Death of an Empire

[sealman]

Crown Prince Regent Alexi Tadonia of the Tadonian Dynasty of the Iroquois nation was deep in conversations with his miliary advisors. The Regent was not happy. The Iroquois nation was no longer growing according to the dreams of the first Tadonian Monarch, Alfredo. "It is a matter of expansion," says Foreign Minster Constantine. "If we are to survive, either the Greeks, Germans or Zulus must die. Intelligence also indicates that there is an unknown people north of the Greeks and Germans and the Zulu embassy has been unusually quite."

The meeting was interrupted by messenger. "Sire, an emissary from Greece wishes to speak to immediately." As soon as the maps and plans where safely protected from prying eyes, the Greek ambassador was shown in. "Your Grace, the barbaric Bismark has just launched an attack against our cities in the North. Alexander begs your assistance. He offers gold for your aid in ridding the world of this menace."

"Generals, return to your armies. The Iroquois Nation marches to war! Find out about the people in the north and will someone tell me what Shaka is up to."

As Iroquois Horsemen and Swordsmen begin marching towards the Great Spice Desert in the north, a blood soaked messenger comes from the south. The Zulus are attacking! The Iroquois battle plans are suddenly changed as the offensive might of the Northern Army District march south to join with the Southern Army District. Pikemen are sent north to defend and protect Greek advances.

The Army arrives at Grand River expecting to see the death and destruction only find a city in the midst of a clebration. "The Impi hoards have been stopped!! The pass held!!" The army marches past the city and into the mountain pass and find three exhausted and spent battalions of pikemen and spearmen. Men that have seen ‘the elephant’ and passed the test. The southern slopes of the pass are filled with Zulu dead. The Northern and Southern Armies are virtually unopposed as they march into the heart of Zululand.

The messenger runs into the throne room. "Sire, the Zulus are on the run. Generals Cochrane and Sharpe are both promising a quick victory. Prisoners will be marching through the streets shortly. The Greeks and our newest allies, the English, are pushing the Germans to the seas."

 

[benjdm]

It's nice when you have allies who are worth a damn.

 

[das]

cute.

 

[das]

Continue, if you may.

 

[sealman]

As the Northern Army Group under General Cochrane marches towards Zimbabwe and The Southern Group under General Sharp marches towards Hblone, the last bastions of Zulu dominance on the Continent will be over. With the supplies of Iron and Horses severed, the Zulu hoards counterattack with legions of bowmen and Impis. The counterattack slows down the advance but does not stop it.

Meanwhile, throughout the Iroquois nation, the people began to grow weary over the on going Zulu war. "Sire, cities all over the land are falling into revolt. We must bury the hatchet with the Zulus to try and save the Monarchy." Price Tadonia just shakes his head, "I will bury the hatchet in Shaka’s back! Advance! The Greeks are finished with the Germans. I have the treaty right here. As soon as they are able to bring their armies to the South, Shaka will be finished." As the words still hang in the air, a messenger brings news that the Greeks and Zulus have signed a peace treaty. There will be no help from the Greeks.

As General Sharpe prepares his assault on Hblone. "This will be the day," he tells his tired, homesick veterans. "We either win here or we don’t win at all. Cochrane’s forces need our support to take Zimbabwe and end this madness." The men cheer their general and charge on only to be met with Impi spears and Archers arrows. The ever present tide of men finally overcome the defenders and Hblone falls. After years or hardship and war, the men under General Sharpe show the citizens of Hblone, those who are left, no mercy and as the once proud city burns to the ground, Sharp turns his army north. North towards Zimbabwe and more death.

As news of Hblone’s fall and destruction reaches Shaka’s ears, he knows that he has lost. He sends his only son off to the colonies and prepares for his own death. He mans the outer defenses with his elite corp of Impis and prepares for Cochrane’s attack. General Cochrane leads his troops into the fray and finds himself face to face with Shaka. Time seems to stop as the two men fight. Then the killing stroke, and the Iroquois find themselves leaderless. Before Shaka can celebrate his victory over Cochrane, he is impaled by hundreds of arrows. Seeing their leader fall, the Zulu warriors run in panic - right into General Sharpe and the Southern Army. The war is over. Prince Tadonia and Shaka’s son sign the agreement ending the hostilities. The once proud Zulu empire is now limited to 4 small cities on an icy frozen island off the coast of their former homeland.

The war was costly to the Iroquois people. Not only the loss of men, but the loss of their 2 greatest Military men. General Cochrane fell at the battle of Zimbabwe, now renamed Cochrane and General Sharpe retires to his estates near Grand River promising never again to raise his weapons in anger. He lives out his days walking the through the hills and valleys of "Sharpes Pass" where his valiant troops first threw back the Zulus.

As the nation licks its wounds and the heir-less Prince Tadonia gradually ages, who will step up to lead Iroquois people onward to glory?

 

[das]

How about me?

 

[sealman]

History Lesson I
Shortly after the Great Zulu war, Prince Regent Alexi Tadonia passes away in his sleep, without a direct heir. The Monarchy passed on to a distance relation, Alfred, who happened to have almost no grasp on ruling, therefore the ministers and city mayors stepped up and in fact, took control. When Alfred died, under some strange circumstances, Alfred II took to the throne. Alfred the II was much like his idol Alexi and was prepared to crush the upstart ministers. Civil War occurred and the Republic was formed. Alfred was allowed to remain on the throne but his powers were greatly reduced and the Prime Minster, Whitehall, was really in charge.

History Lesson II:
By some strange feat of expansion, the Great city of Allegeny has been separated from the rest of the Iroquois nation since the dawn of time (at least as far back as we are concerned). It was the only city founded north of the Great Spice Desert and the lack of planning saw the establishment of three Greek cities in the desert. Herakleia on the Western coast and situated among some lush grasslands. Rhodes and Thessalonica were situated on the Eastern coast as small isolated outposts to control some incense. (Why the desert is called the Great Spice Desert remains a mystery seeing as how there is no spice present.)

The Incense War a.k.a the First Greco-Iroquois War

Prime Minister Whitehall sat in his office reading the latest dispatches. Another caravan carrying much needed supplies to the city of Allegeny was attacked by desert bandits. "That is the fourth time this month," screams Whitehall. "Alexander says that the bandits were all caught but apparently, they were not. Summon General Lee of the Northern Army Group."

General Lee, a direct decedent of the General Lee that defected from the Americans and brought the whole city of Miami over with them a few generations ago, comes into the office. "You called, sir?" "Yes General. It appears that yet another caravan has been lost in the desert to bandits. Your job will be to flush them out."

"But Sir, that is Greek territory, they will be displeased if we move troops into the desert."

"The Greeks have been a pain ever since they failed to live up to their duties during the Zulu Wars. I have had enough. If they will not solve this problem, we will!"

General Lee marches to the edge of the desert, a few days march from Salamanca itself and begins probing the Greek defenses. Lee sends in two calvary detachments in to chase out any bandit camps. The Greeks respond with a strongly worded directive to The Prime Minister. Whitehall and Alexander meet in London to discuss the matter while the Norther Army Groups arms and prepares for every possible order. Whitehall returns to Salamanca with orders for Lee. "Reinforce the garrison at Allegeny. Use any means necessary."

The Northern Army Group matches towards Allegeny with the Greek towns of Rhodes and Thessalonica in the way and leave the protection of Salamanca to the Central Defense Force. A Greek army is sent out to bar the passage and shots are fired. Lee wastes no time and orders an assault on Rhodes, the town falls quickly. The army moves north along the eastern coast towards Thessalonica while Greek Knights attack improvements in and around Allegeny. The Allegeny garrison successfully repels half-hearted Greek attacks while Lee quickly captures Thessalonica. Allegeny’s supply and trade routes are now in Iroquois hands. General Lee notifies Whitehall of his success and requests permission to attack Herakleia. When no words comes back to his command tent, Lee begins his march towards Herakleia.

The Battle of Herakleia is a little more contested than the taking of the Greek outposts. The Northern Army Group is harassed during the entire march by Greek Knights. The suddenness and swiftness of the Iroquois action was overwhelming to the Greek defenders and Herakleia falls. The Great Spice Desert is now in the hands of the Iroquois Republic. As the Northern Army group begins to move towards the new frontier and lush Greek farmlands, and envoy arrives from Athens asking for peace.

The Prime Minster looks over the terms and agrees. The short Incense War is over. Greece will pay damages to the Iroquois merchants what was lost to the bandits. The Allegeny garrison, comanded by General Das and long isolated from the rest of the Iroquois army refuses to be incorporated into the Northern Army Group and remains a separate command. General Lee moves the command post of the Northern Army Group from Salamanca to Herakleia where they can quickly counter any attempts by Greece to retake the desert.

Historical Note:
It has been recently uncovered that the Bandits that plagued the "Spice Road" where not Greeks at all, but mercenaries paid for by the Iroquois merchants where were tired of the high taxes and tolls one had to pay to ship goods between the Republic and Allegeny. The goal was to force the Republic to seize the desert by military means. The Merchants Guild and the Republic officials discount these theories and scholars who support them have been known to disa-

 

[das]

The Allegeny garrison, comanded by General Das and long isolated from the rest of the Iroquois army refuses to be incorporated into the Northern Army Group and remains a separate command.

After, I did saved the Allegany from Greek Bandits, didn't I?

 

[das]

By the way, how about some Screen-la-Shots?

 

[sealman]

I have been thinking of some screen shots but keep forgetting during the heat of battle.

I'll try to rember to grab some shots at the conclussion of the current hostilities.

 

[das]

Loking forward to the next chapter!

 

[.:KNAS:.]

and so do i.... this stuff is excellent

 

[sealman]

The years shortly after the Incense War saw tensions of the continent grew tenser and tenser. The Greeks, still feeling the humiliation of their sudden defeat, were looking at way to retake their lost cities. The English, growing weary of paying higher and higher prices for saltpeter, were looking towards acquiring one of Greece’s two deposits. The Iroquois, still riding the euphoria of victory were thinking of expanding even further into Greece as well as keeping an eye of those herds of elephants in England.

The situation inside the Republic was also becoming dangerous. Prime Minister Whitehall was getting ready to step down and there was no clear replacement lined up. The two military commanders in the North were always at odds. General Lee, of the Northern Army Group (NAG), was increasingly bitter about the honors and expenses given to a mere defensive army. General Das of the Allegheny Garrison was jealous of the praise given to Lee for the success of the Incense Way, knowing that it was the threat his army posed towards the Greek capital that allowed Lee’s forces to swipe through the desert.

"Sir. It appears that a large English army is massing on the Greece-England border."

"I wonder what Catherine is up to. If she thinks that she can grab Greece’s natural resources, she is greatly mistaken."

"That is correct sir," says Foreign Minister Campbell. "She would have to fight across the whole of Greece, and possible our armies?"

As the English armies cross into Greece, the Iroquois nation sends an envoy to England while one arrives from Greece. "Prime Minister, Alexander wishes to express his desire for peace among our two peoples. He also asks for your assistance in repelling the English hoard know marching towards Knossos. Our information indicates that she intends to march to capture the Great Spice Desert, thinking our forces are weak from war."

"We will think about your offer and reply before the English are within sight of Knossos."

As the Iroquois Minsters debate their options the envoy returns from England. "Elizabeth agrees to provide gold to our coffers should we assist them in this war."

"Good. Tell Generals Lee and Das to deliver our answer to the Greeks. And... see to the Greek Ambassador."

As word comes from Salamanca, General Lee departs from his headquarters and marches his army to its first target, Pharsalos. Lee lets loose his calvary which charge towards Pharsalos. The Greek defenders, thinking that the units are heading to the front to reinforce the siege of Knossos, let them get to close and before they realized it, the Iroquois flag was flying over Pharsalos.

While the fall of Pharsalos was a success for the Northern Army Group, it was a disaster for the Allegheny Garrison. In what was supposed to be a timed assault on Pharsalos and Corinth. Instead of an easy march to Corinth, General Das’ forces found themselves in a bloody war of attrition. As the army begins its siege of Corinth, a French naval vessel is seen sailing along the coast. General Das hails the ship and attempts to convince the French to enter the war. The French captain refuses to fire upon Corinth but does inform him of a weakness in the Corinth defenses. After a continuous artillery barrage, Das lets loose his troops which swarm over the Greek defenders and Corinth falls. The first city to fall to the Allegheny Garrison.

After General Lee takes Pharsalos, he executes a quick march to the besieged Knossos, in a hopes to capture the city before the English. ( Knossos would make a great staging ground for an Invasion into England.) As the NAG closes in on the city, the Union Jack is seen flying over the city. Lee fails to make it in time. Instead he turns his forces east towards the city of Thermopylae and the Greek Capital. The battle of Thermopylae is more contested than Pharsalos and Corinth. The Greek troops, hearing of the falls of Pharsalos and Knossos know that they are the last defense before Athens. The valiant Greek defenders throw back countless English and Iroquois attacks but the overwhelming numbers of attackers is the downfall. General Lee, wounded in the battle knows that the delay has cost him. He will not be the one to take Athens. The English march on.

Word reaches General Das that Thermopylae has fallen to the NAG and that the English are marching towards Athens. Determined to take the city before his allies, Das leaves Corinth with defenseless. Anyone who wants to take Corinth, has to go through his army anyway, so why waste precious soldiers. Reinforcements from Allegeny meet up with the army but the English win the race to Athens. As General Das surveys the battle before him, a grin appears on his face. "Okay boys, here is the plan. The English will do the work but we will take the glory." As repeated English assaults are thrown back, Iroquois calvary units advance. As soon as the English army begins to withdraw, the Iroquois attack. The Greek defenders, tired and exhausted after the English charges give way to the Iroquois counter-attack and by nightfall, General Das is praying to the Gods in JS Bach’s Cathedral. Athens has fallen.

The celebration is short lived as news arrives from Thermopylae. It appears that riots have broken out and Greek civilians are repelling General Lee’s occupation. The Allegheny Garrison must march to relieve Thermopylae and reinstall order. As they army approaches Thermopylae, the Greek flag is once again flying from the courthouse building. The order is given and once again, calvary charge the city while artillery pounds the defenders. The defenses, previously weakened by previous assaults falls quickly. As order is quickly imposed, General Lee’s body is found in a back alley. Before the Iroquois armies can regroup and press the attack into the Greek mountains, Peace is declared.

The Iroquois Nation walks away from the war with 4 Greek and an English one. The City of Hastings, was captured by Greek forces early in the conflict and ceded to Iroquois at the end. Word comes from the Minsters that the town of Thermopylae will be renamed "Leesburg" in honor of General Lee. This outraged the veterans of the Allegheny Garrison when they discovered that their beloved General was not to be given such honors. "First Cochrane and now Lee. Why does the NAG get cities named after their leaders?" an aide asked General Das. General Das looked at his aide and smiled, "That is because I am too smart to die." Seeing as how the Allegheny Garrison proved itself in an offensive war, they are renamed to the Eastern Army Group and tasked with defending Athens, Corinth and Allegheny plus making sure that the Greek Army does not attempt to retake Athens. Plans are already being drawn up to take Sparta.

 

[.:KNAS:.]

and you even managed to fit in a plot, i truly am amazed...

 

[sealman]

Originally posted by .:KNAS:.
and you even managed to fit in a plot, i truly am amazed...

Got to do something to keep your focus between sessions.... tonight who to attack? finish off Greece, Attack England or take or invade America.... decisions.. decisions... decisions.... I wonder what the Southern Army Group has been up to lately?

 

[Civanator]

I say finish off the Greeks and then have the Eastern Army Group Take over English lands. Can you include me as a general? ya dont hafta, i was just wondering.

 

[sealman]

Civanator... must promot you to General... Formally from East Lyme CT myself.

 

[.:KNAS:.]

if he gets to be a general so must i, theres a lot of similarities between sweden and alexandria, like... uhmm... there.. is like an..... E in both, uhm words...? (j/k)

 

[Shaitan]

Great story Sealman!

I vote for taking out the Greeks. Can't wait for the next chapter.

 

[SKILORD]

great story