[OOC NOTE: It is Turn 1: January-March 1899. Nations with a finished dossier may now post IC and submit their Political Clout orders via PM.]

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JANUARY

January 1st – The Tyro-Redanian Light Cruiser Prinz Wollin suffers a magazine explosion while at Port Hollenheim at Eisenstadt. 114 lives are lost but no foul play is expected. Efforts to remove the half sunken wreck cannot begin until Spring when the waters warm up.

January 8th – The Surveyor-General of the General Survey of All Lands, Demesnes, Territories and Dominions within Imperial Influence from the Empire of Tara begins a comprehensive reexamination of it's colonial holdings in Serranthia and Settumu. Renowned for it's system of colonial viceroys that extend some levels of autonomy, it is expected that inefficiencies will be rooted out with all haste.



January 10th – Elections begin in the Kingdom of Thecia, wedged between the Sessauan and Tyro-Redanian Empires. The right leaning Mithaxas party gains a slim majority, forming a government under Prime Minister Thaxus I, with the hesitant approval from King Leonid. The same day, they send delegations forward to purchase 150 field guns from one of the Great Powers.
[Event: Any Great Power who wishes to sell 150 Field Guns may PM the Mod with their asking price. Lowest price will receive the bid]

January 14th – Viceroy of the Silver Marches in Serranthia, Lord Culiver Fairwell dies at age 61. A robust administrator and former naval captain, he is replaced by Count Jacques de Montaeur. The bloodthirsty and only son of the Montaeur lineage, he lives in Rigour and "fully expects to administer the Marches from the Serene Empire." The Empire of Tara, the premier colonial power in the world–is the only one in which uses colonial suzerainty as a form of administration, espousing both autonomy and economic efficiency.



January 15th – The Leikarp Co. opens it's doors in Leikarp, Kalpia. Selling penny-farthing bicycles, Johan Jost paves the way in the bicycle industry with the high-wheeled creations. Within 24 hours, his entire inventory of 36 Leikarp Cycles are sold to locals in the city limits.
[Event: Kalpian Republic gains Leikarp Co. [1] (Automotive)]



January 23rd – The Counties Palatine of the Empire of Tara, founded in 1848 had long been a prosperous hub of trade in Serranthia. Growing from a small outpost to a resting point while sailing around the Sharp Edge of Serranthia to Settumu, the Counties Palatine slowly extended it's reach from a coastal hub into a developed colony that covered much of Serranthia's Southwestern coast.

The Mauwanti Empire, which drew its border up along the Counties Palatine had long held tenuous relations with the Tara. Daunted by the more modern firearms and technology of the Continental power, the Mauwanti Empire seemed neither meek nor pacifistic but rather meticulous in it's dealing with the empire. On January 23rd, 800 armed Mauwanti raiders crossed the border into the Palatine and attacked the town of Jardin, killing 213 and wounding over 300.



January 27th – Another Mauwanti raiding party, numbering 1,400 cross into the Counties Palatine. They cross the River Seuse and attack Fort Halloway. The attack lasts until the 29th, in which case the 61 Taran soldiers ran out of ammunition and led by Lieutenant Georges Havier, surrendered. None of them were spared.

January 30th – Word reaches Rigour of the Mauwanti attack. Present in the Counties Palatine are 2,400 Colonial Taran soldiers under Lieutenant General Matthew Harvick and a single regiment (1,000) of Taran Imperials with 4 Field Guns present. The Minister of the Army summarily requests a meeting with the Empress to discuss what it to be done.

FEBRUARY

February 3rd – The Itheraen national government puts in an order for 20 additional field guns to supplement their armed forces. The Ithean National Arms Manufacturing takes on the manufacturing order and finishes all 20 guns by the end of the month. The order costs the Itheraen government $46,000, almost twice as much as originally planned following several production issues.



February 5th – Demian Selidov campaigns successfully in Toboskoy, where he is meant by a crowd of more than 12,000. There, he successfully argues in favor of a continuation of his government. Arguments that the Selidov administration was "campaigning for the future" as opposed to governing were drowned out by huge banners confessing "THE 20TH CENTURY BELONGS TO SELIDOV." The Prime Minister, at his speech at Toboskoy promised: "This year I arrived in a horse, next year I will leave in a locomotive."

February 7th – Construction on the Senryu International University begins in Senryu, Hiron. Expected to finish in 1902, this university of higher learning is designed to attract the most prestigious minds in Settumu and the Continent.



February 8th – The Thecian Embassy in Arsech, Kalpia receives a Kalpian diplomat in regards to their desire to sell Kalpian weapons. Given that the Kalpians named no price, he left empty handed with negotiations spoiled.

February 10th – Itherae diplomat Alessandro Logos of the Republic of Itherae arrives in the Tyro-Redanian Empire. Having formerly studied in Konig, Logos is fluent in both Tyrian and Redanian language and cultures and lays down the Tyro-Itheraen Trade Agreement with stunning competence, outlining a trade agreement between the two empires lasting no less than five years. Given their proximity, geography and relations, the Tyro-Redanian diplomat sees the deal as a no-brainer, though must request approval from the Tyro-Redanian Foreign Office before any further steps can be taken.

February 14th – The Kadeten Papers are released in the Republican Army of the Kalpian Army. Heavily in debt with an overbloated army of half a million men, the newspaper does well to take the mind of the average Kalpian soldier, often confronted with late paychecks. [Event: +4% Morale for Kalpian Army.]

February 15th – Within the Tyro-Redanian Empire the Heider Edict passes the Imperial Diet with a significantly slim majority. Opposition leaders argue, in their final arguments: "In a world of peace, Tyro-Redania need not another 100,000 men with rifles." Still, the Edict calls to the Reservists Landswehr another 70,000 men. Initially calling for 90,000, 20,000 men either purchased their way out of the Landswehr system or simply did not show up when their names were sent out in the post. [Event: Tyro-Redania gains 70,000 Reservists, -6% Supply & Logistics]

February 19th – The Eyes, a clandestine scouting and espionage agency of the Empire of Tara begin Operation Halder.

February 26th – An unnamed diplomat from the Dygracian Sultanate arrives in Oslograd to discuss a political Pact of Nations. The offer, as quoted by the Sultanate's diplomat shall: "offer to establish a pact between the [Oslad, Tyro-Redania and Dygracian states] to secure lower tariffs between us all and enter an age of general prosperity. In addition to these terms, the pact would stipulate international patent recognition, freer visas and migration, as well as an agreement to not incite rebellion by the savages in the colonies and expeditions of our nations. Two separate treaties shall be maintained between the two, with the option of adjoining them to forge a Pact of Nations."

The Osladian diplomat, who represents a country without colonial ambitions instead redirects the Dygracian Sultanate to a direct meeting with Prime Minister Selidov himself. Selidov--a liberal minded man himself--sends the Dygracian away without a signature, but agrees that an alternative agreement with lower tariffs and patent recognition would work in the future.

February 28th – The same Dygracian Sultanate diplomat arrives in Aetoria, Tyro-Redania and submits the same diplomatic message to the Tyro-Redanian Foreign Minister Kaleb Wöhler. He gives a similar message, explaining that an agreement on colonial territories from a nation that has never possessed land outside the Continent would be fruitless. An agreement for lower tariffs and patent recognition could be negotiated, Minister Wöhler admits, before sending the Dygracian diplomat away.





March 1st – The Tsardom of Karum's storied past of conquests and expansionism dated back to the 1830's. Having lost much of it's territory in the Osladian War of 1867 to both Oslad and the Kingdom of Serona, it made little sense to avoid the pretense of Tsar Michel's promises that he would restore "Greater Karum" in his lifetime.



Michel I holds a rally in Karum's capital of Salaz, promising soon the "return of Karumi lands." Following the rally, a military parade is held. The Karumi Army is small and under equipped.



March 2nd – The National Kalpian Railway begins work on several "short rails" between various cities in Kalpia to better increase accessibility for consumer goods as well as emergency military maneuvers and for those that can afford it, quick travel.

March 3rd – In the Osladian Empire, the 901 Combustion Engine Prototype make it's debut. Designed by Zagadka Industries at the behest of Vladan Nešić, the CEP is an electric powered wagon with a basic steering apparatus. Several hundred spectators show up at the "national display" is Oslograd. Slow to start and even slower moving, the CEP is seem as a trinket for the rich.
[Event: Zagadka Industries becomes [Automotive] Company]



March 5th – The Hoffner Commission finishes it's three month report in the Tyro-Redanian Empire. Designed to find out the ideas and perspectives of the various cultural ethnicities in the empire, it reports back that the native Itheraeans in the far east wish to be returned to Itheraen rule, and that the Voskiyans wish their religious beliefs, Voskiyaasm to be accepted under the Tyro-Redanian Throne, one belief of which is an exemption from working on the fifth, sixth and final days of the week. The Hoffner Commission is presented to the Home Office for analysis.

March 9th – In the East, the Radenan Tsradom experiences the Dubrovvodsk Mutiny. Soldiers of the Tsars' Army, not having been paid in three months are ordered to "mass training" in the cold, March air of the coastal city of Dubrovvodsk turn on their officers and revolt. The Dubrovvodsk Garrison, numbering 4,500--kill 312 officers, loot the city and largely go AWOL. A nearby infantry garrison arrives later that day to find the armory and commissary raided, but few if any soldiers remained loyal.
[Event: -4,500 soldiers. -1 Stability]

March 10th – The Grand Sultan of the Dygracian Sultanate himself arrives in Rigour, Empire of Tara for a personal meeting. Espousing Tarantese ideas and fluent in both the language and culture, the meeting is held behind private doors and no terms are signed. The actual extent of the meeting is unknown.

March 12th – An explosion in Mt. Suru in the Dygracian Sultanate kills 47 workers and leaves 119 trapped. The mining operation was being in performed to expand railroad operations into the south of the country, but the mountains that cross directly across the nation mean there is no easy path through.

March 13th – The Itherae Imperial Post nearly collapses, when a formal request from the Republican government asks: "Send us your problems." In three days they receive over one million letters, meaning that almost one out of ten people deemed it worthy enough to write, an amount totaling nearly the amount of letters sent in Itherae in the first half of a year. Among them are squabbles and personal disputes: "My dog is life." "My wife is cheating on me," but there are so many letters that sorting through them will take months.

March 16th – The Radenan Tsar's Navy has two ships collide, the Ilyich and the Alexandrovich while attempting fleet maneuvers in the Cappum Sea. The Ilyich, a coastal defense ship sinks will all hands aboard. Only 3 men emerge from the wreck and are saved by the Alexandrovich
[Event: -1 Radenan Coastal Defense Ship]



March 19th – The Kalpian Republic begins mass training of it's soldiers. Similarly straits threatened these exercises as they did in neighboring Radena, but the strict hierarchy of the Kalpian Republic Army prevents this, and mass training exercises begin in earnest.
[Event: Kalpian Army gains +5% Training, -1% Supply & Logistics]

March 21st – Another diplomat from the Dygracian Sultanate arrives back in Dygracia. The Tyro-Redanian Empire and the Osladian Empire could not agree to terms on a trade agreement with the Sultanate.

March 22nd – In the Tyro-Redanian Empire, the Imperial & State Railways begins it's first operations to extend local and national railways in the nation. They are slated to be finished in 1902.

March 24th – The Dygracian Sultanate establishes the Civil Research Service to subsidize successful invention and technological innovations. Poorly funded however and led without clear leadership, it gets off to a slow start.

March 28th – The Imperium of Hiron and the Empire of Tara formalize a trade deal with 10,000 tonnes of foodstuffs in exchange for Hironese opium.

March 30th - The Romanievich Railroad Industry in the Radenan Tsardom has it's plans approved to build the Multi-Continental Railroad (MCR) to bridge it's Continental and Settumu territories. The railroad, which would be the longest in history is slated to take 7 years to complete. To fund this adventure, the Tsar subsidizes the Romanievich Railroad Industry.
[MAJOR INNOVATION: Romanievich Railroad Industry grows from [1] to [3]. +$3,500,000/Turn to Radena Tsardom.]

Historians have discussed the impact Demian Selidov had on the Osladian Empire and her subject states for decades. Some believe the liberal Prime Minister saved a faltering economy and opened the markets for more aspiring entrepreneurs, while others decry Selidov's reforms as being the first step towards the economic downturn of the 1930s and the complete collapse of multiple private industries, which were only restored under the nationalization efforts of the following decade. Regardless of one's stance on the man, his 12 year long administration shaped an era for the Empire and earned Selidov his place in the annals of Osladian history.

Starting in 1888, a young and spry liberal politician with fierce rhetoric of human rights and the freedom of trade, press, and faith, Demian Selidov won the hearts and minds of the general populace in Oslad proper and Loren. His fiery speeches decrying the political clique formed by the Union Party and her 'United Oslad', which in earnest was simply a front of conservative and monarchist politicians against the Liberal-Democrats. Despite his lack of experience, Selidov won his seat in the State Duma and through his popularity brought the Liberal-Democratic Coalition to the forefront of Osladian politics.

Forming a cabinet entirely of fellow members of the Liberal-Democrats, Selidov would spend six years easing state involvement in the economy and cutting taxes on landowners and businesses, much to the dismay of the socialist Agrarian Front and the protectionist Union Party. In addition to these liberal trends, the first Selidov administration brought forth a pacifistic government unwilling to fund colonial ventures to Serrathia or Settumu, instead putting funds to forging new relationships with the powers of the home continent and bringing the Osladian Empire to the front of continental diplomacy and neutrality. After decades of militarist and expansionist foreign policy, the Osladian Empire would enter a period of 'butter over guns' politics. Needless to say, the urban liberals in Oslograd and Toboskoy adored Selidov and when the time came for another election it was without question that the Liberal-Democrats would hold their majority in the Duma.



By 1899 the Selidov administration had been in power for 12 years and, needless to say, the 1900 election would be a life or death struggle between the frustrated Union conservatives and the bloated Liberal-Democrats. The Kadets, a centrist party with ties to both of the giant parties, would become a battleground faction with which both sides would fight to gain their ten seats in the hopes of securing or stealing a majority government. Regardless of the bloodshed of Osladian politics, Selidov himself promised a 'earnest, fair, and stable' electoral period and by January of 1899 plans were already being drawn by all parties and the Selidov government was organizing the 1900 general election.

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Count Vasilyev Yegorov, known by many as 'The Count of Black' was a leading member of the Union Party, a General-leytenant in the Imperial Osladian Army, and the Provincial Governor of Tangary. Born into a noble Tangarian family, Yegorov was one of many 'horseless lords' or Tangarian nobility who had abandoned the traditions of the Tangar Tribes in favor of Osladian faith and culture, a choice that brought him much ridicule among his people. As a military commander Yegorov was a Tangarian at heart, and viewed the mobility of an army as more valuable than anything else. With the invention of steam powered trains and the growing interest in aerial power with the invention of the zeppelin Yegorov quickly began to fill his head with ideas of metal horses and steam powered war machines, however these were viewed as nothing more than fantasy to his peers of the time.



As a politician, Yegorov was the face of the traditional right-wing nobility in the Empire. Religious, culturally educated, and reformed of his 'heathenish heritage' Yegorov was the poster-boy for the Union Party's ideal leading member. Thus, with the election drawing ever closer, Yegorov began what would become known as 'The Yegorov Tour'. A cross-country tour of every major city in the Empire, calling for men of good faith and loyalty to their Tsar to 'throw out the degenerate' who dominated the Duma. Starting within his home province, the ambitious noble began an early campaign and gained much attention by both sides of the aisle for his bold attacks against the Prime Minister and his liberal policies. While the moderates in the Union party shifted uncomfortably at the idea of such a radical like Yegorov leading the party in any form, the reactionary wing could do nothing but smile and cheer on the count.

It was a cold day, approximately one PM, the remnants of winter having one last fun before the warmth of spring came to do the world well. Things had been moving quite slow through the government as of late, boring the president as he had nothing of note to actually do. Alexi Georgas, President of Itherea, simply sat at his desk in the capitol building, a large building modeled after the design of ancient Itherean architecture with pillars supporting the front and central chambers and one singular roof going over the top of the building. Tapping his fingers on the alpine desk, Alexi thought of what he could to better his country. Of course, he wouldn't know, being stuck inside of the capital building and all.

“What problems are there to solve?,” Alexi asked himself before a knock came upon the door to his office, a sigh came to the man. “Come in! Come in!,” the president ordered, standing up from his chair to greet whoever had decided to bother him.

In came a young woman, his secretary, came in holding a sizeable stack of papers. Alexi moved around the desk to help the poor woman by taking the papers and shifting them over to his desk. He looked down upon it, he already knew what a large portion of it was, Basile Milas, Minister of the Army, had come complaining to him once again about the size of military while being surrounded by great powers. “Why must this man constantly plague me with this?,” Alexi asked to no one in particular.

“Perhaps it is just his concern for his country,” the woman answered, straightening out the folds in her dress as the president turned to address her, causing her back to straighten like a soldier to her commander.

He looked upon the long haired brunette, shaking his head and giving a singular chuckle to her response. “I suppose. I'm not going to bother to read this right now. I need to find problems within the community, hopefully make people happier in the process,” the president commented going back around to sit in his chair. With a sigh, the man leaned back and rubbed his temple.

“Why not ask the people themselves?,” the woman asked.

“Pardon?”

“Why not ask the people themselves?,” she repeated, looking directly at the president who seemed to be nodding as he considered the option. His chair turned to gaze out of the window, looking upon the urban city of Itherea, interlocking his fingers as he continued to think upon the subject.

“Very well! Print out some papers to request the people to send me some letters about any notable problems within the country,” Alexi ordered, turning back to the secretary with a smile on his face. At least it would give him something to do for the time being. “Oh, and could you summon mister Milas for me. I'm going to talk to him.”

The secretary nodded before leaving.

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Basile Milas, a rather large and imposing man, one who was large in a rather unattractive way as well, strode into the office of the president with passion in his large green eyes. It was a rather routine thing whenever he wanted to speak about the condition of their military, though he was proud of the training and discipline of their men. “Mister president, I wish to talk-,” silenced by the raising of Alexi’s hand.

“I know very well what you wish to talk about,” Alexi stated, staring the man in the eye before gazing down at the stack of papers once more, “I would like you to know that I will allow you to gather more field cannons before I get to anything else in your rather large list.” The president took a piece of a paper and a pen, writing on it, and handing it to Milas. It was an order for additional field cannons, and while it was not much, it did a lot to brighten Milas’ mood.

“Who do you wish for me to order them from?,” inquired the minister of war.

“I would suggest the National Arms Manufactory,” answered the president with a small smile, turning away from the large man. That concluded their meeting for the time being, it was a small start to improving the military but it was a start nonetheless.

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Alessandro Logos, a diplomat to the Tyro-Redanian people, currently travelled along the train line between Tannerburg and Dio, the train line that might open up a rather lucrative trade deal between the two nations. He was planning on what to say to the Tyro-Redanian’s when he arrived. Perhaps he would open up with the fact the two already had an existing railroad line between them? That seemed to be the best option, yes. Maybe he could tell them of the vast resources that the Republic actually had. Regardless, Alessandro was simply hoping to have trade open between the Empire and the Republic and not come back empty handed.

With some wine in one hand and a plate of cheese in front of him, he began planning out his words. Delicate planning indeed.

January 14th, 1899, Senryu, The Dragon Imperium of Hiron

Snow drifted from the sky like soft, infinitesimal leaves as the Dragon Emperor sat watching the Sun rise, breathing quietly as he considered Hiron's situation. He wore a poor man's clothes and resided in a fairly simple home, as all Dragon Emperors had for a few centuries in order to better understand and represent the people they governed. Behind him, his highest four advisors also sat, awaiting the Emperor's orders and insight as they spoke quietly amongst themselves.

As tradition dictated for centuries, the Minister of the Navy, spoke first, "Dragon Emperor, our Navy is large and powerful yet the Tarans still eclipse it. Our greatest ships, similar in comparison to their greatest ships, number seven less than theirs. Thankfully, most of our other ships are similar in number and strength, and I believe that given enough time, the world will sing of how Hiron's ships drove the Taran ships back into port. Of course, we need to finance the Navy further. I recommend that we immediately begin construction of three additional warships of the highest class, as well as ordering all remaining shipyards to build submarines. Whilst they may outnumber us, if we outmaneuver them beneath the waves, they will not even see their doom coming..." He bowed his head in respect to the Emperor.

Next was the Minister of the Army, "Your majesty, the Army is as neglected as always. Whilst the Navy is powerful, at some point, we will have to fight on the lands. There are not an infinite number of islands... The soldiers need more support. There need to be more soldiers. That is the most pressing issue."

The Minister of Economics followed simply, "All things are prosperous on our front, though the people yearn for food as ever, the population continuing to practically skyrocket. The advances of medicine and further technological growth of our people are seeing fewer and fewer deaths due to disease and malnutrition, but I believe more can be done. The Imperium also desires more markets to exploit and resources to acquire, much like how the Continentals maintain their colonies, I believe we should explore new avenues for our merchants."

At last, the Foreign Minister spoke, "My lord, if I may make a suggestion... A way to kill three birds with one stone. The Imperium is not a Great Power, and if we became involved in a war with one of the Great Powers, we might not win. Considering that, we could use some allies. In order to acquire them, first, we must open the door. What I propose is simple: we send a delegation to the Serene Empire of Tara to offer supplies of our Opium in exchange for as much of their foodstuffs as possible. The people yearn for food, and I'm sure their people yearn for... entertainment... Essentially, this gets our foot in the door, might supply our people with food, and may cause societal havoc inside Tara given enough time. But the Taran merchants put profit before morality anyway, so I doubt they'll give a damn." All four at this point were bowing their heads, refraining from fighting with each other in front of the Emperor.

Ryugo seemed to consider all of their opinions for a moment as he watched the Sun rise further before he announced, "Although I am very young and just took over the throne, I must put our people first. And I have many ideas about how to further our nation that my father did not. Tsutsumi, send the delegation, you have my full support. But Miyagawa, I have something of my own for you to do."

The Minister of Economics remained silent as he listened to the Emperor speak, "The Imperium is going to commission the creation of the greatest university in the world. Give it all the funds it needs. I want it to outshine even the Continentals. Its name is simple; Senryu International University. But its glory shall hopefully attract all the best and brightest minds from across the globe. Understood?"

All four ministers gave their understanding, even if they disagreed. Disagreements would be taken up in private between ministers and the Emperor at a later point in time, but both Miyagawa and Tsutsumi quickly set about their orders.

Summary: Hiron sends a delegation to Tara seeking as many of their foodstuffs as possible in exchange for supplies of Opium. It also begins construction of Senryu International University, an attempt to attract scientists from across the world.

Inland Jungles, Grand Sultanate of Dygracia, March 1899

The man checked his watch. Evening had nearly arrived. Along the tracks, no sign of man, only the trees. The sound of coal in fire. The engine ran with the strength of a leopard; the whistle screamed with the madness of a felled dog. Crimson fireflies danced at the behemoth's head. The jungle blocked out the sun, save for the red rays piercing the thick. A bullet in the crimson sky; the train kept forward. A half-light crescent watched over the cruel knife that cut through her ancient lands.

A tower of smoke rolled above the carriage, daring to meet the clouds. The steel leopard ran too fast to pay notice of the songbirds and the blue-frogs, only the verdant wall parading past. The man looked to his table. A dainty set of silver lay against the white cloth. A rich scent danced around him, one to match mother's flowers, the dearest scent.

Speech buzzed around him. Empty well-wishes flew above the talk of weighty matters. He paid no mind. Dining ought supersede such matters. White figures carried silver trays adorned with luxury. The man spotted the golden eagles in the corners; ancient agents of justice. Majesty personified; royal watchmen.

Violet light poured in on high. The carriage filled with the smell of wine-musk and roasted pork. The man was twice plumper than he'd like and double sober. His wife thought ill of his tastes in the foul nectar, but his wife was leagues off. He would reap the spoils of the night, be they sins or virtue.

Wine came around the wood-wheel table. It was the higher-end sort. The variety that sent his peerage into frenzy at the mention. Veritable squealing erupted from every seat and echoed from every face of opulence. False smiles darted around the room as the feast unfolded.

Thirteen glasses shot into the carriage air. The man stood to be saluted. Crystals lit with violet light and wine smiled alike with a glimmer toward the man. All at once, a rousing echo of praise and honorifics, each louder than the last, vying for his acceptance. The yell of hyenas to his ears.

The eagles seemed to tire alongside the man. All he could manage to each of the pack was a nod. They cackling chorus sat, followed by the man. Matters of state whizzed about the carriage. In his younger days, the man would be fascinated by the mere mention, but in the autumn of his days he sought the pleasures of life where he could; far off from politics. His dentures tore into the pig. The serrated mess was peppered and spiced more than to his taste; the dearest scent dissipated into longing. The wine was bitter, though it did well to dull the senses. The whirl of conversation began to float higher and higher above him until at last it faded from his grasp.

His wife had long thought he was nearly senile, but worse he was a drunkard, betrayed by an empty laugh and unwise words.. A vulture pecking at the glories of days far past, wings too heavy with wine and finery to seek new carrion. Sloth and wrath had picked him to the bone. As he remained to feast upon dry pickings, eagles flew past, full scores overtaking him. When the meat was stripped of him, naught but gold and bone remained, washed away in the seas of time.

The knife kept through the greenery. The moon took full form, a pearly knife. Smoke bellowed all the same from the burning tower; soot and sky became one. Dark halos weighed upon the man's eyelids. Eagles turned from guardians to specters. Half his mind turned to nightmares, the other half sunk leagues beneath his company. He could at best manage to keep his silence; at worst he'd fall into ramblings and stupor.

All the while the dusk rolled onward with the train. Darkness fell upon the thick, even moonlight could not bear to pierce the green sea nor the smoke. The black haunts of the jungle moved ever-closer to the tracks, threatening to consume the steel leopard. The behemoth swam through the narrow. Crimson fireflies turned to pale ones, the only light for days more.

Under lamplight the man's mood grew sour and his tongue foul. Degradation spewed from his lips; the most profane words and grievous insults. His wife, his daughters; all that was close to him defiled. If his comrades mocked him, he could not know, so possessed was he by the liquor. By this time the servants poured him watered wine, and if he had a sense left within him he'd surely have flung into madness over it. All the same he continued downward.

The moon crawled slowly yet toward her zenith. At last silver shined on the behemoth's back. The moonlight touched the soul of all that she graced, and yet she did not find her way into the carriage. Tempers there burned as the sun did; the eagles kept their scorn. Quiet throughout the jungle. The clamor of the carriage drowned in the stillness of a clear night. Peace and stillness.

Inferno. Woe and ruin; the gates of hell unleashed.

A blaze. A cry of agony. Ash and rubble. Warped iron, twisted steel. The leopard felled, the mad dog silenced. The knife caught.

An eagle flies on forward.

The fire burns on, the glass shattered, and yet the eagle looks on; flies on; keeps on. The vulture in the far flung sand; the eagles fly on forward.

And all at once the night rages bright and falls back down to silence. The green turns crimson then black evermore; the blood boils onto earth. Peace and stillness. Peace and stillness forevermore.

The dawn of the 20th century was an era of technological industrial innovation within the Osladian Empire. Bright minds from across the Tsardom and her subject-states began meeting in Oslograd and Toboskoy to discuss all matters of scientific and philosophical ponderings. The poster-boy for these 'bright minds' was one Vladan Nešić, a electronics and mechanical engineer with multiple accolades from the Osladian Imperial Army. The Boletarian-national was a key figure in the development of the Oslo.98 rifle, and due to his involvement was sought after by foreign governments and private companies alike for his opinion on a multitude of weapon designs and schematics.

While known for his weapons research and development, Nešić had a secretive secondary interest, specifically in the research of wireless electronic lighting. The concept of non-fire based lighting was not one founded by Nešić, in fact wireless electronic lighting had been invented a decade prior by a Taran inventor, but Nešić intended to master the concept. By 1899 the Boletarian scientist had began giving demonstrations of stronger and brighter lightbulbs in the hope of securing investors in his project. Luckily, Nešić found just the buyers; Zagadka Industrial immediately offered the inventor a deal on his project, so long as the patent fell to Zagadka. Nešić agreed to the deal, and by the end of 1899 Zagdka brand 'Nešić lighting' entered the marketplace across the Empire, saving the failing company for another year.

However, after the release of the Nešić lightbulb, the young scientist was again sought after by the Osladian government with requests for assistance, their exact demands unknown to the public at large...

---

Though the general election was nearly a year away, the Liberal-Democrats and Union had already begun their campaigns. While Selidov made promises of infrastructural projects and investment into the civilian economy via support for faltering companies like Zagadka Industries, Union attempted to rally her supporters under a united front against the 'foreign loving liberals' and 'republican conspirators'. However, Union was far from united behind closed doors. Over the 12 year long regime of the Liberal-Democrats, a divide grew in the Union camp; the moderate conservatives and the revaunchist traditionalists. While the moderate unionists simply called for stronger economic protections and moderate increase in defense spending, etc. The Traditionalist camp called for nothing less than a full reversal to the policies of 'the dark decade' under Selidov. The traditionalists were quick to rally under the banner of Vasilyev Yegorov and his fiery rhetoric, while the moderates clung to veteran politician Leonard Palkowski.



Palkowski was a Boletarian lawyer-turned-politician and long time veteran of the Union party. Born into a minor noble house in Dukovsta, Palkowski was a model student and graduated top of his class in a Oslograd university, which at the time was a luxury reserved only for the elite of Osladian society. Spending over a decade as an expert in international tax and trade laws, Palkowski felt a calling to politics and found his place in the Union movement, soon becoming a major voice in the protectionist camp. As the election drew nearer, Palkowski and Yegorov grew to become fierce rivals within their party. In letters uncovered after their deaths, Palkowski had repeatedly called for Yegorov to be removed from the party and proclaimed the Count as a threat to the stability of the Empire if he remained uncontested, though many view these statements to have fallen on deaf ears. For political analysts, the cracks in the Union party's 'big tent policy' were quickly beginning to show as the party moved closer and closer to outright schism...

[It is Turn 2: April-June 1899. Nations with a finished dossier may now post IC and submit their Political Clout orders via PM.]

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April

April 2nd – The Kingdom of Zellonia begins construction on a major drydock, the first of it's kind in the northern kingdom. Costing just $7,000,000, it will not be completed until sometime in 1901.


April 5th – The 901 Combustion Engine Prototype, designed by Zagadka Industries at the behest of Vladan Neši turned out to be a rather ruinous adventure. An attempt at exploring it's international markets cost the Osladian Empire around $2,400,000 total, as few outside of a few bicycle enthusiasts in Kalpia saw it as anything other than a toy.

April 9th – The Imperium of Hiron passes the Free Immigration Act of 1899, loosening the restrictions on who may and may not enter the country. It's predicted that some intellectuals from The Continent, Radena and even Meung may soon attempt to immigrant to the island empire.

April 13th-18th – 60,000 men in six infantry divisions of the Osladian Empire are moved to the Karumi-Osladian border in anticipation of Karumi's saber rattling. Initially a successful endeavor, the general--who forgot to sign his own name on the report he filed to Prime Minister Selidov, reported that 1,800 Osladians with ties to Karumi defected during the week, fleeing across the border. The remaining 58,200 soldiers dig in.
- [Event: -1,800 Osladian soldiers. -1% Supply & Logistics]

April 20th – The Tyro-Redanian Empire finishes it's patent on the M1899 Prager machine gun. As a token of good faith, the inventor provides 20 M1899's to the Tyro-Redanian Army.
[Event: M1899 Prager Invented, +20 M1899 Prager's to the Tyro-Redanian Empire]


April 22nd – The Imperail Rail Authority begins work on it's first railway. With no formal experience in industrialization, many workers are injured, and there are deaths involved. A riot in Yufutsu over the poor work conditions erupts, lasting several days. Given the small distances involved in the Imperial Rail Authority's work and the lax safety requirements, it is estimated to be finished in 1900.
[Event: -1 Stability in Imperium of Hiron]



April 24th – The Oil Advancement Act is passed in the Republic of Itherae with an overwhelmingly bipartisan majority. This bill, which deregulates an almost non-existence Itheraen oil industry also subsidizes certain aspects of the industry in the realm of research & development.
[Event: +2 Oil in Itherae.]

April 27th – The Federation of Central Fesceuni nationalizes the Universal Maritime Canal Company, attempting to fulfill quotas by increasing employment and allowing the UMCC to handle additional government projects. The red tape is extensive, and a disunited Federation parliament eventually passes a subsidy bill that is barely reminiscent of what it set out to do.
- [Event: -$2,800,000. UMCC lowered to [1]]

April 29th-30th – The Osladian Empire, in an attempt to facilitate relations with it's Western neighbor the Tyro-Redanian Empire, send it's premier Foreign Minister Rusak to Aetoria. There, Rusak laid the foundation of the intentions of a multi-cultural empire supporting another multi-cultural empire. While more conservative, the Tyro-Redanian Empire bowed it's head to the Selidov administration in a measure of friendship.
[Osladian Empire: +1 Relations to Tyro-Redanian Empire]
[Tyro-Redanian Empire: +1 Relations to Osladian Empire]


May 1st – In the Republic of Itherae, the First Itherae Officer Training Corp is founded, the first military academy of the fledgling Itheraen National Army. A meritocratic school which handpicked it's recruits, free of charge, it espoused modern military tactics and would begin to increase the credibility of the army of the minor power.
[Event: Itheraen Army gains +4% Training. +1.5% Training/Turn for next 5 turns.]

May 2nd – In the Kingdom of Zellonia, Guntherson Rifles & Co. is founded. A single subsidized foundry capable of producing weapons of war for Zellonia.

May 3rd – The Garleiz Canal in the Federation of Central Fesceuni is announced. This major construction effort will employ nearly 3,000 people and cost several millions, but as it's first major project, people begin to feel a sense of patriotism for Fesceuni.
[Event: The Federation of Central Fesceuni gains 1 Stability]

May 4th – The task force from the Empire of Tara arrives off the coast of the Counties Palatine. Escorting the Pre-Dreadnoughts HMS Goliath and HMS Valiant, a half dozen destroyers sallied forth into uncertain waters while the Pre-Dreadnoughts navigated choppy waters.

Hours later, five destroyers returned--reporting the port clear for the troops unloading. A more astute sailor on board mumbled something about there having been six destroyers as the vanguard and now there were only five. Halfway through unloading, the 71 year old Commodore da Sylvie realized that the HMS Bastion had not reported back from it's scouting. It's fate thus, remained unknown.
[Event: Empire of Tara loses 1 Destroyer]

May 5th – Lieutenant-General Harvick of the Imperial Tarantese Army (ATR) takes command of the 5 regiments. An additional edict is sent forth to raise all available colonial soldiers.

May 7th – In the Tsardom of Radena, the Tsar's Army places 35,500 men from active duty into nearby reserve garrisons along the border.

May 8th – In the Kalpian Republic, Kerser Guns and Republikan Army Arsenal fulfills a government order for 214,500 KR.99 rifles.
[Event: Kalpian Republic gains +15% Supply & Logistics]

May 9th – The Imperial Dockyards & Arsenal of the Empire of Tara submits its designs for water-tube boilers, which generate more power at less expense in weight compared with the cylindrical boilers used in previous ships. The new boilers led to the adoption of fore-and-aft funnels, rather than the side-by-side funnel arrangement used in many previous Tarantese battleships. Given that IDA is the only naval development firm in Tara, there was absolutely no competition. They collect the $250,000.
[Event: Empire of Tara loses -$250,000]

May 10th – The Imperial Security Bureau of the Tyro-Redanian Empire is founded. It's principle purpose is twofold: the security of the Empire and the destruction of internal dissidents. Among it's members is Head of Internal Security, Felix von Drach.

As Head of Internal Security, Felix von Drach undergoes a campaign of rigorous terror and political oppression in the East of the Empire. ISB agents, in their famed off-blue uniforms, apprehend and publicly execute no less than eleven "dissidents" of the Idea of Itheraen Independence movement, nicknamed Triple I. In a speech in Tannerburg, von Drach says: "No mistake can be made here that the enemies of the state do sit with us, and drink with us. They dress like us, and speak like us. When you shoot them in the head, they bleed and die like us. But remember this, they are not us."

May 11th – In response to a government order earlier in the year, Furstenfeld Manufacturies and Steyrworks and the state-owned Imperial Armouries of the Tyro-Redanian Empire fulfill an order for 129,000 Mawka Model II bolt-action rifles.
[Tyro-Redanian Empire gains +15% Logistics & Supply]

May 12th-14th – The Tarantese 2nd Army under Lieutenant General Harvick and his 5,000 troops move entrench in Argentine and nearby cities and ports. The colonials continue mobilizing, a slow and cumbersome process due to lack of infrastructure in Serranthia.

May 15th – The Republic of Itherae calls up a volunteer campaign. "Not a time for nationalism nor defense," President Alexei Georgas says "but rather a time for strength. Itherae has long been in the grips of nations much stronger than herself. Now, now is the time we grow strong as well."
[Event: The Republic of Itherae gains 35,000 Reserve Duty soldiers.]

May 16th – In the Tsardom of Radena, members of it's National Security arrive in the hinterlands and begin hunting down those troops who dissented. They are easily discovered and it's found that even among the local Daichidan population that their actions are seen as treacherous.
[Tsardom of Radena gains 1 Stability]

May 17th – The Kalpian-Fesceuni Trade Pact is concluded. The Fesceuni begin shipments of refined steel and basic machine parts in exchange for selling sulfur, tea and chromium to the Kalpian governments.

May 18th – In the Empire of Tara, the Ikaros Mining Company begins rapidly expanding under the new owner Baron Lionel de Lacy. ICM opens mining operations in several key ridges in Tarantese colonies, utilizing steam powered engines to accelerate operations, taking on new and dangerous explosives to reach deeper than before.
[Event: The Ikaros Mining Company gains +[2] ranking]

May 21st – The Kalpian Republic subsidizes the Arsech National Steel Company, hoping to use it's manufactories to increase steel production for building projects. A costly maneuver at $4,700,000, Kalpian politicians hope the buy has long term potential.

May 25th – Open trade between the Tyro-Redanian Empire and the Republic of Itherae begins as oil moves into the Empire and chromium into Itherae

April 2nd, 1899, Senryu, Hiron

Another day, another consultation with the ministers. The Dragon Emperor sat solemnly once more, staring at the sunset, probably going blind slowly. He had high ambitions for his nation: a sprawling industrialized nation whose hands cradled the world. But as it was, Hiron barely made itself within Settumu, let alone beyond it. Hiron needed more influence, power, and technology. It needed a stronger industrial base. The ministers had spoken, by this time, the young and brash Emperor's eyes were already set on the future.

He turned his head about slightly and spoke, "I have had an idea. The Continentals almost all use railroads, connecting their major cities and industrial centers. Hiron completely lacks a rail network. We need to fix that. And not only do we need to fix it, we need to eventually push to have it crisscross the nation. I want to make it so that a man in the North can easily visit another in the South one day, without having to ride a horse or in a wagon, or heaven forbid, walk. This is one of my ultimate goals, but first, we should focus on linking the industrial centres and the major cities to further enable trade and industry. Minister of Economics, I want you to create the Imperial Rail Authority, get on it immediately. You shall have all funds necessary and access to the nation's steel supply."

The Minister nodded and headed out to do what was necessary, as the Emperor continued, "Senryu International is certainly coming along quite well, but we need to push harder, and immigration policy is currently restrictive towards foreigners. I realize this might be risking the stability of the nation, but we must open ourselves to the world, economically, politically, and socially. The Continentals have many ideas, and I want to mold Hiron to incorporate them. If they are to come to Senryu International and Hiron in general, they must be allowed to immigrate. Change the policies to allow for the uncapped immigration of foreign skilled workers, primarily those who have graduated university, and to give them a small living stipend for three months to find work here." It was an ambitious move considering the homogeneity of Hiron, but the Emperor's word was law. The people would have to grow more accustomed to living alongside foreigners if Hiron conquered new lands anyway.

The Emperor stood and waved the Ministers away, save for those of the Army and Navy. Those two, he motioned to join him on a walk around the small Imperial Palace, "Ministers of War, how ready are we to engage Meung or the other small island nations?"

That of the Army spoke first, "My Emperor, Meung is not someone the Army is prepared to fight. Their lands are vast, their population high, and their army likely large. If we are to fight them, we must increase the size of the army and prepare it far better. I would also recommend having an ally or two... As for a few islands, we could probably take them if necessary."

The Emperor nodded and looked towards the Minister of the Navy, who gave his opinion, "Taking islands is easy enough. The Navy is quite prepared to crush their pitiful defenses and then shell them into oblivion or surrender, whichever comes first. As for Meung, I'm not entirely sure, but chances are we could beat them on the seas handily. A blockade would be quite effective, and if we shell their cities, perhaps we need not even fight on the land. But if we wish to swallow Meung whole, a land war is necessary."

Ryugo walked along silently for a little while until the group came to the western edge of the Palace, from which he looked towards Meung, unseen beyond the horizon, "I am not sure yet what I wish to do with Meung. We must take control of them, either officially or through subjugating them politically. I will consider the possibility of allies when dealing with them. As for the puny islands not yet under our control, Minister of the Navy, I believe Hiron will soon be sieging them..."

“My dear, Council, we have reached that time of the year once more where we convene to discuss any new laws or acts,” the proud voice of Alexi Georgas rang out across the small meeting chamber of the Itheraen capitol building. The room was rectangular in design with the speaker, currently the president, standing in the center while all elected officials from each of the towns sat at tables around him. “It has come to my attention after our agreement with the Tyro-Redanians a few months ago, some of our oil for a bit more chromium, that we have vast amounts of oil that we have no use for,” Alexi continued, turning to each of the members with a neutral face, “We must find a way to innovate, improve the situation of our oil before it all goes to waste.”

Murmurs ran throughout the chambers. Sixteen voices filling the room as the representatives discussed what the president might be getting on about.

“I propose that we pass an act to incentivize the bright minds of our nation to find a way to avoid the waste of our oil, let the people feel that they might accomplish something to better help the rest of their fellow countrymen!”

Sounds of agreement ran through the people, then a few of disagreement, those who have bought their way into their position by bribing the electors of their towns. “Why should we allow the peasants to do anything but provide us with tax and labor? If they feel that they can accomplish important tasks with the help of the government then where does that leave us upper crust? With a decreased labor force, that’s what! We cannot have them all go and attempt to create without creating an instability within the economy,” the voice of Cosmo Minas, representative of Diopolis, countered. One of said people who had bought his way into the positions by flaunting money and promises.

“Frankly, Mister Minas, I believe this might increase our markets if this act would be utilized correctly. It is my belief that allowing people to create will increase our economy. An example for you, the creation of the axe led to production of timber, but where would we be with just timber? Homeless. That is why people have created uses for the timber, creating houses, carpentry, and carriages,” Alexi responded, his voice drowning out any murmurs that might have incurred after Cosmos’ disapproval.

The representatives made sounds of agreement afterwards, Alexi taking a cigar out of the inside coat of his pocket and lighting it with a match. The president took a few puffs of the cigar before continuing on, “So what do we say fellows, keep the status quo or try to improve our situation? If you side with Mister Minas than raise your hand,” only two hands stood firmly by the side of Cosmo. “Now if you agree with me, yell ‘I’ to the heavens themselves!,” Alexi proclaimed loudly, ten representatives yelling out in agreement while those who remained neutral or in disagreement remained quiet.

“Good now that we have that covered, we shall start on a draft tomorrow. For now, let's open up the wine!,” the President laughed with gusto, needless to say that went unopposed by all.

As the Emperor sat upon his throne room and slung into his chair he couldn’t help but think where the empire had gone. Once the great northern empire that ruled from their lands to the islands of Tara. Now all they had was this small northern wasteland no longer feared nor loved by the continent. The Emperor turned and looked upon the reports his ministers had left him and sighed. After taking a bit he wrote up a list of orders for his ministers and officers to follow before finally calling in his long time assistant Reginald.

“Yes, your majesty?”
“Ah, Reginald. I’ve drawn up the orders for the ministers if you would be so kind as to give it to them so they may begin immediately.” The emperor said in a raspy voice.
The assistant nodded before sighing “One other thing your majesty. I was just informed your brother Prince Theodore escaped from the prison and is on his way to the Tsardom of Radena.”
The emperor stood up and walked slowly to the assistant wobbling due to his weak leg. “WHAT DID YOU SAY! MY BROTHER ESCAPED!” The emperor cried out. “ALERT ALL POSTS, STATION MEN AT THE BORDER. He mustn’t be allowed to leave.” The assistant eyes opened shocked and saluted before running away.

Several moments later the city bells could be heard and he know his men were on the move.The emperor slowly waddled back to his desk and slumped down praying for the return of his brother.

The Spring of 1899 was riddled with the successes and influence of the Osladian nobility. In mid-April the Selidov government fell to pressure from Tangarian nobles and the military general staff, and ordered six divisions to be stationed at the Karum-Oslad border in order to 'keep the peace'; to the rest of the world this act was an obvious show of force after the Karumi Tsar boasted of 'restoring Greater Karum', thus the Osladian Imperial Army would show the Tsar to the south that the Tangar steppes would never return to his hands, as their chiefs had bent the knee to Tsar Nikolas.

In the first days of being on the border, a peace seemed to be kept and across the border-range Osladian soldiers established their presence at checkpoints and assisted the already present border security in their tasks. However, a crisis began boiling. The officer given command of the force, a General-leytenant by the name of Pavel Vanko, was a notorious alcoholic and near his forced retirement age. In his files and reports sent back to Oslograd, the elderly general had even forgotten proper titling and forced the general staff to assess his work manually. General Vanko's retirement officially came after a incident at the border in which Osladian soldiers with cultural ties to the Karumi Tsardom deserted their posts en-masse and crossed the border in the dead of night, likely while the old general drank himself to sleep. Enraged by the incident, Provincial Governor and General-leytenant Count Yegorov sent a letter to the Oslograd general staff demanding Vanko's removal and the placement of Vasiliy Tokorev as commander of the Karum-Oslad border forces. With little choice after the P.R disaster, the general staff quickly arranged for General Tokorev, a known stooge to Yegorov's political clique, to take command of the border and officially hand the retirement papers to General Vanko.

While militarily the Spring of 1899 was disastrous for the Empire, diplomatically another Count began to rise to prominence...

---

To understand the events of the Aetorian Spring Ball, one must first know Count Radzislaŭ Rusak. A Boletarian born in Loren, Count Rusak abandoned his ancestors warrior culture in favor of poetry and the arts. From a young age Radzislaŭ wooed his peers with his language and writings, and throughout his schooling was a notorious romantic and 'playboy'. This personality and charisma would follow the Count well into his 30s and would earn him the position of Foreign Minister to Demian Selidov's Liberal-Democratic government. The youngest of Selidov's ministers, the prime minister intended to test Count Rusak and formally requested he attend the famous Aetorian Spring Ball in his place. For decades the Aetorian Spring Ball was an annual event held in Tyro-Redania and was attended by nobility and politicians from across the Continent; in fact, Tsar Nikolas III met his wife and future Tsarina Aurelia von Kirstein.

The 1899 ball would be held in late April to account for the abnormally long winter season that had hit the Continent that year, and invites to the event were sent weeks in advance to the Serene Empire of Tara, the Dygracian Sultanate, the Osladian Empire, the Tsardom of Karum, the Tsardom of Radena, the Sessauan Empire, and the Zellonian Kingdom. Nobility within Tyro-Radania proper were also expected to be in abundance, with the only group noticeably absent being the Itherian counts and barons.



After introductions and the arrival of the ball's host, Crown Prince Victor von Wolfram, Count Rusak immediately began searching out conversation with Redanian nobility in attendance, as of all non-Osladian nobles the Redanians were the most sympathetic to Oslad. Throughout the night Rusak swayed from conversation to conversation, momentarily stopping to speak with Duchess Maria von Anderle, a meeting many today suspect led to future engagements, before finally meeting the Crown Prince himself. Witness reports are scarce on what was said, but from what can be ascertained the Crown Prince and the young Count spoke for more than an hour on, strangely enough, poetry and their favorite authors. Needless to say, the young Rusak quickly had proven himself an asset to the Selidov government and won favor with more than a few noblemen and women that evening.

While Count Rusak earned favor and his position, other Osladian nobility made appearances. The Tsar and Tsarina made their first public appearance outside of Oslograd in over a year, being met with applause from Osladian nationals and nobility to honor their Tsar. In addition, Count Yegorov had paused his national tour to attend the ball; arriving in his dark coach and dressed entirely in Tangarian robes, the eccentric noble cast an intimidating shadow around himself and spent little time conversing with non-Osladian nobility...

The Multi-Continental Railroad (MCR), one of the greatest infrastructure projects ever taken upon man has recently gone underway. Thanks to subsidization by the Tsar himself, the Romanievich Railroad Industry has taken on the project with little issue with an expected completion of the project to be 1906 and celebrated as one of the greatest accomplishments of man, covering nearly 10,000 kilometers of land.

“It is a pleasure on behalf of the RRI [Romanievich Railroad Industry], that I, Dobronravov Romanievich announce that official construction of a Multi-Continental Railroad. The first ever of its kind. It shall stretch from the Continent to Settumu, beginning in Glavnaya and ending in one the largest eastern cities in the Tsardom of Radena, Suyang. The sheer honor this company and its investors have of funding this railway for our Tsar is beyond words, and we are eager to pursue the construction of this project until completion.” RRI founder, Dobronravov Romanievich announced in a press statement earlier this week.

The history of the RRI stretches further back then just an on whim construction of one of the greatest infrastructure projects the Tsardom has ever seen. In fact, the idea has been proposed numerous times throughout the history of the Tsardom of Radena dating back to the 1840s when Tsar Aleksandr III was given proposition of the then Radena Rails Company (RRC), to connect the entirety of his empire with a single railway project however it was then denied due to monetary concerns. It would then be proposed to Tsar Aleksandr III two more times, once more due to extreme deficits and another due to conflicts in the east, and a third time to Tsar Pyotr II who shortly after his inauguration was given the proposal by the RRC, but was denied a final time due to their then struggling financial issues and worries of bankruptcy, before eventually being bought out by Romanievich.





Lack of pay due to constant deficits within the Tsardom of Radena has caused feelings of resentment among the men who serve in the Tsar’s army, eventually leading to the boiling point known as the Dubrovvodsk Mutiny. Around 4,500 soldiers deserted their posts after raiding the armory and commissary. The Tsar himself commented little on the issue referring to the men as “traitors to their fellow countrymen.”

Martyushev Andreevich, Grand General of the Army expanded further on the Tsar sentiments in an official statement, “The Dubrovvodsk Mutiny was an embarrassment for all who were involved. A disaster that our Tsar eagerly looks for solutions to prevent. The cries of the men whose loyalty is towards the Tsar have not been ignored. This however, does not change the fact that those men who participated in the mutiny choose to loot and raid rather than remain patient and have faith in the very man who is destined by god to lead his people. As such, they shall be dealt with as if they were traitors to the Tsar.”

Later that day official wanted posters for all 4,500 identified men who participated in the mutiny were placed in several of the major cities of Radena, as well as close relatives investigated as potential locations that the men could have fled to.


It was not uncommon for the Tsar of Radena to not make an appearance at the Aetorian Spring Ball and unfortunately due to other concerns this year would be one of them. This lack of appearance however didn’t deter the lesser nobility of the Tsardom to not attend. Important men such as Baron Abram of house Nikolayevich, a rather prestigious nobleman with a rather industrious name and owner of the famous Ida and Abram company.

Founded fifteen years ago, he named it after him and his now deceased wife, Ida who first gave him inspiration to design his first field gun. This eventually lead to the creation of the 87-mm Nikolayevich Gun. Eventually seeing full use within the Tsar’s army and even combat. Rumors have it that his primary reason for attending is due to the recent announcement of the M1899 Prager machine gun, by the Tyro-Redanian government.

One day, Hanz received a letter at his home from a man dressed in the typical Kalpian uniform, he didn't know what to expect of it, he had been a good soldier always following the orders given by the officer on command and even on the last winter exercises, he didn't complain not a little bit not even when he almost starved because of a late supply train, sure it wasn't the best job but it served well to feed his family and himself, even if sometimes the pay came late.

Hanz was anxious about what the letter was about and he just couldn't help it, since recently, many of his friends in the army were moved to the reserve force, something that meant not only getting less pay but also being without a full-time job and the common soldier only had a couple of options when it came to work, they would could work at the Arsech Steel Foundries, the iron mines in Karp , as a worker building the railways of the ever increasing Kalpian railways or try to make it into the police force. These were the prospects of work that Hanz could think of if he became a reservist.

Finally, he decided to open it after breakfast, if this was what he believed it was, at least, he wanted to have one last routine breakfast with his wife and two sons. Hanz tried to his best to hide his worry but to no avail, as his wife noticed and asked him about it at the breakfast, he couldn't help but say the truth to the wife that had given him so much support over these years of his life. He opened it a little while later, only to find out that inside there was his pay and a small note saying that pays from now on would regularize, Hanz was relieved, but the next day another close friend of his told him that he was no longer in the army and that he would go have to move back at his father's farm in Kaniarus.



The General Staff continued doing its normal business, selling guns to foreign governments, sending requests of production to Kerser Guns and doing such things that were too common nowadays, with governments that the General Staff couldn't really come to trust such as the Tsardoms of Karum and Radena, after all, in the past Kalpia had found itself diplomatically isolated for the reason that there were so many monarchies that really didn't share their political beliefs.

But these weren't really the priorities of the General Staff, which saw fit that the Kalpia should grow internally and fix the governmenet deficit that didn't really allow the army to continue growing and improving like before, as such, military was to be slightly cut off for the actually paying the soldiers again and seeking more ways to make money for army.

For this to happen the General Staff decided that it would rifles to Hiron a far off Empire that had little importance in the world and was treated by them and many others like the minor power it was, another measure was to fund some civilian companies with the objective of promoting growth in the economy.

And the last one was to move 40,000 men from active soldiers to reservists as a way to cut spendings in a fast way. Hopefully, this would be enough to fix the economic problems that the General Staff as a problematic for the growth of Kalpia as a whole.

“Thank you for waiting gentlemen, I hope the travel here has not been too hard on you. I can imagine that you are still coping with the losses,” Alexi stated, walking into the meeting chamber within the Itheraen capitol building with his Cabinet following him. The men seated themselves, with a secretary bringing in freshly brewed tea, still steaming. “How are you lads doing?,” the president asked the ten men who wore Tyro-Redanian clothing and not the ones of their heritage.

“We thank you for seeing us, first off. But that man, that monster has killed our friends! Our family!” One of the members, Thaddius Korbas, stated, clearly angered over the situations that had happened not even a few weeks ago. The other men looking distraught, some of them having to look away as they did have close relations with those prominent members of the Triple I. “We need your help! If this man should be allowed to continue to roam the streets then how can we ever feel safe? How can our families ever see the light of day again without having to fear through the night?”

The President and his cabinet looked to each other, hoping one of them knew of what to do in this situation, but they hadn’t a clue. This was the one of the worst crimes to happen to the Itheraen people as a whole, a sign of their weakness of wanting to stick together. “Thadeus, what we are prepared to propose, is that you find a safe place. We will do what we can to protect you and the Triple I without this turning into an international incident,”Ajax Macris stated, standing from his chair.

“Yes, and we are prepared to offer you a large sum of money so that you may feel safe once more, so that you may continue the movement. Those eleven men were martyrs, dying for a cause that was justified. Spread that word around, we shall see how the monster Felix von Drach will feel when he shall see that the cause will grow stronger,”Menoeceus Zacharias laughed, wondering the face of the agent when he saw how disastrous of a backfire his actions would have cause.

“Indeed. We shall help you, but keep your movement non-violent. We wish you well lads. Keep the Tripe I alive,” Alexi stated and a smile would come to his face when all the members of the Triple I would salute him, praising his actions and promising to free themselves from the oppression of the Empire.

The decision to fund the Triple I had been made.

It was a comfortably warm night, a welcome sight after the harsh winter that seemed to plague the city well into April. Lavrentiy took a final drag from his cigarette and tossed it to the curb as he rounded it, the bar wasn't far from here. Initially Lavrentiy had planned to spend the evening with his fiance, but a runner with a letter baring the black mark changed his plans; now he found himself slinking off to some dingy bar in the canals when he'd much rather be at home, but when he calls it is best to answer.

The bar was inconspicuous and reeked of smoke and liquor even from outside. Stepping inside, Lavrentiy removed his officer's cap and jacket and scanned the interior of the place. Much like outside, the walls were stained and yellowed from abuse and neglect, and a cloud of smoke hung over the ceiling almost concealing it entirely. The bartender was a burly old man who was no doubt a veteran of the Imperial Army, and he eyed Lavrentiy in a interrogative manner as he mechanically wiped a glass.

"You don't look like someone from the canals, pretty boy. What can I get you?" He asked, his voice deep and gravely.

Lavrentiy pondered for a moment, attempting to remember what the note had said before he responded. "A Dark Tangarian, iced."

The bartender nodded and began preparing Lavrentiy's drink. For a moment, he thought he had given the wrong response, cursing at himself for forgetting the phrase. As he slid the drink to him, the bartender quickly leaned in for but a moment and whispered. "Past the bathroom, second door on the right." before grunting and hobbling down the counter to another customer. Lavrentiy smirked and quickly gulped down his drink, god knew he'd need it.

Pushing himself from the bar, he departed towards the bathrooms and acted as though that was his destination. Once out of sight of the other patrons, he quickly marched down the bathroom hallway and knocked twice on the second door on the right, anxiously awaiting a response.

"Bathroom is down the hall, sorry pal." A familiar voice replied in monotone.

"It's Lavrentiy, stop fucking around Lazar." Lavrentiy spat back, his eyes locked down the hall, anxious of some drunk patron stumbling up.

There was a chuckle and the door opened. Lavrentiy stumbled in quickly and the door shut behind him just as quick, Lazar continued to chuckle with a wide smirk on his face.

"That's what you get for being late, Lavrentiy. The Count doesn't like having to wait in these situations you know." He stated, patting the younger officer on the back as he walked towards the round table.

The room was small with a single bulb illuminating the center of the room which housed a large table and chairs. It became apparent this room was some sort of guest lodging that had been converted into a meeting room, likely that evening with the assistance of the bartender. At the table sat Lazar, a Polkovnik with a large bushy brown mustache and receding hairline who also happened to be Lavrentiy's commanding officer; Radomir, a fellow Podpolkovnik likely standing in for Tokorev, a man Lavrentiy didn't know, and finally Count Yegorov himself.

"Good evening, Lavrentiy. We're glad you could make it, Lazar here was beginning to doubt you." Yegorov stated flatly, clearly attempting to jest while his features indicated nothing but annoyance.

"My apologies, sir. Your runner was late in sending his message, I came as quickly as I could." Lavrentiy fumbled in reply, stepping forward and sitting down at the table next to Lazar.

Yegorov nodded, though Lavrentiy doubted he had accepted the apology, and cleared his throat. "Now that everyone is here, it's best we begin. As I'm sure you all are aware, Palkowski intends to block my candidacy to the Union vote for the coming election. As we speak he continues to rally cowards to his ranks, politicians with no knowledge of what it truly takes to lead an empire such as ours. These are men who have not tilled the earth, or marched in the blistering heating or the biting cold. By god, I'd say these are men who would go into shock if they left their ivory towers in Loren and Oslad proper."

As he spoke, Yegorov began to noticeably redden in his face, his teeth gritting and his hands forming fists. However he paused, closing his eyes and taking a breath, and continued.

"Regardless... If Palkowski does indeed steal my candidacy. I must be assured of your continued support, knowing I will retain my position in the Interior Office no matter who wins."

A silence fell over the table. Was Yegorov already admitting defeat with the election still months away? The gathered officers looked at each other for a moment before all nodding. "Of course, sir. General Tokorev would never waver his supp-"

"Tokorev's loyalty is not in question, Radomir. You are only here to ensure he remains aware of new information. Now, what say you Lazar? Can I continue to trust your garrison's loyalty?" Yegorov interrupted, his eyes sharp as daggers as they peered into Lazar's own.

"Yes sir. Without question, the Oslograd garrison will be ready if drastic measures need to be taken." Lazar responded casually, striking a match for his cigarette as he spoke.

Yegorov seemed content with this answer, and his eyes turned to Lavrentiy. "And you, Novikov? Can I continue to rely on your.. Connections, in the foreign office?"

Lavrentiy's stomach dropped, though he wasn't sure why. Was his loyalty in question? He hadn't even been within this... Group, long enough for him to have done anything treasonous. "Of course, Count Yegorov. My brother Leonid and I are trustworthy sir I swear it. Any messages you must send outside the Empire will not be searched by the MVD, I promise." He fumbled, a wave of relief washing over him as Yegorov seemed to smile at this response.

"Good, I think you and your brother will be a valuable asset to our movement, Lavrentiy. Though, be sure you are not tardy in the future yes?" Yegorov replied, his smile widening as he seemed to release a dark chuckle. "Now, onto other matters..."

---

---

Aetorian Spring Ball

Victor von Wolfram looked at his reflection within the mirror, the mimic staring back at him as he adjusted his neck tie. A free hand ran across his forehead and through his short, tightly curled, black hair as he took in his measure. This was the 29th of April, the day of the Spring Ball and the Imperial Palace would be alight as it hosted royalty and nobility from across the Continent.

"Now I'm ready." He murmured to himself and his reflection as he tightened the knot.

"I should hope so," said a woman's voice behind him. "Can't be late to your own ball now."

"Yes, you're quite right Diana." The Crown Prince said with a smile and a turn as Diana Rossman swept into his room like one might expect of an actress within a play. He regarded the Imperial Artist-in-Residence warmly, one of the greatest painters within the nation, famed for her vivid landscapes and artistry, she was known across the Continent for her extraordinary works.

If only she thought the same. He thought as he took in her appearance. For the Spring Ball Diana had chosen a long, formal dress of green silk and a tight corset which modestly accentuated her form. Her raven-dark hair unusually bound, framed her perfect face with ribbons the colour of emeralds.

"You look beautiful Diana." He said.

"Thank you, Victor." She replied, standing before him as her hands fussed with his collar. "I only wish I could say the same for you." The painter said with a smile as she undid his necktie and with great care retied it. Cutting off his protest with further words upon her lips.
"Fine is not good enough my dear. You must look exquisite before those attending. They will expect no less of the Heir to the Throne." Her words ending any hint of protest from the Prince, his eyes instead searched hers.

"And your own work?" He asked as she finished her administrations. "How are you getting along with that portrait of yours?"

His words were met with a moment of silence and finally a sigh. "It's coming along. Though I may start again, everyday I see more and more to dislike."

"No, you shouldn't. It looked wonderful last I saw it. It will be fine." He spoke, hoping to say more and to put to rest her restless soul. instead he said, "Come on, we shouldn't keep them waiting."

They entered the ball separately, to do otherwise would be scandalous in a furnished great hall where nobility and royalty from across the Continent had been invited and had gathered. The young and the old all had come in resplendent carriages throughout the morning and afternoon, being escorted to one of the many spacious rooms within the palace to enjoy warm cups of tea amongst other light beverages. As night fell, the ballroom would become the center of attention as it filled with the cream of international society. Nobility from their neighbors in Oslad and Sessau, from the island nation of Tara and even from the furthest reaches of Radena were all present and decked in gowns of the finest cloths and fabrics, as plateaus upon circular tables offered the world's delights in abundance. Laughter and the sounds of revelry adorned the room just as much as the bright glow of electric lightning and the warm radiance of nearby fireplaces licked the walls and ceilings with light.

Before the festivities were to begin in earnest however, the Crown Prince Victor von Wolfram made his way to the center of the ballroom, his presence announced by the trumpets of several guardsmen resplendent in ceremonial military uniform as their trumpets echoed throughout the hall.

For a moment the Prince gazed upon the assembly of nobility and foreign dignitaries with an appraising look to his eye. Finally with a clink of his glass, the red liquid within catching the light. He spoke.

"Thank you all for attending this evening." The Crown Prince spoke confidently. "It is my pleasure to welcome you all today to the Aetorian Spring Ball..."

July

July 1st
The Zellonian 3rd Fleet under Rear Admiral Jefferson Bock leaves port at Vorl and sails into the Osladian Straits. The straits, long held in tandem by the Osladian and Zellonian monarchies, suddenly becomes a Zellonian lake. The 3rd Fleet, under orders from the Zellonian monarch itself orders all vessels flying merchant flags to be redirected to Vorl where they will be searched and potentially seized if carrying contraband. Under orders from the Zellonian King, all merchant vessels passing through the Inland Strait will be privy to a 6% tax, or be seized and interned.



The Zeelian Affair unfolds rapidly, with a half dozen merchant ships--2 Kalpian, 1 Radenan and 3 Osladian--all steered into Vorl within the course of several hours. No goods are seized. All the ships are interned barring potential payments from their governments regarding passage through the Inland Strait. The Zellonian 3rd Fleet, 20 ships strong, patrol the coast day and night.
[Event: Kingdom of Zellonia gains +7% Naval Training, +12% Naval Morale, +4% Supply & Logistics. Gains Naval Tactic: Jeune Ecole. -1 Relations with Osladian Empire. -1 Relations with Kalpian Republic. -2% Supply & Logistics for Kalpian Republic. -1% Supply & Logistics for Tsardom of Radena, -3% Supply & Logistics for Osladian Empire]

July 2nd-4th
The so named Wauwanti War sees it's first battle as 4,400 Imperial soldiers of the Tarantese Army, using colonial scouts, hunt down a wandering mass of Wauwanti warriors. The Battle of Anuit occurs over three days, where soldiers of the Tarantese Army engage the Wauwanti columns over a long stretch of grassy hills. The Wauwanti, who are sparely armed with weapons--are defeated en masse.
[Event: Empire of Tara loses 291 soldiers. Wauwanti Empire loses 3,461 soldiers.]

July 7th
The Tsardom of Radena dispatches Foreign Minister Ilyich to the Principality of Kuralov on a diplomatic mission to find a potential ally on the Continent. The Principality however, a territorial, small and honorable nation considers Radena an imperialistic, if not oppressive nation. Ilyich, who was well learned in Continental affairs, navigated a negotiation with Count Oleg von Hanlas of Kuralov, but left empty handed.

July 8-10th
The Tsardom of Karum continues a ruthless campaign of propaganda against Serona and Oslad, targeting the 60,000 soldiers placed on their border. "The Seronans seek to hedge us in with their long time friends. They would see us poor, clambering forever in the mud!" The Karumi Army grows to an impressive 180,000 active duty soldiers. Karumi's military industry is nearly non-existent, though a diplomat arrives in Aetoria to purchase some of the nation's new military hardware.
[Event: The Tsardom of Karum requests to purchase 10 M1899 Prager Guns from the Tyro-Redanian Empire for a total of $10,000.]

July 11th
The Imperium of Hiron begins covert Operation Sa-To, expected to finish in the fall.

July 14th
Operation Halder finishes, much to the joy of the Empire of Tara.
[Event: Empire of Tara see PM entitled Operation Halder.]

July 15th
The Osladian Empire was quick to realize the severity of the Zeelian Affair. While the Kalpian politicians bickered in Parliament, Prime Minister Selidov steeled his resolve and ordered the Imperial 1st Fleet under Rear Admiral Aleksandr Grushanin set sail, with the Pre-Dreadnought Peresvet as his flagship. Their orders were simple: The Fleet is to search out Zellonian vessels and, if they refuse to stand down peacefully, send them to the bottom of the strait. This was not Grushanin's first posting to a command position and he had long endured stories of Zellonian incompetence. On the morning of the 15th, he was in good spirits.

"There'll be no negotiations," Selidov had told him. The Persevet was accompanied by 3 armored cruisers, 5 light cruisers and vanguard of 18 destroyers. The fleet broke wide, expecting to find and converge on Bock's 3rd Fleet. At 0900 hours, observers on the Persevet announced the sighting of the Zellonia's Revenge and a pair of destroyers flanking her.

"Flag her down," Grushanin said. "We'll send them back North and be home before sunset. Prime the batteries, just in case." Trailing the Persevet was the armored cruiser Taiga and two destroyers. Gunners on the Persevet turned their guns on the Revenge. On the horizon, observers from the Persevet noticed two armored cruisers approaching flying Zellonian flags. Flagbearers on the Persevet signaled to the Zellonia's Revenge to send a crew for negotiations. They repeated the signal three times. The batteries on the Zellonia's Revenge began to turn.



"She's coming to bear on us. Open fire."

The battle was less a concentrated affair and a chaotic dance of ships identifying each other from afar and opening up on each other. The Zellonian Revenge and Persevet both engaged one another at near maximum range at nearly a kilometer away. When the Revenge's ammunition stores ran dry, she turned back North. The Persevet pursued but the threat of Coastal Defense Ships--pre-dreadnoughts with conditions fit for shore based operations--had her limp back to Oslograd at dusk.



[Event: Osladian Empire opens fire on Zellonian Navy resulting in the Battle of the Zeelian Strait (1899). Oslad must Declare War or Lose 2 Stability]

July 16th
While the Zello-Osladian War kicked off, the Osladian Foreign Minister Rusek returned from a hopeful trip to the Eastern Sladics, the Radenan Tsardom. While initially successful in his dealings with Tyro-Rednia, Rusek embarrasses himself in the Radenan court.
[Event: Osladian Empire suffers -1 Relations with the Tsardom of Radena]

July 17th-21st
The Wauwanti War continues with the Empire of Tara moving soldiers across the barren Counties Palatine with near 5,000 Imperial troops. A colonial messenger from outside Argentine arrives on horseback with news that a Wauwanti raiding party has skirted the Northern border and started attacking Argentine.

Tarantese commander Harkins orders his troops on a forced march back to Argentine on July 17th. With full packs and gear, the 5 regiments arrive back at Argentine on July 19th. There, they find nearly 8,000 Wauwanti soldiers and cavalry. Killing, raping and maiming, they turn their attention to Harkins' troops in the fixed Battle of Argentine.



Exhausted from marching, the Tarantese soldiers attempted to engage in enfilade fire while hastily creating entrenchments in the rough Serranthian dirt. The Wauwanti raiders, many of them acting autonomously and without aim, were also mounted and very mobile. Many Tarantese soldiers exhausted their all of their ammunition during the seven and a half hour shootout. And at dusk, 1,100 Tarantese and 4,500 Wauwanti lay dead. Argentine itself was unscathed, save for demolished and burning shanties on the outside of the port. Harkins was grazed from a Wauwanti rifle shot. The Wauwanti--3,500 strong--retreated piecemeal back to the East under cover of darkness.

July 24th
The Emperor of Hiron, so called the Dragon Emperor moves to seek out corruption and bureaucracy in Hiron, espousing the Imperial Parliament to finish legislature to close taxation loopholes and remove senseless political entities that waste money. In a move that is similarly bizarre, the emperor encourages the use of the Hironese black market--the most corrupt--to increase the treasury of the nation.
[Event: +$11,000,000 to the Hironese treasury, -1 Stability]

July 27th
In the Osladian Empire, the armaments factory Toboskoy D&S finishes the production of 30 field batteries.

July 28th-31st
In the Republic of Itherae, General Thaddeus Nikas orders 70,000 troops to the border. Not mobilized, these troops are slow to gather and move to the border. General Nikas' entourage comes across a half dozen soldiers crouched along the ground gambling. He orders the column to a halt and demands to know which unit the soldiers are apart of. One smart mouthed soldier replied: "Well, the Itheraen Army of course!"

This lackadaisical attitude runs rampant in the Itheraen Army, and these soldiers, more a jumbled mass of soldiery than a professional army, slowly falls prey to soldiers going AWOL as basic information on which unit a soldier belongs to is murky at best.
[Event: Itherae loses 3,800 soldiers. -1% Supply & Logistics]

The summer of 1899 marked what many say was the final nail in the coffin of the Selidov administration. Confident in the Imperial Navy's abilities Selidov sent decorated Rear Admiral Aleksandr Grushanin to end the crisis and restore the status-quo over the Osladian strait. While no statement had been made directly to the Duma, in private Selidov had assured his closest allies that "There will be no negotiation with tyrants". After a month of political and military silence in what would become 'The Silent June', Grushanin set sail with 30 vessels prepared for a quick end to Zellonia's act of maritime aggression. By dusk, the fleet would return 4 vessels less, with two more out of commission for the near future. Needless to say, the Osladian defeat in the Zeelian-Osladian strait was political suicide for Selidov and by the morning of the 16th the Unionists had rallied and from their section of the Duma shouting was all that could be heard.

In the following hours a parliamentary crisis was on the hands of the Selidov administration and demands from both sides of the isle meant an answer would be needed that very day. In a emergency meeting with his cabinet a panicked Selidov demanded the counsel of his government. Yegorov was in arms, as expected, and called for an immediate declaration of war against 'the Zeelian dogs' and their 'cripple king'. On the other side of the table, the Grand Admiral Manfred Kozminski apologized for the failures of his officer corp and cited a lack of funding and support of the navy as a cause of this defeat. After hours of debriefing on the results of the Zeelian-Osladian strait skirmish and pressure from the military and nobility within his cabinet, Selidov returned to the Duma with an answer to a panicked and outraged Duma.

"Members of the Imperial State Duma, after much consideration and discussion with the members of my cabinet. I, Demian Selidov, shall officially announce that as of seven twenty-eight in the evening of July 16th, the Osladian Empire has entered a state of war with the Kingdom of Zellonia. From this moment forward all ties with the Zellonian state are severed and their diplomats will be requested to peacefully leave Oslograd and return to their homeland. I have put my full faith into the admiralty and general staff of our Imperial Armed Forces and I call upon all fellow nations to stand against the tyranny and aggression presented by the Zellonian Kingdom. God save the Tsar, and hail Oslad."



Upon this announcement the Union seats came to life in a roar of celebration and cheers of 'Hail Oslad', 'God save the Tsar', and 'Thank Yegorov', in a sign of protest the Agrarian Front was quick to denounce the move and announced their protest of the Duma by walking out of the hearing and not returning until the war's end, which would not be until after the 1900 General Election. In the hours following the announcement, the evening papers were in chaos with headlines of 'THE EMPIRE AT WAR' and fear pieces such as 'IS YOUR NEIGHBOR A ZELLONIAN?'.

---

With war rising in the west, Prime Minister Selidov began feeling for foreign supporters for the Osladian Empire. After his successes in the Aetorian Spring Ball, Selidov again put his trust in Count Rusak to begin feeling for stronger relations with their eastern sladic brothers in the Tsardom of Radena. Confident as ever, the young Count Rusak was quick to accept the mission and departed for the Kalpian border with haste.

Arriving in late June, Rusak remained confident that he could sway the Raden Tsar with ease; after all, he had won the hearts and minds of his now friends in Tyro-Redania had he not? However, the young Count was in for a cold awakening. Having been raised and tutored in the warm Loren countryside, and spent most of his diplomatic career among the 'high cultured' Tyro-Redanians, Rusak was far from prepared for the straight to the point and no nonsense attitude of the eastern Tsardom. Instead of any preparations, Rusak was brought directly to the Tsar and his council, many of whom were not expecting such a young and fragile looking diplomat.

"The Osladians sent a boy to speak of war." one witness to the event recounted in a letter to a colleague. "The western sladics clearly do not know the culture of our people, the fool even attempted to 'small talk' our Tsar."

With each failed attempt at jest and de-escalating the mood, Rusak only made himself look more and more foolish and child-like in front of the cold eyed Radenians. The final straw was when Rusak moved the conversation away from pleasantries and began to discuss the Osladian Empire's intentions with the Zellonian crisis.

"Of course, my Tsar, once the Empire has mopped up the rabble to the west a land border between our states would economically benefit both of our empires."

This was enough to enrage one of the Tsar's cabinet, who rose to his feet and called the young Rusak a "foolish boy" and that, if it came to it, it would be the Tsardom that would hold Zellonian land, and not Oslad. "Your ships can't survive a mere skirmish yet you speak of conquest?" He decried.

Though by the end of the encounter the mood had settled and, the Tsar admitted, Rusak was not a fool but merely inexperienced. However the damage had been done, and the Tsar obeyed his council. Rusak would leave the eastern Tsardom disgraced and empty handed, a laughing stock among the officer corp of Radena.