements before a captain can petition the king (at this point I assume the king has some kind of agency in place to deal with the petitions but you know we have to keep up the illusion the King does everything) for admission. I propose that the merchant marine of our kingdom should administer a nautical test for our Mariners and if they pass evaluation then they must receive a referral from a noble in good standing to prove his loyalty to King and country. Such measures may decrease the pool of available captains but we will have captains of greater caliber and will have captains loyal to the crown an to advancing the cause of the noyyau rather than enriching their profits.

 

[Noyyau]

Given our privateers recent and embarrassing failures I propose we establish some requirements before a captain can petition the king (at this point I assume the king has some kind of agency in place to deal with the petitions but you know we have to keep up the illusion the King does everything) for admission. I propose that the merchant marine of our kingdom should administer a nautical test for our Mariners and if they pass evaluation then they must receive a referral from a noble in good standing to prove his loyalty to King and country. Such measures may decrease the pool of available captains but we will have captains of greater caliber and will have captains loyal to the crown an to advancing the cause of the noyyau rather than enriching their profits.

Dedicated Naval Academies have been established in our major port and shipbuilding cities, though it is too early to evaluate their effect on the corsair war on foreign shipping.
The proposal of the House of Giacola has been taken in consideration, however, and courses and exams at the Naval Academies have been made less forgiving of mistakes.

As a note, while of course everything is done in the name of the King, it is our Bureaucracy that handles the actual paperwork, the House of Giacola being an important part of that.

 

[Noyyau]

Author's suggestion: Play this in the background.

Tension rose in Robertia, brawls happening daily, barely kept in check by the overworked Caterpillar Verteidigers and the Shinto Guard. No major riots had erupted yet, though many feared it was only a matter of time.
While joint Caterpillar-Florentanius investigations attempted to shed some light on the vicious murder of the Florentanius Liaison (and his house guards), King Felix announced that the Royal Wedding would be postponed until these Robertian Troubles were resolved.
Personally commanding the famed Cid Raynor's Warriors, and accompanied by the Royal Knights and two units of Royal Guards, King Felix approached Robertia.
He formally requested House Caterpillar and the Robertian Shinto Guard to relinquish custody of the detainees to the Royal Guards.
King Felix also asked House Greek if they would be willing to act as hosts to the trial, which would be therefore held in Ringhio, also under the auspices of House Spirictum, so that the Spirits may help guide the impartial hand of justice.

Spoiler :

Originally planned as an announcement to be made during the Royal Wedding, King Felix decided to not delay his plans to upgrade the myriad of Noyyau garrison forces to current weapon standards. This served a variety of purposes: first of all, the traditional though obsolete Longbows and Crossbows were simply useless against any enemy with modern weapons.
Secondly, King Felix hoped that the newly rearmed garrisons would instill a sense of security in the people of the Kingdom, including calming any fears that the new Caterpillar Schutzmanner could be of any danger to the Kingdom.

Spoiler :

With contributions from House Spirictum and the other Noble Houses, the Shinto Guards and local law enforcement (Watch of House Florentanius, Caterpillar Verteidigers, Greek Guards) were also upgraded to current issue Muskets.

Spoiler :

 

[CaterpillarKing]

It concerns me that everyone seems to assume these men are guilty. They deserve true justice, not swift justice. True justice takes time. If they're guilty so be it, but we cannot rush this.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[Noyyau]

Author's suggestion: Play this in the background.

The life of a corsair remained a risky one, even aboard the new Men-o'-War.
Overall, however, the odds were in favor of the Noyyau corsairs, despite the occasional losses.

Spoiler :

Unrest in the Siamese Whiskers Islands colonies reached the tipping point, as local independentist insurgents managed to forcibly remove the loyalist Siamese garrisons.

Spoiler :

More mercenaries joined the Siamese ranks, as the Lithuanians remained camped on the outskirts of Khon Kaen.

Spoiler :

With most of the Noyyau law enforcement busy with the rearmament program, criminality in the sparsely populated areas of northern Pictland went out of control. Armed criminals attacked and sacked trading Caravans headed to Sofia, an act without precedent in Noyyau history.

Spoiler :

The Swift Chargers were called upon for help, and true to their name, they quickly reached and defeated the bandits.
After the immediate danger was over, the investigation into the origin of these bandits was tasked to the Noyyau Department of Investigations.

Spoiler :

The Security and Intelligence Service continued its covert missions to destabilize the Roman colony of Neapolis.

Spoiler :

The war against the Holy Romans went into full swing, as all sided reported victories in different engagements along the continent-wide frontline.
Unlike the Catfish Continent conflicts, however, the Noyyau did not yet have their own observers in place, so these reports could not be confirmed.

Spoiler :

A lone patrolling Siamese Knight squadron claimed the recapture of Saxon Fort, left abandoned by the Lithuanians.

Spoiler :

The Lithuanian garrison of Saxon Fort had marched northeast, towards the riverland battlefields of Khon Kaen.
It was intercepted near the former location of Rayong Fort (recently destroyed by the SIS), by a Siamese force consisting primarily of Noyyau Mercenaries.

Spoiler :

The Ottomans continued wandering aimlessly across the Indian plains, never committing to attacking weakly defended Pataliputra.
Noyyau analysts had given up attempting to understand their planning, writing the Ottomans off as disorganized and possibly insane.

Spoiler :

The Noyyau expeditionary force had finally reached Batavia, the Sea Raiders reaching Batavian shores first. They delivered the formal declaration of war, swiftly followed by cannon fire.

Spoiler :

While Trier was bombarded by a corsair fleet supporting the Sea Raiders, Duke Greek had the Greek Army make landfall directly at the Batavian capital, finding it defended by a pitiful garrison.

Spoiler :

The Sea Raiders conducted the world's first large scale amphibious attack, demonstrating the viability of such tactics (and justifying the money invested in their training and equipment).

Spoiler :

The Batavians attempted a probing counterattack, though the Noyyau had caught them unprepared for an invasion, and all they could do was harass the imported Dutch East Indiamen that had trasported the Greek Army.

Spoiler :

Off the Iranian coast, a Roman Man-o'-War was spotted. A Noyyau corsair Man-o'-War, fresh off the Tehran shipyard, was dispatched to sink it, but the Roman vessel proved to be more resilient than expected, forcing the Noyyau corsair to withdraw.

Spoiler :

The Siamese finally gathered a force to go on the offensive against the Lithuanians, unsurprisingly made up mostly of Noyyau Mercenaries.

Spoiler :

The Sea Raiders conducted a second amphibious attack on Trier, virtually clearing the city of defenders. Following their orders, they did not disembark to occupy the city, instead returning to their ships to be deployed elsewhere.

Spoiler :

While the Greek Army remained camped outside of Oppidum Batavorum, the Batavii began pulling troops to their capital.
The Noyyau plan was to allow them to enter the capital, where the Greek Army would destroy the main Batavian army in a single battle, rather than having to hunt them across the whole island.
The Sea Raiders harassed the marching Batavians to convince them that their capital was the safest place to be in.

Spoiler :

Following the example of the Naval Academies, it was decided to establish an elite officer training academy for the future officers of the Royal Army, where the centuries long Noyyau Military Tradition would be united with the strategic and tactical requirements of the modern battlefields.
Such academy would be built at the West Point of the Robertian Peaks, where, according to the ancient legends, Noyyau scouts encountered a tribe armed with never before seen weapons.

Spoiler :

As expected, the Batavians moved all their arriving troops into their capital. What was not expected, however, was that they did not stop marching, and continued towards the Noyyau camps, attacking with all they had.
Unfortunately for the Batavians, the advantage of surprise was not enough to overcome the Noyyau superiority in firepower and training.

Spoiler :

 

[Niccolo Edwards]

1. House Florentanius strongly condemns the ongoing violence in Robertia and would urge all parties to the riots and conflict to cease the violence.
2. The Watch of House Florentanius shall make itself available to House Caterpillar to provide support in quelling the riots in whatever form they request, from intelligence to additional manpower.
3. House Florentanius is pleased with King Felix’s intentions to improve the fighting ability of the RANK, the Noyyau Defensive Forces and the various law enforcement organizations of the Noyyau kingdom.
4. House Florentanius is pleased with the quick response of the Swift Chargers, but is concerned with the attacks on Noyyau caravans.
5. House Florentanius will await the results of the NDI investigation into the attack on the caravan. Future House Florentanius caravans shall be escorted by House Florentanius guards. Other caravans are welcome to join in with the House Florentanius caravans by notifying the local business director for House Florentanius.
6. House Florentanius is pleased with the activities of the SIS in Rome’s colony.
7. House Florentanius wishes for Noyyau observers to be deployed as soon as possible.
8. House Florentanius is pleased with the successes of the RANK in Batavia and wishes them all the best in their ongoing efforts to secure the continent.

 

[Noyyau]

Author's suggestion: Play this in the background.

Under armed escort from the Royal Guard, the four Caterpillar Schutzmanner travelled to Ringhio, where their trial for the murder of the Florentanius Liaison and his guards soon began.
The prosecutor, from House Florentanius, argued that capital punishment was the only possible outcome for such a heinous crime, explaining that all the proof gathered by Shinto Guard and Caterpillar Verteidiger investigations pointed to the Schutzmanner being the murderers.
The defense, from House Caterpillar, responded by pointing out how those same investigations also uncovered substantial inconsistencies in the prosecutor's theories, such as the extreme state of drunkenness in which the suspects had been found, and the impartial opinion of a Oxford U. professor that the diary entry detailing the Schutzmanner's hate for House Florentanius had been forged.
Hundreds of supporters of both sides also travelled to Ringhio, to witness the unfolding of the trial. The Ringhio Shinto Guard and the Greek Guards prepared for this occurrence, and kept the Shinto Holy City under constant patrols, arresting or expelling from the city any troublemaker.

In Robertia, tensions remained high, though beyond the occasional scuffle no major riot erupted. Shinto Guard and Caterpillar Verteidiger reinforcements from nearby cities helped maintain a constant law enforcement presence in Robertia's streets. Reports of instigators riling up the crowds also dropped sharply, compared to the previous period.
With the accused Schutzmanner moved to Ringhio, many protesters either traveled to Ringhio or returned to their daily lives, awaiting the verdict of the trial.

In the wake of the recent events, House Caterpillar announced that its Verteidiger investigations branch would be renamed as the Caterpillar Investigation Agency, to better differentiate their role from the law enforcement duties of the Caterpillar Verteidigers. The C.I.A. would work together with the Noyyau Department of Investigations in regards to cases that involve Caterpillar territories, or individuals connected to House Caterpillar.

Meanwhile...

The Roman Man-o'-War sighted in Iranian waters proved to be an elusive foe, as it managed to lose even a second corsair that was sent to intercept it. Ultimately, though, it could not leave the Noyyau coasts fast enough, and a hastily repaired Little Shoggoth returned to finish the job.

Spoiler :

Trade prospered with nations friendly to the Noyyau.

Spoiler :

The Sea Raiders continued their mission of harassing Batavians marching close to the coast.
Meanwhile Duke Greek led an attack against Oppidum Batavorum, eliminating virtually all remaining defenders, to attempt again to lure the majority of the remaining Batavian forces into the capital.

Spoiler :

Piracy against Canada continued unabated, any Canadian attempt to rebuild their fleet was met with deafening cannon broadsides.

Spoiler :

Tensions rose in Diyarbakir, as the Ottoman colonists demanded less interference from the mother country, spurred by the incospicuous but ever present SIS agents.

Spoiler :

As expected, the Batavian reinforcements once again entered their capital, and once again they attempted to attack, unsuccessfully, the Greek Army. This time, however, the Noyyau troops were prepared, and as soon as the Batavian attackers had been repelled, Duke Greek ordered to go on the offensive.
The Second Battle of Oppidum Batavorum was another Noyyau victory, the Batavian military all but destroyed.

Spoiler :

To further drive the point home, the Sea Raiders attacked the last Batavian troops still outside the capital, who had been late to the main battle.
The time had come to inform the Batavians of the terms of their surrender.

Spoiler :

 

[Niccolo Edwards]

1. House Florentanius awaits the verdict of the trial for the murders in Robertia with the hope of a fair and just ruling.
2. House Florentanius is pleased with the relative peace in Ringhio and would urge all parties to keep the peace.
3. The Watch of House Florentanius is prepared to supply additional forces to other cities of House Greek to free up their guards to keep the peace in Ringhio if nessesary and requested.
4. House Florentanius is pleased with the calming of Robertia.
5. The Watch of House Florentanius will make available, on request, some members of the WHF Investigations Branch and the WHF Intelligence Branch to the Caterpillar Vereidigers to assist in the formation of the C.I.A.
6. House Florentanius is pleased with the successes of Duke Greek’s forces in Batavia.
7. House Florentanius is pleased with the successes of the SIS in the Ottoman Colonies.