Imperialis Bellum

Imperialis Bellum, the Imperial Wars. A series of wars waged between 1801 and 1823 that forever changed the Orient. In the days of powder and steel, rising domestic tensions in Kyongdong threaten to dethrone the monarchy. In 1796, the Kyongdongese Revolution sees the monarchs beheaded and the nation spirals into chaotic bloodbath. Only the charisma of a Kyongdongese general, yearning to see his nation be great and earn the respect it deserves, can unite the struggling new republic. Other monarchies, seeing Kyongdong's revolution as a threat to their own security, plot schemes of political ruin and war against the Kyongdongese while the Terevanyians to the far north take the revolution as a call to arms and an opportunity to overthrow their Karlomish oppressors. The entire region teeters on the cusp of Great War... All it needs is a push... A dark catalyst to plunge the Orient into the fires of conflict.

Karlomish Republic

First Citizen Peterson was furious that the Kyongdongese had the nerve to pull off such an outrageous stunt and encourage the Terevanyians to want independence. His nation had given them everything. What more did they want? Elections? Pah! They all deserved a musket to the head. Forget them. He had bigger fish to fry, and the biggest of them all was the rogue referred to as Kyongdong. Karlom had a fairly new navy at her disposal, all her ships were less than ten years old with copper armor, some of them even had bronze armor. Her army however... Could've been in better shape. Luckily, not too many casualties had been sustained by those farmers commonly referred to as the Terevanyian Army. Same case there, all his men were career soldiers but... he couldn't necessarily clone more of them. He, his republic, and the whole region held their collective breaths to see what would result of Kyongdong's new leader and his agenda.

With Cildania out of the way, Churubusco's navy grew exponentially. He had many a ship to protect his trade routes. The only problem he may have is with the Karloms. Times were changing. The old powerhouse was dying. Who was going to replace it? The Churubuscan culture flourished as great person, after great person, after great person lived in the city. There was almost nothing that could end this recently begun golden age. Almost.

Kyongdongese - Cildanian Border

The Kyongdongese even before the overthrow of the monarchy had been plotting this operation. The peninsula of which Kyongdong occupies today back then was divided, the Cildanians ruled the South, while the Kyongdongese ruled the north, but Cildania was a sick man, whos grasp at life was weakening now it was time to strike. The newly minted Kyongdongese army, commanded by Bao Bao, a veteran Navy and Calvary officer marched across the border. The army was split into three groups the first heading for New Safot, the largest Cildanian colonial city, the second and third where to advance at a slower pace, to root out any enemy units that may stay behind. The First Fleet also head for New Safot, to destroy what is left of the Cildanian Fleet. Approximately 500,000 men cross the border the First Army contains 250,000 men, the second and third have 175,000 men each.

The Great Plains, Western Orient
 
The various tribes of the Akayev peoples had met that night under the stars of the open plains. No one was quite sure what had drawn such a gathering - the nomadic peoples hadn't sat in complete company in centuries. With great tents erected and horses tied, the chieftains of the Bosh, Grigor, Illyich and others entered the largest one of the camp. Illuminated by a crackling fire reaching lengths above any man, the men sat with a great feast before them.
 
A man wrapped in long, flowing robes with a thick beard and taqiyah appeared before them. A holy man, he led a long and musical prayer, asking their god and ancestors to guide them in their task. With that, he left the tent and melted into the darkness of the night.
 
"Salaam my friends" spoke Tariq , the leader of the Bosh clan. "As you know, our people are not often drawn together save for a great purpose. I had a dream last full moon. I heard the drums of war in the East and know well that it is was not those of the Dardic curs who wish to enslave us. A greater war is coming. Our disputes among each other will pale to the bloodshed to come. I ask for you, my friends, to join me in riding East."
 
"For what purpose? To be massacred?" spoke Salim of the Grigor, "We ride simply because you dream Tariq? It seems foolish..."
 
"My friends, in this dream I saw the earth tremble and many great warriors fall - crying in tongues I have never heard. I saw our banners beside ones whose tents reached to the heavens themselves. Lastly, I saw a boy take our people to the end of the mighty rivers and slay the Dardics. I do not know what it all means but the holy men of our people say it is a good omen. I ask you to join me."
 
Silence fell across the tent. Slowly, the chiefs approached Bosh and laid a hand on him. Last came Salim, pledging his men to this exodus from the plains.
 
"We ride by dawn." Tariq said as rose and embraced each chief. "Eat hearty and sleep well. The road ahead will not be smooth."

New Safot

The wealthy quarter of the city was in flames, people ran about everywhere. It had only been a day since the Kyongdongese had crossed the border into Cildania, but the Sick Man of the Orient had put up hardly any fight, a few brave units had charged the lines of the powerful Kyongdongese Army, the rest had joined them marching ahead to help destroy the weak monarchs that Cildania was ruled by. When the reached New Safot the people had opened the gates for them. where they where greeted as liberators. The son of the Emperor of Cildania, Heshyuaha II had been in the city, so had his father, but he was to busy to negotiate as he ws wallowing away in self-pity. As such the government had chosen him to represent them negotiating the surrender to Kyongdong.

Kyongdongese Camp, New Safot

Heshyuaha had been preparing for this day for a week, ever since the Kyongdongese had marched into the city. He walked up to the tent of Bao Bao, the general in charge of the operation. He chose not to wear his royal clothes, for he was here not as Prince Heshyuaha but he was here as Prince Heshyuaha, hopeful future ruler of a republican Cildania, instead he whore a brown overcoat, a white undershirt and breeches. He wore a traditional Cildanian Fez, with a gold tassel and crimson body. He parted the doorway of the tent. Inside sat Bao Bao, he was dressed in the military uniform of a Kyongdongese. A smart leather suit. He sat around a table, at which Heshyuaha sat to. He had no visible body guards, after some idle chitchat they got down to business. Kyongdong had some hefty demands.

Kyongdongese Camp, New Safot

The deliberations before the Cildanian Prince arrived between Bao Bao and his officers had been hefty. Bao wished for a defensive approach, not crushing Cildania entirely as so they could serve as a Kyongdongese ally, but so that Kyongdong was dominant. When the Prince arrived the engaged in some small talk, they then got down into the seriousness of international politics.

"Heshyuaha, You are a supporter of Republicanism I can see, and that is what our Consul Syu Dai wishes to see spread to Cildania. So we will make you a deal, we will install you as ruler of Cildania, once that is complete you will appoint your Cabinet as Kyongdong asks you to. You will also cede us the following territories:

• The Southern Kyongdongese Peninsula
  
• The islands of Co, of Ryo'sh and Baltiochistan
  
• The Northern Territories
  
• The succession of all Churubuscan territories occupied by Cildania to Churubusco
  

You will also have to have to accept:

• The removal of 500,000 men from Cildanian Army to the Kyongdongese army
  
• The detainment of the Cildanian Navy in New Safot
  
• The occupation of Cildania as a protectorate of Kyongdong
  
• The removal of the government of Cildania from the city of Safot to the city of Delphi
  
• That you will be bound by both the will of the Cildania Senned (Parliament) and of Kyongdong
  

Is that acceptable?"

Aboard a Ship Headed for Safot, Cildana

Emperor Heshyuaha sighed, he had reluctantlu agreed to all the terms, except for the oneforcing his government to relocate to Delphi. He had made sure that they could still stay in Safot. His father grief strucken and weak had abdicated, and he had succeeded him as Emperor of Cildania. As he sailed back to Cildania an idea washed over his body, yes and idea that would put Cildania on the top. An scheme that once put into place would restore Cildania as master of the seas and of the Orient.

Map Showing Cildanian Sucessions:

NEAR THE YUR-KARLOMISH BORDER

Karlomish troops in dress-greys marched forward under fire from Yur pickets farther up the hill. The din of battle filled the air and there were mixed shouts of, "FORWARD BOYS!" And "RALLY 'ROUND THE FLAG!"

The Karlomish were organized in a standard V-formation. Militia made up the far right and left flanks while the center was entirely composed of Regulars. The order was issued to charge when the 11th Karlomish Dragoons appeared over the crest of the hill.

A field officer waved his saber for the troops to advance, "FOLLOW ME TO GLORY!"

The screams and shouts of wounded and dying men filled the air, but they were soon drowned out by the clanking of swords and bayonets as the Karlomish center slammed into the Yurish lines. Yurish left flank began to rout and it was all over. The center and right flank wavered then routed under heavy fire from the Karlomish.

General George Pawtuck rode his horse along with his Second Liutenant and surveyed the carnage left over from the battle. "Excellent. The First Citizen will be greatly pleased."

"Sir, the Yurish have sued for peace. Twice."

"They won't have peace until they meet our demands." He shrugged off his advisor's comment.

The Road to Dardistan via Great Churubusco

The king had received news about the migration of the Akayev peoples days earlier. He planned to use it to his advantage. He knew that the Akayevs wanted to destroy the Dardics, and the King knew if he could fund the Akayevs he'd have them in his debt. It's always nice to have the best horsemen in the Orient on your side. He watched as his soldiers stopped the Akayevs. He got up and walked to meet them.

Tariq of the Bosh saw troops in the distance. These men did not look like the Dardics, they were much taller and bore standards of green and gold, not the cruel skull-topped crimson banners of the merciless Dardic forces. Still, caution was to be taken. Their caravan of horsemen, yurts and great oxen bore their entire people's wealth.

Tariq rode ahead with the tribal chiefs, stopping short of the army. The Akayev leaders dismounted and bowed slightly, as was custom, heralded by a ox horn trumpet. Tariq removed the large woollen scarf which guarded his face from heat and sun and took brief sips from an animal skin canteen.

"Greetings strangers. We greet you, swords sheathed and dismounted." Tariq noticed one man in particular stood taller and more adorned with finery than his men. "I trust you are their chief? What business brings you to these parts?"

"What brings me to these parts?" laughed the King, "These are my parts." The soldiers near the chief were impressed. "Listen, I stopped you here because I know you have a problem with the Dardics. I don't like them either. I figured that I could give you advanced weapons and some of my soldiers, and you could owe me a favor. How does that sound to you?"

"Forgive my perceived impertinence," Tariq replied, "but having never travelled this far inland, we have no certainty of whose lands our horses graze."

The chiefs learned quickly of the people of Churubusco, asking many questions of their king - a strange concept to the Akayev as their people had never had a single chief. Still, they seemed fair in dealings thus far and no friends of the Dardics.

"We thank you for you kindness but we do not wish to take your weapons or men. It is not our way. However, if you allow us safe passage through the southern provinces of your mighty land so that we may liberate some of our brothers in the southern reaches of the Dardic Empire, we would gladly be in your debt all the same."

"Safe passage?", inquired the king, "Friends, I can do you much better than that." He snapped his fingers and two soldiers came immediately. "You, resupply their food and water. You, escort these fine people through our great nation. Anytime you need safe-haven, you come to the greater Churubusco area."

The King sat at his writing desk. The letter sent to  him from the Kyongdongese moved him very much. He prepared a response in the traditional style of Churubuscan writing, used only by the royal family. It is very complicated, as one word could mean many a thing. But, he knew that Syu Dai was a learned man and it was very close to Churubuscan English.

To:Kyondong
From: Me

ok

Ur frend,

teh king

KYONGDONGESE CAPITAL

A diplomatic courier in a Confederate-grey uniform ground to a halt at the Karlomish Consulate. He was waived through to the Ambassador who took the paper and read it thoroughly. He nodded and then dismissed the courier.

"The First Citizen wants me to seek a treaty with the Kyongdongese. This surely means they are a threat." The Ambassador thought, walking out of the consulate under diplomatic escort. He looked back at the consulate building, the place was dilapidated. The windows were broken in some places and there was still charring on some of the walls from the riots of the Kyongdongese Revolution.

When he arrived at the Executive Palace, the Ambassador requested to the gate guard to summon the leader and his staff that he had a diplomatic issue of the greatest importance.

(I figured you could do like the Germans in WWII and break the treaty.)

(Sorry for being inactive!)

Shu. Kyongdong

Consul Syu Dai of Kyongdong sat in a small restaurant. It was a traditional Kyongdongese restaurant, small, secluded and sociable it was an excellent place for the leader of Kyongdong and the distinguished Karlomish Ambassador to hold diplomatic Council.

"My dear Ambassador, I can assure you that Kyongdong has now intention of threatening Karlom. We just recently acquired all of Cildania's Northeastern Territories and it has been quite a bundle attempting to install ourselves their, I mean the place is a mess, the Cildanian government has neglected it, the place looks exactly like it did when they first acquired it. Have you ever been to the Northeastern Territories Mr. Ambassador?"

"Not personally, no." The Ambassador replied.

Delphi, Cildania Forencia Province, Cildania

Dephi was unusually quiet, the only people out where guards. But not imperial guards, these guards where dressed in a violet baggy pants and a crimson shirts. Upon their heads they wore leather caps. In their hands they held sabers, soon the townspeople came out of their homes. They had been hiding from the guards, who had arrived about two hours ago. In the center of the town square is where they where all drawn to. There was a man in the center, he wore the same clothes as the guards. Upon a heap of rock of which was once a statue of Emperor Safot XI, which had been pulled down earlier that day. The man once everyone was assembled cleared his throat and began to read from a piece of parchement.

"The Cildanian Sennedatté of Workers, Soldiers and Tradesman hereby declares their sole authority over the Island of Cildania Forencia, the population is asked to adhere to the new government of the Cildanian Sennedatté Social Republic."

The few people who knew what this meant cheered, then slowly everyone began to cheer. Soon that night there where parties in the streets.

"I cannot speak for the First Citizen," the Ambassador said, "nor for the people of Karlom. But don't you think that proponents of our grand system [Republicanism] ought to look after one another in a world of tyrannies?" It was a loaded question meant to elicit an opinion. You could tell a lot about a man from his opinions on certain things. And more by what he didn't say than his actual response.

Great Churubusco wrote:"Safe passage?", inquired the king, "Friends, I can do you much better than that." He snapped his fingers and two soldiers came immediately. "You, resupply their food and water. You, escort these fine people through our great nation. Anytime you need safe-haven, you come to the greater Churubusco area."

Tariq and the chiefs thanked the king as their supplies were refilled. As the Akayev travelled southward towards the sea they left remnants of their tribesmen in cities they passed as merchants and diplomats, keen to learn more of these kind peoples who had allowed them passage through their lands.

Reaching the sea, many Akayev were stunned by its beauty. Few if any of their tribesmen (aside from the odd merchant or chief brave enough to traverse the desert wastes) had seen the shimmering beauty of the Oriental Sea. Camps were made and the people rested for the holy day. Prayers were made for the coming battle.

Within a matter of days, the Akayev had captured a sizeable portion of the southern coast of the Dardic Empire, including several trading ports. Their countrymen had been held here as slaves bound for other nations but those who had not boarded vessels were now free. The plunder was substantial and some was sent immediately to Churubusco as an offering of friendship and peace.

Still, Tariq dreamed again that night and called for a holy man to interpret his dream. The drums of war had not stopped and the men fighting on the battlefield were not only Akayev or from Churubusco - strange peoples from places even Tariq had never seen had taken to the field. Again, a vision of the young boy taming a horse. What did it mean?

Little the holy man said comforted him and by dawn he still stood at the ocean, watching ships with foreign flags enter the bay.