[centre][u][h2]Kingdom of Aontas[/h2][/u][/centre]
[centre][img]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/Nordic_Battlegroup_vapen.svg/1000px-Nordic_Battlegroup_vapen.svg.png[/img][/centre]

[centre][u][h2]White Lion Post[/h2][/u][/centre]
[centre][h3][i]Royal Army Remilitarizes Korsen Fortress as Royal Navy Makes Show of Force in Smaragd Sea[/i][/h3][/centre]

The Honourable Gard Soren, Minister of the Army, has today announced the remilitarization of Korsen Fortress. Built in 1713 by King Sverre III, the Korsen Fortress guarded Kienne's seaward approaches for over 90 years, before being eventually demilitarized by the republican administration in 1804. The fortress was shut down as a cost-cutting measure, and the expense of both reactivating the fortress and maintaining it into the future is expected to be significant. However, long seen as a symbol of the strength of the monarchy, Minister Soren says that the fortress' reactivation will both significantly improve the security of the Kingdom of Aontas as well as serve as a symbol of the end of republican reign and the revitalization of the military.

"The white lion of Aontas flying high above Korsen's walls, flanked by Krigers and cannons, is a sight that will inspire all of our kingdom's citizens to greatness—our serving men especially," the Minister remarked. The nation's foremost military commanders are strongly in favour of the plans, arguing that they will help to address significant deficits in national defence that were allowed to worsen during the Catonianic Wars. In addition to the costs of refurbishing and resupplying the Korsen Fortress, significant investments are also being made in improving the equipment of the Royal Army, including issuing new firearms for standard infantrymen and a much improved health regimen for cavalry horses.

Minister Soren's contemporary in the naval ministry, The Honourable Edvard Holtan, has laid out his own simultaneous plans for military revitalization. The ships-of-the-line of the Ducal Fleet of Folamsiar are scheduled for the phasing in of an improved rigging system, Minister Holtan announced, and the Royal Fleet of Aontas is set to be deployed to the Halsteren Strait for a naval exercise. Commenting on the planned exercise, a mock embargo of the strait, Mr. Holtan remarked, "As Norstra's foremost military power, it is essential for the security of all nations in the region that the Kingdom of Aontas be experienced in operating in all possible theatres of conflict. The Royal Navy must be entirely comfortable with deploying along any and all of Norstra's environs, including and especially those of particular importance to the south."

[b][centre]---[/centre][/b]

[centre][@LordZell][/centre]
[u][h3][centre]A Letter Bound for Zeelington[/centre][/h3][/u]

Dear Kaiser Zach Conrad,

I wish to convey to you—with the the greatest sincerity—both my own condolences and the condolences of all Aontas towards your present situation. The crime inflicted upon your father is utterly unforgivable. I hope and pray that those terrorists responsible for the events of October 3rd suffer for their deeds to the fullest and most grievous extent, both of mortal law and divine precept. If the Kingdom of Aontas or myself could offer assistance in bringing the perpetrators to justice, in any small way, I plead with you to ask. To assassinate an Emperor is a terrible political offence, which initiates a long process of national healing; to steal a father from his son is a personal offence, and a wound which can never be fully healed. My late mother, Maria II, taken from us before her time by men as vile as those who took your father, would not have stood for such barbarism. Nor shall I. The Kingdom of Aontas condemns, in the harshest terms, the murder and treason which took place inside the Zeelian Palace on October 3rd. We will accept any actions taken by you or your government to inflict justice upon the perpetrators of those events. The world is you, Kaiser.

Sincerely,

[i]King Sverre IV, King of Aontas, Grand Duke of Folamsiar.[/i]


[hr]
[b]Action 1:[/b] Military Exercises. [-57 Economic Rating, +8% Preparation]
[b]Action 2:[/b] Military Exercises. [-57 Economic Rating, +8% Preparation]
[b]Action 3:[/b] [b]The Korsen Fortress[/b]: [i]During the 1700's, the Korsen Fortress long protected Kienne from intruders from the sea. If we were to refurbish and resupply the fortress, it could return to it's status as a stalwart against foreign aggression.[/i]
- Korsen Fortress [Level III] is reactivated. [-3 Economic Rating/Year. -48 Economic Rating.]

[[b]Demobilization[/b]] - [Mobilization]

[u][b]Naval Ship Assignment[/b][/u]

[b]Royal Fleet of Aontas;[/b] 1 First Rate, 5 Second Rates, 4 Sloops, 8 Frigates. [Conducting Exercises in Halsteren Strait (North Eastern Sea)]
[b]Ducal Fleet of Folamisar;[/b] 1 First Rate, 6 Second Rates, 5 Sloops, 7 Frigates. [Home Port Kardal (North Eastern Sea)]

[u][b]Research Priorities[/b][/u]

Army — Low
Navy — Low
Industry — Normal [-2 Economic Rating/Year]
Social Thought — High [-3 Economic Rating/Year]
Economics — Normal [-2 Economic Rating/Year]