Update 10 - 782 AF
For Vivec!
In Tribunal the Patriarch is a busy man. Faced with lots of slaves and prisoners from the wars who just sit about in camps and do little practical work they are organised into groups and dispatched to various parts of the nation so as to prevent them from talking to each other and thus prevent them from rising up. This works quite well. Many of them are put to work doing hard, manual labour of the most gruelling kinds while the rest are sold to Tirpi to work in the mines there.
Having a large force working for free and requiring only some guards and a little food is of massive benefit to Tribunal (+1 economy) as it frees up much of the population to work with more profitable and enjoyable things.
Many new monuments are constructed to commemorate the victory over Bateria and do homage to the Gods. Many of the most skilled slaves are put to work on these, something that is much easier work than pulling the massive blocks of granite from the quarries. It is not without its dangers though as the punishments are quite severe if the priesthood doesnt approve of their work.
Pausing for a while from spreading the Holy Word, the Patriarch receives a vision instructing him to unite his people and those of Siberia. It is not befitting for two nations following the same religion to not be united. So, he sends a large force north striking toward the Siberian capital of Vladi. The plan is good enough, but unfortunately for the Tribunal they quickly encounter problems, the first of which is crossing the river. Due to the size of the forces crossing it is impossible to keep it a secret from the Siberians and the few ships they have closeby do their best to disrupt the transfer. While too few to stop it, they do slow it down a bit allowing fast riders to carry word to Vladi and get the army mustered.
The two forces, evenly matched in numbers, met in battle some 2 days south of Vladi. The Siberian defenders had the advantage of choosing the terrain and having better trained infantry. For the Tribunal the main things that were to their advantage were the slightly better cavalry at their disposal and the training of their officers. The two sides exchanged arrows at the start of the battle doing relatively little harm to each other. As the Tribunal forces advanced with a strong centre of regulars and elite Ordinators to their flanks and behind them, the Tribunal archers continued to unleash arrows on their enemies whilst moving forwards. The slightly hilly position of the Siberians gave them a slight advantage. The arrows fired against the Ordinators did very little damage due to their heavy armour. The regulars suffered more, but were again shielded from the worst due to full body armour and shields. The archers, however, suffered immensely.
The Tribunal cavalry kept busy, constantly trying to outflank the Siberians and then attack causing lots of problems for the Siberians. As a response they closed their formation a bit more and pulled the flanks back a bit. A counterattack from the Siberian cavalry did well initially due to their greater numbers and the losses the Tribunal riders had taken from arrows, but eventually the greater training of the Tribunal told and the Siberian cavalry started panicking.
At this time the Tribunal regulars had gotten close enough to charge and roared up the slopes to get to grips with the Siberian regulars. It turned out to be a regular bloodbath. Having the higher ground, being more rested and being less encumbered from armour than the Tribunal forces they cut them to pieces. For a minute salvation seemed to be at hand as the Ordinators engaged the Siberians, but being outnumbered, often 3 or 4 to 1, there was little even they could do. As the regulars broke and started running away the Ordinators closed ranks and started an orderly retreat supported by the remains of the cavalry. Exhausted by the battle the Siberians neglected to pursue.
While all this was happening a smaller strike force of Tribunal troops advanced on the western Siberian territory expecting it to be more lightly defended. They were only partially right. Whilst the border was only lightly guarded, the tense relationship between Siberia and Mearlekrol meant a large portion of the Siberian army was in the area to guard their southwestern border
At first the attack took the Siberians by complete surprise and the Tribunal made good gains. Eventually, however, the Siberians managed to regroup and make a stand at the city of Waneg. Having left troops behind to guard the captured lands the Tribunal were outnumbered and fighting in unfamiliar territory. Had it not been for the large number of Ordinators accompanying the force, the forces might have been annihilated. As it was they lost the battle, but managed to pull back to better defensive positions from where they could await reinforcements. They may have suffered a defeat, but they still hold a good deal of land and a lot of things may still happen.
(Siberia: -3 ships, -6 thousand infantry, -1000 cavalry), Tribunal: -8 thousand infantry, -500 cavalry, -1000 Ordinators)
Recession in the East
Following the constant expansion of the businesses in Ironal the market eventually became saturated with goods. In order to sell their wares the prices started falling at an increasing rate. As prices dropped, so did profits and soon many businesses operated at a loss and, eventually, had to close. The unsold goods were finally just given away to the mountain tribes and whoever else wanted them. Of course, this meant even bigger problems for the others who were still in business and made things even worse. The results of this massive recession were massive unemployment and a general decrease in living standards in Ironal. The situation was bad and as food riots started breaking out the government had to intervene.
Massive aid from the state managed to save most of the larger businesses from going under, but it was only a temporal solution and most knew it. To deal with the large number of people going without work the government also started massive building projects creating jobs for most of the people. Whilst most are relatively insignificant, a massive cathedral to honour the Tribunal Temple is started in the city of Butam. It will take some time to complete, but once done it will be the jewel of Tribunal worship in Ironal and the natural centre of the religion.
A new breakthrough in farming also helps Ironal recover. A plant called rice is discovered to do really well in the areas by the river and soon harvests of this new plant helps against the threatening starvation in the cities. In fact, it proves so useful and profitable that many more settle in the areas to start growing these plants. The surplus of food this plant provides also means that food, apart from becoming more available, becomes cheaper and it is expected that this will cause many families to have even more children in the future leading to a bright future for Ironal.
Even so, many have still lost everything and decide to take their chances in the wild rather than face the starvation at home and emigrate to the southwest. Finally, a few decide to join the army and thus be provided for by the state rather than live in slum.
Eagles and Axes.
A new project is undertaken in Gregengrad, a massive of an eagle holding a sword between its claws to illustrate the Imperian honour, glory and pride. The plans for this are big, literally speaking. A large site has been cleared in the centre of Gregengrad to make room for the statue. It will be bronze and build so big as to tower over all other buildings in the city. It is the wish of the king that it shall inspire through sheer size and also be so big as to be seen by all who approach the city. There is some muttering as to what will happen if it should fall over by accident, but work is nevertheless started.
A new policy is also instated. The king declares that all women giving birth to at least 10 children will receive all the food they need from the state. Many women pale at the thought of having to bear so many children, but some decide that since they have some 6-7 anyway, then they might as well go for ten
to the imaginable enjoyment of their husbands.
On a less pleasant matter, at least for the enemies of the state, a new elite corps of warriors is formed. Designed to be a horror for the enemy to face, selection for this new force, the Imperia Shockers, is very strict. First off all, the initiate must be at least 190 centimetres tall, something that rules out about 95% of the male population. The must also be strong and healthy, ambidextrous and willing to fight and die for their nation. If these demands are met, the initiate will then be tested to see if hes suitable, and only then be given training in preparation for joining the Shockers. Wearing metal masks in the shape of skulls, wielding an axe in both hands and standing about a head taller than all others they are an intimidating sight.
Finally, the king decides to expand his kingdom. Rather than seek an expansion south he has his eyes set on the small, neighbouring nation of Volans. Sending in enough troops to crush them three times over they make good progress losing more men to small bands of guerrilla fighters and in ambushes than they do in regular battle. Most of the nation soon falls and only a desperate group of soldiers in the capital still resist. Things soon took a change for the worse though (see below)
(Imperia: -3 thousand infantry, Volans: -1 thousand cavalry, -1 thousand infantry)
Fire Stampede
The Khan of Th'Lex-Zamrezei issues an arrogant demand to Pomoc demanding their immediate surrender if they do not wish to be attacked by his hordes. Worried, but proud, the Pomocians refuse the Khans demand and send envoys to Dashtaka and Calador to ask for help. Little did they know, however, that the hordes of the Khan were camped close to their borders and as the envoy returns with the refusal the Khan orders them on to attack the nation.
Having few troops and even less cavalry the defenders are quickly overrun and cut to pieces. With the mobility of an all mounted force the ThLex run circles around the defenders, killing some, disengaging and then hitting again. Coupled with fire arrows hitting the tents of the defenders panic soon erupts and is scythed down by the Fire Stampede. The only real trial for the ThLex is the battle for the capital city of Pomeranc. Horses dont climb walls very well, so the infantry was sent in for the attack, but repulsed.
Deciding a new tactic was in order the riders laid an iron ring around the city and then started raining down fire arrows upon it. With little water to douse the flames and the walls under constant threat the beleaguered defenders had little chance. As more and more men were pulled from the walls to combat the fires, the Thlex attacked again using both infantry and dismounted horsemen. Finally some men broke through and managed to open the city gates letting the rest of the army in. A massive slaughter ensured. The men were cut down on the spot and many women were raped and killed. Sometimes not in that order.
As the flames died down resistance had been crushed and the city was firmly in the hands of the ThLex, or rather, what was left of the city after the damages it had taken (- Pomeranc eco centre). Even so, the swift and decisive victory has increased confidence in the Khan (+1 confidence).
Back in ThLex proper a new sport sees the light: Horseracing. While it has always been around in some form or another, it is now getting organised with certain rules that must be followed. Also, the races are to be held in special arenas where people have to pay to gain entrance. This was done in an attempt to increase the income of the state, but didnt work mainly because people refused to pay for something they had always been able to see for free. The offers of prizes does lure a few to compete in the races, but with almost no crowds this soon stops because, what worth is a prize if nobody sees you? The honour of being watched by the crowd is bigger than any prize. The idea has merit, but more work needs to be done in order to convince the people that it is better that way.
(Th'Lex-Zamrezei: -2 thousand infantry, -1 thousand cavalry. Pomoc: -independence)
All Quiet in the East
Syldavia decides that in the world they live in it helps to carry a big stick and as such expand their military.
Sending an envoy south asking for peace they also manage to sign a treaty of peace and non aggression with Tirpi.
Counting coppers and eyes
In Calador the government adopts a more peaceful stance after the bloody conflicts of the previous years. Sending out traders on the river they sail far and start bringing home new and exotic goods. So far the trade has not been organised, but there is a huge potential here for Calador to grow.
A group of men is also recruited to enforce the law and keep the peace in the major towns and cities. These enforcers are rough men who dont accept any nonsense and are vigorous in carrying out the law to the letter. Whilst the laws could be considered harsh, built as they are on the eye for an eye principle, they are nevertheless applauded by the common people who feel quite a bit safer now.
To the north of the nation the army carries out a series of skirmishes with the tribes inhabiting the plains there and gradually push them back gaining more land and thus security for the core of the nation. It comes at a cost of course, but only a minor one all things considered.
(Calador: -2000 infantry)
Pointy carrot
In mighty Dashtaka things were initially quiet. New ships were built and soldiers were recruited and trained.
Some troops expand the borders of the nation aggressively as they look, in vain, for remnants of the fleeing Almegan troops. All in all, it is a quiet time until suddenly something unexpected happened.
Seeking to expand peacefully the Dashtakans offer Volans to be incorporated peacefully into their nation. The negotiator sent to deal with the Volantians brought with him a force of some 8000 infantry to exert political pressure by showing them that their fates might not be so nice if they should refuse.
Being rather nervous the local noble sent a messenger to the capital to enquire to what to do considering the size of the army waiting on the border. The Dashtakan official was slightly annoyed at this delay, but accepted it in good faith. Barely a week later the messenger arrived back at the camp, riding his horse so hard that it died soon after, and the official was summoned to the office of the noble. Their faces white they instantly accepted all the demands of the Dashtakans in return for their aid. Hostile Imperian troops were advancing upon their capital having attacked the nation without warning.
Now it was the Dashtakan official who was uncertain of what to do. This could result in war with Imperia, something he was not supposed to cause. Time was running out and he had to make a decision. Messengers were sent to Dashtar, but there was no time to wait for a response. Doing what he felt best the official accepted the Volantians proposal and led his army across the border, racing for the capital.
Passing large groups of fugitives it is soon clear to the Dashtakans that the situation is bad. Force marching they soon arrive at the site of the capital only to find that it is completely surrounded. Ordering the attack the two armies clash and the Dashtakans manage to succeed in breaking the siege to allow supplies back in, but they are still faced with an enemy army outnumbering them. Who will happen next it unsure.
(Volans merged with Dashtaka. -2000 Dashtaka infantry. -1000 Imperia infantry)
Random Events
Logi Khan, also called the Paranoid, discovers he has a talent for writing songs. More importantly he comes up with a way to decrease the dissatisfaction amongst the tribes (+1 loyalty)
In Imperia several sign painters are fired after misspelling the name of the capital. Also, the leader gives a short speech to the people and succeeds in seriously confusing them. Trying to figure out what he really meant they decide it was probably something good (+1 happiness)
NOTES:
Those who spent less than their income due to confusion over eco-system have one extra point next turn as noted in the stats.
Also, the next deadline is as usual, though I'm not sure I'm going to continue this. Right now my motivation on this is at close to zero. I will let you know over the next couple of days what will happen.
