Kroando
19-06-2008, 18:19
Scolar, The Temple of the White Hand
Viceroy Avicon walked upon the endless stairs of the temple, over 1000 of them before the first level of the temple was reached. The massive structure had existed since the founding of Scolar, and its ancient statues stood testament to this. The dark stairway was moist, covered in many places in mold as water dripped from the eyes of angels, and the torches in their stone hands barely lit even their own dark faces. Avicon despised this place, a place of fear and death as far as he was concerned. But this was where he would have to go if he wanted his war. For in this place resided the one figure that held a relationship with the Almighty. The High Patriarch. Avicon was a best a faint believer in the radical ideas of the White Hand, but if he was to keep his head, let alone his position, he would keep up this charade. Up and up the Viceroy climbed, his armor clanking together with every step he took. Well over an hour later he reached the top, and catching his breath the man shouted to the nearest priest. "Priest, take me to the High Patriarch. I have much to discuss with him!"
The priest, whom was kneeling to an idol, did not move, but continued chanting in the old language of the Order. The white cloaks of the several priests in the room were eerily motionless with the Viceroy's arrival, as if they were manicans, or statues themselves. "I demand that one of you take me to the High Patriarch!" Avicon roared growing frustrated with the religious doctrine that prevented the Priests from moving. But then, like a sign from god, the fires leading to one of the corridors intensified, and the Viceroy stormed over, ignoring the men whom he had left praying. Before he walked up the passage way however, he turned to face the numerous priests. They were all standing up, facing him. The light of the room revealing their scarred, burned, disfigured faces which hid under their white hoods. An unusual feeling ran up Avicon's spine as he turned back to leave the place.
After much walking and exploring, Avicon had reached the High Patriarch's Chamber, and slowly entered. A single stone pathway leading to a small stone island... all around was air. It seemed that if one fell from there, they would fall for all eternity. The Viceroy watched his steps, making sure not to seal his fate in this dark temple. "Patriarch Maxenom, I come to-", Avicon was cut off by a howling wind that ripped through the chamber, nearly blowing the heavily armored man off the side.
"I know why you have come Viceroy. The only thing I do not know is why you did not come sooner.", replied the High Patriarch, kneeling before a pedestal which held an open book made of ivory. Suddenly the Patriarch stood and began walking back, towards Avicon. "Is it because you feared my reply would be negative? Or because your resolve in the cause is fading? Why do you pray before you sleep Viceroy?", Maxenom questioned, removing the hood from his head to reveal a disgusting sight. A face with no skin to hide the distorted flesh beneath. A face in which the bone stuck out in many places, and blood glistened at the top of the facial structure. Avicon's gums began to bleed, the Vernochts syndrome kicking in, as it did in all Kroandons when they were unduly nervous, anxious or irritated.
Avicon wiped his teeth repeatedly, attempting to remove the blood from his mouth. The High Patriarch continued. "Does my appearance startle you Viceroy?", questioned Maxenom again, bringing his face within inches of Avicon's. "Do you know why the Priests of the White Hand to not become infected by disease and plague - even though our bodies have no skin to protect them from the outside world?", the Patriarch questioned, turning around and walking back towards the white book.
"No your holiness, I do not.", replied Avicon.
"It is because our Almighty God, Morthoc, defends us with something much stronger than skin. You must learn this Avicon if you are to be marked a true believer.", Maxenom responded, turning the solid ivory pages in the book. "You may have your war, to be waged in the way of the Order. No unnecessary deaths, as was the old way in Kroando. Convert them. Cleanse them.", he continued, Avicon bowing to the priest. "And if you cannot... make sure their filth is removed from this planet."
The United Orcas Islands
Orcas was a nation much like the United States of America. A federated republic with strong democratic tendencies, good civil rights and a strong economy. It was a paradise compared to many nations of the world, but by no means a major power in global politics. Long ago it was decided within the nation that if it were to compete with the major powers, it would have to sacrifice much of what its people held so dear, and so Talbot simply sat in the ocean, isolated from most the world, and survived on its own. Known for its clean suburbs with green grass, picket fences and kind, charitable population, it was however marked with many marks against it - at least in the eyes of the Order. With the vast number of civil liberties the people had, Talbot had one of the highest abortion rates in the world, and a large homosexual community. There was also a rabid AIDS epidemic afflicting the country, and a disgusting level of corruption in the upper layers of government. There were also hot spots throughout the country known for their... lack of moral direction, such as Sin City and Vicetopolis. The military was made up of a national guard system of reserves, and devoted a good portion of the budget to maintaining its defense. This country, overall, was what one would call the 'cookie cutter' nation of the world.
The 300,000,000 souls living in the Orcas Islands had the great misfortune of being the closest nation to Kroando. The island was roughly the size of Australia, and was rich in tin – it was also known for producing five times the amount of food needed to sustain it's own population, with potential to grow more. It was this that drew the attention of Viceroy Avicon, whom was facing hunger and unemployment in Radon, with the severe damage to the subterranean farms during the bombings. Orcas would do wonders in solving these problems. The High Patriarch wanted it for another reason. Orcas was to be subjugated and saved to save the human race as a whole from the corruption that was infecting it. As the High Patriarch saw it, it was only a matter of time before the evil of Orcas traveled across the seas and reached the shores of Antarctika. Maxenom believed that the island of Antarctika was the last beacon of light and purity, with the possible exception of Doomingsland, whom the Patriarch believed simply called Morthoc by a different name, but were sufficient in their zeal. Kroando as a nation was but a tool to the Order, a tool to be used to reclaim this earth for all that is good and holy. And that tool would first break the earth at Orcas.
300 Miles off the Coast of Eastern Orcas
“Admiral Vargin, transmission coming in from Scolar. Top classification, urgency one.”, shouted the young communications officer as he entered access codes and encryption keys to begin the downloading of the message. Vargin turned his attention to the station, slowly walking over the command deck to the beeping message board. He knew what this meant, it meant that he was authorized to blow the insignificant naval forces arrayed against him into nothingness. He knew that it meant that the war had begun, and Orcas would soon be another subjugated slave state subservient to the tyrannical will the High Patriarch. It meant that within a month, all of its people would look just like he and every other Kroandon did. In truth he hated it. He hated the pale, hairless, cold image that looked back at him as he stared into the mirror. He hated that his gums bled randomly and when under stress. He hated this new shell. But those feelings had to be crushed, for he knew what airing them would mean...
“Authorization sir! We have orders to destroy the opposition by whatever means necessary!”, shouted the NCO, clearly excited by the situation he was in. Vargin turned back reading over the transmission he had recently received from the Orcasian Fleet. Welcome to the waters of Orcas. We do not know your intentions, but you seem to come in force, without prior declaration of your intentions. We hope you simply desire to pass by, as you have done many times before. Please state your intentions. Vargin laughed. They knew damn well what the fleet meant, they were just trying to stall while the majority of their decommissioned navy was reactivated. The liberal pacifist government in power would have just as much to do with the fall of the nation as would the Kroandon arsenal.
Vargin stood upon the deck, looking out over the span of ocean separating the two fleets. No more than forty or fifty kilometers. “Initiate assault sequence Giga Nine. Remove these boats from out path.”
The Marinok, or the Kroandon Navy, had deployed roughly six hundred Visari Class Destroyers to head the invasion of not only Orcas, but the entire Southern Regalon – Orcas was but the first of many conquests to come. The ocean quivered as the armada unanimously released a wave of over 1200 Anti-Shipping Missilhttp://forums.jolt.co.uk/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=1230
jolt.co.uk public forums - Post New Threades of various calibre – including Valor Class ASMs, Harpoon ASMs and various Kroandon productions of such. The meager Orcasian Fleet of less than 200 destroyers, Arliegh Burke Class mostly, was overwhelmed by the sudden attack, and was effectively destroyed, with 98% of the vessels being either destroyed or heavily damaged. However the fleet was not the only target, a further 300 KVR-2 Devcor Cruise Missiles (http://z14.invisionfree.com/KroTech_Industries/index.php?showtopic=31) were also let loose, by a combination of the Visaris on the surface, and the Malthus Submarines below the waves. These 300 cruise missiles, each loaded with high explosive, were launched at the major Orcasian naval bases, at which the majority of the Orcasian navy was still mobilizing. The entire Orcasian carrier fleet for instance, nine Nimitz in all, was at the Black Tooth Naval Base, which was hit with over 75 cruise missiles alone. 90,000kilos of high explosive were launched at Black Tooth, leaving the majority of the yards a burning wreck. None of the carriers survived, and only a few patrol boats and cruisers were considered operational. Further missile strikes hit army and air bases all across the island, destroying 24% of the nation's mechanized capability in mere minutes. Air bases were a favorite target, of the Devcor strikes, but it would be the work of the Halcon Stealth Fighters that stole the show. Only two of these stealth aircraft were sent to each air base, but with nine missiles loaded on each, they would certainly do their job. Ammo dumps, hangers, RADAR installations, landed aircraft, runways, all were hit with the air-to-surface missile barrage. 18 missiles in one sortie. Twenty five sorties were run on each air field in the first hour. Only four Halcons were lost. The air fields were incapacitated.
Then came phase two. More missiles were launched, these at the major cities across the nation. They however were loaded not with explosive, but CL-666, the gas, Morthocs Breath. This chemical would soon turn everyone who inhaled it into a Kroandon. They would be pale, they would loose all hair, their gums would bleed, and their eyes would turn a sickly yellow. High density population centers were hit by the white gas-spewing canisters that the missiles were loaded with. The centers of the cities were hammered, as were the perimeters of the cities, so that any attempting to escape, would run directly into towering clouds of white.
Phase three began as landing craft were being placed in the water, and the Orcasian defenders prepared to defend the beaches.
Map of Orcas Island (http://trevorsasha.com/_img/t_orcasMap01.jpg)
[If you want to join, please do so.]
Viceroy Avicon walked upon the endless stairs of the temple, over 1000 of them before the first level of the temple was reached. The massive structure had existed since the founding of Scolar, and its ancient statues stood testament to this. The dark stairway was moist, covered in many places in mold as water dripped from the eyes of angels, and the torches in their stone hands barely lit even their own dark faces. Avicon despised this place, a place of fear and death as far as he was concerned. But this was where he would have to go if he wanted his war. For in this place resided the one figure that held a relationship with the Almighty. The High Patriarch. Avicon was a best a faint believer in the radical ideas of the White Hand, but if he was to keep his head, let alone his position, he would keep up this charade. Up and up the Viceroy climbed, his armor clanking together with every step he took. Well over an hour later he reached the top, and catching his breath the man shouted to the nearest priest. "Priest, take me to the High Patriarch. I have much to discuss with him!"
The priest, whom was kneeling to an idol, did not move, but continued chanting in the old language of the Order. The white cloaks of the several priests in the room were eerily motionless with the Viceroy's arrival, as if they were manicans, or statues themselves. "I demand that one of you take me to the High Patriarch!" Avicon roared growing frustrated with the religious doctrine that prevented the Priests from moving. But then, like a sign from god, the fires leading to one of the corridors intensified, and the Viceroy stormed over, ignoring the men whom he had left praying. Before he walked up the passage way however, he turned to face the numerous priests. They were all standing up, facing him. The light of the room revealing their scarred, burned, disfigured faces which hid under their white hoods. An unusual feeling ran up Avicon's spine as he turned back to leave the place.
After much walking and exploring, Avicon had reached the High Patriarch's Chamber, and slowly entered. A single stone pathway leading to a small stone island... all around was air. It seemed that if one fell from there, they would fall for all eternity. The Viceroy watched his steps, making sure not to seal his fate in this dark temple. "Patriarch Maxenom, I come to-", Avicon was cut off by a howling wind that ripped through the chamber, nearly blowing the heavily armored man off the side.
"I know why you have come Viceroy. The only thing I do not know is why you did not come sooner.", replied the High Patriarch, kneeling before a pedestal which held an open book made of ivory. Suddenly the Patriarch stood and began walking back, towards Avicon. "Is it because you feared my reply would be negative? Or because your resolve in the cause is fading? Why do you pray before you sleep Viceroy?", Maxenom questioned, removing the hood from his head to reveal a disgusting sight. A face with no skin to hide the distorted flesh beneath. A face in which the bone stuck out in many places, and blood glistened at the top of the facial structure. Avicon's gums began to bleed, the Vernochts syndrome kicking in, as it did in all Kroandons when they were unduly nervous, anxious or irritated.
Avicon wiped his teeth repeatedly, attempting to remove the blood from his mouth. The High Patriarch continued. "Does my appearance startle you Viceroy?", questioned Maxenom again, bringing his face within inches of Avicon's. "Do you know why the Priests of the White Hand to not become infected by disease and plague - even though our bodies have no skin to protect them from the outside world?", the Patriarch questioned, turning around and walking back towards the white book.
"No your holiness, I do not.", replied Avicon.
"It is because our Almighty God, Morthoc, defends us with something much stronger than skin. You must learn this Avicon if you are to be marked a true believer.", Maxenom responded, turning the solid ivory pages in the book. "You may have your war, to be waged in the way of the Order. No unnecessary deaths, as was the old way in Kroando. Convert them. Cleanse them.", he continued, Avicon bowing to the priest. "And if you cannot... make sure their filth is removed from this planet."
The United Orcas Islands
Orcas was a nation much like the United States of America. A federated republic with strong democratic tendencies, good civil rights and a strong economy. It was a paradise compared to many nations of the world, but by no means a major power in global politics. Long ago it was decided within the nation that if it were to compete with the major powers, it would have to sacrifice much of what its people held so dear, and so Talbot simply sat in the ocean, isolated from most the world, and survived on its own. Known for its clean suburbs with green grass, picket fences and kind, charitable population, it was however marked with many marks against it - at least in the eyes of the Order. With the vast number of civil liberties the people had, Talbot had one of the highest abortion rates in the world, and a large homosexual community. There was also a rabid AIDS epidemic afflicting the country, and a disgusting level of corruption in the upper layers of government. There were also hot spots throughout the country known for their... lack of moral direction, such as Sin City and Vicetopolis. The military was made up of a national guard system of reserves, and devoted a good portion of the budget to maintaining its defense. This country, overall, was what one would call the 'cookie cutter' nation of the world.
The 300,000,000 souls living in the Orcas Islands had the great misfortune of being the closest nation to Kroando. The island was roughly the size of Australia, and was rich in tin – it was also known for producing five times the amount of food needed to sustain it's own population, with potential to grow more. It was this that drew the attention of Viceroy Avicon, whom was facing hunger and unemployment in Radon, with the severe damage to the subterranean farms during the bombings. Orcas would do wonders in solving these problems. The High Patriarch wanted it for another reason. Orcas was to be subjugated and saved to save the human race as a whole from the corruption that was infecting it. As the High Patriarch saw it, it was only a matter of time before the evil of Orcas traveled across the seas and reached the shores of Antarctika. Maxenom believed that the island of Antarctika was the last beacon of light and purity, with the possible exception of Doomingsland, whom the Patriarch believed simply called Morthoc by a different name, but were sufficient in their zeal. Kroando as a nation was but a tool to the Order, a tool to be used to reclaim this earth for all that is good and holy. And that tool would first break the earth at Orcas.
300 Miles off the Coast of Eastern Orcas
“Admiral Vargin, transmission coming in from Scolar. Top classification, urgency one.”, shouted the young communications officer as he entered access codes and encryption keys to begin the downloading of the message. Vargin turned his attention to the station, slowly walking over the command deck to the beeping message board. He knew what this meant, it meant that he was authorized to blow the insignificant naval forces arrayed against him into nothingness. He knew that it meant that the war had begun, and Orcas would soon be another subjugated slave state subservient to the tyrannical will the High Patriarch. It meant that within a month, all of its people would look just like he and every other Kroandon did. In truth he hated it. He hated the pale, hairless, cold image that looked back at him as he stared into the mirror. He hated that his gums bled randomly and when under stress. He hated this new shell. But those feelings had to be crushed, for he knew what airing them would mean...
“Authorization sir! We have orders to destroy the opposition by whatever means necessary!”, shouted the NCO, clearly excited by the situation he was in. Vargin turned back reading over the transmission he had recently received from the Orcasian Fleet. Welcome to the waters of Orcas. We do not know your intentions, but you seem to come in force, without prior declaration of your intentions. We hope you simply desire to pass by, as you have done many times before. Please state your intentions. Vargin laughed. They knew damn well what the fleet meant, they were just trying to stall while the majority of their decommissioned navy was reactivated. The liberal pacifist government in power would have just as much to do with the fall of the nation as would the Kroandon arsenal.
Vargin stood upon the deck, looking out over the span of ocean separating the two fleets. No more than forty or fifty kilometers. “Initiate assault sequence Giga Nine. Remove these boats from out path.”
The Marinok, or the Kroandon Navy, had deployed roughly six hundred Visari Class Destroyers to head the invasion of not only Orcas, but the entire Southern Regalon – Orcas was but the first of many conquests to come. The ocean quivered as the armada unanimously released a wave of over 1200 Anti-Shipping Missilhttp://forums.jolt.co.uk/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=1230
jolt.co.uk public forums - Post New Threades of various calibre – including Valor Class ASMs, Harpoon ASMs and various Kroandon productions of such. The meager Orcasian Fleet of less than 200 destroyers, Arliegh Burke Class mostly, was overwhelmed by the sudden attack, and was effectively destroyed, with 98% of the vessels being either destroyed or heavily damaged. However the fleet was not the only target, a further 300 KVR-2 Devcor Cruise Missiles (http://z14.invisionfree.com/KroTech_Industries/index.php?showtopic=31) were also let loose, by a combination of the Visaris on the surface, and the Malthus Submarines below the waves. These 300 cruise missiles, each loaded with high explosive, were launched at the major Orcasian naval bases, at which the majority of the Orcasian navy was still mobilizing. The entire Orcasian carrier fleet for instance, nine Nimitz in all, was at the Black Tooth Naval Base, which was hit with over 75 cruise missiles alone. 90,000kilos of high explosive were launched at Black Tooth, leaving the majority of the yards a burning wreck. None of the carriers survived, and only a few patrol boats and cruisers were considered operational. Further missile strikes hit army and air bases all across the island, destroying 24% of the nation's mechanized capability in mere minutes. Air bases were a favorite target, of the Devcor strikes, but it would be the work of the Halcon Stealth Fighters that stole the show. Only two of these stealth aircraft were sent to each air base, but with nine missiles loaded on each, they would certainly do their job. Ammo dumps, hangers, RADAR installations, landed aircraft, runways, all were hit with the air-to-surface missile barrage. 18 missiles in one sortie. Twenty five sorties were run on each air field in the first hour. Only four Halcons were lost. The air fields were incapacitated.
Then came phase two. More missiles were launched, these at the major cities across the nation. They however were loaded not with explosive, but CL-666, the gas, Morthocs Breath. This chemical would soon turn everyone who inhaled it into a Kroandon. They would be pale, they would loose all hair, their gums would bleed, and their eyes would turn a sickly yellow. High density population centers were hit by the white gas-spewing canisters that the missiles were loaded with. The centers of the cities were hammered, as were the perimeters of the cities, so that any attempting to escape, would run directly into towering clouds of white.
Phase three began as landing craft were being placed in the water, and the Orcasian defenders prepared to defend the beaches.
Map of Orcas Island (http://trevorsasha.com/_img/t_orcasMap01.jpg)
[If you want to join, please do so.]