Though certainly not considering membership in Societatem, the Grand Survaek Emperor, Shayaer Khaitis, felt he owed it to his Soroyan counterparts to defend them against the insults of Deltora. The latter's message was naïve and baseless, the words of one Empire frustrated by the expansion of another. As much as he also disliked the Societatem project, he couldn't let the infuriating Deltoran message stand unchallenged.

“The Grand Survaek Empire finds the Republic of Deltora's accusations against Societatem to be misguided and deeply hypocritical. It was not long ago in history that the Honnerians brutally wrested control of Serranthian territory from their former rulers. Where was the Republic of Deltora then? Why did we receive no aid in the name of “freedom and liberty”? The Grand Survaek Empire seeks only to reclaim lands unjustly stolen from it. Surely the Republic of Deltora would do the same if an overseas empire had taken core parts of its own homeland.

Survaek advises its Northwestern neighbor to consider not only the last two months of history like a mole seeing only two steps ahead or behind, but also the broader context of decades and centuries. Liberty to keep a slave because you own them already is not liberty at all, only a petty justification for continued theft and oppression.”

_____



Ever since the beginning of the Reconquest of Southern Raethon, the Imperial Press Service had been converging on the front like a horde of locusts. Even after some journalists died in the crossfire, they did not relent. The historical moment was simply too important not to record in as much detail as humanly possible. To accommodate them, the Artillerists of the First Army Group under General Stae Pjjokhat had cleared a space for them between two field gun batteries. A safe enough distance, but still in sight of all the action.

“Those Honnerians sure are stubborn,” noted one of the Press functionaries, lying prone on the dusty earth. “Two assaults and dozens of barrages, plus a blockade!”

“Don't worry,” replied a Surv-Akur Captain next to him with a slight smile. “Once Hjarkin's army arrives, it's all over for them. They'll be completely surrounded and outnumbered six to one. I don't care how strong their trenches are, they know they can't take an assault from all directions with those kind of numbers. Not to mention the extra cannons!”

“When you put it that way, I can't help it if I want to take some more photos just to catch the Honnerian flags while they're still up!” the journalist chuckled. Some of the soldiers gave him dirty looks, but the Captain was still smiling. If he had to take care of these Imperial Press types, he might as well do it in good spirits.

__________

-- Emperor Shayaer Khaitis responds to the Deltoran condemnation of Soroya.

-- Imperial Press Service journalists rush to document the Reconquest of Southern Raethon, no matter the danger...or the burden they impose on the troops they're staying with.

Kingdom of Aontas

~His Grace King Matthias, D.G., King of Aontas and of Follam~

Ours is a world wrought with conflict, which has known war as often as the skies above it have known a starry night. Whether it is the people of Varius or of the foreign continents who experience the pain of war, it is essential to any ruler interested in the well-being of his citizens to ensure the presence of peace in his lands. Similarly, it is a ruler's obligation, as far as is possible respecting the will of God and the sanctity of state, to ensure the freedom of his people, and their ability to enjoy, without repress and without unreasonable exception, that well-being to which they are entitled. With these essential principles in mind, and with a desire to both ensure and to further them, it is with the sincerest of pleasures that I announce the Kingdom of Aontas' adherence to the ideology of Sociatatem—to the principles of natural law, and of the sanctity of the state and its people.

The Kingdom of Aontas' place in the world stage has long been one of mutual respect with her sister nations; ours is a mighty kingdom, and one which has always used its might to ensure long-lasting peace and prosperity for its people, and for all people to whom it entreats. This principle, Sociatatem, is the expression of that eternal quality of Aontas, and it is with the desire for brotherhood of all mankind that the Kingdom of Aontas shall bear the principles of Sociatatem on this day, and for all days forward, until mankind's yearning for peace is fulfilled.

Divinity praise and mankind uphold the Kingdom of Aontas.

With this new age of Industry, Zellonia has high ambitions with the new Factory under way and two new royal ships that will soon be added into the fleet. With its new trading partners and 50,000 new rifles added into the army Zellonia wishes to expand but after it's near Victory against Kalpia they must rebuild that is what the new advisory council have thought of.

The King would names these new ships the ZNS Apollo for the Destroyer and the ZNS Sea Dog for the new Submarine. As for the new factory it would employ many people in need of jobs while others would man these ships and be recruited into the army for future expansion.

We welcome all our readers with news about the colonies , after the war it seems that the Colonies had not improved or either got down , but most of them are still unexplored , our colony of Greyhedge doesnt has too much landmass by itself , instead it is a valuable resupply point for our navy and ships , some especulate that the colony of Greyhedge doesnt have too many minerals but maybe other things , for example oil the new resource that has started to spread around the world , because of this the the private sector has started to search for resources in Greyhedge and in Vierkas , it is unknow what could they found or discover , but the goverment it is sure that this will benefit the economy of the country , is because of this that they had encouraged the search of resources to supply our growing industries.

One of the expeditions on the colonies in search of resources.


Another new is that finally our military has access to the machine gun , the model named FT-19 Mark I is likely one of the best machineguns in the world , this proves that the Kalpian industry quality is high and always looking to improve , this new machine gun has started its production as soon as it has been available for production is expected that 1,000 of this guns will come into service soon .

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JUNE

June 17th: The Kingdom of Aontas begins construction of an immense statue, dedicated to King Matthias. So large and eminent is the statue that even in it's beginning stages, artisans and observers from as far as Anvegad and Deltora journey to see the beginning of such a work. It is expected to be finished at the beginning of next year.

June 21st: Heavy dust storms delay General Hjarkin and his Second Army from being able to depart from the Honnerian city of Keyvah. They instead rest and relax for a few days. Similar dust storms further north turn the Survo-Honnerian front to a standstill. Men huddle in holes and trenches while the storms whip about incessantly. The fighting lulls.

June 28th: Inventor and theorist Erwin Osgood in the Kingdom of Aontas presents his ideas on potential lighter than air travel and presents them to a council of the Aontan Military High command for potential consideration.

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JULY

July 1st: The Survaek submarine Akir has it's engine repaired and sets sail from Foedinei.

July 4th: The Survaek First Fleet bombards Honnerian positions just west of the colonial capital of Wadke. 114 Honnerians are killed.

July 16th: Twelve men of the Kalpian Occupation Army in the Sorenan Corridor are killed while on patrol. Soldiers that discover their remains believe that they were in an ambush. 40,000 strong, the KOA cracks down on travelers through Sorena and Kalpia, inspecting their papers with more scrutiny.

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AUGUST

August 5th: The Survaek submarine Akir sinks the Honnerian destroyer Ostrich, 185 miles northeast of New Byrnia.

August 9th: Dust storms dissipating, General Hjarkin and his Second Army perform a days worth of exercises and marching before heading north to besiege Wadke from the south. The army heads north, while the Survaekom First Army continues it's long and dutiful siege of Wadke in the north.



August 10th: General Hjarkin receives orders from the Emperor of Survaek to resist further attacks and instead starve the enemy out.

August 11th-21st: The First Army under General Nej Hjarkin orders his men to general stations. Blockaded, the Honnerians at Wadje wouldn't be able to last very much longer. It was much to the detriment however that General Hjarkin was an immediately impatient man. He ordered on the 11th an assault along the Honnerian defensive line, spending much of the morning battering their position with 4.7-Inch Shaeyer Model cannons. The Battle of Kalas was a short and bloody affair that lasted the 11th, 12th and 13rd. Though over fourteen thousand Survaekoms died, the Honnerian defensive line had been bled almost completely dry.

Hjarkin ordered no more attacks, but on August 21st a white flag went up over the city as the First Fleet appeared along the coast. Rather than be bombarded into submission, the Honnerians simply gave up.

Battle of Kalas (Survaek Victory)
Casualties
Survaek: 14,642
Honneria: 25,653 (+29,347 prisoners of war)



August 25th: The First Army receives the surrender from the Honnerians, including their prestigious Honnerian Golden Guard. In the town of Wadke the Survaekom Army finds thousands of atrocities. With the enemy closing around them, the Honnerians had apparently began looting the town. Along with this, those Survaekom sympathizers were killed with reckless abandon. Over 5,000 civilians are found dead, their corpses often left in the street for all to say. When question, Colonel Korr of the Honnerian Golden Guard denied ever giving the order for the murder of civilians, but said that order broke down just before the surrender.

General Korr, and the remaining 12,543 soldiers of the Honnerian Golden Guard are sentenced to death by firing squad. The remaining Honnerian regulars are kept as prisoners of war.

August 28th: In what the Honnerians refer to as the Southern Betrayal, the entire Honnerian Golden Guard is executed. The Survaekoms referred to it as the Day of Righteous Justice. The mass graves outside of Wadke are unmarked and a foul stench lingers in the air for weeks.

August 29th: Reports of men and women gathering north of the town of Ladd in the Sorenan Corridor are reported to the Kalpian Occupation Army. They send several platoons to investigate.

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SEPTEMBER

September 2nd: A patrol of the Kalpian Occupation Army comes under attack from partisans. 17 of the 30 Kalpians are killed before the partisans disappear into the woods.

September 7th: Meeting in Port Key, Anvegad, the Grand Survaek Empire and Second Republic of Honneria negotiate the Treaty of Port Key.

Treaty of Port Key (1902)

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OCTOBER

October 2nd: The TPS Vigilant, a Deltoran destroyer that picks six 5" guns in three turret mounts, two in the front and one in the rear is finally completed. So powerful is the Vigilant that Deltoran military theorists think it can go toe to toe with some nation's light cruisers. Undergoing sea trials, it will join the fleet in December of 1902.



October 4th: A barracks of the Kalpian Occupation Army west of Ladd is raided and 3 soldiers are killed.

October 5th: A submarine laid down by the Survaek Empire is completed. Named Sunray, it undergoes sea trials and will be ready to join the fleet in January, 1903.

October 10th: At a joint meeting of Anvegadian and Survaekom officials, Foreign Minister Aedis Haerk reveals to the Anvegadians that during the Survo-Honnerian War, a Survaekom submarine searching for Honnerian merchant vessels accidentally mistook Anvegadian vessels for fleeing Honnerian ships. The Survaek submarine Akir attacked and sank the Anvegadian destroyer ANV Venom. Minister Aedis Haerk apologized on behalf of the Empire and offers $1,000,000,000 as reparations in 1904.

October 15th: A second submarine laid down by the Survaek Empire earlier this year is completed. Named Swordfish, it undergoes sea trials and will be ready to join the fleet in January, 1903.

October 21st: A submarine laid down by the Anvegad Empire is completed. It undergoes sea trials and will be ready to join the fleet in January, 1903.

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NOVEMBER

November 11th: A destroyer laid earlier this year by the Empire of Zellonia is completed. It undergoes sea trials in the Zellonian Strait and is now ready for use. It has been named the ZNS Apollo.

November 13rd: Anti-government guerrilla fighters from Nasong cross the border into Xian and inflict heavy casualties on villages surrounding Beiqling during the night. Border patrols reveal they are simply anarchistic revolutionaries striking out against nearby Xian. Nasong does not officially recognize any guerrilla problems within it's borders.



November 20th: A submarine laid down earlier in the year has been completed and set to sea by the Empire of Zellonia. The submarine has been named the ZRS Sea God.

November 23rd: Another 10,000 volunteers complete their training for the Soroyan Royal Army. Without the rifles to equip them however, they join a long list of reserves, waiting to be called up. A large order of Cruska Guns also completes it's orders as well.

November 26th: After a long and rousing speech, Chairman Volkov of the Anvegadian Empire receives a standing ovation in the Long Hall of the capital. "Deplorable," he said, "That over 200,000 Anvegadians suffer and toil under Murenheidtan work conditions. Perhaps then, it is time we return the Anvegadians to their homeland, or bring the homeland to them."

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DECEMBER

December 1st: The Kingdom of Kelric accepts the invitation from the government of Soroya to join the Sociatatem.

December 4th: Industrialists in the Kingdom of Aontas begin immense industrialization plans, they are slated for completion sometime next year.

December 9th: The Kalpian Army, still riding high from it's previous military prospects, receives a completed work on Indirect Artillery barrages from Lieutenant Krupp, an observer of Deltoran military practices in the last few years.

December 20th: A submarine laid down earlier in the year has been completed and set to sea by the Kalpian Republic.

December 29th: Stronger bulkheads, steam pipes and boiler designs have been unveiled so that future Soroyan capital ships will be much more reliable in longer sorties.

December 31st: Blizzards cover Aontas, Sorena and Khernikovia.

Sumaya, the native empire. It was here that Ratu had forged an alliance with failed continental industrialists and expat merchants to produce guns and ammunition for her warriors. Here that Ratu lead her warriors to victory after victory, uniting the tribes with gun and spear. In her wisdom and magnanimity Ratu had not oppressed the other tribes but united them under his banner, making them citizens in the Malikate of Sumaya.

"We are all Sumayan" She had declared, inviting survaekom nobles, Xian industrialists and anyone else disenchanted with their continental homeland to join him in Sumaya . With their aid she had initiated a program of industrialization and modernization, turning the old capital of Suma into a sprawling city of factories and shipyards.

No longer would the Sumayan tribes be subject to the whims of colonial powers. They would determine their own destiny with their own hands, united under Ratu's heirs.





Celebrations erupt across the country as tribes celebrate the 75th anniversary since Queen Ratu declaration of a "United Sumaya." Three quarters of a century later the Kingdom Ratu founded is united and prosperous under the rule of her granddaughter Sinta. In the capital of Suma festivities are especially fervent. The market square and public parks are given over to community organizers for festivities, and the University of Suma opens its doors; tours and attendance at the great university will be free for the day. Meanwhile, A grand military parade is held in the city proper, ending with the the ITN Ratu and ITN Talik firing salutes from the harbor.

Queen Sinta himself attended the celebrations with her husbands and children, speaking before cheering crowds from the balcony of the government hall.

"Today I have seen my grandmother's dream made real. Sumaya stands strong. Our people are united in purpose and loyalty. Our soldiers are brave and skilled. Our economy flourishes. As your Queen I could not be more proud; proud to stand before the world, and call you my people, equal to any nation on earth!"

"But let us remember that my grandmother's dream is not yet complete. There are still many of our people who are oppressed by foreign powers, forced to bow to foreigners as superiors rather than meet them as equals. We must remember our brothers and sisters, and remember that we are all Sumayans. Keep them in your hearts and minds, and pray to the Ancestors that they too may some day stand tall with us."

---

Kevin Notles wins a second term

After recent debated over the political ideology of Sociatatem, Prime Minister Kevin Notles had won reelection, and is now serving a second term. However this wasn’t won easy, a hardline interventionist named Michiel Kraus, dissatisfied with Kevin Notles’ recent laissez faire attitude towards Honneria’s war against Survaek drew many eyes and won votes. However most satisfied with Kevin Notles’ current government chose to vote safe.

Once he had won reelection he gave a speech commenting on the recent events over the past five years. “Over five years ago I came into office with a single dream. A dream that I, as many of you have seen, am close to realizing. That dream was to see a better world. One free of death and destruction. One free of discrimination and hate. One free of evil men and dangerous nations.

That is why I created Sociatatem. So the voice of the little man could be heard. So the lives of soldiers could be saved. Some have already criticized the actions of Sociatatem, even our so called allies in the south. However, I did not start this to intervene in the affairs of a far off place in a far off land to protect oil for some far off nation. I did not start this to see the world give in to Soroyan influence. I started it to see Soroya make the world a better place. To draw lines when necessary, and to fight battles when necessary.

They say that I could have saved Honnerian land, Honnerian men, Honnerian pride. Well I ask doubters one thing, what if it was not enough? What if Soroyan men joined them on the battlefield, what if Soroyan fleets fought the Survaek Armada, who are you to say we would have succeeded? Who is to say that we could won that war? The question we should ask, what wars are worth fighting. The battles we pick to win or lose will ultimately determine the fate of Sociatatem, so I say we pick them wisely, and Honneria was not a wise battle.

Thank you for showing your support for this greater cause. Soroya shall not regret its decision.”

Kingdom of Aontas

The workers at a newly constructed branch plant of Northway Fine Furnishings in Malatar hard at work.

Aontas' manufacturing industry has long been one of the largest in the world, but has historically been limited to Kienne, forcing eager workers from other provinces to relocate in order to find work. With recent investments by the Royal Fund, however, the industrial might of Aontas is being shared across the provinces, and new factories and branch plants are being set up all across the kingdom. Workers at the branch plants already up and running in Malatar say that the sight of smoke bellowing up over the city is a welcome one. The province, perhaps Aontas' most remote after Folam, has traditionally been economically reliant on agriculture. The presence of officials from major enterprises such as Northway Fine Furnishings and Virtanen give the province's citizens hope that, in time, all of Aontas will be just as prosperous as the capital. Most are elated, but the mass industrialization of the country is not without its opponents.

Mr. Sigmund Stryka, renowned business magnate and current chief executive officer of the Stryka Corporation, is skeptical of the long-term benefits of decentralizing Aontas' manufacturing sector. "It used to be that each of the provinces had their own speciality, and people understood that. Folam extracted resources, Torrik was the agricultural heartland, grew our food, and so on. Kienne had always been where industry and technology was concentrated. Nowadays, the government's decided—and I should say that King Matthias, Matthias in particular—he has decided that it shouldn't be that way any more. The whole country should be like Kienne. And I just don't think that's good for Kienne, and it's also not good for the rest of the country. Why should companies in Aontas be competing with other Aontans? We should be competing with the foreign companies, not competing amongst ourselves. That's bad for business, and bad for everyone, I would say, in the long run." Asked about possible positive effects for the outlying provinces, Mr. Stryka was still skeptical. "Well, look. Those people in Malatar, working in those little factories. They shouldn't be there. They should be in the fields. That's what they're best at. It's what I was saying before, specialization. If you're from Malatar, you farm. You're best at farming so that's what you do. This attempt by the government to step in and give all of the provinces their own industrial capacity is rubbish."

The industrial tycoon's comments did not end there, and became more intensely critical of King Matthias and his policies as the interview went on. "You know, on that account, I would like to add that I don't agree with how things are going in this country in general right now. We've all tolerated this nonsense of being stuck a hundred years in the past without a real voice for ourselves because things have been good, but I'll say this now that things won't be good for long. We need democracy in this country. We need the parliament in Kienne to be above Matthias, not for Matthias to be above parliament. It's time the government stop throwing billions into the economy against the interests of Aontas' largest and most well-known businesses, and mine is in that list, and it's time that we decide how things run ourselves, and in our own best interests. I will go on record right now and say that I do not support Matthias' direction and I am throwing my support under the numerous other voices in this country advocating for change. It is time that the Aontans run Aontas, and not just a single man, and one who does not have this country's best interests at heart. You can print that because I stand by it 100%."

It was a sad day in Zellonia, not only was the weather bad but sadly King James Conrad had passed away last night in his sleep. However his son has a promising future being only 26 years old and recently Married King Theodore the Second. As with all rises of the new King he shall journey the country visiting all major cities in the Main Island and even to the southern island. Whereas before it would take months perhaps even a year. The new railway system setup should make the travel much more comfortable and fasted so that he may arrive back to Evenston and begin ruling once again.

As the King traveled the country people waited at the Rail stops to wave maybe even see the King. If they were lucky enough he may make a stop to view the lush and plentiful fields of farms that were out in the countryside while the cities were filled with factories and people throughout the streets. Parades were held in the major city as part of a celebration for the arrival of the King.

After about a two and half months the King had visited all the cities and returned to Evenston to begin life as a Monarch. Right away he knew the army needed to be updated and as such he began making the proper preparations speaking with the friends across the sea of Vatanno-Galvia to send more guns over and perhaps even some trainers to show the Regular army how to properly handle the new guns. The Navy would also be given a massive overall in the coming years as would the industry. The colonies won't be forgotten Expansion will begin soon weather through conquest or through diplomacy. In a recent news paper article the King said " Zellonia is as Strong as anyone. If they wish to try and fight the might of the Empire then we shall show them how much Spirt we have just look at Kalpia."

After the the 40,000 troops arrived in the Sorenan Corridor , the security has improved but at the expense of loses in life of our soldiers , our president Arthur Wolfgang has started to express his worry about the loses of kalpian lives for just maintain security , for now the congress of Mistburn had decided to not be harsh to anyone in the Sorenan Corridor , the strategy used by the congress was obvious for the international community , they had decided to use the ideology of the Soroyan Societam instead of a national opinion about it , the nation itself has made effor to find that national opinion about the Societam in Kalpia,is because of this that Oliver Oskar , the leader of a Societam club in Kalpia and writer of "Kalpian Freedom" , has made several speechs in the streets explaining what he thinks about freedom , more recently he has pronunciated in pro of the pacification of the Sorenan Corridor as he believes it is needed for the country to maintain a healthy economy , he believes that the people in Sorenan Corridor that had started to help the "Sorenan Free Army" cannot be longer considered neutral in the insurgency "even if they do not take guns or weapons , they are collaborating to maintain violence againts the authority and order , such actions perpretated by using their "Freedom" is no more that incitating violence againts an ethnicity in this case the normal Kalpian , is because of this that the treatment that we are given to them is no more than a false".

The speeches of Oliver Oskar had made their way to several clubs in the capital and all the country , this has started an anti-insurgent movement in the country , the people believes that anyone that collaborates with the enemy cannot longer be treated as a former citizen of the Kalpian republic , of course this thoughts are not what Oliver Oskar wanted to transmit but it has started this new movement , the president and congress seem reluctant to use harsh treatment in population of the Sorenan Corridor , as that would hurt relations with the former Sociatem ideology , but our soldiers are dying with almost no clear advance and so the people has started to ask for the goverment for true solutions in the Sorenan Corridor .

In other news the National Electric Light Company had made a new invention , the machine is called air conditioner and it cools the air or heats its up ,depending on the needs of the customer , one of our writers was able to experience the effects of this machine in a room and in his own words ,"The best machine for the summer" , determines the efficiency of this new machine . Thought is requires a largue amount of electricity and space to use it , there is no doubt that the National Electric Light Company will do its best to create a machine fit for the Kalpian user.

The air conditioner "Helths" , its big size makes it only fit in largue houses or big buildings


"The Song of Kalpia" , a song that had started to be heard in almost every national festivity of the nation , from the recent festivity "Narrow Day" where every child put in his head a black hat symbolizing the night where our first president Dietfried René died , not exactly a sad day but a celebration day not for his death but for the things he made possible for the Kalpian people such as "The Great Step" , before the festivity starts "The Song of Kalpia" is singed by the children with the black hats , to the traditional "Cow day" where fairs are made with the main theme the cows , there are even competitions about who drinks more milk or how many cheese one can eat , is because of this that the goverment had decided that "The Song of Kalpia" will be considered a national song that can be used by everyone in the country , the song talks about the Kalpian countryside and cities , its people and wealth .

Another important matter is the rising concern about the national security , the confident high chief of the army Othmar Frej tells us that he believes in the Kalpian army but even he doesnt trust our neighbours nations and their objectives , "As one of the democracies in the world we have the duty to preserve the freedom of our people wherever they are we cannot just trust everyone , we need to secure the national land of our nation envy of some nations because of its position and wealth, we cannot feel totally safe if we dont unite as we did in the past to make Kalpia a democracy" tells the High of the army Othmar Frej . His thoughts are shared by a largue sector of the population if not by everyone kalpian in the country , the ideal of self preservation and safeness has put us in a glorious position in the past and in times such as this we have to trust each other more specially with the Sorenan Corridor tensions in the north of the country .

The President in his traditional suit and the soldiers showing their desire to protect the nation from every threat

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JANUARY

January 5th: Military theorists in the Deltoran Republic finish their theory on the idea of Mass Assault. With an enemy stuck in a line of long trenches, a concentrated attack is the best way to remove them. Though costly, it is currently the only effective manner in which to uproot an enemy in their defensive positions.



January 9th: Only days after the completion of their Mass Assault doctrine, the Deltoran Military unveils it's new bolt action rifle, the Vulcaine Mark II. With a smooth bolt action system, a seven round magazine and easy to break down and clean, it's currently lauded as the most sturdy and precise rifle anywhere in the world.

January 11th: Only days after the unveiling of the Vulcaine Mark II, Soroyan military theorist Jackson Hearst and Byron Zackwell of the Soroyan Royal Engineers reveal the Bursk Rifle Mark IV. Though a later rendition than the Mark III, it maintains a five round magazine. Deltorans abroad claim the Vulcaine is superior, while Soroyans instead laud the quick firing action of the Bursk Mark IV.

January 16th: Thirty thousand men commit an oath to Volkov and the eternal Empire of Anvegad. Highly trained, they join the ranks of a previous chosen few among some of the fiercest fighting soldiers in the world.

January 21st: Fifty-one soldiers of the Kalpian Occupation Army are ambushed 12 miles south of Ladd. They are attacked and killed by members of the partisan group the Sorenan Free Army. In retaliation, General Ludwig orders a dozen houses alleged to be hiding partisans along the road. Several photographs are taken, but Ludwig--a proud member of the Kalpian Army--does not react.

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FEBRUARY

February 2nd: Already having done extensive work in the field of operational military doctrine, the Soroyan Military Command finishes work on divisional commands for mass assault, allowing for greater probing attacks to find weaknesses in enemy positions before committing to the assault.

February 9th: The Kingdom of Aontas respects and upholds both international peace and security as well as natural law, and its fundamental principle of the sanctity of life. To this end, His Majesty's Government formally denounces the inhumane actions of the Grand Survaek Empire during the war with Honneria, specifically the summary execution of the so-called 'Golden Guard'. The Kingdom of Aontas demands that the Grand Survaek Empire launch a full inquiry into the incident, involving international observers, and expects adequate disciplinary action to be taken against any commanders found to have led their subordinates to commit acts contrary to the code of war. Until this inquiry is completed, the Kingdom of Aontas announces a partial embargo against the Grand Survaek Empire; no goods of any military utility may be traded by a Aontan either within or to a citizen of the Grand Survaek Empire, and imports from the Grand Survaek Empire are banned entirely.

February 19th: Lessons learned from the Survaekom Conquest of Honneria revealed great discrepancies in Survaekom battle tactics. Examinations in Honnerian defensive fighting positions revealed stunning details about the manner in which trench warfare was conducted. General Pjjokhat and Hjarkin revealed what observations they made. Survaekom trenches, although an exact replica of Honnerian trenches, get the job done all the same.



February 22nd: Funded by the state, inventor Erwin Osgood begins putting together his first flyer prototypes in Koti, Aontas.

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MARCH

March 1st: Pictures of the Sorenan homes burned by the Kalpian Occupation Army reach newspapers across Varius. Articles published far and wide criticize harsh treatment of Sorenan freedom fighters.



March 2nd: A trade agreement between Murenheidt and Soroya is finalized. Goods begin the long passage around Varius and through the Rochefort Passage.



March 5th: A minor industrial steel factory is completed in the Kalpian Republic. It begins hiring workers and will open later this year.

March 15th: The Deltoran Navy finishes modernizing the 1895 destroyer TPS Defiant. Modernized, it is now in line with the TPS Vigilant, packing six 5" guns in three turrets. It joins the fleet after some preliminary weapons testing.

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APRIL

April 1st: The Via Eania opens for civilian use. Running along the entire Soroyan home island, it is lauded by it's modernity. Many Soroyans on the mainland are disgruntled though, feeling left out as the home island welcomes the luxuries of the new century.



April 4th: 1,000 FT-18 Mark I machine guns are finished and delivered to the Kalpian Army

April 7th: Tension comes to a head in the Sorenan Corridor. General Ludwig of the Kalpian Occupation Army effectively sniffs out a large partisan gathering in the woods, about 2 miles west of Lirjdz. A force of about 4,000 Kalpian soldiers attack a ragtag group of Sorenan men and women of about 900. Easily defeated, the women and children encamped there are lined up and executed, in line of pacification of the region.

Sorenan Prime Minister Stanisław Mendelson condemns the atrocities forced upon Sorenan's living in the corridor and mobilizes 75,000 troops on the border, just south of Djuds. "Will the world watch on as Kalpians murder our sons and rape our women?" Prime Minister Mendelson announces in a speech in the nation's capital. "The world may watch, but Sorena will act."

Delegates from Soroya, Aontas, Kalpia as members of the Sociatatem rush to the Sorenan capital Kadjus. Delegates from other nations such as Anvegad, Survaek, Zellonia and Deltora are also there.

THE SORENAN CRISIS
The issue has come to a head, and Sorenan promises war if the bloodshed doesn't stop. Delegates from the Sociatatem, the Imperial Restoration and non-aligned nations have arrived to help. If the crisis is not solved, then war may be inevitable.

Nations Must Select an Option (Sociatatem and Imperial Restoration nations have extra leeway after deliberations. Unaligned nations have 1 Vote to cast. Sociatatem and Imperial Restoration leaders may cast 2 Votes).

[Side with Kalpia]: The corridor may be home to many Sorenans, but the territory is legally Kalpian. While distasteful what Kalpia has resorted to in order to cull the partisans, unwarranted terrorism cannot be allowed to be made manifest in the world. The Kalpians must expel the Sorenan Free Army and they have our support.

[Side with Sorena]: For too long Kalpia has run a muck in the corridor, killing rightful citizens in a region that has historically belonged to the Sorenan people. Kalpia's reign of terror must be stopped, unless a full blown revolution breaks out in the region. We support Sorena's Claim on the Sorenan Corridor.

[Establish Free City of Ladd]: While neither party will be particularly happy, an independent and free city can be established. While Kalpian hegemony in the area will dissipate, it's trade profits in the region will be split evenly between Sorena and Kalpia, and it's people will be free to live in peace under the jurisdiction of both nations.

[Offer an Alternative]: There are other options. Politics are not so black and white. (Only the leader of the Sociatatem and Imperial Restoration may choose this option).

April 22nd: The military theorist Hans von Lotha in the Anvegadian Empire finishes his work on the HVL-02, a fast firing machine gun. It is applauded as being on par with the Cruska Gun as well as the Survaekom Ishui Model 11 machine gun.

April 23rd: Military theorists in Soroya finalize documents on the rather evasive ideas of Trench Warfare.

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OOC MECHANICS

Naval Classes (Added 10/24/15)
In the stead of singular, non-classified naval vessels, ship classes will now be added. When you wish to build new ships, simply use this form.

Ship Type: (Submarine, Destroyer, Light Cruiser, Armored Cruiser, Pre-Dreadnought)
Ship Class: (You name your ship classes. For example, Fubuki-class, Ticonderoga-class, etc)
Ship Stats: (Built to specification of the year they're ordered. List here)
Order Amount: For every amount you order, two things occur: The subsequent cost decreases, the speed of construction increases.
Ship Names: (Names of the Ships to be Completed)
Discount:
* 1 Ship: No discount.
* 2 Ships: 10% Discount / 2 Months off Construction Time
* 3 Ships: 20% Discount / 3 Months off Construction Time
* 4 Ships: 25% Discount / 5 Months off Construction Time
* 5 Ships: 30% Discount / 6 Months off Construction Time
Build Status:
* Serial: Build one after the other at the same shipyard.
* Parallel: Build as many at one time as possible, shipyards permitting.

EXAMPLE:

Ship Type: Light Cruiser
Ship Class: Dawson-class
Ship Stats: Guns 1899 | Armor 1899 | Engine 1900 | Reliability 1895
Order Amount: 3
Ship Names: Sully, Myker, Salvo
Discount:
* 3 Ships: 20% Discount / 3 Months off Construction Time
Build Status:
* Serial: Build one after the other at the same shipyard.

3 Light Cruisers would normally cost $12,000,000,000. Now it only costs $9,000,000,000 and each ship will finish 3 months faster!

It was not especially often that the Emperor himself spoke to the people, but when it did happen it was a spectacle to remember. The streets of Foedinei were absolutely packed from the edge of the Imperial Palace to nearly a mile in every direction, and the only thing preventing them from pouring in to touch the monarch was a determined line of Byrnian Guardsmen. For the sound to reach as much of the crowd as possible, the microphone on the Emperor's platform was wired to megaphones all over the city. His voice truly reverberated throughout the city center.

“The Grand Survaek Empire has won a glorious victory, by the grace of Aed and the strength of our people. For this, we must rejoice!”

Cheers filled the crowded streets and city squares and continued for over a minute, until finally the more conscientious members of the audience had quieted down their comrades enough for their liege to continue.

“But, our struggle is not over! The Grand Survaek Empire musn't become complacent simply because we retook a single province occupied by cruel foreigners. For there are many other provinces still suffering. And more importantly, there is a whole world of injustice and corruption we must face!

“There needs to be an Imperial Restoration not only for Survaek, but for every Empire whose rightful territory, power, and role in the plan of Heaven has been stolen! The Anvegad Empire to our North is separated from its brethren by fractured borders enforced by those who connive to keep them weak, the Sumayan Malikate to our East remains confined to less than half its rightful land and people because of colonies like those that plague Serranthia, and the Zellonian Empire to our West remains unrewarded for its Aed-given victories in battle because of the political machinations of its resentful Varian neighbors!

“I tell you, Aed's Justice will not reign in this world until every Righteous Empire is restored to its rightful glory. To lead this effort is the call of Aed for the Grand Survaek Empire! No longer can we look only to our own borders and our own ambitions; the Grand Empire must bring justice to the world, or else be consumed by it! Therefore, my loyal subjects and fellow faithful, prepare! People of the world, allies and friends, rally to the cause! The Sword of Aed hereby declares a New Age not only here but in the whole world, the Age of Imperial Restoration!”

Cheers rose once again, but this time there was no need to quiet them down. Emperor Shayaer would simply speak over them. He raised his fist and boomed as loud as possible,

“LONG LIVE THE EMPIRE!”

“LONG LIVE THE EMPIRE!” The crowd called back, and soon they erupted into patriotic songs and chants, aided by the presence of many plain-clothes imperial agents. The speech would mark a defining moment in the reign of Shayaer Khaitis as well as the history of the Empire. Whether it would be for better or worse was yet to be seen.

__________

Emperor Shayaer Khaitis announces to the people of Foedinei his foundation of the international Imperial Restoration movement. (See timeline)

"Yes suh'!"

The tide of roaring replies filled the air, the sound carrying across the flat ground to make the very earth shudder. In an instant the cry was halted, silenced by the raised hand of the individual before them. The Officer stood with his legs parallel to his shoulders, about a foot apart as he kept at ease while surveying the several ranks worth of infantrymen before him. Fresh troops, every single one, whom had recently enlisted. All across the Tarikhate were similar shows, of fresh regiments being organized under the watchful eye of veteran officers and those who had been educated outside the homeland in the Great Nations of the world. It was the will of the Tarik that his loyal army be a match for those from the Varian continent and meeting his expectations meant there was much work to be done. The recruits before him now, boys mostly, were all enlistees from the Rakka tribes, the earliest supporters of the Tarik outside the Akir world when the conquests began nearly one hundred and fifty years ago. These youths came from the tribal villages and towns in the arid parts of the nation, born to the semi-nomadic herdsmen that their ethnic group was famed for; and now they were to be soldiers. Their accents spoke volumes to the officer.

"You men, all of you, have come to serve our Tarik and Homeland!" cried the Officer, uniform fitting smartly to him as the traditional patterned senay garment flapped gently in the wind, "I am Captain Asla Kebidech and from here on out I am to be your drill instructor."

Standing behind the Officer, arrayed similarly to the raw recruits but dressed in the proper uniforms of their commanding officer, stood the men of the 21st Artillery Contingent. Each stood with well trimmed beard, perfectly angled artilleryman cap, and tautly fitting artillery-frock pulled from torsos to be wrapped around their bodies. They had been broken into teams of four with each holding the tools of their trade, with Commander, Gunner, Loader and Swabber all tightly packed together before their guns. Just behind them, of course, sat the unmoving forms of their cannons; each had been forged into being in the factories of Mulu Alem and well represented the leaps and bounds being made by Akur in terms of industrialization. Indeed, twenty years ago it would have been unheard of that foreign-designed weaponry could be manufactured effectively and rapidly in the Tarikhate but now, with the rapid industrialization of the arid nation, it seemed ever more likely that soon the Akir themselves would be designing the very weapons they used to keep their homeland free of foreign powers.

---

MAY

May 1st: The Sorenan Conference ends, though much to the chagrin of several that attended. Most nations, in favor of maintaining a conflict that seemed inevitable, voted to return the land to the Sorenans where it rightfully belonged. Aontas Foreign Minister Jacob Halsley attempted to negotiate an arrangement that better suited the Kalpian Republic but was rebuffed by the Soroyan and Survaek ministers who wished for a quicker, though less efficient resolution.

The land was ultimately returned to Sorena, with the Kalpian Republic feeling betrayed as the conference closed. Tensions were high within the Sociatatem following the conference, but as Soroyan Prime Minister Kevin Notles made known after the conflict: "It is a victory for peace."

May 4th: A production order of 10,000 Sirilt/99 bolt-action rifles finishes in the Kalpian Republic. Still a superb rifle, it is no longer considered the best in the world; surpassed by the Deltoran Vulcain Mark II and Soroyan Bursk Mark IV rifle.

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JUNE

June 4th: Even in the aftermath of the Zello-Kalpian Colonial War (1901), tensions in Zellonian Sarelia remained high. While the Kalpians had been largely pacified and only barely retained their autonomy of their Sarelian colony, Zellonia instead realized it's problems had only just begun. The Sons of Sumaya had been a group of native Sumayans seeking greater independence for decades. It was the atrocities of the Zello-Kalpian War that brought Sumaya's attention to the fold.

The Sons of Sumaya staged a rather audacious attack on the new Zellonian city of Hollan on June 4th, 1903. Using mostly stolen Kalpian Mariust/98 rifles, they attacked patrolling Zellonian columns and killed civilians at will.

June 5th: A marching Zellonian Royal Army platoon engages a group of the Sons of Sumaya in the jungles east of Hollan. Their training was superior but the inferior Zellonia breech loading rifles made scoring victories even harder. The skirmish at Holland scares the local population and puts the entire colony on edge.



June 29th: Completion of territorial control in Serranthia by the Soroyan Kingdom completes. The region between Soroyan Serranthia and Deltoran Serranthia long held the name Hamasi, an ancient Survaekom term that complimented the region on it's rough terrain. The port city of Kuli was founded on June 1st, 1903 and the first vestiges of government made itself known. An abundance of oil as well as silver deposits were found in the region proper.

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JULY

July 2nd: The Zellonian Empire finishes development on it's own bolt-action rifle, the Z-95. Less sophisticated than it's contemporaries, the Zellonians are excited to be producing their own weapons now.

July 14th: A trio of factories set to churn out steel and process consumer goods finishes work in Aontas. These are the first efforts for industrialization in the regions of Chatara, Torrik and Aonthall.

July 19th: Workers in a factory in the Deltoran Republic go on strike.

July 20th: A great statue dedicated to the victory over Honneria in the quick war last year begins work in the city of Wadke by the Grand Survaek Empire.

July 27th: Research and development on handheld explosives is completed in the Grand Survaek Empire.

---

AUGUST

August 2nd: 10,000 men of the Kalpian Republic join the army. Professionals, they are well trained in the use of the Sirilt/99 and the FT-19 as well as all available military doctrines.

August 6th: A small factory complex in the Kalpian Republic finishes construction and will open its doors next year.

August 8th: The Kalpian Republic unveils it's new rifle, the Rudiger/13. Kalpia again proves it's mettle in military firepower with a rifle accurate to 150 yards with very little sway. Production is now available. Also unveiled is the Eckehard 7.5 cm gun, the most advanced light artillery gun in the world.

August 9th: In a rousing speech to her people in the capital of Tong, Sumayan Empress, Queen Sinta renounced the claims of the Varian powers on Sumaya and instead pledged to take back the island, by whatever means necessary.

August 11th: Another 10,000 men join the Zellonian Royal Army, but without rifles they simply join their reserve garrisons.

August 15th: The Zellonian Regulars strike back at Sumaya. They send out 7th Special Attachment Force deep into Sumayan territory, terrorizing the locals at night. The Zellonian force, about 350 in total hunt down and eradicate a Sons of Sumaya camp, killing all 700 of them in a vicious crossfire.

August 18th: Zellonian King Theodore the Second speaks in Evanston about the recent tensions in Zellonian Sarelia. "While uncivilized they may be, pacification of these miscreants is a necessary evil to bring culture and education to their lands. Should they be unwilling to submit, it will be brought to them with force."

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OOC MECHANICS (Added 10/24/15) [TAKES EFFECT STARTING IN 1904]

RESOURCES: There will be four resources in the game: Steel, Oil, Precious Metals and Rubber.
* Steel: Steel is required to build Factories, Railroads and Ships.
* Oil: Oil is a fuel required to move your naval ships. This however does not take place until an unspecified year.
* Precious Metals: Precious Metals are rare, expensive minerals that generate a huge profit.
* Rare Materials: Hard to come by resources like rubber, tungsten, chromium and aluminum used in building Ships and Factories.

STEEL:
- Represented by a Mining Cart on the map.
- Generates 3 Steel per Turn.

OIL:
- Represented by a Pumpjack on the map.
- Generates 30 Oil per Turn.

PRECIOUS METALS:
- Represented by a Diamond on the map.
- Generates $12,000,000,000 per turn.

RARE MATERIALS:
- Represented by Pyramid Bricks on the map.
- Generates 2 Rare Materials per turn.

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HOW IT WORKS:
- Resources do not stack. Instead, like budget they are simply slotted.
- Example: If you have 2 Steel Resources in your nation, every Turn you have 6 Steel Available.
- Trading Resources: You can trade Resources for other Resources, or GNP for Resource Use.
- Example: Etellia trades 1 Available Steel to Murenheidt for 1 Available Precious Metals. This requires a Trade Agreement!

THINGS YOU CAN DO:
- Convert Major Factory: A Major Factory can convert and increase one selected Resource Type that you own by 2. It will not produce GNP.
- Convert Minor Factory: A Minor Factory can convert and increase one selected Resource Type that you own by 1.
- Deficiency: If you don't have enough Steel to build a unit or building, it builds at -50% speed.

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PREREQUISITES:
INDUSTRY
- Major Factory: Atop of it's GNP cost, it will now cost 5 Steel, 3 Precious Materials.
- Minor Factory: Atop of it's GNP cost, it will now cost 2 Steel, 1 Precious Materials.
- Railroads: Atop of it's GNP cost, it will now cost 3 Steel.

NAVY
-- Submarine: Atop of it's GNP cost, it will now cost 1 Steel.
-- Destroyer: Atop of it's GNP cost, it will now cost 1 Steel.
-- Light Cruiser: Atop of it's GNP cost, it will now cost 2 Steel.
-- Armored Cruiser: Atop of it's GNP cost, it will now cost 3 Steel, 3 Rare Materials.
-- Pre-Dreadnought: Atop of it's GNP cost, it will now cost 5 Steel, 5 Rare Materials.

The world has decided and we have lost , the decision of the Sorenan Corridor has made us look with rage at other nations , we were not only betrayed but we have lost national land , Kalpian land with Kalpian lives in it , we are devastated and our goverment shares our sentiment , because of this the world will start to see what Kalpia is made of , our first president would be devastated aswell for this , but we are here and now to be sure that this doesnt happen again and the Kalpian land is respected forever , following the recent crisis in the Salerian Islands our young has started to enlist in the army to protect our land ,"We shall not lost anymore Kalpian territory" is their motto.Because of this sentiment several movements has started to rise and our love for the motherland has started to be shown to everyone in Varius.

"Therefore our efforts will be put onto our glorious nation and its land , our enemies shall fear us forever , our factories will make weapons and supplies for our army , our young will enlist to protect our land , our politicians shall do anything they can to be sure that Kalpian opinion is considerated everywhere and our families will show our culture and pride to everyone",says the new movement "Glorious Kalpia" , a movement that just started gain popularity the moment the Sorenan Corridor Crisis Started.

Members of the "Glorious Kalpia" movement in their own uniforms near the "Itstag"

Kingdom of Aontas

The industrial supremacy of the Kingdom of Aontas has increasingly come under threat of exhaustion. Aontan iron deposits, though extensive and the envy of the civilized world, are failing to meet the ambitious industrialization quotas set by the Royal Fund under King Matthias. To alleviate this problem, and quell Aontas' hunger for iron, the kingdom is in the process of investigating the viability of iron deposits located to Aontas east, across the Malatar river, in the sparsely populated Utover region. If found acceptable for the Royal Fund's purposes, the areas in which these deposits lie will be peacefully incorporated into the Kingdom of Aontas, and their native inhabitants generously granted full Aontan citizenship and the many rights and privileges theretofore afforded. The plans offered forth by parliament recommend dividing the region into two provinces for more effective local administration, in the fashion of Folam; King Matthias has been receptive to this proposal. Local leaders of the communities of Utover are unfortunately unavailable for comment at this time. However, it can of course be safely assumed by all that they are overjoyed to be welcomed into the highly prosperous and successful Aontan community, and that their joy in joining the kingdom is outdone only by the joy of the rest of Aontas in welcoming them.

Divinity praise and mankind uphold the Kingdom of Aontas!

With the droves of native Honnerians leaving South Raethon in the wake of the Glorious Reconquest, hardy families from all over the Empire are taking it upon themselves to populate the land! The properties of the former Varian residents, as well as deserted rural plots, are being sold by the Crown at bargain prices! Surely the foundation of new villages will follow, along with the repopulation of the major cities.

Of particular interest are the Oil Fields of the South Hauthkaj. Though they remain under repair for the time being, once repaired they promise steady and well-paid work for employees of the Crown Manufactory Company. Already hundreds line up for the new employment listings, and more jobs are sure to follow as refineries are established in Wadke and Keyvah. A good day to be a citizen of the Grand Empire!

_



On the morning of April 28th, his Majesty Shayaer Khaitis, Sword of Aed and Grand Survaek Emperor, publicly issued the following statement in response to the grave accusations of the Kingdom of Aontas.

“The Grand Survaek Empire refuses to respond to the beck and call of foreign meddlers who do not understand the basic precepts of justice and war. The Kingdom of Aontas shows great arrogance for presuming to condemn and punish the Grand Empire as if they had jurisdiction over the Surv-Akur. We interpret their demands and their embargo the only way we reasonably can: As baseless insults devoid of reason! But, although the Aontan King may have complete disregard for our most rational and ethical explanations, we trust that others are willing and able to listen.

“The Day of Righteous Justice was a calculated retribution, exacted only upon a small fraction of enemy forces, in response to the vile murder of over five-thousand unarmed Survaekom civilians. The alternative of simply 'forgiving and forgetting' would be simply unacceptable. The souls of the fallen must be avenged. We did not repay kind for kind by targeting Honnerian civilians, nor did we enact vengeance upon their regular soldiers, simple folk wishing only to return home. No, we specifically targeted the professional servants of the Republic of Honneria, so loyal as to be complicit in any action by their masters. Though there may have been better alternatives, and though I do not entirely endorse the actions of my commanders, I cannot condemn them for doing their best to manage pressing issues of holy justice under difficult circumstances.

“In the future, if a nation wishes to insult the Grand Survaek Empire, we request they do so openly instead of cowering behind empty arguments and the flimsy excuse of 'natural law.' To the scum who would mock our great Empire: Go ahead and mock us! Do not mince words! At least then we can conduct our battle of words in clarity and openness.”

__________

-- Survaekom move to fill in the vacuum left by the ongoing Honnerian exodus in South Raethon.

-- Emperor Shayaer Khaitis has harsh words for the Kingdom of Aontas

MASSACRE NEAR EXPAT

Last night Zellonian forces from neighboring Zellonian Seralia crossed the border, terrorizing local citizens and slaughtering an entire village before retreating back across the border.

Witnesses identified the soldiers as members of the 7th Special Attachment Force, a Zellonian company known to be stationed in Hollan. Multiple reports describe the brutality of the Zellonian company towards innocent villagers, including the use of threats, beatings and executions. Witness Utari Tri described the grisly scene: "They arrived in the middle of the night and dragged us out of our houses. They made us line up and pointed guns at us. One man asked me where my husband was (he was away from the village on a business trip at the time). When I said he was away they hit me. 'he's not here' I cried and they hit me again and again, yelling at me 'Where is he? Where is your husband?' They beat me until I could not stand. When my son tried to stop them they hit him too. Two of the boys from the village they shot."

Mrs. Utari's story is corroborated by further witnesses, as well as multiple cuts and serious bruises witnessed by our correspondents. The two boys from the village were identified by authorities as Eko Sumar and Iman Wanaki, ages 13 and 14.



Not content with merely terrifying locals and executing children, the 7th Special Attachment Force launched a full scale attack on the village of Tahtu, slaughtering every man, woman and child at the scene in a brutal ambush before fleeing back across the border. Locals report hearing the sound of rapid gunfire in the vicinity for roughly two hours. Malikate soldiers and investigators arrived to find the village annihilated, with roughly 700 dead Several villagers survived with grievous wounds only to expire despite the best efforts of first responders and medical teams. Our correspondents report seeing "men, women and children" killed indiscriminately, "left out to die in the open without hope of relief." Investigations are still underway, but officials report that the weapons used are an almost certain match for standard-issue Zellonian equipment.

Queen Sinta issued a harsh condemnation upon hearing the news, calling it a "cruel and unprovoked massacre of innocents unworthy of any nation" and promising to take "strong measures" in response. The Zellonian ambassador was immediately to the royal palace to account for his government's actions and has not yet left at this time. Local forces have already secured the scene, garrisoning villages along the border. Two regiments from the capital have also been dispatched to reinforce these men and ensure that this atrocity is not repeated.


Our brave soldiers, now garrisoning one of the border villages against the threat of further attacks

In a recent conference with the state of Etellia , our country signed a trade agreement and a defensive alliance with them in order to secure the stability of the region , Etellia has been a great neighbour and a pacific one is because we want to maintain their security and their trade with us , all of this because of the recent events in Serranthia and the Sarelian Islands , "The world is changing but we will maintain ourselfs as we are" in words of our president Arthur Wolfgang. Next to this in the next year elections are to come and our populations is waiting for it , who could be our next president?

Following the trade agreement with Etellia the goverment is already discussing with companies and the goverment itself of Etellia to make a pact about precious metals , metals that are not even found in our colonies and is it needed for jewelry and other things , seeing the lack of metal in the Etellian territory our ambassador has proposed to exchange the metals we have for the metals they have , the metals we produce are used in the construction of ships , factories , weapons ,etc. Such things are very important to maintain a healty economy and more for industrial nations like us.

In other news the factories made in our country had started to hire several workers , we are glad that in our country a lot of people put their efforts to improve our economy . This also applies to the fact that our weapons are one of the best in the world , following the example of our rifles and artillery , we may not have a powerful navy but we compensate with it with our army.

Summary:The goverment starts to speak with Etellia in order to exchange resources , Precious metals for Steel/Iron that the Etellians doesnt have .

The Republic of Deltora
1903

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The rolling plains of grass bore their scars well. These blades of grass, that bore witness to the newest weapons of war tested by the Deltoran Grand Army. Craters marred the large fields as the cries of men, the thump of artillery and the sharp crack of a rifle pervaded the field like an invading army. Infantry, donned in full regalia, shovels and helmets, with grenades at their sides and rifles in hands, threw themselves from the safety and protection of dirt trenches into the open plains as they stormed across the green grass, ready for battle.

General Damien Arceneaux stood, hands clasped behind his back, as the long trenchcoat over his military uniform danced in the slight winds running along the grassy knoll upon which he stood. Looking out over the field, the mass movement of an army bound by duty, honour and the ideal of liberty worked with a unity forged only through the threat of war. The main theorist behind the Deltoran adoption of indirect fire for it's artillery, he now stood upon the knoll watching his theory in action. Shells flew across the field from afar at targets out of sight, as infantry trudged across the grassy fields or fired at training targets from trenches dug deep into the earth. The successful theorist, who's theories had been adopted also by the Kalpians, while working on ever new theories for the military and always looking to the future, couldn't help but look on with pride at what Deltora had accomplished within the last few years.

---

The fifth nation to join the Sociatatem. Deltora, despite disagreements made clear in the Freedom Debates about the factions current approach to maintaining the status quo. Has recognized that while both nations differ in their approach, ultimately share the same goals and to stand together against the common foe than alone would be of benefit to both. When asked upon the matter, Prime Minister Geiger responded:

"Personally, I am a wholehearted advocate of all means which would lead to the settlement of international disputes through methods that would successfully end in peace.
But I am also bound to say this, that I believe it is essential in the highest interests, not just for the country, but of the world that the Sociatatem look beyond their own borders. I would make great sacrifices to preserve the peace. But if a situation were to be forced upon us in which peace could only be preserved through dreadful warfare, then I would not dally, but prepare. Man the borders, arm the men and build the guns to fight. Not wait until it is too late. The foes stand at our borders howling for war, how will receive them? With rounds and shells, not placations!"



This would not be the only speech Edouard Geiger would make during the month however, as he too would personally address the picketing workers on strike outside of the state owned munitions factory in which they worked in the Capital Evemont. The constables overseeing the strike stood aside to reveal the prime minister, donned in his black tailcoat and bowler hat of the middle class. For that is what he was, not a gentlemen of the upper-class born into power with their top hats lording over those with less, but a gentlemen of the middle class, not a step away from being rich or poor. Perhaps it was this neutrality that had allowed him into power in the first place.

"Gentlemen, thank you for demonstrating your rights by being here today. For we are a free and liberal society, no? Our society today was founded by actions such as this. However, this strike affects not just yourselves but the whole of Deltora, we lie upon the eve of war and you refuse to work. Every day that you stand by, we edge closer to losing our freedom to the wolves. Our grand republic, a beacon of democracy and freedom and you would lie responsible. You my friends remain a cog within the machine that keeps this country together, and you have been recognized. I will fight for your rights within the government, this new era will be one of reform for all. While I fight for you all in politics, will you not fight for us by working in the factories? To keep our grand nation afloat in this new age where we find ourselves threatened by expansionists and miscreants!?"

While many insulted the Prime Ministers speech, which effectively informed the strikers of how much their strike affected the governance of the land and how much their opinion mattered. Many argued that just that was a good thing, and representative of a Republic where the people, not we as civil servants controlled the country. How the people would react was unknown, with much hanging on the appeal to the nationalism of the Deltoran people for their land and it's democratic ways.

Shortly after, the Trade Unions Reform Bill (1903) was passed. Creating organisations of workers able to represent their trade in the country, and to protect and advance the interests of its members in the workplace. The representation of the common people within politics would become more prominent as a result, and this was promised as only the start of the reforms presented by the Prime Minister.

---

The Hafas Issue

With the sudden sinking of the Soroyan trade ship Hafas still a mystery. Efforts into the investigation have increased with more resources being spared to find the truth. Investigations are said to have stopped in the face of bad weather conditions but are set to begin once more.

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TPS Dauntless

An Armoured Cruiser of the Chevalier Class has entered construction, heralded as surely the most advanced naval cruiser and class within the world. So named the The People's Ship Dauntless. It is slated to be sea worthy in 2 years featuring as the finest naval ship within the Grand Deltoran Fleet, perhaps even surpassing the fleets Pre-Dreadnought, TPS Valour with it's modernized technology.

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SUMMARY:
- Introduction to General Damien Arceneaux
- Strike appealed to end. Stating nationalism and the threat of war with several reforms promised.
- Trade Unions created.
- Hafas Issue being investigated once more.
- TPS Dauntless under construction.