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Grid block version, ratio of 1:5 km. The tip of the River marks the Joakim-Helvatte Border. Fort Hulo is a Republic Fort.
"The bravery of one officer dooms a company but save a country; the cowardice of a leader saves a company but dooms a country; the prudence of a man saves both."
- Tactica Imperialis, Chapter II, Joan atte Germahin -
It is 1732 as the Fourth Helvatte-Joakim War burns through the countryside as two mighty political entities bleed over the fields of Polonorov, ancestral land to both the Joakim Dynasty and Helvatte Republics. The past three wars have been fought over Polonorov, spread out for several centuries. While the previous wars were fought with noble weapons such as the sword and spear, it is a new century: new technology have made the standard foot soldier a deadlier force with his lancelock rifle and hand held explosives. Discoveries such as the coveted Czesla crystals have eased the over-reliance on coal and whale oil, bringing about a wave of modern inventions. Philosophy, arts and the market has flourished under this wave of renaissance!
Yet as the world changes, hearts do not; The ancient Emperor Ulther atte Joakim IV has decreed a holy war to drive back the Helvatte invaders, while the Republican Senate have justified their actions on the death of two of their senators, directing blame to Joakim assassins. Whether or not these accusations are true or not is no longer of importance: the Helvattes have made good progress through the Kjavaklinimarrs Range and General Arthur atte Bolgraff's Third Kjavakellii Army has fought tooth and nail against the invaders. As a newly minted officer of the Imperia Tactica Academy, news of your assignment have been slow and you waste away anxiously reading news of the frontlines. A name appears frequently on the Royal Messenger, Major-General Horatio deClaugthe who commands Helvatte's Infanterie Legionaires; a brilliant commander on par with Bolgraff, the Kjavaklinimarrs mountains are their chess board and their men, pieces of a game that decides the balance of the war.
The war has gone on for two years and the Empire is desperate for new officers. Fresh, experienced, eccentric, Arthur's situation must be desperate enough that he had you pulled from a comfortable post at home in Arteo City, capital of the Empire to command a company on the front lines. A part of you is excited- isn't this what being in the army is all about? You will be shipped forward several hundred miles to the border, be assigned a company and fight for your king and country. As you don your cap and polish your shiny officer's pins, your stomach churns; it will also be your first combat assignment. Will theory and classes prepare you for the horrors of war, or are you man - or woman enough - to stomach the pain you will endure?
For King and Country, you think silently, watching out of the military convoy escorting other officers like you.
For King and Country.
Welcome to the continent of Odrias, a land of breath-taking landscapes, charming wildlife and a land divided by war. On one hand you have the Joakim Dynasty, ruled by the ageing Emperor Ulther atte Joakim IV, barely controlling their lands through blatant corruption and draconian military police. They face the ever-mighty Helvatte Republic who historically drifted apart from the Joakim Dynasty 900 years ago after the burning of the capital. They have long vied for control over Polonorov for the Czesla mines without which, both nations would die out.
The discover of the Czesla crystals was both a blessing and a curse- these unprecedented sources of power, often no larger than a man's fist could power whole buildings, un-godly flying machines called 'blimps' and in the wake of war, a vital part of every lancelock weaponry from the mightiest demi-cannons to the humble lancelock pistol. Scientists on both sides have declared this invaluable resource to be much, much more useful and even claim it possesses something called 'electricity', the very essence of lightning and thunders! As to what they could be used for, many theorize; leaked documents from the Joakim factories are talking of a monstrous mechanical beast used to counter the arrogant flying blimps of the Helvatte Republic's Balloon Corps, while some are claiming to have designs for a self-powered carriage- what nonsense!
Nevertheless the crystals have added more cause for wars and the people suffer. While the Helvatte Republics continue to encourage its scientists and inventors, the Joakim Dynasty holds its scientific minds with an iron grip, restricting much technological growth; bound by the theocratic government and further bound by ancient values held dear by the public, it is no wonder that many scientists have defected to the Republics for better taste of freedom. With an ever growing population of gifted minds it is no wonder that the average republican soldier is better equipped than his empire counterpart who can still be found wielding pitiful flintlocks. Times are dire, and the Empire is on its last verges of hope. General Arthur's tactical brilliance and the vast supply of conscripts are all that keeps the dynasty from breaking apart.
You will roleplay as a citizen of the Joakim Empire, a fresh graduate from the Imperia Tactica Academy, the most prestigious military academy for officers. You have endured the countless sleepless nights reading history books, studying tactics and analyzing maps; on the track you have toughed the harsh physical evaluation and on the range you are trained in the arts of using the weapons of war. Sad to say, you have only ever seen a lancelock musket once in person, and that was in a sealed display in the atrium of the academy: sleek and shiny, it outranges and out-performs the traditional flintlock you have probably grown to hate. The smoke and unreliability of it makes it a dangerous weapon both in the short and long runs. Nevertheless these hardships have made you who you are: An officer, a shiny Captain (you remember the days of serving as a lieutenant to your mentor, the final exam before your graduation; were they good days or bad?) who has passed their exams with flying colors, lead men confidently in mock battles and perhaps even garnered a few military connections here and there. And now, on the even of the Empire's inevitable destruction you have been assigned to General Arthur's Army.
The famous Kjavakellii Army who fought and bested the Infanterie Legionaires in several battles such as the Defense of Fort Bethur, Arthur's Mad 200 Charge and the Slaughter of Kjavafreis Hills where a punitive force of 5000 men routed 18000 legionaires. The pride of the Empire, and now you, a young man - or woman, the Empire welcomes all in its army - will soon lead a company of them to battle.
Will you be the next General Arthur, the savior of the Empire? Or do you and your soon-to-be colleagues harbor dissent to the tyrannical Emperor, seeking to defect to the Republic? It won't be the first time officers have left the rather incompetently administrative army for the more liberal Legionaires. The possibilities are endless, and in the end it all rests on you.
After all, lesser men have done greater things.
OOC
Some of you may know my tendencies for choosing unconventional (and sometimes controversial) settings for Roleplays, and since I've decided to pick up writing again I'm thinking of pushing for a semi-fantasy-semi-historical RP set in the 18th century, where warfare still had chivalry and a gentlemanly aspect to it. True, the horrors will still be there but there is no denying that the fancy uniforms are sick as hell. Like come on, look at that!
So if you're a kindred soul who likes to out-fab an enemy army, look fancy as all hell, sport a handlebar mustache and lead a company of men into battle like a fine gentleman (Or gentlewoman) that you are, say so and I'll start on making the sign up thread as soon as possible. Oh don't worry, there will be more lore later, some explained in the potential roleplaying thread and some in the aforementioned sign up thread.
Tally ho!
