Caligan Courier/September'10SpecialEdition
| Printed in Domus | September 2010 Special Edition - The War in the North
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Editor: Caligan Courier
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Contents
The war up north has been going on for a ridiculously short while. Caligus although part of it from the beginning knows little of all the events which happened in the north. Therefore the Caligean Courier did its best to reach out to all nobles in the main three realms involved to see what each had to say and their deffering reasons!
We expect all three realms to completely disagree agree in every single questions and we expect major no difference between them.
Sirion Speaks
Now we will start with Sirions answers to the survey because they were the first to reply we bow down to them in every way. They are also the giant in this war.
Romul Gamel
Greetings Romul Galmel, Baron of Sermbar, Marshal of the Red Dragons, thank you for being here and replying to our survey. Before we start if you would please decrease you explicably long name I would save both my voice and my ink.
So Romul I'd like to ask you the following questions regarding the war.
From your perspective and that of Sirion why did the war up north start?
Well, I was here when the war started,and can tell you what we saw. Old Rancagua, Fontan and Sirion formed in those days a federation that occupied half the continent. For those readers too young to remember, that means every land now controlled by Westmoor, Sultanate of Asena, Fontan and Sirion, and the now rogue ones thanks to this conflict. That federation was, without doubt, the strongest power of its time.
At a given point, relations started to quiver between Fontan and Old Rancagua. Letting aside the coyuntural matter that later led to a war declaration, I would bestow the structural cause to an extended peace period, paliated by the Avamar Selective/Kalmar Islands(current Obsidian Islands) short conflict, caused by the outcome of the war won before it with the fall of Oligarch and the power this federation held.
You can share the reading or not, but fact is, one day King Dekion of Old Rancagua started in some heated discussions with Fontan's Chancellor over Poitiers, and then over an insult casted in the previous discussion and so on until war was declared. Prime Minister Handow sided Sirion with Old Rancagua, for reasons I cannot determine given I was at the moment a humble knight and because of Handow's characteristics as Ruler.
Sirion was never too convinced of the conflcit, but was sure not to want Old Rancagua wiped off the face of the continent. Time went on and, thanks to the extended peace period that preceded it, and some might say inefficient leadership (that in the end is only a consequence of the former), Sirion and specially Old Rancagua's military were too slow and numb to face Fontan's military engine of the moment, helped faintly by the new Obsidian Islands. That is how Old Rancagua got destroyed.
From there, the war has mantained on it's own synetical energy. Everyone has a grudge against it's enemy because of something that happened the last campaign, like a victory being over-celebrated or an insult casted in the field of battle between two new nobles or something of the sort, raising in importance with time and among the eldest of us. In fact, never an actual reason has been casted to perpetuate this conflict, but when peace propositions have been thrown atop the table, and I was one who tried at a given moment, both sides wanted to keep on fighting, with small gaps of doubt when the coyuntural losing side was asked, situation that cycled between the two for a while.
It is very important here to note that this war has not been a conflict between two realms.Old Rancagua was destroyed in this conflict, and Sultanate of Asena was created from it's ruins. Perdan took Sirion's side for a moment,along with Obsidian Islands(who changed sides at that moment for the first time) and Caligus. A lot of land was chewed from Fontan and Westmoor was created by Perdan, unilaterally of course. Then,at a given moment Perdan decided the war did not suit them, so brought Obsidian Islands and Westmoor on Fontan's and SoA's side, hoping that way to gain more land for its new ally Westmoor (the agreement was that Perdan helped Fontan gain land from Sirion,and in turn Fontan gave land from their border with Westmoor)
The war being waged?
The war being waged has been probably one of the best conflicts military speaking ever fought. Sirion withstood the attacks of several realms at a time, I think at a moment we fought against five realms at a time on two or three fronts,losing no ground. In fact, Sirion's map has been almost untouched since OR's demise, until recent times when our expansion begun.
Great military minds have been on both sides of the conflict, and great fails as well. Victories won by the last peasant in the last line of battle with a slingshot and crushing sieges with five consecutive battles.Every possible battle has been fought over the years in this conflict,and great military leaders have emerged from that experience.I have had the honour to meet many of them.
Would you call it civil, honorable, brutal or perhaps even with religions getting involved?
Civil, well,that I could only say of Fontan, and not everyone on it. Fontan has done its best to behave institutionally with honour, but many nobles have acted against this value and faced no repercution. Sultanate of Asena on the other hand has been as vile as possible, executing infltrators and priest over and over again, my son was one of them. Westmoor changes sides in this conflict as it suits them, last I heard they were asking peace now that Perdan has fallen, hoping not to get any harm done now they risk being in the line of fire. Same goes with Obsidian Islands. Perdan acted the most coherent, that is, egocentrical as always, caring for nothing but their nobles and rampaging the rest.
Sirion has suffered several slaughters, priest killed, temples looted and nobles executed. In turn, we have practically never repaid in kind, even when there might be one or two exceptions over these number of years. These has been of great discussion over the time,and not everyone agrees with this institutional position, but so far it has held firm.
What were the objective at the start of the war, and what are objectives now?
The initial objective was to save Old Rancagua from a very hard position,and we failed. Objectives now are many, but I think one of the most important ones is to reinstate Old Rancagua. that is one everyone agrees upon. From there, there are many views, and I fear it would be counterproductive for me to further comment.
From what it seems, Sirion seem to be making some progress. How did this happen and do you think it can change?
Hard work. Sirion has fought in many fronts for a long long time, diplomatically as well.Once upon a time,we stood alone against five realms of the continent, today I can produdly say we have found an ally in Caligus. Doubt not this has been a continental struggle, and that the southern war was as important in this conflict as the northern one. Before Perdan's demise,we were trapped in an endless back and forth battle against superior numbers. When the war struck down south,things started to change.
Even so, I would not put my whole chips on that event. We have had brilliant military minds creating strategies and a constantly improving military engine that has gained a lot from experience and hard work. The geopolitical scenario might have given a small window of opportunity, but Sirion made the most of it with good strategies and clockwork military functioning. I will not give further tips to foreign Generals,as it would also be counterproductive,but anyone who has faced our troops in the field can testify to my words.
Something that hasnt happened in a long time is peace. Is there any hopes for a peace accord in the near future? Would it be on surrender terms or mutual peace?
That is a still foggy question. Many want to advance until surrender terms are put on the table, and others fear what the future might have waiting. Then again, the global scenario has changed a lot, and some of the oldes of us are still not sure of what will happen. For one, I have yet to acommodate the thought of Perdan losing its major player standing, and now we have to think of Caligus and Ibladesh as greater powers than they formerly were. This is a time of transition, and everyone knows that the outcome of this conflict will determine what will happen in the near future, so no one is bold enough to venture an answer.
Do you have any hopes for the future?
I hope individual assets behave in what will be a global happening to come soon.
Vessol Mithridates
Welcome Vessol Mithridates its good to how found you and see you can make some time for an interview. As a rather new noble of Sirion it will be interesting how your view differ from Romul Gamel,..Marsh...err forget it. Anyways lets get started
From your perspective and that of Sirion why did the war up north start? The war being waged? Would you call it civil, honorable, brutal or perhaps even with religions getting involved?
Well I am a relatively young noble, but from my studying of history I can tell a lot of it has to do with the war that Fontan started with Old Rancagua many years ago. This eventually led to the destruction of OR and the creation of the Sultanite of Asena. With it's only ally destroyed Sirion was and continuously has been forced to fight completely on its own up north, defending from multiple realms at a time. My first battle was infact against the combined forces of Fontan, SoA, Westmoor, OI, and Perdan. As for the civility of the war? I have a lot of respect for our enemies in Fontan, and while I question their military tactics, they are both honorable and brave during battle. The same cannot be said of the dogs in the clothing of nobles that are a part of the Sultanite. They rely on pure brutality, they constantly rape and murder our smallfolk. Their tactics are even more questionable than Fontan's.
What were the objective at the start of the war, and what are objectives now?
From what it seems, Sirion seem to be making some progress. How did this happen and do you think it can change?
Survival was the objective of Sirion at the start of this long war. Eventually as it has turned in our favor the objective has changed to our favor. We wish to re-establish the realm of Old Rancagua in the usurped lands of the Sultanite. The reason for these changes of tides is two main reasons. The first is the skill of our general and marshals, our system is effective and strong. The second is much due to the strength and honor of the southern realms of Ibladesh and Caligus whom pulled off us the greedy forces of Westmoor and Perdan. I see little reason for these tides to change, we have just won a decisive battle against Fontan in Montijo, once they fall and we can secure peace with them, then there is nothing holding up the usurper realm of SoA.
Something that hasn't happened in a long time is peace. Is there any hopes for a peace accord in the near future? Would it be on surrender terms or mutual peace?
Do you have any hopes for the future?
I have much hope for the future. As this war concludes, I look forward to a time when I am not marching with my unit. One of my hopes is to perhaps become a statesman and travel to the Obsidian Islands or to the great mountains to the south and see all the sights there.
Heres also additional work done regarding the war in Sirions history section Sirion_(Realm)/History done by Count Corwin
Sultanate of Asena Words
No doubt the smallest realm in this conflict the sultanate has been able to hold its own and give more then the occasional nip to Sirion consistently. Here we actually have an interview with the sultan himself!
Sir David Ironheart
Sir David Ironheart, Sultan of Sultanate of Asena, Marshal of the Iron Wolves of Asena welcome and thank you for showing up for this interview. Sadly you outdueled Romul Gamel for the longest name and thus will waste my voice and ink even more then he did. Anyways back on topic, the Sultanate is by far the newest realm by all three in the conflict and it seems your whole history is probably wrapped into this war. We hope the coverage is good and we will see if your responses resemble Sirions in any way.
Now onto the questions!
From your perspective and that of The Sultanate why did the war up north start?
First, I would like to thank you for having me. It is always a pleasure to speak to our friends in Caligus. Despite recent diplomatic differences, we still and will always consider Caligus to be a friend of Asena.
As for why the war started, well it is a long story, that I am sure many of my other peers have already enlightened you about. However, I’ll try to mention some of her important details. There was an agreement to re-establish an old realm by Fontan and Old Rancagua, which was dishonored by the latter. Eventually war broke out, and since the two in addition to Sirion were federated, Fontan was technically also in war with Sirion. However, it seems that actual hostilities didn’t start until a fontanese commander entered Oligarch (under Sirion at the time) by mistake.
The situation soon developed into full blown war between the three. Fontan was apparently gaining the upper hand. There were significant gains being made in the Old Rancaguan front. There were nobles from the former Taselak that have recently joined Fontan, in return that the latter would grant them a new place to start their own realm.
Fontan seized the city of Kazakh, which was practically abandoned by the rancaguans in favour of their bigger cities, Oroya and Ashforth. The new rulers of Kazakh led by Korkut Kalkandelen managed to stabilize the city. They sought peace with Sirion and recongnition from Old Rancagua, but none was granted. They had no choice, but to continue with Fontan in her war, eventually destroying the archaic old Rancagua and capturing Oroya. So that is how the Sultanate came into the picture.
The war being waged? Would you call it civil, honorable, brutal or perhaps even with religions getting involved?
I have heard the comments of some of my peers from the other side, and I have to agree. The war has taught me a lot. I have had the chance to fight by and against some great military commanders, something which I feel honored about. There is so much persistence and determination shown by both sides, I have seen both master plans in action, as well as heart breaking mistakes. There is also the luck factor, something that played an amazing role in favor of both sides.
Well for the most part the war was civil, yes. We in Asena have been accused of being rather brutal by killing peasants. However, I would like to note that our enemies have acted just as brutally, albeit not by killing the peasants directly, but by constantly burning their food stores, forcing them into the slow and tormenting death by starvation.
Our enemies might not see it as barbaric, but I would like to remind them, that such acts do kill the peasants all the same, albeit more slowly.
I however acknowledge that some of the tactics used in the past, were not in the best interest of the Sultanate. It is for this reason that I have issued a decree to stop any brutal looting in enemy territories, which I am pleased to say that my commanders have followed to the letter.
As for executing enemy nobles, aside from one case, we did not execute any noble of Sirion. These are lies, which are manifest to all but to the dimmest of wit. Throughout this war, we have only executed one enemy noble, for being an infamous infiltrator, and we with enough justification have sought his head. However, when we happened to catch him, he was pretending to be a man of the cloth.
What were the objective at the start of the war, and what are objectives now?
Some of my predecessors had rather unrealistic objectives, for extending Asenian rule as far as the city of Slimbar. I on the other hand am a realistic person, and seek nothing but peace on our current borders.
From what it seems, Sirion seem to be making some progress. How did this happen and do you think it can change?
Well there was a plague (OOC: purge of cheaters’ accounts) that hit the sultanate, Fontan, as well as Sirion. All three realms lost significant number of nobles during this plague, we and Sirion have managed to recover, but I am afraid that Fontan couldn’t.
There is also issue with strategies, the use of failed strategies over and over. Eventually, tipping the balance of power to Sirion.
Other regional events could also have played a role, but I shall not go in detail about them here, and give them more credit than they trully deserve.
Something that hasnt happened in a long time is peace. Is there any hopes for a peace accord in the near future? Would it be on surrender terms or mutual peace?
As a matter of fact I, and the chancellor of Fontan have offered our hands for a white peace with Sirion, which was silently refused by the latter. I, nonetheless am very hopeful and optimistic, the new leadership of Sirion seems more mature and I believe that they have a historic chance to make a lasting peace in the north of the continent. Otherwise, we risk drowning ourselves in a repeated cycle of bloodshed for decades to come.
Do you have any hopes for the future?
As a matter of fact, yes, I am a very optimistic person. ::smiles::
Thank you for your interview Sir David Ironheart, with the very long title. We are glad to get your opinion and that of the Asena. Im glad you hold Caligus in high regards. We wish the best for you and your realm in the future.
Fontan's Words
Fontan the realm under the most destruction and apparantly may be buckling under the pressure. It was not easy but after long days of persuing we were actually able to get in touch with Chancellor Zadek who was just recovering from his wounds. We thank him for making the time for us and to get his words across.
Zadek Dragul
Sir Zadek Dragul, Chancellor of Fontan, Marshal of the Manticores thank you for making time for us writers. I notice that once again...the title is rather long but it seems Sultan David beats you in the award for wasting both my voice and ink. So congrats to Vessol Mithrades for being the best one!
Now to get back on subject
From your perspective and that of Fontan why did the war up north start?
Thank you for your time in bringing this to the people of EC. The war with the north, in fact every other nation basically on EC against Fontan was already in progress when I came to this continent. My sister, Lady KatalynFae was already the Chancellor in Fontan and working toward a peace settlement. She negotiated peace with everyone but Old Rancangua and Sirion who seemed bent on Fontan’s total destruction at the time and who refused to take part in the negotiations even though your King Dobromir urged them to do so.
According to some of my councilors who have been in Fontan and are from old and distinguished families such as Lord Basilius Decimus, Fontan was federated with Sirion and Old Rancagua forming the northern alliance. OR was based out of Ashforth, and had all of the regions of today's SOA and some of Sirion.
We had intended to reestablish the realm of Coimbra, a realm based in Westmoor that had fallen to Perdan and Caligus. OR was part of that treaty but their king refused to honor it, choosing instead to insult Fontan. Federation broke and war ensued with OR.
Sirion was "going" to stay neutral but a lone troop wandered into Oligarch causing their entry and a battle. Oligarch and Tabost were part of Sirion, Ashforth and Dale were part of OR.
Fontan beat back and eventually destroyed OR with the help of SoA and we managed to push back Sirion, even taking Avamar and Oligarch, and at it height or golden era, we had close to 7+ duchies. ( What we have now and add duchies of Westmoor, Oligarch, Akeesh, Avamar and Kazakh.)
From that point, I can tell that peace was made with Westmoor, Perdan, and Caligus.
Soon after OR was destroyed the Prime Minister of Sirion approached me, as I had taken over as Chancellor for my sister because of some personal issues that she had suffered at the loss of her husband, but that is not the issue here. Sirion approached me with the offer of peace and their help to regain our lands lost to Westmoor in the previous war. This caused Westmoor to enter the war in the north. For a time, the King of Perdan, at the time being bored I suppose chose to join the war as well. Perdan then became involved in its own war with Caligus in the south. That is the sum of what I know of the war at this time, with the addition that I have tried numerous times to negotiate peace with Sirion, but terms can never seem to be agreed upon.
The war is being waged? Would you call it civil, honorable, brutal or perhaps even with religions getting involved?
War is never good or nice, but until recently it had been a fairly civil and even to some point honorable war. The exceptions being from the previous Prime Minister and his offer to help us betray Westmoor and the Cease Fire that was asked for by Sirion, agreed to by Fontan, and then Sirion using it to TO Tabost and Dale. The use of religion by both sides has been an issue, with priests of both of Sirion’s religions affecting the population and with priests from Fontan’s Flow of the Balance returning regions to us that have been taken.”
What were the objective at the start of the war, and what are objectives now?
From where I came in to this war, our objective was survival, and at this time I still believe it is survival. We continued the fight with Sirion and OR because they wished to reduce us to one Duchy and leave us with no way to support ourselves, thus leaving us basically to die so they could pick up the pieces. More OR than Sirion in this respect, but none the less Sirion was in agreement with them in this. Now they seemingly seek the destruction of both SoA and Fontan, and so we continue to fight to preserve the only Democracy on the EC and her ally and friend SoA.
From what it seems, Sirion seem to be making some progress. How did this happen and do you think it can change?
I would say that their progress is due in a great part to a very skillful general in Sirion. Lord Ryu is a great military leader, but as in any war, things can always change.
Something that hasn’t happened in a long time is peace. Are there any hopes for a peace accord in the near future? Would it be on surrender terms or mutual peace?
Peace has been my goal from the outset of this war in the north. As for an accord, that is in the hands of the other realms involved. I know part of Sirion’s demands is the recreation of OR, this is something that SoA is violently opposed to. Any peace would have to leave the lands as equally divided as possible to prevent the probability of the realm that lost much being vengeful and restarting the war to regain what was lost.
Do you have any hopes for the future?
My hopes for the future center on ensuring the survival of Fontan and her nobles, and giving her time to rebuild and prosper once more.
Thank you for your interview Zadek Dragul. It definately had a very different view from Sirions and obviously had more things then SoA as SoA were created somewhere in this war.
This concludes the special edition. I hope you all enjoyed reading. We have the feedback available if you wish to say something. Perhaps I will do more if people like this.
