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Forum Meta => Archived Role Play Boards => Archive => National Role-Play => Topic started by: Myroria on May 27, 2010, 10:41:45 PM

Title: Some damned foolish thing in Ennorath [Autumn 1898]
Post by: Myroria on May 27, 2010, 10:41:45 PM

"Satyana," a tall man in an equally tall grey frock coat began, "We've decided to choose this mission for you because you haven't failed us yet." At this point the man, Serjo Nelvil Belleroth, handed a folded up piece of paper into the hand of the woman standing before him. Before we continue this story, perhaps it would be best to explain exactly who Nelvil Belleroth is.

Nelvil Belleroth is the president of Belleroth & Sons. While in other countries a name like this would call up ideas about lawyers, in the Empire of All the Houses of Myroria a name like this instantly reminded one of another type of silent assassin. Belleroth & Sons was mostly used to deal with the dirty work of assassinating rival nobles in House Wars; they were one of about 30 companies throughout Myroria licensed to deal death sentences to their employees, to expedite the process of killing the nobles involved in a House War and thus end it more quickly.

Recently, though, Belleroth & Sons has not been acting entirely within legal means. The honorable corporation of skilled assassins has turned to taking contracts from foreign parties. Today, Nelvil Belleroth is presenting a Writ of Death to Satyana Vraetrenroth, the company's most successful assassin to date. Here is where our story begins, or at least, begins in the simplest sense. It has been in the making since the mid 1800s. The history of the coasts around the Cefnor is a story for another time.

"We're not talking about some minor House noble here, Satyana." Nelvil continues, "This is Åskë Myrskyja, lord of all the Baan. Our contractors have requested his death for...grave insults to their character. But assassination is not a legal practice in Eluvatar, Satyana. If you get caught...don't expect to get sent back. And don't expect the government to even want you back. But you're the best we have. Our mutual friend will be on a diplomatic mission in October, heading to some sort of meeting or council in southern Ennorath. You'll have to be on his train. All we know is that it leaves on the 23th that month. That gives you three months of preparation. I recommend you get a steamer to Eluvatar as soon as you can.

"We'll provide you with a fake passport, of course. And all expenses will be paid. The commission we stand to gain from this job is...astonishing. We'd get paid less to assassinate the Empeurer, God forbid. And you'll of course receive a cut." At this point Satyana began to get a look of seemingly simultaneous excitement and nervousness on her face. Nelvil put his hand on her shoulder.

"It's dangerous, Satyana. But I wouldn't choose you if I didn't think you could do it. The writ's in your hand. You'll get the information and money from my secretary. And write often. I have...particular interest in this case."

The train left on the 23rd, but Satyana had to wait for five full days on the train before she found a good time to make her move. The Baan was mingling with other passengers in the diner car, sitting at a round table with his back facing the corner. It was October, and the weather in Ennorath was getting chilly, but the Baan's thick fur prevented him from getting cold even though the other, less hairy occupants of the coach were beginning to get a little uncomfortable. No employee, however, dared to stoke the coal stove until the Baan asked to. For this reason, Satyana found a reason to put her hands in a delicate muff, small for the style but still a little bigger than those worn by the other ladies aboard. It was here that she hid her weapon: a small, seven shot Myrorian revolver given to her as a gift by Nelvil Belleroth himself. Satyana finished her coffee, and stood up just as the Baan was beginning to make small talk about how he really should be getting back to his compartment.

"Excuse me, sir, are you the Supreme Baan?"

"Why yes, I am, miss," was his reply. His Inglish was impeccable, though spoken with a strong accent. "your admiration is surpassed only by your beauty." he continued with an almost bored tone. Satyana chuckled.

"Why thank you, sir," was her reply. It sounded as if her sentence was not finished, but the reasoning became clear when she finished it with a gunshot.

Title: Re: Some damned foolish thing in Ennorath
Post by: Eluvatar on May 28, 2010, 01:34:20 AM

Aelar Boewund hadn't expected anything interesting in his assignment to provide protective surveillance to the Baan Myrskyja on his return from that boring conference in Suveri, but he was not an idiot. Uttering a profane oath, he used the camera he'd been issued to blend in to snap a picture of the comely assassin.

A blinding flash and a loud crack filled the room, complementing the screams of the passengers. EROB would certainly want this photograph, agent Boewund thought to himself.

Title: Re: Some damned foolish thing in Ennorath
Post by: Myroria on May 28, 2010, 02:26:56 AM

Satyana immediately dropped her gun on the ground after she fired. The Baan, leaning in his chair as he was shot, presently fell to the ground in a great furry heap. She saw the flash of the camera and instinctively looked in its direction, but it took her too long to register that it was a camera and cover her face. Realizing her mission was compromised, she quickly ran for the car door with several men present at the shooting in chase.

Closing the door behind her, Satyana stepped onto the platform separating the diner car and the one ahead of it. Quickly formulating a plan, she looked into the door window of the diner car and saw a man getting dangerously close. Knowing she had no other choice, Satyana tossed her muff off the train, picked up her skirts, and jumped.

Being a well-trained, physically fit assassin, Satyana rolled off the 30 mph with only a few cuts and bruises, stood up, and with nothing in her mind but total terror that her mission may have been compromised, dashed into the cold, leafless woods.

Title: Re: Some damned foolish thing in Ennorath
Post by: Gulliver on June 02, 2010, 03:57:15 AM

"This... this is an outrage!" Baan Okådeja brought the paw which he had raised during his dramatic pause crashing down on the ornate wooden table before him. The great force of his combined weight and strength shook the table and the teacups arranged around its parameter, one to each guest. The one closest to the point of impact, Okådeja's own, suffered the worse. The baan's heavy paw had contacted the edge of its saucer and catapulted its contents across both the table and the paw responsible for the spill. The dramatically increased surface area of the liquid precipitated a burst of heady wintergreen odor. There was no vocal response from the others gathered around the table, but a few displayed a touch of mirth inappropriate to the grim subject matter at hand. Okådeja for his part, slightly humbled by the accident, sat back down and held his tongue. The conversation waited while a smartly dressed butler automatically detached from his post in the shadows along the walls to clean the spill and pour the baan a fresh cup of tea. In a demonstration of his aptitude to his post, he cut seconds from the meeting's hiatus by pouring the concentrate and water in a single motion before shuffling back into the shadows. The man sitting opposite Okådeja took it upon himself to break the silence.

"Despite Baan Okådeja's slight mishap just now, I have to agree with both his opinion and the sincere ferocity with which he has articulated it." Baan Ozamra tone did not reflect his spoken agreement in full. The righteous anger was strongly colored by undertones of mourning. The reservation with which he addressed the subject was appropriate to his status as the oldest person in the room by more than an entire decade. "Baan Myrskyja was a capable statesman... and a good friend..." His voice trailed inconclusively off into incoherent mumbling, and he grabbed for his tea. The cup shook in his hands as he raised it along with its saucer painfully slowly. Baan Maksprok took the opportunity to contribute.

"Well this... despicable... savage criminal act can not be left unpunished." He veritably spit in disgust as he pronounced each adjective. Has the assassin been apprehended yet?"

"No, she..." began Okådeja, only to be interrupt by a surprised Maksprok.

"She?"

"Yes, she." replied Okådeja tersely in a tone that expressed a lack of empathy for his surprise. "She escaped from the train immediately after shooting poor Baan Myrskyja." This time he anticipated and prematurely replied to the next question. "Yes, she jumped from the moving train into the wilds. She remains at large."

"Just jumped from the train?" Maksprok snorted in condescending disbelief. "Unopposed? And still missing?" Okådeja simply nodded. "Well, we'll fix that. Quickly. And after we've finished with her we'll mete out justice to whatever bastards are behind this."

Title: Re: Some damned foolish thing in Ennorath
Post by: Myroria on June 08, 2010, 12:32:37 AM

After hours of trudging through the thick mud and pine-needle laden ground of the forests of southern Eluvatar, Satyana arrived in a small hamlet. At first glance the village seemed to have been just built in a small clearing of the woods, but upon closer inspection there was indeed a rail line out of the settlement. The train platform was little more than a concrete block upon the ground, but there was a small shack selling tickets.

Satyana's dress was stained with a great variety of different shades of brown, and upon her entrance into the ticket office she got a fair share of strange looks from the inhabitants. Come to think of it, there were almost a disproportionately large number of inhabitants for the small hamlet, but Satyana pushed this out of her mind as she purchased a ticket. She was excited to get into a city and disappear into the crowds, biding her time for an escape back home. It was early morning when she had shot the Baan, but her ticket made clear to her that it was now early evening, with the train not scheduled to leave until 6:43. The clock above the ticket handler read 6:30. Satyana mumbled "thank you" in Eruvite, her accent as obvious as her unfamiliarity with the language. As she was leaving the office, a man dressed in a suit which seemed particularly inappropriate for the dirt roads of the village held the door open for her. Again Satyana spat out an uncomfortable "thank you" before heading for the platform.

The clock here read 6:32; Satyana was unsure exactly which to believe, but she hoped this one was correct so she could spend as little time in this hamlet as possible. Satyana took a seat on a bench sitting precariously near the edge of the platform. The minutes seemed like hours as she waited for the train to arrive. Finally she heard a train whistle in the distance, and quickly stood up to await the machine that would take her out of this place and back home.

Now before your humble narrator continues this story, perhaps he should elaborate on the numerous mistakes that Satyana has made since her assassination of the Baan. And while your narrator realizes that Satyana has been stated to be one of the most successful and cunning assassins in good Resdaynea, he also realizes that her actions of late have not been entirely sensible for a woman of her stature and experience.

The reader should note at this point that Satyana has been for years operating in a nation where assassination has been legal and openly practiced. The only thing Satyana really had to worry about in Myroria was a marked noble killing her in self-defense; never in her entire career has she had to deal with a nationwide manhunt for her, and certainly not a manhunt conducted mainly by perhaps the single most effective intelligence agency in the civilized world; never has Satyana had to worry about presenting a writ of assassination to the intelligence agents of the Eluvataran King, may he soon return.

Thus, the reader should acknowledge at this point in our tale that Satyana's extensive experience at home in Myroria translates little to any experience in the foreign land of Eluvatar. Her mistakes are common ones for any person who has just committed their first murder, and has had to, for the first time, deal with police chasing her.

It was at this point, as Satyana was preparing for the arrival of the train, that unbeknownst to her the man that held the door open for her, along with two other EROB agents and four police officers, climbed the shallow steps to the train platform.

"Do you know why we're here, Ms. Vraetrenroth?" said the door-holder with a cocky tone in his voice. Before she could reply with her intended answer, "of course I know", the man in the nicest police uniform spoke.

"You hav te right to know you are charged with te assassination of Baan Myrskyja. You hav te right to keep your silence and not bear witness against yourself. You hav te right to counsel in your proceedings." The narrator presents this quote as our protagonist heard it, from a born-and-bred Eluvataran with a heavy accent, complete with rolling Rs and other frivolties.

Satyana was silent as her rights were rattled off to her. Perhaps she would have been more vocal if she knew what this arrest would lead to.

Title: Re: Some damned foolish thing in Ennorath
Post by: Eluvatar on July 03, 2010, 04:06:38 AM

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Telegram FROM: Office of the Steward of Justice, Romenna TO: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pelagis We have arrested one Satyana Vraetrentroth in connection with the murder of the Baan Myrskyja. On her person was discovered a writ of assassination from Belleroth & Sons. We are given to understand this is a Myrorian document indicating that the bearer is permitted to assassinate the target under the laws of Myrorian House War. These laws do not apply in the Royal Confederacy, and we demand information as to who hired this Belleroth organization to murder one of our sovereigns. As our allies under the Coalition of Carth, we hope you are prepared to assist us in finding the source of this intolerable act. The assassination of a Baan, a sovereign of one of the sixteen provinces, and particularly such a notable Baan, is an act of war against the Royal Confederacy. I must advise you that without information to the contrary, some of our stewards might begin to argue that you, our allies, are not good allies and perhaps indeed secret enemies. I hope that you will help this government cut short any such ludicrous theories before they are spawned. I, Oromer Fulpagneo, do declare this legal correspondence of the Royal Confederacy of Eluvatar by the authority vested in me by the Presiding Steward by the authority granted to him in the Absence of the King, soon may he return. November 1, 1898

Title: Re: Some damned foolish thing in Ennorath
Post by: Myroria on July 03, 2010, 04:37:10 AM

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Telegram FROM: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pelagis TO: Office of the Steward of Justice, Romenna Serja Novrovth's subordinates have contacted Nelvil Belletroth, head of the assassination company Belletroth & Sons. Mr. Belletroth at first refused our requests concerning this particular mission, however, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs obtained a subpoena on the company from a county court. The results of the subpoena revealed that Ms. Vraetrentroth was hired by one Koca Sinan. Subsequent investigation into the records of the Imperial Office of Intelligence reveals Sinan serves as Second Assistant to His Honor the Grand Vizier of the Haradrim. A subsequent conversation with Nelvil Belletroth revealed that his secretary reported Sinan was "a dark-skinned man, wearing Haradrimic clothing and speaking with an accent". From this intelligence the Office determined that it was all but certain that Ms. Vraetrentroth was hired directly by the Sublime Porte in the Haradrim Empire. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to contact the Eluvataran Steward of Justice with this knowledge as we have it currently. It is very likely that within the coming hours more information concerning Ms. Vraetrentroth's employer will be revealed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will ensure that they keep Eluvatar notified of the situation. Serja Novrovth would also like to personally apologize for this terrible act committed by Myrorian citizens - however, she would like to make sure that the Steward of Justice knows that this act was not condoned, or even known of, by the Imperial government. Nalos Novroth, assistant to The Honorable Serja Morvene Novrovth, November 2, 1898

Title: Re: Some damned foolish thing in Ennorath
Post by: Eluvatar on July 03, 2010, 05:12:58 AM

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Telegram FROM: Office of the Steward of Justice, Romenna TO: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pelagis The Royal Confederacy is grateful for your help in this process. The Halls will be discussing a course of action in the coming days. A telegram from the Steward of State follows. I, Oromer Fulpagneo, do declare this legal correspondence of the Royal Confederacy of Eluvatar by the authority vested in me by the Presiding Steward by the authority granted to him in the Absence of the King, soon may he return. November 2, 1898

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Telegram FROM: Office of the Steward of State, Romenna TO: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pelagis The news that the Haradrim are behind the reprehensible assassination of his highness the Baan Myrskyja is disquieting. This is an act of war, and the Halls of the Stewards are likely to treat it as such. Under the Coalition of Carth, I ask for your promise that you will help defend our Royal Confederacy against the dark foe. I, Mattir Menelmacari, do declare this legal correspondence of the Royal Confederacy of Eluvatar by the authority vested in me by the Presiding Steward by the authority granted to him in the Absence of the King, soon may he return. November 3, 1898

Title: Re: Some damned foolish thing in Ennorath
Post by: Myroria on July 03, 2010, 05:19:44 AM

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Telegram TO: Office of the Steward of State, Romenna FROM: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pelagis His Imperial Majesty has announced his intention to support the Eluvataran government fully to the Council of the Great Houses, and they have replied with unanimous acceptance of this course of action. The Royal Confederacy can expect the full support of the Myrorian Empire in whatever action they may take against the Haradrim. Nalos Novroth, assistant to The Honorable Serja Morvene Novrovth, November 4, 1898

Title: Re: Some damned foolish thing in Ennorath
Post by: Eluvatar on July 03, 2010, 05:30:42 AM

Quote from: Annuminas Times November 6th, 1898

Yar War!!

The Halls of the Stewards voted in joint session today to recognize a state of war with the Haradrim. The assassination of the Baan Myrskyja, executed by the order of the dark honorless Haradrim, has been declared to be an action of war. The halls of the Dunedain voted unanimously for the recognition of war, including all the representatives of the seven Baan of Rykkovaa. The vote in the Hall of the Non was overwhelmingly in favour, with only twelve voting nay to one hundred seventy voting aye.

While the Halls of the Stewards have no power, under the Charter of the Royal Confederacy, to declare a war of choice, they can recognize when the Royal Confederacy has been attacked. Today, they exercised that power. An official in the office of the Steward of State affirmed today that our allies, Myroria and Inglo-Scotia are prepared to fight to defend us from the perfidious Haradrim.

The Presiding Steward Pelendur ArFinn then spoke, calling for a full mobilization of the Eluvataran Royal Army. He calls upon all young men and belaedinosi to enlist, immediately. Continued on page 7...

Title: Re: Some damned foolish thing in Ennorath
Post by: Myroria on July 03, 2010, 05:40:48 AM

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November 6, 1898

To the Grand Vizier of the Haradrim Empire, or recipient:

The Haradrim Empire has committed an act of aggression against our allies, the Eluvatarans. In addition, the Haradrim have willfully and consistently refused attempts at diplomacy, and have used Myroria's own honorable institutions of House War against our faithful allies in the Royal Confederacy. For these reasons, His Imperial Majesty Serjo Nelvil II Moomintroth has declared that a state of war now exists between the Empire of All the Houses of Myroria and the Haradrim Empire.

May God have mercy on your souls.

His Imperial Majesty Serjo Nelvil II Moomintroth

Her Honor Serja Morvene Novrovth

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By His Imperial Majesty Nelvil II Moomintroth:
A PROCLAMATION

A CALL for 600,000 volunteers throughout the Myrorian Empeureum and her Dominions to augment our existing Grand Army of the Empeureum; specifically, a call for 400,000 volunteers from Metropolitan Myroria:

250,000 volunteers from County Ivorheart,
50,000 volunteers from County Traval,
and 100,000 volunteers from County Novrith.

ADDITIONALLY, a call for 300,000 volunteers from Myroria's Dominions to augment our existing Army of the Colonies; specifically, a call for 300,000 volunteers from said Dominions:

150,000 volunteers from Bellevir,
and 150,000 volunteers from Nouvé Resdaynea, to defend Her borders from the enemy in Nova Neustria.

DATED NOVEMBER THE SEVENTH, 1898
GRAND IMPERIAL RESIDENCE, PELAGIS

PROCLAIMED BY HIS MAJESTY,
NELVIL II MOOMINTROTH, ARCHMASTER OF HOUSE MOOMINTROTH

TRANSCRIBED BY HIS HUMBLE SERVANT,
IMPERIAL SCRIBE, GARTH GROVTRITH

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4756929718_ee4b79564a_m.jpg)

Title: Re: Some damned foolish thing in Ennorath
Post by: Xyrael on July 03, 2010, 06:59:34 AM

11:7:1898

Quote from: Haradric Chancellery

The Haradric Chancellery firmly denies any involvement in the assassination of this Eluvataran official, or allegations to the effect thereof. The Haradrim Empire has firmly maintained a policy of autarky, and strives to avoid interfering in the politics of foreign and sovereign nations. However, as diplomacy is obviously no longer a possible solution;

By Decree of the Emperor!
The Provinces of Harad, Iadak, Jutensa, Moacia, Ozia, Suveri, and Vonisia are hereby called upon to fully mobilize the Imperial Janissary!
The Provinces of Harad, Iadak, Jutensa, Moacia, Ozia, Suveri, and Vonisia are hereby called upon to enact a general conscription, calling upon the second borne son of every family to hear this call to arms!
Any deserter or pernicious coward who avoids this conscription will be tried according to Imperial Law!
All heavy industries throughout the provinces of the Empire are hereby the Imperial property of Emperor Malechim until the cessation of hostilities!
Let it be known that the Haradrim Empire is in a state of war! All crimes within the Empire are crimes AGAINST THE EMPEROR!

The Empire is Eternal and Everlasting, may Melkor grant us the World!

The Emperor's face was not pleased as the Grand Vizier entered the room. His trusted advisor and childhood friend had failed him dearly, and it took every ounce of his extensive patience to not have the man killed where he stood. The Grand Vizier could tell that his friend and Lord was displeased, and he knew better than to approach the conversation first. "The Imperial Chancellery has issued the statement, my Emperor. Your Heirs have been made aware as well, and they ready their ghulam for battle. The Janissaries of Suveri will receive their urgent messages and act accordingly," he bowed as he finished speaking.

"You've failed me, Ghaleb," Emperor Malechim muttered, looking over the manifold of rings carried upon his fingers. It had gone out of 'style' to be so adorned in gems throughout much of the world, but Malechim always considered that to be more a matter of the other nations becoming poorer. He was not one to wear a military uniform, he preferred the traditional garb that came with his title.

"I'm sorry, my Emperor," the Grand Vizier genuflected even lower. "Forgive me for my transgressions."

"Forgiveness is not the way of Melkor, you know this. Only redemption. I cannot fault you for your failures, as it was not your hand that ended the life of that rabid mongrel. I can only ask that you see to it that the coming days do not go against my favor."

The Grand Vizier lifted his torso but still cast his gaze away from the eyes of the Emperor. "I will do everything within my power, my Emperor," he stated before leaving the room. He sighed a breathe of relief, knowing that he would have the chance to wash away this stain that he now carried upon his title. The Emperor had many duties to attend to within his harem, but the Grand Vizier had far more duties to attend to within the Ministry of War.

Title: Re: Some damned foolish thing in Ennorath
Post by: Zimmerwald on July 03, 2010, 04:36:25 PM

Smoke rose from tall chimneys of brick into the sky, mixing there with vapors that had floated up from the River Yenehir. The two clouds, one gritty and dark, the other white and yielding strove together, the one taking the other into itself and churning violently before descending again on the town. It swirled around the two hills that flanked like guards the place where the Yenehir was met by the Demhir River, opposite which steam launches and barges, belching their own smoke, fought for a place on the docks. The Palace and Temple stood atop these hills, the Temple’s massive, black-marbled, cylindrical bulk shielding the Palace from the smog, and absorbing the dark coloring into itself. The Palace, though shorter than the Temple, gave the impression of a greater height, its spires and buttresses contrasting with the Temple’s round, squat, solid bulk.

Inside the Palace, Musa, the Sihirbaz or High Priest, stood next to Serkan, the Beklarbek, who ran the government in the name of the Khagan. The two men looked not at each other, but at the single polished oaken door leading to the Khagan’s study. Serkan thought of Musa and his frequent visits to the Palace. He had been insinuating himself into Palace life with greater success than any Sihirbaz had done since the days before the Empire and the assimilation of the worship of Melkor into the state. In the old days that meant the subordination of the Priesthood to the Palace, but Aytac had come to rely more and more on his advice. The door opened, and the men walked through, Serkan silently insisting on his right to enter first.

The two men removed their headgear in the presence of the Khagan, Serkan holding his cloth cap in one hand with a light grip, the Sihirbaz cradling his high-swooping iron helmet-mask in both arms in front of his chest, as he might a child. Next to the Khagan, they could see Eda Sari, Nazir of Tongues, standing behind the sitting Khagan. Serkan’s eyes flashed briefly over at the Sihirbaz, and he could see the man gripping his helmet so tightly that the blood seemed to drain from his hands. Serkan knew part of the reason for his excitement. The Nazir of Tongues was a creature of the High Priest, doing his bidding in the Palace even though he was supposedly subordinate to the Divan over which Serkan presided. Serkan had attempted to excise him for some time, but had always come up against the Khagan’s disapproval and the fact that Sari had made himself indispensible to Bolu’s foreign policy. It was he who had brokered the first treaty with the Haradrim, then made it unthinkable to gain positive relations with any other power, and then finally restricted access to Haradric diplomats ever further so that he was the only one who could maintain ties with Bolu’s main ally and trading partner. And then he spoke.

“My lords,” he began, deliberately failing to hide his smile completely, “One of you, at least, know why I requested your presence, and has foreseen this day for many years.” That would be the High Priest, Serkan knew. Nobody else was permitted to prophesy, or to claim such gifts.

“They have done it then?” asked the Priest, not even trying to hide his smile.

“Yes, Your Omniscience,” confirmed Sari, and proceeded to read aloud copies of the notes between Myroria and Harad, cabled to Yenikent that morning. “I know not the circumstances surrounding these notes, but our own course of action is clear.”

“You dance around the subject, Nazir, and around your masters’ speech”, admonished Serkan, asserting his presence and his authority. “You speak as though war is our only option.”

“We said we would fight,” bristled Sari, insulted that Serkan would disparage his handiwork of several years.

“Is that your only reason? The Strong of this world need not keep their promises to the Weak. By their discovery, and by the fact that they needed to resort to such duplicity at all, the Haradrim have proven themselves unworthy of the favors of Melkor, and their Emperor is not the Prince of prophecy.”

“I shall be the judge of that!” shouted the High Priest, “and do not think, my lord, that you have the authority to make judgments of that kind.”

“I am merely applying your own criteria,” Serkan replied, remaining calm and projecting self-assurance.

“Serkan, I am glad you appreciate the gravity of this decision,” said the Khagan, speaking for the first time, his own self-assurance neither gratuitous nor faked. “However, would we not simply broadcast our own weakness to the world if we turned from this fight? If we are to win the favors of Melkor, we must face enemy after enemy and bring the world itself to heel. Thank you all for your input, but I have decided. We will fight this war. Serkan, I need you to give the mobilization order, Sari, you will meet with the Haradric envoys and decide upon a strategy, and Musa, you shall conduct the appropriate rites to prepare the people internally and ensure order. Go”

Serkan felt as though he had been slapped in the face. The Khagan, he realized, had made up his mind before he had entered the door, and determined to use him to deliver messages before he had spoken. He left the room scowling, the other men remaining behind to discuss their own obligations further.

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An Edict of the Khagan
November 11, 1898

The Four Imperial Guard Divisions in Mucatsehir are to entrain and make ready for transport.
The Imperial Guard Division in Basmelek is to attach itself to the North-Eastern Front and subordinate itself to its commands, such commands to be overridden only by order of the Khagan.
The Commanders of the North-Eastern, Northern, South-Eastern, and Western Fronts are to mobilize their standing forces, entrain, and make ready for transport.
The Beys of Beyliks Mucatsehir, Basmelek, Yenikent, Ust Yenikent, Courskent, Celik, Zarafet, Tepelik, Sankaterin, Hacibey, Akcagaac, Katsehir, Yenisibrinya, Kirmiznehir, and Batefendisi are to enact a general mobilization of all males over eighteen years and under twenty-five years, to form units, and to subordinate these units to whichever Front has jurisdiction over their Beyliks. They are, further, to prepare the Imperial subjects under their watch for this test of Strength.
Deserters, saboteurs, and draft-evaders shall face the Trials. The Khaganate is in a state of siege.
The chiefs of all coal-extraction, shipping, steel, chemical, rail, and armaments companies shall meet with the Nazir for Armaments on a twice-weekly basis beginning November 14, 1898 in order to coordinate this Great Armament.

For Life!
Beklarbek Serkan, in the name of the Khagan

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To: Foreign Minister of Myroria, or Recipient
CC: Foreign Minister of Eluvatar, or Recipient

By your actions against the Haradrim Empire, by our treaty with that Empire, and by the strength of arms and of will which sustains us through this world, the All-Bolu Khaganate declares as state of war against the Royal Confederacy of Eluvatar and the Empire of All Houses of Myroria.

May Melkor despise the souls of the Weak.
Nazir of Tongues Eda Sari, in the name of the Khagan

Title: Re: Some damned foolish thing in Ennorath
Post by: Neustria on July 03, 2010, 06:57:11 PM

Gregoire Sintieve was standing next to His Majesty Henri IV, Archduke of Neustria, as a tall pale man in dark clothes handed him a piece of paper. He was standing next to the Archduke has he saw a look of fury come across his face. His eyes followed the crumpled-up piece of paper as Henri pelted it at the leaving courier. Gregoire had a great deal more composure than Henri as he strode across the empty throne room and picked up the piece of paper on the floor.

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Telegram Dated November 8, 1898 TO: Foreign Affairs Ministry of Neustria, or recipient FROM: Her Honor, Serja Morvene Novrovth of Myroria As I'm sure you know, Myroria has recently entered a state of war with the Haradrim and will most likely enter a state of war with the Bolu also. I would like to personally warn the Neustrian government of the dangers in entering a state of war with Myroria. If you ignorantly decide to follow your allies into war with the Myrorian Empire, we will crush you under our bootheel. I believe the Neustrian people are intelligent at heart, and I hope you take this warning seriously. Do not mobilize your forces in opposition to Myroria. It will not end well for you or your allies in Austrasia.

Gregoire turned back to Henri, who was sulking in his throne, gripping the armrests with the kind of strength only a man that comes from a long line of angry Henris can muster.

"I assume, sir, we will not take this warning to heart?"

"No, Minister. No we will not."

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Telegram Dated November 8, 1898 FROM: Foreign Ministry of Neustria, signed by the Foreign Affairs Office of the Republic of Austrasia TO: Morvene Novrovth, Foreign Minister of Myroria, or recipient You have assaulted our allies the Haradrim and have your evil eyes on assaulting our allies the Bolu. No amount of arrogant warning from your ministries will turn us away from our faithful allies. The Neustrian government demands that the Myrorian government cease mobilizing their forces and recant from their position of war, or you will enter into a state of war with Neustria and our close allies in Austrasia. The Myrorian government has five days to accede to our demands or a state of war will exist between our nations.

Title: Re: Some damned foolish thing in Ennorath
Post by: Eluvatar on July 03, 2010, 07:19:54 PM

Miriel Cuwaroveth, editor of the Annuminas Times, looked up from her careful perusal of yet another draft article to look out the window. It was a beautiful day, thanks to last night's rainstorm. From her office on the fourth floor, she could see across gold square to the ornate majesty of the Grand Numin Museum, and even the graceful buttressed towers of the Residence behind it. On the right side of the square, she could see the busy entrance gates of Annuminas University, full of students dashing in and out. The recruiter set up by the gates, calling to the students, broke her out of her reverie. They wanted to get this extra edition out tonight...

Title: Re: Some damned foolish thing in Ennorath
Post by: Xyrael on July 03, 2010, 08:55:48 PM

11:8:1898

In the distance, towards the Haradric province of Suveri, the cacophonous melody of an orchestra of deadly instruments shattered the silence of the river. Haradric pride had been offended, and for that insult, the oldest surviving city within Eluvatar was the chosen target for the wrath of the Emperor and his armies. The fist of the Emperor's first blow, six score of guns fired mercilessly and without real care for their targets. A point had to be made here. Honor for honor, pride for pride, eye for eye, until the whole world was blind if need be. This was the price for accusing the Emperor, through extension of his Vizier, of killing another man unfairly.

Shells landed throughout the city, hitting everything from the major university of the town to the older cultural sites, there was little crucial or strategic value to this location, beyond it's value as a crossroads directly into Eluvatar. Portions of the Suveri Imperial Jannissary lay poised on the other side of the river, not but ten miles from the nearest river crossing. Any smart man would easily be able to surmise that the Haradrim Empire had planned out this very situation for the better portion of two decades. They were prepared, motivated, and their target was clear. Romenna would be taken by the Suveri Imperial Janissary by the end of the month. Eluvatar would fall before the New Year.

Title: Re: Some damned foolish thing in Ennorath
Post by: Gulliver on July 03, 2010, 09:35:21 PM

A wind imbued with the bitter chill of winter's approach swept through the forests and across the fields of Daqten. It rustled the few leaves left on the oaks and birches and the needles on the pines. It stirred the meager remains of summer's poppies and cornflowers and autumn's buckwheat harvest. It even succeeded in penetrating the thick fur of Makt Ozvanza for a moment.

The young lycanthrope of sixteen years ceased whittling to involuntarily shiver, and then failed to return to his carving so that he could ponder the extraordinary event. He found it difficult to recall a year when these sort of biting winds had started so early. Did it mean that it was going to be a rather nasty winter this year, or was it just a fluke or the day's weather? Before he could conclude whether or not the year's first frost had also come earlier than usual, his reveries were disturbed.

"Makt!" The first cry was distant, and Makt suspected for a second that he may have simply been hearing things. The authenticity of the shout was confirmed by a second one. "Makt!" The content was identical, but the volume considerable higher, making it clear that whoever it was calling for him was approaching at a healthy pace. Makt was also now aware of a mechanical whir and rattling sound. He turned his head and looked up the path running past his cottage and confirmed his suspicions. Coming down the hill at an unsafe speed on his new bicycle was Makt's friend Hagan Ogarena. Makt could only watch in muted horror as Hagan opened his mouth to cry out once again just as he ran afoul of an obstacle in the path and tumbled rudely from his vehicle.

"Moon! Are you alright?" exclaimed Makt automatically as he leapt to his feet to render assistance for his fallen comrade. His noble efforts were promptly met with refusal as Hagan righted both himself and his bicycle as though nothing had happened.

"Don't worry, it's not he first time and it won't be the last," he said and idly dusted of his tunic. "I'm just glad I found you here, I don't know where else I could have looked." His tone contained an earnest urgency that caught Makt's attention. His ears pricked up.

"What is it? What's going on?"

"We're at war Makt!"

One impatient and hair-raising bicycle ride down the rest of the hill later, the pair found themselves at the village's center. They were not the only ones there, In fact, as far as either of them could tell, every person in the village who was not bed-ridden or traveling had shown up. The crowd had formed a half circle around one point on the wall of the town hall. The object of interest was impossible to see through the crowd until the two succeeded in reach the front of the crowd through a combination of force, polite words and waiting for others to leave of their own accord. As both had suspected, it was a government notice. Hagan had been completely correct when he had said they were at war. Makt's mouth moved silently as he read through its text. Before he could finish, Hagan burst out in a fit of foul-mouthed patriotic fervor.

"Those Haradrim bastards!" A few unfortunate bystanders caught in the blast radius of his outburst jumped slightly in shocked. "If they need volunteers to avenge the Baan's death, then we're volunteering. Right Makt?" Makt's reply was not immediate. As one of the bystanders caught unawares by Hagan's shout, he needed a moment to recompose himself. But once he had, his reply was both honest and enthusiastic."

"Of course! We're going to wipe them off the map!"

Title: Re: Some damned foolish thing in Ennorath
Post by: Zimmerwald on July 03, 2010, 11:17:35 PM

Berker shifted his weight in his seat, matching the jostling of the train as it careened down the track. His left arm was bent at the elbow, which elbow dug into the seat’s unyielding wooden armrest, driven down by the weight of his head. Berker’s breath misted on the glass of the window, turning the view of the Yenehir River into something resembling a badly-taken photograph. It wasn’t the Yenehir anymore though, Berker reminded himself. He tried to remember the name the Haradrim gave it, since he might have to use it in conversation with the locals or with command, but all he could remember was the useless Eruvite name, “An”. An, like Annuminas, the city at which the train would deposit them, and about which Berker had been told so very little during the pre-entrainment briefing. He turned away from the now very foggy window to his companion in the train compartment, Mazhar.

“What do you think Annuminas will be like?” he asked simply. Mazhar looked up at Berker from the piece of paper he was holding, his mouth a firm line. He folded it carefully and put it in his pocket before answering.

“You weren’t in Rehemat, were you?” Berker looked at him, confused. He wondered how this question was supposed to answer his own, and figured if he kept silent Mazhar would continue developing his thoughts until they took him to a more relevant place. “Of course you haven’t,” he continued, confirming Berker’s suspicions. “You joined the Guards long after that fiasco ended. I remember the Battle of Say’un. The garrison barracks I was in was located in the middle of town, and when the city rose up against us, we were penned in. We had to fight our way out, block after block, losing men, it seemed, every few seconds. Only about a fifth of us made it out of that city alive…

“I don’t know what Annuminas is like now, but when we get there, it will be like that.”

“It will be glorious,” said Berker, leaning forward. “The Rehemati veterans are heroes, and you’ve never mentioned it!”

“It’s not you that needs to know my story,” said Mazhar, drawing into himself. “I will be rewarded, or not, regardless of whether anyone on Taijitu knows.”

Great, thought Berker, not only is he old, but he’s also religious. I couldn’t have gotten stuck with anyone else?

Title: Re: Some damned foolish thing in Ennorath
Post by: Bara on July 04, 2010, 12:22:23 AM

Jacob Surty stood in front of President Robert O'Brien's desk, waiting as the President read his report on the newest development of there northern neighbors. Jacob looked out the large Colonial windows, typical of Westonina. Jacob shifted his view back to President O'Brien when he heard a drop of paper.

"So, what do you suggest?" President O'Brien asked, speaking in there native Westoninan.

"Well. We are a small nation. I don't think our commandos would be able to survive a war with either nation. Personally? I think we should stay neutral. Wait until one victor is about to emerge on top and join that side, sir. I understand our Naval Infantry could fare well agiasnt either nation, but, currently, there too few in number to make a difference." Jacob said, speaking in Westoninan.

President O'Brien slowly nodded up and down, stroking his greying beard. President O'Brien has been leading the nation for almost ten years now, reelected time after time again. He started out as a simple politician in the Keiseven district, before being elected to the National Council, and then being elected to President. He had governed the nation during the Kaffiar Rebellion, and helped turned the nation for the ranches and homesteads that it once was to a slowly modernizing nation.

"Fine. Send the telegram." President O'Brien said. Jacob Surty nodded, and disappeared to his own office.

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Telegram
Dated November 9, 1898

TO: Foreign Minister of Myroria, Foreign Minister of the Hadarim Empire
FROM: Jacob Surty, Foreign Minister of Westonina

Greetings.

We currently understand that both of your nations are currently at war with each other. However, we would like to ask that you would respect Westonina's independence as a sovereign nation. As such, the Westoninan Confederate States declare there nation as a ceasefire zone for all nations on November 9th, 1898 A.D. We invite all nations to start negations in our capital of Chester. However, we warn both nations. If either attempts to keep military troops in our nation, we will respond in force.

Title: Re: Some damned foolish thing in Ennorath
Post by: Myroria on July 04, 2010, 12:54:16 AM

To be honest, Indorin Nerevroth probably wouldn't want to admit the real reason why he picked up a gun and joined the Grand Army of the Empeureum. He would say it was for the glory, for the honor, and for the fame (though he would always temper it with a jaded, cynical "I got none of those"), but what made Indorin Nerevroth really want to join the Myrorian army was a piece of paper pinned to a corkboard in a library at the University of Quarrovth. It was a poem by student Ienase Bernerith:

"Are you in it for the fight?
Or are you in it for the glory?
For the honor?
Are you in it for the sound of bombs bursting in air?
Are you in it for your country?
Or are you in it for the fight?"

Looking back, such a poem was terrible. Mediocre, amateurish stuff really. But it convinced Indorin. The next day, he packed up his things and went to the nearest recruiting office. They were taking anyone they could get, and with Quarrovth's location close to the border with Neustria, men were being sent all through the city and its environs for the defense of the place. While on his way to the recruiting station, Indorin did pass by a column of men dressed in the drab grey uniform of the Myrorian army. With all the precision of a well-oiled machine, the column of men were singing a song - it escapes Indorin's mind now what the song was - but they were singing it so well it couldn't have sounded better if it had come from a column of sirens instead of simple men. Indorin paused to watch the column pass by. Under the uniforms, the men were clean, their faces well-shaven. They had a look on their faces of happiness, ready to fight for their country in this short glorious war and return home heroes, the conquistadors of new lands in Neustria, Austrasia, the Haradrim. Indorin wanted to be one. He turned and entered the recruiting office.

Title: Re: Some damned foolish thing in Ennorath
Post by: Eluvatar on July 04, 2010, 01:22:41 AM

In the red study at Chateau Ilium, the ancient fortified citadel of the most vivant House Ilium, patriarch and sovereign Anorien Tar-Ilium was reading the morning paper, pursing his lips. A knock echoed from the great oaken doors. Anorien frowned. "What is it now, Ærin?" he uttered with some irritation "Oh do let him in."

The stiff old footman standing at attention beside the doors turned and solemnly unbarred and swung them apart. Ærin Ilium strode quickly through the door as the old man stood aside.

"Why are you interrupting my reading, my son?" asked the middle-aged Anorien. "What useless cantankerous contraption do you want me to cover the costs of crashing now?"

"Father, there's a war on."

"And?"

"I want to enlist."

Anorien looked contemplatively at his son. "Your brother Celar is a Captain in the Army is he not?"

"Yes, father. You didn't let me follow him before, but now I think the King, soon may he return, needs us."

"That he may, soon may he return, that he may." Anorien turned to stare pensively at a painting dominating the wall. "What do you see in the Belaedemabar, Ærin?"

Ærin blinked with irritation and looked at the immense canvas. His irritation disappeared, and he smiled. "I see an ode to War, to the glory of victory. I see greatness and honor."

"You do not see the blood, the agony, the death?" Anorien looked back to his son, furrowing his brow.

Ærin replied quickly, "Of course I do, but to serve Eru we must sacrifice. We Dunedain are called to serve, fight, and die, are we not? It is our honorable duty to die for Eluvatar, if need be."

The old Tar-Ilium inhaled sharply and clenched his jaw. "I cannot stop you from your duty then, can I. But please," he paused and cleared his throat, "don't die."

Title: Re: Some damned foolish thing in Ennorath
Post by: Xyrael on July 04, 2010, 02:35:25 AM

11:8:1898

General Halek rubbed his palm against his forehead, smothering his face. He was disappointed. Very disappointed. While Annuminas was little more than a smoldering pile of rubble, ruin, silt and debris, the river was nothing if more dangerous. The Imperial ironclads had failed to deter the Eluvataran monitors, even losing two of their own number. The idea of crossing the river and capturing the north was, for now, out of the picture.

He could feel the footsteps of the horse jolt him ever so slightly, and he jostled in his seat to get more comfortable. His crotch was going to hurt. Damnit, he'd rather have crossed the bridges and had some coffee in some blown out cafe in Annuminas. Romenna was still a valid target, through, and the Imperial Janissary was moving quickly to the Eluvataran border. The new plan of action called for the Janissaries to move overland and bypass Annuminas, moving straight into the heart of Eluvatar.

Halek was still displeased. He wanted this war to be over before New Years so he could go home and celebrate with his wives. That wasn't likely going to happen. He sighed and hit some chap with his riding crop. "Boy, go make me some coffee!" he demanded in a grizzly voice.

Title: Re: Some damned foolish thing in Ennorath
Post by: St Oz on July 04, 2010, 03:43:58 AM

Larnt opened his grayish eyes to the morning sun, and he immediately eyed the clock on the opposite wall with a bit of panic. A flush of relief hit him when he remembered today was his first day off, because he had already finished his apprenticeship as a butcher and would begin full work next month. He was at the fresh age of 18, living on his own in an apartment near the warehouse district of St Oz City. He hopped out of his bed squinting his eyes, wondering what he would do in the day. He saved up about 100 harad lira during his apprenticeship for this very 1 month "vacation".

Light and sound filtered through his closed curtain, the fabric was mostly a cheap heavy textile, barely worked on. Metal loops pierced through a cloth that bore a stark resemblance to a typical Ozian keffiyeh. Larnt spent about 5 minutes watching the wind blow the cloth to and fro the wall, and what was heard behind the cloth was the typical cluster of working people, both Ozian and foreign. Larnt finally made an attempt to get ready for the day, however he only rolled off due to his severe fatigue caused by paying off sleep debt. He knocked his head on the floor and instantly lodged his first thought of the day.

I should take Iori to a Zuavka Bar...

Larnt then readied himself in a timeless effort, Iori would be downstairs in the lobby of the apartment studying by now. Larnt opened the door, then almost ran into Iori herself. Larnt made a frightful scream when he say her face at the door, "AH!... Iori."

Her eyebrows arched and glared back at him, "you know my name?"

Larnt panicked, hesitating to make a full sentence "Nnn... no... I yes. I mean sometime yesteryear or so in moving, Er... Yeah I do."

She eased her glare after rolling her eyes, then presented a letter addressed to Larnt, "Well, anyway," she made an alveolar trill like a Ennorath-Ozian, "A Harrad'zhi had this letter for you this morning. I figured you were at work and was about to slip it under your door. By the way, are you missing work?"

"No, no. I have the month off."

"How nice for you, I still have exams at the university."

Larnt looked around her eyes, "well... uh. If you're not too busy..."

Iori realized she may be talking to him longer than she wanted to, so she leaned against the wall, "I am busy."

He looked back at her, "what?"

"I'm busy..."

His confusion gave him more confidence in his speech, "well, when you're not, do you want..."

She interrupted him, "you can't."

"I can't? What are you saying?"

Her eyes widened, "don't you know what that letter is for?"

He averted looking at her burning eyes, embarrassed by his ignorance, "no."

"We're at war, and that is your draft notice."

Larnt suddenly went limp, "giet. (fuck.)"

Title: Re: Some damned foolish thing in Ennorath
Post by: Myroria on July 04, 2010, 04:49:59 AM

Indorin had scarcely took four steps into the recruiting center before he nearly bumped into the back of a man in front of him. Peering around the broad object blocking his view, he saw that this was not just some man loitering in front of the door, but the end of a very, very long line. Knowing that this would take a while, Indorin sighed before beginning a survey of the interior of this place.

It was at this point that he realized this was no recruiting office at all, but merely a public gymnasium turned into one. Looking at the floor, he could see the treadmarks of shoes permanently scuffed into the white tile. Smelling the air, he could smell only the distinctive scent of body odor mixed with various perfumes in an attempt to hide the smell. Peering out the windowed door behind him, Indorin could see that across the street was the real recruiting office, the one leased to the Army by the Quarrovth town council. The line there stretched outside the door.

The broad-backed man before him shuffled forward as a man walked out carrying a very basic uniform, the kind the textile mills in Resdaynia churn out at hundreds a day. The man had a huge smile on his face, exactly the kind of smile Indorin saw outside, except this man was not gleaming with high polished boots and a pristine uniform. Indorin smirked. Apparently he wasn't the only one anxious for honor. Again the line shuffled forward.

Now Indorin's eyes caught a poster hanging on the wall behind the table at which recruiters sat. It was a picture of a woman dressed in teal hugging another dressed in a dress of yellow, white, and black - presumably the teal-attired woman represented Eluvatar and the woman dressed like some kind of bumblebee represented Moomintroth Myroria. The poster was captioned in bold letters: WE OWE OUR ALLIES ACROSS THE STRAIT. Indorin was a bit taken aback by this caption and had to spend a few minutes interpreting exactly what it meant as he unconsciously shuffled forward with the line. He was still eyeing the poster curiously when the recruiter in front of him spoke.

"And what is your name?" Indorin looked down to see a man of about 55 in a dress uniform sitting before him.

"My name in Indorin Nerevroth."

"The Nerevroths...they own a little farm outside Elizabethtown, right?" Indorin was shocked at how much this man knew.

"Uh, yes. That would be my parents."

"Ah, I see. Judging by your appearance, I would guess you're studying at the university in town?"

"Well, I was, sir. Before I decided to fight for Myroria." A smirk came to the man's face, slightly sarcastic and slightly proud all at the same time.

"Well I'm sure we could use you. Have you ever shot a gun before, Indorin?"

"Uh, yes sir."

"Well that puts you above about half the people who were in line in front of you." The man passed to Indorin a single paper, something almost surprisingly short considering what he was signing up for. "Just fill this out and sign here." The paper was finished in about a minute and a half and handed back to the grizzled man as Indorin looked behind him. The line seemed just as long as it was when he came in, except now he was at the front of it.

"Well well then, Indorin. Welcome to the army. We'll contact you when we want you for - " at this point a tall, younger man in a suit seemed to appear out of some door on the wall and leaned into the recruiter's ear. The recruiter nodded gravely.

"Proceed to Camp Teneran on the outskirts of the city. Your training begins immediately."

Title: Re: Some damned foolish thing in Ennorath
Post by: Aquatoria on July 04, 2010, 06:19:21 AM

The Great and Grand Council of Hegemons was in an uproar. The two larger councils, conjointly called the Assemblage of Coercive Politics, were filled with representatives who demanded to know what to do. The smallest council, called the Council of Thirteen, was were the thirteen Hegemons sat. Tia walked into the Hall and took here seat at the foot of the stairs that led up to where the Council of Thirteen sat. Other tuis or successors sat in similar chairs beside her. Hegemon-Above-All Osiana, who sat in the largest and most elegant throne raised his voice.

"I will have order in this council!" His voice boomed across the entire hall. Even the fearsome an'akari guardsmen flinched at the sound. There was silence. He sat back down and gave the floor to the Hegemon of the Scholar of Scholars, Thoth Balmana. Like Osiana, Thoth was old and his long hair was as white as snow. While Osiana was dressed in the manner of the Hegemon of the Sun God, golden robes, gold cape and a headress that resembled a falcon; Heru's patron animal, Thoth wore green and orange robes and had a headress of an ibis. The ibis was a native bird that was the symbol of Nein, the Scholar God. He stood up and began to speak.

"Great Hegemons, treasured Tuis, and honorable representatives, I bring grim news. The world has erupted into war. The Haradrim Empire has dealt a cowardly blow to the Eluvatarians, and the Myrorians have rushed to their ally's side. The Haradrim have called upon the All-Bulo Khaganate and the Neuatrian Republic. It will not be long before the Inglo-Scotians and their Empire as well as the Austrasians follow suit and join their respectative alliances. Now it has only been a month since our victory against the Rifi and we have used that to our advantage. We must decide now whether or not to remain neutral, side with the Haradrim and the Entente, or join the Eluvatarians and the Coalition." Thoth sat down and nodded to Tia. Tia stood up and spoke her point.

"We have built the foundations of an empire. The Rifi Protectorate brings us much needed resources such as lumber, precious minerals like iron and gold, and food. Our military is tested and morale is high. The Army of Thoughtful Grace sits on the border of the Protectorate and the Haradrim Empire. Our navy is strong, and the in'falyth report that our naval forces are more then a match for either the Inglo-Scotian Navy and the Haradrim Navy. But most of our trade is with the Northern Powers, so in contrast, we should side with them. We can assist the Eluvatarians by drawing Haradrim forces here and by seizing the Ozian Strait. And with the support of the Northern Powers, we can spread our sphere of influence across Libia and perhaps beyond. So I ask that the Assemblage declare a state of war between the Haradrim Empire and the Nihonite Hegemony and all her possessions." The crowd stood up and cheered. The vote would go through. If Nihon joined the Northern Powers, the war would spread to the west. Tia sat down with pride. It would only be a matter of time before the votes came through.

After nearly four hours of deleberation, the votes came in. 258 to 125, plus the unanimous support of the Hegemons, in favor of war between Nihon and the Haradrim Empire. Tia was in her office and she had just finished typing up the telegrams that would be sent to both the Haradrim and to the Coalition.

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To: The Grand Vizer representing Emperor Malechim of the Haradrim Empire

As of this moment, we have declared a state of war between our two nations. We believe that the cowardly act that brought your nation to war with the Eluvatarians needs to be punished. This declaration of war will also extend to your allies should they involve themselves. May Heru protect you and if not, may you find your way to the Field of Reeds.

From: Tia Nonquith, Tui to the Hegemon of the Scholar of Scholars, Thoth Balmana, representing the Great and Grand Council of Hegemons and His Supremacy, Hegemon-Above-All, Osiana, of the Nihonite Hegemony

Quote

To: The Presiding Steward, Pelendur ArFinn, of the Royal Confederacy of Eluvatar
To: Her Honor Serja Morvene Novrovth, representing His Imperial Majesty Serjo Nelvil II Moomintroth, of the Empire of the Great Houses of Myroria

In response to this cowardly act against your governments, the Nihonite Hegemony has seen fit to declare war on the Haradrim Empire and any of their allies. Though we are not of the Coalition of Carth, we still feel strongly that we owe the Myrorians a debt of gratitude and also to see murderous cowards brought to justice. The Army of Thoughtful Grace will be marching into the Haradrim Empire along with the Protectorate Army of the Rifi Princes to seize contol of the Ozian Strait. May Heru watch over you and if not, may you find your way to the Field of Reeds.

From: Tia Nonquith, Tui to the Hegemon of the Scholar of Scholars, Thoth Balmana, representing the Great and Grand Council of Hegemons and His Supremacy, Hegemon-Above-All, Osiana, of the Nihonite Hegemony

Title: Re: Some damned foolish thing in Ennorath
Post by: Gulliver on July 11, 2010, 11:51:47 PM

It did not take long for Makt and Hagan to enlist. Their village was small, and even with every able-bodied young man turning out to avenge the late Baan, the queue had not been outrageously long. It had not even been a proper recruitment office, just a table set up in the town hall. The train that was to take them to their training was a different matter. Theirs was not the only small village where the government had no compelling reason or the resources to establish a proper, long term military installation, there were other villages whose recruits also needed to be transported. While each village's contribution was small on its own, together they added up to an appreciable sum.

As one of the villages further down the line, Makt and Hagan had the scale of this sum impressed upon them. The railroad company had never anticipated that this particular line would be so heavily used. Neither of them were allowed a chance to sit down in a proper seat for the entirety of the trip. Once they had arrived, they were given fresh, blue uniforms and then, after having been assigned their basic accommodations and allowed time to rest up from their journey, it was straight off to training in the muddy training grounds. The same mind-numbing drills day after day. Makt must have partially repressed the memories of it, because before he knew what was happening, they were marching off to battle.

The streets were lined with onlookers, all cheering and waving, as the formation weaved its way through the city's streets. Many of them were singing along with Makt and his fellow soldiers. Makt immediately felt a swelling of pride. It energized him, and filled him with eager anticipation of battle. If this was the sort of respect that one earned simply for being a soldier, what would happen when he came home from the war, a hero who had crushed the Haradrim, would be doubtlessly unbelievable. He would be set for life when it came to social standing, and that would in turn take care of most of the rest. He raised his voice, refusing to be outdone by any of the others. Soon he and Hagan would avenge the death of their late Baan.