December World - game thread

[jackelgull]

A Message to the Twin-Crowns of Portugal-Brazil

The Konbaung Throne will not listen to a criminal's opinion on what is and is not "lawful". Hypocrisy is a vice. Instead, Burma will continue to engage any and all "neutral" support for the Imperialist cause, so long as there is an Imperialist Cause. If the Dual Kingdom cares so much about the innocent lives lost, it should not willfully send them to where they should not be.

The Lord says that the perfect wife be as thus:
"She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night."
Proverbs 31: 13-18
Trade is like the perfect wife - she provides for all. For this reason, what Burma has suggested it is prepared to do should be antithetical to all free nations of the world, for a man who would molest another's wife without cause, will surely not stop there. This is not merely a restriction on weapon's cargo or the like, this is an attack on any shipping, even that of foodstuffs. Will the Burmese tear the bread from starving children's mouths before they are satisfied?

 

[Seon]

Private Report, 1894

Dear Chancellor,

As requested, we have compiled a dossier on several groups of interest and individuals thought to be involved with them, for your eyes only. Please destroy this documentation after perusal.

Spoiler the Theosophical Society :

Internal Identification: TA-06
There is No Religion Higher than Truth.

The Theosophical Society, once assumed to be a harmless group of Russian and American occultists and pseudo-scientists, have since been determined to control significant stakes in the global synthetic drug and human trafficking, indicating involvement in various criminal organizations globally.

While their operations have been disrupted lately by Russian, German, and British investigations into the global drug trade, it is clear that they still possess degree of technical, pharmaceutical, and surgical knowledge that is beyond even the best of our technologists to comprehend, yet alone replicate.

Theosophical Society Assets

1. 'Amnestics'--type of unknown neurotoxin seemingly capable of destroying the brain's higher reasoning functions.
2. 'Aquaman'--individual seemingly imprisoned by the Theosophical society, observed as being capable of surviving underwater for an extended period of time.
3. 'Human Centipedes'--Unknown surgical procedure observed by Russian investigators capable of stitching together human body parts. Enhanced regenerative ability observed.
4. 'Starchild'--leader of distributing synthetic drugs of NGF-manufacture in Scotland. Neutralized by British and German investigation.
5. 'Group 47'--Designation for a cell of Theosophical society known to be involved in human and synthetic drug trafficking in the Russian region. Involved in surgical experimentation responsible for creation of 'human centipedes.' Neutralized by Russian investigation.
6. 'Group 46'--Designation for a cell of Theosophical society involved in Ukrainian region, heavily involved in synthetic drug and human trafficking. Neutralized by Russian investigation.

Suspected Assets

1. 'Snakeheads,' a triad in operation in Yangtze region, China. While evidence of their involvement with the Theosophical are scant, recent events related to this criminal organization matches the modus operandi for the Society.
2. 'League of Extraordinary Gentlemen'-- an elite group of individuals suspected to be operating for the Theosophical Society. Nothing else is known about this group. It is plausible that at least some of the attacks upon our agents in Berlin this summer was by their hands, rather than by the Hermetic Order

Spoiler Hermetic Order of Golden Dawn :

Internal Identification: HD-11
Demon Est Deus Inversus

Once assumed to be a harmless organization of occultists in England, India, and America, HD-11 has been confirmed to be responsible for acts of terrorism in both France and Northern Germany.

While their assets have been difficult to ascertain, their information gathering and processing ability, as well as mechanical and engineering ability, is rather sophisticated. While the French investigation seemed to indicate that they have used this ability to sabotage their analytical machine, Delacreuze, for unknown gains, it seems more appropriate to claim that they have merely re-purposed the machine from its intended usage. It is the theory of both BXIII and the BND that sophisticated engine-clacking technique was used to subvert the analytical machines' processing power, forcing it to calculate something for the benefit of the saboteurs rather than the owner.

It is unknown where this organization is receiving funding from.

Known Assets:

1. Saboteur of the Delacreuze: Unknown identity, escaped, presumably through manipulating NGF operation to recover the technicians involved in the project.
2. Professor Moriarty: Deceased after an encounter with the assassin, Holmes, in Switzerland. Heavily involved in several different criminal and secret societies.
3. Moran: Deceased, assassinated by [REDACTED], in Berlin. The 'Tiger Hunter,' involved in acts of terrorism against NGF in 1894. As a field agent, Moran exhibited an ability to identify and subvert several different NGF agents involved in the operation, showcasing HD-11's information gathering ability.

Suspected Assets:

1. Saboteur of the Heavenly Engine: Presumed to be the Marquise.
2. Bear Man of Berlin: Responsible for death of 2 Trans-Pacific agents in Berlin through an attack that simulated a bear attack somehow.
3. Kali Cult: Assumed involved with HD-11 due to Moran designating Jones as a target of opportunity.

Spoiler Illuminati :

Designation: II-01
Sigil Ecclesiastic Minerva Thebes

Assumed destroyed in [REDACTED]

Known Assets:

1. Sherlock Holmes: [REDACTED]
2. [REDACTED]
3. [REDACTED]

Suspected Assets
[REDACTED]

Spoiler Serpent's Garden :

Internal Identification: MJ-12
"1 Corinthians 10:9"

MJ-12 is a recently created entity, emerging from select individuals involved in the Bundeswehr, BX-13, and the BND. As far as it can be ascertained, it is funded primarily through siphoning of funds intended for espionage activities of the North German Federation through its backers, as well as other similar sorts of funding received through out-of-state actors.

While the extent of the support MJ-12 receives from various national entities is unknown, their goal appears to function as an independent and international task force for the purpose of eradicating powerful international criminal organizations.

As far as it can be ascertained, MJ-12 has established a base of operation somewhere in Hamburg, and is seeking to further obtain international support from various national entities while retaining a degree of secrecy.

Known Assets

1. Madelaine Engel: A former intelligence operative working for the BND, now known to be involved in the MJ-12 as an agent.
2. Watson: A personal friend of Sherlock Holmes, currently contained by MJ-12 as a critical witness. Location unknown.
3. Jones: A North American adventurer responsible for the Kali fiasco in India, currently under the protection of MJ-12 as a critical witness and a field agent.
4. Arsene Lupin: A french larcenist of unknown identity captured in Berlin by BXIII this summer after an incident which resulted in several internal investigations and resignations of top-level Bundeswehr officers and Councilmen. Confirmed to be recruited by the MJ-12 afterwards
5. "Doctor N": Classified agent assumed to be, based on observations, a liaison between the BXIII and the MJ-12 as well as handlers of various MJ-12 operatives.

 

[Seon]

Spoiler For your Eyes Only :

Welcome,

To anyone willing and able to read this, this is for you. I am the Administrator of the Serpent's Garden. Our initiative was created for the sake of two goals: to fight international criminal syndicates, conspiracies, and rogue organizations with extranormal capabilities that go beyond the scope of individual nations to handle, as well as to uncover the truth that has been hidden from us for such a long time--the truth that our world is much more strange and wondrous than anyone could have ever imagined mere half-decade ago.

Imagine. Over the last four thousand years of our species' quarter of million years' worth of history, we have progressed far. We built shining cities upon the hill, great temples to different gods, and cracked the mysteries behind the suns, the stars, and the tiniest of atoms. The time when we huddled in caves, cowering in fear at dark shadows and the abyss is now but a fading memory, driven away by the light of civilization and rationality. Yet these dark shadows never quite truly disappear, do they not? It is almost as if the universe itself demands the impossible, the absurd!

Unfortunately, it appears as if learning and mastering these dark shadows do not automatically come with wisdom. Behold these so called 'purveyors of secret knowledge,' who use their 'knowledge' to build criminal gangs, terrorist cells, and more! Tempted by the sweet apple of knowledge, these sinners care not as they hoard this precious thing, using it to gain power over the weak while seducing the strong with their honeyed words.

I say no more! If these men and women cannot use their secret knowledge in responsible ways, than they simply must be eradicated from this world. No one else will protect us, and we must stand up for ourselves to fight them if the rest of our world is to live happily in a sane and normal world.

If you wish to join us, you simply must be willing and able to trace this letter.

-Administrator

 

[ItsAGiraffe000]

A Message to the World,

The Third Burmese Empire has recently adjusted its maritime doctrine. While any shipping flying British or British colonial colors will still be engaged immediately, pro-British and otherwise British-affiliated shipping will instead be intercepted and turned away from the Indian Subcontinent, as well as other Imperialist holdings. Should these foreign merchants choose not to cooperate, their vessels will be boarded and their cargo confiscated. Burma wishes to make it known that this is not a loss of enthusiasm for the Free Asian cause, but rather an attempt to mitigate innocent casualties - many of whom are as well victims of Western Oppression.

 

[Masada]

The Taiping Mandate categorically and without reservation rejects the Burmese formulation as a gross attack against the rights of neutral powers to engage in commerce. The Taiping Mandate will not consent to our trade being molested and our goods stolen on a Burmese whim. The Taiping Mandate will not be told where it might be trade by Burmese fiat. The Taiping Mandate will not be told with whom it might trade by Burmese diktat. This is a grave affront to the rights of all neutral powers and is nothing short of a Burmese play to control the Indian Ocean trade in its entirety. How the Burmese can think this a better outcome is a wonder. It has gone from illegally sinking the shipping of one neutral power to claiming an absolute right to decide the fate of all neutral powers shipping across an entire ocean.

 

[Seon]

A Message to the World,

The Third Burmese Empire has recently adjusted its maritime doctrine. While any shipping flying British or British colonial colors will still be engaged immediately, pro-British and otherwise British-affiliated shipping will instead be intercepted and turned away from the Indian Subcontinent, as well as other Imperialist holdings. Should these foreign merchants choose not to cooperate, their vessels will be boarded and their cargo confiscated. Burma wishes to make it known that this is not a loss of enthusiasm for the Free Asian cause, but rather an attempt to mitigate innocent casualties - many of whom are as well victims of Western Oppression.

This 'change' in maritime doctrine is still too broad. What exactly is an "imperialist holding?" Under what basis will you confiscate cargo? Will you, for instance, board Dutch ships heading towards Dutch holdings based on the fact that they are imperialists owning imperial territories in Southeast Asia? Pro-British and 'British affiliated' is also similarly too broad--one can make an argument towards anyone for being British affiliated. If a Russian vessel happens to sail close to India--for it is one of the most well navigated seas of the world--will you assume that it is pro-British somehow?

 

[ItsAGiraffe000]

The Anti-Asian sentiment present in the German statement is as opaque as it is expected. But for the Taiping Mandate to condemn an action that is made only in opposition to the abuse and subjugation of Asian peoples by the British crown is something that deeply upsets his Imperial Majesty. The Third Burmese Empire maintains its hopes that, in future events, its Chinese comrades will consider the ultimate intentions of Burmese actions before the immediate results.

 

[Masada]

Burma's goal is clear. It wants nothing less to control the trade and commerce upon which China depends. To that we say: China will never bow to you.

 

[Seon]

Considering our diplomatic missives were not particularly anti-Asian as much as a request that you clarify the full extent with which you will be ceasing and stopping maritime commerce in the most well-navigated region of the sea, we do not fully understand the Burmese position in this matter. Considering that you have routinely made it clear that you are anti-Imperialists, which is an obvious disguise for being anti-European in general, we would be foolish not to take your constant provocations and refusal to answer basic questions regarding combat ethics seriously.

As hostilities from the nation of Burma towards all Europeans is clear, we see little alternative than to dispatch our naval assets into Southeast Asia and Indian Ocean to safeguard both ours and neutral commerce in the way we see fit. If you seek to harass neutral shipping of any kind, whether it be unwarranted boarding of vessels without cause or sinking of ships, be aware that we will be retaliating on all pirate vessels whether flying a state's flag or not. This policy will remain in effect until Burma firmly establish a doctrine and methodology for intercepting belligerent supplies without harassing neutral shipping.

In the meantime, any and all neutral shipping is encouraged to convoy with German fleets in the region.

 

[Masada]

The Taiping Mandate will fully cooperate with the North German Federation to defend the rights of neutral shipping.

 

[Kyzarc Fotjage]

The Pacific Directory will vigorously defend its right to trade unmolested and any attempt to interfere with Transpacific ships will be viewed as an attack upon the Directory itself. While the imperialist ambitions of the south are none of our concern, we are alarmed at the threat of any sort of carte blanche embargo in the Indian Oceans lest it spill over to the Pacific. We urge our Japanese comrades to not make the same diplomatically damaging choice as their apparent brothers-in-arms.

Chief Director Volya of the Pacific Directory

Spoiler Rawr :

 

[Kyzarc Fotjage]

Despite his young age (a youthful 22) Captain Arselyev is simultanously one of the most respected and despised officers in the Transpacific army. This is due to his rise to the rank in the midst of Volya's reforms and Director Vitus's usage of him as the posterboy of an integrated Directory, the Directorial Russian who works hand-in-hand with the indigenous peoples of the Directory. His exploits in the Siberian and Canadian wilderness were published in the Pacific Press as they happened. The various intellectuals he worked with on them had nothing but praise for his skill at dealing with the savages while maintaining the professional decorum expected of a Russian officer, even if he's a detached reservist and not on active-duty. While all this made him quite popular amongst the more liberal-minded officers and especially the non-Russian citizens who view him as the ideal of a Transpacific officer, this also makes him deeply unpopular among the more conservative old guard who view the radical shift in Transpacific society as a threat to Russian superiority and purity, with him as the archetypical ethnic traitor. He's led half a dozen expeditions into the hinterlands of Siberia and Canada and acted as a laison between the indigenous peoples and the academics he was escorting, with his efforts making him the largest single contributor to Transpacific anthropology. While the primarily french and eastern european academics tried to foist off all the credit they couldn't claim for themselves onto him, he always insisted that an equal share would go to his own guide and laison Dersu Uzala, whose survival skills have saved both Arselyev and the expeditions a dozen times over. Director Volya, recognizing his symbolic importance and wanting to somewhat placate the old guard while his reforms were being pushed through, sent him on the Tiger hunt early in 1894 along with Uzala and two dozen newly-minted Whalers, Petrokrepost's recently formed group of spooks. While not trained or experienced in the finer points of espionage, he's very experienced in the wilderness and at organizing excursions and his interpersonal skills with other cultures are second-to-none, while his assorted contacts are spread throughout the world's budding anthropological community.

Dersu Uzala of the Nanai is probably the most well known native of the Pacific Directory in the Western World thanks to his close friendship with Captain Arselyev and the Directory's mass-publishing of their expeditions into the Arctic hinterlands. His numerous and well-honed survival skills, including but not limited to tracking, hunting, weather prediction, and navigation, have saved the lives of dozens of academics visiting the more isolated tribes of the Directory. The most recent lives saved by his impeccable marksmanship and uncanny senses were those of Dr Jones and Watson during the Tiger Hunt when he eliminated two of the compromised snipers while Arselyev spotted targets and kept the doctors' heads down. While Arselyev ultimately only somewhat represents the Directory, being far from the only Transpacifican on the world stage, Uzala is the only Nanai making a significant splash outside of the Amur and his actions are the only representation of his people that the vast majority of people both in the Directory and in the world at large will see, something he's begun to keenly feel since the publication of the expeditions he participated in. The overwhelmingly positive portrayal of him in Arselyev's accounts has contributed significantly to an influx of europeans, particularly curious ones with money to burn, to the Amur region. Them and their money have made his one of the more prosperous peoples and positioned them very well to take advantage of the arrival of the Trans-Siberian Railroad.

As members of the Serpent's Garden Arselyev and Uzala are nigh-inseparable, helped by the fact neither speaks fluent German and often translate for the other whenever one doesn't have the right word in his lexicon yet. Uzala is uncomfortable in urban environments, which to him extends to the heavily settled German countryside. After the betrayal of several Bureau XIII agents during the Tiger hunt they've both gotten rather paranoid of the other members of the league, especially of Miss Engel and the so-called 'Doctor N', only fully trusting each other. While they don't have official sanction from the Transpacific government, they nonetheless still maintain their ties and regularly report back to the Whalers.

Spoiler Dersu Uzala and Captain Vladimir Arselyev :

 

[ItsAGiraffe000]

“I think I might just like the waves”, Htun Sein dreamily leaned his head over the railing of the top deck, “they’re so peaceful.”

“They’re peaceful until you drown in them, Ko-Htun, you stupid idiot”, Zin Thawda raised a pair of accusatory chopsticks in his direction, still fresh from their brawl with his ration of pickled vegetables.

Day 22 aboard the TMS Thutaythi, and even the tedium of her maiden voyage could do nothing to calm Zin’s nerves. He was not so pure and naive as Htun Sein. In fact, he was three entire months his elder. And he knew, second-hand, exactly what monsters lurked within those peaceful waves. What they were capable of. It wasn’t for nothing that the Navy had the lowest rate of survival in the Imperial military.

“Hey!”, Zin called, “Ko-Wai! What are the chances we live today?”

The mysterious creature they called Wai darted his eyes up from behind his book for half a second, then raised a single thumb. One.

“Out of what?”, Zin shouted back in reply.

This time his eyes roll. With his free hand, Wai opens and closes a fist six times, and punctuates them with a middle finger. Thirty-one. Zin Thawda was robbed of his appetite.

“Real peaceful”, he snapped at Htun Sein, standing up and tossing the leftovers of his mess kit to an empty table. “So pretty.”

"Don't go!", Htun Sein wiped some dampened cabbage off his shirt, “Ko-Zin, wait!”

“Nope.”

“Wait, just hold on!”

“Not happening.”

“I think I just saw a dolphin!”

“That’s wonderful. I’m going to go take a ****. And after that I’m gonna lie in my bunk and contemplate death. You know, while I still have time.”

“Ko-Zin...”, Htun Sein whined, “What about the watch, Ko-Zin? I’m here by myself-”

“You have Ko-Wai.”

“...I’ll be here by myself, and the sun’s gonna start going down”, his brow furrowed, “I don’t see well. You know that.”

Zin sighed. “I'll tell Somwan to check in later or something.” Htun Sein held out his hands in exasperation. "You’ll be fine”, Zin reassured him, “It’s been nearly a month. I doubt the round-eyed devils are gonna show up now.”

“Well, whatever”, Htun Sein shifted his interest back to the waves, “Until tomorrow, I guess,”

“Until tomorrow”, Zin agreed.


To be continued

 

[Seon]

Hamburger Morgenpost

The Wolf Strikes Again!

​

Notorious French larcenist known as the Wolf to German law enforcement agencies have struck once more at the heart of Germany in a daring raid at Museum der Arbeit that left the Bundespolizei looking impossibly incompetent. As he has done before at several other daring thefts and crimes all across the two Germanies and England, the Wolf sent a calling card to the museum director, Leopold Kruger, who immediately contacted the Federal police department as well as the local police department for assistance.

Despite the eager detectives and security agents of the Bundespolizei, as well as several dozen uniformed police officers of the local police force present to provide 'foolproof' defense against the larcenist, the Bundespolizei was unable to stop the mysterious Frenchman from stealing his chosen prize--a set of gold plated and engraved punch card sequences used for the analytical machine, Kant, in Berlin when it was first activated.

The larcenist struck just as he advertised. At 8:00 PM yesterday night, exactly the time warned in the calling card, hidden explosives detonated at multiple locations all throughout the museum, showering glass over the patrolling policemen and setting fires throughout the museum. Fire departments rushed to the scene, but were unable to approach due to the sheer size of the Hamburger crowd who had turned up to watch the high-profile heist unfold, resulting in chaos among the patrolling security agents and policemen who eventually had to evacuate the building altogether to control the panicking and unruly crowd. "It was downright miraculous," the local police chief reported. "That nobody was seriously injured."

In any case, the forensics department picking over the remains of the museum have reported what seemed to be obvious--the punch card sequences were missing from the wreckage. It is still yet uncertain as to how the Wolf was able to make his escape from the burning museum, but testimonials from multiple witnesses attested to seeing a shadowy form rise from the smoke and the flames of the museum and disappear into the night sky. While the police department have not officially made any commentaries towards the veracity of these reports, but detective Hoffman of the local police department have dismissed the rumors when questioned directly. "It's not as if the bugger can fly."

Standoff at Neue Elbbrücke
​

An airship crash at Neue Elbbrücke have caused an odd standoff between three separate police departments in Hamburg. Due to the fact that the crash happened last night over the exact center of the bridge, exactly at the border of jurisdictions between two local police departments, both sides claimed jurisdiction for investigation of the potential crime scene. Just as mediation from the Bundespolizei seemed close to breaking the impasse, the Hamburgian River Patrol claimed jurisdiction, claiming the lack of any bodies on the bridge indicated clearly that it was flung over the railings and into the river, putting it within the purview of the river patrol's jurisdiction.

As of this article's publishing, dispute between the departments is still ongoing. Speculation is rife, with more conspiratory minded observers commenting whether or not it is related to the heist at Museum der Arbeit earlier in the night. While lack of any progress in the police investigation due to jurisdictional dispute make the exact details of what has occurred to cause the airship to crash impossible to determine, several testimonials reported hearing sounds of either explosions of gunfire over the city, swiftly followed by a small explosion overhead.

Letter from the Editor. Re: Hate Crimes
​

Yesterday night was an eventful night in which our lives were shaken up by a French larcenist, yes, but this is no excuse to what has transpired at Hohenfelde, where a young girl of French descent was found shot and bleeding out alone in the streets. Nothing of value was taken from her, and it is difficult to imagine how she could have generated such hatred as to warrant a shooting--aside from her French heritage.

Yes, we were at war with the French government less than a year ago, but we must always try to keep in mind that the people, especially those who live in Germany and have remained loyal despite everything, is innocent of the crimes of both the Communard government and this mysterious Wolf.

I was at the hospital by chance, following the injured victims of the Wolf's daring attack upon the Museum of Work when I saw for myself a detective carrying a young girl crashed through the door. I initially assumed she was a more seriously injured victim of the bombings when the detective cried out for doctors who knew how to handle a gunshot wound. Interviewing the detective after the girl was carried away by medics who, not too long ago, served in the war revealed the details of the case as written above.

People of Germany, is it really the society that we wish to build that tolerates young girls--of any ethnicity--shot by random criminals that lurks in the night? We must become much more vigilant against those who proclaim hate and violence as a solution if we are to build a better tomorrow.

 

[Ahigin]

From Illyria
To the world
The Italian government just approached us with a truly outrageous offer to "legalize" Italian Adriatic smugglers, an event that would require our forgiveness of the economic crimes they had committed in Illyria. While some of the more ideologically flexible governments might have entertained this misguided diplomatic effort or at least kept it secret, the Triune Kingdom sees no other option a true Christian monarchy could take but to disclose this fact to the world. For years, we had been aware of Italian-born smugglers, but until now we had no proof of existence of Italian-sanctioned smuggling operations - a proof the Italian diplomatic corps just provided us with via its misguided communication. It is with heavy heart that we disclose this information to the world: beware of the state ruled by thieves and for thieves.

From Gran Paraguay
To Communes of the Andes
The Atacama Desert and Antofagasta province used to belong to the Chilean Republic, which successor, the Chile-Patagonian Free State, is now our protected ally. If you wish to continue to fight a war against Portugal-Brazil beyond your own borders (be it in Gran-Colombia or in Portobrazilian Amazonia), we will ask you to spare your people of unnecessary bloodshed and pass these territories to Chile-Patagonia. We will tolerate your current borders only as long as you do not stick your nose beyond them.

 

[JohannaK]

Sunday, 20th May 1894 - The Indostan Express est. Srinagar 1894​

Celebrations And Homages In The Red Fort - Fayyub Sinai, Delhi

Months after the fall of Delhi, the city is bustling and bursting at the seams with the rumble of life. Its streets and buildings overflow with cars, carts, feet, food, goods moving hither and thither, never stopping. It is a city booming with the trades of war. Trains loaded with foodstuffs and men move east to the front, whilst prisoners and captured or damaged equipment transit west towards vast camps and army workshops. The city is teeming with the voices of strangers who come and go, but a heavy silence hangs in their minds. What remains of the Fauj Hamala started reaching the city last week, are currently based in the Cantonment, and can often be seen brooding or uneasily wandering the Old city. Survivors of the poorly planned and badly executed Ratangarh Campaign, they are the living face of a reality that goes unmentioned every day.

On 1st May it was announced that two new military decorations would be created: the Western Star and the Eastern Star. Awarded for resilience and fortitude in the face of adverse conditions and unsurmountable odds, it is the former that tomorrow will be formally awarded to every surviving enlisted man and NCO of the Fauj Hamala. It has been informally described as a compensatory award for men who endure poor generalship, and the award comes with a doubled pension for awardees up to the rank of Major. Maharaja Khan Noonien Singh will personally award every one of them in a grueling ceremony that will take place over the whole week. The ceremony will begin with an address by the Maharaja from the main gate to the awardees, who will be formed in front. It is expected that the address will commend the men on their resilience and strength of character, and a draft that has appeared indicated that there might be a formal apology of His Imperial Majesty to the men for being "so harshly tested in their valour and loyalty". After the address, the ceremony will move indoors to the pavilions and courtyards of the Fort, where each company will march in turns for each man to receive the award from the hands of the Maharaja.

Although it has not been disclosed for security reasons, it is known that every company's audience has already been scheduled, and that the ceremony might last into June as His Majesty will concurrently have to tend to other duties. Such a massive ceremony is unprecedented, and responds to the outrage and sadness with which news of the campaign were followed by the people at home of the desperate fight of its most ambitiously organised force. Several commanding officers have been demoted or reassigned over flawed planning and gross mismanagement of operations, most notably Jarnail A.K. Singh, reassigned to division command in the Reserve Army, and Jarnail Ganjit Thakur, demoted to Sardar and new commandant of Amritsar Army Training Camp. Kumedan M.B. Singh, commander of the 2nd Cavalry Division that finally took Ratangarh has been promoted to Jarnail and to overall command of V Corps.​

The Western Star
Awarded for extraordinary resilience
and fortitude in the face of adverse
conditions and unsurmountable odds.

The Eastern Star
Awarded for outstanding feats of valour
or martial prowess in the face of the
enemy. ​

 

[Ahigin]

The stats are updated and available for public viewing. Please let me know if you see any inconsistencies.

Map update and research options will be done shortly.

 

[Ahigin]

The map has been updated in the beginning of the thread.

 

[Ahigin]

By now, everyone's received their tech research options.

Also, some errors were found in the map, I'll fix them in a couple of days. The map is just a supplement to the update, so the words are more canon than the map.

Finally, please be aware that the stats had a few small errors in them, which are now fixed. Double-check your stats, please.

Early orders deadline for Update 7, i.e., all economic, domestic, and diplomatic orders are due by: May 28, 2018, 9 am CST
Late orders deadline for Update 7, i.e., all military orders are due by: June 4, 2018, 11 pm CST.

 

[JohannaK]

Indostan Army Battle Concepts for Crawlers​

Preface:

If the goal of war is the attainment of certain objectives, the goal of battle is to defeat an enemy in the pursuit of said objectives. Two methods to inflict defeat exist: destruction by starvation, and destruction by force. Starvation is the purview of sieges, whilst force is applied through open battle. Amongst the numerous instruments of battle, crawlers are the newest and have the chance to revolutionise it like the cannon, the musket, the horse, and the bow did in their own time.

The crawler is the beginning of a new cavalry, one of engines and armour rather than of flesh and bones. Its vulnerability lost, this new cavalry can become again a tool to break the enemy with. Like the Sikh misls developed the finest cavalry in the world just one hundred years ago, it is our historical duty to master this cavalry of industry. We did not build the first crawler, much like we did not bred or tame the first horse, but we must master the former like we once did the latter. We ought not to sit idly and wait for others to do this job for us. The power of industry is now ours as it is of Europe to build and maintain them. The workshops of Europe have created them, and its fields have tested them. They have shown promise. As heirs to a proud tradition of cavalry, the burden is on us to fulfil this promise.

Perhaps the greatest tool of the infantry is the machinegun. This new cavalry of crawlers is one of moving machineguns impervious to machineguns. It is not only out of sentimentality that we must cultivate it, then, for it is also a weapon for the future. The crawler is evidently the tool that will crack the infantry’s back – if used well.

M.B. Singh
Jarnail, Commander V Corps​

Battle Concepts for the Use of Crawlers

1. It is imperative for any officer in the army, no matter their station, command size, or branch, to be knowledgeable in the uses and appropriate employment of crawlers. Any officer can, at any time, have to deal with crawlers, be it commanding them, fighting alongside them, or having to account for them in planning and logistics.

2. Crawlers are exceptional weapons platforms. Not only are they self-propelled and able to fire on the move, their armour plating makes them resistant to small arms counterfire.

3. Crawlers are fickle machines. Although their tactical value is inestimable, crawlers wear down easily and rapidly, and cannot endure sustained artillery fire. They must be used sparingly, briefly, and decisively.

4. Infantry is the natural prey of crawlers. Be it in earthworks or in the open, machinegun fire is devastating. It can ravage a unit or suppress it until it can be taken out by supporting forces.

5. Swiftness is essential. A crawler’s best asset is mobility, especially when under fire. Its greatest liability is its target profile. An attack must conclude, be it failed or successful, before enemy artillery zeroes in on the crawler. If it is not advancing or withdrawing by then, it is lost.

6. Opportunity is critical. Like a cavalry charge, crawlers must be put into action when their presence will make the greatest impact on the fighting. Leading an assault behind a barrage, crawlers can deal with remaining strongholds and provide support fire for advancing infantry. Committed in a counter-attack, they can mow down enemies outside their positions and break an enemy assault.

7. Victory necessitates commitment. Undertaking offensive action will always entail more than a company of crawlers. They must not be used in isolation; infantry close behind will be necessary to consolidate gains and exploit any openings. Though crawlers alone can inflict heavy damage, it is for nothing if the enemy can walk in once they run out of fuel.

8. Concentrating fire maximises its effect. Principles of mass must be applied to the deployment of crawlers. Although they can hold their own for some time, multiple crawlers acting in unison will last longer, deal with more enemies, and respond more effectively to new threats. Crawlers ought to be deployed in sections of no less than four in supporting distance of each other. Isolated crawlers are easy targets.

9. Use must not turn into abuse. Protracted use of crawlers will wear them down, leading to malfunctions and accidents. Active units must be rotated often for their equipment to be taken care of. Crawlers require constant maintenance and must always be accompanied by sufficient mechanics and spares, which its supply train will have to account for along with ammunition and fuel.