A new kind of weapon

[Talmann]

It was getting late. Herr Doktor Kam was just about to call it quits, when suddenly, the ingredients in his mixing pot were starting to react. As he added more and more fuel to the flames, he saw the reaction quicken, much faster than he would've hoped. Now Dr. Kam tried to put out the fire. He had studied what this mixture could possibly do. But the reaction kept going and Kam saw a little go over the edge of the pot...

*BOOM!!!*

Dr. Kam jumped out the window of the now smoldering building. Miraculasly he had gotten out with nothing worse than one badly burned leg and bleeding hands. The mixture he had created would soon change the world (OOC: actually just Talstadt. Everyone else I know already has it.). He went down on his unburned knee and praised Athena. He had needed the money and soon he would become famous.

Never would he know the monster he had unleashed.

[Talmann]

Just weeks ago, Dr. Kam found/created the first reliable and usable firepowder in Talstadt. Many tried to make their own after he released the formula, but most couldn't make it right (the ones that could make it blew themselves up). "Now," said the commissioner of the Talmänner Scientists' Corporation, "what can we do with this material?"

A general squabble broke out. Scientists were arguing just about every aspect and possibility for firepowder. Some said just don't use it at all, others said use it for instant cook meals. Then, from the back of the hall, something was said followed by nodding and murmuring working its way up the hall. Suddenly the hall was quiet. "Have we agreed?" Nodding. "What upon? What will be the use of this firepowder?"

All at once, the committee replied, "Weapons."

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(Four months later (OOC: not really following any set timeline right now, just going with the flow to better the story))

"Fire in the hole! Fire in the hole!"

A match was lit and put to the fuse of this gigantic tube. Seconds later, a very large ball was propelled from the tube at a brick wall. The men in the room were awestruck when they looked through the smoke to see that not only had the brick wall gone, but also the stone wall behind it.

"Well," joked a man, "this won't change war at all..."

OOC: After this (within a reasonable timeframe, perhaps two/three years), matchlock weapons and cannons (giant tube) are developed (told you Talmänner are quick to learn)

[Talmann]

König Sam bent over and listened to his advisor whisper something into his ear. As he bent back up, the tension in the room grew. There were not many times that the King called all his military officers together.
"My dear friends," the king began. "As you all well know, firepowder has been created and in use for quite some time now. We use it in many of our weapons, and it helps us put down any rebellions. My question for you men is this: What if the rebellion gets hold of firepowder? And weapons? They would be able to kill our men just as quickly as we could kill them. I tell you this because my Minister here has just informed me of a rebellion in the northeast mountains. These rebels have taken several towns, not because of numbers, though that is a factor, but because of sheer military brilliance. They hide in woods, on cliffs, and behind boulders! They do not march in lines and wait for orders to attack. And because of these tactics, we've lost two, no, three towns and all of the military loyal to me in them!"
Silence.
"Well!? What are we to do about these rebels, hm?!!"
A lone hand from the front of the room raised into the air. "Uncle, we must fight like them. It will not be easy to train our men to do this, they have been too strictly trained in the old way. But I feel it is only necessary."
"Thank you, Marise." said the King. The breaking of the silence by Mars and the King let loose several suggestions, such as:
"Develop better weapons that can shoot more bullets without reloading!" or,
"We need guns or men that can hit an enemy from across a town! (OOC: about a half mile to a mile)"
or even,
"Build a wall around the rebels land! Then check every person that comes through the gates and shoot anyone that tries to climb the wall!"

"Silence!" Sam yelled out. "Please.... Now. We have to focus on the task at hand. However we choose to approach it, we will have to fight these rebels sometime."

[Talmann]

General Schlimm looked around at his men. 'A shoddy group,' he thought. 'I can't believe our military is like this...' The group before him stood at attention, though some men looked like they just left boot camp. '500 men to go against these rebels, and they give me this!' thought Schlimm.
"As you men well know, we are moving into enemy territory today. All of you must be on your guard, these rebels don't fight fair. So, knowing that, we will also fight unfair. Spread out in a staggered two lines and shout when you encounter the enemy. Is that clear?"

His question was responded to with a resounding "HERR! JAWOHL!"

__________________________________________________________

(Further down a canyon where the men are. Thick forest on left, dried riverbed in middle, sheer cliff on right)

Schlimm looked at his map, 'Only three miles to Kliffburg. From there we can attack the rebels...' As he thought he heard a sound down the line, in the forest. "Halt! Ist alles OK there?" Nothing. "I said, 'Is everything okay?'"
Still nothing. General Schlimm looked at his troops, and then waved them into the forest. Just then he heard a gunshot ring out from the canyon walls and he heard a bullet whiz by his ear. His men turned and fired at the men on the walls, bodies fell and the smell of firepowder clouded the air. All of a sudden the forest came alive with rebels brandishing knives and pistols. Schlimm knew how this would end. He ran into the woods and carved into the bark, "Schlimm, 10th inf. 500m. Reb.s ~200m Fought valiantly"
Then, from behind him, "Hello, mein General..." Schlimm looked out the corner of his eye to see a man with a pistol. "Auf Wiedersehen, General." As the trigger was pulled, Schlimm turned and threw his knife towards the man.

_____________________________________________________________

"König, just in from our spies in Kliffburg. Schlimm lost to a group of 200 rebels outside of town."
"Great. Just ausgezeichnet! We must now turn outwards to fix this problem. Get me Hermmann (Diplomatic Relations)."

[Talmann]

Bergenhafen 8:00

Wilhelm von Schiffmann woke up. Everything was silent this morning. Though far from the battlefront, this city usually saw fighting daily. He gathered his things, took a quick shower, got dressed and went to the assembly.

A man in a seemingly homemade uniform spoke, "Now, I know you all are wondering why it is so quiet this morning. We just recieved the news, we defeated the monarchists at Kliffburg." *cheers* "Yes, yes. But, we must be ever vigilant! There is | (| is a break/pause) no other way to take out these leaders. There is | no other way to further trade and expansion. We asked them before to expand to the south, but they ignored us, saying we had enough land. So, my friends, if we can't expand our country, then I say we take land from the rich and permenantly remove some people while we're at it. Talstadt needs living space! Who's with me!?"
"WIR FOLGEN DICH!!"

Not two hours later was Wilhelm on a wagon for the wildest ride of his entire life.

[Xyrael]

A Xyraeli merchant named Xipilli trading goods, namely sugar, with the locals at a coastal town overhears talk of rebellion in the local tavern. His interest is peaked, but he feels he has an understanding of the Talmanner. Far to the east the fought against the government, but the Xyraelite heard stories of mass killings, not stories of freedom and dreams. He raised a glass to the barkeep, asking for more of the local brew. He never fancied high proof alchohol, but he rather enjoyed the smile that came across the old mans face every time he asked for another. He found himself stumbling out of the tavern and towards the dock. By morning, his head felt as if the Earth itself was sundering upon it. He reached for his cellular phone and dialed his Qatec Guild Elder.

"The Talmanner are having issues, and I feel that they might ultimately threaten our trading relations."

After several tense moments, the Xyraelite stood up. A Qatec soldier stoof before him, his rifle in hand. "Is our business in these lands done?"

"No, brother. I feel it has just begun." Xipilli left his fellow in the cabin, heading off the vessel to seek the local town leader.

[Talmann]

"Herr Hober, there is a man wanting to see you. He says he's from Xyrayel?"
"Xyrael, yes," the man corrected him. "Come in, come in! My fellow, my name is Herr Kris Hober. How may I help you in these troubled times?"

[Xyrael]

Xipilli bowed deeply, pausing for a moment before speaking. "My name is Xipilli. I have overheard rumors of violent rebellion in the east, and my Elders have asked that I learn more. They have also asked that I assist you if necessary. I have many things to offer."



OOC: Strangely, Xyrayel is not far off from a proper pronunciation. You pwn.

[Talmann]

OOC: yeah... I actually think Xyreal is pronounced Zy-ray-el... but maybe that's me

"Glad to meet you, Xipilli. Unfortunately, the rumors you hear are correct. There is a group of rebels roughly 10,000 and growing daily in the northeast. They burn villages, have killed thousands of innocents, and shoot at anyone or anything bearing the sign of the King. Speaking of the King, he has asked us all to try to get help. If you would be so willing, could you go to the capital of Himmelstadt and discuss things with him?"

___________________________________________________________________

Wilhelm von Schiffmann grasped his rifle. The wagon had just come to a halt and there was yelling up in the front. He estimated that they were halfway to Himmelstadt now and within the King's territory. All of a sudden the blackness of the wagon was broken when a man opened the flaps (OOC: covered wagon). The man gasped and yelled, "Verrätter! Tod den Verrättern!!" Wilhelm took his rifle and shot the man. But heavy fire was returned. As man after man inside the wagon fell, he grabbed their weapons and powder. He decided he had had enough of this game, and jumped through the flaps opposite of enemy fire. A man was by the horses, trying to cut them loose. Wilhelm threw his hunting knife in the man, grabbed the reins and drove off. "Great. Now they know we're here." But then, the firing ceased. Evidently, they had some friends following them to make sure they got to the castle. 'He he he... I bet the Council didn't see this coming.'

[Xyrael]

OOC: Perfect pronunciation! I also accept "Ks eye ray el". Sorry about not posting sooner, gf is a minx. Go ahead and RP my arrival at the capital.

IC:
"I would be most honoured to meet with your King. Allow me to gather my personal retinue, and perhaps you could have your men escort me there. I do not know the way there," Xipilli spoke politely, in a fashion that made even the educated Hober slightly uncomfortable.

[Talmann]

OOC: Alright.. I'm assuming you're taking a few men with you. Don't worry, you'll need 'em 

After saying farewell and loading many vittles aboard their wagon, the Xyraelites were off. (I'm gonna come back to this)

_________________________________________________________

It was time. With the moon almost set, Wilhelm and his men walked over to the gate dressed as priests of the night (black robes with a white circle badge). As one of the men "blessed" the guard, another dressed in the guard uniform and went to what was now his post. Wilhelm knew the King's men would not expect them, but this was almost too easy! He took off his hood and said to his men, "We wait for dawn. There will be a speech made by the King. We will attack then. Scout out your posts tonight, and meet me back in the Die Runde Mond Gasthaus bei drei Uhr (by 3:00 am). Go. Now!"
The next day
Wilhelm awoke. Today, he would make history and become a war hero for his people. Some of his men were already awake and cleaning their weapons. "Hier, Herr Schiffmann. Ein Telegramm fûr dich." Wilhelm reached out and read the letter. Wait for my signal. We have reinforcements outside the gate and are ready to swarm. 'Great, now I have to wait to attack. How stupid...' He burned the telegram and washed the ashes down the sink. Then he reached for the weapon that would he would use today, and started cleaning it.
Later that day
"... and I have just been informed that we will be having a foreign diplomat in town very soon. I can only hope that we can be shown to be hospitable, and that we can ally our nations to fight the coming rebellion. Thank you." No sooner had König Sam stepped off the podium that gunfire was heard coming from the castle walls. The king, surrounded by guards ran for cover as the ensuing panic outside was made worse as the gunmen started taking out civilians, head politicians, guards, and everything that came in their crosshairs. As Sam came inside, he grabbed a ceremonial sword off the wall and turned to face his "guards." "Alright. All of you, against the wall! You are all to be tried for crimes against the nation."
"But your highness," said Wilhelm in a deeply sarcastic voice. "You see that we outnumber you greatly and..." he pulled out a pistol, "we have better weapons than you." Sam bent down to drop the sword, then threw it into the nearest guard. He ran, knowing that the fate of Talstadt lay in his hands. As he heard gunshot after gunshot ring out behind him, he finally knew what he must do. He ducked into a room. He saw the kegs around him, and, letting a sigh of regret escape him, grabbed a small one, made a hole in it, and ducked out a small passageway in the floor. Not long after, Wilhelm von Schiffmann ran past the powder room shouting, "Scheiss! Scheiss!! Wir haben er verlossen! Ich hab' kläglich gescheitert" Weeping, he raised the pistol to his head and clicked the hammer back. But the next thing that Wilhelm heard was not his gun. Five minutes later the castle was ablaze. Sam knew this day would eventually come, he had just hoped it wouldn't be so soon. As he and most of his loyal cabinet escaped to the next town via wagon, Sam looked back at his glorious city, now sitting in ruins. It was a long road ahead of them.

______________________________________________________________

Xipilli looked out. The wagon had stopped and there was fierce conversation in the front. As they drove off, Xipilli poked his head out to the driver, "Is everything OK?"
"No. Himmelstadt has been taken by the enemy today. An assassination was attempted on the king, but he miraculasly escaped. He has sent special word for you to meet him in a small town in south Talstadt, Feldenstadt. We are heading there now."
"Very well, then." Xipilli foresaw a long journey ahead of them.

[Xyrael]

OOC: The guns don't look too advanced. Also, retinue is 10 men. I would take a look at the weapons they use so you get an idea.

IC:
Xipilli looked to his fellows in disbelief. They rustled briefly, taken aback by the news. "These people are indeed in danger." His fellows nodded their agreement. He pulled out his phone and dialed several numbers. He could hear it ring, and a voice answered.

"Elder, it appears the situation is worse. They've burned down the Talmanner capital, and have made an attempt on the King's life."

The others could faintly hear the response. "You are authorized to use force and provide aid," spoke the voice on the phone.

"Yes, Elder. I will see that it is done." Several of his men drew their weapons and proceeded to clean them. They knew combat was likely ahead of them.

[Talmann]

OOC: You won't meet any rebels in south Talstadt, it is WAY too militaristic and loyal to the King. Boys train to be in the army (voluntarily) starting at age 8.

König Sam looked out the window. He saw the strange men step out of their wagon brandishing their weapons and looking warily about. They were approached by the Kings loyal guards. After a few brief moments of chat, the guards led them inside. Sam stood up, welcoming his guests. "Hello, my name is Xipilli, a trader from Xyrael. I have been authorized to help your people in this civil war." "Glad to hear that Xipilli. My name is König Samuel Gottlieb. Yes, our people are in a civil war. The rebels we fight against are too strong for our like. They use tactics foreign to our military, and their eyes are like hawks. I have lost over a third of my country!" He felt himself start to cry, then straightened himself up. "We would be most grateful if your nation could help us in our time of need. Our troops need better training, and..." he reached behind him and pulls forward the most advanced rifle* in Talstadt "our weapons need upgrading. I see your people have already have better weapons and I hear you have conquered the air and sea! Please, will you help us?!" He looked desperately into the Xyraelites brown eyes and waited.
*rifle-http://www.a2armory.com/18encivwarmu.html

[Xyrael]

The Xyraelite pondered for several minutes. He was usually a shrewd businessman, but like many of his people he had a soft heart that often yielded to those that were truly in need. The Syndicate itself had a philanthropic policy, although it was hardly supported by any tribe.

Just how advanced of weaponry can I give him before they shoot their toes off, he wondered. He was running lists of weaponry through his head before deciding upon a rather simple solution. He then considered the production capacity of Talstadt, even in its weakened state.

He drew a sheet of paper of the simplest submachine gun (PPSh-41) he could think of.



The King looked puzzled by the foreign language, and Xipilli was obliged to translate. When he was finished, he summarized the weapon as "a simple, easy to construct gun with the ability to hold either 35 or 71 bullets. If you need to kill a lot of people, this gun will be your saviour..."

He let the King ponder for a moment before proceeding. "The only request I have of Talstadt is friendship. Once your economy is up and running, I will see if I can ask for a Syndicate representative to meet with you to talk about more advanced weapons. My men," he gestured to his retinue, "are highly trained in close quarters tactics and guerilla warfare. Numbers are not always superior, sometimes to defeat the enemy you must let him live so that he eats his comrades food, drinks his water, and consumes as much as possible. Cut them off from their supplies, and their numbers will work against them."

OOC: Also offered are the following: Maschinengewehr 08, Sopwith Camel, and Fokker Dr.1

You might like to push the idea of tanks if you have the ability to produce them, otherwise I won't suggest them. The planes are just schematics, they won't be immediately available either (gotta train pilots!) but the MG08 and PPSh-41 shouldn't take too long to introduce.

[Talmann]

The King looked at the weapon designs one more time. He asked the Xyraelite exactly what each of the parts were and what their dementions were. After copying it all down, he called over a member of his cabinet. He whispered to him as he gave him the piece of paper, "Give this to the factory down the street. Tell them to start making them as soon as possible. That is my order." As the man walked out the door, Sam turned towards the company of Xyraelites. "So, what of military training? Are you and your men able to train us? I mean, you say you are trained in close combat, but much of Talstadt is mountains and fields, canyons and open forests. How good are you and your men in long range combat? If we master the long range, we can guard our lands against the rebels. Our only long range weapon at the moment is the cannon. This* (shows a picture) is our best model. Perhaps you also have some better rifles with you?" Sam asked speculatively.
*cannon-CW_Arty_20lb_Parrott_rear.jpg‎