NationStates Jolt Archive

Senate Chamber, Tor Caladonn, Caladonn
Febuary 12, 1809

The Senate Chamber of Caladonn was a magnificent room, representing the centuries of development of Caladonnian architecture. It was many stories tall, with balconies on each level, holding the Senators from all over Caladonn. The walls were white, with huge windows letting in light and the sea breeze. The ceiling was topped with a magnificent silver chandelier, it's thousands of tiny lights glowing in the huge room.

The most striking feature, however, was in the center. Here, a pillar wound up several stories, with a narrow spiral staircase on the outside. At the top was a grand chair, elegantly raised on the pillar to overlook all who sat around in the balconies. The chair was powered by a revolutionary steam engine within the pillar, which kept several servants labouring whenever the Senate was in cession so that the Chancellor could swivel his chair when needed.

The more than hundred senators were all in their seats, talking quietly to one another. However, a hush fell immediately as the Chancellor entered, and strode up the stairs to take his seat. He wore a black suit, and had black hair and deep green eyes. He gazed around at all the Senators, then stood up. "The Senate is now in cession!" Shouted the Caller from the base of the pillar.

Aramil began to speak, his powerful voice exuding the confidence of a great orator. The senators listened with rapt attention as he said, "Welcome, fellow Senators. I come before you with a heavy heart on this day. On the one hand, we have heard alarming news from the Appallachian Mountains. There, it is said, the recently striking Celtic workers have become violent, and have withdrawn into the mountains. Their raids on our communities are taking a heavy toll, and they must be stopped.

However, unfortunately, there is further bad news. All along the mountains, from the Mohawk in the north to the Iroquois confederacy behind, and the Shawnee and Cherokee to the south. All of the Indian tribes on our borders are becoming more hostile, and several border posts have even been overcome near the Mohawk.

Therefore, Senators, I come before you with a proposition: As long as these Indians are hostile to us, Caladonn cannot live in peace. We must aggressively pursue a strategy to overcome them and provide more land for our burgeoning population. Indeed, we must cross the Great Divide which has held us back for centuries- the Appalachian Mountains.

Gentlemen,as you no doubt are aware, this is no simple task. Although Caladonn is legendary at sea, on land we are no better than many other powers. Our advanced technology will not triumph in this struggle, the fact is, we simply need more soldiers to defend and extend our borders. I am not calling for a policy of increased conscription. What I am calling for is that we send appeals to the nations near us, and ask them for aid. They can, of course, be duly rewarded. How does the Senate stand on this matter?"

The Senate voted quickly: 137 to 13. It was a vast majority.

Aramil smiled. The Great Divide would be crossed, and the Indian Wars would begin.

If the International Aid Orginization (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=433908) can help in any way, please contact the Zephyrhilland offices asap (OOC: telegram)

-Zephyrhilland/IAO Representative

OOC: Sorry, but this is only for a special RP group created by Gran Cienaga. If you'd like to join, you should contact him.

Bump

Jubilee Ballroom – Avalon, Gran Cienaga
February 18, 1809

The baroque architecture of the Jubilee Ballroom, with the gilded serpentine vines that crept up its white stucco walls and the ornately decorated chandeliers that dotted the ceiling, was a background that was rather unpalatable to its current inhabitants. A staple of Cienagan culture dictated that simplicity was a virtue and the extravagance of the ballroom directly contradicted this. Unfortunately, the members of the First Commonwealth Congress had precious few alternatives for a place to hold their meetings and the Jubilee was the cheapest location they could afford.

Since the Penhalington Riot a month ago, the nation’s government had collapsed although socially, it had remained surprisingly stable. Most of the influential members of the former administration had fled the country as they would have most likely been jailed – or worse – had they chose to remain in Gran Cienaga, while the less prominent members were simply barred from holding office for the remainder of their lives. In the place of the former government, an assorted crew of gentlemen, merchants and landowners had unofficially taken their place, most of who had served their country well in the War of Independence in 1803.

While the main purpose of the Congress was to create a new Constitution for the tempestuous nation, there were more pressing matters at hand.

Cameron Penders began, pacing back and forth on the stage of the ballroom, motioning occasionally with his hands.

"We have received word from our northerly neighbors in Caladonn that they require assistance in their attempt to settle land in their jurisdiction. They have offered monetary payment in exchange for military assistance. As you know, we are in desire need of protection of our own country so this is impossible. In place of this, I propose that we do some advertising. Inform the public of an opportunity to earn money and allow anyone who wishes to fight to do so. Not only would we not dispatch valuable fighting resources, we can have more men with combat experience return to aid in protection."

"I thought we were here to establish a republic, not a standing army!"

Penders retorted. "Yes, well after the disaster with Hawkins, restoring relations with Caladonn could not hurt us. And it would bring more foreign currency into the country." Penders was the young man that had personally witnessed Hawkins' cowardice as he was on the ship with him when he ordered the Caladonnians to cease their bombardment of the city. Admiring the expertise of both Caladonn and Tulgary during the incident, he wished to emulate their superior fighting abilities and saw this as the best way to do so.

After a vote on the matter, the First Commonwealth Congress agreed to allow citizens to fight in the war, barely passing a resolution with 43 members in favor and 20 against; only a hairsbreadth more than the required two-thirds majority. Quickly, the Congress informed Caladonn of their intentions to send men over.

Chancellor's Office, Tor Caladonn, Caladonn
Febuary 22, 1809
The office of the Chancellor of Caladonn was an interesting room. One wall was entirely made of glass, while two were lined with bookshelves. On the third were displayed three maps: One of just Caladonn, one of the North American continent, and one of the world. The map of the continent displayed many green dots along the Appalachian mountains, some in Louisiana, and some patrolling the seas. These represented the armies and fleets of Caladonn. However, many red and gray dots were also pinned to the map. The red were known enemies, while the gray were neutral states.

A large number of red dots were pinned to the southern Appalachians, with some in the north also, and many gray in between.

At the desk in the center of the room sat Aramil, resplendent in a black suit and writing with a fine quill. A guard opened the door, and admitted Quarion Almakir, the Vice Chancellor. He took a seat, and said, "Sir, we have news from the Gran Cienagans."

Aramil put down the paper. "Is this good news? Have they agreed to help us?"

Quarion responded, "Well, sir, it is mixed. They have agreed to help, but not with standing forces. They are advertising amongst their populace, offering rewards for fighting for us."

Aramil frowned. "The only extra-Caladonnian forces we have at our disposal are untrained rabble, and we are expected to pay them? Well, at the very least they will provide the numbers we need, and may restore the public's goodwill to the Cienagans after the piracy and Penhalington burning. We accept."

Quarion nodded, and immediately Aramil dictated this message to a clerk:

For the Commonwealth Congress of Cienaga,
Caladonn is pleased at your decision to send aid to our nation. However, we are disappointed that the best you can offer are untrained levies. Although they will be equipped with advanced Caladonnian weaponry, we would prefer if you could give them some training. This will, obviously, raise our recompenses to you commensurately.

Sincerely,
Aramil, Chancellor of the Caladonnian Senate
Representing the SCP: The Senate and the People of Caladonn

(OOC: Just give me the name of a port or something to send these men and they’re all yours.)

We thank you for accepting our offer of non-conscripts and hope that they will be adequate for your purposes. While we will certainly train those men in need of experience, this Provisional Government assures you that many of them are members of local militias and do have considerable qualifications. We have also received word that a number of retired soldiers from the War of Independence have also enlisted in this cause.

Sincerely,
Cameron Penders
Representative of the First Commonwealth Congress

Kinnon, Gran Cienaga
March 4, 1809

The Kinnon Recruiting Post was little more than a wooden shack lying atop a grass hill, overlooking a multitude of crude tents. It was here that the extra-military forces were being trained. By the time the sun had risen over the horizon, all three hundred of the recently-trained men were wordlessly marching towards the coast to board the vessel headed for Caladonn. While their experience was hardly comparable to that of a professional soldier, it was wholly adequate given the makeshift nature of the situation.

Approximately two hours later, the Cienagan mercenaries had arrived at the docks and awaited the moment of their departure.

The Senate agrees to this exchange, and the men will land at Tor Helecar in Southern Caladonn. Transports are sailing to Gran Cienaga immediately.

OOC: Sorry, I know this is bad timing since this is just getting started, but I'm going away for a week. Gran Cienaga, if you want to assume your people get there and possibly fight some Natives or Irish renegades that's fine, although I understand it'll be hard. Other nations, especially Tulgary, are invited to join in.

Bundestag, Vogelsang, Buechoria
March 4, 1809

Chancellor Anton Hardtman stood up and waved his arm furiously in an attempt to quiet the debating Senate once more. Quickly the Senators took their seats and waited for Hardtman to speak.

"Gentleman," He said, his voice echoing throughout the hall, "I'm afraid we do not have all the time in the world. A decision must be made."

The hall filled with the whispers and murmurs as slips of paper were passed along each row. After thirty minutes, all of the slips had been collected and the counting process was underway. As the Senate dismissed for a recess so the votes could be counted, Anton was stopped by President L'Angley.

"How'd it go?" His German was rough and his French accent made it even more indecipherabale. Anton shrugged. "We're not sure right now, sir. They're counting the votes."

Another hour had passed since the counting had begun. The Senators were told the results were ready and they filed back to their seats. Anton stood up and looked at the paper one last time. Buechoria was going to war.

(( Sorry this isn't very high quality and that I've been MIA for a while. I'll catch up, bleh. ))

(OOC: Sorry about the absence, I've been sick. I'll catch up tonight and get things rolling again)

Rob Davis
Gannonleigh, Gran Cienaga

As the ship sailed away from the mainland towards Caladonn, Rob Davis couldn't help but gaze in awe at the enormous frontier of the western half of the island. Even as the lush green plains and the wildlife that dotted them rapidly shrank the further they traveled, Davis couldn't help but admire its beauty: My God! Imagine what we could do with all that land if we could exterminate our own Indian problem!

When the island was first settled by the British in the seventeenth century, the early colonists quickly encountered the native inhabitants, the Taino Indians. Since there was an abundance of land, plus the fact that the colonists settled on the part of the island that the Taino avoided, the two groups lived relatively peacefully and generations of Cienagans had learned to co-inhabit the island. Over the past two decades, however, scores of young Najans grew restless as they were confined to the cities. Although Davis' reasons for fighting Caladonn's Indian War was more economic that social, nevertheless it would serve as good practice for what would take place in Gran Cienaga years later. Future generations would look at this period and history and acknowledge it as the testing grounds for policies that would revolutionize Cienagan politics forever.

Unfortunately, Davis did not have such foresight and was unable to reflect on this sobering fact. Instead, he fell asleep as the undulations of the rickety ship rocked him to sleep.

Thomas Navacelle
Sea of Galilee, Gran Cienaga

Thomas was perfectly suited for an assignment such as this; as a child of the frontier, affectionately called 'The Marchland' in Gran Cienaga, he already knew the unique difficulties that life on the civilization's edge had to offer. Navacelle was probably accompanied by a large majority of others like him who lived in the Marchland or in small towns on the outskirts of Gran Cienaga Proper.

What he was not ready for was having to kill others. His pacifist background made this problematic in the first place and the fact that they were Indians only exacerbated the situation. All his life, his family and others settled out on the frontier lived irenicly with the Taino, which they corrupted and Anglicized into the term Tannen Indians, a term which stuck both on the frontier and among the general population. In fact, those on the frontier traditionally depended on the Tanners for trade, although this was swiftly changing as those in the Marchland had increasing contact with the cities for bartering.

Time would tell whether Navacelle was up for the challenge, but at the current moment, he was too absorbed polishing his rifle to concern himself with his surroundings even as they approached Tor Caladonn.

Offshore of Tor Caladonn, Caladonn
March 8, 1809
The sleek cutter sliced through the waves, her sails billowing out as she ran towards the Cienagan vessel. No doubt they were gasping in awe at the sight of the great white city behind him, rising up tier upon tier to the chancellor's chambers at the top of the spire.

However, Commander Devandar had other things to worry about. Perfectly at ease on the swaying deck, he shouted across to the Cienagans, "Welcome to Caladonn. My ship will escort you into harbour."

With that, his cutter streaked away.

Bump