OOC: This is a brief introduction to my new nation, this will make it easier to understand future RP
The Sarrafan Empire, despite still been in it's infancy carried with it a bold military tradition. Beginning as a simple city state, like many of its neighbors, it lived in a region of strict equilibrium in which no state was allowed to hold any political or territorial advantage beyond what it had already acquired. This was to rout out any tyrannical politicians, any bold military campaigns and to keep a way of life which to many seemed ideal. This of course did not stop wars from being conducted, however the reasons for war were mostly to test new recruits, over trade disputes
The city of Sarra was founded originally as a trading post in the Eastern regions to promote the economy in the valuable farming and mining communities within the Hirsk territories, but it rose to pre-eminence over several hundred years of economical development and soon established itself as an independent city state following the utter defeat of the Hirsk military at the battle of "Sarr fields". This however did not stop the wars between the two nations which constantly flared over territorial claims (the first real case in the regions history). This period saw a decline in the Sarra territories as the now superior Hirsk military slowly pushed the territories back towards Sarra city and seemingly the city of Sarra was doomed to fall to the Hirsk forces.
However as the situation was in its bleakest hour, vast military reforms were conducted by Lord Sarrafan VII altering the cities policy from trade to a vast military program, universal conscription was introduced, supply dumps were created, new drills were introduced and mercenaries from the surrounding countryside were bought and incorporated in the military system to avoid the possibility of them switching allegiance. The result was astounding with the Hirsk military collapsing within 2 years and the city falling during a short siege, making the city of Sarra the first nation to annex a neighbor, infuriating the other regional powers. What followed was vast wars between the growing Sarrafan Empire and the coalition opposing them, from which after almost 100 years of war the Sarrafan eventually triumphed, due in no small part to many smaller nations eventually joining with the empire following the rumour that it was invincible.
The Sarrafan Empire of today is ruled by Emperor Sarrafan XVIII who has taken over a system which has demanded strong nationalism and holds a strong intolerance and xenophobia to other nations. Official borders were also created with the new neighboring regions and the Sarrafan nations received guarantees of independence (due mainly to the hefty bribes given). The popular cry now however was for foreign intervention, with the new empire wanting to spread its wings over the world stage, something that had given the Emperor and his entourage much grief.
"We must become more involved within the world stage sir, the people demand it and the army grow restless, we've already had several miners and workers strikes over the lack of arms manufacturing and we have 200,000 men to demobilize."
The Emperor looks up from his throne.
"We cannot pursue wars beyond our borders as a nation, we are not nearly powerful enough to do so, remember we are a young power, however the world is not short of wars and I have for some time now contemplated how to go about involving ourselves on the world stage without running the risk of possible destruction."
"What do you suggest, my Lord?"
"What is the one thing that nations fighting wars look for? Money certainly, Land definitely, but the most important thing a nation needs when it fights a war is victory, nothing is worse for a power that to loose a war, so all we have to do is re-enforce this principle. We have much we can teach the world about military tradition, so why not sell that?"
"You can possibly mean to...."
"Of course we can, we are a trading nation after all, weaponry is sold in abundance, so why not sell experience, the world will kill for military advisers as well as foreign troops to fight its wars for it, they don't loose any men, it's much cheaper that funding their own standing armies and they don't have to train them, they're guaranteed a well trained elite force."
"but what about the possibility of our nation been blamed for the war?"
"Did we start the war? No, this is mearly business, do you declare war on the nation who sold the guns to another nation for their war effort, no. If that was the case there would be a world war every year. No I have decided, make it clear to all conflicting nations that we are open for business."
".....yes my Lord"
OOC: This thread is open for anyone currently engaging or contemplating war, I don't know if making a nation a mercenary outlet is a unique idea, but I've never seen it and it's hopefully a way to become strongly involved in regional RP, so please post if interested.
