After the 1899 Changtan Revolution the Royal Palace, once home to the Yong Dynasty, became the 'Liberation Palace' and home to the President of the Republic. President-General Chiang Cai Xiao had not been seen by anyone but the staff of the Palace and the Liberation Council for over two weeks. In fact, some began to suspect the President-General had become ill; but while the frost still hung in the air and upon the stones of the centuries old palace, the General and his wife Ye Liu were spotted leaving their home and visiting the city. The Presidential couple roamed one of the many markets that filled the former capital of the Xianese Empire and spoke with the locals for a large part of the afternoon before departing to the Min Theater to see 'The Jade Lily' by poet and lyricist Yon-Shao.



Ye Liu, the presidential wife and general spokesperson for President-General Xiao, had grown to become a figurehead within the political sphere of Xianese society. Her generosity and constant visits to the poorer districts and regions of the nation had led to her becoming 'Madame' and 'Mother of Modern Xian'. So, with her always at the side of the President-General, the people of both bourgeois and proletarian classes began to love the couple and the gossip that came with it. Madame Ye Liu was born to the Liu Family, a former noble house that aligned itself with the Nationalists during the Revolution and supplied the White Tigers with their armaments throughout the Civil War. After the Revolution the Liu Family became rich off of their monopoly on whaling and the fisheries that lined the Xianese coast. Some, mostly those prone to conspiracies, even believed that the Liu Family only aligned with the Nationalists so they could steal the aquatic market for themselves and further line their own pockets. Regardless, a woman of such status marrying a man such as Xiao was uncommon both before and after the Republican era, for Xiao was far from royalty in the times leading up to the Revolution.

President-General Chiang Cai Xiao was born to the Task-Master of a steel mill in 1858, and spent most of his youth working in said mill. Unlike many children at the time, Chiang was able to get a moderate education due to his father's position and was one of the only children in his village who could read and write by the age of eight. In his teen years he enlisted in the Imperial Army and fought in the border clashes with the Yamarano Shogunate. Chiang was a sergeant during the Yamarano-Xianese war of 1883, and the war itself would see him rise to the rank of Lieutenant, however the mass loss of life faced by the Xianese Empire would forever stay with the young Officer and change his view of the Empire. After the war Chiang spent some time in northern Faresia, mostly Nasong and Basai, before returning to his home outside of Changtan and leading a garrison there. In the prelude years to the Revolution Chiang met Lu Wen-Yan and the two quickly became inseparable compatriots. Lu was from a noble family and had become a doctor working with the military, while Chiang had become Commandant of the Changtan garrison. By the time the Revolution had begun, the garrison was ordered to stand-down and the rebel forces seized the city's arms and overran the government offices, putting loyalists to the sword.



Lu Wen-Yan had kept his illness secret for many years, however he confided in Chiang the truth of his pain and it's incurability. Lu Wen-Yan had a congenital heart disease that narrowed blood vessels and reduced blood flow to the limbs. He told Chiang that the disease would eventually kill him by throwing a clot that would send him into cardiac arrest or a stroke, and that it was incurable. Little did either man know that by the end of the Revolution, the Father of the Revolution would be dead as he had predicted and his best friend his successor. To keep Lu's illness secret, all of the Chang-Five pledged to keep his death secret and turn Dr. Lu Wen-Yan into a marty for the Xianese people, dying by a gunshot wound from a loyalist gunman. Thus, in 1902, Chiang Cai Xiao became President-General of the Republic of Xian and Madame Ye Liu the Presidential Wife.

---

In January of 1906 a new national flag and anthem or the Republic were revealed by the Liberation Council. The flag, titled 'The White Sun of Xian' was designed by a Yamaranese immigrant artist named Kyoya Mitzui and sent in along with many other designs to be voted on. The flag uses the white sun, a symbol associated with both the White Tiger Nationalists and the sun rising in the east over Faresia. The usage of the sun in Xianese art and culture dates back to the Monghu Horde's usage of the sun as a religious figure in the days before Xian ever had it's own emperor or non-foreign ruler.

The new anthem, 'The Song of the Civil Revolution', is set to the tune of the Deltoran musical piece 'Frère Jacques' and preaches the words of Dr. Lu Wen-Yan's revolutionary piece 'The Principles of the People'.

Overthrow the foreign Powers,
Eliminate the warlords;
The citizens strive hard for the Revolution,
Joint affair to fight.

Laborers, farmers, students, and soldiers,
Make a great union!
Overthrow the monarchs,
Joint affair to fight.

Overthrow the foreign Powers,
Eliminate the warlords;
The Revolution is successful;
Joyfully sing in unison.

Though the anthem has been heavily criticized for it's Varian influence, the words of the song were agreed upon by both Radicals and Moderates within the Liberation Council, and thus it was accepted in a slim majority vote.

---

With the war against the Yamarano Shogunate officially over and the Treaty of Sagon signed by both Faresian Powers, the National Revolutionary Army returns victorious to Beiqling in a grand parade celebrating the noble sacrifices made by Xianese soldiers to protect Basai from Yamarano imperialism. Flags of all variants representing Xianese pride flew in the streets, for it was a day for all of those in the Republic to feel proud to be Xianese.

With the war in east recently over and a huge defeat to the Zellonian pride. There was a weak long service over all the men that had died and the ships that were lost. No longer could Zellonia be considered safe due to their large and powerful navy. They luckily had just been granted an alliance with Honneria though secretly the King was sure the Honnerian's regret the decision now. With the loss of the navy King Theodore the Second personally met with the Littorian Leader.

After several days of discussions King Theodore and the Littorian King Litterus made a deal. The littorians would be granted Litorria and Sucre in return they provide half of the Rare materials in oil and the Zellonians would protect them should any outside force attempt to bully them or fight. There was a somewhat large parade but the King feeling depressed stay only for a day after the negotiantions had been finalised before returning to Zellonia.

Once he finally returned home the King told any family that wishes to help spread Zellonian power to head south to Quikonan Islands and begin setting up towns and mining the steel which Zellonia desperately needed in order to boost their navy.

The King order a large museum be commissioned that would house all famous painting that the public may see in order to hopefully improve the unity of Zellonia. It was a large investment that would take time but the payoff would be worth it.

Kingdom of Aontas

Heigen Marine had been the obvious choice for the project. The illustrious Aontan ship-building enterprise had the expertise and the facilities required for such a grand project, and, as a bonus, had nothing at all to do with one Sigmund Stryka. The white-haired old industrial tycoon that so loathed Aontas' monarchy had always found himself uneasy when at sea, curbing his desire to invest his world-renowned fortune in anything that might require him to fare the open ocean. This kept Aontas' shipyards free of Stryka crowns, and thereby prevented King Matthias from inadvertently giving any assistance to the man who sought to replace him when he requested designs for the newest battleships of the Royal Navy. Most of the designs submitted had been lacklustre, at best. They fit the bill, sure, but were only a faint improvement over the ageing warships Elve and Evle, the current flagships of the Aontan fleet. Aontas needed, and Matthias therefore demanded, something better. Something with a bit more punch, that would signify to both his people and the world at large that Aontas was a formidable force on the seas, not to be reckoned with. Heigen's design, fearsome as it was, perfectly encapsulated Matthias' ambitions. It had pleased him so much, in fact, that he decided not only to hire them to build the ships, but to take a tour of their docks as well. Unannounced, of course, to maximize the impact. Never spoil an arrival with a warning!

When the King arrived, his presence was at first not immediately accepted. The Heigen workers weren't republicans, of course, refusing to acknowledge Matthias' authority. No, they just simply couldn't believe their eyes; it was not every day that a King strolled by, after all, let alone one's own. Accompanied, as usual, in a minimalist entourage, and dressed in a double-breasted jacket with a few medals for flair, Matthias decided to skip over meeting the site owner and site manager and proceed directly to shaking hands with the workers. The flash of the cameras glimmered off of his white smile the second his hand made contact with the surprised and amazed labourer, and the flashes of light kept on coming as he engaged in small talk with the welders and engineers, their eyes unaccustomed to the attack. The conversation wasn't about anything substantial. "Cold enough for ya?" and other such nonsense between strangers. Typical Aontan fare. It mattered less what the King was talking about, after all, and more that he could be seen to be talking, the backdrop of an immense, intimidating warship in construction behind him. Stryka, for all of his wealth and prestige, was never one to forget about the little man, and Matthias needed to keep up if he wanted to snip the businessman's political career in the bud. Thankfully, as a King, Matthias had just as many resources at his disposal as Sigmund did. The White Lion Post had written about nothing but colonial wars in this run-down island and that one for far too long. It was far overdue for a character piece about the people's beloved monarch. Maybe tomorrow they could report on the casualty rate in one of the Stryka factories. Hell, perhaps more stringent safety procedures were in order! If there was anything Matthias cared more about than making sure the words "President Stryka" never left anyone's lips, it was the people's welfare. Maybe the crown had to go eventually, but King Matthias would not be its last wearer.

Several days ago the "Great Military Academy of Mistburn" opened their doors to several Kalpian recruits , officials , generals and lieutenants , that desire to improve their knowledge and experience in military tactics , strategies and doctrines , the "Great Military Academy" was part a project by Vilskamp that started to be in planification in 1900 but because of the war and the several mutinies it couldnt be finish , but now that Kalpia has started to experience an increase in economic growth and in military doctrines , modern equipment , good generals and the best soldiers in the world , it was seen that this was the perfect time to finish it , however Vilskamp retired from the military and the project was halted until the new Chief of the Army Reiner Engelhardt continued the project at max-speed , to win funds the military had to convince the goverment which is only gave them half of the neccesary for the project,because of unknow reasons , the other half came from the military themselfs that made several non-military works as a way to win money as cleaning the streets of Mistburn . This has been seen by the people as a wonderful way to win civil support for the military. The Great Military Academy allows Verrians and Kalpians to join the academy with no cost , all books and tuition is provided by academy itself . The High Command of the military expects that will increase the quality of the troops and generals in the army aswell as the support of the Verrians and the civilian population to the Kalpian Army.

When Theodore returned to Zellonia he found his desk cluttered with notices from other nations about the embargo. Some saying he had no right others saying should the embargo hold that war would be declared and Zellonia was in no position for. He signed the order and sent it out. The embargo would be lifted.

A tension hangs in the air of this world, and the Grand Survaek Empire is its primary author. Few were surprised when Emperor Shayaer Khaitis sought to prove his Aspect of Raegar through war against the Honnerians. But now, the breadth of his ambitions has grown beyond what anyone in the Imperial Court or any foreign government would have expected when he rose to power in 1887. As he enters his second decade of rule, will Survaek's Modern Emperor see the Grand Empire return to the glorious days of Yvor, or will he bring upon it a second and perhaps more terrible decline? The answer is uncertain, but the means by which it will be answered is not. War is coming to Survaek, to Serranthia, to the entire world.



Surv-Vyaez Corporal Neyin Isalu smiled at how small and unobtrusive the camera flashes along the docklands were from this distance. He doubted his face, or anyone else's on deck, would even register in the photographs. All they would see were dozens of white uniforms, gleaming in the sun.

Of course, the journalists and hobbyists weren't looking for pictures of sailors. They wanted the Survaekom Wind, whose scale and grandeur surely made the tiny figures walking across it seem insignificant. They wanted the steel grey of its tall, modern armored form; the glints and curves of turrets pointing death at no one in particular, and the coal-black clouds rolling from its smokestacks. If only the photographers knew how little such an impressive warship could do without its crew.

“Isalu!” It was his captain, a stocky older fellow in a blue uniform by the name of Jel Hmylid, walking down the stairs from the bridge.

“Aye captain!” the taller but lankier corporal answered while saluting his superior.

“At ease, corporal, just here for some fresh air.” Captain Hmylid grinned. “Looks like we're famous. We should ask about getting retrofitted more often.”

Isalu chuckled softly. “For now, captain, for now. The Press Service will get a nice photograph and sing us some songs of praise in the paper tomorrow, but then they'll forget about us again. All they really care about is the ship, anyways.”

The captain chuckled back, but with some hesitation. His expression was strained. “Young one.” The term of address was unusual, and brought Corporal Neyin's gaze into sharp focus on his commander. “If only that were true. But I fear the number of stories about us will only grow from here on out.”

Neyin Isalu didn't have to think too hard to understand. Everyone knew it, but not everyone wanted to let it sit in their minds: War was coming soon, and not like the last one. A war where the Surv-Vyaez could very well destroy and lose entire fleets. However, Isalu had accepted this certainty; it was what he had signed up for, after all. “Well then, captain, I suppose it's up to us to make a good impression. To make the stories good.”

The older man smiled once again. “Aye, corporal. Win or lose, afloat or sinking, we'll prove ourselves sturdy steel for the Sword of Aed.”

“Aed willing, it'll be winning and afloat.”

And then there was silence. With little left to say, and much left to ponder, the captain and the corporal broke eye contact, leaned into the railing, and let their gazes wander across the cityscape. This: Foedinei, the Empire, Survaek; was what they would be fighting for. Would they be able to do it justice?

_____



“This is where the enemy will come from, most likely,” spoke General Nel Hjarkin, sun gleaming off of his face. He was oblivious to the Imperial Press Service photographers doing their work, addressing only his subordinate officers. “To maximize the number of Ishuis covering that approach, we'll need emplacement strongholds here,” he pointed to a section of trench curving forward to his right, and then moved his finger to several different positions, “here, here, and here.”

“General, a moment of your --” Hjarkin brushed away the journalist's attempts at an interview with a wave of his hand, neglecting to even look at the Press Service agent.

“We'll need angled trench passages to the depots and command posts too, can't leave the runners exposed. And to keep them clear of enemies who break through, we'll need fallback positions. We can put some of those trenches thirty meters back over there, with Ishui emplacements off to the right and left there and there.” The General's finger was moving quickly, and a nearby army secretary was struggling to take notes fast enough to keep pace. “Light batteries further back, about there and there and there,” Hjarkin continued, now referencing a field map pinned to the rear wall of the small trench-in-construction. “Heavy batteries, once they arrive, should be grouped here and there and there and there.”

Finally, General Nel Hjarkin paused. He turned around to face his commanders. “The trenches here are off to a good start, but as you see now there's still a lot of work to be done. You can find the rest of the requirements for our defensive line in the written report I gave you. Now I'll be moving on to inspect Section C, but I'll be back tomorrow. I expect to see all the new measures in progress! There's no telling when the Varian hordes will be upon us!”

“Sir yes sir!” replied the officers more or less in unison, all saluting their high commander with stern expressions.

“Excellent. Now, secretary,” he turned his head towards the note-taker. “Make sure the journalist sops don't write anything they shouldn't. You are now Captain in charge of the Surv-Akur Second Army Press Review, effective immediately. I reviewed your record, and you're the man for the job. Select your team, no more than two men from any one platoon, and have it ready by tomorrow night. Anything the IPS writes, not just articles but letters and even their damn market lists, goes through you and your team. I need eyes on them at all times. Last thing we need is a badly-conceived story that'll give our plans away or hurt public support. To start with, confiscate everything those journalists have on them for review, and make sure they stay in their quarters. Understood?”

“Yes sir!” the secretary -now Captain- replied immediately. He turned to face the Imperial Press agents, whose faces were now greyish or pale brown from all the blood that had drained from them. Without any prior warning, their standards were about to get even more stringent than usual.

______

-- The pre-dreadnought Survaekom Wind finishes its retrofitting and takes a short voyage in the coastal waters of Foedinei for viewing by the people.

-- General Nel Hjarkin oversees the construction of trench networks on possible fronts with Murenheidt and Deltora. He also summarily subjects the Imperial Press Service to the strict oversight of a new censorship institution, the Surv-Akur Press Review.

It was raining again... For over three days Changtan had faced seemingly endless rain, and for the fourth day it rained again. Shin dropped the remnants of his cigarette from his mouth and onto the sidewalk, stamping out the embers with his boot. He looked to his watch... Ten past midnight.

They're late.

Almost on cue, three men slid out of the darkness and into the light of the lantern that hung above the small shop Shin had stationed himself at.

"Sorry Shin, we got stopped by some NRA thugs." Tao said quickly, giving a nod to Shin. "Don't worry though, we haven't been followed."

"Good, last thing we need is bloodshed tonight." Shin replied, looking past Tao to the other two men. "Your men armed?" He asked.

"Aye, newest model revolvers you can buy, thanks to our trader friends in the Soroyan colonies." Tao chuckled, opening his suit jacket to show a steel revolver perched in it's holster.

"Good, then let's go."

The quartet quickly strode across the empty street with Shin leading the way. He knocked three times in quick succession upon a rusted iron door, the sign next to it written in simplified Ximin 'Changtan Beauty'. A moment later a brute of a man opened the door. He looked like a typical Mongshu bouncer, a long beard and bald besides a single braided hair that went past his shoulders.

"Password?"

"The Moon shines on the western shore." Shin said, and the bouncer nodded.

"Mister Shao is expecting you." The Bouncer said, stepping aside and letting the men in.

The Changtan Beauty was, to put it simply, a brothel. Organized and run by a Varian woman who went under the alias of 'Madame Lee'. When the NRA began marching the streets and Varians were forced to leave the country. Many young women fled to Madame Lee and were able to stay in Xian under the condition that they worked in the Changtan Beauty. However, Shin and Tao were not there for the women. The Changtan Beauty was also a local hot spot for black market trading, housing of illegals and criminals, and meetings between those the government called unsavory. The NRA knew of this place, though so many officers fancied Madame Lee's girls and the occasional 'donation' that fell into their pockets that Changtan Beauty never had faced a raid.

Upon walking into the main lounge Shin and his group were hit face first with all too familiar smells... Alcohol, incense, and opium smoke being the least distasteful of the aromas that filled the air. However, through the smokey haze they saw him.

"Shao!" Shin said as he approached the seated man.

Yon-Shao was an artist, and like most artists was prone to vice. Among those vices was an addiction to girls and drink. In fact, as Shin and his group approached Shao appeared to have just finished with both and was quickly filling another shot glass as a dark-skinned Sumayan girl quickly covered herself and lounged next to the robed man.

"By the Divines, Shin! Shin my dear boy it's been ages! What brings you to Changtan so early in the year?" Shao proclaimed, rising to his feet and spilling his glass onto the floor as he drunkenly hugged his nephew.

"Business, dear uncle." Shin replied, gesturing to the Sumayan girl to pour him a glass as he took a seat on the couch to the right of Shao. "In fact, it's why I came to you this evening."

"Oh? Do go on my boy." Shao slurred, groping the girl's behind as she leaned over to hand Shin his drink.

"Well, as you know, all Varian imports have ceased flowing into the country. No more alcohol, guns, or anything of the sort. This wouldn't be an issue if the NRA hadn't begun cracking down on the black market last year. Due to some Hmu snitch my benefactor has lost a lot of product, specifically liquor."

"And you think I know where to find a good dealer? Ha! If I could get a damn good rum at home I wouldn't be spending my money here boy!" Shao roared with laughter and took another drink. "B-b-but-" he hiccuped loudly and took in a breath, "but I do know a guy."

Shin leaned in closer to hear his uncle's voice as it turned to whisper.

"He works with the White Tigers, danger sonva-sow by the name of Qao Ping. He'sa captain of a-a merchant ship! Runs lotsa stuff from Manyeong into Xian." Shao continued, his slurring becoming worse the more he drank.

"And? Where can we find him?" Shin inquired, his eyes locked to his uncle."

"Jiangpo. He's got a -".

Bang.

The lounge filled with shrieks as a gunshot rang from the hallway. Before Shin or his associates could pull their revolvers the door burst open and NRA soldiers marched into the room, their rifles unslung from their shoulders.

"Nobody move! By orders of Commandant Kao Yongrui this illegal establishment is being shutdown!" An officer shouted, his revolver held high as he marched down the lounge.

"What is the meaning of this? Commandant Yongrui and I have an arrangement! We're committing no crime here!" Madame Lee shouted as she burst through the curtains of a private room, her boney hands tossed in the air and her jewelry rattling with each step.

Before the Madame had time for further protests, the officer lowered his revolver and fired twice. Madame Lee was dead before she hit the ground. Chaos erupted in the lounge as the soldiers began firing off at random, most of their shots either missing or hitting unarmed girls and guests. Whoever these men were, they were not the NRA.

Shin unholstered his revolver and tossed the table he and his uncle sat at on it's side to make a cover. With one hand he fired off a shot at the attackers while with his other he shoved his drunken and panicked uncle onto the ground and into cover. Within moments Tao and his associates followed suit and unholstered their own guns. A firefight had begun...

---

January 25th, 1906
Issue 127

CHAOS AT THE CHANGTAN BEAUTY

Yesterday evening men under the guise of National Revolutionary Army peacekeepers raided 'The Changtan Beauty', a lounge under the ownership of 'Madame Lee'. Upon receiving resistance from the lounge occupants the criminals fled into the night, within half an hours time NRA peacekeepers arrived on scene and are still searching for the perpetrators. Ten casualties have been confirmed thus far, among them being Madame Lee and one of the attackers. The former revolutionary militia turned nationalist movement 'The White Tigers' have taken claim to the attack, though it has yet to be confirmed or denied of their involvement.

More on Page 8.

"Yes the times are certainly changing." Lord Alexander Rosshire muttered to himself as he gazed as the numerous workers sweating and toiling to even the land before him. He's sky blue eyes kept focused on the dirt being tossed this way and that. He observed the soil closely. He noted that it solid and uniform. Just the kind of earth you need to place a road on.

"I see you admire my work." A voice from behind the local lord called out. He wore a black Sanlorne hat and an impeccable black coat to match. The fellow was quite large but not bad enough for his weight his movement. Rosshire didn't need to turn to know who the man was. He was acquainted with him. A close friend.

"Bloody hell man! You're going to get your shoes ruined!" Rosshire exclaimed as he watched the portly figure approach him.

"Ahh yes" The man stopped his stride and looked at his mud covered shoes. "Not a little wash and shinning can't handle." Rosshire batted him an eye. "From the look of you a minute ago, I'd say you have a pretty clear idea of what I'm building here."

"Please Samuel" Rosshire answered his companion "enlighten me."

"Do you know what it's like to travel cross country in spring?" The man known as Samuel asked. He didn't wait for an answer, instead opting to answer it himself. "Dreadful, absolutely dreadful. Melting snow mixes with the dirt and the mud seeps everywhere. Nothing is safe." He pointed his fingers at his shoes.

"And so you're building rails?" Rosshire asked.

"It's quite safer than roads, I assure you. Trains have their wheels fixed to the track. Every yahoo with a horse or god forbid, those new automobiles, are on the road just itches to ram one another. It's outrageous!" Samuel seemed to have been genuinely upset.

"I suppose." Rosshire responded. He took his pocket watch out of his pocket to check if he had enough time for his little conversation with his old friend.

"And so here we are at my new venture. Luxury coaches for the rich and regular carriages for everybody else." Samuel boasted. He had a grin on his face that he seemed to think would reassure Rosshire. It did not.

"Do note Sam" Rosshire went on "That the king is expecting the everyday people to use this rails. That is why the parliament spent quite a pretty penny for this expenditure. If this does not go well, they will demand that you pay them back."

Samuel came close and placed his arm over the noble's shoulder. "Alex, I know not of any boy or young man who does not wish to ride as magnificent of a machine as the steam engine. It's faster than horses and consumes less. This is the path forward my friend and the people will flock to it no matter what."

---

INTERNATIONAL DECISION: Scramble for Vakellia?

---

JANUARY (WINTER: Heavy blizzards in northern Varius. Light snowfall in northwestern Faresia).

January 4th


January 5th









January 6th: The Anvegadian submarine U-01 sinks the SRF Verbeek on it's way back to Flulin, Soroyan Faresia.

January 20th


January 21st


January 22nd


January 24th-29th

---

FEBRUARY

February 1st


February 4th


February 6th-24th


February 27th

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MARCH

March 5th


March 8th


March 11th

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APRIL

April 2nd


April 5th


April 7th

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MAY

May 1st


May 4th


May 5th


May 7th


May 19th

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JUNE

June 3rd


June 5th


June 14th


June 20th


June 29th

Though announced early in 1905, the Sokkon Conference took quite a while to plan, and it was the next summer before the Southern delegations finally assembled in Foedinei. Thankfully, the climate in North Survaek was still rather temperate.

For a meeting of this scale, Emperor Shayaer Khaitis had arranged for the monarchs of Sarelia and Serranthia and their entourages to meet in the Grand Council Chamber rather than the Throne Room. His Imperial Majesty was seated at the head of the table, rather than on the small throne he used during normal meetings, for today he was at least nominally among equals. As always, Grand Vizier Ayan Sujjid stood by his side in opulent red and blue and gold, along with two Byrnian Guardsmen in dress uniform.

"Welcome, fellow high lords of the South," he began jovially. "I sincerely hope today will mark an historic occasion for Serranthia, Sarelia, and the world. I believe each of us knows who the others are, but for the sake of custom I would have it that we introduce ourselves. I am Shayaer Khaitis, Sword of Aed and Grand Survaek Emperor. What noble souls do I have the great honor of hosting here today?"

Princess Ratu II was the spitting image of her great-grandmother and namesake. She maintained the same sharp, wandering eyes and firm yet collected expression. Bedecked in a royal gown of green and embroidered gold, she fit in surprisingly well among the elaborate opulence of the Survaekom.

"A Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Emperor." She spoke. "Princess Ratu II; I am here at my mother's behest to represent the Sumayan Malikate."

Tarik Aman Melku Seydonkal sat in his allotted seat in all the finery expected of an Akir ruler; that is to say, very little. Dark brown robes that nearly shone midnight in hue lined with red-dyed fur hung over his shoulders whilst the simplistic golden crown sat on his curly-haired head. The archtypical cultural garment, the senay, was properly folded and wrapped along his midrif and hung over his shoulder, now held tightly against him by the robes over them. Most evident of all was the thick leather sheath holding the religious and cultural blade of the Akir, the kassa.

"I am thinking this is a day of great importance," spoke the Tarik in his thick Akurr accented form of Survaekom, "And am most pleased to have been brought here by your call. I am Tarik of the Akir, the Yeab'Sra, and the Coast-peoples, Aman Melku Sydonkal. It is being good to have been meeting you all."

Emperor Shayaer was noticeably pleased that both of his guests spoke the language of the Imperial Court, Classical Survaekom. He was less pleased when the single, simply-dressed delegate from Usmyae wordlessly deposited a scroll on the table and left the room. One of his Byrnian Guardsmen picked it up and brought it to his liege. Shayaer Khaitis' face tightened into a disgusted frown for a brief moment, but once he finished reading he was back to his jovial tone.

"The Usmyaeen will not be joining us today. It is a shame." The Emperor shook his head and chuckled softly. "Now, allow me to express my great joy and honor in meeting your Grace and your Valiance. We have much to discuss for the betterment of our peoples and our Empires.

"Firstly, the issue of Varian colonialism. Rightful lands of each of our Empires is currently held by the invaders from the North. Murenheidt continues to hold the important lands around Dyujik, which by all accounts should be under Tarikhate suzerainty. Kalpia continues to oppress the rightful subjects of Sumaya in what should be its core lands, not to mention the Varian presence in surrounding isles. And a host of nations refuse to recognize the ancient claims of the Grand Survaek Empire to the Hauthkaj Desert and Northwestern Serranthia. I propose that we Southern nations must present a united front against the West Varian barbarians. And I believe the Imperial Restoration via the Declaration of World Renewal is the best means of achieving this end. What say you, my esteemed fellow monarchs?"

"What you are be saying holds much weight, it is true," responded the Tarik once again, his tone changing with the knowledge that Usmyae had refused to one of well-restrained glee, "The Varians are not thinking of us or anyone but themselves. We are being the only ones who can be saving ourselves. But what of Usmyae, hiding from responsibility and honor? The Kabals of Akurr are being ready to take what should be ours from them, what are you saying about it?"

"Usmyae has made their position clear by their absence," the Emperor replied flatly. "The Grand Survaek Empire recognizes the Tarikhate's claims to their lands, as well as to the aforementioned territory in Murenheidtian Serranthia.

"The issue between Usmyae and the Tarikhate is one for them to settle between themselves." The Princess stated flatly.

"The Akir are not needing the aid of others to win their battles for them," Aman retorted quickly, "I am asking for the knowledge that you will not be coming to Usmyae's aid."

"Then I shall be more clear: The Sumayan Malikate has no interest in the dispute, nor any intention to get involved in Serranthia. We see it as an issue for your two nations to settle between you, without outside interference."

"This is more than acceptable and is expected. The Akir have always fought their battles and settled things in such manners. However, we were not called to be having simple discussions about my people's war. We are to be dealing with the Varians, yes?"

"Yes, indeed," the Emperor replied. "Are the Tarikhate of Akurr and the Malikate of Sumaya in agreement on the proposal of a united front against the colonizers who threaten us?"

"Sumaya is not an ancient power. Before my great-grandmother's time the island was little more than a patchwork of tribes. Our goal is to establish a strong kingdom. If Survaek and the Tarikhate will assist in that, we might have an agreement."

"This is exactly what I have in mind. For us to establish, or re-establish, our rightful strength by cooperating against our common foes. This is the very purpose of the Imperial Restoration, at its essence."

"That is all very good in theory. What I desire are specifics. Sumaya does not have an especially bad relation with Societatem, joining the Imperial Restoration is a great risk for us."

"Specifics, in your case, would involve rule over the rest of the Island of Sumaya, currently held by the Republic of Kalpia, as well as Soroyan Sarelia. When the war comes, Sumaya may have the freest hand of all, commanding a front against enemy colonies far from their homeland. In return, we would expect that your fleet, insofar as available given the needs of the Sarelian Front, would bolster our presence in the Varian Sea."

"We could likely purchase our remaining lands from Kalpia." Ratu II reminded the emperor. "Mutual security is our primary concern, not conquest. Can the Imperial Restoration ensure Sumaya's integrity?"

The Emperor raised an eyebrow. "I believe Sumaya can assure Sumaya's own integrity, at a basic level. But the Imperial Restoration can assure its expansion beyond its current borders, strength to match colonialist 'Societatem' intervention for Sumaya daring to have ambitions, and ultimately the liberation of Sarelia from all West Varians. However, if you simply mean to ask if the Restoration will send forces to your defense when you are in need, then of course the answer is yes."

Ratu II ignored the emperor's expression. She and her mother did not altogether agree on policy, but the need was clear. Sumaya could respectably take on any other power in the world and at least hold its own - their victory over Zellonia had proven that. The threat now came from the ever-increasing likelihood of facing a large alliance of powers.

"That is sufficient." She replied, ever to the point.

"Then are we in agreement? Shall the Tarikhate of Akurr and the Malikate of Sumaya see fit to sign the Declaration of World Renewal? Or, noble Tarik, are there more specifics you wish to talk through as well?"

"There is nothing that I am needing to be hearing," proclaimed the Tarik matter-of-factly, "This discussion between you two has been eye opening. You shall have the backing of the Tarikhate and the Akir."

"This brings me joy and confidence to hear." The Emperor grinned as he eyed his two allies warmly. "The Grand Survaek Empire will once again fight alongside the Akir, but now as equals rather than lords and vassals. And with the aid of a strong Serranthia, there will be a strong Sarelia under the wise guidance of the Sumayan Malikate.

"Now, the subsequent topics of discussion I had in mind for this meeting are of a more precise, strategic nature. Let us begin..."

__________

-- The Malikate of Sumaya and the Akir Tarikhate of Akurr join the Imperial Restoration.
-- Survaek agrees not to interfere with Tarikhate ambitions against Usmyae.
-- Survaek and Sumaya and Akurr agree to common front against West Varian colonialism.



((OOC Note: Zurajai has returned to the forum to play the Tarikhate. He says IC posts will be rare, but he will do budgets and war orders. Welcome back Zur!))

JULY

July 3rd


July 5th


July 6th


July 9th


July 10th


July 15th
It is classified as the Imperial-class dreadnought.

July 18th


July 20th


July 24th

Some weeks ago our ambassador Kevin Rafael Möller has made the decision to express to the public his support for the colonization of the continent of Vallekia , a continent rich in resources , while not entirely empty like other regions of the world it has several primitive nations that doesnt hold the power neccesary to protect it own land , this situation puts the Republic of Kalpia in a context where it is needed to help the primitives to reach the "light of civilization and freedom" , something that has not yet spread in said continent because of disease and hardships that are not too much trouble for a developed nation such as ours .

After this the goverment had to discuss the posibility to go into that continent and claim several lands under protectorates of Kalpia , our president and Kevin Rafael Möller shared the same vision about the colonization and they both believed that it was neccesary for Kalpia to achieve access to resources that the country needs , there has been a bit of pressure from the capitalist sector of Kalpia and other sectors of the population , because of this the goverment has issued full support to stablish protectorates along the Vallekian Continent

-- [Join the Scramble for Vakellia]: Now is our chance! We must seize claims on these lands for our colonial outposts, lest we fall behind in the global race! There is a chance for great resources, but also of conflict. Never forget, fortune favors the bold!
* Must have a Port to partake.
* May stake 1 Claim for free. (This will grant you 1 randomized Colony in Vakellia)
* May stake additional Claims for $15,000,000,000 off of 1907's budget. May stake up to 3 Claims.
* Every Claim increase chance of Conflict with Vakellian Nation by 10%.
||Three additional Claims total = $45 Billion + 1 Free Claim = 4 Claims

The King for once felt happy. With the newly acquired Steel resources and the new factory in production, it would increase the production capacity of Zellonia. However Zellonians desired more, but after the lose of the Sarelian Islands and the rest of the world already colonized all that was left was Vakellia. Zellonia and much of Varius looked south. For Vakellia was only inhabited by natives which the king believed he and the remainder of his army and navy could handle. As such they would invest with the full might of Zellonia in acquiring four whole colonies hoping to double there already limited resources but should they be able to deal with the natives peacefully then Zellonia would be on the Rise.

---

The Cost of War

The people silently watched as Prime Minister Kevin Notles stood on a podium. His face full of glee and a younger look on his face. After nearly two years in colonial conflict with the Anvegadian forces the chances of winning were not the best for Soroya. However, strategic planning and Anvegadian hesitance had won the day.

“It is an honor to say that as of today, July 3rd 1906, that we have officially defeated the Anvegadian troops in Soroyan Faresia. After a long and bloody campaign we had pushed them out of Kedris, killing nearly 12,000 of their forces and capturing close to 40,000. Soon enough their only remaining army was surrounded in the port city of Anor, low on food and supplies. It was then when they surrendered to Soroyan forces and peace was made.

I hope this comes as a message to those who doubted Soroya’s presences and strength. The enemies that lurk in the shadows waiting for a moment to topple our grand Empire. Unfortunately for them, that was not today. Today we look to the future. A future with a strong Soroya. A strong Varius. A strong Sociatatem.

It was not without its loss however. The dead must be mourned and remembered. So remember this, they died for Soroyan honor. An honor intact to this day. They did not die in vain. Peace be with you. Peace be with all of us.”

---

The Scramble of Vakellia

After much political debate within the country in itself, Prime Minister Kevin Notles had officially approved a colonial expedition into the Vakellian Continent. The lands are ripe for the taking, and the Soroyan government had full intention to exploit that the best they could. Some expressed joy and feelings of nationalism at the idea of an empire spanning five continents, others expressed worries that we spread our Empire thin. Even after the recent success against Anvegad, people worried that it may not be the same a second time.

---

Message to Kelric

Dear King Marina van der Deun,

It hurts me dearly that we had to surrender territory to the aggressor Mille-Sessau. A notion that I fully understand you were not fond of. After much thought I have decided it might be best to help you expand your political influence inside of Varius by offering nearly 20 Billion GNP to use at your discretion. Though I feel that it would be best used for colonial territory.

With sincere regards,
Prime Minister Kevin Notles

With all the troops finally home and the lessons of the Xianese-Yamarano war finally being used by the minds of the Xianese state, new weapon designs began to fill the boards of Jiangpo Machinery Group offices. The best minds the state-funded company could find were brought into the fold and tasked with revitalizing the National Revolutionary Army so it could compete with the armies of Xian's enemies. By the end of September a design model that finally been chosen.

Heavily based upon the design of Aontan hand grenades. The Type-23 Hōng, also known as the 'Bamboo Bomb' was a concussion grenade weighing 0.60 kgs and a effective range of 32 meters. To maximize the accuracy of the grenade, Xianese designers utilized the wooden handle so that the grenade would not roll like those with the 'pineapple' design. From the time of being unscrewed and subsequently thrown, there would be a maximum of 5 seconds before the grenade detonated. While other designs relied more upon the fragmentation of the grenade, the Hōng relied purely on her blast. Like the Aontan designs, the Hōng used a pull cord at the bottom of the handle that, once pulled, ignited the grenade to be thrown. The entire process of unscrewing, pulling, and throwing could be done within the span of eight to ten seconds, while designs using the 'pineapple' model could be thrown within five. However, the pure blast power the Hōng possessed gave it the edge it needed to be accepted and begin production.

---

In addition to the issuing of grenades into the national arsenal, the Jiangpo offices were tasked with the work of designing more modern rifles based upon the designs of Mille-Sessau and Survaek's equipment. Though Xian lacks the resources for such a task, new designs for the Baishan began appearing shortly after the release of the Bamboo Bomb. It is expected that test models of some designs will be released and given to the NRA for testing by the end of the year.

---

With 'Vakellia Fever' spreading across the western world the Liberation Council was forced to state their own opinion on the matter of colonization of the Vakellian lands. It came to no ones surprise that the Council voted against investing in Vakellia what-so-ever. Xian had neither the resources, money, or interest in sending Xianese expeditions across the sea to a land that would inevitably make them the same imperialists they had revolted against and actively protested against on The Continent. With the matter agreed upon, a national press-release was made stating that Xian gives its emotional support to those fighting against the 'Varian-menace' in Vakellia and condemned Varian expansion into the continent. However, no support besides that would be given for fear of causing new tensions with the western powers.

The Republic of Deltora
1906

---

In light of recent tensions with the Grand Empire of Survaek, it is seen fit by the War Office and Secretary of State for War, Marshal Alfred Daucourt to deploy the 2nd Deltoran Field Army to Deltoran Serranthia. A necessary step to maintain the peace and prevent a further breach of universally recognized law. Under the command of General Robert Vaugrenard, the 2nd Field Army is to reinforce the regions southern border now shared with the Empire of Survaek.


The field army is to ferry across the Rochefort Passage under the watchful gaze of the Armoured Cruiser, TPS Dauntless and accompanying Destroyers TPS Storm and Thunder as the force traverses the 10 mile passage to Port Vail. Several observers have noted that the field army is accompanied by an usually large group of ponies bearing ammunition and their allotted guns.

---

With the invention, announcement and adoption of the Dreadnought by the Kingdoms of Aontas and Survaek. The Deltoran Admiralty had found themselves looking into a different kind of capital ship, that which would lead the Grand Deltoran Navy to victory on the oceans. That of the Battlecruiser, a ship which in theories put forth by Admiral of the fleet, Rodolphe Vigouroux could and would go toe to toe with a Pre-Dreadnought with it's firepower and yet boast a speed faster than any other cruiser on the seas.

This theory would come to life in the presented Horizon-class, an evolution of the armoured cruiser with a distinct increase in speed, firepower and displacement compared to any of the most recent armoured cruisers, it would become the first Battlecruiser class to grace the ocean, and perhaps more importantly, bear the Deltoran flag. The first of its kind, so named the TPS Tempest is expected to finish construction and pass its first sea trial runs within the next few years.

---

As news of the scramble for the distant continent of Vakellia swept across Deltora, the government found itself receiving funds from capitalists and the rich alike, the two were the same, to fund an expedition to these exotic lands now the subject of talk for many. The possible riches to be found fueled ambitions, but not those of Deltora. To much exclaim, those whom had donated were thanked publicly for raising the required funding for several schools across the nation to be built and fully staffed. The matter was dropped.

The Empire of Anvegad

EDUCATION OF DEFEAT

As the Anvegad Expeditionary Force returns from Soroyan captivity, all commanders and high-level officers of the AEF have been recalled to Anvegad High Command for an immediate post-war review hearing even as Chairman Volkov returns from signing of the peace treaty.

Despite initial heated allegations and accusations of incompetence between the army, navy, and central government, Vice-General Danalov firmly crushes all infighting among military and government officials attending the hearing before proceeding with a brutally rational dissection of the strategic hesitance leading to the defeat in Faresia. Allegations of who was behind the defeat were irrelevant. The one and only task they were to consider was how to plan and prepare for the next war to come, likely with much higher stakes than a few distant colonies. In a way, the defeat was a goldmine of new insight into the nature of industrial warfare across the globe, one that could not be squandered as further hearings, questionings, and war college studies are ordered to open further investigation into both the causes of the defeat and how to best evolve new tactics and designs from lessons paid in blood.

Many Old Guard officers have already resigned from their posts in disgrace or quasi-retirement positions in colonial garrison-tenants, while veterans of the AEF have been dispersed to training garrisons to pass on their firsthand knowledge of war with machineguns and trenches. Defeat has brought new realization of Anvegad's position in the world. What will be meant of it has yet to be determined behind closed-door meetings between the Chairman and his inner council.

“Let us thank the Soroyans for this defeat. May we learn from it, and be stronger for it. And we will overcome what comes next, at any cost.”
-Vice-Genderal Danalov

OUTREACH TO MILLE-SESSAU

A diplomatic mission of industrial-economic outreach is offered to the neighboring Empire of Mille-Sessau, with the proposal of an international Anvegad heavy-gauge industrial railroad to bring together the two nation’s industries and economies like never before, and potentially be a stepping stone towards greater diplomatic connections between the two empires.

"Time, distance, borders, currency, terrain. Difficulties that no longer have to be endured with the age of the railroad. Though we share our differences and past conflicts, trade and railroads will bring us together."
- Opening statement by Ambassador Vente.

RUSH TO VAKELLIA?
NO THANK YOU SAYS INDUSTRIALISTS.



With the decline of military adventurism after the defeat in Faresia and the resulting post-war review underway, several prominent industrialists have taken the opportunity to petition for Imperial funding to start up new factories and steel mills in the central territories instead of expansion in the colonies. With the Anvegad national railroad now firmly established and enabling new movement of goods and people across the Empire, a new age of industrialization appears to be underway for the nation turning inward instead of outward like many others rushing to be involved in Vakellia.

“Military heroism and valor had their day, but now we live in an era defined by industry and progress than. Just as generals and soldiers were at the forefront of the nation before, our factories will lead our nation to a better future. Railroads, factories, and steel are the future of the nation. As we will prove in the years to come.”
-Arden Kalmersten, Spokesperson for Union Steel.