|Geographical Location of CLIQUE:|The county of Zhaochen lies within Zhendao region, encompassing a territory tretched over three major cities and several villages, and minor outposts. |Cities:|Zhaolao, Xi'yan, and Caoroi lie within Zhaochen borders. Several villages, and minor cities, dot the landscape, but these three cities are the only influence on which the Count of Zhaochen may barter influence in the faction (outside of performance).
"Sometimes I read, sometimes I kill. It's your typical life."
|Name:|Jacob Hecke |Title:|Advisor-General |Age:|41 |Ethnicity:|Geisel |Personal Ideology:|Democratic Authoritarianism |Influence in the faction:|On his own, barely any. Through the careful manipulation of puppets and other influences however, it amounts of a reliable 19% throughout the royalist faction. That number becomes far more massive when accounting only for the County's internal politics.
|Personality:|Stern yet humoristic. Cold, yet somehow warm at the touch of sensitivity. Jacob is a foreigner, isolated by virtue of his birth, not only in Zengrav, but also in his homeland due to the consequences of his retreat from the Reich. Having found himself wanted, his sense of caution is crumbling, yet his risk-taking demeanour never seems to fade. Smart and reputable amongst those who know his skills, Jacob has proven capable of running the county of Zhaochen, even if only behind the curtains. His military accomplishments have granted him at least a little credit, and he makes it known in his own way. Shame that due to his foreign birth, most of the credit falls at the feet of others.
|His/Her Virtue:|Skilled militarist. Jacob grew up in the Reich, and graduated through the rigorous military academy with reliable honours. Honours of which mean nothing here, but his skills are still noteworthy on the field of battle.
|His/Her Virtue:|Problem-solver. Puzzles, chess, and more local games; all of which Jacob finds interesting. Given little time, he finds the routine, and beats the game. But in the mind of Jacob, why can only games be games? Surely, reality is its own game to be mastered, as is the battlefield.
|His/Her Sin:|Excruciating pain. Born with an uncommon genetic disease before thought too remote for Geisel Reich to worry about, Jacob was forced to amputate his right leg and left foot in order to ensure a relatively longer life. Forced to walk with cane and pump medicine for the rest of his life, Jacob must cope. However, the bad news do not yet end there, for his lifespan is shortened by virtue of his condition, and he lives life in a similar manner.
|History and Background:|
The title of the county of Zhaochen was initially granted upon the first wielder as a titular honour, lacking material weight. It was a title forced upon political prisoners of high esteem to at least try and appease foreign enemies of peaceful negotiations. When Zengrav underwent the first reorganization, upon the creation of the region of Zhendao, the county of Zhaochen was organized under it in a material manner for the first time in history.
Now, hundreds of years later, the aristocratic dynasty of Ye has managed to lie claim to the territory for several centuries of history. During the rise of the Ye Dynasty, it held dominion over much of the Zhendao region, and even some territory in regional neighbourhoods. But the dynasty suffered when its paternal head died suddenly in the middle of an inheritance scandal, leaving the original family with little left but their ancestral claim on the Zhaochen area.
Whilst individually more powerful than its neighbours in the sense that it holds claim over three sizable cities, the family of Ye has suffered great shame at the head of families now lost to time.
Trying to make their own history in the light of this new era, the Ye family allied itself to the Royalists out of little reason but to maintain their societal status and political importance in the face of newer, more foreign governments. To ensure safety, they hired not only foreign advisors, but also mercenaries to maintain their borders. Best of which, Jacob Hecke, who has now become the pillar on which the faction stands.
|Armed Forces:|
Most of Zhaochen's power comes from their economy, one of which is considerably stronger tha its comparative neighbours. But under Jacob Hecke's influence, several revolutionary methods of maintaining military and formation cohesion have been made to ensure Zhaochen's economy may remain a source of future political influence. Through use of mass-levies, eco-militaristic policies, and military culture, the armies of Zhaochen are comparatively adept at their task.
Through these reforms, a truly modern blend between the positives of the feudal and the progress of the outside world have been maintained in the structure of the military. Ensuring that no offense is taken by traditionalist members of not only the county but also the nation, Jacob was able to blend the two in as effective a way as possible. By using the traditional metalurgic processes cheapened by the painstaking effectiveness of modernization, as well as the use of the superior weapons of war, the firearm, the county troops are amongst the best of the region.
Experienced in the ways of war due to their proximity of communist lines, but also expeditionary ventures against the democratis further south, the soldiers lack neither war nor veterancy when it comes to the mainstay of the army. However, due to the levy nature of the army, maintaining a permanent, professional army, is a painstaking process. Especially amongst staunch traditionalist Minga leaders breathing down the county's necks due to their hiring of foreign advisors and the maintaining of volunteer forces.
As such, the creation of a truly modern army is beyond the grasp of Jacob, as such the greater beasts of war, such as the armoured mechs and tanks of this world's age of warfare are difficult to maintain and properly utilize. Therefore Jacob and his cadre of generals, both foreign and domestic, have modeled their forces in accordance to infantry and dragoon doctrines. A risk-taking procedure, to be sure.
Whilst most soldiers are levies in any given military formation, actual 'levies' are denoted by their green eyes for warfare. Inexperienced in the matters of life and death in the fields of gruesome slaughter, they rely on stronger, more experienced eyes for guidance. Equipped by the state only during their first campaign, their forced to either adapt or perish.
Skilled in the arts of war through matters of experience, regulars have been through the deeds of war through and through several times over. Veterans of the battlefield, they have managed to accrue themselves either fame or fortune, allowing them to either barter or outright purchase their way to better arms and armour. Often times skilled at teamwork, or simply experiencing the matters of war with the same group of people over and over, a regular is a capable combatant both in formation warfare and close quarters chaos.
Equipped similarly to levies initially, forced to fend for themselves, the Support Troops are a auxilliary regiment meant to assist the first line of battle in whatever ways necessary. As such, they're forced to employ a wide range of versatile military equipment ranging from flamethrowers to hand-held Mech-busters and rocket launchers to whatever rare degree they're available. Mostly an ad-hoc regiment comprised and built out of a core of regulars and levies, they're forced to improvise their way into completing their task at whatever means necessary lest they feel the wrath of the unforgiving Minga leadership.
Mounted atop some of the mightiest steeds across all the continents, the Minga-exclusive Dragoons of Zhaochen employ not only exceptional combat performance but also exceptional speed and adaptability outside and inside the lines of fire. Capable of traversing distances not only rapidly, but also at a greater ease than regular infantry due to their military nature, the dragoons are often the first to arrive and the first to strike no matter the fight. Supplied partly by their own families, and partly by the regal family state of Zhaochen, the Dragoons are a formidable opponent to face.
Personal bannermen, permanently employed by the governing family of Ye to maintain guard around the region and to ensure that safety and peace reigns within. Selected from the most promising members of Minga officials in the fields of warfare, the Personal Guard have become a centerpiece of Zhaochen's military might. Their duties have, over the passing of time, become those more commonly entrusted by an offensive military force. Capable of striking with great ferocity, and retreating with unquestionable haste in times of need, the Personal Guard, or Household Guard, have become a ferocious force to oppose.
Employed directly by the Regal Court of the Count of Zhaochen, the Ye family, the Personal Scouts, sometimes referred to as the Regal Scouts, are the personal waywatchers of the Ye Family. Especially skilled, even amongst the entirety of the Royalist Faction, it is their duty to scout areas and signal enemy advances to the headquarters of any military operation headed by the Ye family, or any which they are participating within. Unlike the Geisel Volunteer Guard, the numbers of the Scouts are not so limited that they are exclusive to one battlefront at a time.
The final favour Jacob Hecke made before closing all relation or communication with his now distant home was that of a friendly agreement. But in these times, an agreement between friends can become an agreement worth its weight in flesh and blood. The Volunteer Guard is comprised of a political movement of which Jacob Hecke and his friend, co-founder Kristof Heisenrüddel, organized during their time in the Geisel Reich Military Academy. Built on the backs of officers, soldiers, and elite fighters, they all ventured on with Jacob after Kristof and him broke up the group. Through donations made by their individual families, small and big, the volunteer guard has become the most elite form of military unit that the County may utilize, comprising a total of 1200 soldiers equipped with arms and armour otherwise foreign to the imperial court and its arsenals save for, perhaps, their very best.
|Their finest hour:|
Here came the fools of yore, and so too shall future's fools come before us. Behold now, as the earth rips apart, and as the skies come crashing down. Bear now, the fate of fools, for nations come rushing on, and so too shall they succumb.
The battle had raged on for four weeks, neither side seeing much gain in their attempts to wrestle victory from the hands of the other. However, it was first with the arrival of Jacob Hecke, advisor-general from Zhaochen further beyond the horizon northwards. In his entourage he had brought reinforcements, but he was not the only one. The enemy, the reds, had brought along fodder of their own, but this time Jacob would spend no time prodding the enemy's weaknesses with expendables.
In his shadow he had brought along the best. His own men and women, soldiers of which he could rely on to carry the day and bring the flag of Zhaochen on the opposing side.
---
With a quick limp, and a sudden twitch of his left arm, Jacob brought himself stumbling down the steep rockface. He endured the pain, he was used to it to some degree, to ensure he would get the best view of his soldiers crushing the spineless reds and bringing their advances to a halt.He had already issued the plans, and made the arrangements. All that was left now, was to observe as his soldiers came back home victorious.
He seated himself along a suitably shaped rock, falling down on it with a thud, groaning slightly as he could feel the friction echoing his entire body. At his flank was his communications operative, a Minga woman with an 'uppity' perplexion to the frontlines.
He shouted out, in his broken and frankly miserable interpretation of the Zengravi language. The woman jolted at his speech, gleering at him in a somewhat insulted manner, before being caught off-guard by the sudden roaring of the volunteer guard's machine guns blaring off at the enemy trenches. "Come over here," Jacob said, waving over to his side, "I could use some company."
"I'd rather stay here!" She shouted at him, adamant on their distance. It would seem even the Zengravi royalist xenophobia wasn't exclusive to the regal-class. Everywhere he went, he was shunned, if not for his cane, then for his accent, or his demeanour. It was tiring, so he retorted, "I'm not particularly dangerous... C'mere, it's safe."
The woman was unsure of how to respond, the man in to his side was behaving in a rather unusual manner, especially for someone sitting at the edge of the battlefield, surrounded by friend and foe alike. Her uncertainty was apparent, so Jacob raised his voice again. "Don't worry, the Black have this entire mountain secured. Can't be more than fifty meters between us an the closest lookout." She moved closer, taking a homely seat at a rock adjacent to Jacobs.
The two of them looked across the battlefield. It was a mess, ramshackled trenches, improvised firing lines, and disorderly formations and hierarchy. The weeks of fighting had made its presence known, with hundreds of craters, mud, and corpses littering the battlefields two fronts. There was an anomaly, however. A formation of soldiers rushing towards the red lines from black trenches. They avoided every obstacle, even rushed straight through some, and came crashing down on their opponents who had been rushing a frantic defensive effort to hold them off.
To the Reds' dismay, the enemies they had opposed were those of the volunteer guard. Armed enough to ram straight through most gunfire without much worry, the hammer had met its anvil, and the Red trenches had been pierced.
Distant gunfire and audible screaming had made that fact known, not only to Jacob and his communications officer, but also to the enemy and the allied fronts. At the back of the Volunteer charge, the rest of the royalist forces came rushing, charging at the opposing trenches with reinvigoured perseverence. Their screams inspired those next to them, and soon, the entire army was charging at their enemies. Where those who faced troubles failed, their neighbours charged in, and thus they fed the failed charge with their own success, breeding further progress.
Before the day was done, the operation, operation thunderstrike, had become a massive success, gaining large swathes of territory in the region, and proving a good method for the accumulation of prisoners and other fugitives. The conflict was over before the sun had reached midday, taking a total of four hours to reach its completion.
Whilst the efforts of Jacob Hecke had been recognized in the personal construction of the stratagem in question, most of his glory was stolen from him by Minga officials and generals.
|Their darkest hour:|
"You are an idiot!"
"You'd have thought I'd have taught you at least something in my endless hours spent teaching you everything from ethics to local politics and social hierarchy!
"These are things that you should know, not me! Why can't you just accept the things that I endlessly keep beating into your head without any sense of understanding..."
The Count sat quiet before his assemblage of government officials and generals. The foreigner kept on the barrage, his ceaseless insults cutting deep wounds in the mind of the Count of Zhaochen. However, suddenly, the psychological assault stopped just as the throne room gates burst open with a loud bang.
The man before him, who had shouted his lungs into disrepair, was Jacob Hecke. However, the newly arrived had not been such a familiar sight. In fact, it was someone new entirely.
The man quickly halted, raising his head to his majesty, the Count.
"Your Grace, under authority of the Heavenly Emperor, your fiefs Quayan and Quayao will be confiscated as reparation for your acts during the Southern Conflict against the forces of the Blue-Shirt movement. The Heavenly Emperor hopes you will accept this humble punishment and better your efforts in upcoming campaigns!"
The man put a truly massive scroll, in accordance with traditional legal and judicial customs on this national scale, and turned around, before equally suddenly walking out with rapid, frisk steps.
Jacob and everyone else in the assembly were stunned.
Before long, screams and accusations were thrown from every which way at the foreigner who had come promising success and progress for the Ye family.
Jacob was distraught, he had thought he had left the Southern Front a victor, having vanquished not only the reds, but also the blues, during his latest expedition.
What was beyond his sight, however, was that with the vacation of his forces from the black-blue frontline, a vacuum too big to fill had been created, and the blues took advantage of it to the best of their ability.
|Other Important People inside the Clique:|
- Count Yan Ye of Zhaochen: Youngest member of the Ye family, Yan Ye is still the head of the family due to a complicated dispute for now settled amongst the family regarding their father's family inheritance. Whilst outwardly regal and attractive on the eyes, he makes the impression of ignorance on his advisors. Truth be told, however, it is not due to his own fault, but merely the lack of opportunity to learn that hinders the developement of the Count of Zhaochen, Yan Ye.
- Baron Xi Ye of Zhaolao: Enthusiastic and eager, young and bold, the second youngest member of the regal Ye Family is Xi Ye, baron of Zhaolao. With opportunity and experience equally weighty on his bagage in life, Xi Ye is often displayed as the outstanding member and display case of the family. Whilst Yan Ye may be the flower, Xi Ye is the spokesperson. Often engaged in diplomatic missions across the Royalist faction to maintain standing for the family and thereby the County, he is an utmost busy person who relaxes amongst the gardens during his off-time.
- Baron Ye Ye of Xi'yan: Xi Ye and Yan Ye's uncle, Ye Ye is an old veteran amongst the faction but often leaves himself outside of the messy politics that the faction itself entails. Outwardly indifferent to the chaos of Zengravi politics, he entertains himself with the exploits of poetry and philosophy, often inviting key members of the faction over for a cup of tea. Formerly, however, he was a man without equal for ambition. Whilst it is officially not known how the fifth son of An Ye, Sui Ye, was able to inherit the County, it was all due to his brother, Ye Ye, who manipulated the strings of their father and ensured the deaths of their four brothers prior to the death of An Ye. A sleeping dragon, so to speak.
- Baron Cao Ye of Caoroi: Taking up the family military creed is Cao Ye, eldest of the Ye Brothers. An adept military student with interests in strategy, he is however a bit too attached to the traditional aspects of Zengravi society, being incredibly xenophobic. Partaking in personally training his own personal guard regiments during the off-time, there is little that Cao Ye does aside from hone his swordsmanship.
- General Tao Mao: Employed by Cao ye, the General embodies much of Cao Ye's personal creeds. Staunch traditionalist and prime opponent to Jacob Hecke's military prevalence within the County, he takes every step possible to hinder Jacob's increasing power within the county.
- Advisor-Lieutenant-General Joachim Stahl: Former ambassador of the Demokratische Autoritäre Gruppe für Cadet Politiker (DAGCP) co-founded by Jacob Hecke and his best friend. Aside from following in Kristof's footsteps however, Joachim followed Jacob in his pursuits in Zengrav. Direct advisor to Jacob and thereby the Count of Zhaochen, Joachim also organizes, trains, and acts as the direct officer of the Geisel Volunteer Guard.
|Geographical Location of CLIQUE:| Northern Delraat. |Cities:| The capital of the County is Jungher, a bustling city where all the gold and silver mined across the Simerk fiefdom is refined and exported. Another notable cities within Bângxeni are Lantzi, which grows bloated with refugees as the days come and go, and Zhan-Ger, where the Count spent a fortune to set up an arsenal to equip his hosts with rifles and other basic equipment.
Your Warlord:
|Name:| Olziytomor Simerk |Title:| Count of Bângxeni, Lieutenant General of the Heavenly Imperial Army. |Age:| 34 |Ethnicity:| Minga with unfortunate Quin ancestry. |Personal Ideology: | Paternal Autocrat. Member of the Young Officer's Club, a cadre of like minded noblemen and officers who believe that the Heavenly Empire must adapt if it is to survive the modern world. |Influence in the faction: | 15% |Personality: | Stern, diligent and austere. Count Simerk holds high standards for himself and those around him. Ever since his ascension to the title of Count, Olziytomor has dedicated himself fully to reshaping the Simerk fiefs according to his own vision. Something that has put him at odds with the old guard. |His Virtue: | Diligent. As much as he may push his subordinates, the Count pushes himself even harder. As far as he is concerned, the only way to lead is by example. And as such, even though his rather unorthodox positions may earn him little favor with the old guard of the Blacks, the men and women under his command can at least take comfort in the fact that their leader puts his money where his mouth is. |His Virtue: | Ever since he first a position of power, the Count has proved again and again that there are few whose organizational and administrative skills could match his. Whether it is in ensuring the silver mines maintain productivity or turning a peasant rabble into something that resembles an army, Count Olziytomor Simerk can do it. |His Sin:| The Count considers himself a just man. Loyalty and diligence must be rewarded just as crimes must be punished. The problem is that he's really fond of that last part. Before the war, Olziytomor Simerk had already garnered an unsavory reputation for his handling of criminals as his father's head constabulary. With the Emperor's death and the civil war, his fame spread farther as the opportunities to visit rightful punishment upon those who defied the Heavenly Throne increased. Mass graves, razed villages and collective executions are common whenever the host of the White Bird marches as the Count has little patience or mercy for those who refuse to surrender once given the chance.
|History and Background:|
Olziytomor Simerk was born the fourth son of Count Sartak Simerk by his favorite mistress, a half-Quin courtesan. Due to his fondness for his mistress, the Count also doted on the boy. Raised alongside the Count's other children gave Olziytomor a wide array of privileges and opportunities that the young boy grasped firmly with both hands. Always diving headfirst into whatever his father saw fit for him to do. Studies, bonding with his siblings, official functions, anything to please his lordly father.
The boy's diligence didn't go unnoticed by the Count and motivated both by the desire to reward young Olziytomor and placate his wife (whose demands for him to send the boy away grew even more unbearable), Sartak sent the future Warlord and one of his brothers to study in a Geisel University. It was there that the young man was exposed to foreign ideas for the first time. Unlike his brother, however, Olziytomor remained steadfast in his loyalty to the Heavenly Throne, even if he grew increasingly sure that the Empire needed urgently to reform its structures if it wished to thrive in this modern world and abandon the humiliations of the past. Not that he was vocal about it. He knew his place, after all.
Then his brother eloped with an actress, joining the growing community of anti-Imperial expatriates spread across the major cities of the Commonwealth. Olziytomor was recalled immediately, university be damned, Count Sartak wouldn't risk losing two sons to foreign degeneracy. Once safely back home, young Olziytomor was immediately dispatched to run a silver mine and told to make himself useful by his father. Whose trust on his bastard had been shaken by his brother's defection. Some even dared to say Olziytomor himself had been responsible for that.
Hellbent on proving his loyalty and worth to his father, Olziytomor threw himself on the task ahead. Using a mix of innate talent and lessons learned in the Reich's universities to bring the mine back from its downtrodden state over the span of a year. By the end of the following year, he had been given command of several other operations by his father, who by this point had deemed him loyal enough to trust again. And when his elder brother died, Olziytomor was called back to Jungher, where the Count made him Head of the Constabulary, in the hopes of ensuring that his surviving heir would have a loyal right hand.
Six months later, he fell from his horse and broke his neck. Now the Count's only living child, Olziytomor was hastily confirmed as the Simerk heir. The following years were spent in relative calm. Count Sartak's health steadily declined, allowing Olziytomor to gradually assert himself as the real power in Bângxeni. By the time the Heavenly Emperor was assassinated and the civil war started, Olziytomor was Count in all but name, ruling as regent for his bedridden father. And when Sartak died three years into the war, there was none to stop Olziytomor from inheriting his father's titles.
|Armed Forces:|
The core of the Count's military power are the "New Harmonious Divisions". Olziytomor's own attempts at creating a modern military machine to replace the levies. Paid for and lavishly equipped by Bângxeni's considerable mineral wealth and drilled relentlessly by the Count and a cadre of foreign mercenaries and Imperial Army instructors formerly involved in the military reform project. They are the best fighting force available to the Count.
Below the Harmonious Divisions are the regular units of the "White Bird Host" (Bângxeni's own feudal hosts). Over the last decade, considerable efforts were undertaken to reform the County's military structure beyond the NHD, with attempts made to replace the old system of feudal contracts with a modern County-wide conscription program. Progress has been stifled, however, by stiff resistance from the lesser Minga lords under the Count, who rightfully see this move as a threat to their position. As it stands, Count Olziytomor efforts have stopped short of breaking the stranglehold the Minga nobility has over the officer corps, something that he isn't that keen on pushing either way. Their quality and equipment is varied, as the Harmonious Divisions get the priority in both recruits and equipment, leaving the rest of the White Bird to make do with what's left.
Soldiers of the 16th Infantry Division on the way to Zhili
A few squadrons of aircraft are also maintained by the White Bird Host. Mostly for reconnaissance and scouting purposes.
|His finest hour:|
Count Oziyltomor Simerk reviewed the rows of armored soldiers marching with an impassive expression, hiding his satisfaction beneath a mask of stoicism. The roar of artillery could be heard in the distance, their thundering choir led by Hwa's Lasses a battery of railway guns belonging to Count Ma Hwa. Simerk's own guns were part of the colossal artillery park assembled to crack open the Blue lines along lake Nin Sha. With the Whites now greatly reduced and the path to Saraat open wide, the Heavenly Imperial Army had seen fit to redirect its focus towards the Republican rabble to the south. A mighty host was gathered to dislodge the rebellious merchants and their lackeys from their positions taken last spring.
Simerk's role in this endeavor would be one of paramount importance. Brought upon by relentless politicking and donations of gold and silver to the Heavenly Throne. This would be his chance to wipe away the shame incurred by the debacle at Saozin all those years ago. While powerful guns pounded the Blue trenchlines and peasant conscripts cleared the minefields and soaked up bullets, his own Harmonious Divisions had been tasked with pushing through the enemy lines.
Tanks and mechs bearing the White Bird supported by armored elite soldiers, Olziytomor's pride and joy, would soon be going into the breach created by Baroness Ren Yi's levies. Yes, the Count allowed himself a slight smile, his forces were more than up to this task. And so were the troops of the other members of the Young Officer's Club, they would show the decadent oligarchs and old fossils alike just how powerful the Heavenly Imperial Army could be when under the right hands.
The spent Republican lines would prove no match for the cream of the White Bird Host. Entire regiments would be wiped out by the Harmonious divisions as they broke through the battered lines and into the Blue rearguard. By the end of the month, the Republican army would be in full withdraw across all the theater. Unfortunately, it was then that the Lavanians entered the war in the North.
|His darkest hour:|
The command tent had gone utterly still. Even the outside noises felt muted. All eyes now turned to the Count himself, who seemed intent on glaring the unfortunate radiowoman to death. And by her reaction, it actually looked like it would work.
"What do you mean we've lost Baotzi?" Borte, the Count's cousin, broke the silence. "That village is kilometers behind the frontlines. I took the bloody place myself!"
"Captain Kênsig has been pushed out with heavy losses. His regiment is scattered and White mobile assault forces are securing the surroundings." The communication officer repeated, haltingly.
"There's no way the Whites could have pushed so deeply into our lines without us noticing. Check again." Borte insisted, an edge of desperation seeping into her voice as she looked to the Count for some reassurance. "I assure you, Your Excellency, this has to be a mistake-"
"Lieutenant Yi is asking for reinforcements." The same radiowoman interrupted. "White tanks have hit the Kwan-ni outpost." Borte paled at that while the Count turned his cold glare to her.
"It seems our flanks were not as secure as you promised, Colonel."
"I had troops on all known routes, Your Excellency. I myself organized the patrol routes. If it weren't for-" Her pleas were silenced by a raised hand.
"And yet that wasn't enough. Fix this." The Count ordered, struggling to control his voice. "Before they cut us off completely."
"O-of course, Your Excellency." Borte nodded emphatically as she leaned over the map laid on the table. "I will rally the troops still in the area. In three days I can move the reserve regiments to the Wulin ridge, set up positions here and here before launch-"
"You will counter-attack now. Your Windriders should be rested enough to ride at once." The Count once again interrupted as he approached his cousin. "They may as well have an entire armored division pouring into our rearguard. A counter-attack on our front is only a question of time. You have cost us this operation, Colonel!" He barked as his cousin flinched under his glare. "Now you will go out and fix your mistake or die trying!" He finished, poking her repeatedly on the chest for additional emphasis.
By the end of the week, the White Bird Host had been pushed back from the Saozin Valley, encirclement and total disaster would be avoided by a hair's breadth. But losses were nevertheless substantial, two months of bloody progress were lost in the blink of an eye. The 9th Cavalry Division "Windriders" would lose 3/5 of its combat force in their desperate struggle to cover the retreat. Its commanding officer would lose both legs and barely escape the ensuing court martial with her head.
|Other Important People inside the Clique:|
Borte Simerk:The crippled Baroness, heads one of the lesser branches of the Simerk family. Her sprawling rural estates are one of the main suppliers of horse, draft animals and grain to the White Bird Host. Her military career ended with the Saozin debacle (no matter what her remaining ceremonial titles say). But despite the humiliation and crippling, she remains an influential actor within the County by sole virtue of her economic pull.
Qian Xun: The mayor of Zhan-Ger and overseer of the local arsenal, Qian Xun has been a long time ally of Oziyltomor, to which he owes his current appointment. Being of wholly Quin background (even if from a respected merchant family) has proved to be a substantial obstacle for his political career, which serves as an additional reason for his firm support of the Count and other reformists within the Royalist faction.
Tao Song: Another one of the Count's creatures. Simerk's appointed overseer for his family's mines (which happen to be all within the borders of the County, for the Simerk family holds monopoly over them for centuries already). Another half Quin who has "risen beyond his station" thanks to the Count's patronage. His ancestors have been retainers to the Simerks ever since one can remember. Tao himself can boast an engineering diploma from a Arcanain University.
Tartu Zamir: Hailing from one of the minor Minga families sworn to the Simerks, Tartu is the Count's right hand when it comes to military affairs. Sharing his lord's reformist outlook when it comes to the armed forces, he is far less enthusiastic when the issue are politics. Despite these differences, however, Tartu continues to serve to the best of his abilities, as long as the Count doesn't goes out of his way to oppose the agenda of the Heavenly Throne (or at least what he perceives it to be) and respects the rights of the Minga nobility.
|Geographical Location of CLIQUE:| As its name suggests, the Commune is centered on the major industrial metropolis of Huinan, on the Eastern bank of Hankhan’s lake. It also includes many satellite towns and the smaller, but still-important city of Nuncheng. More importantly, however, the Commune controls fertile rural lands, much-coveted in Red Zengrav. Yet, this leverage has a counterweight: The industry of Huinan and Nuncheng depend on minerals extracted in the hills to the East, just outside the direct control of the Commune.
|Nationalities of the Commune:| While majority-Quin, the Huinan Commune contains significant minority populations, more so than most polities within Red Zengrav. -- Tu’wa (19%): A traditionally-pastoral “Mingalic” people sharing heritage and some linguistic ties with the former rulers of Zengrav, but strong cultural-religious ties to the Conclave. They form a majority in the open grasslands to the Southwest of Commune, but the vast majority of Tu’wa globally have always lived in lands now part of Belzarov. Historically, the Tu'wa had many independent Khanates to the West of Zengrav with shifting dynasties and territory, and at various points served as either subjects or allies to the Minga. Starting a millenium ago, Conclave missionaries convinced Tu'wa elites to move away from their old shamanist faith, though to this day they retain many syncretic elements and a highly mystic interpretation of the Conclave religion. Over the last three centuries, the Tu'wa Khans were subjugated -and later deposed- by the expanding Tsardom of Belzorov. Their role in the Revolution there would earn them limited national self-determination in the "United Tu'wa Autonomous Oblasts." In the Commune itself, the Tu’wa are concentrated in the countryside and smaller towns, where they practice settled herding, farming, and handicrafts in largely culturally autonomous settlements. Their connection to their kin in Belzarov has made a major mark on the Socialist transformation in the area, bringing not only clandestine material support but also a strong internationalist streak opposing Quin “national chauvinism” prevalent in some other parts of Red Zengrav. -- Zeh (17%): In contrast to the Tu’wa, the Zeh of the Commune are overwhelmingly concentrated in Huinan and Nuncheng. While the area has been home to some Zeh since time immemorial, the current population is over half refugees from political violence elsewhere in Zengrav. Some continue to live on their boats, supporting the Commune through fishing and trade, but many more have transitioned into life as proletarians and soldiers. -- Minga (11%): Spread evenly throughout the Commune, the Minga minority is a remnant of the Heavenly Empire’s old policy of re-settling “loyal” communities to exert influence over potentially troublesome regions. But as the Empire decayed and employed ineffective “modernization” programs, many came to slip through the cracks, losing land and status to political favorites. By the time of the collapse, many were more sympathetic to the rebels than to the Emperor. Those who were not, of course, were mostly killed or expelled like all other reactionaries. Recently, however, the number of Minga in Commune territory has begun to swell with refugees from pogroms in Red Zengrav, seeing Huinan and Wang Huifang as a potential protector against the anti-Minga ideology of the "Wise Brother."
Your Warlord:
Wang Huifang
|Name:| Wang Huifang |Title:| Zuigao Gonghui Gongtou (Supreme Union Foreman) |Age:|29 |Ethnicity:| Mixed Zeh-Quin |Personal Ideology: | Internationalist Libertarian Syndicalist. Wang has no patience for an ideology that would limit the Revolution to a single nation or people, nor for one that would centralize power in the hands of a political elite with the power to impose its will on the people with impunity. She believes in the power of worker self-organization, and is keen to trust the power of a mob over the power of a commissar. However, she is not so utopian as to reject the state entirely, as long as it is built on the foundation of Worker Councils and Unions. Likewise, she understands the need for military hierarchy and discipline – though with limited democracy (soldiers’ councils, election of officers, etc.). |Influence in the faction: | 20% |Personality: | Many would say that Wang has an “aura” of charm and authority. Despite her small stature, she commands attention and respect from those she speaks to with her combination of eloquence and genuine, impassioned conviction. Wang is loyal to her friends, and even more so to the Cause of Socialism, and she tends to speak her mind (“Better to convince one comrade with the hard Truth, than a hundred with a convenient Lie!”). She is also considered kind in general, even merciful to a point, but with a no-nonsense practical outlook. She is no gullible pushover, and she does not hesitate to use any means necessary for her goals. |Her Virtue: |Ear to the ground: Wang Huifang has deep roots in the proletarian masses of Huinan, and a knack for expanding those roots far and wide. If there is a trend, rumor, shared grievance, or any other piece of common knowledge among some segment of the people -often even in neighboring counties- she already knows it. |Her Virtue: |Charismatic Hero: With her sharp tongue, commanding presence, and pivotal role as a revolutionary in her region, Wang Huifang inspires loyalty and confidence from those she leads. |Her Sin:|Unsubtle: Wang Huifang is an experienced organizer and revolutionary, but not a politician. Although she is any Socialist's equal in her command of language and theory, everything from her accent to her garb to her table manners are seen as a little too proletarian even for Communist high councils. More damningly, she has consistently either failed or refused to play the game of walking egg-shells around the “Wise-Brother” Reg-Ahn’s authoritarianism. While proclaiming her loyalty to the Red Cause, she also publicly decries Reg-Ahn’s purges and refuses to submit to all but the bare minimum of his “rightful” authority. Her own influence and the power she represents have protected her so far, but can she count on this forever? Even if not, her stubborn commitment to honesty is too much for her to stop.
|History and Background:|
A true proletarian hero from childhood, she has achieved greater and greater feats with time. Wang is the ever-Rising Red Star.
Wang Huifang was born to a Zeh fisherman and a Quin dockworker in Huinan. During her childhood, she watched her lakeside home district swell with refugees. She watched slum-lords and work-bosses push them into squalid living and backbreaking labor. Even then the region was something of a safe-haven, but the trade-off was that those coming in were funneled into the ranks of cheap industrial labor: The city’s economy thrived off of suffering elsewhere in Zengrav. Her own family lived only marginally better, allowing her to attend a Zeh community school for some time. Yet, despite her amazing performance, her education was punctuated with interruptions as “rough patches” required her to work transporting and peddling her father’s catches.
At the age of 14, even this status was lost when her father and his blood family lost their boats, burned where they lay anchored on the orders of a Quin fishing magnate who resented the competition. The young Wang went to work in garment factories for the next five years. All the while, the tireless girl made time for participation in Blue Clubs, continuing her education and expanding her political awareness. Her employment ended ignobly when, after a work-boss demanded an extra hour from her and her crew at no extra pay, she ran through his stomach with a pair of scissors, leading to a riot. The “disturbance” was quickly and brutally repressed, and Wang was forced to flee the district for fear of the constables.
Fortunately, her mother had connections enough to find the young woman work at the other end of the city, with a crew of teamsters. Here, she went from Blue to Red. She had happened to join in the beginnings of a union drive, joining the underground campaign mere months before it went public. Secret union meetings often doubled as Red Clubs, but more important than her continued political education was her practice. This time, Wang relied first on her words and her ability to build trusted friendships, and rather than rallying behind the existing union leaders soon they were rallying behind her. This was also when she first made connections with Tu’wa artisans and peasants, whose wares and labor the teamsters often drew from. She boldly invited them first to the Red Clubs, and then officially into the union as fellow workers: “Either we will unite and both taste victory, or we will lose.” The ensuing experiment in federating across locations and trades would also draw the attention of local Anarchists, including the (in)famous “Pure Socialist” theoretician and agitator Shiu Lifu.
Coming under an uncomfortable amount of attention, the teamsters’ bosses offered to recognize the union on the grounds that the workers would cut ties with “outsiders” and expel Wang from their ranks. But they under-estimated the unionists. Acquiring arms through the Anarchists’ networks and Tu’wa connections to Belzarov, they drove the bosses out by force and declared themselves a self-managing “Union Enterprise.” When the bosses rallied a force of hired goons to counter-attack, Wang personally led the defense of the Teamsters’ Office, winning her first military victory.
By now, the government of Huinan was already on shaky ground, buckling under the weight of the recent Blue takeover and countless Red associations already springing up. It simply could not spare the resources to swiftly put down the uprising. Wang and her fellow union leaders wasted no time: They reached out to Anarchists across the whole city, then to Socialist Tu’wa organizations, and finally to all manner of Red Groups in Huinan and its surrounding towns and villages. Within a year, they had federated with almost all other Teamster’s Offices; the next year they had won over most of the city’s warehouse workers and dockworkers too. Responses by constables and mercenaries were either too weak to do damage, or fended off by Wang’s seemingly miraculous ability to know when and where they planned to attack. All they accomplished was to make public spectacles in which the irredeemable divide between capitalist and worker became painfully obvious to more and more citizens. At 22 years old, the federation she led directly included nearly the entire transportation and commercial infrastructure of Huinan, and her influence extended over unions and worker councils embedded in nearly half of the city’s factories, particularly women garment workers. The moment had arrived: Wang declared a General Strike. Within days, the economy ground to a halt, while workers and their peasant allies organized the continued flow of food to the city through their own organizations. In the countryside, landlords were driven off of their estates by armed peasants, taking control of their own production to support the city workers.
In a last-ditch effort to stamp out the disorder, the city’s mayor appealed to the Republic’s government for assistance, and to his joy an army was soon dispatched. Yet, he could not stop the Reds from finding out and making the news public, turning nearly the entire populace against him overnight. The General Strike was escalated into the full, armed expropriation of the city’s bourgeoisie. Constables that had been nervously facing off with workers for days either fled or defected en masse when the shooting began, and those that remained were quickly overrun. When the Republican Army arrived, there were no sympathizers to aid them. Wang chose to lead a column of unarmed women workers to confront them at an enormous roadblock, appealing to the mix of conscripts and poor volunteers with her voice: For hours the soldiers refused to fire, and entire battalions left the field against the orders of their superiors. Some even “crossed over” and joined the crowd.
Yet, eventually, it came to violence. The army’s artillery, too far to behold or hear from the crowd, and crewed by higher-status personnel who would have identified little with the workers anyway, finished deploying and opened fire. The ensuing “Shan District Massacre” was a horror to behold, and though she survived Wang did not escape unscathed: She would lose two fingers, as well as some of her earlier idealism. Nonetheless, she would win the war: The artillerists’ unforgivable actions would provoke yet more desertion from the infantry, and over days of bloody urban warfare the entire army was divided into pieces that were systematically encircled and destroyed.
There was little time to regroup. Shortly after her victory and declaring the Huinan Commune, yet another army was detected only days away. But by now, Wang was de-facto recognized as the leader of revolutionary forces in Huinan, her personal army the “Revolutionary Guard” leading the larger movement of “People’s Militias.” The city of Nuncheng, inspired to action by Huinan’s resistance, had expelled its own elites and quickly joined the Commune. Together, the “Army of the Two Cities” routed the second Republican Army in what was dubbed The Second Battle of the Commune. As commander, Wang ensured victory not only through inspiring words, but also clever positioning and extensive use of civilian trucks for quick deployment (and as jerry-rigged attack cars).
There would be no third army. By that point, Reds throughout the entire province of Hankhan were rising under the Red Father’s leadership. Her hopes lifted by the tide of popular power, the Commune’s leader pledged herself to Lee’s leadership and the Red Turban Rebellion. Although considered “gruff” and “improper” by many other Red leaders from outside her home region, she developed a strong mutual respect with Lee.
Meanwhile, Wang and her allies set about formalizing the new Syndicalist order in the Commune. A system of cooperatives and worker councils would exercise political and economic sovereignty “from the bottom,” constituting federal units in larger Unions to coordinate production. These unions could be based on trade, geography, or any other number of reasons for association, so long as each cooperative/council belonged to only one union. Each union would send a number of Gonghui Gongtou (Union Foremen) to the Commune’s Workers’ Congress proportional to its membership. Furthermore, each Nationality in the Commune would elect a number of representatives to send to a Council of Nationalities. The Congress and the Council together, in turn, would elect a “Supreme Foreman” - needless to say, this would be Huifang Wang herself.
Tragically, just after consolidating the Commune’s victory and joining it to the Red Turbans, she lost a key ally in the Red Father. She lost yet more in the ensuing purges, and since has been working hard to denounce and obstruct Reg-Ahn's violence, all while building alliances with remaining non-Totalists among Red Turban leadership. Yet, unwilling to sacrifice the unity of Reds against monarchists and fascists, she has not broken with the "Wise Brother" entirely. For now, she maintains her allegiance to his "duly elected" leadership, but only to the very minimum required by the loose codes of the movement.
|Armed Forces:|
The People’s Militias: (~18,000 troops) One of the requirements of union status in the Commune is the maintenance of a regularly-drilled workers’ miltia, comprising no less than 1/20 of the union’s total membership. These soldiers are in some sense volunteers, since there is currently no direct conscription in the Commune. Those who are most devoted to the cause or best adapted to contribute as soldiers tend to offer themselves as candidates. In practice, however, meeting the quota sometimes requires draft-like actions: at best this may be pressure from friends and coworkers, at worst union representatives may round up choice workers against their will. More often than not, however, the quota is simply not enforced, and so far Wang Huifang has not made a priority of changing this situation.
Currently, the People’s Militias typically function as garrisons defensively, and as screens and reserves offensively. Many of their most experienced members “cycle out” to join the CDA. However, the militias can claim many instances of battlefield bravery, especially when operating in smaller units. While mostly infantry (with some light artillery), the militias possess a small but growing arsenal of battlefield vehicles handed down from the Revolutionary Guard and excess production.
The CDA, or Revolutionary Guard: (~24,000 troops) The Commune Democratic Army, better known as the Revolutionary Guard, is Wang Huifang’s loyal professional army. The force is organized according to her principles of “The Democratic Army,” balancing limited syndicalist democracy with hierarchy and discipline. Every battalion constitutes its own Workers’ Council, every division its own Union, and the whole army a special Union Federation. They elect their own officers and participate in politics through their Union Foremen, with one Foreman per brigade (1-5,000 soldiers) – the Foreman is therefore roughly equivalent to a Colonel. However, unlike in civilian syndicalism, elected officer positions are not always revocable: Commands cannot be revoked in battle, and during campaign operations they can only be revoked with the approval of the regiment’s Foreman (or, if it is the Foreman being recalled, the approval of Wang Huifang herself). Likewise, the system of checks, balances, and appeals available to civilian workers is more limited for soldiers, especially during campaign operations.
Despite the theoretical numerical strength of the People’s Militias, the Revolutionary Guard is the backbone of the Commune’s army. It alone benefits directly from the flow of foreign military volunteers, most notably the elite cavalry Tu’wa Socialist Volunteer Brigade and a collection of skilled training officers from Belzarov’s United Tu’wa Autonomous Oblasts. Furthermore, with the lax enforcement of militia quotas and the modest but constant drain of soldiers from the militias to professional service, the Revolutionary Guard is actually the larger of the Commune’s two parallel armies. Naturally, it also contains by far more experienced troops and officers, properly trained and drilled for large-scale combined arms operations. This also means that the CDA alone has proper Armor, Artillery, and Air units.
Tu'wa Socialist Volunteer Brigade (~3,000): One of the CDA's most elite and battle-proven units is, ironically, its least mechanized. The TSVB, comprised of Belzarovian Tu'wa volunteers, is all-cavalry, with roughly 2,100 rifle/SMG-armed dragoons in body armor supported by 150 Tuchankas (total crew of roughly 900) carrying machine-guns, mortars, and anti-tank guns. With its combined armaments, the unit can effectively face off against both infantry and light armor. The TSVB has mastered the art of concentrating its entire firepower with terrifying speed and precision, making it ideal as both a vanguard and a flanking force. It has also proven invaluable as a source of veterans to train native Zengravi Tu'wa cavalry.
Ji’s Veteran-Vanguards (~2,000): Considered the best infantry in the Revolutionary Guard, the Veteran-Vanguards are a fully-mechanized brigade of armored shock troops. They are armed with a combination of semi-automatic rifles, light machine-guns, and flamethrowers. Most soldiers also carry a plethora of grenades, and all are equipped for close-combat with trench shovels and/or sword bayonets. They are, as their unit name suggests, the best and brightest of General Ji Ming-Jyun’s most loyal veterans, overwhelmingly those who have served with her since the days of the original People’s Militia. Among the Revolutionary Guard, the Veteran-Vanguards are some of the only troops that have drilled in deploying from the Commune’s new line of gunships. However, they typically move in their dedicated arsenal of Bullhorn-Class transports, an “armored wave” supported by medium tanks and artillery for maximum shock.
1st and 2nd Mounted Militia Battalions (~300 each): Most People's Militia units are entirely foot infantry, perhaps with some support vehicles and light artillery. However, a few battalions of rural Minga and Tu'wa have made a name for themselves for their heroics on horseback, staging daring raids and ambushes against royalist forces who dare intrude into Red territory. Most would eventually volunteer for the cavalry brigades of the CDA, but two remain a testament to the talent that can be found among the Militia. They remain a useful resource for speedy guerilla actions, scouting, and other small-unit operations.
**In addition to the equipment and vehicles below, the Commune also employs designs borrowed from the Dhanga Autonomy Party.
Skoda CT-4 7.7mm Bolt-Action Rifle: Like many of the Commune's standard weapons, the Skoda Mk4 is a "doubly-imported" design, a Belzarovian-licensed variant of the Commonwealth Ems-Lee Pattern D. Its features are a balance optimal for Huinan's military doctrine and production capabilities. Its technical complexity is low enough for relatively easy mass-production, and it is reasonably simple for any soldier to use and maintain. At the same time, the gun is not only physically sturdy, but effective and reliable. Its 10-round box magazine chambers a longer and more powerful bullet than many comparable rifles, in order to better threaten infantry body armor. As a consequence, despite the short barrel, the Mk4 is a noticeably heavy and high-recoil weapon. Nonetheless, it remains a tried and true staple for both the People's Militia and the Revolutionary Guard.
SVS-11 7mm Self-Loading Carbine: One of the most advanced weapons in the Commune arsenal, the SVS-11 is an innovation of the Belzarovian Socialist Republic. The recoil-operated rifle carries a 15-round internal magazine, fed by 5-round clips. Field tests and battle experience have shown extreme reliability; the SVS-11 is known to fire thousands of rounds and endure difficult campaign conditions without serious incident. It trades a somewhat small caliber for a large powder charge and very high muzzle velocity, ideal for puncturing body armor - as much as its size allows. However, the gun is quite technically complex and relies on special non-standard ammunition: Only two factories in the Commune possess the proper machinery and technical expertise to produce it. As such, it is functionally limited to only two elite units: The TSVB, which brought most of its SVS-11 rifles directly from Belzarov, and the Commune-equipped Veteran-Vanguards brigade.
Shandian Machine Pistol: A 9mm SMG with the distinction of being of native Red Zengravian design, though some parts were modeled after Commonwealth guns. The Shandian is most impressive for its simplicity: Instead of bolts and welding, SMG's parts are joined with screws and threads. Thus, it is easily manufactured even by inexperienced engineers in small workshops. The SMG is also known for its rugged durability and ease of maintenance, and in addition to devoted 32-round box magazines it is designed to accommodate 9mm magazines from Commonwealth designs common among Blue and Black forces. This has made the Shandian a favorite among guerillas, but it remains popular with militia and regular soldiers as well for its overall reliability. The Shandian is ubiquitous among all Commune soldiery, both Militia and CDA, and is also a major export to other Red forces. It is often produced in small towns and even villages, in addition to devoted production from city assembly lines.
PK-50 SMG: Another "double import" from the Commonwealth to Belzarov to Zengrav. Like the SVS-11, the PK-50 is a more sophisticated design that trades greater complexity for higher accuracy, rate of fire (900 RPM), and ammunition capacity (typically fitted with a 71-round drum). However, it is a less extreme case than the rifle, due to its use of the same 9mm ammunition as the Shandian (also common to many Commonwealth designs) and greater mechanical suitability for mass production. Like most Commune designs, it is also durable and easy enough to maintain, though not to the extent of the Shandian. It is standard fare among CDA cavalry -including the TSVB- and infantry assault battalions.
Skoda CP-9 7.7mm LMG: Like the CT-4 Rifle, the CP-9 is a Commonwealth-derived design from the union-owned Belzarovian arms producer Skoda Works. It uses the same powerful ammunition, and like the rifle it is an ideal balance of cost, performance, and resilience. The gun is fed by 30-round magazines and generally mounted on a bipod. It can also mount a sword bayonet, though the CT-4's weight and barrel limit the blade's effectiveness.
Voigt Machine Gun Mk3: An old but dependable Commonwealth design licensed by Belzarov with a slew of minor improvements: a new metallic ammunition belt, accelerator mechanism, muzzle booster, redesigned handle, optical sight, and snow filling cap (for use of snow as coolant instead of water in winter). It employs the same 7.7mm ammunition as the CT-4 and CP-9. The Voigt Mk3 boasts an impressive fire rate of 850 RPM, and it is issued with extra parts allowing it to be easily modified as an anti-aircraft gun. A generally dependable and reasonably cheap weapon even with the extra parts, it is the most-produced machine-gun of the Commune, typical even among militia garrisons.
Skoda CK-61 15mm Heavy Machine Gun: Like the SVS-11, the CK-61 is a Belzarovian design through and through with its own unique ammunition. It fires very heavy rounds, attractive to the Commune for their devastating potential against heavily-armored Royalist infantry. Naturally, this comes at the cost of accuracy, but this is mitigated by the gun's selective fire mechanism - allowing for semi-automatic fire. It is more cost-efficient to produce than the rifle, but remains one of the Commune's more expensive and unusual weapons. Some are deployed with infantry, and a few are even mounted on Tachankas. However, the vast majority of Huinan's CK-61's are devoted to vehicle MG turrets, which benefit most from the extra punch and provide the best stability for the overpowered gun.
KPS-34 AT Rifle: A Belzarovian design of the state-owned National Arms company, long kept classified but eventually leaked to Huinan through anonymous sympathizers. The KPS-34 is a bolt-action anti-tank rifle with exceptional performance for its cost: its long barrel and nitro powder rounds produce impressive muzzle velocity, its muzzle break keeps recoil comparable to that of the CT-4 rifle despite every shot emitting over double the power, and its lead-core rounds tend to "stick" to armor rather than ricocheting - this makes for more consistent penetration. It is light enough to be carried by a single soldier, though it is typically deployed with a second to carry its heavy ammunition (in 4-round magazines) and to spot for the gunner. The KPS-34 was produced in high numbers before the truce with the Blues, when anti-tank weapons were high in demand. It remains popular in the CDA, especially in cavalry units, and if it weren't for its unique and expensive 7.9mm ammunition it would likely be common among the Militia as well.
Tanepka: A relatively simple and easy-to-produce body armor of Belzarovian design. It is useful in reducing casualties from shrapnel and low-power pistol/SMG munitions, but it is not dependable against full-power rifle rounds except at very long range. It was not considered a priority for production until after the truce with the Republic due to the sheer demand for arms and munitions, and it was only seen on volunteer soldiers bringing their own equipment (such as in the TSVB). Since then, it has been entering the ranks of the CDA slowly but surely: At this point, all infantry Assault Battalions and all cavalry forces are equipped with Tanepkas.
OPERATIONAL VEHICLES Tachanka: An innovation brought to Huinan from Belzarov, the Tachanka is a horse-drawn weapons platform. It is most commonly fitted with a heavy machine-gun, but a pair of mortars can make for a useful "artillery wagon." Though not particularly impressive from a technological standpoint, the Tachanka has proven its mettle in both the First and Second Battles of the Commune. Employed properly, Tachanka "batteries" can bring concentrated fire support to key locations with remarkable speed, no need for fuel, and very little production or maintenance cost compared to motor vehicles.
Fist-Class Assault Truck: A compact transport that trades protection for speed. Designed to deploy en masse facing towards the enemy, it has disproportionate armor in the front section but almost none in the rear. It has a machine-gun turret to suppress the enemy as its own troops dismount.
Knife-Class Armored Car: A dense, quick armored vehicle with a crew of 2-3. The Knife is the successor to the jerry-rigged "attack cars" deployed in the open plains. The first fully-operational design (right) has been mass-produced and deployed en masse since the Commune's consolidation, regularly facing the Blues in field battles prior to the Truce. Now, with the help of foreign volunteer technicians, the Commune seeks to transition to a better-protected version (left) that preserves the speed of the first.
Rioter-Class Mobile Artillery: A very compact but armored design typical of the Revolutionary Guard, based on civilian designs with a more powerful engine and the addition of armor plates. Each vehicle mounts an oversized, quick-reloading recoilless rifle. They can be used en masse as very maneuverable short-range artillery batteries, or more individually as tank-hunters.
Fan-Class Mobile Flak Gun (Variants): Despite the Commune's ability to churn out impressive numbers of planes, it cannot always count on air superiority. In such cases, the Fan can offer some protection to ground units. The truck-mounted version is the only one currently deployed; the other two versions have completed the earliest steps of design, but requires more technical expertise to implement.
Solyankin-4 Armored Gun: When Tu'wa Volunteers and Navaandorjin Toka brought Belzarovian tractor designs to the Huinan area, they also brought the "Solyankin concept." While the idea of converting tractors to tanks met mixed reception in Belzarov itself, it has gained a great deal of popularity in the Commune. One of the templates brought to Huinan and Nuncheng for agricultural mechanization was selected as an ideal candidate for a self-propelled gun design during the conflict with the Blue Republic, and since has become one of the CDA's only mass-produced "large tanks." With a 76mm gun and a crew of 5 - and often a machine-gun as well-, even the S-4's powerful tractor engine cannot support armor thicker than 10mm - enough to stop bullets and shrapnel, but not cannon or AT rounds. The armored gun therefore finds itself in a second-line support role behind by the CDA's mainline ranks of infantry, cavalry, and armored cars.
Sickle-Class Attack Tank: A Zengravian adaptation of the Solyankin Concept, designed on the creative initiative of members of two unions: The Federated Agro-Machine Councils and United Military Automotive Workers. It is more compact and optimized than its cousin, sporting a 37mm cannon turret and two pintle-mounted light machineguns. This allows the Sickle to carry 20mm armor and travel at speeds appropriate for a front-line tank, if not a spectacular one. It is readily mass-produced and easy enough to maintain, which more than make up for its shortcomings compared to "proper" tanks fielded by Great Powers. The Sickle is also infamously loud, which can be good or bad depending on the relative values of intimidation and discretion.
Brigand-Class All Purpose Fighter: The Communal Army Aviation's bread and butter monoplane design, useful for dive-bombing, close air support, and dogfighting. A dependable and relatively sturdy piece of machinery, the Brigand is armed with two 20mm autocannons and two .50 caliber machine-guns in the wings, and a heavy machine-gun for the rear gunner. It can carry an up to ~300kg payload. It has been steadily replacing Blue-derived biplane designs for the last year, though Red Zengrav's shortage of skilled pilots remains a problem regardless of the number of planes produced.
Propagandist-Class Scout: A special gyroplane used for scouting, artillery-spotting, and anti-submarine runs. With a very short takeoff period, it can deploy relatively quickly, and its ability to hover in mid-air is indispensable in certain situations (particularly bombing submarines). The Propagandist is very lightly armored and carries only a single medium machine-gun for defense.
Pirate-Class Gunship One of the Commune's newest and most unique designs, descended from jury-rigged transports used by anarchists and pirates. Its armor is deceptively thick, and likewise its unspectacular-looking engines are quite powerful. The Pirate has an extremely large fuel capacity, making it perfect for long-distance deployment of air mobile battalions. In general, the landing bay holds at least one Fist-Class Assault Truck to lead the disembarkment, shielding the troops behind. Standard load is one Fist, two Rioters, and fifty foot soldiers. Another common load is a single Scythe-Class tank and two Rioters. The gunship has a single, double 20mm autocannon turret meant to aid in suppressing the enemy, and it sometimes carries rockets as well, but it is not designed to defend itself against other aircraft. It is almost always accompanied by biplanes or Brigands.
DESIGNS STILL IN PROTOTYPE Bullhorn-Class Armored Transport: To support its thick armor plating, this vehicle has an overpowered engine that is very loud. It comes in command, logistics, and troop transport variants. Every version includes a top-mounted 30mm autocannon best used for suppressing fire or eliminating enemy light vehicles. A modified version, designated Type A, exists for use in amphibious landings.
Scythe-Class Tank: A proposed successor to the Sickle and main battle tank of the Commune. The Scythe is a relatively fast tank that can ravage infantry and light vehicles, and can put up a good fight against tanks of similar class. Against heavier armor, it may require support from tank hunters or army aviation.
Raider-Class Amphibious Assault Vehicle: A fully-amphibious light tank to cross lakes and rivers. The standard version mounts a heavy machinegun, and the heavily-modified Type C (shown left) mounts a 30mm autocannon. But firepower is not the main function of either proposed model: They would act primarily for suppression and mobile cover to aid marine infantry.
Anvil-Series Assault Armor: A series of vehicles sharing a chassis built for a balance of speed and protection. They are better-armored but slower compared to counterparts such as the Scythe and the Raider. While the Commune's lighter designs are optimized to overwhelm enemy positions with speed and shock in a single attack, the more versatile Anvils are meant to move the front deeper into enemy territory. The three proposed variants (left to right) are the Assault Gun (AG), with 2 heavy machine-guns and a 120mm medium howitzer; the Assault Hunter (AH), with a unique 40mm autocannon and a quick-loading 135mm recoilless rifle; and the Assault Transport (AT), with 2 heavy machine-guns and room for a squad of ten foot soldiers.
|Their finest hour:|
“Gonghui Guangtou.”
The drone of idling engines, punctuated so far only by the clanking of reloading weapons, was decisively drowned out by the captain’s firm address.
Wang Huifang stood from her makeshift “seat,” merely an empty oil barrel in the shade of a tall truck. She stood a foot below the burly officer addressing her, and between the two her uniform was the more drab, a faded green pants-and-shirt uniform and a simple cap facing his helmet and greatcoat all adorned with red stars. Yet, she was the one who wore a self-assured smile, while his expression was held too tight, his bespectacled eyes too still – the forced gravity of one overcompensating for his perceived lack of authority.
“Yes, Captain Xi?”
“The soldiers are afraid. They fear...” Xi hesitated.
“Another Shan District Massacre?” Wang replied calmly but loudly, causing droves of soldiers to stop what they were doing and look to her. She wasn’t going to dance around the issue.
“Y..yes, commander,” the captain confirmed shyly.
Without hesitation, Huifang ambled to a truck, one of the wider and taller ones parked in the open field; its bottom half was obscured by a mesh of thick gray plates applied with nails and welding fires, now painted over with all manner of slogans and symbols in red paint. Good platform for an address. She squatted and jumped to grip the top, pulled her small but deceptively strong frame over, and stood up. Time to shapen up the troops. Scattered soldiers began to gather around her makeshift podium.
“Three-hundred and fourteen women died in the Shan District,” Huifang projected passionately to the growing crowd. “They died under my leadership, executing a plan I devised. Is this what concerns you, comrades?”
Concerned murmurs and a few angry shouts answered her in the affirmative.
“I hear your misgivings. But tell me first, what were the women doing when they died? What did they accomplish?”
The responses were fewer, quieter, and more hesitant. It was time for Huifang to double down on her volume.
“Don’t you know? Didn’t you see the Imperial troops deserting? The entire company who crossed over and joined our lines? Do you think that because they died without weapons in their hands, that they didn’t die fighting the enemy?” She threw her hands outward. “Have you forgotten that we won the Battle?”
Huifang gave a loud sigh and shook her head as she let her arms back down. “Those women did as much for our victory as any man or woman who shot a rifle afterwards. Now you, behind layers of armor and machine-guns, all I ask is for you to play your own part, to muster half the courage the Martyrs of Shan did. Can you do even that much?! Are you worthy of the victory they sacrificed for?!”
Had Wang Huifang’s voice been any other than her own, had the genuine passion in her voice faltered even for a second, she might have pushed the troops to greater disloyalty with her harsh call to bravery. Instead, they let out a cacophony of “Yes”, each said in its own way. Time to make them say it in unison. She raised a fist in the air.
“I can’t hear you, comrades! Is that a yes?”
“YES FOREMAN!”
“Do you want to win Socialism for yourselves and your children?”
“YES FOREMAN!”
“Do you want to stay Union? Do you want to stay Free?”
“YES FOREMAN!”
“Then let me lead you into battle! Let’s ride in a wave of steel WE made and WE own, and crush the thugs who would take our rights away! Let’s finish the job the Martyrs of Shan started!”
The sea of cheers that ensued was deafening, but also transcendent. Huifang grinned: This was what she lived for. She let it drag on, her fist held ever-high in the air, but only so long. There was the work of machine-guns and steel to do, after all. It was time to win.
But in her own minds, doubts remained. Did they really need to die?...
|Their darkest hour:|
Wang Huifang remembered when the bourgeoisie destroyed Shan District. The modernizers insisted on an enormous thoroughfare to the city center, and they didn’t give a damn who they paved over to make it. She hadn’t lived there, but she remembered that the place had been bustling with people -mostly women-, and also with colors and smells that had enthralled her. Textiles, incense, fish, fruit, tea, and painted fireworks. Now, she had words to describe what it was: The place where the small merchants, artisans, and peasants made their own markets for wares uncaptured by the big merchants, landlords, and work-bosses. And the next time she had visited the place as a girl, it had been flattened for a big road. Other districts had suffered, but Shan had disappeared entirely into the asphalt void, with neighboring districts seeming to watch helplessly from the boulevard’s flanks.
But today, standing in that road, Huifang smiled. The Shan District was reborn. The smells were fewer, but the sounds and colors were there: Flags of every color, triumphant songs and chants, stomping feet and clapping hands. Over a thousand women stood behind a great barricade of carts, planks, boxes, and metal sheets covered in vibrant union banners. Huifang took a moment to relish in the loudest of the melodies they sang, which rose above the rest:
“Although we are women We have no fear at all! For the love of our children We demand you hear our call! O li o li o la And the Union ever grows! And we the Union women Will free ourselves from woe!”
Before the barricade stood ranks upon ranks guns and Blue flags, the vanguard of a Republican army. But it was an army slowly melting under pressure.
Their own Patriarchy works against them. They refuse to shoot at a sight so “innocent,” we throngs of singing women. Here we are blocking their way, and here their officers are trying to order them to kill us, but no bullets. No mortar shells.
But Huifang knew it was more than that. They weren’t just refusing to shoot. From time to time she took a look through her binoculars and saw soldiers peeling off from the rear ranks. And in the front, some were dropping their guns, walking over, and joining the women! Is that...a whole unit? Now a hundred soldiers dropped their arms in unison, marched to the barricade in formation, and then broke ranks to climb it and join the protest.
Huifang couldn’t help grinning, and even laughing with joy at the new arrivals. She walked towards them to greet them personally. The longer this goes on, the better. If the capitalists try to shoot now, they’ll hit their own! Evan constables and mercenaries wouldn’t go so far. Of course, she had ordered her own armed forces to stand ready, some positioning to harry the enemy rear while others created more barricades and strong-points further back. But she was starting to think she might not need them after all…
Then she heard the harrowing whines in the air. It wasn’t a sound Huifang had ever heard before, but the sinking feeling in her gut told her enough. She didn’t even have time to yell at her comrades to take cover before everything went white, then red, and then black.
|Other Important People inside the Clique:|
Age 46, Deputy Zuigao Gonghui Gongtou of the Commune and Gonghui Gongtou for the Pan-Anarchist Industrial Federation Respected Scholar / Union Connections / Military Inexperience The son of an Imperial civil servant who turned Blue during the Collapse, Shiu took his father’s reformist principles to their radical, logical conclusion. As a university student, he made a name for himself as a master orator in defense of anarcho-communist principles as well as a constant thorn in the side of his school’s administration. He graduated nonetheless, after which he became an even bigger thorn in the side of the government writ large, first Imperial and then Republican. He was a founding member and informally considered “leader” of the Crow Society, a landmark in the development of Zengravian Anarchism.
Unlike most previous Anarchist groups, which were both tied to foreign universities and emphasized either a “Nihilist” strategy of political terrorism or the “Gradualist” strategy of emphasizing education above all, Shiu and the Crow Society devoted their efforts to creating strong mass organizations of workers and peasants. They also developed strong connections to the Black Market, fostering new sub-cultures of Anarchist Smugglers and Anarchist Pirates. Although centered in Huinan, Shiu had a Zengrav-wide impact and is sometimes referred to as “the Black-and-Red Father.” However, by the time of the Red Turban Uprising, his actual influence was mostly local, in part because of nine years he spent locked away in an Imperial prison.
Shiu Lifu was Wang Huifang’s closest and most valuable associate in her years organizing and arming the Teamster-based federate union that would lead the Huinan General Strike. Furthermore, the Zuigao Gonghui Gongtou does not hesitate to credit him as her greatest inspiration in Syndicalist organizational theory even prior to meeting him in person, through his many writings shared in Blue and Red Clubs. Of course, by now she has been an equal or greater influence on him, nudging him away from the goal of Statelessness to a more "pragmatic" Anarchism that can accept States and professional armies at least temporarily, while ever-vigilant against their potential for abuse. When Wang ascended from leadership of the union to leadership of a whole Commune, she left Shiu as her successor. The organization lost much of its prior membership to the droves of new unions recognized under the Commune, but retains to this day immense prestige and symbolic importance that give it outsized influence in the Commune. It remains a mixture of many trades and locales tied together by a common radical syndicalism, and under Shiu’s leadership has merged with the Crow Society and renamed itself the Pan-Anarchist Industrial Federation (PAIF). Equally important is the PAIF’s reach outside of the region: It is the Commune’s only union to claim membership elsewhere in Red Zengrav and even some “affiliate locals” in Blue territory.
De facto, Shiu serves as something of an Intelligence Minister and a Chief Propagandist to Wang, as her near-equal in both eloquence and far-reaching connections among the Red Masses. He also remains to this day a trusted advisor and friend, though now he would be more apt to consider her a mentor than the other way around. However, for all their similarities, one key difference is Shiu’s middle-class background and university education, which manifest themselves in a more academic outlook that sometimes lacks Wang’s practical wisdom – but might fit well in the halls of Red High Leaders. He also has less military experience than her, and remains one of her only top advisors to hold no military posts. However, in turn he has gained immense experience in civilian leadership as Deputy for Wang, taking on much of Wang’s political responsibilities while she is on campaign with the Army.
It is widely expected that should Wang ever fall or become otherwise incapable of leading, Shiu will succeed her as Zuigao Gonghui Gongtou.
Age 30, Zeh National Councilor and Major-General of the CDA 1st Division Stoic / Quick-Thinking / Dour Wang Huifang came to know Ji Ming-Jyun as a member of her neighborhood’s Zeh community, and then as a fellow garment worker in the same factory – and even a fellow member of the shop’s clandestine Blue Club. While Wang was forced to flee the district after her show of resistance and the ensuing riot, Ji was at the forefront of the unrest and could not escape the authorities’ brutal response. She was wounded and imprisoned for her “crimes,” but she would prove just as much trouble for the Empire in her cell as out of it. Ji set to work organizing prisoners, connecting herself to the Anarchist movement through her prison’s black market networks. For three years, she built rapport with her comrades-in-chains, planned with them, and helped them prepare, all while educating herself through Red pamphlets hidden as carefully as the other supplies she was amassing.
Her second riot she would lead herself, arming her fellow prisoners with makeshift weapons as well as a few covertly-smuggled pistols, and to the shock of local authorities she would lead her forces to victory. Her relentless preparation of her troops set most of the plan off like clockwork, overwhelming scores of isolated guards before they could react. Then, when advance planning failed to account for reinforcements, her ability to maintain calm and think quickly under pressure snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
In second-hand contact with Republican forces, Ji coordinated the uprising with the arrival of Blue troops in Huinan. However, as a working-class woman with “dangerous” Red ideas, she would gain no recognition or reward for her work. In fact, the Republican military took full credit for liberating the city’s political prisoners. Thankfully, the local people new better, and among the Zeh and Quin of her home district Ji became a hero. After returning home, she quickly restored contact with Wang, whose activities she had heard only scattered reports of through her underworld contacts. Blacklisted from nearly all “honest” employment, Zeh could not return to the factories. Instead, she served Wang’s growing movement as a professional revolutionary with the support of Red workers in her district, organizing the first People’s Militia from the unemployed masses in order to fight on behalf of those who still toiled. The Militia “policed the police,” keeping armed watch over constable patrols to dissuade them from bothering locals, and also made a name for themselves exacting popular justice on particularly abusive bosses, managers, and landlords. Furthermore, with the help of the Crow Society the Militia printed its own bilingual Zeh/Quin newspaper, the Voice of the People. Naturally, unofficially they supplemented their income from contributions with loot from their war against the bourgeoisie, with members out-of-uniform staging bank robberies and train heists among other criminal activities targeting the wealthy.
When the General Strike was called, Ji’s People’s Miltia was at the forefront of activity, protecting strikers and generally keeping the peace – many would say more effectively and humanely than the constables ever did. However, she was truly in her element when the Expropriation Wave began, personally ensuring the destruction of dozens of police units that refused to defect. From there, she and her growing army would join directly with Wang’s forces, contributing to the victories of the First and Second Battles of the Commune. Perhaps ironically, her “People’s Militia” would actually become a nucleus of the Revolutionary Guard, eventually consolidating into the CDA First Division. She would also find herself elected to the Council of Nationalities by the Zeh of the Commune, for whom she was a popular hero second only to Wang herself.
With a stoic personality and a somber demeanor, Ji Ming-Jyun lacks the shining charisma of her superior. Nor is she known for much in the way of political thought; even her contributions to Voice of the People were relatively rare and mostly focused on rallying people for specific actions. Yet, she needs few words to inspire confidence from her troops: Her reputation, her proven loyalty to her troops, and her sheer military skill speak for themselves.
The so-called "Gang of Three" is an enduring symbol of the Huinan Commune's connection to Belzarov, but in terms of practical influence they are more relevant to the Huinan region's resident Tu'wa and Minga. All three studied at Belzarov’s Socialist University of Toilers of the South, a center for Red theoreticians and organizers in lands colonized, semi-colonized, or otherwise threatened by the Commonwealth or the old Tsardom. Its students' origins range from Zengrav to the Conclave to Xi’an to the Tu'wa Autonomous Oblasts in Belzarov itself, that they may build the skills and connections to oppose both foreign Imperialist-Capitalism and local Feudal Capitalism.
Mirsa’ida Sakib Galyev (Center):Age 34, Tu’Wa National Councilor and Major-General of the CDA 2nd Division Genius / Tireless / Opponents in the Cities A Tu’wa schoolteacher and daughter of cow-herders, until recently few outside Galyev’s village would have suspected that she had studied both military science and political economy at the SUTS. Even as a member of the Red Turban Party and a vocal opponent of local land-lords, she would keep guarded the knowledge of her travels until she met Wang Huifang. When the union leader's growing Teamster-based activites and alliances expanded into the countryside, Galyev was inspired and eagerly volunteered as one of her first connection to Tu’wa communities on both sides of the border. Here was real, revolutionary internationalist organizing work to be done, not the politicking of Social Democrats or the exclusively city-based drives of many mainline Reds. From this point, the two women quickly became close friends and collaborators.
After years of clandestine work coordinating smuggling and underground peasant organizing, Galyev would push on the full weight of her connections to form the Tu’wa Socialist Volunteer Brigade, which she would command in the First and Second Battles of the Commune. She would later pass on this post to her husband in order to run for election as Tu’Wa representative in the Council of Nationalities, a position which she has won twice consecutively. Regardless, she would soon return to military service even while maintaining her position as Councilor, serving Wang's growing CDA as its second Major-General.
Among the leaders of the Commune, Galyev is the most multi-talented – some would say a true genius. She fluently speaks every language of the Commune in addition to Belzarovian, has proven herself a master diplomat and tireless organizer, writes her own contributions to Socialist theory – especially on questions of Minority Nationalism and Anti-Colonialism, and boasts a short but impressive military track record to boot. In contrast to Shiu Lifu, she tends towards a more pro-state Socialist Vision, but with a heavy emphasis on Federalism and the self-determination of oppressed nations. She advocates consolidating the Commune’s politico-economic system into a regularized set of unions by trade and settlement, generally a popular measure among rural folk (who would see representation increase) but often provoking suspicion from more anarchist-leaning urban workers.
Farid Beg Galyev (Left):Age 35, Commander of the Tu’wa Socialist Volunteer Brigade Natural-Born Soldier / Charismatic Negotiator / Uncertain Reputation Himself a former village teacher who became active in revolutionary peasant organizing, Farid Beg Galyev had much in common with his wife-to-be Mirsai’da when they met at the SUTS. He developed something of a minor celebrity status as a theoretical and military pioneer of Belzarovian Tu’wa Socialism, playing an important role in founding the United Tu’Wa Autonomous Oblasts. He was also an outspoken Pan-Nationalist, hoping to united all Tu’wa into a single nation. However, since following his wife to Zengrav, he has greatly moderated his views. Noting the material and historical differences between the contexts on either side of the border, he has renounced the need for a single Tu’wa polity, but continues to advocate a sense of “National Brotherhood” across borders. However, the more important part of his reputation was in war, rising through the ranks of the Belzarovian Red Army from mere foot-soldier to commanding a brigade in breathtaking time -and excelling just as much in the former role as the latter!
Of the Gang of Three, Farid is the only one to be a true “foreigner” in terms of birthplace and legal citizenship. Indeed, although his wife was the organizational mind behind organizing volunteer forces from Belzarov, it was he who traveled there most in-person to leverage his reputation and charisma for the cause. It was Farid whose speaking tours managed to attract not only volunteer soldiers, but military trainers and even skilled workers (with the help of Navaandorjin Toka). It was Farid who met with representatives of Belzarovian arms factories to secure shipments for Huinan's worker-peasant alliance. Thus, by leveraging his own "foreign" status he has now proven his loyalty to the Huinan Commune, and to Red Zengrav in general. He has also shown himself a capable soldier and field commander, leading by both word and example. Despite the unease of some, none would accuse him of valuing his land of birth over his new homeland. However, there are those who still resent his degree of influence within the Commune.
Navaandorjin Toka (Right):Age 48, Minga National Councilor, Chief of Logistics for the CDA, and Gonghui Guangtou for the United Military Automotive Workers Expert Technician / Logistical Mastermind / Aloof The son of a retainer to a minor noble landlord North of Nuncheng, in his early childhood Toka saw his community’s fortunes fall with poor harvests and mounting debts to farm equipment merchants. His father’s relatively privileged status as the noble’s “sworn man” soon became a curse, as the lord converted most of his retainers into bonded agricultural laborers in a desperate attempt to boost production. By the time of his adolescence, Toka labored in fields worked by nearly half Minga laborers, the rest Quin.
Many Minga, including most of Toka’s family, saw their position as an indignity not simply because of the exploitation, but because it put them too close to their “rightful inferiors.” However, the Minga did have some small privileges, most notably education. Ironically, this would end up an asset for laborers against their masters. Toka himself, along with a growing circle of young Minga, began to soak in the works of rebels: Blue thought from the Eastern coastal cities as well as Red thought from the North in Belzarov. They intentionally reached out to both Quin and Minga laborers, both men and women, eventually forming the Social-Democratic Tenant Farmers’ Union.
Through a clever dual-tactic campaign, with public resistance alongside a clandestine assassination campaign, the STFU eventually succeeded in getting Toka to “inherit” the (now dead) lord’s tracts. Immediately thereafter, he abolished his own title and transferred sovereignty to the Union. Furthermore, he was able to secure donations and a stream of immigrants from Blue Clubs to the East and Socialists to the North. However, the cycle of debt continued: Toka quickly learned that controlling the land itself was only part-way to owning the means of production when capitalist leeches still controlled the equipment the workers used. For over a decade the STFU struggled to stay afloat, sovereign in name but de facto little more than a sharecropping operation for urban merchants. But after the Belzarovian Revolution, there was an alternative. He would travel North to the Socialist University of Toilers of the South. There he would meet the Galyevs, but unlike them he studied to be a machinist rather than a soldier. He took a particular interest in motorized equipment, which he saw as the “technological vanguard” of progress. With the help of Sai’da and Farid, he also negotiated the transport of Belzarovian tools and tractors to the Free Commune.
Upon his return to Zengrav, Toka found the land embroiled in civil war. His compatriots were already active supporters of Blue forces, which were beginning to enter the region. Victory was swift, but deceptive. The Republic recognized the farmers’ rights to the land they worked, but they also recognized a mountain of additional debts to the merchants whose influence Toka had sought to expel. At gunpoint, the STFU was forced to enter what amounted to a mass sharecropping agreement under their debtors, who became landlords in all but name. Adding insult to injury, a Republican garrison was established nextdoor. Toka and his most committed friends turned to banditry and guerilla warfare, but they achieved little until the movement of Wang Huifang. Her patronage allowed him to finally expand the STFU, which became a rallying point for Minga and Quin farmworkers. Yet, Toka would truly find his place in the movement as a master of machinery. He began by building and fixing cars with the help of a few skilled workers he brought from the University, then outfitting transport trucks and makeshift assault cars, and finally managing fleets of diesel-powered vehicles and the factories that built them.
Nowadays, Navaandorjin Toka holds the most posts of any of Wang’s top advisors. Every technician and engineer in the Huinan Commune, homegrown or volunteer, passes through his review. Every worker in the military automotive factories falls under his capable purview. Every load in the logistics train, whether motorized or not, goes by the direction of his discerning mind. And to boot, his reputation as one of the only Minga “Heroes of the Revolution” has earned him election as Minga National Councilor. That being said, the oldest of the Red Star’s confidants is also the most focused on his niche. While Toka maintains ties to his home region and Minga in general, he remains pitifully out of touch with wider city politics despite his position as a Union Foreman.
|Geographical Location of CLIQUE:| Northern Greizual and Eastern Delsai. |Cities:| The minor city of Daozhi serves as the current center of operations and primary Headquarters of the Zhenxiang Army. Before the Civil War Daozhi was little more than a border town sitting directly on the border of the Greizual and Delsai provinces with only several dozen kilometers between it and the eastern edge of the country. With the beginning of the Civil War the border town has become a haven for the Nationalist movement, particularly as the first stop for supplies and war-material from the Empire of Lavania. Since its sudden rise the population has been provided numerous opportunities to work in the transportation yards unloading and loading goods onto the numerous transports coming and going from the city to the northern theater. With the retreat of the Elite Northern Army into Delsai Daozhi has become the center of the Nationalist Northern Campaign.
Since the very outset of the war the primarily Gailzri population of the city has been in full support of the Nationalist cause, particularly due to the efforts of the Laureate-General, Hyeun Tae-Kyeung, and his Jide Officers. Though not industrialized and barely capable of supporting itself agriculturally, the storehouses of Daozhi have been bursting with foodstuff and supplies since becoming the primary depot of the Zhenxiang Army and none have yet to go without eating in months due to Nationalist supported welfare programs. In addition, Daozhi has become highly fortified through the efforts of the Laureate-General directing the skilled labor of Gailzri masons who've lost their careers due to the poor administration by the old monarchist mayor.
ETHNICITY IN THE ZHENXIANG Gailzri - As with many Nationalist cliques the Zhenxiang is bolstered considerably by Gailzri troops inducted since the retreat to the East by Nationalist forces. Within the Zhenxiang this ethnic group's traditions of masonry and construction have been put to work by the savvy mind of the Laureate-General to a new set of goals. Many once proud and skilled masons and architects of the Gailzri have been handpicked by Hyeun and transferred to his command where their prodigious skills in physical engineering has been increased and put to the test as combat engineers.
Quin - Numerous and monolithic to the extreme, the Quin make up the majority of the population of Zengrav and make up a similar portion of the Zhenxiang Army. The Quin were one of the primary ethnic groups that supported the White Shirt Uprising, taking part in the numerous riots and raids perpetrated during that early period up until the retaliation of Commonwealth forces against the burgeoning Nationalist movement. Hyeun Tae-Kyeung went to great lengths during the rout from the crownlands to bring Quin volunteers with him to the East, hastily gathering large numbers to his side along his path of retreat. Now they make up another numerous portion of his revolutionary forces and serve alongside the other primary ethnic groups represented.
Jorguk - The Jorguk are a large ethnic group primarily found in the provinces of Delraat, Quzuo, and Kotgai. Due to the wide range of landscapes in which the Jorguk traditionally inhabit, ranging from the open steppe, thick marshes, and rolling highlands, the Jorguk developed a form of simple terrace farming capable of being practiced throughout the region. Typically known as a diligent people by other Zengravian ethnic groups, most folktales about the Jorguk involve their work ethnic being abused to trick them out of wealth or prestige. In addition to their diligence, or perhaps because of it, the Jorguk are also typically seen as hardy folk who make the best of their homeland's more harsh climbs and sprawls. They are, as well, not known for political interest and generally prefer to be left to their own devices. In the current conflict the Jorguk have remained mostly neutral beyond minor clan-government disagreements with Royalist conscription. As of yet, no violence has sprouted in the region as a response but growing tensions have begun to see the fissure between the Jorguk clansmen and the Royalists developing.
Most of those Jorguk associated with the Zhenxiang Army belong to the same matrilineal clan Hyeun Tae-Kyeung belongs to. During the retreat from the crownlands through Delraat, Hyeun was able to recruit a considerable number of Jorguk to the Nationalist cause through familial bonds and his fiery words. A Nationalist stronghold had been in the works in eastern Delraat and had served as the primary recruiting center for Nationalist volunteers, the first of many planned fortresses by Hyeun to gain the support of more Jorguk clans. Those Jorguk who were able to escape with the Zhenxiang Army are not numerous, accounting for a decent portion of the Zhenxiang Army but little of the overall forces available to the Nationalists as of current conflict.
Your Warlord:
|Name:|Hyeun Tae-Kyeung |Title:|Laureate-General of the Zhenxiang Army |Age:| 41 |Ethnicity:|Mixed Quin/Jorguk Ancestry |Personal Ideology:|Enlightened Civic Nationalism: Enlightened Civic Nationalism is defined by an emphasis on self-determination, full sovereignty of national affairs, the creation of a singular national identity for all Zengravians, a return to traditional Zengravian ancestral veneration, the empowerment of Zengravian citizens through the dismantling of historical institutions of civic oppression, and the institution of technocratic and meritocratic governance of the nation. Enlightened Civic Nationalism (to hereby be referred to as ECN) is frequently at odds with more authoritarian pan-ethnic or expansionist nationalism supported by some parties within the Nationalist movement. Developed among pro-Nationalist intellectuals among academia, ECN is an intellectual reaction to negative qualities observed in the Monarchist, Republican, and Communist systems.
ECN claims that Monarchism creates and enforces arbitrary divisions among the Zengravian people in the form of nobility and the importance of ethnicity, that Republicanism supports an atmosphere of greed and demagoguery that puts individual wealth-controllers in undeserved positions of authority over the common people, and that Communism emphasizes a lack of expertise in favor of arbitrary class politics and the destruction of traditional Zengravian values. ECN calls for the disintegration of the old nobility in favor of a meritocratic and technocratic government, the removal of monopolies and land-lords from means of production in favor of individual expert ownership, and the reintegration of faith-traditions into societal norms. Most of all, ECN emphasizes the need for a "Zengravian attitude" towards culture and ethnicity. To this end, ECN proposes the creation of a monolithic Zengravian culture over the continued focus on individual ethnic groups to form the core of a reforged national identity. As a founding member of the ECN movement and one of its greatest supporters, Hyeun Tae-Kyeung can be found at the forefront of political discourse within the Nationalist faction arguing for the institution of his ideological goals.
In addition to its issues with the non-nationalist factions, ECN ideology expresses certain disagreements with mainstream Nationalist policy. ECN vehemently opposes draconic punishments and summary executions frequently seen used by many warlords in the civil war. A call for skilled and knowledgeable judges to fairly and rationally adjudicate cases of traitors, war criminals, and everything in between is preferred over the typical firing lines and gallows preferred by other parties. There is no place for the unnecessary cruelties of the old world in the modern age of law. A considerable focus is put into the idea of Jide, political officers who's purpose is to orate to troops and civilians alike about the benefits of the ECN ideology. They are typically ex-writers, journalists, and academics who's primary function for the revolution is to ignite and sustain the political will of the people, to turn hearts and minds to a singular direction of the reforged national identity, and to keep spirits and morale soaring.
|Influence in the faction: |32 percent among Nationalists with greater influence among ECN Supporters
|Personality: |Erudite Intellectual turned Confident, Didactic Leader - Hyeun Tae-Kyeung is known for his meteoric rise among the nationalist party from his less-than-humble life as a young Professor at the Imperial University in Nonsu. An idealistic academic even in his youth, Hyeun Tae-Kyeung has a history of battling the perceived wrongness of the world with the point of his pen. Compared to other "Warlords" he is often seen as out of place. A soldier more educated in cleric concerns than active combat, he can oft be taken more for a bookish academic than a leader. Despite this, ideological earnesty has forged Hyeun into a driven and pragmatic leader intent on creating a better Zengrav for ALL Zengravians.
He is known for his generally friendly, if not overly warm, demeanor among enemies and comrades alike who is slow to anger but quick to urge to fiery rhetoric. Acclaimed as an ardent orator with feverish convictions and a burgeoning faith in the traditional beliefs of Zengravian religion, Hyeun Tae-Kyeung is well beloved by his troops for his surprisingly charismatic passion. In addition to his leadership pursuits, Hyeun is known for his downright distaste for symbols, ostentation, and other elements of hubris and pride. As such, Hyeun is rarely seen in anything more than a simple military uniform with all but the most essential insignia still presented on it.
|His/Her Virtue:|Genius Intellectual/Diligence - More than anything, Hyeun Tae-Kyeung is known for his gift in all things academic. A vaunted logistician, brilliant engineer, and masterful philosopher, Hyeun can wield a pen as adeptly as another man can wield a saber. As a general in tumultuous times, Hyeun's brilliance has shined in theaters where no commander of men could do better. The Zhenxiang Army is consistently well-supplied, well trained, and consistently noted at high morale, even when compared to other Nationalist forces, entirely due to the work of the Laureate-General. As an avid learner, Hyeun Tae-Kyeung has learned much about military command at the strategical level, directing campaigns intelligently and with calmed control.
|His/Her Virtue:|Esteemed Orator - There's not a man or woman alive that Hyeun could not move with the weight of his words. His considerable education and fiery rhetoric combine to create colorful blends of common folk sayings, wisdom-rich proverbs, and the ideal words to light flames in the hearts of his followers. When he speaks he stands tall and proud and his hands move to the rhythm of his oratory as a conductor directing an orchestra. It is here that he shines most thoroughly and where his considerable clout among the nationalists can be clearly sourced from. He speaks to the will of all men and women to stand strong, to their love of their country and people, and to their desire for a better future for themselves and their descendants.
|His/Her Sin:|The Distrusting - Despite his fiery rhetoric and cool but friendly demeanor there is a dark spot in Hyeun Tae-Kyeung's heart for his fellow man. He is innately wary of others, to the point where kindness can oft be mistaken for plotting. Some say it is a curse of his genius, others blame a childhood of abuse, but none can say Hyeun is quick to trust. His friends are not made swiftly and his trust is seldom given. Those few he trusts he does so with his whole heart, as if they stand as few anchors of friendship in the world to him. Although his distrust as yet to reach the levels of true paranoia, should a trusted confidante betray his trust the potential for a fall into darker thoughts is without question.
|History and Background:|
Hyeun Tae-Kyeung is the son of the esteemed Quin medical doctor, Konchok Gyermey, and his wife and political activist, Hyeun Tae-Mae. Born in the Imperial capital of Haidan at the very hospital in which his father was head of surgery, Hyeun lived a life of mild privilege as a member of the middle class. Hyeun was compelled at an early age into an interest of academics by his father who's hope was that his son would one day follow in his footsteps as a surgeon. This youthful exposure to education engendered a lifetime love of learning in Hyeun but eventually took him down a starkly different path from his father who consistently felt betrayed by his son's interests taking primacy over his own. His mother, who supported political freedom and frequently stood in opposition to the status-quo, couldn't have asked for a better son.
Hyeun's life changed drastically as he entered adulthood when his mother, who'd been a powerful influence throughout his life, was arrested and subsequently murdered in prison (under odd pretenses) for a display of "treason" against the crown and the unjust treaties it had signed. He was sent by his grieving father to University with a considerable sum (paid for by the local magistrate as recompense to the loyalist Konchok for the loss of his wife) paying for modest housing and his entire schooling. With his entire University lifestyle afforded by the bloodmoney earned by his mother's death, Hyeun set about his work with even greater diligence than before. With his desire to learn used as a shield against the mourning of his mother, Hyeun buried himself in his studies as he ravenously consumed any information he could to fill the void. In addition, it was during this grieving period that Hyeun first gained an avid interest in politics and, in particular, a growing anti-royalist agenda.
Hyeun suffused himself in knowledge of world politics, revolutionary ideologies, and anything else he could get his hands on in developing his new political agenda. In the University of Hainan, among many peers who shared his feelings about the crown for one reason or another, Hyeun found a safe haven and a place to air his ideas. Joining one of the university's fraternities, the Yizhi Taiyang, Hyeun became a rabid supporter of Republican ideals mixed in with socialist and other left leaning economic policies. He served as one of the group's primary political activists and organizers, leading numerous student protests against the crown. Though passionate about his interests, Hyeun had little effect outside of his peer group and remained below the Imperial radar. Eventually he would become hired by the University as a Professor with the implicit understanding that his political activism be reduced. Taking on a pseudonym, Hyeun continued his work (if slightly demoralized from the lack of change) and took on his position as Professor with his typical gusto. He taught numerous classes ranging from advanced engineering to political philosophy, even going so far as to start a small class studying the historical Quin writer Bao Shur's Path of Conflict.
It was during the Blue Vest demonstrations that Hyeun entered the political stage. Among other members of his old fraternity, Hyeun organized and directed the political demonstration for the first time without his pseudonym protecting his identity as a University official. The unfortunate timing of his reveal unluckily coincided with the Imperial crackdown on the demonstration leading to the Haidan University Massacre. The wholesale slaughter of peaceful protesters, including an injury he himself had received from Royalist gunfire, pushed Hyeun to the brink; here was a government not only unwilling to enact change but actively using violence as a deterrent to peaceful protest. In support of Liu Shao, a fellow organizer and personal friend to Tae-Kyeung, Hyeun joined the Republican cause as a volunteer for the Republican army.
Despite his desire to take part in the active conflict from national pride and desire for change, Hyeun was side-lined due to his education background as first and Engineer and later for full clerical duties. Attached to the 4th Volunteer Brigade as a Brigade-level Clerical Officer with the rank of First Lieutenant, Hyeun was kept far away from combat where his education could be put to "better use" by his commanding officers. This frustration weighed heavily on the newly minted Lieutenant as he was moved farther and farther away from him by the machinations of officers interested in a skilled and well-educated lackey. Despite his frustrations Hyeun set to work completing his tasks as efficiently and effectively as possible and received several Clerical awards and commendations for his labors. As a personal request to the Division commander during one such commendation ceremony, Hyeun was able to acquire his own command of a battalion sized posting nearer to the front lines.
The 15th Support Battalion was put under Hyeun's command with an accompanying promotion to Major. From there, Major Hyeun set about reorganizing the logistic systems feeding the Republican war effort as best he could with what little power he had been granted and consistently put his command closer and closer to the front lines. At the Battle of the Three Lakes the 15th Support Battalion has its' first true taste of combat when the front is pushed back too rapidly for the logistical elements to retreat. With a calm and collected action the 15th Support Battalion successfully negotiated a fighting withdrawal, bloodying the nose of the Royalists' forward troops and saving a considerable portion of supplies likely to be lost if a full retreat had been sounded. The 15th received a unit citation of bravery and was promptly put further back from the front, much to the Major's frustrations.
The following three years were rife with minor gains and greater setbacks for by-then Lieutenant Colonel Hyeun Tae-Kyeung. Despite the promotion and rise to greater prominence and command of the newly constituted 101st Logistics Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Hyeun was faced with mounting frustrations. The Hue-Lue Speech, affirming the Injust Treatise, came as a heavy blow to Hyeun's ethical morale and shocked a large portion of the Republican forces into mutual disdain. Even with the failed reelection of Heegon Wu, little would be done to remedy the issue and Hyeun continued to feel disenfranchised with the Republic he was fighting for. In spite of these harmful tidings the Republican Army continued to find some levels of success against the Royalist forces and the Lieutenant Colonel remained in faithful service to the country.
It was during an period of leave in the Republican Capital of Haidan that Hyeun's fate was changed forever. Yesui Olya, an ex-Red partisan turned refugee, spurred on the White Shirt Uprising against the unjust behavior of foreigners in the city. Though particularly disgusted by the few cases of lynchings that occurred, Hyeun was swept up in the fervor of the uprising like many others and took part actively through the arming of the rebels from the supplies his Brigade had been restocking on just outside of the capital. Almost in their entirety, in many ways influenced by their passionate commanding officer, the troops of the 101st Logistics Brigade joined in the sporadic fighting against the Commonwealth and Republican forces arrayed against the White Shirt rebels. Alongside Yesui Olya, Hyeun leads the 101st Logistics Brigade out of the city in support of the new Nationalist movement.
|Armed Forces:|
Devised as the brainchild of Lieutenant Colonel Hyeun Tae-Kyeung during his tenure as the commanding officer of the 101st Logistics Brigade, the Zhenxiang Aeromarine Corps is the primary combat branch of the Zhenxiang Armed Forces. Despite the idea's potential for success if implemented the resources required were denied to Hyeun on the grounds that his position as a commander of a Logistics Brigade did little to educate him in combat roles and tactical dispositions. The idea was canned and Hyeun was promptly returned to his command with nothing to show for his plans. The Nationalist Aeromarine Corps was developed from the turncoat 101st Logistics Brigade that had joined the Nationalist cause alongside their Lieutenant Colonel and has since been formed into a formidable fighting force. As of the current day the Aeromarine Corps is equipped with top of the line gear from the Empire of Lavania and supplied with the aircraft necessary for its implementation through a mix of salvage and more benefactor gifts.
The current tactical disposition of the Aeromarine Corps is as support elements for the logistics units operating near to the front lines and as rapid response forces to breaks in the Nationalist front or in the lines of the enemy. The average grunt of the Nationalist Aeromarines remain aboard the troop and logistical transports currently in use by the Zhenxiang Army with occasional service on land as garrison troops of logistic centers. Due to the nature of the Aeromarine Corps, however, and the Nationalist cause at large the majority of the Aeromarine Corp as of the tenth year of the civil war is as elite units of specialized air-mobile infantry. These specialist units, including the Marine Raiders, the Assault Sappers, and the Pioneer Guard serve to support the war effort in more unique and non-traditional ways.
During combat deployments the Aeromarine Corps serves as the primary encirclement element of the Nationalist Forces, using their considerable amount of airship transports to engage the enemy from unexpected quarters. This tactic, devised by Hyeun himself after extensive research into Lavanian and Commonwealth military doctrine, has been officially coined as a Vertical Encirclement, owing to the literal direction by which the enemy is surrounded. In this duty the Aeromarine Corps excels thoroughly. Their equipment, considerably well designed compared to equivalents used by the other factions due to high quality foreign make, proves a boon in engagements like no other. This material advantage mixed with substantial discipline, high morale, and intensive training in airborne maneuvers make the Aeromarines a difficult force to match up to.
The average Aeromarine is, for the most part, a partially specialized infantryman trained and equipped to fight aboard or be deployed from airships of all shapes and sized. To accomplish this task, Aeromarines go through a rigorous high altitude training regimen either aboard the airships themselves or in mountains when airships are unavailable to the unit. Their BDUs are specifically designed to be insulated to the elements allowing them to fight in warm or cold temperatures above the average capability of most infantrymen kits. A section of Marines consists of twelve men commanded by a single squad leader which are broken into two rifle teams and one support team. Contrary to typical equipment allotments seen in typical rifle teams, Aeromarine rifle teams are joined by one automatic rifleman to increase the section's overall firepower. This, combined with the support team's light machine gun and the increased numbers of the Aeromarine Section, gives the average Aeromarine force a considerable advantage in gaining fire superiority over an unsupported enemy force of equivalent composition.
The Aeromarine Raiders, typically shortened to Marine Raiders or simply Raiders by members of the fighting force, are the logical expression of Hyeun's logistic centered focus on campaign strategy. Created due to the collapsing strength of the Nationalist movement during the latterdays of the Nationalist retreat as the Zhenxiang Raiders, the unit has since evolved into the complex and highly effective fighting force it is now known to be. Like the Aeromarines volunteers they are directly drawn from, Aeromarine Raiders are trained in high altitude combat and are equipped doubly for the effort. In contrast to the average Aeromarine, the Raiders are expected not to respond to gaps in the enemy line or support positions already prone to collapse but instead strike deep into enemy lines or acquire the initiative for their commanders through rapid airborne insertions. To accomplish this, each Aeromarine Platoon is equipped with a squadron of three PT Airships capable of carrying both the entire Platoon compliment as well as any supplies, equipment, or prisoners taken during their daring raids. Raider Sections are similarly structured to the typical Aeromarine Section but have their Support Team replaced with a four man Airship crew due to the added firepower of their transport's mounted weapon and a need to man it. Though distinctly reducing the Raider Section's ability to engage against line infantry unsupported as effectively as their Aeromarine brothers, this gives the Raiders unparalleled efficiency at the rapid attacks they are expected to make. Armed with a mix of semi-automatic and bolt action rifles alongside the two automatic rifles afforded to each rifle team and a fiery spirit, these disciplined and ferociously motivated troops have proven time and again that they are more than a match for the finest enemies the foes of the Nationalists can offer.
It is a rare thing for the enemies of the Nationalist movement to stand before an Assault Sapper attack without fear and a rarer thing still for them to survive no matter how tough their fortifications may appear. The Assault Sappers stand apart from the already notably well-equipped and highly-trained Nationalist forces not through skill at arms or hunger for battle but through iron-willed tenacity and the sheer number of high explosive ordinance they bring to bare. They are counted among the best of the Zhenxiang Army's offensive units and have been put to the test time and time again only to come out mostly (apart from fingers and eyebrows) unscathed. Equipped with all the same high-altitude equipment their Aeromarine comrades come to bare with, the Assault Sappers are further armed with semi-automatic rifles, sub-machine guns, automatic rifles, man-portable anti-tank recoilless rifles, rocket launchers, and grenades aplenty. Their BDUs are interwoven with bullet and fragmentation resistant plates and their filtration units are designed to filter out greater concentrations of particulates created from the explosions that precede them. They are deployed in a similar organization to the Marine Raiders, in nine man sections but are thoroughly laden down with the firepower necessary to create any breach and quickly storm said entrance. Many of the volunteers selected have a background in construction, masonry, or architecture so that the unit's high-explosive armaments can be put to the most use.
If the Assault Sappers are known for tenacity and the Marine Raiders are known for strategic flexibility it is the Pioneer Guard who are known for excellence in their two chosen crafts; combat engineering and fortifications. The Pioneer Guard are the flip-side of the Assault Sappers, recruited from the same pool, and prove just as successful at their specific tasks as their more explosively minded counterparts. They are exclusively taken from well-educated volunteers who's knowledge of engineering and architecture make them perfect for further training into fieldcraft and other combat engineering roles. Teams of Pioneer Guard will be dropped in alongside Raiders, Assault Sappers, and Aeromarines to fortify newly claimed positions, shore up defenses before an enemy attack, or clear any form of obstacle that needs removing. In addition to their skills as engineers, Pioneer Guard must meet intensive physical requirements in feats of strength and endurance like both of the other specialist units in the Aeromarine Corps, highlighting their ability as effective and determined scholar-soldiers. In addition to their standard duties, some units of Pioneer Guards serve as command staff and bodyguards to Aeromarine Officers (notably the Laureate-General himself) due to their equal skill as technical advisers and effectiveness as fighting men.
The Aeromarines, like any military unit, require a corp of skilled, intelligent, and moral men and women to see to it that the needs of their men and the goals of the overarching campaign are both met equally. Built from the ground up by Hyeun Tae-Kyeung himself, the Aeromarine Officer Corps consists of highly educated and motivated individuals with experience in multiple fields in addition to higher military training. This high bar presents equal benefit as it does negatives; the officers of the Aeromarine Corp prove consistently to have a higher educational acumen than their peers in other units in addition to higher expectations of moral and ethical behavior for themselves and their commands. These rigorous demands come at the cost of lower numbers of available officers and increased training time per individual officer cadets taking part in Officer Candidacy School. Despite these potential hangups the Aeromarines have generally benefited from these lofty requirements and the Laureate-General's desire for a moral and intelligent army has been satisfactorily met.
By far the smallest of the specialist forces within the Aeromarines are the Armored Cavalry Battalions. These armor units are attached individually to larger Aeromarine formations as support elements and as of current day no formations larger than battalions exist. The primary motivator for their small size is the maneuverability required of the Aeromarine Corps' tactical deployments, hampering the ability to get heavier armor to the battlefield. Still in need of heavier support elements during engagements, the Aeromarine Corps turned to light to medium armor that could be deployed easily from low flying airships or rolled quickly from deployment ramps if landings were determined as fully necessary. The crewmen of the Armored Cavalry are moderately well trained as in comparison to other armored units but shine particularly in fast maneuvers, rapid deployments, and swift response actions. Individual crewmen are equipped with more heat insulated gear than their counterparts, expecting higher temperatures inside the crew compartments of their vehicles. Nicknamed "Rough Riders" by their infantry compatriots for their Cavalry designation and the roughness of their landings, the Aeromarine Armored Cavalry consistently prove themselves as skilled as they are necessary in their very unique function.
The Aeromarine Aviation detachments of the standard Aeromarine forces represent an organic support unit attached to the greater Aeromarine Corps as a whole. Unable to originally support any sizeable force of aircraft, aviators were considered unnecessary during the initial creation of the force. With the intake of equipment from the Lavanian Empire, however, these options changed. Marine Aviators, as they're often called, pilot the aircraft that support the infantry and light armor maneuvers typically performed by the Aeromarine Corps in addition to crewing the light airships and transports used by the Aeromarines for transport and logistics. The unfortunate results of their freshness is a general lack of expertise gained from experience; though their Lavanian trainers shipped in from the Empire have done admirably at training them, nothing can prepare men for combat. Due to the lack of numerous combat engagements outside of the hunt for routing Royalist forces of the Northern Army, most Aviators are fresh to their posts as of the current day. Despite this lack of active experience the Aviators are disciplined, well-equipped by Lavanian quartermasters, and eager to prove their skill in the skies above.
A portion of the Aeromarine Aviation's required crew compliment on nearly all vessels, the deck crew of the Aeromarine Aviation detachments (also known as Aeronauts by troopers and themselves) serve a vital role onboard their ships. They are the deck crew, expected to clamber aboard the revealed decks of their aircraft to man turrets, repair damage, or repel boarders if ever the situation arises. They are considerably uparmored in comparison to their Aviator compatriots with the same flak-resistant padded armor worn by the aviators supplemented by large plates of small arms resistant steel. They are typically armed lightly, with submachine guns, carbine variants of semi-automatic weapons, and pistols serving as their primary close quarters weaponry. In addition, many carry tools or pioneer axes in place of knives to serve as heavy blunt instruments or cleaving weapons when boarding gets extra close and personal. They are, to the man, tough and bravado-filled individuals who are taken from the recruitment pool with just such personalities in mind.
The Jide Zhengwei, frequently compared to the political commissariat by communists, is the political wing of the Zhenxiang Army. In strict and intentional opposition and contrast to the political officers in service to some communist and nationalist forces, the Jide Zhengwei holds a mandate similar to that of journalists and chaplains all in one. It is the interest of the Jide Zhengwei to improve morale wherever it can through benevolent oration, the foundation of comraderie, and the stoking of the political spirit of the troops while noting through many medium the tide of the conflict. As such, Jide (as an officer of the Jide Zhengwei is called) are all highly educated and moralistic individuals with backgrounds in journalism, law, political activism, and/or spirituality. Jide come from all walks of life, with officers ranging from ex-itinerant monks attracted to the Zhenxiang cause due to the general passion for spirituality, political activists who felt pushed to action by the actions or lack thereof by authorities, and even disillusioned nobles who desired to play a larger, more goodly role in the world one man at a time. Ironically, the Jide Zhengwei has potentially the largest concentration of nobility in the Zhenxiang Army (though it should be said, nobility is not a grounds in which volunteers can be denied).
Jide are attached to military units and formations at the command staff level, forwarded to units as small as platoons. Due to their position outside of the standard military hierarchy, Jide are designated by the unit they are joined to to determine rank and seniority; a Jide attache to a brigade would be referred to as a Brigade-Jide in official paperwork and by fellow Jide when formalities are called for. Unlike their counterparts in other cliques and armed forces, the Jide are not vested with the authority to punish or otherwise harm soldiers under their charge. A Jide who is unable to raise morale or entice ideological passion out of his troops through benevolent means is taken off the line and returned to training or discharged altogether. In the few instances in which Jide have harmed or been harmed by their fellow soldiers trials have been held to determine who was at fault and punishment was delivered by the offending party's hierarchy.
In addition to roles as political officers in the field, higher ranking Jide serve in a judicial capacity in military tribunals as one of the three primary representatives. In this role, the Jide Zhengwei recruits or otherwise inducts military personnel to serve as military police. These troopers, who are technically part of the military hierarchy, are taken from volunteers who prove to share the same moral and ethical tendencies expected of the Jide. Such men and women, often less than educated enough to become full Jide during enlistment, are granted access to libraries and Jide tutors if they feel so inclined to apply for full Jide status. This general balance provides a sense of openness regarding the Jide Zhengwei, allowing for even lowly farmers-turned-soldiers to advance into positions of education through merit and effort.
The Jide Military Police are, as described above, soldiers from the Zhenxiang army inducted into the Jide Zhengwei on a temporary basis as gendarmerie. These troops can come from a large variant of backgrounds in the service, from mechanics to the vaunted Assault Sappers, are are recruited from a voluntary pool based on high marks for morality and ethical behavior. For the period in which they serve as MPs, these troops are directly assigned to the command of Jide Officers serving in judicial capacities for military tribunals. These tribunals, consisting of one military officer with a legal background, one civilian lawyer or judge, and one law-educated Jide Officer, are the individual units by which punishments and legal precedent is set down. It is these tribunals and their volunteer officers who punish criminals in the armed forces, try enemy prisoners and imprisoned comrades alike for war crimes, and otherwise maintain the rule of law within the military hierarchy.
The Jide Officer Corps is the paragon example of the new world Hyeun Tae-Kyeung wishes to build. Each Officer earns their position through intensive education, reaching rigorous moral requirements, and surpassing all others in dedication to the benevolent change of the status quo for the benefit of all Zengravians. Before the Civil War many were journalists, teachers, judges, activists, priests, nurses, playwrights, photographers, nobles, and everything in between who spent their lives already dedicated to such vaunted goals as the Zhenxiang Army now fights for. Each is a brilliant orator, writer, or educator who can bring a crowd to tears with their demonstrations and lectures. They are, for the most part, brave individuals who will stand on the line beside their compatriots in the tumult of battle and be a shoulder to cry on in the dark and lonely nights. Every Jide is expected to keep track of their exploits and the events of the war through any means they find suitable, hiding nothing from the eyes of the people so every war criminal, every hero, and every victim gets seen in an honest and true light when the war finally comes to an end.
Within the most recent months of the Civil War there has been a considerable change in the makeup of the Nationalist forces. Saved in their darkest hour by Lavanian intervention, the Nationalist cause has been suffused with equipment and personnel from Zengrav's southern neighbor. From the sweeping advance through Seraat and up into Delsai to the prepared invasion across the rivers into Royalist territory, the Nationalist cause has only been strengthened with this new found resource. In the Zhenxiang Army, the Lavanians face a unique situation; here they are viewed as allies and companions-in-arms rather than leaders and there has been mixed results from this arrangement. Despite this, the Lavanian Volunteer Forces have served loyally and effectively alongside Aeromarine Forces throughout the earliest portions of the new campaign. For now they are under the direct command of Tribune Lucius Magnus Tibero, the Imperial Attache to the Zhenxiang Army, and the Comitatus in particular hold little loyalty beyond what they owe to Lucius. For the average trooper, of course, this is just another war just like back home and many see a sense of connection to the Nationalist cause from their own revolutionary roots.
As with all forces present and active within the Zengravian Civil War, the Zhenxiang Army marches on its stomach and fights only when its supplies and equipment allow. With the logistician focus of the Zhenxiang Army's command staff, most notably in the form of their commanding officer, the Zhenxiang Army is frequently well-supplied and equipped for the duties expected of them. In addition to the weapons acquired before and after the 101st Logistics Brigade's defection to the Nationalist cause, the Zhenxiang Army has seen an influx in equipment from the newly joined forces of the Lavanian Empire. This swelling of supplies has led to a healthy amount of weapon variety that has made it possible for the Zhenxiang Army to deploy in both greater numbers and more varied units.
Below shall be noted a number of vehicles and equipment currently in service with the Zhenxiang Army's forces. These shall include anything from Cruiser Tanks to Pistols and everything in between and beyond. Many of these individual models were made and manufactured in the Zengravian Republic before the 101st's defection and can be found in use among Republican units to this day. Others will be the provenance of the metal-minded thoughts of gunsmiths and Engineers available only to the Zhenxiang Army and their Nationalist allies. Finally, some will belong directly to the now intervening forces of the Empire of Lavania and will not be seen used in considerable amounts outside of their volunteer forces.
The list of Small Arms available to the Zhenxiang Army is long and consistent with the tactical disposition expected of the Aeromarine Forces deployed by the Zhenxiang Jundui. Ranging from bolt-action rifles to newly issued shoulder-mounted recoilless rifles, the Zhenxiang Army is equipped supremely well as any Nationalist forces worth their salt are. The schematic illustration above identifies each weapon in descending order from top left to bottom right.
1.) The first, a hardy sidearm of Zengravian make, is the QZb-02 "Jiu-shi"; it remains the standard issue sidearm for Zhenxiang Officers. As of recently the weapon has begun to be phased out in favor of the Lavanian alternative, though this process is still underway. It's standard box magazine holds nine rounds with an additional one in the chamber if a tenth round is loaded through the breach before firing.
2.) Next identified is the QZa-38b "Morat" automatic rifle, serving in a support role among rifle sections and specialist forces. The rifle is an adaption of an earlier semi-automatic model designed by Zengravian forces, updated and altered to an automatic variant using Lavanian design models. The weapon loads the same .30-06 cartridge used by other Zhenxiang-equipped rifles with both drum and box magazines capable of holding forty five rounds and twenty rounds respectively. Current upgrades and modifications to the weapon include the inclusion of a deployable barrel-mounted bipod and an integrated pistol grip replacing the standard rifle stock-and-grip. In a standard rifle section, each rifleman carries an additional magazine for their fireteam's automatic rifleman.
3.) This is followed by the Lavanian made Brutii Modelo-m4 Service Pistol, nicknamed by Zhenxiang forces as the Brutus (a relatively common Lavanian name). The weapon has seen greater service with Specialist troops who have obtained it for themselves due to its exception stopping power and sturdy construction. The eight round magazine leaves some to be desired but makes up for it with the penetration provided by the larger pistol round used.
4.) The fourth image displayed is that of the ZQa-31b "Chang-Bi", the standard issue service rifle of the Zhenxiang Army. The rifles themselves are of complete Zengravian design using design techniques taken from Belsarovian immigrants. The weapon loads five standard .30-06 cartridge using a steel stripper-clip into a ten round capacity, integral, cyclical-box magazine housed directly below the bolt. As of the official induction of Lavanian support, the weapon has begun to be phased out with the new semi-automatics provided by the Empire. The Chang-Bi remains in permanent use as the standard-issue sniper rifle for Aeromarine Marksman with the inclusion of a 4x magnification telescopic scope affixed to the top of the weapon.
5.) The fifth designated weapon is the Lavanian FabbricaLavania(FL)-A/12, nicknamed the "Zhizao" as a direct translation of the Lavanian word "Fabbrica" to Quin Zengravian and coincidentally for the sound the bolt makes when racked or fired. It is a moderately effective submachine gun currently being phased out by the Lavanians, offering a number of partially to never used models ripe for Zengravian use. It's large drum-magazine has a capacity of fifty rounds while the stick magazines often used to replace the heavier models hold twenty five.
6.) Next on the line is the QZa-33 "Jie" semi-automatic rifle. The rifle is, ostensibly, of Zengravian design but with a number of design elements borrowed from foreign weapon manufacturers taken into account when designing the weapon. As of recently, design schematics for the rifle have been shipped to Lavanian manufacturers who can produce the rifles more swiftly at a lower cost than they would their own, slightly more complex semi-automatic rifle design. Like the automatic rifle designed off of it's hardware, the QZa-33 chambers a sizeable .30-06 rifle cartridge in a detachable box magazine with a ten round capacity. A 2x magnification scoped variant has seen limited deployment among Raider rifle sections for its short range capabilities as a marksman rifle.
7.) The highly vaunted RXKQ-04 Rocket Launcher is potentially one of the most effective models of man-portable anti-tank weapons ever devised in or by Zengravian Engineers. The weapon was made by the Zhenxiang Army's engineer corps by the now revered gunsmith Captain Leung Sin-Feng using supplies available to the 101st Logistics Brigade during the initial actions of the war. The RXKQ-04 saw limited numbers of production underneath the Republican forces before being mass produced in moderate quantities later in the engagements. Now, with the designs held and produced in Lavanian factories for both domestic and foreign use, the Zhenxiang Army boasts a considerable collection of these potent anti-tank weapons. Their standard payload, a rocket-propelled HEAT round, serves in an effective anti-tank and anti-infantry role.
8.) Another weapon of FabbricaLavania design, the FL-Mod.2/9 is the standard issue infantry machinegun of the Zhenxiang Army. The model currently in use by the Zhenxiang, locally designated as the FL-9 "Xuan", is a stripped down variant of the FL-Mod.2/9 intended for more rugged use. The high rate of fire is made bearable by a fast-swap barrel which can be swiftly switched out in the field by the operator and support crew. The weapon loads the 7.62x57mm Lavanian round on belts fed from a drum magazine connected just below the body of the firearm. In a standard support section, each rifleman carries an additional magazine for the gunner and the gunner's assistant carries several more.
9.) Perhaps the most unique of all weapons currently in service with the Zhenxiang Army, the PopulareFucina-Armato Fucile (AF)-M1 is the newly devised and soon-to-be field tested shoulder mounted recoilless rifle of the Lavanian Army. The rifle represents a considerable amount of technical experience and man hours spent in development and the Lavanian military has expressed considerable interest in field testing the firearm in combat zones. Currently rarely seen among Zhenxiang forces except for the most specialized of troops, the rifle loads a .60 caliber explosive-tipped round capable of penetrating armored vehicles in current use. The rifle, intended to allow for rapid shots from concealment before changing positions, can fire all five rounds held in its magazine swiftly and accurately due to the lack of recoil produced by the weapon. Marine Raider, Assault Sapper, and Pioneer Guard units have competed viciously for its use and so far have proved it to be highly effective in its intended roles.
10.) Pictured is the standard issue bayonet and combat knife of the Zhenxiang army, simply known as the Type-14 Combat Knife. An integrated knuckle-duster sits squarely in front of the user's hands and serves as an additional tool in close quarters combat. The blade features a slot in the pommel for a bayonet-lug to be inserted, firmly equipping it to the end of a firearm to be used as a bayonet.
Not Pictured: A number of weapons and equipment are not displayed on this image. These include, but are not limited to, close combat weapons such as Pioneer Axes and boarding mauls used on special issue by specialist forces and deck crew of Airships. In addition, all grenades and personal explosive explosive devices such as mines and detonators are not pictured. These include standard issue fragmentation grenades, used to reduce damage during boarding actions to the hull, and specialist high-explosive anti-tank grenades. The Zhenxiang Army is also seen using salvaged weapons from enemy forces, especially among veteran units, and freshly acquired Lavanian weaponry not yet in standard issue (often bartered for from Lavanian troopers and quartermasters).
The so-called "Huihang" Infantry Tank is the bog-standard tank deployed by the Zhenxiang Army alongside infantry units. The vehicle is an unlicensed and partially modified copy of a Commonwewalth design that has since been armed and outfitted with Zengravian alternatives. The tank is hardy for its size and serves in its role as an infantry support tank well enough. Its greatest asset to the Zhenxiang Jundui is its ubiquitous nature, making logistic strain for maintaining the vehicle non-existent. Each part down to the drive-shaft is an easy to acquire and sturdy piece that can be replaced swiftly (often in the field) on the rare occasions where they break down from ware. From the get-go the Republican designers stressed ease of production and maintenance, mechanical durability, and standardization of parts over the highest performing pieces. The Huihang was initially armed with the 37mm anti-tank gun typically found in use by infantry units as well as a coaxial machinegun, a driver operated forward facing machinegun, and a third machinegun mounted above the turret. With the introduction of Lavanian support the main guns on a number of models have been switched out for the Lavanian 75mm cannon. The shorter overall length of the tank allows it to be deployed via heavy landers and other logistics aircraft, meaning the Huihang is typically one of the few pieces of armor in active support of a Aeromarine assault.
The Type-47/Ia Kuaisu is a highly redesigned Type-88/IIb eschewing the armor design elements of the Commonwealth for a Belzarovian design. The longer hull provides for greater room in the rear compartment to mount an engine, providing the Kuaisu with a larger and more powerful engine in comparison to the Huihang. Sloped, forward facing armor provides higher resistance to incoming fire making it a superior option when engaging against enemy armored elements. With this combination of higher speed and armor, the Kuaisu has been designated a Cavalry tank by the Zhenxiang Army, a role it has excelled at in deployment. Due to the shared turret the Kuaisu and the Huihang are restricted to mounting similar main guns. In its initial roleout the Kuaisu was expected to engage against enemy armor more often, due to its position as a cavalry tank, and was initially equipped with the 7,5 cm cannon frequently employed by Commonwealth in anti-tank roles. Like the Huihang, the Kuaisu mounts a total of three machine guns mounted both inside and outside the cabin.
A newly acquired gift from Lavania, the Truppe Armato M31/12(simply called the Tru-Pe by Zengravian troops) is the standard issue armored personnel carrier of the Lavanian Army. The ruggedly designed vehicle features sloped armor designed to increase the survivability of the vehicle and men inside from small arms fire. The design's squat, short body has allowed it to be integrated nearly seamlessly into the Zhenxiang military doctrine of fast assaults. With several being able to be fit into most logistics vessels and a single one capable of fitting into a thoroughly emptied Di-Mu, the vehicle is one of the most frequently seen armored vehicles supporting Aeromarine footsloggers. Several variants exist ranging from the typical machine-gun armed transport, an uparmored and autocannon armed armored car, and a radio-equipped command vehicle.
The Xeidei is the lightest vehicle currently deployed by the Zhenxiang Army in an active combat role and can be found both on the front lines and deep behind enemy formations. It is the standard terrestrial transport of the Marine Raiders, a single model capable of carrying a section if comfort is no object and small enough to fit inside a Di-Vu Patrol Boat without requiring the hull storage being emptied. The lighter armor and soft-topped rear of the vehicle has allowed for a heavier turret to be mounted above the driver's compartment, outfitted with a 20mm autocannon capable of damaging other light vehicles, soft-fortifications, and infantry targets. The vehicle's rugged design has made it a favored transport among troops expected to be in the field unsupported for considerable amounts of time and earned a name for itself during the Nationalist campaign leading up to the Battle of Seraat as a ferociously effective armored fighting vehicle.
The Type-9 Zhan is an oddity among the equipment deployed by the Zhenxiang Army. It is the first and only ambulatory armored vehicle made entirely by Zengravian designers for the Civil War and shows its heritage through its odd design. The walker features a central armored body with four multi-jointed legs mounted directly beneath the armored cupola. The "turret" of the body is capable of rotating separately from the lower torso, allowing for the main gun of the vehicle to be turned while the walker moves in the opposite direction. This maneuver has been frequently described as disorienting to pilots who are rotated alongside the rest of the crew. Despite this oddity, the Zhan has continued to serve its role well enough. It's up-armored central turret makes it completely resistant to small arms and decently resistant to lower-caliber anti-tank weaponry. The maingun, a 37mm anti-tank cannon, has recently begun to be phased out for a Lavanian 4.5 cm cannon or a Zengravian designed 30mm autocannon. Mounted to the right of the primary weapon is a gimballed machinegun, operated by the commander when the maingun is firing. Due to an above-average quality and durability suspension, the Zhan can be dropped directly from airships up to thirty feet with little to no damage, meaning it is frequently the heaviest piece of ordinance deployed in an Aeromarine hot-drop.
The newest addition to the Zhenxiang Army's mechanized arsenal, the Andare Armato M98/2 Light Walker, known simply as the Andare (pronounced an-dar-ray by Zengravians), is the newest improvement to light walker technology in the Empire. Lavanian engineers were quick to earmark the Andare for field testing by the Imperial expeditionary forces that struck at Seraat and so far the M98 has proved its value twice over. The lightly armored vehicle is fast compared to most twin-legged armored fighting vehicles despite its higher quantity of armaments. This is accomplished through the revolutionary design concept of placing the weaponry outside of the main turret. The loss of armor around the main armaments has shown increased likelihood for damage when engaging against other armored elements or anti-tank armed infantry but has proven effective in eliminating issues with fire superiority that typical mechs suffer from. A long barreled 3.5cm self-loading autocannon, a belt-fed .50 caliber machinegun, and a Lavanian medium-range flamethrower gives the Andare a fearsome capability for engaging enemies at all ranges. Several variants replacing the machinegun and flamethrower with an additional autocannon or all armaments with a quad-machinegun battery have proven similarly successful.
The ZeinMetall Ze-108 "Shengli" is the culmination of the years of joint labors between the Zengravian Republican government and the commonwealth arms manufacturer ZeinMetall. Taking design elements from years of military experience and observations done by top Commonwealth Engineers, Zengravian aeronatautic engineers were able to design a Zengravian made alternative (with Commonwealth permission). The first of its kind, a full-metal bodied monoplane partially designed and manufactured in Zengrav, the Shengli (designated the Siegfried in the Commonwealth) has served as the workhorse for many Republican air elements. The Shengli and its variants, ranging from fighter bombers to stripped down interceptors, now serve in vital roles within the Zhenxiang Army and other Nationalist forces. In the illustration above, the propellers have been omitted; this was done due to the illustrator's initial misunderstandings regarding highly complicated technical schematics displaying the propeller as separate from the body for manufacturing purposes.
The Divumavis-class Patrol Boat is the most common aerial transport deployed by Zhenxiang Army as of the current day. The Divumavis, typically shortened to Di-Vu by Zengravian troops, is a Lavanian made light airboat used by the Lavanian Empire as a patrol ship for small contingents of troops. Mass produced during the coup-turned-revolution, the available surplus of Di-Vu's were quickly absorbed into the Zhenxiang Army as the first potential solution to the logistics problems faced by Hyeun's air-mobile infantry concept. The Di-Vu's in use by the Zhenxiang Army have since been highly modified, losing weaponry in favor of capacity. The standard variant of the Di-Vu is equipped with a top-deck mounted twin machinegun and a single integral 37mm cannon that must be aimed with the vessel. The vessel can comfortably transport twelve individuals, not including crew, to a combat zone to be deployed by ramp on the underside of the boat. Newly modified variants have displayed a replacement tank turret for the machine-gun battery, mounting an additional 37mm cannon and a single coaxial machine-gun for anti-infantry roles.
As with many of the combative forces of the Warlords during the Civil War, the constant conflict between uniformity and logistics have kept the Zhenxiang Army on their toes. In the case of such transportation and logistics needs, the Laureate-General has been forced to make compromises. As such, the Logistics Division of the Zhenxiang Army is equipped with a veritable host of vessels ranging from full sized airships to small airboats to complete its duties. Many of these vessels are direct from the near-obsolete (for Lavanians) Imperial Surplus in the form of lend-lease ships saved from scuttling and refurbished to serve in Logistics roles. In addition, a vast number of the airships used in these roles are civilian models used for agriculture hauling looted, salvaged, or gifted over the campaigns. The cream of the crop are a handful of full troop transports, brought by Lavanian handlers with the intent to support an aerial retreat with the freed Nationalist prisoners if the operation faired poorly.
The Hastati-class Corvette represents the standard Lavanian military doctrine when it comes to infantry support by aerial assets. For the Zhenxiang Army, however, the single Hastati corvette brought to the Clique by Tribune Lucius himself is the only fully equipped combat airship they have. As such, it serves as a mobile headquarters and base of operations for forward field operations due to an upgraded communications center built to support the Tribune's staff. Since the vessel's donation to the Zhenxiang Army it has been rechristened under the name Xinlong, the New Dragon, and has served faithfully and effectively ever since. Hardly well armored enough to serve direct combat roles against hardened fortified targets or true line airships, the single Zhenxiang Army Hastati serves instead as the heart of campaigns and a proud symbol of their growing effectiveness and prestige.
|Their finest hour:|
"General! They've breached the city! What do we do!?"
The air of the room practically surged with the tenseness of the situation as all around the command center of what remained of the 101st Logistics Brigade staff officers and non-comms fell into a panic. The situation in Seraat had been deteriorating for weeks and everyone in the compound that morning had known it. Whispers had abound that it was only a matter of time that the massive Royalist Army North stormed the city's meager defenses and made good on their promise of fire and death for the treasonous White-Shirts. With the sound of high explosive ordinance shattering stone ramparts and brick buildings like a children's play-set, it had been increasingly apparent that such a time had made fast its arrival.
For his part, Hyeun stood near motionless. Beads of sweat had begun to form on his forehead, less from the intensity of the situation and more from the overwhelming heat growing in the command center after the destruction of the auxiliary diesel motors that had been powering the fans. He was the epitome of a statuesque figure then and as the field officer who had shouted at him moments before began to repeat himself, Hyeun held up a hand.
"Worry not, Captain," he uttered quietly, his eyes closing to slits as he poured all his attention over the files that he'd spread across the roughly drawn map of the surrounding area, "There must be something . . ."
The captain stood speechless before him, staring dumbfounded at the response, only for stress to boil over once more. The young officer threw his sidearm onto the table in anguish and tossed his cap into the dirt, turning to his fellow staff. Just as he was about to order the abandonment of the facilities himself a hand fell upon his shoulder, gripping him powerfully. He turned to see Hyeun glowering at him. Yet behind those fiery eyes, he quickly discovered, was not rage but determination. The captain went silent from a choking sensation in his throat. The shock of their General's sudden movement momentarily becalmed the room with even the communications officer staring silent as he held down the broadcast button at his workstation, his attention so taken that the officer on the other line calling for orders went unheard.
"Take heart, my truest companions, and do not falter. We have yet to lose the day. Since sunrise we all knew the events that were to come during this bedeviled twenty four hours. We have endured for weeks the hurled insults and ordinance of the whole of the Imperial Army and yet still we breath. Take heart, for our enemy has not the will to break us."
The officer staff's silence began to be replaced with barely audible expressions of agreement as their commanding officer's breathy voice increased to the roar of waves against rock. The flames the emanated from his passion were contagious, biting at the heart of every man who's ears were blessed with his voice. For his part, Hyeun had yet to let go of the captain; his hand remained stern and proud on the man's shoulder even as he addressed the rest of the command center. The captain stared with wide eyes, mouth agape and shoulders drooped in a mix of one hundred emotions running through him at once.
"I say this, and do not take me for anything less than the honest man that I am; this is not our day to die. One day all men must go to their ancestors, to be judged for their life, and when each and every one of us do we shall be faced with proud visages of ancient kings and farmers alike who know we've done great and glorious things in honor of our proud parentage. But it is not this day. Today is the crucible in which the truth will be forged and the wellspring from which our victory shall be attained!"
By now the men had lost their silence and their chests had been filled with the flames of the moment. A warm rage built in them then, that these Royalists would think to send them to their ancestors early, alongside a raging pride in their leader; even in this most darkest of hours he was unbowed and unbroken, standing tall. A true Zengravian, as he assured them they all were. The shoulders of the captain had risen, high and firm so that the weight of the arduous of labors could not bow them.
"Show these, our brothers and sisters and cousins all, that we do not fear their master's lash! Rally yourselves, stoke your fire! Do not surrender and give the enemy nothing but the steel of your heart and the fire of your conviction! If this compound is stormed we shall stand tall and make them pay dearly, like good and honest Zengravians! I urge you to- . . . "
Hyeun stopped in his tracks, looking to the communications officer with a puzzled look marring his brow. The glow of a red light had caught his attention just as he finished making eye contact with the officer and suddenly a wash of awareness came over him. That voice he had heard outside had not been the sound of officers yelling orders, it had been him being broadcast over the klaxons. Every single one of the troops in the immediate area under his command had heard his speech. His heart beat a million miles a minute, realizing exactly what he had done. Then came clarity. Suddenly his heart thumped in his ears slowly and purposefully, a drum to which he could march to. His eyes darted back to the table where the files had been splayed.
He moved swiftly in the eyes of his command staff but to Hyeun each step was a mile. Thoughts collided in his head at mach 10 and shook about his mind like a hurricane. In the stress of the moment even his legendary calm had been overwhelmed and he had missed something; an idea. He picked up a piece of paper, his eyes darting across the page, before moving the rest from the table to look at the map. Enemy and friendly unit dispositions alike were clearly marked, displaying where known enemy combat units held the line and where friendly units were desperately defending. There was a gap, though not in the traditional sense. Ill-trained and ill-equipped levies placed to guard what was perceived as an untenable avenue of retreat. But there was another option.
"Listen, now, to all those who can hear! There are over three hundred agricultural aircraft and countless numbers of motorized vehicles and horse carriages! Every man and woman who speaks fluent Gailzri is to ask for local assistance. If we can get those transports we can get thousands of men out of the city through the north-east quadrant. There is dense terrace farmland on either side that will make it difficult for the enemy to engage. Your orders are clear; acquire any and all fast transportation you can get the people to give to the cause! The White-Shirts will NOT die today!"
With that the numerous command staff inside the command center burst into action. Orders were relayed across multiple units holding the line and the effort was taking up with every runner possible. The Gailzri people of Seraat, in their blessed generosity, gave in droves. Many had heard over the radio the calls of assistance put out by the Laureate-General and were keen to answer; he had been notably kind to their people during his tenure there and many had sons and daughters fighting for the Nationalist cause. Though the efforts of those fine soldiers and civilians could not possibly turn the tide of the battle, what would come to be known as the Flight of the Laureate-General would lead to the escape and survival of thousands of Nationalist troops and civilians.
|Their darkest hour:|
Hyeun pressed his face into his hands and let out a sobbing groan. His hands were wet with the salty sting of his tears, what few he could conjure, as he took a moment of privacy to finally wallow in his sorrow. Everything he stood for had fallen apart in a matter of weeks and his hope had collapsed on itself beyond the limits that even his considerable confidence could stand. He now sat dejectedly in his hovel, knees to chest and face buried in his palms. Even he, Hyeun discovered, was not immune to to the woes and suffering of a world turned fully against him.
"General?"
A voice caught his attention and he stood, making movements as if he had been tying his shoes. Moving to set his glasses into position gave him the perfect opportunity to wipe away what little tears his body had the water to make, though it was clear from his red eyes as to what he had truly been doing. Once he felt fully sure he'd got a hold of himself her turned, offering a slight smile in the most reassuring pose he could manage. He was a general, that's what they we're supposed to do; right?
"We have to move, General. The winds have died down and the Royalists will be on us soon. We await your command."
Hyeun inwardly sighed, though he hid the motion well. A nod followed a smile as he stepped out of the small structure he'd been inhabiting into the glaring sun of the open desert. The sand swept dunes and hillocks seemed more harsh and inhospitable than they had been only the day before and Hyeun swore that each of the towering mountains surrounding their encampment had grown in several orders of magnitude from the sandstorm. Now they would have to march up and over them to get out of the abandoned quarry they had set up camp in and that would prove even more difficult without their transports.
The rout had been hard on the Nationalists and Hyeun couldn't help but hold himself accountable, at least in the case of his men. He had brought his own troops through the desert with the intention of escaping Royalist forces in the great rolling sanddunes of the desert and little had gone his way before or since. Due to an unfortunate timing of a powerful rainstorm the vast majority of their vehicles, especially the supply-laden transports, had to be abandoned. The horses they had acquired during the march north from the Republican-held coastline had mostly perished from the hot sun or slain for food. Throughout their retreat they had been harried by Minga cavalry and biplanes and even the desert sun could not keep them off their tail for long. By now the cavalry had fallen back, returning to fresher climbs, but every so often a scout plane would be sighted over the horizon and a feeling of dread would haunt the nationalist column for miles.
"Alright. Pack your things. Get the dromedaries loaded and have every many carry as much food and water as they can; leave anything unnecessary behind and stow any extra weapons or ammunition in the cache here if we ever need to make a return trip." Hyuen cursed to himself that he would even think of attempting such a thing.
The officer nodded and set about his work while Hyeun appraised the situation. His men were haggard, their clothes windblown and sandblasted to oblivion. The white shirts they had all worn so proudly had been drenched with sweat early to the point of yellowing, now barely wet from the sheer dehydration of his forces. A frown blanched his features as he stared at the seventeen graves that had been dug on the outskirts of the abandoned quarry camp. Most had died from injuries sustained during a Royalist air attack several kilometers back but several had passed from exposure. He had failed those men, he knew, and the knife of his own making buried in his back made him wince.
It was another hard few weeks of travel from here to Seraat and Hyeun hoped against hope that they had lost the Royalist in the sandstorm the preceding day; if they were lucky, the enemy would have no idea they were headed for Seraat. A voice in the back of his head warned him to not believe such lies but hope needed to be maintained somehow. His forces by then had mustered, loaded to bare as much they could and using makeshift head covers to keep the worst of the sun off their faces. One blessing had come in the form of a herd of domesticated dromedaries wandering into the camp. No doubt they had become lost from their master in a storm and had sought shelter just as him and his men had. Now they were travelling companions and for that Hyeun thanked the ancestors ten times over and once more for good luck.
We might just survive this, Hyeun thought to himself as he clambered through the sand to the front of the line, grabbing the lead rope of a dromedary loaded with two injured men,Just a hundred more miles to go.
|Other Important People inside the Clique:|
Major General Tse Tak-Sohng - XO of the 1st Aeromarine Corps - Major General Tse Tak-Sohng is the premier military commander currently active within the Zhenxiang Army. Older than the Laureate-General by a magnitude of a decade and a half, the Major General has a life time of experience serving in the Emperor's Armed Forces before the armed resistance against Minga rule. He was recruited into the Zhenxiang Army during an active command with the Royalist forces where he had been sidelined to a backwater position due to his outspoken attitude towards what he perceived as "supreme breaches in human dignity". He has since served in the Zhenxiang Jundui with distinction, commanding the corps sized element with distinction.
Brigadier General Ngoi-Hui Hau Niek - Chief of the General Staff - Ngoi-Hui Hau Niek is the current Chief of the General Staff for the overall command of the Zhenxiang Army. Despite his rank Ngoi-Hui's experience is not in the works of field craft but in logistics. Like the Laureate-General himself, Ngoi-Hui had served with distinction as an officer in the Logistics Brigades of the Republican Army during the early years of the Civil War. Ngoi would eventually come to serve directly beneath then Lieutenant Colonel Hyeun Tae-Kyeung in the 101st Logistics Brigade where the two would become fast friends. Before the war Ngoi had been an accountant for an acting school, occasionally dabbling in the trade himself. Known for his humor and disarming behavior, Ngoi's personality disguises well a sharp mind.
Colonel Kesor Nimh-Kah - Chief Adjutant to the Laureate-General - It is a rare thing to find a soldier who is adept at paperwork and a rarer thing to find one that likes it. Kesor Nimh-Kah, ostensibly a Colonel in the direct employ of the Laureate-General, is one such man. If something needs to be retrieved, an officer found, or paperwork filed properly and effectively it is Kesor who should be called. The man is humorless, direct, and swift to complete his directives with an interest devoted to success. Every morning there is a file of all the day's happenings waiting on the Laureate-General's desk and at night a steaming pot of tea ready to drink before bed. He is loyal to the extreme and his devotion to the cause is without question, perhaps even beyond Hyeun himself.
Colonel Naranbaatar Batbayar - CO of the Aeromarine Raiders - The Minga/Bingal commanding officer of the Aeromarines' Marine Raider detachments, Naranbaatar Batbayar comes off as a ferocious and fiery tempered man ideal for the job. To his men he is known as the Iron Leopard for his propensity for the art of raiding; and to Naranbaatar, raiding IS an art. Naranbaatar proved instrumental in the shaping of the Marine Raider detachment of the Zhenxiang Army and was the first and greatest proponent of their use as a rapid attack light infantry unit. Everything down to the equipment they wield has gone under the scrutiny of the guileful Iron Leopard and none can doubt the effectiveness of his unit he frequently leads personally. A passion for alchohol, especially the airag drank by the Minga, has led to nasty rumors of his fiery temper being enflamed by such drinking habits. Despite this, his history of success has landed him a fair amount of leeway on the matter.
Corps-Jide Song Tchai-Bahk - First Jide of the Jide Zhengwei - Song Tchai-Bahk is a unique oddity among his cohorts in the upper echelons of the Zhenxiang Army. Song is a noble of mixed Mingal/Jorguk ancestry with a background in theology and clerical work. Song had once been the head of a decently prosperous temple in the capital and had served several times as a Prelate to the Emperor's family. His love for the ancestors is without question and his oration skills in expressing that devotion are held to a high standard. Most of all, his experience as a judge at the Imperial courts has proven his greatest success. As a Priest and a man of the law, Song Tchai-Bahk fits less with the rank and file of the Jide Zhengwei and more with the Judicial tribunals he himself proposed. A noble if stern figure, Song Tchai-Bahk pushes a degree of faithful behavior in all things and has more than once received rebuke for his desire to share his faith with others.
Tribune Lucius Magnus Tibero - Imperial Attache to the Laureate-General - Standing out more than even Song Tchai-Bahk, Tribune Lucius Magnus Tibero is the representative of the Levanian Empire placed directly in the service of Hyeun Tae-Kyeung. The two met during Hyeun's brief stint in the Empire when he and a companion representing the Great Leader herself had convinced the Primus to intervene in the war. They had become fast friends, despite Lucius' foreign proclivities, and the Tribune had been swift to apply for the position. Alongside Tibero came a battalion of Tribune Comitatus to serve beside the Zhenxiang Army in the coming conflict. Though hardly loyal to the Zhenxiang Army and its goals, Tribune Lucius does express a continued interest in serving alongside a friendly face as long as the conflict continues. His troops, for their part, serve loyally so long as their Primus commands. The Tribune himself is a jester of sorts who takes great pride in his ability to rile his political opponents. His position, ostensibly granted for his distinguished military service, was rumored to be granted due to his skill in the Primus' court politics more than anything else.
|Geographical Location of CLIQUE:| The Phoenix Count holds no land to his name. Officially at least. Unofficially he holds the loyalty of small sections of much of the Royalist holdings, who pledge themselves to his political cause. However they are often forced to do so in secret, acting primarily as sources of intelligence and recruitment, instead of rescue centers. The one exception is central Delraat, which openly celebrates the man who saved them. If Huojin could be considered to be master of any lands, it is those that border the mountainous passes between Delraat and Yandar.
|Cities:| Only one city falls within the territory Huojin nominally controls. The small mining city of Tie Diman. However, it's size belies it's productivity. The iron and copper mines of the mountains it is built into have been the source of Huojin's rapid ability to mechanize and armor his forces, and the city is located far enough from the lines that Huojin is capable of leaving only a small garrison, leaving the main defense to the local militia trained by his troops, and the naturally defensive terrain of steep mountains.
|Name:| Yang Hujoin |Title:| the Phoenix Count, Major General of the Heavenly Imperial Army |Age:| 23 |Ethnicity:| Minga
|Personal Ideology: |
Enlightened Liberal Autocracy - The right to rule is derived from the Holy Mandate, given down from Heaven to the First Emperors so that they may rule in their stead on earth. However, while it is the divine right of the monarch to rule, the monarch may not rule solely as they wish. As they serve the gods in heaven, and the people of the earth serve them, so too must they serve the people. It is the monarch's duty not only to rule, but to rule well.
The followers of Enlightened Liberal Autocracy have taken a look at the state of the country, and decided the old order has lead the Empire to an unacceptably bad end. A collection of highly placed incompetent nobles and out of touch emperors have caused the Empire to collapse into civil war and much of it been forced to bow to the whims of foreigners. Change must come in order for the nation to survive, and that change will not be found under the leadership of the old high nobility.
They wish to replace the old system of reliance on ancient bloodlines and gross abuse of the common people with a more meritocratic system with more upward moment for the less and non-noble citizens. The Emperor must reign supreme, but he must do so with more of an eye for all of his people. Not a nation of or by the people, but one that is undoubtedly for them.
|Influence in the faction: | 10%
|Personality: |
Yang Huojin is a man who has been shaped by three things. The death of his mother, his childhood friendships, and his military genius. He is a man torn between two impossible forces. An deep and earnest desire to bring peace, security, and reform to the Empire, and a consuming lust for battle. He is a man of burning passion and burning charisma, capable of convincing sympathetic ears to join and aid him with fiery speech and conviction.
He holds little love for his enemies, seeing them as problems that must be removed in order to reach his more prefect empire. This makes political battles far more difficult for the young general, and he often is forced to rely on his closest allies for aid in these areas. However, he can also be merciful in victory, often accepting the surrender of beaten opponents and treating prisoners with honor. In his mind, a defeated foe is no longer a foe, but a countryman who should be treated as such.
However, he has little such care for foreigners, who he sees as a plague on his nation that must be excised. A plague almost as great as that of the controlling and power hungry nobles that allowed said foreigners to gain the foothold they did.
He is a stern and distant man despite his charisma, and can be said to only truly love his sister and two childhood friends, who act as his closest advisers and chief agents.
|His/Her Virtue: |Tactical Genius - Huojin is a student of history and warfare. He is of the firm believe that the history of humanity is the history of war, and strives to ensure that his name is not lost to that history. He has studied extensively the many military campaigns of the past, victorious or defeated, native or foreign. He has spent what little time and fortune he has scrapped together from his service to expand his knowledge. And he has combined that with a mind seemingly built for the purpose of war, through which maneuver and counter-maneuver run with all the fluidity of a glistening river.
|His/Her Virtue: |Charisma of the Flame - Huojin has always stood out as a leader of men. From his time as student in the military academies, to his time as a solider, leading men in and out of impossible situations. He gathers followers to him like moths to a flame. He has a manner of existence that makes other want his respect, and makes them work to get it, for unlike many of the noble class of officers, he grants recognition and respect to the peasant born soldiers under his command who earn such. However, such actions draw notice from above, and many of the old guard look upon this rising leader with interest, as either a new pawn, or a threat to be squashed.
|His/Her Sin:|The Passion of the Inferno - It has been said that Yang Huojin is an man who exists for war, and he would be the first to agree with that statement. He understands and studies statesmanship and politics as a nessecity, not a love. His one true love is, and will always be, the battlefield. He longs always for the rush of battle, the greatest test of mind and body as solider is pitted against solider and tactician against tactician. It takes all of his iron discipline to keep him from the fight, and eventually he must give in to the urge.
Yang Huojin is a man who earnestly strives for peace and security for his Empire, but it is unknown if he would ever be able to exist in such a world.
|History and Background:|
Yang Huojin is descended from a long line of nobility, stretching all the way back to the Minga conquest of the early Zangef kingdoms. In the intervening millennia they have been Generals, Governors, and Princes. However, those loftey days of power are far behind the family now. Over the past two centuries the Yang family has been stripped of it's power and prestige, thrown down by political enemies. Stripped of ancestral lands and it's fortune, Huojin was born to a family much lessened.
The second child and only son of the previous Count Yang, he lost his mother very young. She had been a fierce political activist, believing that the nobility were corrupt. She had organized movements and lead protests against the local nobles in a peaceful demonstration that hoped to gain greater liberties for the people of Shāfeng city. The city's governor responded by ordering the local garrison to attack the demonstration. HUjoin's mother and three hundred others died that day, alongside the young boy's believe that he lived in a just land.
The tragedy forced his father into drink, putting the family further and further into debt with foreign wine merchants who were perfectly happy to allow a Count, even an impoverished one, to rack up debts.
In this bleak period of his life, Huojin's only solace was his older sister Li-Wei, and his two friends Lian and Jun, the twin sons of a local merchant. Together the three young boys played and lived under the watchful eye of the older Li-Wei. For a time it seemed that the young boy, so enraged and furious at the world for the death of his mothers, would find peace in this life. However, it was not to last.
On his thirteenth birthday, the nation was rocked with terror and anguish as Emperor Shigi-Qutuqu the II was assassinated by his own guards for failing to lead their nation back into greatness. It was the beginning of the end of Old Zangef, and the beginning of Huojin's future.
Soon after the assassination, Huojin left home to enroll in the Imperial Military Academy, given entry on the back of his ancient family name. He brought with him Lian and Jun as his retinue, and together the three boys studied and learned, racing through courses on warfare, combat, and culture. Wherever the three went they gathered other young students around them, brought together by the shared charisma of the three. They did everything together, much as they had done in the halcyon days before they joined up. And in all classes they found themselves ahead of their peers, racing each other for the top more than anyone else.
It was for this reason that the three were granted early commissions in the Imperial Army early, as at fifteen Huojin was made a Lieutenant in the Emperor's name. The three were then split up and each sent to a different front, the commanders of the academy judging the three too dangerous together. For Huojin had not been silent in the academy on his views on society and the ways it needed to change to survive.
He often got in fights with the children of powerful nobles, and it is likely he was only allowed to continue in the academy due to his own unmatched performance, and a clear loyalty to the throne. But once out of the protection of the Academy, political forces pounced on the boy, stripping him of his allies in order to weaken him. However, this attempt failed.
Huojin was given command of a backwater outpost beleaguered by bandits. He took the then local militia, whipped them into shape, expanded their numbers, and annihilated the bandit fortress with a daring midnight raid. Afterwards he was rewarded by being given command of a supply convoy that was harried by rebel forces south north of the Sixty Fortresses. He not only kept the supplies safe, he counter-ambushed the rebels and personally slew their commander with few losses on his own side.
Again and again Huojin was given dangerous or suicidal commands, and each time he not only completed his mission, but did so with a brilliance that found him rapidly advancing up the ranks. At 21 he had made Colonel, the youngest in the army, a meteoric rise made possibly by personal charisma and skill, and the bloodshed of the battlefield. And as he rose, he continued to talk.
He gathered like minded soldiers and officers around him, including Lian and Jun who had achieved their own military successes. This was a coterie of soldiers who were utterly loyal the the throne, but saw the high ranking nobles as the greatest problem facing the Empire. Their obsession with power and prestige had come at the expense of those under them. Slavery like feudal ties, a stranglehold on the press, exploitation of natural resources that were all funneled directly into their shadow games against each other with no concern for the common people.
This group slowly began to grow. And as they did they began to gain allies and enemies as Huojin was forced step fully into the world of politics. He started to go out of his way to espouse his views, and the numbers that supported him grew, even as his superiors came to fear and hate him as much as he did them. It was one of them who decided to move first, a young Colonel who desired power sent assassins to murder Huojin's father and sister.
Huojin's allies caught word of the upcoming assassination and he raced the many miles to his old home flanked by his childhood friends and closest allies. They came upon the house already ablaze with the assassins throwing flaming torches at the house. The soldiers fell upon them and slew them to a man in brutal combat. Then Huojin ran into the house. He stayed in there for a long minute, the only sound the roaring of the fire and the sounds of Jun struggling to follow his friend as his brother and allies held him back.
Then, charging through the flames came Huojin, carying the unconscious form of his sister. Behind him, the house collapsed on the already dead form of his father. It was said by those who were there, that when Huojin emerged, he did so as a reborn Phoenix from among the flames, and his eyes burned with the fury of the sun. And it was from this, as Huojin carefully nursed his sister back to health over the next few weeks, that a name was chosen from his allies and their beliefs. The Phoenix Movement.
However, this was not the end of Huojin's political adventures, but only the beginning. With his father dead, Huojin was the new Count Yang. An empty title, it was a title non the less, and came with a promotion to Major General of the Imperial Army. He moved quickly to capitalize on his new powers, beginning with having the colonel who had ordered his father's death resigned to a unit in dangerous territory. The man was soon after killed by Communist forces.
Since his promotion two years ago, Huojin has continued to grow his list of allies and accolades, and his list of enemies. Much of the power structure of the Blacks is arrayed against him, stayed only by his raw skill on the battlefield and mass popularity among the common soldiers that make up most of the Phoenix Movement. It is from them that he gains his moniker, the Phoenix Count.
Now, he marches to another impending disaster, hoping that he can save the men of the Imperial Army. Huojin and his allies race against the clock to Delsai, and pray to the gods and the ancestors that they make it in time.
|Armed Forces:|
Unlike most of his Royalist contemporaries, Yang Huojin did not begin his career with a large fief upon which worked peasants that could be levied for war. His lack of ancestral holdings and ties to the Imperial Banners that still make up most of the Royalist war machine has forced him to improvise and cultivate his own forces.
From his first assignments, Huojin has been utilizing his charisma to cultivate his forces, gathering to him cadres of soldiers who are loyal to him and his beliefs. These troops he then took and trained extensively, always ensuring he had a squadron of highly trained elites on hand for his various assignments. Then, after he had inevitably completed his mission and was moved on, he would start the process all over again
As he passed up through the ranks, he began to gather these troops to him, ordering their reassignment to his personal force. This was the birth of what would come to be known as the Phoenix Army, a relatively small but elite force of troops loyal to Huojin not because of any ancient ties of fealty or supplication, but because to them he represented the best hope for the future.
This army remained small until Huojin’s overwhelming success in the battle of the Yandaar Pass. He left that battlefield with almost seven thousand new troops pledging to his banner, bringing his troop numbers up to a respectable nine thousand strong which he was quick to train up and equip to the standards of the rest of his troops.
Since acquiring the rank of Major General his army has expanded greatly. No longer is the Phoenix Army a small collection of elite troops, but a large army over fourty thousand strong. Huojin has worked hard since his ascension to gather to him what warmachines he could, mostly older models he requisitioned or purchased from other Royalist warlords, though also a handful of newer models acquired from unscrupulous foreign arms dealers who care little for political association, or in smash and grab raids on his better equipped enemies. This has allowed him to create an armored division to join his more tradition infantry formations, giving him a heavy metal core for his battles.
Overall, Huojin has an army that is less massive than some of his contemporaries, but well trained and equipped and highly motivated by their leaders promise of a better tomorrow.
The infantry forces of the Phoenix Army make up the largest percentage of the force, with three of the four battalions made up of them. They are made up of a large influx of new recruits following Huojin’s promotion to flag rank, and the battle of the Yandaar Pass. These more new soldiers are backed up by a core of excellently trained troops equipped to a high standard that represent the soldiers that have served under Huojin the longest and have received more attention from his exacting training regime.
These troops are generally armed with the bolt rifle that is ubiquitous of the civil war, but they are also trained in the usage of short swords for close in fighting, instead of having to rely on antiquated bayonets. To supplement this, all troops are given a grounding in hand to hand combat, at least enough to ensure basic competence.
Alongside the infantry formations are several smaller specialized forces. Chief among these is the divisional artillery attachment, sections of which are deployed to supplement and assist maneuvers by the infantry. It is primarily made up of older mortars and cannons, but interspersed with new howitzers procured from foreign sources. These units are rigorously trained in geography and mathematics to ensure a superior firing abilities.
Alongside the artillery detachments are the motorized squadrons. These fast moving units are typically used in a scouting role or rapid deployment. They are mounted on half tracks and lightly armored troop carriers and are well trained at fighting from the back of a moving vehicle if needed. However, they are closer to the old dragoons than a truly mechanized force, prefering to dismount and fight from the ground once they have arrived at their target.
The regiments are also equipped with various support companies, such as medical and signal companies.
The fourth division of the Phoenix Army is the armored division, a smaller force than the infantry formations, but it serves as the hard hitting hammer of Huojin strategies. The division is separated into four smaller regiments, each focused around one form of warmachine, allowing flexible combat plans. They are also supplemented by several support regiments, including a highly trained engineer corps.
The first two regiments are focused around the light tank, a fast moving force that sacrifices some protection and damage potential. They utilize many older models of tank, and are primarily used for rapid assaults and to assist infantry movement alongside mechanized forces.
The third regiment is one built around the medium tank. A harder hitting force, Huojin primarily uses them to crush hard targets and enemy armor. These forces are usually backed up by the Mech Battalion, a force of hardened warriors who match heavy armor with speed for a devastating result.
The Armored Division is also home to Huojin’s air wing, a small force of planes and pilots who act primarily in a reconnaissance and ground attack role, forced upon them by the aging biplanes that they fly. However, with the rise of the modern airship assault and increased airplane assaults Huojin has begun amassing faster and more modern biplanes, and the occasional new monoplane, to act as a screening and interception force. This force is rigorously trained for aerial combat, and are specialists in destroying airships.
An elite unit of commando troops personal selected, trained, and lead by Major Aiyan Jun, they specialize in various special operations, from infiltration to assassination. They are not overly well suited to field combat due to their small size, but are undisputed masters of irregular warfare.
Something of an anomaly in the modern battlefield is the Minga horsemen. A unit that harkens back to an earlier age, their usefulness on the battlefield is doubted only by those who have never seen a battleline routed by their charges. Armed with a variety of ranged and melee weapons with which to bring destruction to the enemy, these troops are often kept in reserve to act as a hammer in Huojin’s anvil. And it is in this unit that Huojin most often fights when he steps onto the battlefield.
This is a unit capable of even taking on armored and mechanized units and seeing victory, destroying the warmachines with thrown explosives and explosive lances.
|Their finest hour:|
Huojin breathed in deeply, allowing the stink of the battlefield to wash over him. It was exhilarating. The smell of blood and death and fear all accentuated with the adrenaline of combat that still ran through his veins, even now when the last of the fighting had ended with the surrender of the holdout forces that had retreated into the mountain’s foothills.
The sun hung low off to the side, illuminating the valley he has carpeted with dead men. Some, too many for his liking, his own. But far more of the enemy number lay unmoving on this field, in their republican uniforms or the garb of their particular foreign mercenary force. It was, by all accounting, a glorious battle and had been one long in the making.
Three months ago the commanders of the Heavenly Army had lost contact with the small garrison force guarding the Yandar-Delraat border against the Republicans. Not much attentional had been paid at the time, as this silence had come as the communist hordes had begun another great push against the line. The already overstretched southern armies had been forced to rally and focus on repealing the red wave, leaving the concern of a small border garrison going quiet on the back burner.
It had only been the purest of luck, perhaps even providence of the ancestors, that a young Lieutenant Colonel had been passing through one of the Sixty Forts when a pair of junior officers had been mentioning it to each other within earshot. This had peaked Huojin’s interest enough to investigate further and soon come to a dread realisation.
The republican forces had used the distraction of the communist offensive in order to being their own strike, most likely planning to take the fertile Delraat farmlands to help feed their people and warmachine.
Huojin moved quickly after coming to his realization. He sent Jun and Lian to gather those loyal to him and have them meet him in the highlands of Delraat, near to where the invading army was likely to be encamped if they were after the farmlands as he suspected. He could easily have been wrong, that this wasn’t a simple land grab but a full fledged invasion. But if it was then there was nothing to be done.
The southern armies were already overstretched dealing with the communists, and the northern armies would not abandon the encirclement of the nationalist forces for anything at this point. The commanders were gaining far too much prestige and wealth in breaking the white’s backs to have an interest in anything else.
He even knew that the commanders would ignore the warning he dutifully penned to them before he and his small personal force rode off into the south. The high ranked nobles looked down their noses at him with fear and disgust. An impoverished lesser noble that rose so high on wings of merit as opposed to ancestry, who cavorted with peasants instead of supplicating upwards to his supposed betters. If they even read his report they would just as likely allow the republicans to continue in the hopes that he would die trying to stop them and free them of a thorn in their sides.
But yet Huojin still rode south with his small force of a hundred and fifty. A force that grew along the road Jun and Lian returned with more and more men, until eventually a full two-thousand men entered the borders of Delraat province, his small army swollen with the common soldier and junior officers that his philosophy and mannerisms had captivated. Those loyal enough to the Phoenix Movement to likely die in battle with a far greater force.
Eventually the small army reached a secluded valley where they could encamp and begin to plan.
~~~~
Huojin’s first move was to send out scouts to discover more about the enemy. What he learned enraged him. The republicans had sent sixty-thousand men into Delraat, mostly foreign mercenaries purchased with their incredible wealth, under the command of the notoriously brutal Choujin Lai. Lai the Bloody Handed. He had a reputation for leaving lands stripped of everything of value and with little left living on it, a reputation he was fully living up to here.
His men had marched into Delraat the better part of a month before and, after contemptuously sweeping away the few hundred men guarding the pass in the mountains, had proceeded to ravage the land.
The fertile farmland was ripped bare, harvests gathered by farmers at gunpoint and stored in waggons marked with the blue bar and circle of the republican forces. Those who dared to resist were shot on sight and their bodies dragged to the roads and left to rot to act as a warning to others. Sometimes, the general didn’t bother stopping there, and just burned the entire village to the ground with the people inside. After removing anything that might be of value of course, since not even his bloodthirsty nature could stop the Blue Greed that infected his entire faction.
Choujin treated the peasants, fellow Zangavfi, as if he were some form of barbarian conqueror instead of a countryman with a different viewpoint. And he did all this secure in the knowledge that he was unopposed in the entire province. Well, that was a viewpoint that would all come crashing down soon.
Huojin knew he could not take the enemy army on the field, not as he was. Even with all his talents, he had never managed to pull off a victory at a thirty to one disadvantage. He’d often advocated that just having a six to one advantage would be enough to allow a decent commander victory, and Choujin was not a fool for all his barbarism. No, Huojin would have to be careful if he wanted to deliver the righteous vengeance that the people of this region deserved. And it was in that vengeance that he found his answer.
~~~~
Captain Aiyan Jun was among the most fortunate men on the face of the planet, was how he saw his life. He had been blessed enough to meet a boy named Huojin. The son of nobility who had not cared that he had Quin ancestry, or had been only the child of a merchant. He had always treated him like the equal that society insisted they weren’t. And if that were all he did it would be enough for Jun to follow him into hell.
But Huojin had taken his life and given him purpose, bringing him and his brother along when he enrolled in the military academy, constantly challenging him to stay at the top with him, and pulling him from the backwater he had been assigned to as soon as he could become a senior officer. And once he had done that, he had been quick to put Jun’s particular talents to work. The talents that Jun used to great affect now as he struck with the speed of a viper.
His left hand brought a padded cloth up over the guards moth, silencing his few gurgles as the other hand brought a razor up and across his neck, cleanly separate the vocal cords and carotid artery. He slumped unconscious against him in seconds, and he was dead before he reached the ground, lowered silently by Jun as all around him his hand picked and trained commandos did the same.
Jun turned to look at his two local guides, expecting to see some horror or revulsion in their eyes. Those not used to the bloody necessities of war were usually horrified when they first saw them. Jun himself had been. But instead, he saw nothing but vindication and joy in their eyes as they saw the dead bodies of those who had helped ruin their lives. Lian had done well in his recruitment, and Jun recognized the same flame that was coming over their eyes as they looked at the dead bodies. It was the same flame in his. He knew, in that moment, that these two men would sign up to follow Huojin when all was said and done. They had seen the fire of the phoenix and wished to see more.
Jun turned away from the two guides as they settled in to wait. They had done their part of the job. The locals his brother was recruiting were to help guide Jun’s commandos to the enemy camp and away in the dead of night. They had waited three days for a night when the moon was covered up by clouds and the ground was pitch black outside the well of firelights the guards used before they struck.
Now it was all up to him and his men. As one they slipped into the enemy's camp and dispersed. Each had the tools that were needed to complete their job. And come morning, the camp would awaken to find over thirty dead men, and that the tents of the commanders had been ransacked in the night, the officers in question too busy celebrating their now obviously premature announcement of victory.
And this was not the last time Jun struck. Again and again he and his men infiltrated the camp to perform whatever assignment Huojin had cooked up for them. Stealing intelligence, planting explosives that were timed for when the camp was waking up, sabotaging warmachines. In one very memorable moment they had been tasked with stealing several of the invasion force’s mechs. It had been a harrowing night, but their success had made Jun more proud of his men than he ever had been. A pride that was only increased when, next morning Huojin strode out of his tent, saw the mechs, and started smiling that smile he got when he knew he was going to win.
But their greatest strike came almost two months after their first. They had waited this long because they needed a night without moonlight, when the stars were fully covered by clouds. A night that surpassed the definition of darkness.
The enemy had more than tripled it’s guard, so thoroughly spooked were they. It didn’t matter. The guards still died silently, and the alarm went unraised. But this night was not a night for sabotage and mischief. This was a night for death.
Silently, grimly, the commandos moved into the camp to begin their bloody work. At every tent they came across their silently ghosted inside and cut open the throats of the men they found asleep. The camp, despite their fear, had allowed themselves to be lulled into a false sense of security that the infiltrators only attacked those standing guard. Tonight, Jun would disabuse them of that notion. His own task was different, and he turned away from the section of the camp that had been selected for the massacre, and started making his way up the small hillock towards the commander’s tents.
The next morning, when the republican’s awoke, they did so to blood. Over five hundred men lay dead in their tents, their necks slit open like the guards that had failed to raise the alarm. An entire mercenary force were dead, and in their center lay the worst of it all. Hoisted up on a pole, his front coated in blood, was the body of General Choujin. Above his hanging corpse flew a simple banner. Yellow, with a red phoenix emblazoned in the corner. And carved with deftness into the pole above his limply hanging head, were three simple words.
For the people.
~~~~
It was a week after the final bloody strike that the army turned away and began to retreat towards Yandar. Word had reached them that the communist offensive had been beaten back, and the Royalist commanders had sent an army of forty thousand men to route the invaders. This was even mostly true. The men were on their way, but not because the high nobles who made up the upper echelons of command had ordered it. Huojin had personally penned notes requesting aid to a general on the southern front that he knew to be receptive to his viewpoint, and with the communists repulsed the man was finally able to come.
But they would never make it on time, they were a week away and the republicans had plenty of time to slip back behind the border with their stolen goods. But Huojin had planned for this. It was finally time to move openly, to take the field instead of sitting idly by while Jun and Lian did all his work for him.
The republicans came across his small force in the field a day’s march from the border. The sun was only beginning to rise on the battlefield, illuminating the five thousand royalist troops that stood arrayed against them. The laughter started somewhere among the tankers, but quickly spread among the rest of the troops. This was the force that had so wounded them, had sown such terror in their hearts. Such a weak force, a twelfth their size. The laughter was not long lived however, as the grim determination of battle overcame the armies. Across from them Major Zheng Cai allowed a small smirk of his own to cross his usually stern face. These republicans would not be laughing soon.
The battle began with a careful advance by the republicans. Whoever had replaced Choujn was clearly not a fool. A pity, as the man himself had been known for his aggressive maneuvers, and Huojin had hopped for much the same. Still, that caution only saved him from the second and third mine cluster. The first blew apart much of his advanced screening force and made the army slow down greatly to uncover and remove the remaining mines.
And as they advanced, Cai had to do what is possibly the hardest thing for any soldier to do. He had to retreat, slowly and orderly, just within range of the enemies guns, but outside the range of his own. He still ordered his riflemen to fire at the enemy from time to time, but both sides knew it was pointless.
He lost dozens of good men every volley from the enemy, but he knew his orders, knew the plan, and stuck with it. And the men stuck with him. A less dedicated army would have broken at this maneuver, or stopped to try and face the enemy from within their own range. But these men were dedicated. A solid core a five hundred good soldiers, bolstered by a force of hastily trained but fiercely dedicated locals prepared to sacrifice themselves for their people’s vengeance.
And so they kept retreeting, and the enemy kept advancing slowly for fear of more traps. Until eventually they reached the line of a great forest in a valley at the edge of the mountains, hemmed in by steep foothills and with nowhere to run. It was here Cai ordered his men to halt and take up positions to fight. The enemy commander however knew the range of his guns now, and stayed outside of it, in the middle of the valley where he would have plenty of time to respond to the clear trap that the forest was.
Which was when the trap at his sides exploded. Men, thousands of them, came pouring down the hills in a great wave. Locals, armed with whatever Houjin could get them, and screaming bloody murder at the invaders that had ruined their homes and killed their loved ones. The hilltops themselves almost seemed to burst alight as the canons, ancient but still perfectly serviceable, fired almost point blank into the army camped right in front of the hill.
As the republicans turned in a desperate attempt to deal with the horde of locals descending upon them in a wave of sharp metal and gunpowder, from the trees thundered the last attack. A thousand horsemen roared across the field in a charge the likes of which had not been seen in an age. From the saddles came the ancient hollering war cries of the Minga, and streaming from poles some carried was the phoenix banner, snapping madly in the wind.
The republicans opened up with machine guns, but even as the first ranks began to stumble and fall, the charge kept on. They were buoyed up by the ancient blood in their veins that cried out to run down the enemy, and by the flashing sword of their leader who rode among them, sword upraised to catch the sun and crying words of encouragement and glory in the old Minga tongue.
Then Huojin and his riders were on the enemy’s front line and through it, hacking and firing upon everything that moved. The front line quickly bucked and broke, the men in it fleeing backwards in a desperate attempt to escape the oncoming tide of horses. And from the sides, the army began to be pressed inwards, the rage and numbers of the locals allowing them to ignore those gunned down and keep pressing on, into the enemy.
The republican commander ordered his mech forward from the rear guard position they had been holding. No matter how fierce a horseman was, he could never defeat the sheer might of the mech. And he was right. But none of the mechs reached the frontline.
As they marched forward, uncaring of the fact that their own men had to scramble to get away from the mechs or be crushed under their weight, the one furthest at the back swiveled it’s guns and opened fire on it’s fellows. The attack sent the mech force reeling, and as they turned to attempt to deal with this traitor, another mech opened up on the side, and then more in the middle of the formation.
The mechs descended into an inscetious orgy of destruction, not knowing who the enemy was they began to simply fire indiscriminately on each other, desperately trying to stay alive. All the while, the heavy machine gun and cannon fire of the mechs ripped into the surrounded republican forces which quickly shattered in their desperate attempt to get away from the rampaging warmachines.
With a seemingly unending tide of locals to the sides, unstoppable horsemen to the front, and rampaging mechs inside their formation, the republicans broke. It wasn’t fast, or all at once. It started at the back, as the men from the front reached them, bringing their fear with them. The men at the back took one look at that, and decided that their ideals or pay weren’t worth dying for, and began to flee in the one path Huojin had left open for them.
From there, it spread through the enemy ranks. Groups threw down their weapons and fell to their knees and begged for mercy. Mercy many of them got, roughed up and dragged off with rough-spun ropes, but alive.
By sundown, the battle was over. Huojin had sent Cai to accept the enemy general’s surrender, an honor he had more than earned with the steely eyed resolve he had pulled off his section of the plan and ensured his victory could come around. The man had returned soon after with the enemy commander’s sword wrapped in his banner. The commander himself had apparently commit suicide rather than face the shame of his defeat.
In the end his small force of ten thousand, mostly untrained locals, had defeated a hardened army six times their size with greater technology and training. And only thanks to those locals. The same peasants that the high ranking nobles who had refused to send aid all looked down upon and saw as nothing by resources to be expended in the quest for more power and prestige.
He knew that when the relief force arrived and he left, he would be taking many of these locals with him. So many had nothing to go back too, having lost everything to the republicans deprivations. And he would welcome them gladly, because here and now his views were vindicated.
The commanders back up north would hate it. But here, in this brief moment he allowed himself to enjoy his victory he did not care. He wondered, idly, what his beloved sister would think of his success. And if his drunkard father would crawl his way out of the bottle long enough to congratulate him.
Then he turned away from such idly fancies, and from the battlefield, and rode off towards his men. He still had much work to do.
|Their darkest hour:|
Huojin could smell the fire before he could see it. The stink of the flames licking at the walls of a house he knew so well. Curling and blackening grass he had rolled in as a child alongside the two young men that even now rode their horses to the brink next to him. The sound came next, the roar of the inferno, the shattering of glass that warped under the heat, the crack of old timbers breaking under their burning weight.
He and his closest allies rounded the lane and saw the fire in all it's terrible glory. The flames crested the top of his childhood home, covering the walls and blanketing the sky in a haze of brightly lit smoke. And all around the fire were the assassins sent by Colonel Hunzuo. A cry sounded from somewhere, and a gunshot rang out. With a start Huojin realized that it had been him who had cried out, it had been his pistol that had spoken. One of the assassins fell to the ground as blood spurted from his neck to cover the ground, standing out black as pitch in the orange firelight.
With a surge his friends took up his cry and charged at the assassins, and he realized what it was he had called out. "Duìyú méiguī!", For The Rose! Huojin re-holstered his pistol and unsheathed his saber, charging in behind his men. They spread out and fell on the assassins, cutting them down with the brutal skill and efficiency that a thousand survived battles had given them. Huojin himself charged straight ahead, his saber flashing bronze in the light as it split one man's head open, and then he was there.
The fire roared ahead of him and his horse reared up in fear at the sight. But Huojin moved with instinct and was already out of his stirrups, bringing his legs up and leaping forward off the horse. The door, already weakened by the fire, splintered under his weight and he went tumbling into the flaming ruins of his old home. He was up in an instant, ripping the shoulder cloak off his uniform and holding it up to his face to keep the smoke from his mouth.
The front room was empty, so he charged beyond it. The next room was also empty, as was the next. Then he found them, huddled together in the back room. Fire raged around their still forms and Huojin forced away the fear that clawed at him at the sight. He crossed the room in three quick strides, ignoring the way his clothes had started to smolder in the heat, and dropped down next to his family.
His hands shock as he reached for Li-Wei's neck, searching desperately for a pulse. After what felt like a lifetime he found it, faint but undeniable. He allowed his control to slip long enough to let a single greateful sob slip out that his beloved sister had survived. Then he brought himself back under control and did the same for his father.
He found no pulse.
From what felt like very far away, he pulled his hands back and slipped them underneath his sister, hoisting her up and against him in a perversion of a bridal carry. Then he turned, and ran. Away from the flames. Away from the collapsing remains of his childhood home. Away from the body of the father he hated and loved.
He crashed through the flames back into the clear night's sky surrounded by a roiling wave of fire, almost seeming to carry them with him. Around him were arryed his men, his allies, his friends. He could see Jun and Lian collapse in relief at seeing him and his sister, and the rest of the men look at him with what looked like almost reverence in their eyes.
He turned from those eyes, and from the fire, and walked off into the darkness with his sister's unconscious form still in his arms.
|Other Important People inside the Clique:|
Major Aiyan Jun - The Flaming Left Hand - The more militant of the two brothers, Jun has often been the first into the fray and the last out of it, sword flashing and pistol roaring. He is highly skilled in all forms of combat, from riding to small unit tactics. He acts primarily as Huojin's personal bodyguard and champion. He is an aggressive man who often argues for a more lethal approach to their enemies, military and political. However, he always in the end defers to Huojin's judgement, holding complete loyalty to his commander and lifelong friend.
Lieutenant Colonel Aiyan Lian - The Phoenix's Right Palm - The more diplomatic and tactical of the two brothers, his is Huojin's primary adviser and second in command. He has over the short years of his service become adept at manipulating the ever swirling currents of noble politics to his and Huojin's ends, helping bring many sympathetic ears to his commander, who is able to convince them to join his cause. He is also the possibly Huojin's equal in command, though he rarely gets the chance to show off his skill as these days he rarely sees combat far from his friend. However, whenever Huojin needs to ensure a battle goes well and he cannot command himself, Lian is always his first choice.
Colonel Zheng Cai - The Twin Stars - The second son of a major noble house, Colonel Cai was a late addition to the Phoenix Movement, but a major one none the less. Having spent his entire life in the shadow of his older brother he was forced to live in indignity, often suffering abuses for his 'deformity'. Cai had been born with heterochromia, one eye a cool blue, and the other a burning red. Some claimed it was proof that his mother had slept with a foreigner, others that it was poof that he was a demon. Perhaps from a desire to flee this he defied his father's wishes and join the army, achieving his own meteoric rise alongside his friend and companion Sun Rah.
However, in a tragic twist, his friend was cut down in battle with the communists, who Cai hates even to this day. He carries the moniker given to the two of them alone now. He soon made contact with Ayian Lian, and through him Huojin to who he pledged his loyalty. He serves as Huojin's top general, a genius in his own right. However, he has never sat as comfortably in his role as the twin Ayian brother's did.
Geography and people: A former agricultural city, Haidan is based around farmland. Though in recent years, the city has been transformed into an industrial hub. The surrounding region continues to house farming towns and villages that support the big city with much needed food supplies. The local people are primarily Quin, though it is home to large migrant peoples like the Ushra that came to work the mines. Zeh merchant families and traders have also called Haidan home.
|Geographical Location of CLIQUE:| Northwest of Zang Quin (city on the railway line) |Cities:|
Haidan: The City of Hainan was once a simple agricultural district. Yet it's location on the railway and close proximity to the coast soon meant that for investors it was a prime area for industrialization. Under the leadership of Huan Shao, Hainan become an industrial center. It's mineral deposits of coal and iron made Hainan one of the few Zengravian cities to become a center of steel production. Soon, with additional Commonwealth investment, Hainan developed a budding domestic arms industry which produces everything from artillery shells, small arms, and mechs for the Republican armies. ________________________________________
Your Warlord: ________________________________________
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|Name:| Liu Shao |Title:| Governor General |Age:| 32 |Ethnicity:| Quin |Personal Ideology: | Zengrav Republican Party- Market Liberalism: Nominally, Liu Shao belongs to the Zengrav Republican Party but has been a vocal opponent against Chancellor Heegon Wu, in addition to the Republic’s allowance of the Commonwealth’s occupation of sacred Zengravian land. There have been long standing rumors that Liu Shao has quiet links with nationalist factions but this has never been proven. (|Influence in the faction: | 20 % |Personality: | (What kind of person is your warlord?) A gifted orator and organizer, Liu Shao has developed a reputation as a charismatic figure in public. In private however, Shao remains much more reserved to the point where one might call him aloof. Early in his career, Shao was known for his flashes of anger that made him conduct rash and hotheaded decisions. Yet early setbacks and heavy losses during the early part of the rebellion has caused him to mature and take a more measured approach, often lead the tactical decisions to his subordinates on the ground then intervening personally -- as a good manager should. |His/Her Virtue: | Information Specialist: While some may wish to claim victory on the battlefield through brute force, Liu Shao with his business connections has built a vast information network of spies and informants to feed him information. The result has left the businessman with an ability to create a wide ranging picture of the war effort, domestic tensions, and political dirt on his rivals. |His/Her Virtue:| Master of Logistics: For ten years, Liu Shao has kept a hodgepodge of communists, democrats, and nationalists together in a united front. Shao's charisma and skill as an orator, in addition to his skill as a labor organizer has meant that Shao's factories are always running at peak efficiency, 24 hours a day. While Shao's troops may not be the best trained, they are always well equipped and fed. |His/Her Sin:| Battlefield Novice: Liu Shao was educated as a businessman and engineer, not a General. As a result, he has been forced to rely heavily on his subordinate commanders for conducting offensives. In the early years of the Zengravan Democratic Front, this lead to heavy casualties and attrition. ________________________________________
|History and Background:|
The Unjust Treaties brought humiliation and destruction to Zengrav but that didn’t mean it wasn’t profitable for all. Huang Li Shao built his fortune first as a merchant with murky connections to the underworld as a smuggler and then with the backing of Commonwealth investment as a ruthless industrialist in Yandar. Soon, the Shao Conglomerate not only had interests in industry but arms manufacturing, with export licenses purchased and bought from the Commonwealth. Huang Li Shao ascended to the office of Governor and granted vast mining and preferential trade concessions to Commonwealth trades. Together, both the Shao Conglomerate and their Commonwealth partners grew incredibly profitable.
Liu Shao was born into this world of wealth and privilege, spending the first two decades of his life being educated in Commonwealth boarding schools until he returned home to the Imperial University in Nonsou. His involvement in the Yizhi Taiyang Movement (Harmonious Sunrise), lead to him nearly being expelled for involvement in underground political activities. His fathers influence and bribes prevented further scandal but it was the beginning of Shao's political activities. At 22, with the sudden (some would say suspicious) death of his father, Liu Shao returned home to assume control of the company as Chairman. He became a vocal critical of the Zengravian monarchy and the entitled Minga nobility and an advocate for reform, not only political reform, but a labor advocate. For decades, the Shao Conglomerate factory floor had been a cesspool for abuse, corruption, and work place accidents. Liu Shao pushed through a number of controversial reforms, first as Chairman of the Shao Conglomerate and then as Mayor of Haidan.
Yet while Liu Shao was a philanthropist publicly, Shao had continued to aggressively expand the family business. Rivals mysteriously died, rival businesses were torched, and lucrative deals with the Commonwealth continued to be struck. The city of Haidan had been transformed into a massive industrial center for raw materials and weapons for the Zengravian Army.
It did not stop Shao from continuing his populist message. The young Chairman was placed in an incredibly difficult situation however when Zengravian Royalist troops were dispatched to Haidan to quell civil unrest. The death toll was horrific as Royalist troops opened fire on crowds of the so called ‘’ Blue Vest ‘’. The Haidan University Massacre where dozens of protesting students were gunned down forced Shao into action.
He mobilized his thousands of factory workers off the floor, arming them with weapons that were destined for the Zengravian regular army. The result was a blood bath but one that forced the Royalist into a wide scale withdrawal from the city. Shao was swept up in a popular movement, declaring that the Imperial government actions against its own citizens made it ‘’ illegitimate ‘’. The Haidan region would join the United Peoples-State of Zengrav, with Shao continuing in his role as a self declared ‘ Governor General ‘ of the area.
With the regions industrial output now under his total control, Shao turned to forming his own private army and hiring foreign mercenaries strictly loyal to him. The ‘ Volunteer Brigades ‘, a mix of idealists and other just seeking cold hard cash have been Shao’s greatest asset in fighting against the Royalists and his fellow rebels.
However, the emergence of the Commonwealth has become more and more of a concern. The seizing of Zengrav’s cities and later (perhaps more alarming), seizing control of Shao’s shipping interests on the coast has begun to turn Shao against his former benefactor. There have been long standing rumors that Shao has been secretly communicating with not only the Communists but also the Nationalists to end the Commonwealth’s occupation. Nothing substantial has ever been proven and for the moment, Shao remains loyal to the Republic…for now. ________________________________________
|Armed Forces:|
Total Size: 21,000 men
Zengravan Democratic Forces:
Haidan Militia: 14,000 troops Otherwise known as the '' Blue Helmets '' for their unique blue helmets, the Haidan Militia emerged from the ashes of the Haidan massacre. During the early stages of the rebellion, the militia was poorly equipped and trained but years of fighting the Royalists and access to the Shao Conglomerate's weapons factories means that the militia are well equipped and battle hardened. The militia uses a variety of equipment, from captured Royalist weapons to Commonwealth manufactured firearms. The Haidan Militia primarily is involved in everything from front line duties to policing actions.
Blue Guards: 3,000 The elite shocktroops of the Zengravan Democratic Front, the core of the Blue Guards are composed of foreign volunteers hailing from the Commonwealth and her surrounding states. Yet losses throughout the years of fighting has meant that the Blue Guard has had to recruit specifically from among the militia. Only the best from the militia are selected and undergo rigorous combat training.
Republican Guard: 120 light and heavy tanks Composed of 120 light and heavy tanks of Commonwealth and Zengravan local manufacture, the Republican Guard otherwise called the Grand Company is lead by a Commonwealth officer corp with Zengravan crews. Paid handsomely by the Shao Conglomerate, the Grand Company provides much of the heavy firepower that has enabled the Republican's to stave off repeated Royalist counteroffensives.
Zengravan Volunteer Wing: 70 aircraft The 'Zengravan' Volunteer Wing is almost exclusively composed of foreigners from throughout Zengrav. Whether attracted for ideological reasons or the pay that Shao offers, the Volunteer wings composed of fighters and fighter bombers grants the Republic air cover and protects Shao's factories from Royalist bombing raids.
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|Their finest hour:| The thunder of machine gun fire had been incessant throughout the afternoon. Chairman Shao had not believed the first reports that had come over the radio, then from his own informants in the city, and finally from the casualties that were streaming onto his factory floor. The ammunition factory at this point today was usually humming with the sounds of production, the crash of hammers, and hiss of steam vats.
Instead, a scene of carnage had taken over his floor. Dozens of wounded and dying lay strewn across his floor. The factory had been one of the places that had been safe from the soldiers roaming the streets, Shao’s private security keeping the military at bay. His security chief had warned him that the Imperial Army was only getting closer. Production had ceased for the day and hundreds of angry worker had swarmed into the courtyard, armed with hammers, wrenches, and whatever tools that they could scavenge off the factory floor.
Shao had been careful to keep the arms locker under heavy guard until now.
He had not endorsed the protests, he had ignored the requests of the Union organizers to halt work for the day to keep the streets calm with tensions running high.
Instead he had seen the Imperial army gun down his workers, ransack their homes, and torch the University that his father had founded.
‘’ Are we ready? ‘’ He said, turning towards Yuan Liang, his chief of security and operations. The man dutifully pointed towards the trucks that were lining up. Trucks filled with arms and additional ammunition that Shao had requisitioned from his own storage depots.
‘’ I’ve taken the liberty of taking the foremen aside. They know of our plans. ‘’ Liang said.
‘’ Good, I want the disposition of arms done in an orderly fashion. The Imperial Army is expected to be here within the hour. Instead of factory workers armed with clubs, I’d rather have them facing an army armed with rifles. ‘’ Ever the careful pragmatist, Shao knew that his position in the city was not secure, no matter who won. The Imperial Government had barely tolerated his father’s business dealings before and now were shooting his own workers down in their homes.
An attack on his businesses and factories was the next logical step and to use them as a rallying point for his workers to defend them would be his response. The Chairman stepped into the radio room where his communications were going out across the city and from where he could address his own workers directly. ‘’ Sir, we are live. ‘’ A young man with spectacles reported dutifully, handing him the microphone to which he would give his address.
‘’ People of Hainan, the Imperial Government in a bid to suppress our right to peacefully protest, has chosen to murder our own folk on the street instead. This is not a matter of Quin, or Minga, Zeh, or any other minority that makes up our great nation. All the people of Hainan are one and we are being threatened by a corrupt and illegal government. By shedding the blood of its own people, this government has lost its right to rule. We must take back our country from the nobility, we must take it back from the foreigners, we must take it back for all of Zengrav! Arm yourselves, defend your homes! ‘’
By the time Shao reached his trucks, the rifles and ammunition were being handed out. The Chairman joined them in dispersing the arms, placing the heavy rifles into the dirty and bloodied hands of men and women that had survived being bombed and shot.
It was here in Hainan where they would make their stand against the Royalists.
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|Their darkest hour:|
It had been the third attack and one that Shao had ordered personally. He had decided to lead it personally.
Once more the men of Hainan went over the top, charging towards the final redoubt that the Royalists occupied in the city. It was a concrete block of buildings that the enemy had entrenched themselves in.
Without artillery or air support, the Republican’s had a simple choice. Leave the enemy in place on the sacred soil of their city or charge through the narrow streets towards the entrenchments.
The Chairman could not allow this assault to fail.
Machine gun rounds cracked over his head, the rebels in front of Shao collapsed, bleeding, dying, and screaming.
Shao kept moving, a round kissing over his head to bounce into concrete. Bits of shrapnel and rock covered him in a fine mist.
He could see the Royalists now.
Men who looked just like him that peered at him from windows, scared and desperate faces. He kept moving, his saber in his hand.
Another man in front of him crumpled, they were almost there.
He didn’t hear the grenade blast that knocked him from his feet.
His world was momentarily made up only of inky black darkness, blood pumping from an open wound on his scalp. Shao thought that he was almost certainly dead.
Was he floating?
No, no, he was being carried back to his own line.
Men were still screaming and dying, men that had come charging out in another foray to save him from the assault that he had ordered.
The building would at last be captured after two long weeks.
The cut off company of Imperial soldiers had inflicted four hundred casualties on the militia that had charged and charged again, only failing when they had run out of ammunition.
There was no quarter on either side.
The sting of defeat and loss was not one that Shao would easily forget.
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|Other Important People inside the Clique:|
(Your Warlord is the heart and soul of the Clique, and seldom can anyone hope to replace him! BUT no Clique can work without some people in the second rank! Who are these people?)
Yuan Liang, 56: An old associate of Liu Shao's father, Yuan Liang is the chief of Shao's security apparatus. He is in charge of keeping order inside of Hainan and is rumored to be the head of Shao's secret security service that feeds Shao information and arrests dissenters.
Heinrich Altman, 38: Hailing from the Geisel Republic in the Commonwealth, Heinrich Altman has been a mercenary in Zengrav for the past decade. He entered Shao's service more than five years ago and became a key component of forming the Democratic Front's Air Corp. He holds the the title of Air Marshal and commands all Republican aircraft that fly under the Democratic Front's banner.
Cai Xi, 42: A former factory foreman, Cai Xi participated in the initial uprising against the Imperial forces. Rumored to have Communist sympathies, he has nonetheless become a close confidant of Liu Shao and is a commander in the militia.
Yu Zhong, 34: A member of the Taiyang Movement originating in the Imperial University in Nonsou, Zhong is a leading intellectual and a close associate of Shao since his University days. Zhong has taken the position of Vice Chairman in the Shao Conglomerate and run's its day to day operations. He is a prominent Republican Party member though has been accused like Shao in the past of harboring nationalist sympathies.
|Geographical Location of CLIQUE:| Delsai |Cities:|None
Your Warlord:
|Name:|Jis Yutin |Title:|Jisa-Li (Samurai-Prince) ,The Exiled, The Pretender, The Pirate Prince |Age:|29 |Ethnicity:|Xiathense |Personal Ideology: |Imperialist-Monarch |Influence in the faction: |2% |Personality: |Born the Prince of a centuries long dynasty that controlled most of the northern islands. Yutin is a cocky, arrogant young man. He has done everything for the betterment of himself ever since his exile and will continue to do so and maybe welcome to switch sides at a moments notice. |His/Her Virtue: |Master of the Skies: Having lead his own airship for 11 years he and his crew have become some of the best pilots around lead by their own prince as an ace in his own right. He is also well accustomed to every aspect of his ship. |His/Her Virtue: |Underground Contacts:Being a pirate he has contacts all throughout the world, especially in the criminal underworld which from the civil war has risen significantly. He also has access to special maps to help avoid certain obstcles. |His/Her Sin:|Arrogant: Being descended from a line divine rulers, leading his own men as undisputed leader and having been a successful air pirate has made him arrogant seeing those around him as lesser men or women.
|History and Background:|
Born the second son of the current Jis Emperor, he came into a world industrializing all around him. The counties of the commonwealth, Lavania and others each increasing in industrial strength from iron warships, to tanks and mechs and the beginning of airships. Meanwhile he with his older brother were hidden away at the imperial palace, his older brother being tended to by everyone to prepare him for the throne. While Yutin studied away specifically at history and saw how strong Xiath once was before the Jisa Rebellion that gave the power back to the Jisa and away from the emperor. It was at 12 he decided he would regain honor to his family and bring back the power that was the emperor. He trained countlessly with the Jis Guard, the elite royal guard for the Jis family he traveled to Gresia to study in the academy for a year. When Xiath finally got an plane and began development of an airship he practiced his skills for the skies night and day. Yutin would even honor the past by wearing Jisa armor rather then an imperial uniform as a sign of what he wanted to do, by restoring the past.
11 years ago, on the his 18th birthday when he would be officially recognized as a man and prince his father invited all nobles from the country to commemorate the occasion, they were also invited to see the unveiling of the Dreadnought, The Eternal Flame He has a personal force of nearly 2,000 men who had prepared for the moment. The plan was to kill the nobles proclaim his father as the true emperor and all remaining family members would submit or die, he confessed this to his brother in hopes of his support, yet instead he was horrified. Xian, his brother ran to his father while Yutin betrayed by his family got his men together and stole the Dreadnought and would live as an exile till he could reclaim the throne and secure himself. He remained the Dreadnought to The Darkened Sun and set off.
For the next 11 years he would become a renowned air pirate controlling the northern skies and striking from above, though he did lose nearly 300 men and about half his planes , he would always keep his ship in tip-top shape. He and his crew would also keep it as modern as possible so as to keep the edge as most pirates held tugs not a real warship. The Prince even earned several Nicknames namely the Pirate Prince due to his heritage but he would never forget where he came and would always vow to return, that is when he realized the Zengravi civil war would be the perfect opportunity to gain the resources he needs and killing some the Xiathese worst enemies, Zengravi.
|Armed Forces:|
Jis Yutin, commands a force of 1,700 men from his airship The Darkened Sun, it has armaments with modern weapons and ammo for his men. The ship is also equipped heavily having been a single air dreadnought that ruled the northern skies. Finally it currently has a hanger with 24 bi-planes but holds enough room for 40.
|Their finest hour:|
(When did your Warlord rose above the rest, and stepped into the lamplight? Did he rally the people in an impassioned speech? Provided some diplomatic wonder, or did he fought his way into the spotlight? Show it to us, by doing a little writing example!)
|Their darkest hour:|
The battle in the air had been raging for nearly two hours, what was going to be an easy score by the Darkened Son, lead by the Pirate Prince and his Pretender’s Legion had grown into a long drawn out battle, due to the commonwealth’s increased security in their convoy’s. 4 of the Darkened Son’s own planes had already been shot down, Yutin felt the Dreadnought could easily finish off the two defense frigates but that the numerous planes flying around would do a number if they weren’t dealt with.
As such Yutin left his first mate Ty Lung to command the bridge while Yutin headed down to the hanger to take to the skies. While Yutin had flown numerous times this was his first time in an actual combat situation, he had only been exiled 3 months ago and had never figured the commonwealth would be so prepared but he knew he would have to show his crew that the situation can easily be undone.
Yutin took a breath as he started up the plane checking his engine and making sure he could hear the other pilots. “This is the Prince checking in, I’m coming out men to assist.” As the plane went out the open air around him felt exhilarating, the fresh air and the sun slowly setting in the distant. However the moment lasted a mere second before the gunfire could be heard and the zooms of the planes whizzed by.
Yutin began taking countermeasures and taking down the commonwealth planes left and right, his men seem enthralled and Yutin himself was even surprised he figured he could be of assistance but not nearly this much. The first frigate began sinking “Good work Lung, I’m nearly finished out here, make sure the other one is finished so we can plunder the goods.” Yutin said with a smile as he heard Lung confirm on the other side. The Commonwealth planes had begun to dwindle even with only 17 of the Legion’s planes out, when the battle had begun they were heavily outnumbered.
As Yutin took down his 9th plane that his ship finally got hit. His tail had been knocked he called for mayday and ships easily saw him go down but in the thick forest it would hard to find him, he told his people to head to the nearest safe haven and he would meet them there within the week, if he doesn’t assume he is dead. The plane soared down and as it was about to hit he made peace with himself and even accepted the place as 2nd son, willing to be forgotten. The plane crashed and all went black. He had saw his ancestors and even his family, he assumed he was dead but then after hearing his father say “You aren’t finished yet.” he woke in the dark alone.
Yutin woke up and looked around he wasn’t alone, there was a young and pretty girl looking down at him, he knew she was of Zengravi descent from the way she spoke and he introduced himself “I am Jis Yutin, who are you and can you help me?” the girl looked shocked but gave a small bow and replied “It is nice to meet you, and I can surely help you. My name is Yesui Olya” Yutin got out and together they headed to the closest town together.
|Other Important People inside the Clique:|
Jisa-Sun (Samurai-Lord) Froto (Lieutenant) (First Mate) Ty Lung The most loyal of all the Prince crew and his chief confidant. He has served the prince since he was 10, acting as a real older brother who he would give him life for any day. Ty is a sound military man serving in numerous engagements when possible and taught the prince much of what he knows, at least of ground combat.
|Geographical Location of CLIQUE:| The DAP operates almost exclusively within the Highlands of Hankhan, the traditional homeland to the Dhanga people. While the DALP controls only a portion of the region, Insurgents loyal to the organization operate in the neighboring highlands held by Republican and Imperial forces.
|Cities:|
Jaigaon Jaigaon functions as the transportation hub of the region, controlling railroad passage south toward republican lowlands and back east to the communist heartland. Population: 342,000 Industries: Transportation (rail), Mining (Coal, Iron, Basalt), Ore Refining
Thimphu A massive mining city built upon the backs of the working class, Thimphu is the center of excavation projects throughout the region. Industries: Mining (Potash, Iron, Copper, Coal, Phosphorous) Population: 187,000
Your Warlord:
|Name:| Rinchen Tsultrim |Title:| Premier of the Dhanga Autonomy Party. |Age:|33 |Ethnicity:| Dhanga |Personal Ideology: | Ethnic Proletarian Rinchen cares little for the grand ideological scope of communism or other intellectual systems, which she sees as distractions from practical concerns. Her goal is to return the Dhanga's homeland and natural resources to their rightful owners and to secure her people's right to practice their own culture and religion without oppression. She supports the basic communist ideals of seizing production from the autocrats and ensuring economic equality. Beyond that, cooperating with the other communists is a necessity toward achieving her ultimate goal rather than an ideological stand. |Influence in the faction: | 20 |Personality: | (What kind of person is your warlord?) |His/Her Virtue: | Bold Rinchen is widely known for her bold, aggressive tactics and willingness to take unorthodox risks. These tactics have caught her enemies off guard time and time again. She does not let limited resources stop her from realizing what can be achieved with what is available, instead taking advantage of any hesitation to force her enemies to react to her rather than the other way around. |His/Her Virtue: | Guerrilla Commander A veteran with more than a decade of experience commanding guerrilla operations, Rinchen is a formidable commander in this regard. She knows how to make the best use of limited resources, to managed the logistics of disparate groups across vast distances and to deal maximum damage to a more powerful enemy with minimum loss. |His/Her Sin:| Semiliterate Peasant. Whatever her intelligence or achievements, Rinchen is still a mostly-illiterate peasant with almost no formal schooling. The finer points of governance such as economics, foreign affairs and lawmaking are beyond her. Ignorance has not stopped her from becoming a successful insurgent leader, but it presents an immense challenge in governing her newly-liberated province.
|History and Background:| Rinchin Tsultrim was born a nobody - a backwater peasant in a highland Dhanga village. Although her intelligence was apparent from a young age, her life was the same as any impoverished Dhanga in the region; her family raised goats, farmed rice and millet and took odd jobs during the winter to survive. The Minga government showed up only to collect taxes, draft men and punish anyone who did not bow and scrape before them. Their absence was considered a blessing. Life was hard, but livable.
All of this changed in her eighth year, when valuable coal deposits were found in the area. Mines paid more taxes than peasants, so at the request of Quin merchants the Minga overlords "commandeered" the village's lands and granted them to a mining company. None of the local residents had a say in the proceedings, nor would they receive a single cent for the valuable resources their village had been built upon. Dispossessed and with no alternatives, Rinchen's father and older siblings were forced to work for a pittance in the very mines that had displaced them. In the company housing they were forbidden from speaking Dhangan or practicing their religion, forced to dress in proper Quin fashion and take on patrilineal names.
Rinchen's father would never be the same - he was a proud man who had taken satisfaction in owning his own home; the loss of it was too much for him. He turned to drink to escape resentment and sorrow, and that, combined with the coal dust, killed him before Rinchen's fifteenth birthday. The experience would leave a bitter mark in Rinchen's memory, showing her just how little the wealthy and powerful cared for her people.
Desperate to support her remaining children after their father's death, Rinchen's mother did the only thing she could: she arranged for her daughter to marry into another family. At the age of fifteen the young Rinchen married seventeen-year-old Tshering Pema. Like her father, he worked at the coal mines, but unlike him Tshering was a bright and charming young man who shared her opinion about their "foreign" overlords. Together they eventually find and join a local cell of the Dhanga Liberation Front.
At the time, the front was a loosely organized mob of insurgents attacking targets of opportunity, little more than bandits, despite their fame. Rinchen and Tshering rose quickly through the ranks, first leading their home cell in several daring operations before leaving home to travel the region. Together they gained influence, making connections and coordinating cells. Rinchen was a superior tactician and fighter, personally leading several attacks, but it was her husband Tshering who was the intellect of the operation. He saw the need for organization. Using his connections and influence, he organized the Dhanga Liberation Front into a hierarchical organization, with regional assignments, commanders and logistical support. He also, despite his wife's hesitation, adopted communism as a cornerstone of the organization and forged alliances outside the region. Under his influence the DLF rose from being a minor annoyance to a major threat to government control of the region. Tshering was optimistic and hopeful when the revolution began. The DLF was in the vanguard, liberating mines and attacking imperial patrols in the mountains. With riots in the streets and no manpower to spare, the Empire swiftly abandoned the region.
But this optimism would be Tshering's downfall. He desired a socialist state and rights for his people. By confiscating mines and waging war on the cruel overseers who oppressed his people he earned the ire of the Republic's new elite. He was sued in court and besieged in the halls of governance. He traveled south to argue his cause, but instead of an open forum he found hostility. He was kidnapped on the road and executed by thugs working for their wealthy overlords; the DLF was once again declared a terrorist organization.
Rinchen was furious and distraught at the fate of her husband. In a cold fury she took command of the DLF and reached out to her husband's communist allies. She found sympathy in Wang Huifang. Carefully coordinating their actions, Rinchen and Wang planned their actions. When Wang Huifang launched the General Strike Rinchen's opportunity came. DLF infiltrators in Jaigaon and Thimphu struck with lightning speed, slaughtering the local garrisons and seizing the cities. DLF cells around the country rose up, turning the highlands from a subdued mining region into a liberated province nearly overnight. These insurgents would play a key part in defeating the second republican army by providing Wang Huifang with intelligence and harassing the army on its approach, slowing it and draining its supplies and manpower.
Since her successful uprising Rinchen has bided her time, expanding her network of insurgents across the mountains and planting DLF cells in every village and hamlet. The rich resources of the region now feed the Communist war machine, particular the factory cities ruled over by Wang Huifang. This provides a mutually beneficial relationship: Rinchen gets the equipment and weaponry she needs, and Wang Huifang gets materials for her industry.
|Armed Forces:|
The Dhanga Liberation Front (27,000) Organized through decades of guerrilla conflict with occupying Imperial forces, the DLF is a widespread organization of guerrillas with a loose organization structure and widely varying capabilities. At the heart of the DLF is the Zengrav Force (3,000), a hardened cadre of veteran guerrillas fiercely loyal to Rinchen and the party. They provide a nexus of support, coordinating the provincial forces, supplying them with resources and providing additional manpower for large operations. Below the Zengrav force are the Provincial Forces (9,000)- Guerrillas organized for the liberation of a specific region. They coordinate regional activities, distributing propaganda, establishing espionage activities and providing equipment and training to local forces. Lastly, there are the Local Forces (15,000). These units are made of recruits from local towns and villages, trained and supplied by provincial agents. They lack the experience of veterans and generally operate as independent insurgent cells, only joining together when coordinating with the provincial or Zengrav forces for a larger strike. All army units include not just insurgent fighters but logistical and espionage functions as well. Promising candidates from local forces are often promoted through the ranks or shuffled between regions, ensuring that the most skilled insurgents have a hand in coordinating the war effort.
Zhu 75 Mountain Gun The Zhu 75 is a relatively simple light howitzer designed for ease of transportation. It can be disassembled and carried by infantry or pack animals, then reassembled on site. Different shell types allow it to fulfill multiple roles including artillery support, infantry suppression and anti-armor.
Li 7 Anti-Tank Rifle A powerful anti-tank rifle designed by the commonwealth. The DLF's rifles are in equal parts imports and domestically produced copies of the design. The rifle struggles to penetrate the thick armor of more modern tanks, but against aging Zengravian designs, or the thin top-armor of most tanks, it is more than sufficient.
Knee Mortars The DLF uses several illicit designs of handheld mortar, both imported and manufactured. These designs are flexible and deadly, allowing even small insurgent groups to lay down devastating suppression, or even fire mortars directly at enemies.
The Autonomy Party Liberation Army (10,000) After the liberation of Jaigaon it become clear that something more than guerrillas would be needed to hold the new Dhanga Heartland. The Liberation Army was thus organized with volunteer recruits from the Liberation Front. Uniforms, heavy weapons, gunships and armored vehicles were purchased from other communist forces in exchange for vital supplies of coal, steel and other raw materials necessary for the war effort, and foreign advisers were hired for training. While the HLA has yet to be bloodied in a full-scale battle its recruits are eager and (relatively) equipped for the challenge.
HT-12 "Spider" The "Spider" is a relatively simple medium combat walker. Its four legs and rugged design make it well suited for rough terrain such as the highlands of Hankhan. The walker is armed with a rotary machine gun and a 76mm howitzer cannon. Original designs called for a 55mm high-velocity anti-armor cannon but production was downgraded due to technical challenges and equipment stress. The current spider's armament is considered adequate for its role as a mobile fire support platform.
Li-12/12T "Vulture" While not the swiftest or most advanced aircraft, the vulture has three advantages: it has a high altitude ceiling, allowing it to function in the Dhanga highlands relatively well; it is simple to build and thus can be manufactured in communist factories; and it has enormous firepower. Pilots curse them for their janky handling and sluggish response, but they can shred most infantry or armor. The 12T model sacrifices most of its armor and weaponry for transportation space, and can fly a dozen soldiers and their equipment.
150cm FH Built from a licensed commonwealth design, these towed field guns are simple and reliable. While slightly lighter than other artillery pieces, they make up for it by being slightly easier to transport.
75cm BB "Big Brother" Irreverently named after the Big Brother of the communists, this is an obvious knockoff of commonwealth mechanics patched together into a serviceable AA gun and advertised as the first "domestic communist weapon design." Servicemen have been known to joke that communism will next liberate patents from the bourgeoisie who cling to them.
|Their finest hour:|
*Clink*
Rinchen gave a final yank on the climbing pin to ensure that it was secure before running a length of rope through it. Then, ever so gently, she let her weight shift onto the rope. It held. Her hands were bitterly cold; the mountain frost bit at them, even through the thick climbing gloves she wore. The thick pre-morning fog and mountain winds made it almost impossible to see or hear. There was nothing but a thin glimmer of moonlight, the rockface, and the knowledge that her companions were out there, invisible, perhaps only a few meters away. She shifted the boxes of ammunition on her back and lowered her foot, pounding on the rock below to ensure that it was secure before taking the next step down. Lungtok had said she was crazy when she told him the plan. She knew better; with careful planning and the right equipment, the climb could be made safely and secretly. And no one expected insurgents to enter the city from the cliff face.
After what seemed like an eternity she reached the bottom. First the silhouettes of wooden storehouses emerged from the fog, then spiked climbing shoes met gravel. A dozen figures waited for her at the bottom. Each man or woman was laden with heavy weapons and equipment. Despite the cold their faces were thick with perspiration. Their contact waited in a work uniform until she reached the ground, alert for signs of a threat. A nod, a hushed "this way." The team reached the safehouse without incident. A couple dozen eager faces waited for her instruction.
"We're all here. Good." Rinchen pulled off her hood. "You all know the plan. Lungtok will take twenty of you and capture the armory. Oday here will take city hall; Jetsun, the governor's mansion; Karzi, you've got the rail station; Jigme, cover the west road. Everyone double-check your gear now and memorize who's on your team. It's time to free Jaigaon. For the Dhanga. For our people." For Tsultrim, she silently added. "Now let's go!"
-
The emplacement was perfectly positioned - a forth-story tenement apartment across the street from the barracks. From here they had a perfect view of the yard and barracks gate. Rinchen made sure that the fire team was correctly emplaced and ready. "Don't fire until I do" she told them," then she settled in herself, resting her rifle on the next window. It wouldn't be long now.
An explosion rocked the city. Then another. The tat-tat-tat of a machine gun and the crack of rifles followed. The operation had begun. As she expected, the garrison was not slow to respond. Men poured out the buildings, swiftly assembling. An ornery man with bars on his shoulders, a lieutenant by the looks of him, dispatched a squad out the main gate. Wait, she silently thought at her crew, lifting her eye from the scope, Jigme will handle them. More men, then her target. Two stars, the local Lieutenant Colonel. Rinchen squeezed her finger and the rifle gave a satisfying kick. The corpse fell on the stars, blood splattering the doorway behind it in a grisly spray. Beside her, the machine gun opened upon. Automatic fire swept the yard. To Rinchen's satisfaction, the first to fall was the lieutenant. Perforated bodies littered the grounds, while their compatriots dove for cover. On cue, her insurgent team moved in. They rushed from another tenement, taking cover behind innocuous crates put there for the purpose over the last several weeks. A satchel charge blew a hole in the fence. The suppressed soldiers in the courtyard made easy targets for the flanking attack. No reinforcements would be coming from the garrison today.
|Their darkest hour:|
Forms. How Rinchen hated them. They taunted her with their huge numbers and arcane symbols, a magic available to the wealthy but denied to her. Occasionally she could catch a glimpse of meaning - a number here, a word or phrase there, but bereft of context they were but small islands amidst a sea of confusion.
She'd never cared much about reading before. In the mines or out in the highlands it was never really relevant. She could recognize basic signals and sound out names, and that was about all she needed. Now? Thousands of words, tens of thousands, more than she ever imagined existing.
"It's not that complicated." Lhakpa was trying to explain, red-faced from over an hour trying to drill the finer details through his superior's thick skull. "We need at least five-hundred more engineers to keep the mines running. Most of them were Shao's people, they fled when we took the city."
"There's plenty of people who know how to run the machinery though. I even did it sometimes."
"They're not certified. If we put them in the mines we'll be putting people at risk and violating policy."
"But that was Shao's policy, why does it matter?"
"Because if we violate those terms some of our suppliers will back out and we'll have to waste time finding equipment!"
"But we took the mines! Why would that matter?"
"Because...!" Lhakpa took in a deep breath. He had to remind himself sometimes that the peasant in front of him had a personal kill count in the dozens and was hailed as the national champion of her people. "Look, the mines have an agreement with supplies for parts. The suppliers like money, so they'll keep supplying us as long as we have certified engineers and follow regulations. We don't have enough engineers. So, we either need more engineers, or we need new supplier for mining equipment. Got it?"
"Okay." Rinchen nodded. That made sense.
"Good, so what do we do?"
Rinchen froze. How in Tong Bhutek's holy ass was she supposed to know? Her instinct was "make more engineers." or maybe "take the supplies anyway." but she had a feeling both of those answers would get Lhakpa yelling at her again. She still wasn't sure why these mysterious suppliers wanted engineers, or even who they were. They sounded like Bourgeoisie foreigners, and while she didn't share her husband's ardent communism, at this moment she really wanted to shoot them. Lhakpa was staring at her, waiting for a response.
She slumped back in her seat, mumbling "You handle it." The words echoed with hollow defeat. This was her loss: Not some great defeat on the battlefield, not humiliation or torture, just the simple admission that she could not do this. All she could do was trust her subordinates, and hope against hope that they were as honest and competent as she imagined them to be.
|Other Important People inside the Clique:|
Choden Tsultrim - Rinchen's sixteen-year-old son. The two have had a strained relationship since the death of Choden's father. Rinchen has forbidden Choden from fighting on the front lines and put him in the logistics corps instead, while Choden resents that he is not allowed to fight for his people at an age when his parents were already doing the same.
Gregory Clint - Formerly a Colonel in the Commonwealth army, Gregory was dishonorably discharged for behavior unbecoming an officer. He now works as a military advisor for Rinchen, leading a team of Commonwealth officers who are responsible for much of the Liberation Army's tactics and training.
Palden Lhakpa - Palden is a doctoral scholar with a PhD in Engineering who has been with Rinchen since her days with Tshering, one of the few Dhanga whose family was wealthy and influential enough to ensure that he received a full education, even sending him outside the country to study in Commonwealth universities. He is devoted to the communist ideology and has larger taken over the details of running the DLA's new industry, managing factories and ensuring quotas are met.
Lungtok Mon - An old friend who has been with Rinchen since the beginning. He is a no-nonsense guerrilla who has been in dozens of operations. He acts as a close confidante and Rinchen's Second-in-Command of the DLF.
Shereb Yao - Shereb is a bastard child of the wealthy Quin Yao family, born to a Dhanga maid. His father paid for his education and upbringing in exchange for his mother's silence. Shereb resented his father and took advantage of the situation, learning as much as he could about the politics and culture he so despised. He now acts as one of the DLP's chief lawmakers, administrating the region and ensuring that law and order are upheld at Rinchen's bequest.
|Geographical Location of the Governorship:| Eastern Jekai |Cities:| The Party is in control of various offices and positions across Eastern Jekai, this includes a large amount of farmlands both in the production of food, a significant number of which is sent North to the Reds, a fact that does not make Governor Xiong happy, as well as a number of cash crops. The latter is more the interest of Governor Xiong as the income is necessary to support his, and the party’s plans.
The city of Xuraqihar is as a major transport city, original a river post it grew over time under the Empire and recently the population and size have exploded due to the main railroad line running through it and its status as the Party’s main operating center at this time. It has a large Quin population although migratory populations of workers and various bigwigs traveling along the railroad and stopping over. Most of the factory production of the city is center on goods for the general market as that has been a primary interest of Xiong to ensure proper flow of trade. This does mean that most weapons are imported however given the necessity to import weapons from abroad anyway and the proximity and access to necessary ports make this less of a hindrance.
Governor Xiong:
Xiong seen here in a private’s uniform as a part of a display of geniality with the troops
|Name:|Xiong Qianxei |Title:|Governor Governor of the Eastern Jekai Special Province, Director-General of the Peoples’ Party for Democratic Order in Zengrav |Age:|37 |Ethnicity:|Quin |Personal Ideology: |Democratic Populist |Influence in the faction: |13% |Personality: |An aggrieved revolutionary Xiong is a very determined person, even with all the setbacks he has faced, he continues forward. Essentially a political person Xiong has a particular willingness to compromise many things in exchange for the power that he seeks to wield. He has a desire for power for his ideals but also partly for safeguarding the People from what he sees as threats, he strongly dislikes communists and monarchists and those who he feels have wronged him or the People in some way.
This is not altogether petty, he has issue because he feels so strongly that he is right that these groups are wrong and this mistake of theirs would harm the people, he sees himself as a protector of the public good. This could be considered egotistical, which to be fair may be somewhat true, but also many of those he considers enemies have done considerable harm to the masses through their actions, at least in his eyes.
With that said, generally, Xiong has been described as a cheery person. Often you can see him smiling and generally being personable. Indeed he has come across as sometimes viewed as somewhat abnormal.
|His Virtue: |Skilled Administrator. Although like many in the Republic he has not kept himself clean of corruption, he is vastly less so than many others in charge of the Republic. This combined with his already considerable skills as a bureaucrat means that he runs his province better than the vast majority governor, and better than many others could. |His Virtue: |Charismatic. Xiong is described often as essentially personable, he is quite the speaker and makes for a particularly good one when speaking of what he considers essential political matters. Often Xiong speaks with people individually or in groups as a prelude to more formal discussions as a way to negotiate but also what makes sense to him to see who the people he is talking to actually are first. |His Sin:|Irrational distrust. Despite what the circumstances may be Xiong will likely refuse to or only grudgingly cooperate with groups or people whom he views as enemies of the People. At times, this may seem completely unfounded but nonetheless, he holds to his beliefs. He has particular issue with communists and monarchists although he has been found to be more flexible towards the more moderate and/or democratically inclined among their number.
|History and Background:|
(Give me something meaty to work with here. Where does your warlord come from, where did he go? Feel free to work with your other players, let the leader of your faction appear or otherwise combine stories)
Xiong Qianxei was born to moderately wealthy parents in the city of Yuetong. The firstborn son of a moderately wealthy merchant Xiong was able to get a decent education that even included several books and important meetings with foreign sources. Xiong led a decent life and hoped to one day help reform the Empire for the good of the common people that while he aspired upwards he was not so high so a to be able to be blind to those below.
Trouble came when Xiong was 23, four years before the Emperor would die. Xiong had gotten into some reformist circles that he was able to as a Quin, he made some speeches, always in private. However one day he was less than hidden about his tendencies and offended some Noblemen’s sons in particular. They payed a visit to Xiong’s family and killed his father as well as beat his two brothers, Xiong himself was with some friends at the time, fearing further retribution Xiong and his family fled buying passage with what they could liquidize from the business and wen to the Commonwealth.
They did well enough in a new land given their circumstances, they worked hard and made connections that they could to those that had been here longer in their new community. Although the biggest effect of this move was Xiong’s new introduction into the general Blue movement and eventually his future wife, Hua Mei. Within a year they had married and would live together in the Commonwealth for years. Xiong would write a number of essays, papers, and a book that would examine the Blue movement and in particular the core of a free republic. He concluded that it was the people that made a Republic free and that they needed to be motivated to take the lead, not led themselves. This would form the core for Xiong’s Populist beliefs and his denunciation of Monarchism. Although none of these were particularly popular they did establish Xiong in the political arena.
When the Emperor died both Qianxei and Mei would leave for Zengrav, bringing along a young daughter to the new revolution. Xiong would establish himself in the politics of the new republic at first being one of the most vocal supporters of the new republic, and a large draw of the less fortunate to the republic. At this time Xiong was apart of the Zengrav Republican Party, primarily as a method of power in the Republic, although as time progressed became increasingly disillusioned with the leadership of the party. He ran for office and became a Senator, things were looking increasingly good for Xiong, he hoped once more to change the system from within. Then the White shirt uprising happened and Xiong although initially shocked came to blame the leadership for it, for the uprising, the Commonwealth’s intervention, the Red split, due to Corruption and their separation from the people they betrayed the spirit of the Revolution as he saw it.
He began attacks on his own party, eventually leaving it and continuing to criticize making speeches against his fellow Senators, the President and the Chancellor from the Senate floor before they learned to stop recognizing him in that chamber. A friend convinced Xiong to run for Governor of a relatively distant province that year to get out from under the reaction that would come from his rapid political suicide. Retiring from the Senate, Xiong would run for Governor of the Special Province of Eastern Jekai and succeed while forming the Party that endures today from numerous local groups.
Xiong has been gradually building up both the Army of the Republic’s Salvation as a military force meant to be free from the corruption of the general government as well as ties back into the political sphere of the Republic, only recently beginning to have a large degree of influence once more as his Populist and anti-corruption rhetoric becomes increasingly popular.
|Armed Forces:|
Officially the Governor has only minor security forces, the Director-General of the Party, who also happens to be Xiong, controls the large part of the army. Xiong uses a mixture of foreign mercenaries and locals, well trained and equipped this army is loyal to Xiong and not another authority. Additionally, there are a number of foreign volunteers in the province convinced to fight for Xiong, although they are primarily of the more conservative Republican volunteers, more of the anti-communist variety.
The ARS is the Armed wing of the Peoples’ Party for Democratic Order in Zengrav, as well as effectively the private Army of Xiong Qianxei. It contains a broad category and organization forming up more like a proper army rather than most warlord’s commands, and may be thought of something like what Xiong would like to change the Republic’s Army to, although what exactly he would do is open to debate.
These troops form up the vast majority of the ARS as they are equipped and supplied in an organized manner going as far to be required to turn in all equipment seized as these troops are heavily standardized. This does make the Regulars of the ARS generally better supplied than their competitors due to the large focus on supply and making sure that each soldier is properly equipped, however, it also means that they lack the flexibility to make many local changes that may be needed as situations change on the ground.
As a general fault of the ARS but most heavily seen in the general Regulars is the lack of experience in both the soldiers and their commanders. Although discipline and organization are maintained most troops lack extensive combat experience as they are much newer than many forces in the greater war. As a result, many commanders and troops are untried and have yet to be extensively sorted in terms of skill than what their training has given them, although that training does support a greater deal of skill, it cannot make up for experience.
Coming Soon!
The GRS are formally part of the ARS and do contain foreign troops, although these are mostly various forms of instructors. In fact, the Guards are separated from the general Regulars precisely because they are a cadre of Foreign-trained native Zengravians. As well they use equipment in general in line with the more advanced nations, notably copying many Sairish designs. This equipment is either a locally made copy or the general article, in either case it is far rarer than the equipment given to Regular troops although the quality is generally better.
As such the number of units in the GRS is limited although they tend to be particularly well trained and equipped. Their recruitment is also highly selective in choosing, the fanatical, loyal, and incorruptible personnel are often chosen for its numbers, often it is used to help control the General Army or for the smaller combat interactions required. The Guards are the most likely to be involved in anti-insurgency operations in addition to forming an Elite unit compared to the vast majority of the Army of the Republic’s Salvation.
Coming Soon!
Technically a part of the ARS although in actuality it functions much more as an independent unit. Composed of various operators and engineers from Zengrav and abroad, particularly as appropriate skills mostly have come from foreigners teaching Zengravians, it remains apart from ARS units and the Republican Brigades.
The actual equipment of the MFARS is not at all uniform, initially, it was mostly various imported foreign equipment. Almost everything is imported with the exception of the few things that are cheaper to make locally. The MFARS has been slowly growing over time with foreign ‘experts’, moreover, those who know how the actual equipment works. A small section is used for training local recruits that is now finally approaching parity with foreigners although non-Zengravians still make up the majority.
Coming Soon!
The Air Army of the Republic’s Salvation, frequently simply referred to as the Air Army, is a small force of almost entirely foreign made equipment. They do have a small lightly modified cargo Airship, rigid-frame, although it is primarily used for scouting and some cargo capacity, not combat roles although it does have some self-defense armament. In addition, the Air Army has a small number of biplanes, and has been looking for some monoplane designs but has been unable to acquire them due to a number of concerns. Surprisingly, the Air Army has an inordinately large amount of pilots compared to its actual aircraft, this is primarily because most of those aircraft are used as training and very little are used for combat roles. Any direct action they get is likely to be scouting roles.
Coming Soon!
Paramilitary units set up from the various volunteers coming into and through the Xiong’s territories as well as those sent up to the frontlines from elsewhere in the Republic’s territories. The Brigades are armed with a variety of equipment, some come with weapons others are issued them and training. Additionally, unlike for ARS units they generally keep equipment they capture and would want to keep. Besides the experience, some of them bring in modern warfare, and their propaganda potential, the Brigades often bring much needed modern knowledge from outside Zengrav, as things they take for granted often can be off grand importance for the peasant soldiers drawn from the rather behind population at large.
Despite their other capacities the Brigades are often in the fight, particularly as a defensive force as they are generally not used to the terrain as native units meaning that they are generally kept to hold vital fortifications or points, as their ability to navigate the terrain is sometimes questioned but their willingness to fight is not.
|Their finest hour:|
(When did your Warlord rose above the rest, and stepped into the lamplight? Did he rally the people in an impassioned speech? Provided some diplomatic wonder, or did he fought his way into the spotlight? Show it to us, by doing a little writing example!)
|Their darkest hour:|
(Where there is light, there is also shadow! Where did you warlord failed? Where was he defeated, humiliated or otherwise beaten? Show it to us, by doing a little writing example!)
|Other Important People inside the Clique:|
(Your Warlord is the heart and soul of the Clique, and seldom can anyone hope to replace him! BUT no Clique can work without some people in the second rank! Who are these people?)
The city of Kuorno is founded by Belzarov Emigrants following the rise of the socialists to power. It was a normal town founded centuries ago by missionaries from Belzarov. As time went on businessmen and other men slowly migrated there, with a recent boom in arrivals. Clergy, scientists, officers, soldiers, clerks, nobles, and many, many more came due to fear of persecution by the socialist regime and build a new prosperous home in mimicry of that which they lost. That said, the industrialization of this little enclave That said, many converts or simple folk of the Empire in search of work have flocked here and have been more or less welcomed. The mountainous region is full of ores and has a decent population, and the power of the Khaganate from Kuorno has come to dominate much of province. Under the leadership of Lord Kuang Grigori Valikhanov, they have united as the Great Khaganate to make a considerable military-industrial force for the Royalists.
|Geographical Location of CLIQUE:| The clique has influence across most of the Zhendao province, with their "capital" region and main territories at the north mountain ranges of the province.
|Cities:| Kuorno - this is the greatest city of the Khaganate, it is populated mostly by people from Belsarov. It has great wealth of industry, resources and knowledge. It is a railroad hub connected to much of the rest of the country's railroads. In here the best minds from Belsarov live, having escaped their home knowing the evils its occupiers have in store for them.
Tangikuom - another city of the Khaganate in the North-East it's only considered urban because of how many people live in it. The truth is that Tangikuom is about ten or twelve villages in extreme proximity which is why it has so few factories, but also so little squalor and slum-life.
Zhuxuan - This is a city in the South-West born a few decades ago as a result of it being the intersection of various railroads. It is of great value to the Khaganate since when combined with Kuorno, it allows Khagan Grigori to send troops and reinforcements wherever he so desires at moments notice... provided it is connected by rail.
Your Warlord:
|Name:|Grigori Kvang Valikhanov |Title:|Formerly Baron of Tartalu in Belsarov, now Great Khagan. |Age:|47 |Ethnicity:|Mixed origins with a Mingan father and a mother from Belsarov. |Personal Ideology: | Paternal National Populist Conservative Autocracy |Influence in the faction: | He has considerable influence in his faction, particularly by the fact that purging him would be hundreds of times more costly than reluctantly keeping him around. Though his insanity and other traits make sure he never has the ear of the Imperial court itself, its advisors frequently discuss him and his ventures. About 1-6% |Personality: | Grigori is quite literally a madman with dozens of mental conditions applicable to him. He believes he is a God-sent prophet here to destroy the forces of disorder, revolution, and chaos. Despite this insanity and craziness he is an expert strategist, administrator, accountant, manipulator and speaker allowing him to be an excellent warlord. |Chastity:| Grigori has very few desires in life beyond seeing the enemy destroyed, living frugally and personally. In fact much of what is known about him is enigmatic rumour, making the jobs of assassins, deceitful diplomats, and other such personalities. |Diligence:| The Khagan has perfect photographic memory, augmenting it with the method de loci in the few times it is not sufficient by itself. In addition he is very well capable of doing multiple tasks at once like speaking to a dignitary and plotting campaign attack plans at the same time. |Wrath:| The Khagan is a brutal man, and will not rest until his enemies are exterminated, and this means there is little remorse even to potential assets that can be persuaded to defect. The worst of fates is by foreigners that his forces capture; many volunteers for the republicans, nationalists and communists find themselves living for an abysmally long week as they are slowly turned into a paste, experimented on, and paraded for all to see what joining the wrong side gets you. |Pride:| The Khagan is quite full of pride and rarely willing to retreat from a position his forces hold. His opinion of himself and his side is far too high and when someone is incapable of accomplishing a task he set them out to do he will often take it as a personal insult and an offence worthy of execution.
|History and Background:|
There were two star-crossed lovers, Kuang Yarikou and Maria Stahlhardt. One from Zengrav, the other Belsarov, they were a strange but accepted couple save for the fact that nobility across borders would have issues with inheritance. However, at a young age his father died, assassinated by communist swine that injured the three year-old Grigori in the head. As he grew now in his mother's land, it seemed his intelligence had not diminished but his inter-personal and intrapersonal skills had. As the boy grew he frequently got into frequent fights with others boys and was repeatedly the victim of bullying at his prestigious schools, until he maimed his irritators. A slow spiral of mental health went to the boy as he became more and more reclusive, his doctors, mother, tutors, and Priest becoming the only real contacts he had well into his teens.
He emerged a strange, quiet young man to go into a military academy. There he excelled, surprisingly somewhat socially adequate now. He rose through the ranks of the military in his home, becoming famed for being a quick thinker remembering key facts and being able to command various posts at once.
However disaster struck, and the red plague appeared. At home he fought the red menace, gaining many injuries including another to his head in the time.
At last, he was forced to leave. He lead a great exodus of the Belsarov diaspora to the East, creating a new home. There in depression and anger he stewed, becoming a recluse once more save for the occasional act of sabotage or coercion to defect of prominent scientists or agents and commanders in now socialist Belzarov.
However, the chance for redemption came. Civil war broke out in Zengrav too. He emerged from his self imposed exile, and rallied the people of Kuorno. He swiftly assumed control and restored law and order to the riotous regions around his city. He created a small enclave, but just as the royal forces thought he was another part of the rebellion he pledged for them, declaring himself to be a Holy Khagan, a lord from the past sent to destroy the forces of revolution and chaos for the good of Zengrav and mankind. Now, he fights.....
|Armed Forces:|
The Khiberian Riflemen:
The Khiberian Riflemen are a regiment made up almost entirely of Belzarov men (admittedly a large portion born in Zengrav or the rest of the Belsarov diaspora). They have advanced often hand-crafted rifles and pistols each with a scope in addition to magnifying apparatuses within their gasmasked helms. They always have good reserves of foodstuffs, water, varied ammunition for both of their firearms, finely crafted blades, light but very protective armour that makes little to no noise. This force is excellent for guerilla warfare destroying forces several times large than them through a death of thousand papercuts.
The Uragan Mortars:
The Uragan bombards are a devastating contraption the design and schematics of which was brought over to Zengrav from Belsarov. The four-barrelled artillery piece comes in a variety of forms and calibres from mortars, to howitzers, to heavy guns, to anti-tank and anti-air cannons, each of which the Khagan has a division of. The core similarity between each model is that it has four barrels and each loaded by itself fired in succession. The effect is that each piece of artillery fires at a semi-automatic rate, whilst not losing accuracy or range. They are very heavy and hard to transport and are subsequently carried along by carts and horses. Though the NCO commanding each piece is from Belsarov or the diaspora, the crew is ultimately native. Particularly frightening is the variety of munitions used from air-bursting grapeshot, to firestorm shells, to simple explosive ones, to the strange, toxicly corrosive and asphyixiating gas shells so new to the land of Zengrav with no protection available to the backwater rebels.
Tashkas:
With the industry of Belsarov focused on producing small-arms and artillery, a substitute for the mainstay of mechanization in the army of the Khagan are the Tashkas. Pedigree horses drugged to the point of becoming monsters pull men either from Zengrav or Belsarov in metal carts who wield grenades and machine guns - or in some cases flamethrowers - to harass the enemy, provide support to infantry and carry supplies through the heat of battle.
The Brass Engine:
One of the more bombastic armaments of the Khagan, this is a looted train converted into becoming a nightmare of war. It has many armoured troops compartments, various artillery, HMG, and anti-air turrets, supply wagons, and a front plate that will smash through most barricades and even some rockslides made as an impediment.
Shtoika Hybrid planes:
These planes are a (for Zengrav) new high flying design sent over by a Belzarov defector, it takes a hybrid role between bomber and fighter being able to do both roles though neither not nearly as good as a dedicated fighter or bomber. However a good trademark of them is simultaneously powerful armour, and good fuel efficient speed if slight lack of maneuverability. The pilots are mostly ethnically from Belzarov, but like the Zengrav born ground troops of the Khaganate they are fed a considerable amount of drugs to give them a great edge in dog fights. Not to mention the effect on morale a rebel pilot will feel when a Khaganate pilot contacts them through radio screaming and giggling how he will bite out their spleen and lead a strafing run on their children.
The Bronze Hordes:
This is single largest and (arguably) cohesive of the Khagan's forces, the bread and butter so to speak. The lost and the damned, the dirty and disgraced, the greedy and the savage, the sadists and criminals, the refuse of societies. These men are dirty fighters with decent if not professional fighting experience. They often have crude, but multiple and powerful weapons often with no uniform set of equipment for each unit. What is lost by lack of professionalism is usually more than made up for by a gruesome balance of drugs turning each man into a monster not caring if artillery lops off their arm or if a shotgun blast was just delivered centre-mass. Quite often they will have horses that like them are filled with a variety of drugs to turn them into monsters of legend. They are a unit effective at all roles, the horde swallowing up tanks, fortifications, and enemy troops to come out better and stronger, or brutally defending positions to the death.
|Their finest hour:|
The position of the Khagan's forces was encircled. The communists were all around them and soon they would charge and annihilate them. In the trenches many prayed but the more cynical thought that little good it would do them. Perhaps they were right, the enemy had superior positions, more heavy weaponry and numbers ranging from twice to ten times as much as the Khagan did here. It seemed ironic that such a promising warlord would fail at only his third fight.
In the distance Grigori heard their chanting.
"Whirlwinds of danger are racing around us,
O'erwhelming forces of darkness assail!
Still in the fight see advancing before us,
Red flag of liberty that yet shall prevail!"
Angrily, he drew his sword and descended from what passed as a bunker in the backwater land of Zengrav. He went to the lower trenches, a few of his aides tagging along behind. It happened that he walked onto the scene of a nay-sayer, one of the local Mingans enlisted in the Khaganate forces. He was saying something about how it was inevitable the cray bastard of a warlord they had would get any of them out alive, but he didn't finish his sentence. All over his comrades his brains were splattered with only his lower jaw left in his head; Grigori calmly replaced the used round of his five-shot derringer and walked on as if he had not just taken a life.
He climbed up the dirt, and standing in front of the Khaganate and Zengrav flags drew his motorized szabla in addition to his pistol. Already his position for his speech was drawing attention and the incessant enemy artillery and machine-gun potshots redirected into his approximate location. No matter, bullets whistling overhead and into the flags or explosions behind him would only make his heroic appearance greater.
"Hear me, loyal soldiers. Over there the communists are. They writhe and wheeze in agony that their pathetic system already inflicts upon them. Their slimy hides want to inflict upon Zengrav the evils they inflicted upon my home of Belzarov! But I tell you it should not be. It was said to me by God, but the eternal truth, that we shall prevail. The communists are evil incarnated and they will try their best to annihilate all that is good in this world. They already try to do so in the lands they hold and now they want our deaths. But I ask fo you, will we simply let them kill us? Will we fail where others have not?"
Grigori gave a slam of his motor-blade on an emptied barrel for a loud din and then screamed.
"I ask of you, will we fall?"
"No!"
"I ask of you, shall we best the animals that want to end our lives, cultures, faiths, hopes, and dreams?"
"No!"
"What shall we do to them?"
At this point a chorus of uncoordinated responses came, and Grigori gave a primal roar before cutting the air with his sword. "Charge!"
The men who had them affixed bayonets, other grabbed at grenades or lead pipes or some nasty improvised weapons. Pistols were readied and swords drawn, clips loaded and safety locks disengaged. As one they ran at the red filth. Though few knew, the majority of the men had earlier consumed a solution of drugs that would make them angrier, fiercer, stronger, more reactive, while marching bands behind them kept pace and played pieces of heroism and glory to pump and boil blood. But in truth, such heroism was all in their hearts.
The enemy bombarded them, rifles and machine guns sent enough bullets to block out the sun but still they ran. A few tanks rolled forth and managed to get a volley forth to vaporize some men but quickly they were swarmed, prying men ripping off the top hatch, hopping in and slicing or bashing and chopping the treacherous communists within until they were naught more than a red paste. The Khaganate forces soon got to the enemy hill trenches, and the almost phalanx-like assembly of bayonets they prepared at such short notice was impressive. It didn't help them. The Grigori's men smashed into them like a shoe onto an errant spider. The defenders tried, but they were overwhelmed. One by one the red flag of the communists was replaced by the Khaganate tricolor. When the last red was dead, - executed while begging for his treasonous life - Grigori once more climbed the highest hill he could find. His ear was torn into something nasty and he had several holes in him where his armour failed. He didn't say anything, and he didn't need to. He simply raised his sword, and gave a triumphant scream that would echo across the lands.
|Their darkest hour:|
The forces of the Khaganate had done well to overwhelm the city of Xianjuo, but it was unsurprising. While the gold vaults and the gas tankers in it were valuable, the nationalists had not been able to get enough men there on time. They had a token force of at most two hundred, and most of it was holed up in the bank. Grigori had one of his best negotiators speaking to them, but so far to little avail. These men were the 'moderate' nationalists, the ones who had just so recently been with the monarchists. Their treachery made them deserve death but there were other considerations for the moment.
Grigori was now outside of the bank himself watching the exchange of the two sides. The nationalists were asking for... too much. Full amnesty and happy lives or free escape to wherever they liked. Neither of these was possible in their entirety and an impasse was at this point getting ever closer. The Whites were getting angry, and starting to throw insults. Storming the bank was the likely outcome and a simple one, but Grigori had his advisors insist on peaceful attempts first. They did well for publicity.
However the attempt was made and he nonchalantly drew his sword, expertly picking his teeth with a metre long weapon in anticipation. Reluctantly the negotiator conceded, since the nationalists inside stopped replying to his shouts and he gave his approval for the attack. Waving his hand for his trusted men to follow, Grigori went inside. While everyone prepared for a firefight there was none. In fact, the bank seemed mysteriously empty. "Come and play!" The Khagan shouted, giving a few experimental waves of his blade. He was very surprised when he happened upon the vault, which was wide open and more importantly empty. Not a single penny was left and he fell to his knees at the sight. Men joined him in looking and after realizing what they saw had very similar reactions.
Angry, the Khagan stood up. He began to storm out of the building but stopped when he saw two rather curious sights. One was a carpet of the bank moved aside to reveal a hatch to the sewers, which he was sure his men did not do. The other was that all the gas-lights were disturbed, many with wiring going towards them. A lot of wiring went to the central clock of the bank. Not quite realization, but teacher suspicion dawned. Giving a quick glance side to side, he yelled "Everyone out!" before himself sprinting out of the building. Most of his men followed, but a few confused ones remained. As the firestorm erupted they did not live to see their folly. Grigori laughed, his insanity permeating through the situation before he relaxed, and with a smile examined the scenario. He looked about and saw the gas lights on the street were also disturbed and burst out laughing, falling on the ground. Moments later the whole city was engulfed in flames.
By some miracle that served to reinforce his prophetic image the Khagan had survived. The charade had four of his tanks exploded and more than a thousand men incinerated, not to mention the industry if the city left in ruins and the gold vaults emptied. While this event would gain a small amount of popularity with commoners for him the Imperial court would be dissatisfied. Still, he was alive, and that was what mattered. It would appear that for these white bastard upstarts he would have to bring in the Uragaan mortars....
|Other Important People inside the Clique:|
Ivan Nikiferovich - Lord-Scientific of the Khaganate, he is the one responsible for constantly improving and designing the drugs, chemical weapons, torture devices, and other technical edges of the Khagan's dominion.
Serje Prokhorov - Lord-Militant of Belzarov, he is a disgraced general from the old country who despite an excellent track record of war was blamed for the loss of a battle where a turncoat Colonel opened fire with artillery from a flank. Grigori however witnessed his talent and decided to take him in and let him be a key leader in the military of the Khaganate.
Zhu Xenrang - Lord-Intellectual, he is responsible for the quite impressive array of spies that the Khaganate has. However, more useful is the large array of radio specialists and code breakers allowing the Khaganate to intercept and replace enemy communication while defending their own.
|Geographical Location of CLIQUE:| At the moment the Zhongshi Dakai has no permanent base of operations or territory it controls. The armored forces of the Thor’s army remain in the territory right by the rivers at Delsai, prepared for the attack. They are currently supported by logistics from the forces of General Hyeun Tae-Kyeung.
|Cities:| None at the moment.
Your Warlord:
|Name:|Thor Xiong-Va |Title:| Marshal-General of the Zhongshi Dakai, The Lion of Seraat |Age:| 42 |Ethnicity:| Mixed Jorguk/Bingal ancestry |Personal Ideology: | Benevolent Civic Nationalism |Influence in the faction: | 22% |Personality|: Thor Xiong-Va is known by those who know him for his kindhearted demeanor and his humble attitude in life. Humorous perhaps to a fault, Thor easily endears himself to his men. Despite this, a strict moral compass dictated by honor and duty have come to define him. Unsurprisingly, the Marshal-General is fiercely loyal to both the men under his command and those who have earned his trust and friendship. In addition to being fiercely loyal, he projects his own sense of honor to both allies and enemies expecting both to act to the same code he does. A lack of ambition defines his behavior, most notably displaying itself in lack of goals; for Thor, his men's loyalty is enough. In the end this reveals itself as a double edged sword; Thor would sooner cast himself into the line of fire than sacrifice his men for his own gain. The loyalty of his troops is without question and the Marshal-General is loathe to prove that loyalty misplaced. Despite his pleasant demeanor, Thor looks the part of a grim soldier. A thousand yard stare always darkens his features only to be broken with a broad smile when faced with comrades and compatriots. |His/Her Virtue: Masterful Combatant| Thor's history as a soldier and considerable experience in the field has formed him into a highly effective military mind. Military service beneath the Royalist forces before the civil war, deployments as a field officer in the Republican army during the beginning stages of the Civil War, and finally his time spent as a warlord in his own right for the Nationalist cause has done nothing but increase these natural in born skills. His tact and guile as a commander is forced by his desire to spare lives where he can and alternatives quickly pop to mind when the risk of losing his beloved soldiers comes to mind. |His/Her Virtue: Charisma of the Lion| The Lion of Seraat is without a doubt one of the most naturally charismatic people in all of Zengrav. His willingness to show kindness even to his enemies endears friend and foe alike to him while his charming behavior and friendly attitude makes sure they remain that way. Unlike others who foster high morale through roaring speeches or fiery rhetoric, Thor simply is Thor. His smile is infectious, his kindness contagious, and his demeanor an epidemic wherever he goes. Soldiers in the worst foxholes on the most grueling fronts can't help but be uplifted by his humorous antics and jovial attitude and many find themselves willing to throw themselves into hell for him, even despite his orders otherwise. |His/Her Sin: Overly Trusting| A sense of honor can be uplifting in many ways but Thor is consistently haunted by the dangers of trusting others too far. His personal code of ethics both demands and expects others to follow in his footsteps and frequently the Marshal-General finds himself faced with those who consistently fail to measure up. Enemy spies are released on their promise that they found nothing, captured nobles are sent home on the promise that they have no further intent to carry arms against his cause, and unwise advisers are believed to be truthful in all of their claims. With the assistance of others Thor can find fault in such actions but when alone, left to his own devices, his demeanor cannot help but direct him to practically blind optimism.
|History and Background:|
Thor Xiong-Va was born to an unknown mother in the city of Zur-Han. His mother leaving him at an early age for unknown reasons led to his life as an orphan. This period as a street rat in the gutters of Zur-Han forced Thor to be tough but never worked out of him a natural kindness. He was adopted at ten off the streets by a Jorguk day laborer and his wife, where he received the surname Thor and his second given name Xiong. Although a life as a laborer was contentful enough for Thor, he was tempted by the increase in status and wealth offered to a soldier and volunteered for the service at sixteen years old.
Thor swiftly rose in the ranks as a non-commissioned officer due to a mix of dependable qualities that officers and enlisted alike found amiable. He was tough on those who needed to be kicked into action and kind to those who simply needed a helping hand. His early life and poor upbringing did little to engender friendship among the upper echelons of command. At the rank of Master Sergeant Thor took part in the defensive war against Zengrav’s Northern neighbors. Identifying and attempting to avert a disastrous defeat in the attempted glory hounding by a Noble commanding officer, Thor was reprimanded and forced into the action anyways. After the resulting defeat was pinned on Thor he was swiftly court martialed and dishonorably discharged for his failure.
Thor would later go on to work as a janitor in the University of Nonsu, working in the only capacity a dishonored soldier could. During this time Thor would be become fast friends with a number of the staff and student body for his friendly and outgoing demeanor. Over the years Thor would develop a friendship with a young student-turned-professor by the name of Hyeun Tae-Kyeung. The two would become friends over a shared interest in military affairs and the lives of the Zengravian people.
When the Republican revolution occurred Thor would be one of the first volunteers for the Republican Army. He was granted a commission in the Republican Army commanding forces consisting of veteran volunteers he had served with in his time in the Royal Army and fresh recruits volunteering out of national pride. Promoted to the rank of Colonel, Thor would lead his forces to the front to engage against the Royalist forces he had once served. Over the several years of conflict Thor would become consistently disillusioned with the Republican cause after perceived selfishness, greed, and ineptitudes led to the same failures Thor saw in the Royalists. It would be these very issues that would lead Thor straight into the Nationalist Cause with the White Shirt Uprising when he would be swayed to the side of the Nationalists by his old friend and confidant, now Lieutenant-Colonel Hyeun Tae-Kyeung.
|Armed Forces:|
The Vanguard Grenadiers form the elite core of the Zhongshi Dakai’s armed forces. They are battle hardened and fiercely loyal soldiers, riding into battle astride armoured transports and on the backs of tanks and other machines of war. While few in numbers they can turn the tide of a battle through sheer skill and determination. Armed with a mix of automatic and semiautomatic weapons, they are masters of mounted and mechanized combat. Mounted in their metal steeds they are deployed alongside infantry formations of other warlords or to supplement the speed and power of the armored forces used by the Zhongshi Dakai.
The Zhongshi Companion Cavalry crew are the skilled crewmen of the Zhongshi Dakai’s war machines. Having spent many sleepless days piloting vehicles for multiple factions before joining the nationalist forces, each one has been tested by the brutality of armored warfare and has come out the otherside as skilled and highly effective veteran tankers. Each companion crew can pilot a veritable host of armored vehicles deployed by the Zhongshi Dakai ranging from tanks of all sizes and weight to mechs and armored artillery.
Dakai Pathfinders take great pride in their ability to survey and infiltrate enemy positions without being spotted. As well as being accomplished infiltrators and saboteurs the Pathfinders have shown considerable tenacity and bravery defending positions with the support of the light vehicles they deploy from. Pathfinders are generally equipped with scoped or iron-sighted rifles that can engage at long to medium ranges and semi-automatic side arms but have little to no armor or support weaponry to make for easy swift maneuvers. Typically they are deployed ahead of the main forces to scout positions and earmark fortifications for destruction.
The Iron Lotus Brigade is the elite motorized shock infantry shod in the obsolete Iron Infantry armor offered by the Lavanian logistics forces. They are fearsome troops, heavily armored and well equipped for their role as high-risk assault infantry. They made a name for themselves during the Battle of Seraat even before they had been equipped with Lavanian armor and have continued to serve with distinction in the Zhongshi line of battle. It is from this unit that the bodyguards of Zhongshi officers are selected and the Iron Companions, Thor’s own elite bodyguard battalion, is pulled directly from the most elite of this prestigious unit.
|Their finest hour:|
Thor breathed heavily as his ears rang sharply over the din of battle. Clods of soil covered the ground and marked his face with smudges and smears. It had been hours of this and now even Thor’s stamina was being out to the test but he refused to give up anyways. The clang of his rifle’s bolt hammering back and forth was the only thing he could hear till the ring finally began to leave his ears.
The attack had been ferocious and Thor’s fellow nationalists had collapsed beneath the Royalist Northern Army. Now he was on the front line, holding up and trying to keep his men fighting. For hours Thor and his men would hold the line they knew that they could not retreat because even if they died they would serve as diversion so that others in the city would be able to leave. This had always been the Marshal-General’s goal to protect his people at any cost and now more then ever he was determined he fought harder, harder then even he thought he would be able to and after a sea of royal forces and nationalist defenders lay dead in front of him and his men Thor would spot a break in the onslaught a way out, an escape root.
Mustering all his strength and all the air left in his haggard lungs Thor called for the retreat. Him and his men ran backwards through the break in the chaos and headed down an ally. There a fence had been blown down by artillery and a clear opening had been made leading into the catacombs under the city. Here in this land of the dead and forgotten they would have a brief break from the fighting and the chaos the silence was strange to Thor's ears after so much noise up above and he finally had time to notice the blood dripping into his eye from a shallow wound on his forehead.
After a few minutes of waiting Thor's second in command, Yuan Yuhan, approached Thor asking him if they were going to wait for the royalist forces to roll over and then sneak out of the city under cover of dark. Thor stood up from the ground and told his men he would not blame any of them for wanting to leave and they were free to do so but he was staying none of his men left and they began plans for an insurgency
Nearly three weeks had passed since Thor had brought the remnants of his forces into the catacombs of Saraat. Every single day had been a clash for survival with more and more casualties mounting. Thor refused to give in and continued to dig deeper and fall back farther into the catacombs while leaving all manner of traps pitfalls for the pursuing royalist forces to fall into. By now, however, the Royalists had cornered him and his troops in the deepest reaches of the many tunnels and chambers beneath the city with no more avenues of retreat left for them. Their insurgency was done and there was nothing left to do but hold the line or die trying.
The barricades holding at the entrances into the inner sanctum had by now become shattered wrecks from gunfire and handgrenades tossed down the chamber and the few troopers that held there fired back with what little ammo they had. The Royalists hadn’t stopped their assault over the last few hours despite horrendous casualties and it had become completely clear that the Noble commanders had full intent to drag their prizes out from the tunnels as trophies.
Thor grumbled to himself as he played with the final round of his weapon before pushing it into the magazine. A quiet moment passed as Thor considered the repercussions of being taking alive by the Royalists and a shiver ran itself down his spine. He slammed the magazine into its housing and racked the slide before turning to the doorway, preparing. His men were numerous in this deep hall as he had drawn in all his forces for a final defense. Hundreds were prepared to fight and die as the last ditch effort of the Nationalist cause. A small smile fueled by a hope for his comrade Hyeun’s escape crossed Thor’s face before he finally prepared for the last assault. The gunfire had stopped and in the lull the expectation of high explosives entering the room filled Thor’s guts with worry. He had hoped to escape with all his troops, to see if they could survive and fight another day, but knew this was too much.
Gunfire filled the chambers with noise and the whole of his forces braced for the final fight. Voices and shouts could be heard coming from the hallway and they were swiftly drowned out by gunfire and the clang of heavy metal boots. Prepared to die, Thor stepped forward and waited at the gateway with his pistol raised and pointed down the hall. Out of the darkness came the glint of steel followed by a skull shaped mask and the flash of electric torches. Thor lowered his weapon, suddenly realizing exactly who these troops were.
“Primus, there are White Shirts down here!”
Thor stared on, jaw barely holding its place with an overwhelming desire to drop, as a platoon of iron infantry of Lavania marched inside. The officer, a lieutenant by the marks on his arm, stomped in and saluted the General in the traditional Lavanian fashion.
“General. We are here to relieve you; Seraat belongs to the righteous Nationalist cause once more, by order of the Primus Populare.”
|Their darkest hour:|
Thor looked on at the Royalist scout with a glare creasing his features. His sweat pooled on his forehead and had poured across his face, nearly blinding him in concert with the bright sun. His troops stood in a vague column behind him, having been in marching formation when the scout had been caught. Now those closest to him sneered and glared no doubt thinking thoughts of cruelty. Thor was not that kind of man though. He looked on questioning what to do. For the last few weeks his troops had been fleeing through the northern desert just east of Delsai in an attempt to escape the slaughter in the west. Thor had learned from his correspondence with Hyeun Tae-Kyeung that the Nationalist forces were to regroup in Saraat and had been specifically told to keep the destination a secret. Now he was faced with a conundrum.
The scout had found them after Thor’s forces had finally shaken the Royalist pursuers and the threat of being discovered by their forces at large was constantly hanging over his head. If they found out the direction in which his troops had gone any competent commander could determine their direction, even if such men were found few and far between in the Nationalist ranks. His troops had initially planned a summary execution for the man, driven by the frustrations of being constantly pursued and the heat of the desert, but a more sound of mind officer had decided to take the scout to Thor himself. Now Thor looked down doing his best to look imperious and stern, though in his heart he only knew uncertainty.
“Please, Noble Sir-”
Thor held up a hand with the cigarette still burning between his index and middle finger. He stared the man dead in the eyes to size him up. Man. More like boy. He could barely see the hint of whiskers on his face and in a long desert campaign like this there was no way he had had time to shave. There was fear in the eyes of the boy-soldier that the Royalists had drummed up to hunt him down. From that fear Thor felt a great deal of pain churning in his heart as he realized what he likely needed to do.
“I am not a Noble.”
“I’m sorry sir- General. I didn’t know. Forgive me.” The boy gulped, a bead of sweat sliding down his forehead. “Please, let me live. Spare me. I do not wish to die here. Let me return home.”
The men around the General aired their grievances in the way only dehydrated and stressed soldiers could with jeers and loud condemnations. Their tanks had been running hot and many times they had stalled, having to waste precious time cooling the engines. The indignity of sharing using their own unneeded liquids to cool the engines, a decision made by the General himself, had spared them from using their desperately needed water rations but all of the men felt the sting of their poor fate. As Thor raised his hand they proved their loyalty, silencing themselves once more as they waited for his pronouncement.
“I will spare you.” The one sigh of relief and the groans of displeasure from the men filled the air for that moment. “But you must swear to speak nothing of what you found. Return to your home, if you can. You must swear this to me, as soldiers and free men, and I shall let you go.”
The boy swore, of course, and was promptly set free with his canteen refilled. Thor desperately hoped in his heart of hearts that the boy would simply return to his home in some far off county to live out the rest of his days in peace. Unfortunately, a heavy weight in his stomach told him that the secret location of the Saraat base of the Nationalists would not remain secret for long.
|Other Important People inside the Clique:|
Brigadier General Yuan Yuhan Yuan served in the royal military at the same time as Thor where the two of them met while in training at the age of sixteen. Even at that time Yuan was a high spirited and entertaining man and always had to be the center of attention. He gained a notoriety as a joker in his unit through raising moral by being the biggest ham he could be it was hardly surprising that Yuan and Thor would become lifelong friends. After training the pair would go on to serve in the same platoon in the Royal Army. Overtime he began to admire and respect Thor, discovering that he always had his brothers in arms well-being at heart. During Thor's court martial Yuan would come to Thor's defense and try to clear his name by proving the incompetence of the noble that had been in control of the battle. Unfortunately nothing he could say or do could prove Thor's innocence.
Yuan had a wife and newborn son at home and could not leave the military lest he risk him and his family becoming destitute so he would begrudgingly stay in his military position. The Royalists would not forget Yuans defense of Thor though and when the republicans rose to power and the Royalists became aware that the disgraced Thor had risen to a position of command within the rebel forces, they began to suspect Yuan of collaborating. Soon after Yuan, and his family were placed under arrest transported to a political prison in an unknown area. Here Yuan would suffer days of torture in an effort to get him to admit to his collusion with his old friend.
As the days passed and the torture continued the royalist would play their last card, threatening to kill Yuans wife and son if he did not confess. Unable to withstand much more of the torture and unwilling to be the reason behind the death of his wife and son Yuan would admit to colluding with his friend and the Republicans despite his innocence. After admitting to this crime that he did not commit the jailer would tell Yuan that his suffering had come to an end and that the morning of the next day he would be executed for treason and colluding with the enemy. As long as his family was safe Yuan felt he could die without regret and so when the morning came he was ready for his execution.
Unbeknownst to the Royalists or Yuan Thor had been keeping tabs on his old friend, intent on recruiting his old comrade to join him in service to the Republican. The Republican intelligence network identified the prison that Yuan would be held at and for nearly a week Thor rallied a small force of crack veteran troops to storm the prison. On the morning of Yuans execution Thor made his move and charged into the prison killing most of the guards and freeing Yuan and a considerable number of political prisoners. Yuan immediately began searching the prison for his wife and son.
He would find his son already dead and his wife barely clinging to life they had been beaten, starved, and malnourished for days. Finally succumbing to the injuries she suffered at the prison, Yuans wife would die two days after the rescue. Her death would break Yuan and for weeks after the fact he took solace in the bottom of any bottle he could find. It would take many conversations with Thor before Yuan could find a new reason to live. His personal duty would be to make sure that this kind of situation could never occur again; he was determined that no one should have to go through such horrors, especially not an innocent man. With renewed vigor and purpose Yuan would go on to serve alongside Thor and, with his newfound lease on life, return to raising the spirits of his fellow soldiers.
Teng Xun was born the youngest of three children to a wealthy noble and for as long as she could remember she had been a rebellious child. Growing up with two older brothers she preferred to play the soldier than the noble women and developed a fiery personality from their frequent rows. As she got older and was required more to act the part of the noble women she found only a small amount of satisfaction in the game of politics and often likened it to dealing with angry children. Since her childhood Xun had felt a kinship with the common people as had her father; he taught her and her brothers to not mistreat those underneath them because they were an integral part of a noble’s success.
When her eldest brother joined the royal army she was envious. Xun would much rather be dealing with bullets and bayonets than the hypocrites and bloated self-righteous old men of the court. Soon after her oldest brother leaving her other brother would leave for the military as well leaving only her and her father to deal with the politics of the court. One dreary day while dealing with the everyday monotony of politics two men of the royal military would come to her and her father's manor to tell them the grave news. Xun couldn't believe what she was hearing; her eldest brother was dead, having fallen in combat. He died a warrior's death, at least that's what they told her but none of those honeyed words meant anything to her. She had heard the way those in power talk about soldiers behind closed doors, like they are toys to be used up and than thrown away. In reality those sent to combat rarely die for a good cause more often than not they die for no reason cold and alone in a ditch in some far away land hundreds of miles from their families and there is no honor in that.
This event would change her forever. Xun would never forgive the royal army for taking her brother even though she knew the military wasn't to blame and she would always harbor an irrational resentment of the royal military. Luckily Xun’s other brother, being the only living male heir to her father's title, would be allowed to return home to help her and their father. When the Republicans began their uprising Xun saw it as an opportunity to get back at the Royalists that she so despised and told her father she was leaving to join the Republicans. Her father was not happy with this decree and lectured her saying she would put all their lives in danger just for some grudge she had made long ago. Even knowing what she was putting on the line she did not waver and simply told him if he refused her proposal she would just leave in the night while everyone was asleep, knowing there was no dissuading his daughter he came up with a solution. Xun would have her royal title removed she would be exiled and disowned but in this way her family would not be implicated in her treason. Her father told her that this was not personal and she would always be his daughter but that they would not be able to help her.
With that she left her home and family behind and joined the Republican forces. While serving with the Republicans she would hear tell of some great military man who had also joined and was supposedly a man of the people she was excited to meet him. Unfortunately her work kept her from ever being able to interact with him and she would only hear of him through rumors. The remainder of her service with the Republicans was spent doing the same boring and tedious work she had done at the court only now with businessman instead of nobles. Soon word would come to Xun that the great military leader and man of the people Thor had split from the republicans and sided with the White Shirts. This infuriated Xun how could he if he was such a man of the people abandon them and side with someone as awful as Yesui Olya she had heard rumors of this women and was not enthused by her actions, so she put it on her self to find Thor and bring him back into the fold. With great haste she left the Republic camp she had been stationed at and headed towards Thor's last location.
Eventually she found his camp and stormed into it ignoring all warnings for her to stop she marched straight into the Marshall-Generals tent and began screaming and yelling at him with all manner of profanity and harsh words. After some time had passed and she had been detained by the guards at the camp Thor came to talk to her they had a long conversations about his reasons for joining as well as hers and while she could not convince him to leave the Nationalists she did convince him of her well intentions. Eventually she was let go but had found a better place to spend her time and efforts at Thor's side she could be a true force of change. Xun and Thor's relationship is a complicated one sometimes they talk to each other like two newlyweds trying to decide where to go on their honeymoon and other times they scream at each other like mortal enemies but she is always there for him even when they are fighting. Constantly she has to remind him that he isn't just a general and that he needs to act more like the Warlord that he is but she also wants to make sure he stays grounded and never forgets why they fight and for whom they fight for.
Hi Jing-Yi is an ill mannered man who spent the majority of his life living in the wilderness as bandit before being bought by the Republican forces to serve as the leader of a scouting regiment. Yi would describe himself as shadowy and mysterious others would describe him as a drunken fool who stumbles around pretending like people cant see him. Over the years he has come to enjoy alcohol and has even become a bit of a drunkard. Although he is a bit of a fool and doesn't do so well in polite company or society he is very good at what he does. Scouting and infiltration has always been something he was very good at he often used these skills to get his bandit group into places where great wealth could be amassed and over time would become an outlaw of some renown. Just as he was starting to grow bored of the life as a bandit him and his group were approached by the Republicans. They offered him a good amount of money if him and his men would join the Republic as a scout brigade. Yi agreed mainly to test his skills as a leader and a scout but also to make a name for himself.
Everything was going his way when he was with the republic he had proven him and his men's prowess as scouts and raiders and were living the good life when they were given the order to help in the defense of the doomed city of Saraat. Yi expected for this mission to be an easy one, little did he know this would be one of the worst days of his life. Within only hours of the Royalist attack on the city his entire group of men were wiped out and he himself barely escaped. Injured and trying to find somewhere safe to hide he would wonder the city for hours only to see what seemed like an endless amount of royalists and death. Eventually he found an entrance to the catacombs under the city and after walking for some time collapsed close to the entrance.
When he awoke some time later he found his injury had been bandaged and he was being carried by men deeper into the catacombs. He began to shout and scream to be released and when he tried to move found he had been tied to the stretcher he was on. Eventually after what seemed like an eternity the terrified Yi would be placed on the ground and above him look at him with a grin on his face was Thor. After explaining who he was to Thor and those who remained in the city as resistance he was released but he knew there was no escaping the city and more importantly these Royalist bastards had taken his men, his confidence, and his pride he wanted vengeance. He would stay and serve the Lion of Saarat and even come to admire the man a great deal. After the Battle of Saarat, Yi would stay with the Marshall-General and serve as the leader of his pathfinders.
Geography and people: The 12th Army is made up of Bingal and Gailzri volunteers. The bingal hold a majority of the officer ranks not due to favoritism but because they have been serving under Subutai since before the first battle of Saraat.
|Geographical Location of CLIQUE:| The 12th is taking part in the Delsai offensive. |Cities:| They are currently garrisoning the city of Cho and a few of the surrounding towns. Cho is a moderate industrial city of roughly 140,000 citizens. The city's major industry is meat. Massive slaughter houses dominate the the northern quarter. Since taking the city the 12th have been purging royalist influence and putting power back into the hands of local bingal leaders. Thus far the region has been welcoming to Subutai and his men, celebrating an army lead by bingal officers as a type of folk heroes.
Your Warlord:
|Name:| Subutai Dao |Title:| The First Dragon, Commander of the 12th |Age:| 33 |Ethnicity:| Bingal |Personal Ideology: | Blood and Iron Nationalism. |Influence in the faction: | 15% |Personality: | Outside of battle Subutai is usually quiet and brooding, some might even say sullen. He tends to keep his own counsel when dealing with the other leaders of his faction, preferring to listen carefully to all the arguments presented before acting. When he is roused however those around him learn an interesting fact. The First Dragon has no middle gears, going straight from taciturn to apoplectic rage with almost no warning.
Subutai holds great stock in loyalty. Giving it unconditionally to those who he respects and have helped him as well as expecting it in return. There are few depths he will not go to help his friends. He also tends to carry his weight in grudges against those he feels have wronged him or the cause.
On the battlefield he is impetuous and acts with dash and elan. Boisterously shouting orders while cutting a swathe through the enemy. His willingness to wade into battle borders on the worst sort of bloodlust and his advisors and honor guard do their best to protect him from his own worst tendancies.
|His/Her Virtue: | Daring Commander- Subutai leads his dragons from the front and will never ask them to preform a task that he would not be willing to do himself. |His/Her Virtue: | Straitforward- Subutai has no time for subterfuge, flattery or any nonsense of the like. His word is his bond and the terms he offers are terms he'll stand by. |His/Her Sin:| The Dragon's Ire- While brave and honest the first dragon is also brutal and unforgiving. Dealing harsh punishments to men who fail him and exacting terrible costs upon his enemies.
|History and Background:|
Born to humble herders in Delsai, Subutai left his family to seek adventure and fortune at the age of 18. What he got was life in the imperial army. He would quickly find himself frustrated by the hidebound manner the army operated, for despite several commendations for valor he never was allowed above the rank of sergeant. He left the army after the emperor's death, choosing not to join the army of the new republic.
He returned home for a short time until he learned of the white-shirt uprising. He began recruiting in his home province, building a core of former soldiers and youths drunk on tales of glory. They would arrive just in time for the defeat at Saraat. Though he would avoid capture his volunteer force was decimated. They began a guerrilla action in the region around the city. When the Lavanian forces stormed the city Subutai and his men joined the fray providing what intel they could to their unexpected allies.
During the winter reformation Subutai recruited heavily and used all the favor he had gained for his aid in the rescue of Yesui to make sure his men received the very best equipment he could cajole from their new benefactors. When the Delsai offensive was announced Subutai was among the first to volunteer to take part. He believes that given the right push his people will rise up and stand for the cause.
|Armed Forces:| The 12th National Army - The White Dragons Duty Strength 15,000 men
Drake Infantry Regiments 10,000 men Infantry Uniform Officer's Uniform The white dragons have been completely reborn since the the storming of Saraat. With the superior equipment provided by Lavania and the influx of Gailzri volunteers what started as light infantry force has evolved into a heavy assault army.
Hunter Scout Battalions 1,500 men
Trained in fieldcraft and marsksmanship the Hunters are surgical scalpel to the hammer that is the 12th Army.
Dragon's Breath Walker Companies 1,000 men Light walker
Heavy Walker When Subutai first rallied his original band of fighters he promised them they would would throw off the old minga laws and ride into battle one day. With some help from the Lavanians he has made those words truth. These dragons of steel and steam will break the royalist cavalry in their maws.
The Iron Dragons 2,500 men These loyal warriors are all that remains of the troops that first followed Subutai to join the nationalist cause. Having survived the crucible of the first battle of Saraat and redeemed themselves in the second, they have earned their veteran status with blood and sorrow. Given Iron Guard surplus equipment. As a mechanized infantry assault force the Iron Dragons represent the very best of what the 12th army can put on the field.
Lavanian Support Forces 1,000 men + Advisors The Lavanians attached to the 12th army have so far been content to act in in advisory role and have spread their NCOs throughout the various units and the combat detachment has yet to enter the fray in earnest.
|Their finest hour:|
Subutai and his men had spent nearly a month fighting. Ever since the disaster of Saraat they'd been killing royalists at every opportunity. Their insurgent tactics had at first been focused on survival, but when the interrogation of a young royalist officer had revealed that Yesui Olya was alive though a prisoner. Subutai's focus had shifted with that revelation. Intelligence became the Dragon's goal. And after nearly a month of hunting they'd finally rung the last pieces of the puzzle from a now dead captain. It would take another week to prepare the rescue attempt. They would only be able to get Yesui out if at all, simply didn't have the manpower to free all their comrades. To be honest he wasn't sure he could manage freeing the Great Leader with what was at his disposal. Or keep her out of enemy hands if they succeeded.
Subutai sat in the command tent pouring over the intel for their rescue attempt, growing increasingly frustrated when one of his scouts came rushing in. "Commander!, Command-erk" Subutai had his hand clenched around the man's throat.
"What?" The word was quiet but full of menace. He loosened his grip slightly so he could speak.
"Th- The Lavanians are attacking Saraat Sir! They're openly announcing their support of the cause!"
Subutai released the man immediately and started roaring commands. "Get everyone up we're moving to support the Lavanian troops. Get me our best riders we nee to link up their command elements right away. They'll need Yesui's location if they're going to get to her before the royalist kill her to take her off the board. Move!"
|Their darkest hour:|
+Outside Saraat+ The shelling had gone on for what seemed like an eternity. Everywhere they looked all the white dragons could see was smoke and flying sand. Subutai had taken a piece of shrapnel to his left leg, nothing fatal but enough to slow him down and hinder his ability to fight properly. Then the Royalist shock troops came charging through the smoke, bayonets fixed and firing as they came. Tuan took a bullet through the nose turning her face to a bloody pulp as she fell. Gio and Fia were surrounded and stabbed to death. Subutai leapt to his feet sword in one hand and his pistol barking in the other.
After an hour of brutal fighting they'd pushed the royalists back at terrible cost. A cheer rose from the Dragons only to have strangled moments later when the wind picked up and smoke of battle was cleared. Another wave of royalists were moving to engage and all around their fellow white-shirts were being overrun. Subutai cursed the ignominy of it. He'd lead his friends into the nationalist movement just in time to see it snuffed out. Choking back his rage he shouted to what was left. "We've been beaten here, but we are not lost. Retreat, retreat and know we will return to the fight once more." They lost even more in the fighting withdrawal, those that survived the battle would suffer instead at the cruel hands of the desert.
|Other Important People inside the Clique:|
Xiao Feng, Captain of the Iron Dragons (32)- Xiao and Subutai were sergeants together in the same regiment of the Imperial Army. Having saved eachother's lives on numerous occasions. Jovial and gregarious to Subutai's reserved brooding they are none the less life-long friends. When Subutai formed the White Dragons he reached out to Xiao to be his second in command. Now Xiao commands the elite Iron Dragons and does his best to watch his friend's back.
Dia Gao, Drake Infantry Lieutenant (23)- An extremely motivated young woman. Dia has every intention to earn a place in the Iron Dragons by proving her valor in the Delsai campaign.
Sankei Kai, Walker Company Captain (27)- Sankei is head and shoulders the best walker commander in the 12th Army. His ability to push his machines well past their specifications and his knack for targeting would have seen him in good stead with lesser vehicles. With the advanced Lavanian walkers he seems nigh untouchable. A fact that has given rise to a cocky streak a mile wide and disregard for authority that is bound to cause problems going forward.
Antonio Faberio, Lavanain Major (41)- The lead advisor assigned to the 12th. Antonio is a fussy man with a fussy little mustache that seems constantly under foot. While his advice is rarely bad it is often delivered in the most condescending manner possible.
|Geographical Location of CLIQUE:| The Commonwealth Legation Cities |Cities:| Zang-Quin Ambassadorial District - The center of power for the Arcanain Legative & Diplomatic territories. Includes the Gubernatorial Mansion, where the Military Governor resides, the headquarters for the 19th Infantry Regiment, and the largest merchantine port in southern Zengrav. Tezpa Legation Quarter - A legation district in the city of Tezpa. Includes a legation office, the primary port for the Royal Navy Coast & Riverine Squadron, and the lashing port for the Royal Aeromarine Zengrav Squadron. Wuetong Legation Quarter - A legation district in the city of Wuetong. Includes a legation office, the headquarters for the 513th Armored Battalion, and the headquarters of the 21st Infantry Regiment. Queng-Tan Administrative Area - A small, city block-sized area with a tiny garrison and skeleton crew of supply officers and paper pushers.
Your Warlord:
|Name:| John Forster Alcock |Title:| Brevet (Br.) Major General Alcock, Military Governor of the Arcanain Legation Sectors |Age:| 51 |Ethnicity:| Arcani (Highland) |Personal Ideology: | Staunch Social Conservative and Republican. Envisions a constitutional monarchy with a strong, centralized representative parliament, not unlike Arcanain’s own system. |Influence in the faction: | 11% |Personality: | General Alcock is inherently a kind and caring man. His demeanour is often amicable and outgoing, with an ever-present warm quality about him. He, in his age, gives a paternal aura, a fatherly quality no doubt from raising five children of his own and having been happily married for nearly 32 years. However, he is rather bigoted, if not by his own choice, but his upbringing and outlook. He feels obligated to ‘assist’ the people of Zengrav in establishing a constitutional monarchy like the powers of the Commonwealth. |His Virtue: |Blind Kindness - General Alcock is, as said, very kind. He is charitable and fatherly, taking his belief from the books of the Orthodox faith itself, to “aid the unfortunate, care for the sick, and guide the blind”. |His Virtue: |Diligent Officer - General Alcock is an effective officer of the Arcanain Royal Army. He is an efficient administrator, and one of the best strategists of the non-infantry services, owing to his assignment to the Legation. |His Sin:|Ethnic Vainglory - Despite his kind demeanour and outward warmth, General Alcock does not have a high view of the people of Zengrav, primarily due to their infighting and severity of such. He believes this owes to their ethnic inferiority in administration and cooperation, and that they must be aided by those more capable.
|History and Background:|
The history of the ALDT begins four years before the present day. In the year 4036 A.C. (After the Coming) in the Orthodox Calendar, former republican fighter Yesui Olya murdered a Sairish tourist and injured another before looting the deceased one’s bloodied shirt. The papers in the Commonwealth went wild with the story, calling for all tourists to avoid Zengrav, and for the monarchs of the Commonwealth to intervene.
The ensuing riots and looting caused by tensions from refugees entering Zang-Quin along with the refusal of foreign passenger ships to transport them to asylum abroad forced the hand of the Commonwealth. The Sairish acted first, committing 10,000 men to the expeditionary force. The Geisel followed suit, with 11,000. Even Willem VI, the notoriously patient and stalwart king of Arcanain was forced to intervene as the legation quarter in Zang-Quin was stormed by thousands of protestors, committing first 5,000, but soon increased the number to 10,000.
As an entire corps of foreign troops steamed for the capital, the republicans who barely held onto the capital and coastal cities welcomed the help. As the standards of the Geisel Reich, Sairished Empire, and Arcanain Kingdom waved over boats and airships, protestors scattered. They eventually occupied all six major cities on the coast, including the capital. After two weeks, republican leaders agreed to an amendment of the Unjust Treaties, allowing bloated garrisons and diplomatic districts in all six coastal cities, while extending the lease of this territory for another 25 years.
The foreign corps was dissolved thereafter, with collective forces decreasing slightly. Soon after, King Willem VI of Arcanain died of tuberculosis. His son, Liam III ‘the Progressive’ of Arcanain was coronated, and though he mostly maintained his father’s policy of garrison, he did slightly again decrease the legation force to 5,000. However, as he did such, the Red Turbans declared their independence, once again threatening Commonwealth assets. A capita of 8,000 troops was permitted, and one Colonel John Alcock, commander of the Royal Armored Corps logistics regiment, was breveted to Major General and appointed military governor of the newly formed Arcanain Legative & Diplomatic Territories in Zengrav.
|Armed Forces:|
The Expeditionary Infantry Brigade (EIB) is the primary infantry force of the ALDT. The force consists of well-trained and well-equipped regulars of the 19th Infantry Regiment “Blackcaster Reds” and the 21st Infantry Regiment “Duke of Keldby’s Own”. The two regiments are split generally into battalion-level in order to make more precise maneuvers in defense of the ALDT.
The 19th Infantry Regiment, with the historical title of “The Blackcaster Reds”, are a regiment of the Arcanain Royal Army from the highlands of northern Arcanain, namely the Blackcaster Urban Area. They are well-equipped, being one of the premier products of the modernisation effort, being clad in new khaki serge fatigues, along with new M36 pattern steel helmets with khaki covers. They utilize the standard M15 rifle, the new M37 submachine gun, and a varying set of both standard and nonstandard support weapons, such as heavy and light machineguns, man-portable recoilless rifles, etc.
Equipment & Forces - Headquarters & Logistics (8x Gadsden Trucks, 2x Light Utility Vehicle, 80 personnel) - 1st Battalion - Headquarters (2x Gadsden Trucks, 1x Light Utility Vehicle, 20 personnel) - Company A (100 infantry) - Company B (100 infantry) - Company C (100 infantry) - Company D (4x HMGs, 2x Recoilless Rifles, 4x Gadsden Trucks, 60 personnel) - 2nd Battalion - Headquarters (2x Gadsden Trucks, 1x Light Utility Vehicle, 20 personnel) - Company A (100 infantry) - Company B (100 infantry) - Company C (100 infantry) - Company D (4x HMGs, 2x Recoilless Rifles, 4x Gadsden Trucks, 60 personnel) - 3rd Battalion - Headquarters (2x Gadsden Trucks, 1x Light Utility Vehicle, 20 personnel) - Battery A (4x Light Field Guns, 4x Gadsden Trucks, 60 personnel) - Battery B (4x Light AT Guns, 2x Gadsden Trucks, 60 personnel) - Battery C (4x Light AT Guns, 2x Gadsden Trucks, 60 personnel) - Battery D (2x HMGs, 100 infantry)
The 21st Infantry Regiment (Mounted), with the historical title of “The Duke of Keldby’s Own”, are a mounted regiment of the Arcanain Royal Army from the subtropical volcanic island of Keldby off the southern coast of Arcanain. Though not as well-equipped as the 19th, they are hardened troops which have served as legation guards for decades. They use a mixture of equipment, with the lucky few receiving the steel M36 helmets, or perhaps the older iron or copper M21 ‘pith’ type helmets, but with all generally wearing cotton or wool trousers or shorts, and brown leather slouch caps. They generally utilize the M15 rifle mainly, with few having the privilege of any sort of SMG or man-portable MGs, taking a more traditional and mobile light infantry role.
Equipment & Forces - Headquarters (4x Gadsden Trucks, 1x Light Utility Vehicle, 80 personnel) - 1st Battalion - Headquarters (20x Horses, 20 personnel) - Company A (80x horses, 80 infantry) - Company B (80x horses, 80 infantry) - Company C (80x horses, 80 infantry infantry) - Horse Train (100x Horses, 50 personnel) - 2nd Battalion - Headquarters (20x Horses, 20 personnel) - Company A (80x horses, 80 infantry) - Company B (80x horses, 80 infantry) - Company C (80x horses, 80 infantry infantry) - Horse Train (100x Horses, 50 personnel) - 3rd Battalion - Headquarters (20x Horses, 20 personnel) - Battery A (10x Horses. 2x Light Field Guns w/ Caissons, 30 personnel) - Battery B (10x Horses, 2x Light Field Guns w/ Caissons, 30 personnel) - Battery C (10x Horses, 2x Light AT Guns w/ Caissons, 30 personnel) - Horse Train (40x Horses, 20 personnel)
The 11th Artillery Regiment, with the historical title of ‘The Cante Gunners’, is a regiment of artillerymen and guns from the Cante Urban Area. They are one of the three field artillery regiments of the Arcanain Royal Army. Equipped with both heavy and light field guns, they historically had the role of manning both the wall and coastal guns of the Cante walls. They are equipped well, as a premier unit, having khaki and brown serge uniforms, M36 pattern steel helmets, and a limited stock of M15 rifles and M37 submachine guns.
Equipment & Forces - Headquarters (4x Gadsden Trucks, 1x Light Utility Vehicle, 80 personnel) - 1st Battalion - Headquarters (2x Gadsden Trucks, 1x Light Utility Vehicle, 20 personnel) - Battery A (4x Heavy Field Guns, 4x Gadsden Trucks, 60 Personnel) - Battery B (4x Heavy Field Guns, 4x Gadsden Trucks, 60 Personnel) - Battery C (4x Heavy Field Guns, 4x Gadsden Trucks, 60 Personnel) - Ammo Train (6x Gadsden Trucks, 12 personnel) - 2nd Battalion - Headquarters (2x Gadsden Trucks, 1x Light Utility Vehicle, 20 personnel) - Battery A (8x Light Field Guns, 4x Gadsden Trucks, 60 personnel) - Battery B (8x Light Field Guns, 4x Gadsden Trucks, 60 personnel) - Battery C (8x Light Field Guns, 4x Gadsden Trucks, 60 personnel) - Ammo Train (6x Gadsden Trucks, 12 personnel) - 3rd Battalion - Headquarters (2x Gadsden Trucks, 1x Light Utility Vehicle, 20 personnel) - Battery A (8x Light Field Guns, 4x Gadsden Trucks, 60 personnel) - Battery B (8x Light Field Guns, 4x Gadsden Trucks, 60 personnel) - Battery C (8x Light Field Guns, 4x Gadsden Trucks, 60 personnel) - Ammo Train (6x Gadsden Trucks, 12 personnel)
The 513th Armored Battalion “Black Panther”, formerly the 26th Cavalry Regiment (Mot.), is an armored battalion of the Arcanain Royal Army, raised at the Royal Muster Field Cante. They are a green but well-equipped force of armored vehicles ranging from tracked armored vehicles (tanks) to mechanized armor (mechs). They are equipped with a multitude of light and heavy tanks along with basic light walkers purposed for assault, armor escort, and infantry support.
Equipment & Forces: -Approx. 350 personnel -Headquarters & Logistics (1x Mk. V Command, 2x Mk. IVs, 4x Gadsden Trucks, 22 personnel) -Company A (10x Mk. V Heavy Tanks, 60 personnel) -Company B (20x Mk. IV Light Tanks, 80 personnel) -Company C (20x Mk. IV Light Tanks, 80 personnel) -Company D (15x T6E Medium Tanks, 75 personnel)
The 43rd Infantry Regiment (Mechanized) is a mechanized infantry regiment of the Arcanain Royal Army, also raised at the Royal Muster Field in Cante. Also a new and green, but extremely well-equipped force, they field a good core of assault infantry mounted on halftracks and supported by infantry support tanks. The 2nd Battalion is currently attached to the 513th in the Arcanain Expeditionary Force.
Equipment & Forces: -Approx. 440 personnel -Headquarters & Logistics (4x Mk. IIs, 6x Gadsden Trucks, 20 personnel) -Company A (100 infantry) -Company B (100 infantry) -Company C (100 infantry) -Company D (30x Mk. II Halftracks, 60 personnel) -Company E (20x Mk. III Support Tank, 60 personnel)
The 14th Marine Assault Unit (MAU) is one of the many Marine Assault Units of the Royal Navy Marine Corps. A veteran force, the 14th MAU has been on multiple expeditionary voyages, and its ranks were among guards posted at Arcani maritime installations during the White Shirt Uprising. They are reasonably equipped, with most preferring to forgo the M36 pattern helmet though it is offered in favor of campaign caps, peaked caps, and the older M21 ‘pith’ style helmets, though modern mandates are slowly making the M36 required amongst them.
Equipment & Forces: -Approx, 450 personnel -Headquarters & Logistics (2x Gadsden Trucks, 1x Light Utility Vehicles, 20 marines) -Company A (100 marines) -Company B (100 marines) -Company C (100 marines) -Company D (2x HMGs, 2x Recoilless Rifles, 40 marines) -Company D (10x Mk. III Support Tank, 30 marines)
|Their finest hour:|
The city was on fire, illuminated by a passionate red and orange, the smoke obscuring the stars in the twilight. Zang-Quin had seemingly fallen far, entering the embrace of Mot (the Orthodox God of Death) and tarnishing its own self, its skyline of cinder, as Hell is.
He had ridden hard since the landing earlier. It had been at least six hours since then, and he was at least an hour ahead of the advance columns. His thoroughbred had carried him far, through the tropic heat and humidity. But the steed had slowed, on the cusp of exhaustion and failure. But now the fires were in sight. The glowing heat and plumes of smoke had been visible even from the coast, but now, against the twilight, the embers danced above the jewel of the Commonwealth trade network.
He was only a Private, a lad of Keldby, barely 17, only armed with a revolver and knife, but he had been entrusted with a message crucial to the entire operation, an ultimatum to all belligerents in the city. He nearly was thrown from his own steed as he tugged the reins, bringing the beast to a full stop. He adjusted his slouch cap, and attempted to make out figures atop the old metal gates of the outer walls.
He had of course expected the police, loyal still to the Republic, to be those which answered. But, silhouettes cloaked by flame, with faint shirts of white, bands of silver, and rifles, called out in harsh tongue, foreign to the Private. Rattled, he plucked the smudged written message from his messenger bag, keeping his off hand nearby to his revolver tucked into the holster at the horse’s neck.
He began to read aloud, carrying his shrill, young voice. “In the name of His Majesty’s Royal Services of Arcanain-” He was cut off suddenly by beration in the foreign tongue again, stifled laughing coming from the rifle-bearing men atop the wall. Suddenly, a more well-dressed man, seemingly of higher standing and bearing pushed past the sentries, who instantly ceased their speech.
In a harsh accent, but fluent tongue, the well-dressed officer spoke in Arcani. “Why are you here?” He inquired. The Private was silent, hand drawing closer to the grip of his revolver. “Well? Tell us, or you will be incarcerated in the name of Yesui Olya!” The officer boomed.
The Private responded after a tense few seconds. “The Commonwealth’s arrived! Surrender and leave the city in the next hour, or else!” The young voice called out. The officer boomed with laughter, surrounded by more shrill chuckles of his subordinates. “Return to your ‘commander’, and tell him we will do no such! Furthermore, our counteroffer is as follows: All forces of the western pigs you call the ‘Commonwealth’ are to withdraw, or face the fires of Yesui Olya-” His voice became quieter in his last few words, a decrescendo in realization as a sound seemed to come from all around.
Tracks and engines, marching feet. It boomed so loud that everyone in the city must have heard it. The officer went pale, and spoke in his foreign tongue to the sentries frantically, as the silhouettes disappeared from the wall one-by-one.
By the next dawn, all the nationalists in the city were gone or quelled. The city belonged to the Commonwealth.
|Their darkest hour:|
The air was filled with smoke and blood. He glanced down at his watch as he gripped his revolver tight, thumb prepared to cock the hammer. It had only been a few hours since it had began, but it had escalated quickly. The police had been helpless against crowds of dissenters.
There were 400 of them, the refugees. Merchants, tourists, missionaries, and workers, mostly from Arcanain, but stragglers from Geisel and Sairish who had not made it to their own legations in time were present. They were only 40: 39 riflemen, and himself. There had to be at least a thousand ‘protesters’ surrounding the legation.
He was just a Lieutenant, and this was supposed to be a simple assignment. Accompany the diplomats, smile and shake hands when told, and smoke opium inside the compound the rest of the time. This wasn’t meant to happen. He clutched his revolver and knocked the grip against the brick inner wall of the compound, mortified men, women, and children sat against the walls looking up at him with pleading eyes.
Every telegraph sent had received responses of little substance, dismissive of such claims, especially by a junior officer so close to the celebration of the Zengravi New Year. Trades of pleading and dismissal had continued until the lines were eventually cut. The chants from outside grew louder and louder, the shrill and alien tongue of the dissenters cutting into his mind. Pops of distant fire accented by explosions, and, by some act of apathy for their situation, fireworks, echoed throughout Zang-Quin.
A dull thump seemed to push every other sound out of his mind. They were breaking through. He called to his men to ranks. “Form line, two ranks, twenty files!” He hooked his revolver in the air as he braced himself against the low wall separating the main compound from the outer wall.
His men formed beside him, their M15s shouldered, rifles which had never been used. “Front rank, kneel and brace! Rear rank, aim!” The Lieutenant called, and the front rank took a knee, rifles resting by their handguards on the low wall, with the rear rank remaining at full stance, with their rifles shouldered and aimed. The gate began to buckle.
“FIX BAYONETS!”
The men, just as young as him looked at him with wide, terrified eyes. But nonetheless, they obeyed. Bayonets were buckled to sockets on the rifles. The Lieutenant drew his service sabre, the shined metal which had never met anything other than a whetstone. The gate took another blow, and the bar lock snapped.
There needed to be no orders. Instantly, the line opened up with an enfilade of fire and smoke as crowds rushed in. Time seemed to pass in slow motion, but even then the Lieutenant expended all six rounds in his revolver in seconds.
And through the smoke, the pile of the first line of dissenters, littered on the entire ten meters from the outer wall to the low wall. “KEEP FIRING!” The Lieutenant yelled. His voice seemed distant, he couldn’t even tell it as his own. His hearing had gone. But as the smoke continued to clear, the lines of Arcani frantically racking bolts, the second wave shone through. Blood and soot-stained Zengravi, of all ethnicities, of both genders, wielding batons, shotguns, revolvers, pistols, and even swords. And every single one wore a white shirt or white linen band.
Then, scattered trades of shots from both sides, and the two lines collided. Bayonets clashed with firearm butts, with the cold steel of swords. The Lieutenant thrusted his sabre into the fog of powder smoke. A resistance, as the blade struck flesh. He continued putting his weight in as the sabre cut in.
He focused in on the target as he went to draw out the blade, which slipped out with ease. He saw their face. It was another man, his age, maybe 20. His eyes were glazed and dilated. He had a gash in his abdomen, pouring crimson. He looked terrified.
The Lieutenant carried a grimace. He hooked the sabre again, blood now covering the blade. As he took a long slash, it met steel, the blade vibrating with the force of the impact. He homed in on his target again. This time, another man, masked but unmistakably an elder, but nonetheless skilled as he wielded the Zengravi dao.
Again the Lieutenant took another swipe, adrenaline making his anger bubble up. Again, it caught steel as he locked in duel. The Lieutenant withdrew his blade, going to take another swing. But instantly, his opponent seized up. The eyes behind the mask fixed, and the elder crumpled. Through the smoke, he could make out the slouch cap and bloodied bayonet of one of his men.
He looked around. The smoke seemed to be clearing. There were bodies of both sides slumped against the low wall before him. He saw at least ten of his own dead, and at least a hundred of the dissenters.
“Fall back-” He tried to cry out to his living men, crouched and hugging the low wall. His voice did not carry, his voice caught as he choked on the full stench of powder and death. And then he felt a hard punch.
It was around his lower back, a pain like a kidney had gone. His saw stars and his vision went bright, his head spinning as he slouched forward, reposed over the low wall, his slouch cap sliding off his sweat-caked hair. His vision began to darken, and he went unconscious.
He woke up in a cell, a sharp pain in his lower back.
Geography and people: The 8th Republican Sovereignty Army has been garrisoned in the Quin province of Yandar for the past few months. A fitting spot for Zhou Jin’s army, as he spent most of his young life growing up in the province. The north-western portion of the province is dominated with fertile farmlands, which have provided more than enough food for the people of the province for generations. They also provide plenty for the men of the 8th Republican Sovereignty Army while it trains, and replenishes numbers in the province. The Quin people living in the province have welcomed the Army with open arms, and the army has taken to the people of Yandar with great enthusiasm. As expected there have been minor infractions on part of the military personnel who have been on campaign for years. To deal with these and keep the peace between the military and the civilian populace Zhou Jin has adopted a style of military court martials to deal with members of the military who have strayed from the letter of the law. These court martials and their resulting punishments have done wonders to keep both the military in line, and the civilians happy.
|Geographical Location of CLIQUE:| The 8th Republican Sovereignty Army has established it’s headquarters in the province of Yandar, the faction is primarily located in the city of Huangzhao, a railway hub city near the three-way provincial border of Yandar, Delraat, and Quozon. The city provides adequate housing for the military headquarters, and the production capabilities of the city are able to keep the forces well supplied. The surrounding areas provide food, housing, and supplies for the men of the 8th RSA.
|Cities:| Huangzhao is the center of the 8th RSA’s controlled territory. It is the sole industrial hub in what is otherwise a primarily agricultural area. It lays upon the 3-Way border between Quozon, Yandar, and Delraat. The mix of industrial capability with the surrounding farmland has provided well for both the people of Huangzhao, and for the military that now calls it home.
|Name:| Zhou Jin |Title:| General, Commanding General of the 8th Republican Sovereignty Army |Age:| 38 |Ethnicity:| Quin |Personal Ideology:| Zhou Jin is a staunch Republican, though as a military officer has remained mostly neutral in his dealings with politics. Zhou is a sworn servant of the Armed Forces of the Republic, and as is legally required of him he serves his legal government. In private, Zhou is an outspoken opponent of a monarchy, believing that the people are the ultimate power in the nation, and that they should lead through their elected representatives. Zhou believes in Zengravi sovereignty. In the matter of the Zengravi Civil War, he reluctantly accepts foreign intervention, while believing ideally that the foreigners should allow the nation to deal with it’s own internal affairs.
Within the 8th RSA, Zhou has taken efforts to strengthen the core of his army through promoting veterans to non-commissioned officer positions. He runs his army as a meritocracy. Those who perform well consistently are promoted. Those who do not, are not. This has allowed the army to accrue a well-disciplined non-commissioned officer corps. It has also allowed new officers to learn the ropes of military life, and commanding troops while being assisted by seasoned soldiers under their command. This is a stark contrast to the other armies of the Republic, as has its success in the field of battle. On top of shifting to merit-based promotions, the 8th Republican Sovereignty Army has established a centralized officer training program for officers who are newly assigned to the army. This allows all officers within the army to acclimate to how the unit runs on a day-to-day basis, these classes are taught by company and field grade officers who are experienced in both the day-to-day administration of company and field grade units, as well as experienced with the battlefield command and control necessary to lead these units in combat. This standardization in teaching of new officers has allowed the army to raise morale by ensuring new officers are trained and qualified to hold their post, and has increased the overall performance of these new junior officers in the field.
Zhou Jin has been disgusted by the atrocities committed by all factions during the Civil War, preferring to rely on established military practices in foreign nations such as military tribunals, and court martial. If a case is referred to a Courts-Martial by the convening-authority, the commanding officer who referred the case, the accused may select a jury of Commissioned Officers, or a jury of Non-Commissioned Officers. Cases that are normally referred to a court-martial are extremely serious in nature and are usually ones that involve the maltreatment of prisoners such as torture, starvation, or execution. The first use of a courts-martial in the 8th RSA came after a platoon of Royalist prisoners were summarily executed, and their bodies displayed to the local populace as a warning against aiding the enemy. The officer who ordered the execution was a young, overzealous, young man from a powerful family. An untouchable in the normal Republican society. However, Zhou Jin ordered a trial by court martial to deal with the problem. The young officer, believing his family to be rich and powerful enough that no enlisted man would find him guilty of any crime elected to be tried in front of a jury of Non-commissioned officers. After two weeks of proceedings, a guilty verdict was returned. As punishment for his actions, the officer, his non-commissioned officers, and 13 enlisted men involved in the incident were stripped of rank, given bad conduct discharges, ordered to forfeit 6 months’ pay for the enlisted, and one year’s pay for the young officer, all 20 defendants were sentenced to 7 years in prison at Huangzhao. Zhou has expanded his code of military justice to encompass all crimes committed by uniformed members of the 8th Republican Sovereignty Army. It allows for a range of punishments to be given including dismissal from the army, forfeiture of pay, reduction in rank, imprisonment, as well as a number of other non-judicial punishments. The code encompasses all members of the 8th RSA, regardless of physical location in the world. This has proven to be an effective tool toward curbing the bloodlust that runs rampant in many of the armies on all sides of the war.
|Influence in the faction:| 20% influence with Republicans.
|Personality:| Outside of politics, Jin is somewhat of an enigma, he is quiet, and reserved. His attitude has been described as martial, stern, and judgmental. He has a cold, but not entirely unfriendly attitude, keeping most people at arm’s length, and letting only his most trusted companions into his inner-circle. In social settings, one could describe him as almost rigid, uncomfortable. If he were at a social gathering, Zhou could quietly exit the building and he’d doubt anyone would even know he was missing. His command of the niceties of social interaction with new people, or those outside of his social circle is rudimentary at best. While not awkward to talk to, he simply comes off as cold, and slightly unwelcoming.
He seems to only relax in the heat of battle, and his soldiers joke affectionately that he prefers the armoured shell of a tank to the comforts of a warm bed. Zhou Jin has established his military career on aggressive combined arms tactics employing Tanks, Mechanized Infantry, and Close Air Support in unison to achieve breakthroughs in enemy lines and allow his forces to manoeuvre into the enemies rear to threaten supply lines and wreak havoc. These tactics have earned him a reputation as one of the Republic’s most gifted commanders. On the battlefield, he can be observed leading troops from the front, scouting enemy positions personally, and shouting and cheering on his troops in battle. If one were to observe General Jin on the field of battle, and compare it to General Jin at a social gathering, one could hardly imagine that they are the same person. His demeanor livens when the artillery opens fire, and when the rumble armored vehicles clash. He is truly alive when the bullets fly.
|His/Her Virtue:| Tactical Genius: Zhou Jin is nothing short of a tactical mastermind. He has built a military career on the idea of manoeuvre warfare which in the modern age has allowed him to dominate many of his opponents in battle. His forces move fast, and the move hard. Relying on both quick tactical decision making at lower levels of command, all the way up to army command. Zhou’s use of innovative and highly aggressive tactics have led to a number of great victories for the republic which have created an imagine of nigh invincibility around the 8th RSA.
|His/Her Virtue:| Supply Guru: If there is a will, there is a way. This is especially true for the supply routes of Zhou Jin’s 8th RSA. It seems that no matter where the army is, Zhou has been able to establish and protect his supply depots, and routes to keep his troops well fed, and well-armed. An army marches on its stomach and it takes a lot to keep tens of thousands of stomachs fed, and there is no greater duty to ones soldiers than to ensure their well-being while on campaign.
|His/Her Sin:| Dull: At every great social event, there is one person who stands out among all the rest as the life of the party. The flow, and energy just follows them as they control the crowd with their words, and their antics. They can entertain a room for ages without even trying. This person? Definitely not Zhou Jin. Zhou Jin is not uncharismatic, though he will never be accused of being a great orator, or a skilled politician. The niceties of diplomacy have never come easy to him.
Born twenty-eight years prior to the start of the Zengravi Civil War, Zhao was the middle child of a wealthy merchant father, Zhou Xueliang and a midwife mother, Yu Fengzi, Zhao Jin spent the early portion of his life living in the relative comforts that his father's life brought his family. Throughout Zhou's childhood he was educated by private tutors hired by his father. Given his father's lifestyle, and business it was not uncommon for foreigners to associate with the family in their private home in Zang-Quin. Observing his father's business dealings with the foreign traders led Zhou to form a low opinion of the foreign merchants, and their nations whom he perceived as being driven by nothing other than greed, and self-interest. He grew to be highly resentful of the foreign influence in Zengravia, and in his father's business dealings. Zhou's father urged his son to follow in his footsteps and study business in the hopes that he would assume leadership of the family's trading enterprise, however Zhou Jin had little interest in following in his father's footsteps, much to Zhou Xueliang's dismay.
Later Zhou would attend university in the city of Haidan, where he studied at the Military College of the University of Haidan. While at the university Zhou focused his studies on the subject of Artillery. At the college Zhou performed extraordinarily well in field exercises as well as in classroom environments. In these years he became an associate of the fraternity Yizhi Taiyang. His left-leaning politics allowed him to fit in seamlessly with this group. It was during these years that he met upper-classman Hyeun Tae-Kyeung, one of the groups leaders. He quickly became an acolyte of Hyeun's and the two became close friends during their time at the university together. During his last few years at university, Zhou volunteered to participate in an exchange program where he traveled abroad where he studied at various military academies across the world. During his time abroad he continued his correspondence in secret with many of his former colleagues and university associates including Tae-Kyeung, and Liu Shao.
Upon returning to Zengravia at the conclusion of his studies abroad, Zhou graduate from the Military college near the top of his class, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Artillery and assigned to the 12th Imperial Artillery Regiment stationed in the remote province of Greizual where he was tasked with overseeing the construction of artillery fortifications. During this assignment in Greizual, Lieutenant Zhou developed a keen interest in the idea of armoured warfare, and dedicated numerous hours to the study of tanks and their application on the battlefield. After three years assisting in the upgrade of Greizual's defensive capabilities, Zhou was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant. His new position came with his first real command, an out-dated coastal battery in Eastern Jekai. The battery was a collection of large caliber, highly outdated cannons ranging in condition from barely used to little more than a pile of metal garbage. Zhou worked tirelessly to turn the battery into an effective force however little could be done as he was hamstrung by red tape put in place from his superiors.
In Jekai First Lieutenant Jin made acquaintance with a young armoured cavalry officer, Second Lieutenant Mo Tai. It was here where Zhou would turn his interest in tanks, and armoured warfare into an obsession. Lieutenant Mo Tai was able to give Zhou his first hands on experience with the out-dated tanks that made up the ranks of the Imperial armoured corps. His fascination with the slow, rumbling contraptions continued to grow the more he was able to interact with them. Within a year he had submitted paperwork requesting a transfer to the Armoured corps, which was approved with no small amount of hassle likely only to get the troublesome, and overzealous Lieutenant out of his superior's hair. He was assigned to the 1st Imperial Armour Brigade, as a tank platoon leader. Zhou found the troops of his platoon to be lacking in every sense of the word. Their discipline was poor, their leadership abysmal, their equipment unkempt, and outdated. Zhou was surprised to find such an elite, modern unit to be in such a poor state of readiness. He set to remedying the situation with gusto. Trouble makers were disciplined, leadership was demoted, transferred, and replaced. Requisition orders went out for all types of equipment, and the unit training schedule was rewritten and field exercises were increased three-fold. It was not long before his unit became one of the premier units in the entire brigade. Despite the rapid improvements Zhou saw he remained overlooked for promotion for years.
Years had passed, and now Captain Zhou Jin continued to spend time corresponding with his former classmates, many of whom had now moved on to greater things, some in the service of their nation's military like himself, others in the service of academia as university professors, and others still becoming wealthy labor organizers and industrialists. It would not be long before they would be reunited, though Zhou nor anyone else had imagine just how it would happen. The country had seen better days, so too had Zhou. Much of his life as a Major in the service of the Heavenly Empire had recently been spent keeping his men in line where other soldiers stepped out. Keeping his men from descending into becoming nothing more than an angry, unprofessional rabble. When news reached Major Jin of the Haidan massacre, the whole world as he knew it changed. But he knew what must be done.
Following the proclamation of the Republic in the port city of Zang-Quin, by Heegon Wu, Zhou pledged his allegiance, and his company to the service of the new nation. Along various other units from the 1st Armoured Brigade, which would form the core of the new Republican Third Armoured Division, which at the time held only a battalion's worth of tanks. Within the early periods of the war Zhou participated in numerous skirmishes with his unit, until the climax of the Yandar/Jekai campaign at the Battle of Yuetong where Zhou's unit served with distinction resulting in his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and his new assignment as the commander of the 2nd Battalion/1st Armoured Regiment of the 3rd Armoured Division whose ranks had bolstered in the months previous.
As the war moved into its second year Lieutenant Colonel Zhou Jin found himself one of an enormous number of Republican soldiers retreating from Delraat in the face of overwhelming Royalist numerical superiority. The Republic's new army had been stung by defeat after defeat as three royalist armies pushed the Republican front back hundreds of miles per week. It is during this period that news of a valorous stand by the Republic's 15th Support Battalion reaches Zhou. He immediately recognizes the name of the battalion's commanding officer as his old classmate, and mentor Hyeun Tae-Kyeung whom Zhou had not realized had joined the Republican Army. As the campaign dragged on, the Royalist army's advance slowed due to infighting within it's leadership. An opportunity to turn the tide of the campaign presented itself and the young, bold, and zealous Lieutenant Colonel was not one to pass up an opportunity to shower himself and his unit in glory. As the Royalist forces began to separate and became less able to cover the entire front while being able to mutually support one another, Colonel Jin devised a bold plan that involved a single division, his own, to flank around the left of the Royalist army, through the Quozon Highlands and into the Royalist rear where his unit would raid Royalist supply lines. Zhou, recognizing the logistical nightmare of his own strategy knew exactly whom he must contact. Spending two nights straight, with little sleep with Major Tae-Kyeung they were able to devise exactly how to keep the 3rd Armoured Division supplied as it circumnavigated the Royalist army. After pitching the plan to their commanding officers, and pushing it up the chain of command, three weeks later Operation Xin Shuguang (New Dawn) was launched. Following the climax of the operation at the battle of the Three Lakes, the Republican victory in the campaign was assured. For their role in planning and participating in the operation, both Jin and Tae-Kyeung received promotions and higher commands.
The next years were marked by luke warm success for the Republic and bitter set backs. These included the affirmation of the Unjust Treaties by the Republican Government, a decision which Zhou resented and was reported to have resorted to foul language when he was informed of. Zhou's distrust of foreigners had all but been affirmed when the affirmation of the treaties was not enough, but when the Commonwealth Seized the six largest cities in the Republic, including the capital and his home of Zang-Quin. Stationed with his Regiment inside Yandar, Zhou had issued operational warning orders to his subordinate commanders to prepare to retake the cities from the Commonwealth even going so far as to disobey an order from the commanding general of the 3rd Armoured Division to stand down. It was only after he was threatened with arrest, and removal of command that he relented from his hardline stance and ordered his unit to withdraw from the surrounding area.
The next four years saw Zhou build his reputation as an excellent battlefield tactician, a great strategist, and well rounded administrator. He continued his rise through the ranks of the Republican army, accepting and excelling at higher levels of command before receiving his first Army command of the 8th Republican Field Army. Following his promotion to command he instituted numerous reforms in an army that had become rampant with corruption, and bloated with ego. He made changes to establish discipline by strengthening the non-commissioned officers of the army. General Zhou reformed the 8th Field Army as the 8th Republican Sovereignty Army, a move reportedly meant to highlight the Republic's independence from foreign parties. Since his assuming command, Zhou has transformed the army into one of the most professional, and efficient fighting forces fielding by the Republic.
The 13th Infantry Division is a fully motorized infantry division consisting of veterans of many battles throughout the Revolution. The division was originally formed as a non-motorized division, however after the start of the revolution the unit was reformed into a motorized Infantry Division. Its riflemen are primarily armed with the ZQa-31b “Chang-bi” bolt-action rifle. Though the bolt action rifle is by far the most common weapon used within the division, non-commissioned officers, and company grade officers can be armed with the ZJa-33 submachine gun, though they are not common within the division. The men are transported using the Huangzhao 2.5, a Zengravi designed, and produced military truck capable of carrying up to 2.5 tons worth of troops and equipment. Like every unit within the 8th Republican Sovereignty Army, the 13th Infantry Division boasts an integrated support unit consisting of 24 Jingem Type 33 150cm Howitzers. The Infantry units in all 8th RSA divisions contain a weapons platoon attached to each company. These platoons are armed with 40mm light mortars used to provide on the spot fire support for engaged units. Other squads in the weapons platoon are the Tank-Hunter Squads which make use of small hunter/killer teams which are tasked with locating and destroying enemy armoured vehicles. These squads employ the use of the RXKQ-04 Rocket Launcher. Each weapons platoon contains a machine gun section consisting of two ZR-28b 30-calibre heavy machine guns. These crew served weapons require three men each to carry and man the weapon, however once set up they can be crewed by a single soldier. These weapons are capable of firing 800 rounds per minute, with an effective range of nearly 2,000 meters.
Commanding General: Major General Zhan Tao - 14th Infantry Brigade - 21st Infantry Brigade - 25th Infantry Brigade - 81st Artillery Brigade
The 17th Infantry Division follows a standard motorized division table of organization and equipment. The equipment is much the same as the 13th Infantry Division. The 17th Infantry Division was formed much more recently than the 13th Infantry Division as a reformation of the previous 17th Infantry Division which suffered extremely heavy casualties throughout the war. The unit consists of primarily greener recruits, led by more seasoned veterans transferred from the 13th Motorized Division and other units within the 8th RSA.
The 8th Armoured Division is one of the original units of the Republican Army. It consists of two armoured regiments, and an Armoured Infantry Regiment. Each Armoured division also includes a battalion of medium tanks. The armoured regiments consist primarily of the Type-88/IIb “Huihang” Infantry Tank. These light tanks are largely unmodified after being factory produced even still boasting their 37mm cannons. Among the other equipment used in the division is the Type-20/IIId “Guankuo” Medium Infantry Tank. These Medium tanks are rare, and number just about 40 in each division. The division’s armoured infantry regiment is primarily armed with the QZa-33 "Jie" semi-automatic rifle. Rather than being transported in the 2.5’s used by the Motorized Infantry, they are transported using the Type-22 “Xeidei” Light Transport Vehicle.
Commanding General: Major General Mo Tao - 2nd Armoured Regiment - 9th Armoured Regiment - 4th Medium Tank Battalion - 12th Armoured Infantry Regiment
The 12th Armoured Division follows the same table of organization and equipment as the 8th Armoured Division. The 12th is led by, the now famous, Mo Tao, a close associate and friend of Zhou Jin. The Division has seen combat in a number of battles since its formation and under the leadership of Tao, the unit has remained relatively unscathed, thus it has a very strong core of well experienced soldiers, and officers.
The 27th Fighter-Bomber Group is outfitted with 40 Ze-108 "Shengli" Fighters modified for close air support. These pilots are trained in Air-to-Air combat as well as combined arms support missions. They are some of the best pilots the Republican forces have to offer. These planes are capable of carrying up to two 250kg bombs, one under each wing. Each fighter-bomber is armed with four wing mounted machine guns.
“Turret, 30 degrees right!” Zhou shouted to the gunner, “Fire!” The roar of the cannon filled the commanders canopy as the tank continued to race past the smoke billowing from its own barrel. In the distance a fire lit where there was once a Royalist tank. “Good hit! Reload!” An unnecessary order he knew as the loader had already slammed a new round into the chamber.
He keyed up the command channel on his radio to the rest of his regiment, “All units, continue the advance. Keep your eyes open, friendly infantry are moving to our front, we will be passing through them and taking up the front of the attack.”
A smile had broken out on Lieutenant Colonel Zhou Jin’s face. Not a month before had the Republican Army been near it’s breaking point. Pushed back dozens of miles by the unified front of the three Royalist armies, all had changed so quickly. But for some unlikely heroes in the army, the men and women of the 15th Support Battalion, the entire front may have collapsed beyond repair.
“Gunner, fire at will.” Zhou shouted and the cannon roared once more, this time another shot sounded not 5 seconds later. Another just after that. In the distance dozens of Royalist tanks burned, royalist infantry retreated, some firing rounds over their shoulder as they fell back, others dropping their rifles and running as fast and as far as they could.
The Royalist armies had blundered, they had separated from their unified front which allowed Zhou’s division to skirt around their flank and push into the rear. For the past two weeks his unit had been attacking Royalist supply lines relentlessly. Last week they had located a major supply route for the Royalist forces and attacked it with all available forces. “Must’ve stung the Royalists really hard, that one.” Zhou chuckled to himself rethinking the night’s attack over. He knew he must be right, a week later the three Royalist armies number near 50,000 men threw themselves against the 5,000 man-Armoured Division’s heavily fortified positions.
“Didn’t work out how you had planned did it, your highness!” Zhou shouted, and laughed maniacally. His men would have wondered if he had lost his mind if they had heard him. Of course, the Royalists had done exactly as Zhou knew they would. Exactly as Zhou had told his commanding general they would. And the Republicans did exactly as Zhou had said they should.
For the past two nights the Royalist army had probed, and assaulted, probed and assaulted the 3rd Armoured Division’s defensive position. This morning they launched a fourth brutal assault. The 3rd’s lines bent, and bowed, but they did not break. Just after midday the Royalist attack faltered. Not due to lack of men, or supplies, or aggression. At midday the left flank of the Royalist forces erupted as the rest of the Republican Army erupted from the Quozon Highlands. The Republican tanks, and infantry smashed into the attacking Royalist flank with a ferocity that the Republicans had been unable to muster as yet in the campaign.
“Keep on them! Run them down until they surrender!” Zhou hadn’t been this excited in ages. To be on the attack again, to see the enemy’s backs and to not have his back to the enemy was a brilliant feeling for Zhou.
The next few days would pass in a blur. His Regiment never more than a mile behind the Royalist army. Zhou had been in an excited frenzy for every single second of it. Rallying his men to keep pushing, and keep pushing. His men chased the Royalist Army for dozens of miles. Hitting their rear guard over and over, disengaging and attacking elsewhere hours later.
Within a week they had nearly outran their supply lines and Zhou had decided that it was time to disengage the Royalist army, though he was reluctant to do so. His regiment returned to the main division two days later. His unit had showered itself in glory, and so had he. He had never been happier, he thought to himself.
The letter shook in his hands. He reread the hastily written script, his teeth gritted together in anger.
“Sir, we must leave now.” A voice said from across the room. He had barely heard it. It was easy to ignore. The anger in him rose when as his brain repeated the words from the paper. He tore it in half and threw it to the floor, he sighed as he flopped back in his wooden desk-chair.
“General, please. The Commonwealth troops will be here within the hour. We must leave the city.” Lieutenant Colonel Mo Tao urged his commanding officer. “General Chen has ordered us to withdraw immediately. He has threatened to remove you from command, sir!” He nearly shouted at his old friend, and commanding officer, his hands slapped against the wooden desk between the two.
“No, we can push them back to the sea!” Brigadier General Zhou Jin shouted, springing up from his chair, his usual calm and relaxed demeanour shattered as the realization dawns on him, Zengravia’s greatest achievements, it’s greatest cities, the history of his nation being seized by foreigners who want nothing other than the money that can be wrought from the blood, and sweat of Zengravis. “I will push them back to the sea! One more assault!” A balled fist slammed against the desk top.
“You can’t! We can’t!” Mo Tao shouted in reply, “Our troops must stand down, and withdraw. We never should have come here in the first place. It isn’t time, sir.” His voice levelled out. He knew that the Republic had been humiliated, he knew that General Jin felt the humiliation more than anyone.
A moment passed, silenced engulfed the room like a thick heavy smoke. Brigadier General Jin sighed. He straightened himself, as did his executive officer.
“You are right, of course, my friend.” He said as he stepped out of the door of his dugout headquarters. From his position atop the hills he could see the capital of his dear Republic in the distance. It’s streets swarming with the troops of the Commonwealth, it’s ports swelled with the battleships, and cruisers of its Navy. His executive officer followed close behind. “A dark day has clouded our great cities today.” He closed his eyes and smelled the air around the capital once more, it would be the last time he would be able to smell the air of the capital for some time. “Get word to the regimental commanders to withdraw to the North-West. I want the entire brigade on the move within the hour, no delays.”
“Yes sir!” A smile crept onto Mo Tao’s face as he snapped off a sharp salute before finding a radioman to relay the orders.
Zhou stood alone overlooking the city. The dispatch made it clear that the capital was not the only city where this was occurring. His own house in the capital, probably being sacked by the foreign invader. A pang of guilt and regret shot through Zhou, his cities were being occupied by a foreign invader and all he could do was to stand by and watch. He shook his head, and sighed.
“I will be back.” He said aloud to no one in particular, his teeth gritted angrily. The sting of defeat was poignant. “We will take back what is ours.”
Lieutenant General Hao Lin: Hao Lin serves as the executive officer of the 8th Republican Sovereignty Army. Being eight years senior to his Commanding Officer, Hao Lin has served as somewhat of a mentor to the commanding general throughout the years of his command. General Hao Lin had served as a division commander with great distinction, before being promoted to the position of executive officer. In his position he commands up to half the army at any given point, and has excelled with multiple divisions under his command.
Brigadier General Chang Tian: Chang Tian is the commander of the 13th Infantry Division. Tian is unique in the Republican Army in that he is the only General officer to have enlisted in the army as a private soldier. His ascension through the ranks has been due to his great charisma, and his tactical mind. As a corporal he was able to stem the retreat of a company of Republican soldiers and lead a ferocious counter-attack during the Battle of the Three Lakes which helped prevent the initiative of the Republic army from being lost during the battle. Under the direct tutelage of General Zhou, Tian has been given increasingly higher commands and has thus far turned turned in remarkable performances as a division commander.
Major General Mo Jun: Major General Mo Jun is the elder brother of Major General Mo Tao. Zhan commands the 17th Infantry Division of the 8th RSA. Jun only received his command recently following the reformation of the Division after taking heavy losses in the previous campaigns including the loss of it's commander. While Jun has performed well in previous commands at Regimental level, he is as yet unblooded while at the helm of a division. Zhou has kept a close eye on the day-to-day running of the division to ensure that all is up to standards with the more experienced division commanders.
Major General Yuan Chen: Yuan Chen, like Chang Tian is not a professional solider, having only received his commission at the founding of the Republic. That said, Chen has adopted the style of a ruthless disciplinarian and the 8th Armoured Division is run as one of the most disciplined and professional units in the army from the freshest member of the rank and file all the way up to it's prim and proper general. Prior to the war Chen served as a doctor in the city of Zang-Quin, his calm demeanor as a surgeon as carried over well onto the battlefield where he is more than able to keep a level head as the bullets fly and the bombs drop.
Major General Mo Tao: Mo Tao has been a close friend and follower of Zhou since the latter's first days in the Armoured corps. As such there is hardly anyone with the intuitive insight into their commanding general as Mo Tao has. Throughout the war Tao has been able to stay with, and be a step ahead of his commanding general's orders without fail. Interpreting generic, and open ended general orders with alarming accuracy to bring to fruition Zhou's endgame strategies. If ever there were general's right hand, Mo Tao would be Jin's.
Colonel Xian Fang: Xian Fang was an experimental pilot for the nearly non-existent Imperial Air Forces. Following the outbreak of the Republican Revolution, Fang stole a single seat, propeller plane which he then flew from the Imperial capital of Haidan all the way to the newly minted Republican capital of Zang-Quin. He was able to avoid the nearly untrained Imperial interceptors, as well as the equally untrained Republican ones until he was able to land and pledge his services to the newly founded Republic. Since then he has served as an officer in the Republican Air Forces, where he now serves as the Chief of Air Operations of the 8th RSA.
Colonel Yuan Taiji: Colonel Taiji is the only member of the 8th Republican Sovereignty Army's command staff who is not a member of the 8th RSA. Taiji is a member of the Zengravi Democratic Front's intelligence service. In his role in the 8th RSA, he serves as the Chief Intelligence Officer of the army. Given his position in the ZDF he is able to access a wide range of information that he is able to pass on to the rest of the 8th RSA's commanders. His role, however, is twofold. He acts also as an intermediary between the two Republican Forces passing information from one camp to the other. This has allowed the 8th RSA to exploit information from Lui Shao's vast network of informers.
Updated and finished 27/05. Hope all is okay with it.
