NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC:

I decided to separate my MT and FT nations, so Merchant Guilds proper is returning to Modern Tech.

This means that a lot of my normal Characters will cease to exist in MT, thus this thread is about creating new ones.

IC:

Vas Urbs, Capital of the Guilds

It was a cold morning on the surface, but as usual the geo-thermal heating systems within the Guild’s Tunnel Cities compensated for that easily.

It would have just been any other day, apart from strangely there were a lot of Claw present on the streets. The Claw were rarely seen in numbers apart from when doing the Gestapo like raids on dissenters or criminals, which so characterised them. There were thousands of them on the streets, resplendent in their Black body armour and Gas masks, which hid each member’s identity.

People were very frightened, Lord Stra’coth and the others had already gone, what would happen now they were gone?

The Claw seemed to be occupying every major location in Vas Urbs, had they been in overall view of the situation they would have seen that in every Guild Installation and City, the Claw were out in force, armed to the teeth as if ready to do battle.

Suddenly, a Civilisation wide Tanoy system crackled into life;

As of 09:00 Hours this morning, Guild Standard Time, the Claw and the Talon have decided to take preventative control of the Guilds, the Council of Merchants had been forcibly disbanded. The Legions will swear fealty to the new rulers of the Guilds as of 09:00 Hours tomorrow morning.

You have nothing to fear from the new Rulers of the Guilds, they are to be known only as Cutter and Sorry. They will rule you as Benevolent Lord and Lady, in the stead of the now disappeared Lord Stra’coth and the Council of Seven, their new Title shall be the Emperor and Empress of the Merchant Guilds.

Further, the Guilds Official Religion is now changed from Agnostic/Atheist to Catholic. All citizens will be obliged to attend mandatory Baptisms and attend Mass regularly in order to save their souls from the clutches of Satan.

Laws will be passed in due course, a Free Latin Bible shall be made available to all Guild citizens,

Long live the Emperor and Empress, who rules with God’s Divine Blessing!

All over the Guilds, the expected problems occurred with some large scale riots at the enforced change of Religion. These were generally dealt with effectively and efficiently by the units of Claw, the populace has seen earlier with lethal force being used to subdue the enemies of the Church. Any captured rioters were dragged off to the Claws infamous torture chambers for punishment and if they refused to repent and be baptised in the name of Christ, they would be given over to the Inquisition for punishment as enemies of God and his son, Jesus Christ by burning at the stake.

The Vas Urbain Stock Exchange lost a thousand points in a day, several major shopping centres were looted before order was restored and several hundred citizens took the opportunity to settle old scores with enemies by killing or maiming them. These would be dealt with later, by the Claw… but right now their concern was to deal with the public order problem, with lethal force if needs be.

Since, the Guild had few highly educated Catholics who wanted to take the oaths of service to God, it was decided to advertise to other hard-line Catholic nations;


To: All Nations and Persons, who are True Servants of God (Catholic)

We would like to invite you to send us some Priests from your great nations in order that they might help to school our general populace in how to best serve the Lord and follow his Son’s example.

We would also invite any Knightly/Monastic Orders of True Catholicism to come and set up their Recruiting Grounds and Monasteries within the Guilds.

We would extend this invitation to any other non-Knightly/Monastic Orders of True Catholicism to set themselves up in the Guilds with our full support and the blessing of God.

Further, we would like construct a large series of Churches, Cathedrals, Chantries and Monasteries in order to better serve and praise God on high, so we would like other countries and persons of the true faith to send to us, architects to produce these great and praiseworthy buildings to be constructed in Gods name.

For God and Saint Peter,

Criticus Zabic,
Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Emperor,


It was hoped a massive response from other true Catholic nations would occur to allow a swift and reasonably smooth transition to occur in the Guilds between its Pagan past and its glorious Catholic future.

The question on the minds of all the population was; Would the Legions accept the New Order? Would they rebel and a civil war ensue?

OOC: I will do a bit more later, but feel free to respond.

At 09:00 Hours the next morning Guild Legion personnel stood in long silent black lines wearing their dress uniforms unless they were presently involved in combat security or other roles across the world. Their Officers looked grim, as they usually did, but this time they had reason to.

So far the Claw units attached to every Legion in the form of the Claw Regiment and the units on the general staff of each, had found that large numbers of Guild troops usually on Foreign soil had disappeared from the camps during the night, this number included several high ranking staff and field Officers, this could prove most problematic to Guild Interests in future. Some 22,500 men and women from the Guild armed forces had disappeared, this was not wholly unexpected and as such over 11,000 personnel attempting to escape had been captured by the fanatically loyal Claw units. To add to Guild Military and Security worries a large amount of light supplies had gone missing as well, including a lot of ammunition and food, as the obvious amount of personnel weaponry taken by the Deserters.

The Deserters were to given a chance to swear loyalty to the New Order or be imprisoned for a set time, if they did not swear loyalty to the New Order they would then be burned at the stake as Heretics by the Inquisition.

The long chanted oath sworn all members of the Guild Armed Services, and already taken by the fanatics of the Claw and the Talon was:

I am the instrument of God,
I serve God with all my heart,
I recognise the Emperor as God’s Chosen leader
I will give my life willingly in order to protect the Emperor,
I swear upon my eternal life in Heaven,
To protect the Emperor and the Guilds;
From Enemies; Foreign or Domestic.
We shall fight till we march through Heavens Gates,
For the Emperor!


With this it was done, the Emperor and Empress had performed an almost bloodless coup, despite the rioters, Stock Exchange problems and loss of some of the Guilds Troops, this concerned them a little but not much since they still had millions of well-trained and experienced soldiers on their side.

They would dedicate a new huge Cathedral to God in Vas Urbs, a symbol of the Guild’s Future place at the forefront of Heavens Battle with the Forces of Satan and the Antichrist.

Order had been widely restored across the Guild cities and Installations by the application lethal force, with many would be dissenters carried off by the Claw for Interrogation, Conversion or Death at the Stake, but still small pockets of resistance to the new order remaining, particularly in Homouno District near the Dumpsterdamian Quarter of Vas Urbs, where heavy street fighting was occurring between armed rebels and Claw Suppression Units.

The Economic Damage to Guild Interests had been major, this however according to Imperial Financial Experts would be short lived and once some compensation and new contracts had been announced, they were sure it would pick up to the point of it’s former glory.

It was announced via Telelink that any applications for the schooling towards Priesthood were to be handed to their neighbourhood Claw Office, where they would be processed. The training would take three years at the makeshift ‘St. Peter Doctrinal Centre’ located in a Guild Officer training facility near Vas Urbs.

The move towards the one true faith was proceeding nicely, however there was still the concern of the intentions of the deserted troops…

Dumpsterdanian District HQ, Alpha Colony, Merchant Guilds.

"What?!" Tanya tossed the metal cup she was drinking from across the entire room, causing it to shatter; even though such a thing was not possible.
"Blasted pompous bastards taking over like they own the damned place."
The council arose from the different hiding positions, behind chairs, under tables and one even behind Marcus who was still sitting in his chair reading the morning reports under the delight of a cup of coffee.

He looked at Tanya "Milady, calm down, if you are angry you will not be able to make reasonable decisions." He put away his cup of coffee and put the report on the table. "I suggest the following, give the people six hours to buy what they need and then we declare martial law, we must put our single brigade to the street and raise the militia in the neighbourhood armouries. Any member of the Claw or the Talon should be arrested and detained should they decide to enter the Duniash Quarter." Tanya pondered for a second, she walked towards the window overlooking the barracks of the 1st Colonial Guild forces and put her hand on the reinforced glass, letting her head rest against it also. "Make it so, mobilise our Colonial Forces and close off Duniash Quarter to all citizens of the Guilds." Marcus rose from his chair, bowed and walked towards the door.

6 Hours later, Duniash Square.

Tanya Rift walked onto the balcony of the Colonial Palace; short applauses came from the masses gathered below as many waited patiently for any sort of news.

My people, I have very little to say in this hour of need even greater then the invasion of our homeland. A few short hours ago, the government of the Merchant Guilds shattered under circumstances unknown even to me. But in this short time it seems that unseen forces have executed long prepared plans and taken over what remains of the Guild government.

This new government is currently forcing all people to become Catholic, we even fear that they will go as far as coming into Duniash Quarter to violate our ancient law on freedom of religion. Neither I nor Colonial Command will stand by and do nothing. As of now a general state of martial law has been declared for the entire Duniash Quarter and all members of the militia will report their neighbourhood armouries to receive their equipment and patrol zone designation.

All citizens of the Merchant Guilds wishing to find refuge in Duniash Quarter are welcome to do so in the shelters made available to them.

Also, as of now, all members of the Guild Forces will be seen as a general threat to the wellbeing of the citizens of Dumpsterdam and will be arrested and detained.

General curfew has been instated, please do not leave your homes and stay there until the all-clear has been given. Faith is now our greatest asset, have faith in those who protect you and in yourself.

Tanya turned around and left the balcony as soon as she was out of sight she collapsed in Marcus's arms, somehow completely exhausted.

Nearby the Palace the first platoon of Colonial Forces put up their heavy weapons and began erecting designated roadblocks, if one didn't know any better they would say a siege had begun.

The message from the Dumpsterdamian Quarter was not wholly unexpected, accordingly a message was delivered via runner to the borders of the Dumpsterdamian Quarter;




To: The Most Worthy Tanya Stra'coth

We wish your person nor your people harm, we will not encroach on your Religious liberties no matter how much we are tempted or called to do. You proved an ally always thus we are willing to offer you a chance for you and your people to go elsewhere at the Guilds transport expense.

We are sorry Lord Stra'coth has disappeared but we feel we must carry on in his image, Catholicism gives us the chance to do this without too much problem from the World.

If you choose to remain here, we will leave you in Command of the Dumpsterdamian Population, you may do as you wish with them as long as it does not threaten Guild External or Internal Security.

We hope we can come to an amicable agreement,

The Emperor,

The message from the Dumpsterdamian Quarter was not wholly unexpected, accordingly a message was delivered via runner to the borders of the Dumpsterdamian Quarter;

The runner was returned a short twenty minutes later with a broken nose and a few cuts and bruises, in his hands a message from the Duniash Quarter.


We have no wish to interfere in the politics of the Guild as long as they do not interfere with ours but Duniash Quarter is our for now home, we have no intention to leave but only to live as good neighbours.

I suggest you take the Dumpsterdanian culture as an example for your religious system and stop forcing people against their will to believe in something. This has shown over and over that it will not work.

Yours sincerely,

Tanya Rift.

PS: I apologise for the state your messenger has been sent back in, one of our patrols caught him a few meters outside the District HQ and seriously beat the living hell out of him before I could personally call a halt to it.

The messenger returned two hours later escorted by four members of the Claw looking rather omnious in their Black Body Armour, Gas Masks carrying Tactical Shotguns and MP5's. The Wolves Head of Engraved in their Armour indicated their membership in the Guild Military, which indicated they were good shots and well trained.

The following message was delivered to Tanya Rift:




You will be lift alone, but know you are our guests here. We have been accomodating of you and your people, do not try our patience.

You will be allowed full access to the Cities and you will be held accountable for the actons of your people, you will be granted semi-autonomy to rule your affairs how you wish, but you may not offer political/religious asylum to any Guild citizens.

Regards,

The Emperor,

The messenger was sent back, his escort no where to be found.

Correction, "Emperor", Lord Stra'coth has given me the right to maintain a colony of my people here. Where ever he is, or who ever you are, I will keep him to his promise.

Furthermore I am not responsible for the individual actions of my subjects, I reside over the Colonial Goverment and Colonial Forces but the people are not under my direct influence, only my father has that kind of power.

Now if you would excuse me, I have a city Quarter to fortify.

Tanya Rift,

A message was sent over the link system:



We will leave you be, however any false moves on your part will be treated as an act of war. We have tried to kind, now you insist we must be cruel.

You will be isolated from the rest of Vas Urbs, we shall allow the flow of goods and services to you, but not persons. My Claw Units will enforce this.

Remember, it was always your choice.

Regards,

The Emperor,

I think we'll live, as I said I have no intentions to interfere in Guild business however the tunnel leading to the auxillery dock will stay as they where, under Dumpsterdanian controll to secure our supply lines with our fleets.

I suggest you do not tart me on this very simple matter of maintaining contact with the rest of the Empire.

Tanya Rift,

*Bump* Working on next post.

IC:

After the heated exchange with Tanya Rift about the Dumpsterdamian Quarter in Vas Urbs, a decision was taken by the Emperor and his Advisors to begin the erection of a large wall around the Dumpsterdamian Quarter; these would be manned by the Fanatical Claw Order. Armoured towers would be placed at intervals in order to provide cross-fire and a potential killing ground if necessary.

A week later early in the morning the heavy building equipment moved in, under the watchful eye of Guild troops, who had declared an exclusion zone around the area of the wall and that any unauthorised person seen in that immediate area would be shot without hesitation. Enforcing this were carefully concealed Claw Snipers armed with ‘Grim Reaper’ Rifles covering almost every possible angle, working in shifts in order to not tire and keep a constant vigil.

By this time, the foundations of a Grand Cathedral had been laid in the centre of Vas Urbs, the plans had been personally approved by the Emperor and Empress, despite the fact they had been slightly hurried the team of 62 Specialists had put together a hugely impressive design, which was supposed to awe into silence all those who came into it. Built in the Gothic design, it was designed to show the massive wealth of the Guilds and the True Church’s extremely loyal sons and daughters of Doomingsland, Belem and Guffingford, whom the Guild’s counted as close friends, all the four mentioned nations would be celebrated in the Stain glass, which would be handmade for the occasion.

There were rumours that the Pope himself might attend the ceremony to consecrate the new Cathedral in the name of the one true God and his Church.

Order had by now been restored in all districts of Vas Urbs and other Guilder cities, 30,000 men had volunteered to take the vows of service to God as Priests or Monks in the New Order. 10,000 Women had offered to become lay-sisters or take the cloth as nuns. The flock would soon be educated to understand the cost of not believing in the one true faith.

All the Military personnel captured for defecting had been put into mass re-education camps, where they were to be taught the virtues of the faith by the Claw and the Inquisition. The long term plan was once these lost souls had re-found their faith to a sufficient point, where they would be fanatically that they would be formed into a new Elite series of Regiments for the truly fanatical soldiers of the New Order.

All the heretics captured for rioting had been tortured to reveal the extent of their unbelief and that of their friends and family, they had been handed out public punishment (flagellation) to prove their faith, if they had sincerely converted but if they had refused, they would have suffered the full torturous practices of the Holy Inquisition. If they still continued to not repent, they were burned at the Stake at a massive Auto De Fe held by the Imperial Authorities to celebrate the return to the fold of lost children of Christ.

Still the disloyal units had not made themselves felt, there was a general feeling in Vas Urbs that they might turn into bandits raiding outposts of various nations and assaulting any branches of the True Faith they found.

Tag

The Dumpsterdanians watched in amusement as the Guild started constructing the wall around the Duniash Quarter, just as futile as the Berlin wall had once been.

In the small palace Tanya Rift leaned back in her chair, the Guild was no longer interfering in the Duniash Quarter and the person who called himself the Emperor swallowed everything Tanya had thrown at him without even as much as a word.
A man wearing the black and blue body armour of the CDF entered the room and waited near the door. "Milady?" He asked, not sure if his presence had been noted.
"Marcus...bring word to the militia, they are to return to their homes and martial law is hereby withdrawn, escort all detainees to the wall and have them released, I will turn a blind eye to the Guild citizens already here."

Marcus dutifully saluted. "Yes milady, at once."

A few hours later the 1st squad of the 8th platoon approached the exclusion zone with a twenty-seven handcuffed individuals, covered by the remainder of squads that where not on guard near the docks or off-duty. As soon as they reached the one gate in the wall a mirrage of CDF regulars and heavy weapon platoons revealed themselves on top of the highest buildings bordering the exclusion zone, safety’s where removed from the squad support weapons and AT crews trained there weapons on Guild strongpoints as the CDF's own snipers sought out their counterparts on the Guild side of wall through their scopes. As Milady Tanya's bodyguard had told them during the briefing:

Milady Rift wants no mistakes to be made during this operation; you will only open fire if fired upon. Complete the transfer and get out, no blood has to be spilled but should that crazed emperor of them get any wrong idea's, blow them to hell.

A unisoned Sir, Yes Sir! came from the group of CDF regulars, a fine bunch of soldiers lead by a retired Major of the Guild Legions, something the guildies didn't know, yet.

Back at the gate the first soldier; a sergeant began releasing every detainee and offered a formal apology to each, for the week they had been locked up in the CDF base. Most where Legion personal, unaware of the rebellion and had been taken off the streets by CDF patrols. All could confirm that they had been treated fairly and no-one had even questioned them during the week of their capture.

Official Imperial Communique

We appluad you on the great step your nation has taken towards the True Faith. We would like to see our already excelent relations further flourish in this new era. Furthermore, we look forward to fighting along side you in the everlasting battle against the Heretics and Followers of Satan.

May the Lord bless your nation.

The Holy Imperial Empire of Belem sends its best regards to our devout allies in The Merchant Guilds. This move by the guilds will definatelly help forge a better alliance between our respective nations. As a sign of support and goodwill we will begin sending volunteer missionaries of the Jesuit order within Belem to the guilds in order to more quickly conver the populance to the one true faith.

Should the Guilds require any special skills in setting up an internal Inquisition to ensure the populaces faith in Catholicism Belem offers its support to send Military advisors to the guilds on how to set up a proper Inquisition.

Claw personnel watched the Dumpsterdamians bringing back their Legionnaire brothers and sisters. Snipers watched the party and the accompanying walls and windows for signs of enemy units watching the release, however orders were to hold fire unless ordered otherwise.

The prisoners were recieved by Claw personnel, who were currently helping the Inquisition, the prisoners were then removed to the same indoctrination camps that the prisoners, who had attempted to deserted had been moved to.

At the same time, Legion personnel were setting up large anti ship missiles hidden in the deep forests around the staging area, where the two Dumpsterdamian ships lay at anchor. These would only be used if the Dumpsterdamian's tried anything untoward, but if they did their means of escape would be destroyed in a minute or two with a hail of anti-ship missiles.

The building of the wall continued with a singular strict checkpoint set up to manage the flow of food and other material into the Dumpsterdamian quarter, the Emperor had ordered this simply because he needed time to consolidate his rule over the Guilds.

A deal had been recently struck with the Doomingslandian Government to train a new Armoured Legion of 50,000 troops, with the vehicles and equipment purchased from Soviet Bloc and Doomingsland themselves.

*************************************




To: Doomingland

We thank you for your most sincere congratulations, we will help you in God's Divine Mission for this Temporal Armies of driving the Satanic Forces from this Earth.

For God and St. Peter,

The Emperor,






To: The Imperial Empire

We thank you for your most sincere congratulations, we will help you in God's Divine Mission for this Temporal Armies of driving the Satanic Forces from this Earth.

We also thank you for your sending of Jesuits to help save our population from Satan's clutches.

We would glad of a small number of Imperial Inquisitors to help us make the Holy Inquisiton more effective as an instruments of the divine punishment of Heaven.

For God and St. Peter,

The Emperor,