NationStates Jolt Archive

It was a day of glory for the Frozopians. Today, for the first time in 50 years they were gathering a force to lead an invasion upon lands outside Frozopia. And such a force! 60,000 men would sail to Austia. 60,000! Not in a century had the Frozopian army gathered in such large numbers outside of Frozopia.

It was time to build the Empire. But they would not do it alone. Fighting alongside the Frozopians were the Kiriusban's and the Ostians. All 3 nations consisted of brave and proud warriors. They were more than a match for the Austians.

King Clauro had granted William the permission to lead the huge force, even presenting command of 10,000 of the Frozopian Royal Guard. These were the Frozopian elite: The strongest, smartest infantry selected from all the other Frozopian division. They were equipped with Double handed Broad Swords, Pikes and Shields. Their standard armour is chain mail with leather coats, but many have purchased their own superior equipment, the wealthier ones even equipped with Plate mail. Most of what they use is made from steel, and their skill makes these weapons dangerous in their hands.

Another unusual addition to the army was the newly formed Fire Regiment. The lord Ryan had been the first to try out this new 'toy', and immediatly recognised its importance. The 2000 soldiers under his command immediatly took up training with the simple musket, and soon they had mastered it. Desperate to try it out in combat, Ryan was prepared to send the soldiers to Aust under his command. Each soldier was armoured with chain mail and leather, as well as their musket and sword/shield. These soldiers still maintained all their skill with their sword, despite there years training with the musket.

Conor, the brother of William himself would command the cavalry who sailed to Aust. 12,000 Horses and men, consisting of 2,000 heavy cavalry and 10,000 light cavalry. Most of the heavy cavalry favoured the lance, whereas the light cavalry used swords preferedly. The light cavalry were veteran soldiers and well disciplined, the heavy cavaly the opposite. They tended to get over excited, leading mad charges on the enemy line when it took them. However they were excellent warriors and brave, and probably the most heavily armoured. There horses were almost has heavily equipped as the men, and many sported plate mail.

With the army would march 2000 engineers, for constructing siege weapons and using the few siege weapons that they brought with them. Typical siege was ballistae and catapaults, although a few early cannons would be brought unboard the ships.

The remaining Frozopians consisted of 16,000 Longbowmen and 18,000 Frozopian Men-At-Arms. All of whom were veterans and extremely skilled at what they did. The Longbowmen were equipped only with a small amount of leather armour, their bow and daggers. The men at arms use suits of chain mail and leather, as well as there pikes/shield. Many Men-at-arms also carried Maces, axes and swords, whatever weapon they did prefer.

Conor sat in harbour, wandering about the future of this army. Would his brother gain success? Or would he fail? William was a veteran soldier and a natural tactician, but would that be enough against the Austians? Conor hoped so. But more than that he put the first play into phase. As far as the men were concerned the army would set out not for months. They were taking time to collect as many supplies as possible, so that the army would be prepared for the harsh environment in Aust. The men thought would land in the West safely, and then march through the outback. Hence why they had to collect to much food now.
Conor smiled. It was a clever ploy, this news that would be passed on so fast by the merchants......

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Word of this growing force had reached the shores of Toop, the tousands of merchants who visited Noomi island had spread this rumor and had so far made out that a large army of fire was preparing to fight for the lands to the far South, this tale travelled quickly across the lands of Toop, through the Red Plains, over the Golden Mountains and into the Black Lands.

To the Toopians war was an opportunity to sack as much loot as a Raider could gain in his entire life, soon all the Raider clans had aspirations of travelling to this land and gaining immense wealth, they could live free for the rest of their lives.

The King too had supported the Raiders who began to build in number on the isle of Noomi, they waited for the Merchants to give them the word of the Frozopian march, by this time they could still pillage some scraps of land and cause chaos in small border villages.

His name was Richard, apparently, but then he was also called Pirerre, Christof, Tintalic and iLic by verious people across the globe, the only people that knew his real name where his farther and mother and they wouldn;'t tell a soul.

Richard was a spy, pure and simple, but he was a damn good one and he knew it. he could speak 12 langauges, meld seeemlessly into every culture around the globe, and find out almost every secret that existed should his masters command it.

And his masters, Austians, the clerks of the Royal Palace had thousands of spys around the globe, unknown even to the emporer himself. They had commanded him to go to these desolate wastelands and he had gone.

He sealed his corraspondance with his own seal and attached it to the birds foot, the complex pictogram code indeciphable to anyone that was not Austian. The corraspondance said simply that a massive army was assemplking here in froztopia and was heading to Aust, more deatail was included, the name of the commander, the numebrs and type of men-everything. Even the names of children and wives where attached.

Within days it would be with the Imperial Palace, giving the Emporer weeks to plan his defence. Richard made his way to the window and let the brid fly lose into the sky-heading south.
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And so they came, thosusands of them, brids of all shapes and sizes, all coming abck to there home in the Royal Palaces brid coops. Each one was collected by a clerk and there messages read, the important bits passed onto the clerks seniros and eventually a idea of the affairs of the world was created.

This all went without the Emporers knowlage of course, why should the living god be bothered with such affairs of state. His jobs was the make the sun rise, keep the fish plentyful and the Emporers armies successful. So far, despite his young age, Emproer Trijan had done all of these well.

Watch as a a clerk reads a message and rushes across to his superior, clutching the scrap of paper tentivly and with a look of panic on his face. He hadns it over and a second later both men run off thowards the appropriate all over the palace this scene is repeated as news of an invasion fleet is discovered.

Within hours the palace is in a panic that even the Emproer notices, men march, generals and admirals are summoned, orders sent out. A message is sent down the assins guild, and then to the Embassys asking them to come to the palace.

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Trijian noticed the panic from the courtyard. He was in his swordship lession and was dressed in fine armour that covered his body. He sweated under the harsh midday sun, parring bows, sparring with opponents older than himself.

He was, his teacher had to admit, a exceptional student. He was already the best swordsman in the palace, and had long progressed past the little the teacher could teach him. He would be a monster in battle, once he had grown a bit, already he was approching 6 foot in hight and was developing considrable mucle. He was a large child, strong and powerful yet strangly subtle. Most worriors his size where brutes, savage and without skill usign sheer power to subdue there opponents, but the Emproer was skillful as well.

He walked away from his fallen oppoent and took up hsi guard again, "Once more, Sir Vihi?" He asked almost mokingky.

"nay, sire, I can take no more." The armoured fighter drew himself to his feet and bowed. "I take my leave sire?"

"You do Sir Vihi."

"Thank you, sire." The man ran off, brusied and bloodied having been outdone by a 12 year old. That alone was impressive, when you considered that Sir Vihi had won the Austian Swordsmanship tournment last eyar made the feat incredable.

"Why are those man running, teacher?" The boy had clanked his way over the the elderly man adn he pointed towards a group of generals and admirals that made there way through the courtyard.

"I do not know sire." The teacher responded, smiling.

The emproer took off the gaunclets and drew a longbow from the rack that stood nearby, he drew it, a feet impressive for a full grown man, an then fired it. The arrow took the leading generals hat off and pinned it to the wall.

The men whirled and looked round for the purpitrator of the act, they spotted Trijan holding the longbow, it's string still quivering, and amde there way over.

I should point out at this point that the Emporer was wearing palin armour, and with his size the general thought he was an ordanary soildier. "You! man!" The lead General shouted, drawing his sword, "Challange me for my honour would you?"

Trijan smirked under his helmate and nodded, putting on as deep a voice as he could he replied, "I do. For your positon." He drew his own sword into a guard motion. The other general fanned back, creating a circle for the two conbatants, the teacher, smiling, stepped abck too to watch.

The swords clanged together in mid air, sparks flying from each balde, then again and again as the two men forght. Finally they drew back, both panting. "You are good, soildier." The General remarked, "I would have your name."

"Trijan," Trijian replied, "Trijian of Aust, son of Trijian son of Trij so of Herfutan." The general stepped back as his braincells connected the new informationw ith the old, was this man...this boy...

"You'll permit me to remove my helmet?" Trijian asked and the General nodded, speechless. Trijian did so to reveal his young face adn the congrigation fell to there knees. The attacking general crawled ti the Emproers foot and kissed it.

"My leige....forgive me, please." Trijian extended a hand downwards.

"You are forgiven. And now our matter of honour?"

"I submit my leige. And I lose my post with dignaty."

"And I renstate it for you. Now tell me, why where oyu running?" The general nodded.

"We where summoned to a council of war."

"Why?"

"There is a fleet, a mighty fleet, coming to inavde Aust."

"why wasn't I told?" trijian demanded.

"The Grand Vizier declared it unneeded, sire."

Trijian thought for a second, "I shall attend this council." He decided, "But in my helmate unannounced." The general soncured with this suggestion and they set off.

What happened in that council is not for me to know, but within hours of it happening, every man in Aust was ordered to report to the barraks, the navy was ordered back to port and the armies of Aust started to muster.

The defence was being planned.

Conor stared at the sailors as they carried the supplies to the ship. Salted beef and barrels of water seemed to sum up the majority of what they were bringing, food that the soldiers would quickly become bored of. But then you could not cater to every need of the soldier.

As he paced the harbour, he began to count the Frozopian ships. There must of been dozens of them, and all of them Frozopian's finest. The royal navy equipped with their cannons and ballistae, the nobles personal ships: Huge crafts equipped with Rams to hammer into enemy ships for boarding, medium sized battleships that carried little catapaults that hurled pottery balls full of burning fuel. It was a dangerous navy, and combined with their allies Conor doubted the enemy would be able to combat it.

Walking away from the harbour he saw several longbowmen practising their skill. As they launched arrows at their targets, their skill was obvious. Longbowmen do not aim: You have to pull the bow as far as possible, you cannot look down the arrow. No a Longbowmen looks, and then fires, and after 10 years of training that arrow always hit where you wanted it too. It was skill Conor would like to pick up, but a skill he doubted he ever would.
His weapon was the sword, and he was more than capable with it. Not as good as William, but good enough to be name brilliant on more than one occasion.

Those bloody years he spent attacking the various coastal settlements of random nations he had forgotten the name of, where you killed in the day and drunk at night. They had taught Conor alot, and not just out to fight. Some of those actions now sickened Conor at the thought, but they could not be forgotten. A wise man once said that memories are the price warriors pay for being what they are. Conor couldn't help but agree.

As he headed back to his house, Conor thought about the information that would be leaking to the enemy. Only Conor and William knew of the plan so far, and it would remain that way. As far as everyone else was concerned, they were sailing not for months. How wrong they would be.......

General Akido Katsuo in the abscence of his commander Lord General Nakamura was over seeing the raising to the Kirisuban army that would invade Aust.

He was still awaiting replies from a few Lords but it looked like the target of 20,000 troops would be met.

The navy was another problem and they would need their allies to transport most of the troops. A lack of ships meant that these would be limited in the troops they could carry to Aust.

Still, that would be a small problem to overcome.

2000 mounted Samurai had been given orders to assemble in Hokkaido and the rest of the foot troops were expected within a few weeks.

A lot of the spearmen had their new bamboo shields which they copied from the Ostian design. Only time would tell if it worked or not.

Richard stared at the invasion fleet as it loaded up, crates of beef, pork and fruit being carried aboard. Offically the invasion fleet wasn't due to leave for a month or two yet-but if that was so then why would they be loading up?

Unless, it was a double cross-false information! They where leaving soon, in a matter of days, and they where going to try and caotic Aust by suprise. Richard ran to his bedside table-wrote a quick note and sent it south-to Aust. Then he went and pulled on his armour.

Offically Richard was a member of the Froztopian armed forces-a man-at-arms. And tonight he was on guard, he had his orders-he knew what to do....

Fire was the key, fire to light the way at night, fire to see by, fire to burn by.

OOC: Aust there is no way of working that out. We are collecting supplies to feed an army for the next few months, and such a collection will take months! You cant just know our plan, you are simply acting on OOC information. Gming basically. And who's to say I am leaving in days? Besides Men-At-Arms dont defend the ships. The crews do that themselves.

IC:

Conor sat reading the information. The Kiriusban would need transportation, but their 20,000 soldiers would make it more than worthwhile, and besides, the Frozopian navy could handle it. Conor only hoped the Kiriusban brought their own food, the Frozopians were a little short on that.

Flicking through the notes reading small snatches of information like
More arrows needed and Several men struck with plague. Very few troubles, surprisingly few considering the size of the army. A few men were unable to come, but there were many more who wanted to replace them. A soldier could build his fortune in the south.

OOC: Aust there is no way of working that out. We are collecting supplies to feed an army for the next few months, and such a collection will take months! You cant just know our plan, you are simply acting on OOC information. Gming basically. And who's to say I am leaving in days? Besides Men-At-Arms dont defend the ships. The crews do that themselves.
OOC:Your carring supplies to the ships-onto the ships. You don't do that unless your setting sail, you'd keep it in werehouses otherwise. Putting ffood onto shops is a sure sign your sailing.

Sentrys? You usually haev sentrys don't you, to guard the ships, crews arn't generally the ones who do that, there to busy working through the ship to keep it going-repairing leaks ect. I'm using the example of Alfred the great here. One of Alfreds soildiers was able to disguise himself as a Viking (Not a crew/oarsman, but a worrior) and sneak down the ships-where he fired them.

OOC:
The crews are soldiers too. Thats the point I am trying to make, they know how to fight and act using their own sentries. They are more like a modern day navy (e.g. they fight too, although I wont use them in Aust) than just some men who sail the ship. And besides, its only a few men you need at night, when no-one is doing any repairs anyways.

As for packing my food aboard, you are correct and I am wrong. Sorry If I sound accusational, its just the way I am. However this will mean little: I am sailing to the Kuriles and Kiriusbo first, an excuse that my men will know (something your spy will pick up then).

It had lately come to the attention of the High Seneschal that there were rumours of an invasion of Aust, the great land to the South, by northern nations. This obviously vitally concerned Terror Incognitia, and so he had taken action in several ways.
First, word had been sent to all agents, sympathisers and Terror Incognitian merchants in the lands concerned that information was required to confirm this.
Second, diplomatic representations had been sent to Aust, concerning this issue, to discern whether Terror Incognitia would gain more by joining this conflict on either side, or by remaining aloof.
Third, military preparations lately begun to ward against Caladonnians were continued, and stepped up somewhat.
Fourth, a working council had been summoned. It's decision would be fed to the full Consilium, and thus on to the realm at large. The merchants had, obviously, wanted to remain neutral and grow fat from trade. But the generals had made two points relating to security.
1) Terror Incognitia could not be surrounded by one power, or coalition of powers. Therefore Aust _must_ survive as an independent power.
2) Having a vast, heavily armed armada carrying thousands of troops in the vicinity was not a good idea if they were only neutral. It was risky even if they were allies.
With this in mind, the council had decided. Assuming agreement could be reached with Aust, Incognitia would offer them aid. Possibly help them directly fight the armada. If agreement was unachieveable, they would join the invaders and demand Aust be allowed to survive as a puppet state, working to make it independent. As yet nothing was to be publicly announced, but when it was, the Establishment would speak with one voice.

OOC: A question for Terror Incognita: Is this information about possibly allying with Aust available?

OOC: It's available as rumour that we may go for alliance of some flavour with Aust, be it non-aggression, mutual aid, etc up to full scale military pact. Official government line is that all diplomatic approaches are welcome. If you have 'government sources' they'll hint that we favour Aust, but no more than that.

OOC:
The crews are soldiers too. Thats the point I am trying to make, they know how to fight and act using their own sentries. They are more like a modern day navy (e.g. they fight too, although I wont use them in Aust) than just some men who sail the ship. And besides, its only a few men you need at night, when no-one is doing any repairs anyways.

As for packing my food aboard, you are correct and I am wrong. Sorry If I sound accusational, its just the way I am. However this will mean little: I am sailing to the Kuriles and Kiriusbo first, an excuse that my men will know (something your spy will pick up then).
OOC: Okay., dosn't matter, but they still won't find it strange one of there men being in the town will they? My plan is basically to try and gain acess to one of your ships and burn it-odviously this will only distroy a ship or two-fire does spread rapidly, but your not stupid enough to keep all your ships in one port are you?

IC:

OOC: No, but then its unlikely that the fire will even reach the rest of the port really. Go ahead though, If you can RP sneaking past the guards, good luck.

OOC: shouldn't be hard-are guards expecting an attack, would they suspect one of there own 'countrymen'?

IC: Richard walked out holding the torch out before him to light the way, building flickered past in the dark and the smell of saltwater mixed with the smell of burning wood.

He was dressed as a sailor, looking exactly like a native Froztopian, in his mind he carried the secret passwords for the ship he was guarding. A strong sea wind was blwoing and he grinned, that would cause the flames to spread further-quicker. It blew east, right along the line of ships.

He reached the quay and nodded at the guards, "Alright," He said, followed with the password, "I'm just going to get my tin (OOC: refering to lunch tin), I left it onboard today and I want to eat tomorrow." He grinned again, a confident grin,..

The guards nodded and let the man pass.
"Havent seen him before."
"Probably new."

Richard walked on board the ship and went down in the lower deck and began to pile up dry wood, it didn't take long before there was a sizeable pile and he quickly thrust his torch into it and then into the timbers abvoe and around him.

The dry wood set alight quickly and with the strong wind quickly began to draw upwards, Richard ran the steps yelling "Fire!" He dropped his torch on the main deck! "Fire!"

"He was down the gangplank before the sentrys had any time to ract and away into the night.
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Sighting the fire, Tom turned to his fellow sentries:
"Go organise a water bucket team! Get the chain from the coast!"
Running towards the ship, he saw that the fire was begining to spread across the ship, but very slowly. The intense colds did not make ideal conditions, nor did the wet sea air. With a bit of luck this ship would be saved, and judging the distance of this ship from any others, it would spread no further. Already 100's of men were forming an ordered line with water buckets from the coast. But how did the fire start? It takes alot of work to start any sort of fire on a ship made from wet old timber. It couldn't have been an accident.

Turning away from the flames he spotted a man running from the ship crying fire, and immediatly his instincts told him this was the man he wanted.
Rushing after the man, he began to follow the suspicious individual.....

Sighting the fire, Tom turned to his fellow sentries:
"Go organise a water bucket team! Get the chain from the coast!"
Running towards the ship, he saw that the fire was begining to spread across the ship, but very slowly. The intense colds did not make ideal conditions, nor did the wet sea air. With a bit of luck this ship would be saved, and judging the distance of this ship from any others, it would spread no further. Already 100's of men were forming an ordered line with water buckets from the coast. But how did the fire start? It takes alot of work to start any sort of fire on a ship made from wet old timber. It couldn't have been an accident.

Turning away from the flames he spotted a man running from the ship crying fire, and immediatly his instincts told him this was the man he wanted.
Rushing after the man, he began to follow the suspicious individual.....
Richard ducked into another blind ally adn then another, following a almost random zig zag through the streets. hearing the clatter of footsteps behind him he rucked into yet another ally but instead of continuing he stopped and pressed himself against the wall drawing his sword....

After following the individual for a few minutes, he allowed himself a smile.
I know the city much better than this guy.
It was in these streets that Tom learnt how to fight, playing with his friends in the brutal way the city kids did. The country side thought the city boys as weak, as did most of the Frozopian navy, but Tom had taught them different.

Cutting through the allies taking quick well judged short cuts and within minutes Tom had his prey within sight. At last the man pulled to a stop, out of the Frozopians line of sight.

Slowing down, Tom drew his sword. A long scimitar sword that Tom had stolen when fighting some pirate lord, it was a sight to behold.
Approaching carefully, he held his sword at full length, prepared to cut any opponent from his feet.

After following the individual for a few minutes, he allowed himself a smile.
I know the city much better than this guy.
It was in these streets that Tom learnt how to fight, playing with his friends in the brutal way the city kids did. The country side thought the city boys as weak, as did most of the Frozopian navy, but Tom had taught them different.

Cutting through the allies taking quick well judged short cuts and within minutes Tom had his prey within sight. At last the man pulled to a stop, out of the Frozopians line of sight.

Slowing down, Tom drew his sword. A long scimitar sword that Tom had stolen when fighting some pirate lord, it was a sight to behold.
Approaching carefully, he held his sword at full length, prepared to cut any opponent from his feet.
Richard waited, he could hear the mans slow footsteps as he approched the place where he was hidng. This guy was no fool and had guessed he had stopped, he knew what Richard was going to do-so there was no point in pesponing the inevitable.

Richard stepped out silently adn swung his sword towards the man neck, only to find it stopped by the scimitar-Bastard! Richard parried a thrust and began to fight in the way he'd been taught.

Tom was warily keeping up his defence, until he could acertain how skilled his opponent was. After a few failed cuts and slashes by his opponent, Tom went on the offensive. Using all his strength and fury, he viciously attacked his opponent hacking and slashing, attempting to drive him backwards and tire him down....

Tom was warily keeping up his defence, until he could acertain how skilled his opponent was. After a few failed cuts and slashes by his opponent, Tom went on the offensive. Using all his strength and fury, he viciously attacked his opponent hacking and slashing, attempting to drive him backwards and tire him down....
Richard had been well trained by his Sensi of the Guild of Assins, in the both the Austian martial art Kai-Duro and several others, slong with swordmanship and fances. Thus he was well fortified in fighting, as benfits and assin and spy.

He barried on blocked the mans attacks with easy, letting the wilder strokes pass him by and knocking the deadlier ones aside, he gave ground not caring how much he lost, he would let his opponant tire himself out before attacking.

After a few moments of hacking and slashing, Tom realised that he was getting no where. However he continued his assault. There were other ways of fighting, and Toma had learnt alot about fighting, ever since he was 15.

After a while Tom was breathing heavily, his attack was burning out before his opponents eyes and soon he would no longer be able to fight. Slowly his attacks became slower, his arms looking almost visibly heavier. It was over for Tom.......at least it looked it was over.

After a few moments of hacking and slashing, Tom realised that he was getting no where. However he continued his assault. There were other ways of fighting, and Toma had learnt alot about fighting, ever since he was 15.

After a while Tom was breathing heavily, his attack was burning out before his opponents eyes and soon he would no longer be able to fight. Slowly his attacks became slower, his arms looking almost visibly heavier. It was over for Tom.......at least it looked it was over.
Strange Richard thought Either this guys really unfit or his faking. Richard carried on defending, slowly building a few mroe attacking strikes in, a thrust maybe or a slash, nothing stupid or flamboyant but just sensible attacks-clever attacks. He drew a short dagger hald that in his left ahnd, trying to trap his opponents sword to disarm him, the knife was also useful as he could use it to defend himself.

The acting was clearly not working. Tom had triggered it too soon. It was time to change his plan. It was clear his opponent was the superior swordsman, and desperate times needed desperate measures. Just as his opponent thrusted, Tom stepped into. Deep. He allowed the sword to be driven deeply into his left shoulder, ripping muscle and flesh, forcing a grunt of pain from Tom. But his plan had succeded. While trapping his opponents sword in his own shoulder but still maintaining a gap between himself and the knife, he slashed out hard and fast at his opponents throat aiming to cut it open and end the fight.....

The acting was clearly not working. Tom had triggered it too soon. It was time to change his plan. It was clear his opponent was the superior swordsman, and desperate times needed desperate measures. Just as his opponent thrusted, Tom stepped into. Deep. He allowed the sword to be driven deeply into his left shoulder, ripping muscle and flesh, forcing a grunt of pain from Tom. But his plan had succeded. While trapping his opponents sword in his own shoulder but still maintaining a gap between himself and the knife, he slashed out hard and fast at his opponents throat aiming to cut it open and end the fight.....
"Shit!" Richard threw himself backwards, letting go of the sword and leaving it buried in the mans shoudler, his enermys sword blade sliced the air just centmeters from his throat.

He hit the ground hard, winding himself on the cobbels. His enermy was obviously in extream pain due to the sword in his shoudler and Richard dobted he could carry on. He toyed with idea of carrying on the fight-dagger vs sword, but decided that was foolish. He ran back several paces, bowed at his enermy and then ran.

Watching his opponent bow might have been comical, but then Tom was in a world of pain and barely noticed. Grabbing the sword, he wrenched it out with all his strength, screaming as the pain rushed through his arm. Finally he had it free, blood pouring freely over his arm and body. Staggering back down the alley, he counted the seconds in his bid to remain concious.

1 Grey, dingy ally.
86 Some houses, poor peoples.
236 Harbour.

As Tom reached the harbour he staggered into a group of sooty tired soldiers. Immediatly darkness closed in, swallowing him, losing himself as unconcious rolled into him.....

24 Hours later

Tom opened his eyes. Surrounding him was what looked to be a noble's quarters: The room was lavishly decorated with rich silky curtains etc. There was also a window letting in a flood of day light, below which the fire roared.

"You are awake."

Turning to his left on his side, Tom spotted someone familiar. A noble of kinds.

"Dont remember me? We raided an Ostian village did we not?"

Finally Tom remembered the brave noble Conor, rushing into the fray sword raised screaming madly.

"Your name is Conor." Tom finally uttered. Looking at his wound, it looked like it had been stitched, although the pain was still intense.

"Well done. So who's sword does this belong to." Conor held the sword up to the light, and Tom told him.......

Rice was being gathered for the Kirisuban forces and fish was being salted in preparation.

all the peasants knew was that they were expected to gather the food for some purpose. they knew not to ask questions if they valued their lives, an old lesson from the civil war era.

all over the nation a surplus was being gathered from each village and town the people used to supplying the nations armed forces.

ooc: i should be able to subscribe without posting, really, but i can't see how. anyway, i'll be in on this soon enough....

Richard got in through the bathroom window, he was sweating and tired but no mroe so than he would have been after a normal days work. He had lost his sword, but that didn't matter-it was a cheap, mass-produced blade that had been issued to him when he ahd join the Froztopian army, he had a dozen others like it, plus his pride and joy-a Aust City made Kirthial.

He doubt he would see his enermy again, the man had been greviously wounded and even if he did survive they served on diffrent ships, in diffrent units. Richard ran himself a bath, there was no reason to worry.

___________________
Ostia, Emperor Xavier's palace:

Emperor Xavier stood on his balcony over looking the waves crash against the shores of Ostia. The warm summer breeze swept through the beautiful green countryside, a day blessed by the gods. Emperor Xavier was dressed in a white toga lined with golden trim, around his shoulders he wore a robe of silk purple. He was interupted when a Praetorian officer approached from behind,

"Your greatness, the most recent news from the east has arrived"

Xavier turned around and lifted his ring covered hand gesturing towards himself,

"What is it Desius?"

The Praetorian officer continued,

"The war is going to Aust, General regulus has requested more support to move from the west to the south and then move on to the coast on the eastern side of the sand lands..it is uncharted terrotory but it has to be done..."

The officer paused,

"He requested that General Agrippa lead 3 legions to the south as soon as possible, regulus is preparing to move his 2 legions from the lands of Kurisubo to Aust with the main fleet..the main fleet will consist of Frozopans and Kurisuban forces..i hear it is quite large...Ostia must go to war.."

The Emperor walked through the doorway into his chambers followed by Desius,

"umm..Agrippa...sounds like the best idea from my brother in law i have ever heard..has this been passed through the senete?"

Desius nodded,

"Yes it has..the majority say we move on Aust..it is also part of our alliance agreements"

Xavier stopped and turned to face Desius,

"Then Ostia will honor our agreements! i want 3 of our finest legions to prepare..i want the 30th to pull out of Gaul and the 22nd to take their place..i want a entire veteran legion to lead this...i must see Agrippa as soon as possible understood?"

Desius nodded and replyed,

"Yes your greatness,also this information might be of some help aswell..i think we should send a diplomatic messenger to Qarez to discuss an alliance..we could use their ports..."

Xavier grinned,

"well done..now do it!"

The Praetorian saluted and left the room, Xavier watched him leave smiling ..victorys were the way of the Ostian empire...

____________________________
Ostian Settlement Kurisubo:

General Marcus Atillis Regulus stood in his fortress watching the troops load the ships from high above on the ramparts. Maximus would return any day to assist the General in the preperations for battle. Everything was going according to plan, the biggest thing now...the planning of the invasion.

Qarez....

Of the Terror Incognitian vessels in harbour, the "Waverunner" was fastest. As it happened, she was also run by a man occasionally paid by the High Seneschal's men for interesting titbits of information. Therefore, when a party escorting an important man was spotted, and word in the souk identified him as an Ostian envoy, the master of the Waverunner decided to depart somewhat early, and head straight for home. Quietly, of course. Nothing to distinguish her from an ordinary trader to even the sharpest customs official. They would get the word through. And be rewarded handsomely for their trouble.

An Ostian member of the Senete guarded by Praetorians on all sides strolled through the dockyards and on to where they could discuss the assistance of Qarez in the invasion of Aust. The Senetor had 1,000,000 in Ostian coin on the ship he had arrived on guarded by highly trained elite Praetorians, if Qarez refused to have a direct tie with this invasion..Ostia would just buy their ships.

OOC: Direct solution. I like. Hope for Qarez's sake they check in soon...

All across Kirisubo troops were being gathered in camps near the coast. with most of the planning taking place in the northern province of Hokkaido local prepartions were still continuing in every town and village.

Transport was still a problem but coastal galleys could transport soldiers and their equipment to the ships.

athough the troops disn't know where they were going a war was still a war and morale was high.

All across Ostia soldiers were on the march. Emperor Xavier rode through the streets in his gold plated chariot followed by a long line of Praetorian Guard, trumpets sounded loudly. After the Emperor and his soldiers passed 10 thousand soldiers from the 10th legion marched behind them going to join up with more men to prepare for the invasion. On both sides of the road people cheered and waved the troops good bye, all of Ostia was well aware they were on the brink of war.

In Gaul the 30th was preparing to move out and be replaced by the 22nd. General Artimus Agrippa was returning to Ostia from the front.

Aust was on the move. Conscription ahd been intorduced and balcksmiths hammers beat out sword and armour rarther than ploughs and hows. Old army vetrens, scarred from the wars of conquest, taught every man and women over 14 to fight and kill in displined units. How to fight the Austian way-sheild to sheild, pikes front, straight lined. Disiplin.

Each place, even a tiny village with noi more than 2 or 3 people was taght to fight. Each village had a unit of men and women that could be called up at any time. Each unit was taught to fight for there homes. should a raiding party come the villages adults would grab there armour and prepare to fight. Forming tight displined units.

Every day the Austian professinal forces became stronger, in towns and cities the homless and poor where recruited into the main army. Those that did work that wasn;t vital-food produciton, arms manufacture, where ordered to put down there tools and joint he army.

Every day the enermys held back the forces of Aust grew stronger, harder, more disiplined.

The greates bustle was in the dockyards. In addition to the normally huge volume of foreign trade, diminished little by rumour of war, the navy was being readied. Refits were hastily being finished, vessels being built were completed. Normal repairs were checked and double checked. The wooden walls would be ready.
Across the major islands, and on a few strategic minor ones, fortifications were being put into a full state of readiness, garrisons drilled. Volunteers were being recruited and trained for both the marines and the army. Stores laid in for war.

Many of the army stores had dual purpose, being prepared for home defence, and also for an expeditionary force to Aust. Terror Incognitia would not be caught unprepared for any eventuality.

There was a popular enthusiasm for 'showing these foreigners their place'. The fact that trade would resume immediately after hostilities concluded was ignored in a magnificent piece of doublethink.

The Austiun navy. Hundreds of ships. 4 deckers, 3 deckers, and small 2 deckers, armed to the teeth with bastilla, armchersa and greek fire. The decks where whtiewashed, the men ready to fight adn the soildiers practicing there archery.

The Austian navy was heading north to Terror Incognitia to help stop there enermies from reaching Aust in the first place, here the Austian navy would fight adn die, here the fate of Aust would eb decided.

And still the navy sailed north.

_________________
The Crossing:

The 3 legions set sail from Ostia landing on the beaches of Algeirs late in the afternoon. The Ostian Navy transported the 30 thousand troops across the sea as the first move to the advance on Aust. Emperor Xavier stood on his command ship watching the troops land on the beaches, as far as the eye could see were Ostian soldiers forming up and completing assigned tasks.

General Agrippa approached the Emperor,

"Your greatness, i am now prepared to accept my task for the Empire! once again i shall loyaly serve my beloved homeland"

Xavier touched his shoulder and sent him away with a gesture,

"You will win my friend..they would never think we would attepmt to come this way..they know we formed an army but ..where! did it go they will say!..i had false information spread though out the nation of Ostia..rumor is we are expanding our borders into Gaul and have sent a Legion east to join the war?"

Agrippa grinned, saluted and left.

Terror Incognitia's ports were packed more full than ever, now that the Austian fleet was accomodated. The Incognitian practice of gunnery drills with live ammunition caused some shocks at first; but the new allies soon became used to working together, at all levels from individual vessels up to squadrons. Whole fleets could not be sent out at once. But after teething troubles, the allied fleets worked ever closer together. And the Terror Incognitian Army approached readiness.

After the troops were formed up and immeaditite march was ordered, there was no time to waste.Emperor Xavier watched the soldiers march off into the unknown lands of the south where they would eventully reach the coast and figure out a stratagy to move into Aust. When the last lines of infantry dissapeared over a hill the Ostian fleet turned towards home.

Agrippa marched his troops proudly, the inhabitants of the land watched curiously..so far the legions had not encountered any difficulties or hostile activity, the reason behind it probabally being the size of the force before them.

______________________
Ostian Settlement near Kurisubo:

General Regulus had ordered his men to abondon all their dutys two hundred civilians were hired and payed very well to help construct as many galleys as they possibly could. Regulus strolled down the beach followed by Antonious inspecting the work that had been completed so far,

"They are comming along well...i want a ship dispatched to the Sand lands of the south..contact must be made with Agrippa...it must be a merchant vessel, civilian attire will be worn.."

Antonious saluted and marched off to carry out his orders. Regulus had to act fast, he would simply hire rowers for the galleys and have them sent to Agrippas position, after that he would link the 2 armys togeather and move in right behind the main attack force. These were also things that needed to be brought before Agrippa.

OOC: you gonna link up your armies? Hard, across 'x' thousand miles of ocean...nothing wrong with ambition, I guess. But that'll take time.

OOC:The armys will have to link up on Aust...it is too much trouble to link them up and sail them somwhere else....waaay too much time...im trying to work this out in my head..lol

So are your guys from Kirisubo sailing with the Frozo/Kiri fleet?

(That makes more sense. Rather than trying to meet on some flyspeck in the Indian Ocean).
((Where the hell are your ships going to come from? At the mo you seem to be marching into Africa. Nothing much there North of Warshrike.))

Yeah i know, im heading somwhere where i can wait to figure out how i am going to get my troops to Aust..it is uncharted land..no one owns it and so far i like it like that. I can just march on through with out any major opposition and wait till Regulus's messengers can make contact and send word back to Kurisubo.

General Regulus is trying to construct as many ships as he can...cheap transportation being constructed in Kurisubo that will be sent to the coast lines of africa..where ever my troops stop that is where they will wait. After awhile i will figure out a way i can continue to ship them back and fourth...i want to avoid the outback for as long as i possibly can, through a bit of research it looks like my troops would be exausted by the time they reached the actual war. suggestions are always welcome lol

There is no harm in having them a little closer than Ostia...

And yes my Kurisubo forces are moving with the main fleet,

OOC:I have finally came to a conclusion to how i will transport my 3 legions to Aust. They will be ordered to move along the top of africa into RL Egypt..that is where they will stay, Engineers will be transported from Ostia into Egypt and that is where my fleet will be constructed to push on Aust! then they will exit through the sea!..but..your nations don't know that...

I guess so. I was looking forward to there being some kind of land war, so when the main invasion is wiped out, your African strike will have to do. :p
And be careful with anything you're sending there from Kirisubo. We have a lot of navy across the route at the moment.:D

OOC: That is if the invasion fleet is wiped out of course, i would imagine most troops would be diverted to the main action..therefore leaving a small pocket for my legions to attack. What ever you send out i will be capible of getting behind it...

The orders were given and they put them into action. General Agrippa lead his army East on to (RL) Egypt. The sun bounced of the Ostian soldiers armor,the sun beemed down on the land. The army moved along the coast so to keep close to water. General Agrippa rode slowly followed by his staff inspecting his troops movments. The 30th Legion marched at the front, the pride of all Ostia, the steps of the soldiers sounded like thunder..well trained seasoned veterans who had been on the frontlines for years.

__________________________________
Kirusubo: Headquarters on General Regulus

Antonious entered Regulus's room in the fortress where the General sat behind a table eating some chicken and drinking wine,

"What is it Antonious?"

"General we have dispatched 4 ships to the south of Ostia..the sand lands sir"

Regulus dropped his chicken on the plate and stood up, he walked over to a gold basin and washed his hands in rose water,

"Good...were they dispactched to places that were beleived to be the Rendevous..with access to rivers..that sea?"

Antonious replyed,

"Yes sir, we reveiwed the maps by merchants very closely...we will make contact.."

regulus grinned,

"Good ...good..there will be nothing to link this operation to the Ostian army..it seems legit"

Antonious knew the General was finished with him, saluted and left...

Regulus stood looking out the window watching the ship builders working steady on their tasks.

OOC: Guys wait till i am back from holiday before continuing....

OOC: When will you be back?

Tag

OOC: Back. Now lets get this on the road. I suppose Terror Incognitia has joined the alliance. Was that RPed somewhere else? Well I aint complaining.

IC:

"He was a naval officer you say." Spoke Conor. His shoulder was beginning to heal thank god. The stitches helped pull the flesh together, and Conor had alot of strength.

"Well thats what he was wearing." Replied Tom. The two men were strolling along the harbour, both clothed in thick furs against the cold. Tom was visibly sweating and panting. He had not recovered as much as he hoped. Noticing his pain, Conor indicated the soldier to sit down.

"The sentries say they had never seen him before. But to get the password? He must of held some military position."

"Maybe he is a men at arms." Guessed Tom.

"Maybe. But we will be unlikely to see him again. Tom, tomorrow we leave for Aust. Everyone else thinks we are going to spend a few months in Kiriusban on the way. They are wrong. Our allies across the sea's are travelling as well. I want you to be at the harbour as our men pack on board. Anyone who has joined the army or navy in the last 5 years? They will be ordered to visit the a nearby set of inns first, at different times in the day I mean. I doubt our friend will turn up, but who knows? The two sentries will also help you spot him. The nobles will hand out the orders. I hope they perform this simple duty without their normal inability to follow orders."

Tom nodded. It was an easy duty.
"I will do my best."

"After that Tom, I want you to join my Regiment."

"I will not be fit for Aust. Nor do I have the training to fight in the shield wall."

"I care not. You are an experienced soldier and a brave man. I want you to guard my wife, Hana. That is all. I will pay you well."

"I will think of it."

Conor nodded.

"Good."

Soon the army would be leaving the ports of Frozopia........

Richard was sailing home. he klnew that his sword wound to his attacker had not been fatal and thus the man had probably survived-survived to report on Richards actions. So Richard had hitched a lift on the next ship out of harbour, a more appropriate term would be-stowed away, and then dived in as soon as they made there way out fot he harbour.

From there he swam to shore and to his own boat, moored in a tiny creak miles from anyway. he would sail south.

The Frozopian ships were leaving harbour. Giant ships they were, visible even miles from the shore line. Their size and quality were extremely important to Frozopians: The rough wintery sea's around the two islands took all but the strongest into their depths.

A total of 600 Frozopian ships were sailing across the huge distance to Kiriusban and then Aust. A vast navy, a navy that had never been gathered in such large numbers. 200 sailed from East Frozopia, 400 from West Frozopia. The ships were huge, and the soldiers were more comfortable in terms of space: Many nobles hoped to bring back slaves in the hundreds, and to make their fortune. That is why many were equipped with slaving cages and the like. There was also room for surplus food and loot the Frozopians hoped to bring back to their home land.

Of the 600 ships, 150 were Royal Frozopian navy. The largest of the ships, they travelled the fastest and were the best built. Equipped with early cannons and ballistae, as well as small catapaults, their main purpose was to protect the rest of the navy. They were also transporting large amounts of the soldiers, but carried no horses nor slaving gear.

The remaining 450 were the noble's personal ships. Many nobles financed the purchase of constructing such ships as their was great profit to be earned: Raiding for food and slaves as well as offering protection against pirates could earn a fortune for a Frozopian. These ships tended to be smaller, but their crews were experts at what they did and each ship had at least large ballistae to protect the crew. Many even had early cannon's and catapaults. These could carry even more men than the Royal Frozopian navy ships, and had slaving capacities. They could also carry horses.

So it is with this navy that the Frozopians headed south, progressing through the sea's, looking forwards to the conquest of Aust......

The 100's of ships were progressing swiftly southwards, always staying in groups of 20's, which put of even the most ambitious of pirates. Now they were off the Kiriusban shore line, and several ships broke of from the group heading towards where William was camped. Many of these ships were there to help transport the Kiriusban army, should they struggle to transport their force across the Pacific.

Other ships also progressed towards the Kuriles island chain, where they planned to take 4000 of William's own force to Aust. They would also spend a day moving the supplies from the island to the ship.

OOC: Yes, I joined the Austians. Somewhere in "Time" there's a (brief) negotiation that settled it.

BUMP. Austian keep training, building ships ect.

OOC: Waiting for Kiriusban response.

15,000 kirisuban troops were ready at major ports in the empire and 3,000 of them were already on board mighty war junks, 25 in all.

the rest of the troops would need their allies ships due to the rest of Imperial fleet needing to safe guard the Empire from a possible but unlikely counter invasion. 45,000 troops remained home to guard against this possibility with there being still more local reserves that could be called up. 30 imperial war junks patrolled the coasts of the home islands in groups of four's in case they had to defend their homeland.

All they could do now is wait.

William watched the 12,000 Kiriusban soldiers march onboard the Frozopian ships. It was a long progress, and the Frozopians were reluctant to share their ships with 'the slit eyes' but William was confident this would change. War binds men together like no other thing.

Walking through the harbour, William approached a couple of kiriusban and got Koiko to translate his wishes:

"Where is your commander?"

Koiko translates and the spearmen point out Lord General Nakamura now wearing his great armour.

He dismounts and leaves his horse on the shore and approching William with his 20 samurai escort following in formation behind him.

He bows and says in latin "it looks like we're on the same side now, William san. I'm commanding the Kirisubans on the ground and Lord Admiral Takebashi is commanding our fleet of 25 war ships"

General Regulus rode his white horse followed by 13,500 Ostian Legionaires and cavelry. The trumpeteers sounded off loudly as the troops marched through the town towards the rallying point for the portion of the Ostian fleet that brought them to Kurisubo. At the dockyards hundreds of Kurisuban and Frozopan troops were boarding the ships.

Antonious looked at Regulus with a large grin on his face,

"Good day for sailing agree General?"

Regulus grinned and replyed,

"It will be a good day when my sword meets an enemys neck!"

Antonious was shocked at the reply of the General but just shook his head, laughing to himself. The standard bearers held their standards high, the Legions flags fluttered in the breeze.

__________________________________________________
EGYPT:Completing Ostian Imperial Fleet Construction Project
__________________________________________________

General Agrippa watch the ships bulding process progress every day more and more. It would not be long before they could travel to Aust, suppys were being transfered from Ostia for awhile. Personel hired to help construct the naval forces were also transfered under secretcy.

OOC: is it just me, or does it seem a Little nutty to try and execute a full scale invasion from half way around the world at this tech level? *laughs* not complaiening, it's interesting, but still.

OOC: Maybe, but It makes a good RP.

IC:
William grinned.
"It is good to see you general! I look forward to be fighting alongside those Samurai: I hope they are as good fighters as I remember. Will you join me on my ship? We hope to leave Kiriusbo within a few days, and what a force we will be! Tell me of your troops and this Lord Admiral Takebashi!"

"I'll be honoured to join you on your fine vessel William san" General Nakamura replies "my daughter is staying behind this time since she's needed back in Edo"

the Kirisuban commander adds as they walk "we have 500 mounted samurai archers, 1000 samurai spearmen and the rest of my forces are peasant spearmen with their lances and the new tall shields they adpated from the Ostian design. they're made from woven bamboo so they'll be light and give plenty of protection. they're even mastered the Ostian turtle formation.

Lord Admiral Takebashi will look after the empires war junks. We may not have as many ships as you do but we'll play our part. we've no artillery but we have fire arrows and skilled archers. enough to make any enemy think twice about attacking us"

"I do not doubt you General. Even the smallest of forces can make a difference. But tell me. These peasants. Do they have the stomach to fight? I have no doubt in your samurai but peasants? Will they fight with all the courage they possess?"

Elsewhere.

Conor approached the marching Ostian column, ordering his fellow horsemen to halt. The men were wary against their old enemies, but were well disciplined none the less. Conor noted the close tight formation of the soldiers, even when they were marching.

Thank god we dont have to fight them.

"Ostians! I am Conor, a lord of Frozopia! Tell me! Where can I find your general?" Conor Shouted, so that all the Roman's could hear.....

The trumpets sounded off Imperial march songs, one of the Ostian soldiers looked at Conor and yelled back,

"Near the front on this side sir!"

The Ostian soldiers eyes darted over at their allies who looked like former enemys from the West. General Regulus turned in his saddle to see Frozopan Nobles approaching from the rear ranks, Antonious gripped his sword handle and Regulus raised his hand as if to say no...He waited till they approached then yelled a greeting,

"Welcome my noble allies!"

Conor grinned and dismounted.
"I am lord Conor of Frozopia, commander of horses in the war that we shall fight. Tell me friend, when will you be prepared to leave for Aust? What forces have you brought? We plan to leave this evening. Will you be ready?"

Regulus dismouted aswell, Antonious dismouted aswell as 2 Praetorian guard. The Ostian military had to look organized at all times, once one officer dismouted they all did,

"My ships have been supplyed and my troops will be ready to board, i have 13,500 troops present here..but sence the invasion is near i must tell you 30 thousand legionaires are building ships to launch from this river nile?"

The army sturred up losts of dust as it made its way by...

"30,000! A great force, but will it not take them months to reach Aust? Maybe they could help reinforce us in the future, for we hope to give the Austians as little time to prepare as possible."

Regulus thought for a minute,

"Well...i suppose..im not sure what Agrippa will do...but do you think we can defeat them with what we have here?"

"I do not doubt you General. Even the smallest of forces can make a difference. But tell me. These peasants. Do they have the stomach to fight? I have no doubt in your samurai but peasants? Will they fight with all the courage they possess?"



General Nakamura replies "our peasants formed the bulk of the armies during our civil war period. they've got the stomach for this fight as well as battlefield experience. They may not be Samurai but they are brave. the safety of the home islands depends on them.

thats why I couldn't bring more troops than I did. Kirisubo is vunerable to a counter invasion if the Han empire tries anything or an enemy force bypasses us while we sail.

45,000 troops and 25 great war junks will keep us safe for now but a lot more troops can be raised if needed to defend the homeland"

"My General. Should the Han empire take arms against yourself, they would also have the full might of the Frozopian empire to contend with. As long as your troops are reliable, I care not how many you send."

Elsewhere

"We have the force we require. I doubt the Austians will muster many, but together our combined forces for the start of this campaign number 92,000 soldiers! A vast army of nothing but the finest troops! Should even the Austians outnumber us they will be little more than conscripts: Meat for professional soldiers such as you and me. Better we will have your 30,000 soldiers to reinforce us, and if needs be I can call up another 30,000 Frozopians, although William would prefer not to. Come with me, we shall meet up with General Nakamura, and discuss our plans for the remains of the day. Then we head to Aust and find whatever future lies in front of us!"

Conor saddled up and indicated the Romans to follow him.

OOC:
Aust can we have a simple map of your land? Just cities and key area's are all that need to be added.

Regulus nodded,

"Agreed wise Conor, i will follow"

The Ostian officers mounted their horses quickly and followed Conor to meet with General Nakumura.


General Agrippa sat in his command tent studying maps and charts of the area. One of his cavelry officers entered the tent,

"Sir the encampment is finished, the men are bedding down for the night.."

Agrippa wiped the sweat from his brow,

"Alright...im almost done too, it's been a hard day..just adjusting this course we will take..."

The officer gave the salute and left the tent. The air was humid, the sun was setting making the nile glisten and sparkle...Agrippa watched it through the open flap on his tent...

OOC: You do realsie this would take years and years, do't you it took the crusades more than a year to reach the Holy Land during this time period-it's take at least 10 years to reach Australia from Siberia and Italy.

I don't have a map as I'm about as profficant with mapmaking tools as I am with power tools (Not very.) I'll giver you a discripton. Most of my big citys and stuff is on the southern coast line, where Sydney Malborn ect is. My real homeland is TAzmania which is just abnout coimpletely covered in buildings. Aust City is on a island just off the Tazmanian choast,

On land my 4 main citys are Al-Ling, Bambinio, Tanka and Aust City. Tanka is on Tazmania while the others are on the choast. Al-Ling is about where Brisbane is in Rl. Bambinio is where Sydnmey is. Between there, and a little further up the choast are lots of citys all linked by roads.

In the centeral, desert, areas theres a lot of forontier, 'wild west' style towns. In the northern lungles you have the tribal villages and I haven't taken the west yet.

ooc: meanwhile, Aust and Terror and I are probibly only a week or two away from each other, even in crummy ships. if they can survive getting there, ti's probibly not going to take longer than that, unless they're like, row boats or something... even a waka could make it under it's own power in a reasonable amount of time.

ooc: meanwhile, Aust and Terror and I are probibly only a week or two away from each other, even in crummy ships. if they can survive getting there, ti's probibly not going to take longer than that, unless they're like, row boats or something... even a waka could make it under it's own power in a reasonable amount of time.
OOC: So basically your going to have massive problems with travel, communiction and so on. While we, on the other hand, are only a week or so from each other, and have had years to prepare and plan.

OOC: Years to prepare and plan. Right.
I know its not realistic for the Ostians to travel to aust, but we had the Ostians travelling to Kiriusbo and Frozopia before we had any idea of a map. So its unfair to throw that against our allies faces. And if we were planning an invasion of Aust, knowing it would take years to pull together, you would not know we were planning an invasion. I gave you that knowledge freely because the invasion would take months.

If I can fight alongside my allies the Ostians than I am calling off this RP. I will be lame like everyone else and invade territory no-one else has claimed.

So really this will only be acceptable (to me) if the Ostians have maybe 3 months planning max before the landing and the allies who joined later maybe 2. Perhaps more, my knowledge on naval transports is not great.

As a compromise we could ask Philanchez to cut some sea through Africa. Makes everyone more close, and makes Really Drunks efforts more realistic.

I don't need years to prepare and plan. Couple of months to work up to a state of readiness; bit of time for work-up trials with Austian vessels so we can work together; that's about it. Comes a time you got to let realism slip for a bit, just to make things bearable for the participants.

OOC: Years to prepare and plan. Right.
I know its not realistic for the Ostians to travel to aust, but we had the Ostians travelling to Kiriusbo and Frozopia before we had any idea of a map. So its unfair to throw that against our allies faces. And if we were planning an invasion of Aust, knowing it would take years to pull together, you would not know we were planning an invasion. I gave you that knowledge freely because the invasion would take months.

If I can fight alongside my allies the Ostians than I am calling off this RP. I will be lame like everyone else and invade territory no-one else has claimed.

So really this will only be acceptable (to me) if the Ostians have maybe 3 months planning max before the landing and the allies who joined later maybe 2. Perhaps more, my knowledge on naval transports is not great.

As a compromise we could ask Philanchez to cut some sea through Africa. Makes everyone more close, and makes Really Drunks efforts more realistic.
OOC: I'm fine with it, I was just pointing out. I don't mind you fighting along side your allies, I was just pointing out that in RL a operation like this would be possable but would take years.

OOC: Yes i was traveling to Kurisubo before we had a map, we kinda just made it up as we went along. When the intrest in this PT rp'ing got so high we started to branch off into other Rp's. Given the map i have no ways to connect with my allies...how do you expect me to keep up with the Rp?

i started Kirisubo in an isolationist period so i didn't need to worry about a map :)

more gaps in the map would help move sea traffic a lot quicker. i'm wondering if ships can travel the seas of the frozen north although or is the ice impassable?

OOC: Ok guys. Enough OOC. Shall we get this show on the road? Few assumptions here, hope ya dont mind.

IC:
It was time to move on. The allied navy was leaving the Kiriusban port. It was time to head south. The allied command sat in the comforts of Frozopian Royal Navy ship, discussing the strategies to be taken when they reached Aust.

OOC: Crap. Gotta go, now we can talk strategy together.

General Regulus walked around the table covered with a large map,

"Generals,Nobles and loyal officers...today we move foward, to better improve the world as we know it"

Antonious spoke,

"Maximus will be here, he will be boarding from a different ship.."

Regulus nodded slowly,

"What is the plan of action friends?"

William stepped forwards.
"We know little of the Austians, but I think we know enough. We have collected information of merchants and even pirates, and this kind of information has proved to be invaluable."

"Off the south coast is the island Tasmania. Slightly off the larger island Tasmania (OOC: easier to call it this, dunno what you call it) is another smaller island, where the city of Aust sits. I am reluctant about landing there: we will be playing to our enemies strengths with such a manouver."

"Instead we secure the South coast of main land Aust. Landing in the north east, we can push through to capture two key cities Bambinio and Al Ling and all the surrounding territories. Then, we can push west capturing the rest of Aust. I think we can achieve this without to much difficulty, as long as we are able to secure a landing."

"After we have claimed all of mainland Aust, we should have obtained our reinforcements from Ostia and maybe Frozopia. These troops can help reinforce our Ostian garrison. Then we sail to Tasmania."

"Each city we take, each town we destroy will weaken the enemy and strengthen our cause. So then friends of Frozopia. What do you think?"

Regulus listened closley to William, with his finger he traced the way in which they would move on the map,

"What are we expecting to come agaisnt? what troop types...training..equipment?"

Maximus opened the cabin door and entered with a saulte to Regulus,

"Ahh Maximus..just in time..we are discussing the Aust plans..glad you could join us"

Maximus bowed to General Nakumura...

OOC: My army is working up to tercio tactics. If you don't know it, I'll explain when I've more time. They're not there yet (with the quality of my navy, having an army up to that standard would be unfair) but they're working on it.

OOC: A combination of pikes/spears and guns? i thought guns were not very common? how can an army with no guns even hope to win a battle?

OOC: Early guns are generally crap, dont worry yourself. Ever played medieval total war? Then you will understand. And besides I have 2000 of them, just in case.

Some historian who I cant remember said something like "100 of Wellingtons muskets could not beat 100 longbowmen". And I am bringing 20,000. Trust me they will own, seeing as wellingtons muskets were probably musket men at their best. Longbows fire faster, further and are only beaten in armour piercing ability at close range by muskets.

OOC: yes quicker firing rate.....i was just thinking of what will happen when cannons are fired at our infantry

OOC: Bah we will handle them with a bit of cavalry, assuming they are not in rediculously and unrealistic large numbers.

Aust could you tell me a bit about your military. Not secret IC work but general knowledge that merchants who have travelled in Aust may know about.

OOC: I agree, downside of early arquebuses is their range (25-30m accurate, maybe 100 before the bullet drops to the ground) and reload time (source I found reckoned three shots a minute from skilled users.
However, the upside is the sheer punch from close range, and the relatively little training required. Basically to be decent longbowmen your guys have to practice constantly. I can call for volunteers (don't like conscription) give them some training and be ready to rock (why you think people started using them in the first place?).
Plus I did say I was working on it. So my forces will be a mix of musket/pike combos and more old-fashioned longbow/pike units.
My army has very few cannon, largely for siege work. They're simply not mobile enough for open warfare. They're only practical at this tech level hauled by oxen if you want them to have a decent punch.

we are talking about matchlock muskets which you couldn't use when it was raining and the burning matchcord would give you away at night.

Japanese armies of the civil war period had these muskets and as far as i remember only the Tokugawa's had cannon courtesy of William Adams ship.

as long as can stick to these limits I don't see a problem.

Terror, the pike and musket formations sounds a lot like English civil war tactics.

Yes; and they're no good for sentries, cos they burn umpteen yards of slow-match while they're on patrol. Luckily I wasn't planning on sneaking them around at night, and Aust has a fairly clement climate.

I was modelling the tactics more specifically on the Spanish tercio, and the Dutch adaptation of it. I'm not too up on English Civil war tactics, but I'll take a look...can see them being very similar, yes.

Fairly similar. However, I'm not sure my cavalry will be that disciplined.
I like the dragoons though; I'll take them. That just gives me a problem of transporting horses...:rolleyes:

OOC:
Its a bit less, I think its 30 yards but It dont make much of a difference.
Its true about recruitment: My longbowmen have spent 10 years struggling to get the strength and skill required, from their childhood where it was a sport to man hood where it became a regime. Theres no way I could gather a large army of longbows quickly. But there strengths work better for a completely professional long standing army such as mine, and where the muskets rate might be 3 a minute, the longbow is 3 before the first arrow has even struck.

But how hard are you willing to fight for another country like Aust? Would you really set up a desperate recruitment campaign to boost your armies? Sending them into the grinder?

Reallydrunk']Regulus listened closley to William, with his finger he traced the way in which they would move on the map,

"What are we expecting to come agaisnt? what troop types...training..equipment?"

Maximus opened the cabin door and entered with a saulte to Regulus,

"Ahh Maximus..just in time..we are discussing the Aust plans..glad you could join us"

Maximus bowed to General Nakumura...

back to IC:

Lord General Nakamura, the Kirisuban ground commander returns the bow and then speaks in latin.

"Greetings Maximus San.

William san, what do we know about Austian allies in the region and their capacity for battle? if we do end up fighting more than one nation we may end up needing a second wave of troops from the north as well as the arriving second Ostian army.

We'll also need ships to escort our supply ships and secure our supply lines. the large island where Admiral Ishido went to to build a small supply base would be ideal.

Its due south of Nansei province and a weeks sailing time from there"

OOC: Well, at the moment I have significant surplus population, I'm a rich country, and I'm prepared to create a national debt (roughly on a par with tech level, after all) to pay for it.
Besides, as I see it, the more each side has to call up new troops, the more it's to my advantage, with both shorter supply lines and a military style more geared to recent recruits.

Oh yeah, and that island could, just possibly, cause problems. I could see my Navy deciding, as and when word gets back to them, that they're fortifying it as a northern base.

OOC: Which island?

IC:

"Although we are not certain of the strengths of these alliances, they have obviously had good relations in the past years." William began.

"Firstly there are the men of Terror Incognitia. Primarily we need to worry about their naval capacities, more than their land armies. Their navy is large and their nation is very much dependent upon it. Most are equipped with guns and cutting edge naval weapons. If we cannot find neutrality with them, then our navy will be very stretched repelling any raids made upon the supply lines."

"Their land troops? Spear and musket, disciplined but not high quality troops. No cavalry."

"And then there is the people of Angermanland to the east. They have a very small standing army: little we have to worry about when we fight in Aust. We have little information on their navy."

"Now tell me what you know." William sent the question at all the war leaders.

General Nakamura shakes his head and replies "we know nothing of the lands past the large island which will be used as a supply stop. Our own merchants haven't got that far yet.

If Terror Incognitia does declare in favour of Aust we will have major problem but we also have the Han Empire to consider. We know from our last dealings with them a century ago that they have very large armies mainly based on bows and spears. they also had gunpowder based rockets as well.

Their navy was very large and strong as well.

I doubt they'll have weakened since then and if they also support Aust our supply lines will be cut at best. At worst Kirisubo, the Kuriles and Frozopia itself could be at risk"

ooc: the island in question is the most northernly island of the Philiipines which could well change hands if Terror decides take it over.

Ooc: :D

ooc: heh. sorry to bring this up again, but: the real effect of those travel distances on the RP, the only one, really, is that Aust, Terror, and I, between fighting on the defenceive and the short distances, have shorter supply lines and can react somewhat quicker ot unexpected developments.

also, frozopia? how the heck do you know i even exist? *laughs* we've never met. heck, even Aust and Terror barely know i exist so far.

OOC: agree, in principle, to all you just said. But for the smooth running of the RP, I suggest you/we cut them some slack, as long as it's not sonething that gives them unfair advantage.

OOC: Bah merchants go far in Frozopia seeing as there is very little at home. We got a little info of alot of nations from there.

IC:
"The Han Empire could be a threat, but I see no reason why they would back the Austians. There armies have been stretched recently whilst expanding their boarders. Lets hope this remains true. If we do have the Han empire to contend with, then we may have to call off this invasion."

Staring into space, William paused for a second before speaking:
"One day the Han Empire will have a reckoning for their arrogance. Until then they are a threat."

OOC:
heh. i'd say not takeing advantage of the several years travil time was "some slack" but that's true. then again, Kirisubo and Frozopia arn't That far away from us, so in that instance it's not going to make a big difference.

humm. you might be right, froz... except, Angermanland hasn't really had any contact with anyone untill now, haveing only just very recently even got hold of it's northern islands. so i suppose you might know i'm there. but that'd be it. you certainly wouldn't know wich way i'm going to jump, as.. welll, IC, even my ruler doesn't even know there's a need to go one way or another yet.

OOC: I guessed an alliance cos your kinda near Aust, but I never made any guess about how strong the alliance was (e.g. might just be friendly relations, could be full whack military alliance).

"The Han Empire could be a threat, but I see no reason why they would back the Austians. There armies have been stretched recently whilst expanding their boarders. Lets hope this remains true. If we do have the Han empire to contend with, then we may have to call off this invasion."

Staring into space, William paused for a second before speaking:
"One day the Han Empire will have a reckoning for their arrogance. Until then they are a threat."

Lord General Nakamura looks at his brother in arms and replies "I hope we can keep them out off this war.

If the Han do interfer against us we can always expand and fortify our our supply bases on the new islands we found. they have a strategic position. theres also islands off our coast which would make good outposts once fortified.

This way we'll be able to stop them expanding east if that is their plan"

OOC: The Austian land forces are infantry based. (No cavalry at all.) We have a large army wwhich is currently expanding into a massive force. We are well armoured and armed and balive in decipline. I hav e a lot of longbowmen and pikemen and I also fight with plenty of swordsmen. and thats all your getting.

OOC: Dont put any value in your new troops, thats all I am saying for now. You can never rely on rookies.....

IC:
"Agreed. I will send orders to Frozopia to help with this action, but we must be careful so as not to stir them up."

"And now the Austian forces: They have no cavalry, but a large disciplined infantry force, backed up by longbows. I doubt they will outnumber us in any aspect, but we cannot be certain. Which is why I want to put our cavalry to good use. Im sure many Austians have never even seen a horse! What a fearful sight a mounted warrior will be!"

"The Samurai horse archers will be hell for the enemy. Although we only have 500, they will be invaluable in tiring and demoralising the enemy. Although the enemy longbows could be a problem, I doubt they will be put to good use."

"My snow horses will be far from comfortable in the new environment, but they are well trained an reliable. I plan to use my heavy cavalry so as to pack a punch: Their power can make up for their ill discipline in battle."

"The light cavalry will work well for screening and scouting, but also for harassing the enemy. I would never send such troops against a disciplined formation, but then again I would never send even the best of cavalry against something like a shield wall."

"We should also look out for gun powder troops: It is unlikely that being within such close proximity to Terror Incognitia that they have not also mastered such weaponry."

"I have a feeling the Frozopian and Ostian infantry will outclass the enemies own, the same for my longbows, but I cannot be certain. We must all be wary."

Regulus looked around the room,

"Yes, i agree that Ostian and Frozo infantry will fight well together..the Samurai are..i find more indepdant but still manage to fight as a whole...interesting.."

Maximus spoke,

"I will be leading a large unit of Ostian Cavelry into battle when we arrive, it's what i do..i have been doing it for years..which one of you my friends also posesses such a talent?"

Maximus paused,

"together we launch deadly finishes to armys..also a combined cavelry unit would help in the raids of villages and settlements?"

Conor stepped forwards:
"I command the cavalry of Frozopia. You are right, we will need to raid towns and villages together, but we have what might be called a ulterior motive." Both William and Conor shared a glance, and then Conor began again.

"The nobles who serve under Frozopia, the main reason they are here is for slavery. Without this we would not have gathered half the force we have: These nobles fight for money, not for honour, I am ashamed to say. We are willing to share the slaves with all our allied nations, as well as any other objects of value."

General Regulus nods his head in agreement,

"I agree with you, what ever Ostia captures we will split it evenly between our allies?..there will be no quarrel"

Antonious adds,

"Also there will be lots of new acts in the coloseum in Ostia.." He smiles at his fellow Ostians

Maximus grinned,

"The Emperor will be very happy in that case...more gladiator shows..

General Nakamura replies "we don't need slaves but we would be interested in Austian military technology and their gold and silver.

Our main aim is to secure our territory and sea lanes so we can expand out to the islands south and east of us."

"I am glad this is acceptable." Conor sat back down.
William smiled at his brother and stood himself.
"Tell me Ostians: What force have you brought to fight in Aust? I know of the Kiriusban soldiers but not your own."

General Regulus smiled and came to report,

"I have 13,500 veteran regulars of the Imperial Ostian army, broken down into individual units i have...8 thousand infantry, 1 thousand auxillary, 2 thousand archers, 2 thousand cavelry and 500 different military trades such as doctors and officers..ect..."

Regulus paused then continued,

"Ostia has also sent 30 thousand soldiers lead by General Agrippa to the nile to prepare a transport fleet"

"That is good. We will be a mighty force to contend with! Perhaps we should retire to our quarters for the night? We can talk better in the morning, after you have enjoyed the comforts of this ship."

As the days passed by the Frozopians and their allies got closer an closer to Aust......

OOC: We can continue talking strategy Icily, Im just trying to put in a sense of distance being travelled.

Lord General Nakamura retires to his cabin his samurai remaining with him outside his cabin knowing this will be his last campaign whatever the result of it.

If sucessful he could retire and if he wasn't he would either die at the hand of his enemy or his own. Such was the way of Bushido.

she prays to the christian God before retiring for the night the first night of many that will be spent travelling.

Once the meeting had come to a close for the night everyone retired to their rooms. After days of travel Maximus came out on the ships decks one night looking over the dark water, waves crashed off the hull of the fine Frozopan ship.

He thought about Hitomi back in Kurisubo while he stood alone, the creaks and groans of the ship aside from the water was the only noise on the ocean..

OOC: Oops save that for later.

The days passed slowly, each day dragging by. No land was seen and everyone was bored to death.

With little to do the allies talked strategy, analysing the strengths and weaknesses of each one, and the more they talked the more they got to know each others strengths and weaknesses.

One day William called a meeting. There was something important to discuss.
As the leaders filed into the room, William greeted them and after they had sat down, he began to talk.

"My friends. There is something we must discuss, something of great importance. What route will our ships to take to Aust?"

"If we sail directly south we passby several of Aust's allies waters, putting our own position at threat."

"So do we take a longer route around and sacrifice speed? Or is there an ultimate solution to our troubles?"

looking at chart of known lands in the south pacific General Nakamura suggests "if we continue on our present course we'll enter the waters of Teror Incognita. however a course South-South-East will bring round these islands here"

he points out whats known of Angermanlands islands.

"with luck they won't be allied with Aust and we'll be able to get through that way"

The Ostian leaders stood around the room each one deep in thought then Ciero spoke,

"Well..i suggest we go right through them! crush them.."

Maximus lifted his hand, shutting Ciero up..

"Ahh Ciero..that is the additude we need but not in the planning stage, there is pros and cons to each.."

Regulus spoke,

"I say we sail in the direction away from Terror..what ever lies in those islands they should not pose much of a threat.."

"Angermanland. We can only hope they are not allied to the Austians. Tell me have any Ostians or kiriusbans had talks with them? For no Frozopian ever has, but for a few merchants and they know little."

Regulus shook his head,

"Not to my knowlage..."

He looked at his officers who also shook their heads..

"we've never had a diplomatic mission or any merchants that far south before" General Nakamura replied "so we'll be the first to meet them"

Regulus spoke,

"I have heard of tribes to the south where it is tropic..head hunter types, they are not advanced militarys i don't beleive.."

Antonious was shocked,

"Head hunters meaning...for the sake of the gods..let us steer clear of that place.."

Maximus cut him off,

"No..no...maybe we are the first they have ever...met? therefore...they will show intrest.."

OOC: I suppose you know if you go round you'll have no resupply from the North...utterly dependent on looting in Aust...because I'll be able to cut the route through?
Basically I want you to come through me, cos I think it'll be fun to RP. I watch for your decision with interest.

Terror, even if the fleet does go straight through you, you'll still be able to cut the supply lines regardless after they pass you.

the alternative is a sea battle to take out the Incognitian navy before continuing on to Aust regardless of the course taken.

OOC: PLus it damn windy out past NZ, and the channel between NZ and Oz is very hard to navigate, even with modern boats. And it won't be hard for us to reposition our fleet if you don't go straigh through, we have half the distance to go-and no storms. :D

ooc: why did you think i claimed those islands? heh.. control of the shipping lanes. or at least My shipping lanes. or i will have.. eventually. blah.

"We have a choice: Secure a peaceful route threw peace or war, OR I have thought up something." William smiled for a second.

"It is unlikely the enemy would be able to stop us landing. By the time we are within Austian waters, it will be too late for them to be prepare a counter navy that day. Even if we are spotted on route to Aust, someone bringing news would have to over take us and head to Aust, which is unlikely."

"So they will probably strike at any supply line we form, cutting us off from our home nations. I can stop this."

"Firstly our supply lines must take multiple routes, anything beyond 50 different routes ideally, which is possible around Aust."

"To counter this the enemy must either spread their navy, or use patrols. Patrols will in generally be slow in getting reinforcements, so our suppliers will slip through."

"If they spread their navy, each force will be small. However we know exactly what route we are taking: Our forces will be concentrated. Better, each supply group will be as large as possible: We will move in convoys. Even if we lose the odd ship, the majority will get threw. This plus any food we obtain in Aust, and our ground forces should be fine."

"This is how we should combat any naval raids on our supply lines. What do you think?"

Regulus listened to the plan then made his comment,

"Sounds like a sensible idea..im not a man of naval warfare but it sounds like you know what you are talking about, you have Ostia's full co-operation in the naval stratigy you choose.."

The other Ostian officers nodded in agreement,

"to the landing..." Maximus shot back some wine...

"The landing will be fine. We have plenty of boats to quickly transport troops and supplies from the bigger, and we will hopefully have time to prepare and move our forces before combat. Hopefully we will land not too far from where we march to: The Southern Austian cities."
William replied.

Regulus spoke,

"What will be our order of formation..what i mean is..which armys will cover which flanks?"

Lord General Nakamura nods and replies "spliting up our supply ships into different convoys will work as long as they have adequate naval protection.

regarding the fleet after we land we'll have to guard against attacks on the beach head as well as using the ships to transport troops further down the coast line so we can cut of defending troops and keep them guessing about our plans.

using the sea to move troops was always a sucessful tactic in our civil war"

"The landing maybe a bit chaotic so their is unlikely to be any set formation untill we are moving. Everyone just needs to position themselfs defensively and prepared, and we should have no problems. We will probably have to unite all our cavalry and split them equally on each flank, putting the infantry and archers in the centre. Then we can get the cavalry to fan out front."

Conor held up his hand, and William nodded at him.

Standing up, Conor cleared his throat and began:
"If we are going directly into a landing, how will we defend our ships?"

William smiled.
"Well thought little brother. Before we left port I made some changes to the arrangements on transport. A number of our soldiers have been shifted to the noble's private owned ships, which have become cramped an over crowded. This however leaves our powerful Frozopian Royal navy ships to slow any enemy navy's till we are backed up by crafts who have completely unloaded. If we are disciplined and smart, we should be able to drive any Australasian allied navy."

Regulus nodded,

"Yes i agree, legions are large forces and would move faster down the coast on ships..don't get me wrong they can move fast on land aswell but easier to control on a ship?.."

Maximus scratched the back of his head and sipped some wine before he spoke,

"All these plans..how long before we reach Aust?...we have not received word from Agrippa yet but im sure he is working hard on his tasks, word of the first engaugement will spread over the world..he will know exactly where to go"

Antonious cleared his throat,

"We will have a solid defence line once we can organize...i have inspected infantry soldiers from all sides..they are very well equiped and are well armored..Aust and it's allies will be combating the best of the best.."

OOC: Anyone any idea how long it takes to travel across the Pacific from Kiriusban? I would guess 2 months in Medieval times, and we have been at sea maybe two weeks.

IC:

"I agree with you General, but we will have to be quick, because I want to concentrate our naval forces before the enemy strike. Who is it we shall send further down the coast, and who shall they cut off?"

Antonious raised his hand,

"I will lead men further down the coast...my goal..cut off reinforcements and cause as much hell as i can in the process..."

Maximus knew this was a dangerous task to preform,

"I know you can do it my brother..but the question is..will anyone join you?"

Maximus looked around the room at the faces before him, general Regulus spoke up,

"Alright Antonious..when Agrippa arrives i will have him send a legion and some officers to assist you"

"But General..who knows when Agrippa will arrive..?" Replyed Maximus

Antonious placed his hand on Maximus's shoulder,

"Quiet my friend..i am capible of this task.."

To Maximus it sounded suicidal to branch off from the main force so early..

"What sized force do you hope to take? I could offer some longbows to assist, if you should require it. It is unlikely we will be able to land horses in such way, that is if we want any speed. Any cavalry can remain with the main force." William replied.

Antonious took a deep breath and replyed,

"I will take roughly 1600 legionaires with the plan to move fast and raid anything i see that could be an asset to the enemy..longbows would be useful..im not much of a cavelry officer anyways ...we leave that to Maximus ahaha"

Regulus cracked a grin,

"Good..good..."

"600 Longbows can assist you then. You will get the best: my own captain Andrew will command the bows, he's a veteran and keeps the men inline."

"Maybe several parties could be sent along the coast line. Not so many that our force is split into pieces, but more to cause havoc."

General Nakamura adds "My troops can go where they are needed. We are here to serve.

Lord William surely your troops should do the raiding. You have more experience of this type of operation than we or the Ostians have"

General Nakamura adds "My troops can go where they are needed. We are here to serve.

Lord William surely your troops should do the raiding. You have more experience of this type of operation than we or the Ostians have"

William grinned embarassed. It was after all the Kiriusban they were raiding last time.

"True, true. I volunteer my own party of soldiers, I know a couple of good captains who could command a very successful raid, whereas the Romans are more suited for open warfare. We have been doing it are whole lives."

"But my friends there is something you must know. If the Han Empire joins this conflict I have strict orders to return home. For if the Han Empire shows one more sign of arrogance or Imperialism , King Clauro will declare me Pendragon or overall general in a invasion of the Han Empire. We will gather all the armies of Frozopia, and crush them for the scum they are."

General Nakamura nods and says "thats a sensible plan. The Han have always been in the back of my mind and losing my homeland while we fight in Aust is not a good exchange.

a campaign in Han territory would be some payback as well for us. Only a few years ago a Han army stopped us from taking Chosen"

"Better, the Toops are attempting to invade the Han Empire although I doubt they will succeed alone. While the Hanese forces think we are invading Aust, we could swing around and attack their coast line with a swift landing or we could gather reinforcements in our homelands."

"Chosen? What is the Chosen, General?"

William asked questioningly.

"the Kingdom of Chosen" General Nakamura replies "a neighbour of Han China which we attempted to invade about 10 years ago. We would have won that campaign if the Han hadn't send their forces to help.

It still sticks in the craw of many of our veterans of that campaign that we had to leave that penisula in defeat.

However merchants tales have told us that the Han invaded Chosen and made them a province of the Han Empire.

Still it would be good to avenge ourselves on the Han"

William nodded.
"However we should not speak of action against the Han empire quite so early. With luck and sense they will stay out of this conflict. They should guess that there would be a strong Frozopian reprisal if they do attack our shipping."

General Regulus smiled and looked around the room,

"Good, Good..no matter what the situation my full support will be given under any circumstance"

Antonious spoke once again,

"Thank you for the long bows you will send William...these raids will be risky..but effective..."

"I suggest two raiding forces within close distance of each other. One can raid coastal settlements, the other can head further in land. One can be purely Frozopian, the other Romans backed up by Frozopian Longbows. This should be effective."

Regulus grinned,

"Yes agreed, i only hope there is somthing for my soldiers to kill after your long bow arrows rain down on the enemy"

Maximus and the other Ostian officers agreed with Regulus..

"maybe its better if we stay at the beach head until we're needed" Lord General Nakamura adds "very few of my officers speak latin and a language barrier won't be helpful.

However i take any Christian samurai and see about assigning them as translators if we are doing joint operations"

"Yes that will probably be better. Maybe your peasant spearmen could defend, while we bring the Samurai's with us?"

"Kizoku Taisho William" General Nakamura replies "my spearmen could hold a beach head if they had some allied support. i'm sure you'll come up with a plan.

Our Samurai can also fight in villages if needed. fighting in built up areas was a large part of our civil war. the mounted samurai should be especially useful"

Regulus listened to the other leaders in the room, then he replyed..

"we will work hand in hand, the outcome of this campaign is decided on how well we work togeather.."

bump?

OOC: changed my mind...

IC: This had not been planned on, but the best laid plans...

A reckless spray of vessels had been sent out, in a way that would never have been attempted against a hostile force, at where the invasion fleet was thought to be.

One of them, at least, was bound to stumble across the fleet. And when it did, it would tell them that Incognitia was not hostile to them.

Slightly ahead of the Terror Incognitian navy Davids ships progressed towards the Frozopian navy. It was time to bring news. News of peace.

OOC: You dont need to send out ships, but its fine if you want to. Perhaps you can meet the Generals.....

OOC: Yeah, I think that's a good idea, on balance. As is having you ahead, so I don't get shot at.

OOC: lol.

IC:
"David! You made it!" William greeted his old friend jubiliantly, as the men talked in the 'Tactical Quarters' as Conor called it. "How was your mission?"

"I think it went well Bill. The Terror Incognitian forces agreed to allowing us to pass through as long as I signed this." David passed William the paper, who read it carefully.

"The Phillipines?" William frowned, looking at General Nakamura. Passing the paper to the General, he turned back to David.

"Looks good. Im sure King Clauro will be pleased. Capturing those islands we promised should not take too much difficulty. I wonder how Nicholas is doing?"

"He's probably on his way. Speaking of that I think some Terror Incognitian forces are on their way to meet us."

"Really?"

General Nakamura mulls over the letter and comments "that was were our supply and refitting base was suposed to have been built but there are other islands we can use for that purpose"

He hands the letter back and adds "this will certainly make our task easier. we can go futher without having to worry about supply lines.

Our own intelligence on the phillipine chain shows that theres no major forces in the area. Controlling them should be no problem"

Regulus went up on deck followed by Maximus and Antonious. Togeather they stood on the deck looking out at the glistening water which the ship cut through,

"First we hear Terror is hostile, now it seems they wish to keep the peace"

Antonious grinned,

"Aust is doomed then, we will arrive any day and commence the assult"

Maximus smiled and looked out at the ships which glided close by,

"This means i will return to Kurisubo even faster, i miss Hitomi very much already...but duty is duty.."

Regulus nodded..

OOC: Yes, for those of you up on your sci-fi I'm using Culture-style names for a lot of my ships.

IC: The "Bad Intent" was an Incognitian frigate, sent out in search of the invasion fleet. However, she had followed the course of the Frozopian vessel, as far as that was known, and so was reckoned to have a better chance of finding them. Hence she carried, for a frigate, the impossibly high rank of an Admiral.

"Sir! Vessels to the North! Faasands of em!"

"The Terror Incognitians?" William asked.
"Yes thats them." David responded. "Do the other ships know?"
"Yes I made it clear."

The Frozopian command ship approached the Terror Incognitian ship, waving white flags and decelerating, so that the Terror Incognitian leaders could come aboard.....

Seeing a large ship sweeping down on them waving white flags, there was an obvious interpretation - it was time to talk.

Raising a white flag in response, to make their intentions clear, and heaving-to so that the other ship could more easily come alongside, the Admiral prepared himself to go over and face men a few days before he had been prepared to kill.

From the deck of the command vessel the Ostian officers watched the ship come towards them,

"Impressive navy they have..."

Regulus commented...

Lord General Nakamura and two of his samurai were now on deck and the old general looked over the Incognitian ship noting the cannons.

He watched and waited in his light bamboo armour and a round conical hat to keep the sun of his head. his two swords were in evidence. his guards were dressed and equipped in the same way.

The Kirisuban commander waited patiently for the chance to meet his new ally.

Regulus and his staff(Maximus,Antonious,Ciero) were all dressed in their best battle fatigue. Regulus wore across his shoulder a lion skin over his beautiful armor,

"Our new allies gentleman, we must make them trust they have made the right decision....look sharp"

Regulus told his men, quickly they followed their generals order sorting them selves out.

##----------
EGYPT:The Nile

General Agrippa came out of his command tent to the sight of the bright sun shinning in his eyes. The ships from Tajik had arrived and were awaiting their tasks, sence the beginning of the project the Ostian military and civilians had constructed many ships, but these were the last they needed,

"Wonderful! we set sail tomorrow!"

Agrippa bellowed, soldiers heard him and started shouting out in joy, others shook their weapons high in the air..Austs final days were near!.

William, David and Conor both looked rough from weeks of travel, and instead were garbed in light furs, with their swords and shields slung over their backs making a shabby sight for the Terror Incognitians. William shouted good moodily over the gap between the two ships:

"So you decided to make it then? Who's in charge?"

Upon ehreing of the Incognitian betrayial the Austian Navy turned south. Evedently it would not be able to protect it's islands to the north nor fend off the great navy that approched, what they could do though was hit the enermy when they wehre vanuarable, when they where disembarking there troops-then they would be undermanned and weak. Sitting ducks.

The barrier reef would also be a problem for the enermys deep-hulled ships to navagte, with only the Austians knowing the intracte waterways that went through the coral. The Austians would attempt to ambush and kill, picking off one enermy at a time.

Dressed as an ordinary captain, merely with more gold thread on his sleeves, the Admiral looked what he was. A fighting captain, risen to greater heights.
"I am Admiral Nordin. I am sent as a representative of our Navy, to work with our new allies. Who might you be?"

General Nakamura introduced himself first in latin and bowing.

"good day to you honourable Admiral.

My name is Lord General Nakamura Toshiro, the Commander of the Kirisuban ground forces in this campaign"

The old man sized up the Incognitian and found a veteran warrior like himself. Most students of war had the same teacher.

Regulus greeted the man,

"Admiral Nordin, glad to have you aboard"

Maximus and the others stood in the background,

"So tell me Admiral..what made you see our cause?"

Regulus listened for the reply of his new commrade...

"We had been considering where our interests really lay for some time now.
And, what can I say, the High Seneschal is a decisive man. When he had a clear understanding of the situation, he saw that the common weal was better served on this side of things.

Regulus grinned,

"The right decision was made, he's a smart man.."

"I am glad you have allied with us Admiral. I am William, commander of this Frozopian army and this is my brother Conor: Commander of the Frozopian cavalry."

William indicated his brother, the resembalance clear. Both men were tall and fair, but equally they were scarred from countless raids.

"Do you bear any relation to David, the diplomat who went to Nescia?"

OOC: assuming from the way we're talking that we've skipped the boathandling to get my dude on your ship.

OOC: Yeah. Ah well unimportant.

IC:
"No, but me and David are old friends. We had the same sword master. I think he's joined his own ship, so its unlikely he will be joining us today. Will you be dining with us? It will be a good chance to familiarise yourself with the War leaders. I think we are cooking some good quality Beef today."

"A bit of familiarisation sounds fine. As does some beef.

I would like to discuss how our forces can aid your current plans, and what other options we can present."

"Well most importantly of all you can aid us in a safe landing. We cannot afford too lose any more ships: We have been lucky throughout this journey but we have still had casualties to the sea. Will you be able to protect our landing from the Austians?"

"We have had some contact with the Austian Navy; we believe ours to be superior in every way save, possibly, numbers.
Given some assistance from those of your vessels not overladen with troops, we can push the Austians aside and hold them away from your landing spot. Then, with your assistance, we can aim to destroy their fleet in being, to protect supply routes from raiding, and guarantee us naval superiority for the duration of the conflict."

Regulus spoke,

"I will divert some of my vessels to this cause, i will order troops from those ships to other ships that are making the landing"

Ciero stepped foward..

"General, i will stay aboard and assist who ever leads the mission.."

"Will you want to send the invasion force in and engage the Austians when they become aware of our arrival; or work at sweeping away and destroying their navy then land once the way is cleared?"

"The first is more risky at sea, but gives you a better chance when you land, as they will have less warning of your coming; and there are few engagements worse than a contested landing."
"In my opinion we should take the first option, as we should be able to defeat their navy either way, whereas you will wish to be landed before you encounter serious land forces."

Maximus nodded and cut in,

"I say we land...he is right, the less notice they have the more suprize and confusion we will inflict"

"It will put our men at risk, something I am reluctant to do. However I have put some thought in your strategy: My land troops are concentrated in the Noble's private ships, whereas 150 Royal Navy ships: The best we Frozopians have, are nearly empty. The Noble ships can try remain out of the conflict unless there is an emergency, while the Royal Navy ships can work with the allied ships to destroy the enemy navy. THEN we can land, with our ground forces in tact and it can be a surprise landing." William responded.

Regulus spoke,

"I would suggest we land intact...we will lose strenth is the enemy holds up ships in a naval battle...."

"We shall have to engage any Austians standing between us and the landing site. The choice is whether we attempt to discover and destroy their main navy before or after the landing."

"In that case...we must destroy their navy...they can disrupt our progress slightly if not..we can't tip toe in..we must go all out"

"Well, where is the landing planned for? It may be that their navy will be there in force and have to be fought, it may be that they are elsewhere and we can simply land with a force off to one side covering; then engage them afterwards. We will not tiptoe. The question is whether we run straight for the end, or march there. Running should get us past serious naval opposition, marching will annihilate it before we land."

Regulus grinned,

"well....there is no hurry"

"But my point was that then, their land forces will be on alert and gathered in that region ready to face us, whereas if we ignore all their ships we don't encounter, we'll be able to land before there is any more than militia in place on land against your men. And the landing is the hardest part, you want as little opposition on land as possible."

"yes, that has crossed my mind....what do we expect to be facing..militia or thousands of armed regulars and fortresses ......?? i have heard many differernt things and im a general..no one has a straight answear

"I'm afraid we know very little about their army."

"All i know is...they will not have one when we arrive ahahaha"

Some of the men cracked grins at the generals comment...

Conor spoke this time:
"We should land quickly if we are given the chance to land near our destination and with surprise. We should not falter and search for their navy. But if we find them in our path, as unlikely as it is, we should destroy that navy and then we have the flexibility to land where and when we want. Its a win-win situation, as long as we can defeat their navy."

"We were doubtful of success when our navy and theirs were going to be working together. Now, their chances are slim indeed. If they are to have any chance, it will be our mistakes that give it to them.

Regulus agreed,

"Exactly...that is why we cannot make mistakes"

He smiled and looked at the commanders,

"I have doubts about mistakes being made, we are all warriors with years upon years of combat experiance..i am confident as all of you should be"

He paused..

"Soon gentleman, we will all be gathered back on this very command ship telling our war stoys ahaha"

Maximus looked at general nakumura,

"Yes...the winds have guided us well towards our objective..they are with us"

"Mistakes are unavoidable. There is not a general who has not made one, but a good general makes fewer mistakes than most and adapts when the situation requires it."

"I just hope i have a nation to return to" General Nakamura replies to Maximus "the Han haven't declared their hand yet and we're their neighbours"

"The Han Empire know that challenging the Kiriusuban will mean fighting the Frozopians also. King Clauro would not let their allies fall to the Han Empire, without trying our hardest to intervene."

The general nods and says "without Kirisuban ports and repair facities the alliance can't maintain our military forces in the north pacific.

Our defence forces have always been ready to repel an invasion and will die at ther posts if they have to keep an invader from our soil"

Regulus nodded,

"Yes, you are right about the mistakes point..i was just trying to look at things from a better veiw"

Maximus spoke once again,

"Kurisubo will not fall, Ostia would send the might of her armys and ask her allies to assist in an all out full scale invasion of Oda..."

Antonious grinned,

"I don't think they want to fight the whole world...in what ever they are planning they must make careful choices in how they go about it.."

"If the Han have the gall to invade you, we will give you all the aid that we may; that would probably primarily be aiming to cut off their invasion from reinforcement and supply from the mainland, but we could offer troops as well."

Regulus slammed his fist against his chest plate giving the Ostian military salute, the other ostian officers did the same,

"We will fight beside you aswell, fear not friends.."

General Nakamura replies "I also hope the Han will have the good sense not to fight us"

his mood brightens and he asks the Incognition Admiral about resupply facilities in Terrors waters.

"Well, our major ports are MenZerte, in the North West, Nescia in the centre, Dunno to the South West, Nesais in the East, and Neinkennen away to the South East. Which ones we use most heavily will depend upon which part of Aust we head for."

"There are also innumerable smaller ports, but they will be largely unable to take the largest vessels of the fleet."

OOC: Roughly corresponding to...Bandar Seri Begawan, Kolonodale, Jakarta, Sarmi, and Port Moresby in location, if you want to look on a RL map.

Regulus listened closely,

"Wonderful, what is our current distance from our first objective?"

"That depends on the first objective."

OOC: Do we have a map of Aust at all? Major cities, rough terrain, sort of thing?

"That depends on the first objective."

OOC: Do we have a map of Aust at all? Major cities, rough terrain, sort of thing?
OOC; use this, http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/travel/dg/maps/70/750x750_australia2_m.gif

We can use that, but reamber Asut city is that little island between tasmania and the mainland (to the lest).

renamed citys:

Sydney-Al-Ling

Brisbane-Bambinio

Melbourne-Tanka

Perth-Wo-Ti (New City)

the rest are just small citys, those are the big ones. use the same naes.

:)

OOC: Cheers.

I vote for Brisbane, work down the coast, Ostia's troops from the West go for Perth. Possibly I land in Darwin, but probably join the main force.

We will land where the sea heads a bit in land (south east of Darwin), and then march straight across the penisular to Cairns and down the coast.

looking at map of known Aust General Nakamura points at Tanka.

"a major city near a coastline usually has a large safe harbour, something we'll need to ensure supplies keep reaching us" he suggests "therefore I think Tanka would be a good start. Then we can land troops further up and down the coast using Tanka as our HQ"

"Tanka is too far I think. It will mean we will have to sail along the coast, making us very vunerable to naval raids, assuming the enemy navy is not completely destroyed. We will take casualties. Better that we march down the northern coast line and secure Bambinio.

"I believe from a naval and logistical point of view, it makes more sense to land at or near Bambinio, take the city and move on down the coast, taking major strongholds as we go.

However, I am less knowledgeable on the land-based aspects of the campaign."

General Regulus spoke,

"I know that Agrippa will most likey land in Port Hedland ONLY if he receives assistance from kilani along the way...after they have defeated and occupyed that city i say they will move on to perth..."

Regulus looked around studying the faces of the other men,

"We have to get word to agrippa some how, he will act on his own if not.."

OOC: The Austian nation is a little diffrent to modern OZ-the north, round the choast from Dawin (About) to Rockhamton is Jungle, deep forest which streaches inland about 500 miles. Blow that is thinck woodland and finally, from Melbourn onwards lush farming land-the good land. Thus the nroth is quite dangerious and inhabited by a lot of tribes, there are few roads to go down, each one is more a track that leads from village to village. The rest of Asut, away from the coasts, is desert until you reach the other side of the coutnry which follows a similar sort of patten.

OOC: So take the south east and the governable, controlled, fertile lands are yours. Basically?

OOC:
Hm scrap my idea then

IC:
William walked over, and picked up the map, pulling his brother to one side. After a short conversasion, William returns to the table.

"It seems Conor has shown an error in my plans. The area which I suggested marching through is rough and heavily forrested, or at least according to several maps. Here we can land (William stabbed his finger on Rockhampton), where it can benefit us most, but its a very predictable area to land on. Does anyone have a suggestion?"

Regulus nodded and replyed,

"I will go with that plan, it sounds like a sensible suggestion..."

Conor spoke.
"Perhaps we can fool them into thinking we are landing elsewhere? If some of our crafts raided further south, we maybe able to draw the attention of any land and naval force away from us."

Maximus listened then joined in,

"Yes, that is a good idea...if we can thin their forces out we have a better chance at punching through..."

Antonious replyed,

"I have agreed to lead raids and such to disruppt supply lines and such...i will go..."

"some off our mounted Samurai might prove useful in a raid" General Nakamura adds "i doubt the Austians would have dealt with mounted archers before and they can fight just as well on foot and in close confines"

Antonious looked at the map closley and asked,

"The terrian? my infantry are capible of fighting in hot conditions..alot of them come from very warm enviroments back home..they have been trained in our own many different climates.."

OOC: Personally don't think your men will be that used to jungle....and, of course the animals are pritty deadly as well. As Pratchett said: "maybe it would be easier to have a list of the animals that ARN'T dangerious in Australia?"

Lol, i don't intend on venturing into the jungle any time soon...i leave that to those better qualifyed.

Reallydrunk']Lol, i don't intend on venturing into the jungle any time soon...i leave that to those better qualifyed.
OOC: Who said anything about the jungle, black windows are evrywhere in Oz, for example. +the jellyfish ect.

OOC:well you did mention the jungle above...my troops can't really fight to their best ablity in closed quarters like that..

Why bother fighting in a jungle? Just go around, by sea or road. Nothing valuable in the jungle. Let the pockets of resistance starve.

OOC:Agreed, i will not chase such a petty band of cowards who run into a jungle for safty :-)

"Landing there would be acceptable. Will we be able to assist with the raids?"

OOC:You could link with general Agrippa, he i am sure would be happy to have your assistance...

OOC: We'll see. Assuming Kilani joins in in time, I'd only be helping deal with any Austian naval units that side of things.

OOC:A portion of my forces and i understand Kilani's will land and occupy the first city and cause havoc to the west, in the mean time my main forces will board the ships and assist in the destruction of auts naval forces.

"Them mounted Samurai will be invaluable for land raids, but unloading those horses will be slow which will mean any sea-to-land raids are impossible. So our first target is Bambinio, agreed?" William spoke.

"Agreed."

"Bambinino it is" General Nakamura replies.

"now all we have to do is wait until we get there"

The Frozopian ships and their allies were getting closer and closer to their destination, and there was a excited mood in every ship. Finally they would be on dry land, finally they would bring the war to the enemy.

It was the last of the sea water that could be called Terror Incognitian. Within minutes, the Frozopians would be in what Conor called: The Danger zone. The Austians knew they were coming: They might not know they were arriving within days, but they were fully expecting the allied invasion.

As the ships slowly progressed through the reef's, William sincerely hoped they were undetected. As of yet they had not seen a Austian patrol, and William hoped that it would remain like that.

It had been a hard journey: 100's of men had died, either lost to the vicious sea's of the Pacific or victim to the terrible diseases that spread like wildfire when the men gathered in such close quarters.

Yet this had not stripped the enthusiasm from the men. Each had a burning curiousity to see a new land, a burning anger to hurl against the enemy.

It was time for the Frozopians to prove their dominance over the Pacific, over the world. It was time to build the new wing of the Frozopian Empire.

The soldiers all stood in formation as the convoy reached the danger zone, from here on it was only a wait till the actual war begins

The Kirisuban forces were exicted wanting to get into the fight.

their morale had also been improved by letters arriving from a fast mail ship.

One of these was address to General Nakamura and inside it was a letter to Maximus, his future son in law.

A samurai gives the Ostian officer the letter, and departs.

(ooc: its from Hitomi)

Small Austain sloops followed the convoy as it sailed south, watching there enermy from a distance., sending back messages through relay chain to Asut City and the small city of MArybourgh, just to the north of bambinio. Inside it's deep natural harbour the entire Austian fleet waited, avoiding detection, ready to spring as soon as the enermy bagan it's assult on Bambinio.

In Bambinio itself preperations where made. The cities entire complement of Bastillia, aided by those of the surrounding townships, where put of the forts and walls that guarded the entrence to the harbour. Catipults where prepared, 40,000 men of the Austian main army trained.

The city had been evacuated as soon as it had been descovered where the enermy ships where heading, now only the 70,000 adult inhabitants (not mothers, aged between 14-35), and 40,000 Austian legionarrys that had been quickly drafted in stayed in the city, waiting for the enermy.

the man was kssing an eye, and, when Hichas looked clsoer, several fingers from his left hgand. This made him unable to hold a sheild so instead he had strapped the limewood to his arm using leather. Now he marched up and down the line of miltia bawwling at them.

"You stand in a straight line. perfectly straight. Corperal iSir is on your right wall, Sargent Gorgez is on the left. You are 5 ranks deep. Right now, present spear!" The 9 foot long pikes slammed down, each perfectly horzional. Hichas held his and strongly as he could, helped by the two men ahead of him's arm gaunclets. Another like was sitting in his gaunclets.

The pikes quivered a solid wall of steel 8 feet lojng, streching down the alleyway. Inpregnable supposedly, helmed in by walls to eathier side, the enermy would have chocie, charge the phalnax or find another way round. And there was no other way round.

For 6 days now the Uawstians had worked, tearing down hosues and carts to create a 50 meter long killing zone streaching from the hrbour to to first hosues. The enermy would land there boats, climb out udner the realentless arrow fire, and then have to charge into the maze of Bambinios streets. Those street where protected by the pikemen thousands of them. Men adn women, old and young, mangled vetrens to gleaming youths.

Hichas was one of the gleaming youths, his young face filled with pride and joy, no one could beat the Austiana rmy surley. How would the enermy even get into the city? Ever ally was blocked by a wall of pikes. he was dreaming of glory and vicotrys.

Finally, half and hour later training finished, they where strengthening every day, the dicipline was egtting better, the comardary was improving. The Asutains breastplates gleamed and there helmets sparked in the sunlight. Some where cleaning there armour again, wanting to look there best for the invaders.

Hichas made his way over towards the grizzled Lutentant that had eben commanding them. he was a ex-sargent, brought back into the army to train the new recruits. One of the many, many vetrens drafted in throughout Aust, they said each village had it's vetren well, Lutentant iGos was his streets.

He was going to ask a question that he hadn't dared to ask before, no one had dared to ask before. They had bet on it and he had lost, now he would take his punishment like a man. "Sir?"

"Yes, private...?"

"Hichas, sir. Sir, may I ask you somthing." He could feel the eyes of the company drilling into his back.

"What private?"

"How did you lose your eye sir." The Lutenant smiled at him, it was a nice smile.

"Which one of them put you up to ask that, or was it a bet?"

"Bet sir."

"Well lad, i post it fighting the Monniash, in the deep left. we had a phalnax fight and one of the poke out me eye with his spead. Then, while I was stumbling around another had a swipe at me hand. i stuck 'em both."

"Thank you sir." Hichas wandered away from the man smiling to hismelf, while Aust had men like that they could not lose. Lose an eye and a hand and still win? Incredable.

"Oh and Hichas."

"sir?"

"Your a Hnois. (Corpral)"

"Thank you sir."

OOC: You expect us to land at your harbour by the city!? Your crazy, and you are going to suffer because of it........

IC:
The enemy knew they were approaching the coastline, it was misfortune that they could not land undetected. William had his doubts now about an early sea-to-land raid: It would be foolish sending out a small force in front now.
Discussing his doubts with the other generals, he began to distribute the new orders.

The enemy would undeniably attack soon, with whatever naval forces they have. This meant they were biding their time: This did not worry William, they would not have the numbers to harm the Frozopian landing force. Later they might be a problem, but not now.

So the allies must land, and as planned they were landing just where the mighty forrests of the north-east ended. To the south was the city of Marybourgh. If the enemy gather their forces and strike at the landing party, they would find initially 150 Frozopian Royal navy ships stopping them, the best ships the Frozopians have each heavily guarded and armed, and then the remaining Ostian, Kiriusuban and Frozopian privately owned ships.

Unloading began: 100's of small boats were lowered into the waters as the allies rowed their way to land. Once they had landed they began the first stages of constructing a large, simple but effective beach head, that became more and more effective with time with more materials. They also carried supplies ashore, and several scouts headed in land and along the coast, keeping an eye out for a counter attack.

Later the allies would unload the horses and other important things such a seige, but they could wait.

Both on land and at the sea, the allies were incredibly alert of any sort of counter attack.

OOC: Everythings rushing ahead, so I'd better catch up...

IC: It had taken time, but at last a contingent of the Incognitian Navy had caught up with the main fleet. A transport fleet was following with 10,000 marines, and siege cannon, but the Navy came first.
More naval vessels and transports would follow, as they were mustered.

100 Incognitian ships of the line, accompanied by twice as many frigates, and substantial numbers of specialist vessels OOC(all shall be revealed) would shortly rendezvous with the invasion force, lending their experience, firepower and tactical muscle to any naval engagement.

Still the Asutain ships did not strike, preferring to stay in port and strike only once the enermy had disengorged all of there men, leaving the ships undermanned.

meanwhile word had reached the Austians that the enermy had landed to the south, though disappointed by this the Austians knew they still had the upperhand. The people in the areas around Maryborgh where evacuated, travelling south to the more inhabited areas. The grain stores where moved into the cities or otherwise burnt.

The Incognitian transports arrived, and began debarking marines at the allied beachead. Practiced at amphibious operations, they landed in good order, and began throwing up earthworks a little way inland, as the remainder came in from the ships. The escorts had already joined the naval vessels awaiting an Austian response, swelling their numbers by maybe a fifth.

the 25 Kirisuban war junks were also watchful, their crews and the samurai they carried alert. they would keep a larger than normal crew for now (60 samurai instead of 30) until they were told otherwise.

they may have lacked cannon but the warriors spirit and their code of honour would make up for any technology they lacked.

The rest of the Kirisuban army was also disembarking but these marines would be ready.

OOC: We are to the north. Sorry I meant north of Rockhampton. My bad.
IC:
The Frozopians were beginning to fill the beach, as they quickly set to work on what would be a giant allied beach head. Ditches and wooden walls were put in place, and the Frozopian scouts headed further and further inland.

William was slightly worried about undermanning the ships, but their crews did not mind. They knew how to fight and man the ship by themselves and in their minds the "Landlubbers" just got in the way.

As the day progressed on, 30,000 Frozopians and 6 thousand horses were ashore. More would follow.