The Ostmark Army led by Ulric Typhonus marches east to the Songaskian city of Massoilagui, another pearl city on the coast of the great ocean. The war is still young, and most other nations in the region haven’t even fully reacted to the outbreak of the war yet. Preliminary scouting points out that Massoilagui is far more defended than Shaaq-Turnaal was, and that it is very likely that an enemy would sally out of the city to meet the Regalians in the plains in front of the city. As such, the Regalian Army camped a bit further away from the city, while the naval attachment of the Frontier Armada led by Christopher Black engaged the city’s defences by bombarding the city walls from the ocean. The Emperor made another statement with regards to the state of the Army and some reforms that he instituted: “I have decided to un-castrate the Inspector Admirals by reforming them to become the Lieutenant-Admirals. They will no longer be attached and commanded by the Lieutenant-Generals, rather, they will now be their own independently moving force that can engage at their own discretion. To facilitate the fleet sizes, I have further decided to simply disband the Südmark and Obermark fleets, and to reassign their ships to the various fleets. The Kaisermark fleet will become the Grand Armada, led by Nathaniel Bigge. The Ostmark fleet will become the Frontier Armada, led by Christopher Black. The Westmark fleet will become the Crown Armada led by Valentino dei Orazio. Furthermore, I am informing the people that I have sent a missive to the Undercrown some time ago to create additional armies for the war with the Songaskians. The Hohemark and Nebenmark armies will be created by my instructions, while Percival Kade will be transferred from the Obermark Army to the Nebenmark Army, as Ulric Typhonus will be transferred from the Ostmark to the Hohemark Army. New appointments are to be made by the Undercrown for the replacements on the Obermark and Ostmark Lieutenant-General positions.” As the changes were passed along bureaucratically, the Undercrown at home took a more executive direction by seizing the newly appointed Grand Armada, as well as the Kaisermark Army to engage in his own military campaign in Drixagh. Bypassing the orders sent by Nathaniel Bigge to stop troop movements, the Grand Armada was sent north instead to bombard the coastal villages of the rebellious northerners. The Kaisermark Army was combined with the Imperial Standard Army which normally defends Regalia, and both armies were sent north to Drixagh on a military campaign against the locals. In complete contrast with the Lieutenant-General’s previous actions, the Undercrown declared total war on the Drixagh locals and started an effective purge. Orders were given to trample fields, loot granaries and burn villages. In the lacking of granaries and fields in Drixagh however, the soldiers instead started killing livestock and focussing most of their efforts of destroying the villages. Village after village was put to the sword and the repression was absolutely ruthless. Whole villages were summarily hung from trees, until the landscape of the many isolated tribes became macabre and desolate. Worse yet, the Undercrown incurred the punishment of Justifixion, an old Unionist practice of cutting birch tree logs, strapping criminals onto them, raising their arms above their heads and nailing their wrists and ankles to the pole while they were still alive. The poles were then raised in a line around towns that had been repressed as a lasting reminder of what the state inflicts upon those who would rise up in Rebellion. All crude artillery made by Eirik Valdemar was burned on large pyres. Original orders were to seize it for state property, but local commanders were of the opinion that old-age artillery such as catapults were too crude for the Regalian Army, and as such, they were simply destroyed. The Northern Rebellion had no hopes of actually beating the combined force of the Kaisermark and the Imperial Standard Army, especially since the Imperial Standard Army was one of trained experts. Many of the locals fled into the hills, mountains, and the forests, but hundreds of Skagger Berhednars were slain as their sacred halls of teaching were defiled by disrespecting Regalian soldiers who often urinated on edifices of the Old Gods. The repression of the Northern Rebellion turned more and more into a cultural warfare where the intention, at least of the soldiers, seemed to be completely about rooting out the inferior wild barbarians. The Northerners that did not support the Rebellion and who nominally supported the state with Imperial loyalty became uncomfortable at the harshness that was employed on their rebelling brethren. The lesser Barons in particular wrote an open letter to any Northern family, interest group or person, in an attempt to convince them to reason with the state to tone down the violence in Drixagh, to avoid Drixagh turning into a permanent Vultaro of sorts. Furthermore, they feared such hostility would only serve to weaken the bond between Regalia and Nordskag, as well as potentially put the state at risk of hostilities with the northern Crag nations. Either way, the ball was now in the court of the other Northerners in the city. Would they just stand by as their heritage was trampled? Would they submit to the new Imperial standard and leave behind the wild north, or would they stand up against the government, if not through military means, by virtue of diplomacy attempt to convince the rhetoric to become more forgiving.
Selwynn began to smile as he heard the news out and about. As he returned to his home, he drew forth a pen and inkwell, writing to Ardige Viduggla... "Ardige Viduggla, Do you have anymore of those statues? I am interested in hosting another event. With all respect, Consul Selwynn Crassian." @HydraLana
Wolfgang was with Otto when he saw the horrors the army committied. He was really unsure how to feel as he saw body after body after body pass him and Otto by. He never really saw much fighting in his life. He was a Viridian after alll; not saying that meant he saw no conflict, but rather, he didn't see the butchering of villages. He never really saw that war really meant. He looked to Otto and asked, "Do you think was worth it? I mean- I mean putting down the rebellion by like this?" He orginially supported an outright attack on the rebellion, but, now he felt unsure. For once in his life he did not feel like the White Knight conquering over evil he was born to be. He felt like the villian. He gripped his dragon pendant tighter as he stared at a man's eyes who was Justifixied on the tree infront of him.
Matthias Heinrich Upon hearing of the openings of the Lieutenant-General positions within two marks, Matthias simply ignored the rest of the news and sprinted as fast as he could to his estate. He burst into his room, taking a piece of parchment from his drawer and readying his quill and inkwell. He then continued to write a letter..."To the Prestigious Underdrown Montagarde,...."
Otto looked at Wolfgang for a moment, pondering the question that was asked. "Is it worth it?" "Yes," was his reply. "They chose to be rebels and take this risk. Orders are orders, and Good soldiers follow orders."
The teenage heir Wulfric Birkwood looked at the news, and Shaked his head, the punishment of the northerners was too extreme, and there was still no news of his father.
Moving along from the most recent village, Lieutenant General Drache was met by a courier from the Crown Isle, who informed him of the public statement and the Crown's message to the populace. Despite partaking in a few of the recent skirmishes, it seemed the former Field Commander still wasn't going to get into as much action as he thought. For the courier also gave him another message, which led to the Drache changing his course of action. "Have the men continue as per the original orders. I'll be heading back to the capital for a meeting, and will arrive back to the front the instant it's concluded."
Ardige Viduggla was not at all amused when he heard the news and was even less so when he received the words from the Consul. He replied thusly: To Consul Selwynn Crassian, Unfortunately no, I do not have any statues available at this time of similar size and subject matter as the previous one which I sold to you. Sincerely, Count Ardige Viduggla of Faardberg Ardige then got down to writing a much different letter, only to stop and give pause before he departed, only sending out this reply letter for now. @Shayin
''Well they should have adapted.'' The Ithanian spoke as she recieved the news in one of the larger houses in the Ithanian district, where she was asked as a guest. The group enjoyed fine wine and debated over the outcome of the actions taken by the state. ''With all this land up for grabbing..'' One of the members stated, which was followed by some chuckles. ''Monsieur Delaroi, I completly see why you are interested. Your lobster is all over the place, so I guess you share their habits.'' The group chuckled again, before they continued eating. Or was this the time to strike?
The Santorski paled at the news, her grip tightening around the bottle neck standing on the table in front of her. She immediately stood, tears rolling down her cheeks in a frenzy. She locked herself in her room, nestled into the corner. She refused to let anyone enter, even her brother. What of her mother? Her father? Were they hammered to poles? Her poor mother, she wouldn't have lasted a chance. All the poor girl do was sob, drink, sob, and drink. @Optimalfriskies
Carthas Norrvakt erupted in a sea of uncontrolled laughter, "Oui, yes, yes! Bless His Imperial Holiness Cedromar I! What a time to be alive it truly is. He slays the Songaskians on one front and the Northerners on the other. I do so wonder what father will think of this?!" His laughter ceases as he considers where this places him in the scheme of things. It matters not. His time in the capital will be short lived before he rejoins the Legion in Farah'deen.
There was only silence from Trevor today, since he never once uttered a word to his friends or family. He stared out into the sea with a cup of ale within his right hand. Neither victory, nor happiness was present when he heard about the North. "Is it really necessary?" He lowly muttered. Trevor pursed his lips, unable to pinpoint what was happening to himself. He is a loyal soldier, but the slaughter of women and children back in Farahdeen had shook up his beliefs. As the sun began to rise up from the horizon, Trevor traced his fingers against the cup's rim, then dumped the rest of the ale into the sea. The bastard swiftly left to head back to the D'Eluise estate.
Juliette sat on the edge of her bed with her elbows on her knees and face in her hands. The news wasn't one that had affected her when she's first heard it - another round of death outside Regalia that might made her stomach sick but didn't change her life. That's how it had been until after Valbrand's fit of rage in the tavern, shouting his lungs out about the death of his kin and then argument between him and Avilda had only hurt her more. Truly, she didn't feel anything but hollow grief for those killed - she did feel broke from the pain her two, and probably more once she thought, friends were suffering through. "So many dead there, it won't be a surprise if arrests pick up with Northerners soon for unexpected violence. Hardly anyone here can say 'I understand.'" Her words were directed towards the fishes swimming gracefully in their bowls, two lovely blue fish. She stood and touch her fingers to the bowl of the first fish, sighing. There was so little she could do to help.
Avilda thought to herself over and over again the same words "Everything is his fault, he did this..". She felt numb from all the things that had taken place over the week. She had cried and yelled in rage but none of it seem to help. She felt numb why couldn't she protect the people she loved. She wanted to leave but knew she couldn't. Not when she had people here she promised to protect. She wouldn't leave, but she wouldn't stop fighting. She had a little hope, at least her parents weren't dead. As they lived in Ithania, save and sound. Her other kin however..most likely gone...It was his fault...and soon enough he would pay.
Maemi listens to the news, she clenches her jaw and she adverts her eyes to the ground, feeling remorse and sorrow over what happened to the Northerners. The small Chi'en doesn't usually feel empathetic with Northern Ailors, but this was just horrific. Now she just shakes her head in disgust, muttering in Tatsugo, "All of those people and for what? Look at the grief they have caused," and she just continues on her way. Warm tears trailing down her cheeks, people she has nothing in common with, and she still feels pain for their deaths. "What an awful way to go..." and she leaves the area, disappearing into the alleyways.
Fudail didn't know how to react when he heard the news. He'd sit at his dining table in front of piles of paperwork. Thinking about the war and all the lives that was sacrificed, and how this could affect his future with Raja. He didn't like the thought of this war, but he knew that his imperial holiness was doing this for a reason. @Betel_
Thrain cried out, distraught by the news, he trashed his room, broke his bed, snapped at anyone who tried to calm him, Oh dear, everything was going wrong, and now his dad has been arrested for treason. Everything was going terribly for the boy. curse, curse. swear, swear.
Conf's expression was dark on hearing the news. He took a deep drink of his wine, already being slightly tippsie, "Anyone who has to rule be fear and slaughter will fall, be their intentions good or bad. Only an idiot ignores this truth and goes down this path." He stood, setting the nearly empty bottle on the counter, and walked out of the tavern, quietly ignoring any looks he got.
The admiral’s eyes shot wide open when an envoy barged his way into his tent, remarkably keen on relaying his message. The message, in form of a missive, had been transferred without both parties uttering a word, only uncanny gazes were shared. After expelling his messenger the admiral promptly plopped himself in his chair as he toyed with the letter he just read, completely lost in obscure thoughts. They made him sneer to some extent. “They had it coming to them, there’s no cure for the primitive."
Katrina damn near jumped for joy. That damned Santorski, not Britta, the other one? Would she finally be rid of her? Then, the thoughts of her friends came to mind. She had a good few northerners whom she was on good terms with. The nelfin was conflicted to sat the very least. All she could do was hope that her allies would not suffer the same fate as the others did. "Mmph, bitter-sweet to say the very least." She'd hum to herself in contemplation before returning to her piece of work, a letter penned to her boss, Klaus Ravenstad detailing the events that had occurred, lest he'd not caught wind of the goings on. @Vivamente
Linus sat alone in silence his gaze was fixated downwards, at nothing in particular. The Northern had done a lot uncanny in these last few days. He had lashed out with words in his anger, and he had been... drinking. Perhaps for the first time in nearly a decade. He wasn't proud of it, but he couldn't avoid it either. "Damn that Valdemaar, damn him all the way to the depths of the Void!" He roared out, slamming his fist down into the arm-rest of his chair, he felt like he needed another drink to cool off...
Morrigan sat in the Skagger building and yelled out in frustration and anger. Her right side burnt red raw by scalding water (courtesy of guards at the Bastion gates)- the pain was meant to distract her from her goal of trying to free her friend Eirik Valdemar but it did nothing but fuel her fury and disgust for the Undercrown. "I could've done something.. could've saved my family in the mother land, could've tried to get Eirik back.. but look where that got me!'' Morrigan stood and threw the chair to the ground before dragging her feet downstairs to the ring to rid some of her frustration out on training dumbies. Something was going to happen and it would be soon. She vowed her kin wouldn't suffer so anymore.
Sonja took to mind some of the comments made by his fellow tavern patrons, and then so reclined into his seating... A single, and typical, whistle of amazement spewed from his lips. "New positions? An army built on culture, incapable of respecting another's heritage, and savage executions..? I mean... I guess there'll be quite a few suck ups this time around, but... War never changes..."
Allard Dueal Allard, at the sound of this, did nothing. He continued writing his second book. He will write the chapter about disobedience next. #BringbacktheCapeccis @HeyoFreyo
Sylvia sat in the tavern of the city below, enjoying drink, when the news reached her. She simply rose from her seat, seemingly unfazed, to walk towards the home of her order. Upon arriving, she halted within the middle-yard. She reached to retrieve her Regis Hander and went into a blind tantrum, slamming the large weapon into many of the walls and furniture that had been neatly placed. It ended with her collapsing against the wall and putting her hands on the sides of her head. "What the Void..."
