UPDATE 11 784 AF
Syldavia continues East
In the eastern nation of Syldavia they have realized that there are a lot of unclaimed lands to the east of them. To remedy this oversight they call up some 6000 farmers, equip them with pitchforks and send them east supported by regular army troops. In general the idea is good, but the tribes living in the mountains arent too pleased. The Syldavians do make some progress, but are severely slowed by attacks from the clans losing several troops in the process, including most of the poor peasants. In fact, had it not been for the good leadership losses would probably have been even more appalling.
(Syldavia: -5000 infantry (cannonfodder), -2000 infantry (acceptable))
Scholars and Soldiers
More schools are built throughout Ironal as people start realizing that their lives actually get somewhat easier with knowledge. Whether it is farmers learning how to do sums, merchants learning the letters or noble sons learning the arts of oration, people stream to the churches to improve their knowledge.
The soldiers also learn new things as they are repeatedly drilled by their more experienced comrades until they are their equal in skill. Whilst still not a large or superbly trained army compared with others, they are still a well-drilled force capable of holding their own.
The soldiers soon get some practical practice in as well as life or death battles erupt to the northeast. Traders from the barbarian tribes bring back news of a large river beyond the mountains and the High Priest decides to send out an expedition to find it. Access to another river would mean access to more tribes, which, in return, will mean more possibilities for trade. Whats not to like about that?
The army does suffer some through their advance despite some easy gains initially. As the tribes are used to Ironalians moving through their lands they are not expecting a military force to suddenly arrive intent on conquest. Eventually the barbarians do learn what is happening and start attacking the army from their mountain holdouts. Equal in skill to the Ironalians and fighting on their own land, progress soon becomes problematic and eventually bogs down. The skill of the Ironalian generals more or less evens out the home advantage, but even they cant win the battles on their own as attrition takes the lives of more and more of their men. Eventually they dig in to await reinforcements.
Meanwhile the economy starts recovering as a new market is found in the north: Tirpi. Whilst the locals are initially wary of this foreign influx, they do allow the merchants access as they worry that a refusal might be met with military force.
(Ironal: -3000 infantry)
The Emperor has no clothes on
Following the tricky situation that arose between Imperia and Dashtaka over the nation of Volans, the situation appears to have been resolved as the Imperian forces retreat to the old border. Many, particularly in the military are upset that they and their troops have fought and died for nothing and there are several grumbles in the ranks
(-1 confidence). Talk about rebellion is starting to spread and there are rumours that some people are starting to prepare for an armed uprising.
Happily oblivious to all of this the Imperian Dictator Ernest Richards oversees the completion of the Imperian Eagle in Gregengrad. A magnificent monument it stands and proclaims Imperian pride and glory, filling the hearts of all the citizens with pride and making them walk a little straighter.
Having pulled out of the province of Volans war is then only averted at the last possible instance. Seeking to expand in another direction the Dictator orders the army to expand his nation to the northeast
into Mearlekrolian territory. The order to advance was stopped in the last instance as despatch riders reached the Imperian camp and informed the generals that the dictator had looked at his maps, upside-down. Rather he wanted an expansion to the southeast. Breathing a sigh of relief, and shaking their heads, the army was then led to the indicated border instead. Resistance is relatively light, though the presence of the shockers and the cavalry is largely responsible for the Imperian advantage.
The new landreform in the south almost causes an outbreak of violence as well (see random events), but the presence of troops mean that things are kept well in order. The land is eventually distributed and several small towns and villages start dotting the landscape. A new city also starts growing ever so slowly around the administrative centre for the area.
(Imperia: -1000 infantry)
Long live the King!
With a new king in Ibe things are about to change. Nobody knew who had killed the old king in his sleep, and nobody really cared. As far as the majority of the population is concerned he died of natural causes
After all, dying after being brutally stabbed is completely normal.
With no heirs power went to the leader of the army, general Idrea, who soon takes the title of Imperiator (Imperator?). He quickly reorganizes the army in a way he feels is better, but which the old king didnt agree with. The new system initially looks complicated, but is actually pretty simple. Somewhat confusing, the biggest military units, consisting of 10,000 men, are called Militias which causes some confusion regarding the other militia.
Having reorganized the army the Imperiator quickly puts it to use in the time-honoured tradition of Ibe by launching the majority of his forces south against Syldavia. Led by generals Itan and Itop they attack almost simultaneously from the north and south. Vastly outnumbering their enemies and being much better trained, they make rapid progress and start convening on the city of Lertin. As remnants of the Syldavian borderguards reach the city panic erupts. Heavily demoralized the troops can, or will, do little to restore order and soon it is every man for himself. Everything capable of floating is soon on the river in an attempt to cross to the other bank. Many escape this way and as the Ibeian armies reach the cities and the local governor sees their sizes he too panics and abandons the city. The few forces left to defend the city show astonishing courage and determination as they man the walls seeking to stall the Ibeians as much as possible to allow the citizens to get away.
Long story short, the city falls, but the heroics of the defenders will not soon be forgotten as they made the Ibeians pay dearly for their conquest.
(Ibe: -5000 infantry, Syldavia: -4000 infantry)
Beans and Asparages
No, the title has no real meaning this time, but it was the best I could come up with
Having gained lots of new land the king of Dashtaka sits back and is pleased. His nation has grown to a size where it is amongst the most biggest known and it has the power to defend it. Pleased with this he decides to end the wars (at least for now) and to turn to more peaceful things. Not only is it easier for him not having to plan campaigns, it is also appreciated by the population who arent asked to go into battle.
Keeping in line with this newly conquered lands are opened up to colonists and many sons of farmers, standing to inherit nothing, moves to get their own little piece of land. This makes the people quite pleased and as the king discovers he actually has more gold income from taxes than he knows what to do with and gives it back to the people, the appreciation is truly heartfelt
(+1 happiness)
The potentially tricky situation with Imperia is also solved to the delight of the people
(+1 confidence).
Siberia Strikes Back
After halting the Tribunal invasion Siberia prepared for a new offensive to take back their lands. Pulling their resources, numbers were now to their advantage as was the skills of the soldiers. Add to this their knowledge of the lands and it was little surprise that the Siberians did so well. The only things to the advantage of the Tribunal were the skills of their battlefield commanders and their slightly fortified positions.
Having received no reinforcements the Tribunal morale was low (-1 confidence) and as a Siberian counterattack hit the small force occupying the western part of their land all organization disintegrated in the face of such overwhelming opposition. Once again the Ordinators fought with honour and slew many enemies, but even their skills could do little against foes with the same skill and the burning desire to avenge their slain countrymen. In a series of running battles the Tribunals were pushed back across the border with only a few making it home and many more lying dead on the fields or captured by the victorious Siberian troops.
Having cleansed one part of their lands the Siberian then turned to the main Tribunal force. Again, they struck with great numbers against a smaller, demoralized Tribunal force, but this force had the advantage of better defences. Even so, the lack of numbers and the fury with which the Siberians struck meant that the battle eventually turned against them, though they fought like beasts. Long story short, the Tribunal troops were completely expelled from Siberian lands. As they reached the old border at the river the Siberians paused and regrouped rather than cross the river and attack the Tribunal homelands.
(Siberia: -4000 infantry (acceptable), -2000 infantry (trained), Tribunal: -3000 Ordinators, -6000 infantry)
War in the Island Sea
Reports are scarce due to the great distances, but merchants arriving in Dashtaka via Laconia report of a new outbreak of war between Rhodor and Gallin. Little is known so far of what is happening.
Random Events
The death of the unpopular Ibeian king sends waves of relief through the people and there are high hopes that the new king will prove a more able ruler
(+1 confidence)
As the south of Imperia is opened up for settlement people are initially happy and then annoyed when learning how little land they may get and how complex the paperwork is, particularly for some of their skills. The incompetent administrators are not much help and the situation gets critical before it is then decided to just let all people settle there
(+1 happiness, +1 confusion )
Diplomacy
To: Calador
From: Mearlekrol and Zhuba
Were happy to sign a treaty with you and hope for peace and prosperity in the future.
Scapegoat-of-the-turn:
Carmen510 for extremely short orders though it did give me lots of options to improvise
NOTES:
Military leadership was explained rather silly. I changed the description to the following:
You need one eco point per 9 thousands AND 15 ships AND 1,5 thousand cavalry(so the total amount of eco. points needed is determined by the sum of both the divisions and the ships. For easy calculation see how big it is by the first number in upkeep and divide that number by 3, rounding up) for military leadership. Newly recruited troops come in at two training levels below the average training level of your nation. You can focus training on some units to have some troops better trained than others. You dont have to train the entire army in one go.
Basically, take the first number under upkeep, divide it by three and round it up. Ill be the first to admit Im still not too keen on it. Would it be better to divide with, say 4, 5 or 6 to avoid making it overly expensive?
I'm hopeful to post it in.... *counts*.... 7 hours or so.
