Libero Empire/History
As chronicled by Royal Marshal Sejieda Vita.
Year One
The Libero Empire was founded by the secession of the Duchy of Springdale, led by Duke Sammael Haine, on September 28, 2009. The events of year one technically run through December 21, 2009 but the conclusion of the War of Allison is included for logical reasons.
Early Days
Our early days consisted of dealing with regional maintenance due to confusion by bureaucrats(ooc: a bug) followed by the appointment of Sejieda Vita for general(Field Marshal), Rohk Darksun as judge, and Marco Goodman as banker. Elections soon followed and all were re-elected. Sejieda won near unanimously with no one running against him; Rohk Darksun and Marco Goodman won handily with Orris Morton challenging Rohk and Pirtamri Scarfist challenging Marco.
Soon King Sammael Haine stepped down to allow an election. Alanya Costella, Sammael Haine, and Orris Morton ran for ruler and Alanya Costella won and was declared Queen.
Morek War
After negotiations with Nifelhold, Grandmaster Claudius insulted Queen Alanya. As a result, Libero Empire marched to Mt. Black Nastrond to take it over. Baron Kurecalle changed allegiance to Raivan Empire, whom was supposed to return the region. The military then moved to Nifelhold and attempted two friendly takeovers which both failed. It was then ignored, but we remained at war.
War of Allison
Pre-lude
It was then, after quite some time of diplomatic maneuvers, that the Twin Empires of Raivan Empire and Libero Empire joined their ally, Aquilegia, against Xinhai in war. The Triumvirate Alliance was to act to protect themselves from Xinhai and Allison Kabrinski's aggression.
Libero Empire had witnessed Allison's methods while both they and Xinhai were part of Morek and did not wish to become a victim. Raivan Empire had experienced her undermining in the days of Morek as well. Aquilegia had been the victim of Allison in the war before the Triumvirate Alliance moved to defend them. As a result of Allison's involvement with Astrum and a defensive deal in exchange for food, Astrum eventually joined the war to defend Xinhai.
Beginning
In a joint strike, Libero Empire occupied Bohai and the Raivan Empire occupied Nimh, both beginning friendly takeovers. Libero Empire eventually faced a battle with Xinhai, which it lost due to poor organization. Xinhai then moved to deal with Nimh and Croton of the Raivan Empire; Liberate and Raivan militaries moved to fight the Xinhaian military in Croton, but lost due to Xinhai pulling in extra forces from surrounding regions.
Soon, Astrum interfered with the war to help Xinhai attack the Raivan Empire, resulting in the Battle of Aegir's Deep. The Raivan Empire may have lost, but they cost Astrum and Xinhai serious casualties.
Assisting the Raivan Empire
Libero Empire rushed to the Raivan Empire's aid, but War Leader Konstantinos Atreides went from desiring hurried aid to wanting a full refit first. As Libero Empire had responded to the War Leader's call for quick aid, they had not refit properly. The War Leader called off the attack and Libero Empire moved to refit. As a result, Aegir's Deep fell and Astrum moved to loot Nidhogg's Mark. It was after these blunders by the Raivan general that Sejieda began to take a more commanding presence amongst the generals, instead of a collaborating one.
Libero Empire returned to Aegir's Deep and helped them take it over, but the quality of the region had been diminished by Xinhai. Nidhogg's Mark was in poor condition due to Astrum's looting. Time was given for them to repair the regions, but a friendly takeover was soon started in Stratford. Asking for assistance they had always given, the Libero Empire was promised their support. Soon, half the forces promised were held back to improve Nidhogg's Mark. After the region revolted, all forces were withdrawn, leaving Libero Empire alone because of what was ultimately the War Leader's poor call in not attacking Aegir's Deep. As a result, Royal Marshal Sejieda Vita started an informal, non-binding referendum on changing the war strategy to gauge the opinion of the realm(which resulted in a split vote).
Conclusion
This was when Libero Empire lost its confidence in its allies, as neither had worked together as was the agreement before Allison's War. As a result, the Stratford Treaty of December 22nd was signed. In the end, Lord Polemarch Bustoarsenzio Peristalticos and Royal Marshal Sejieda Vita concluded that each had fought honorably while Queen Alanya Costella and Archon Anabellium West agreed it was a brilliant peace deal. Meanwhile, the worshipful population of Stratford twice averted the takeover by Xinhai. Gitaro Kobayashi protested the Queen, but it was welcomed as evidence of the openness of Libero Empire. A few other disagreed, but no other protests were lodged. Olin Kempe stepped down as Vice-marshal of The Guardians of The Empire at the conclusion of the war; eventually, Gitaro Kobayashi was given the position.
Year Two - The Wars of Expansion
Year Two of the Empire begins on December 22, 2009 and continues through March 15, 2010.
Mt. Black Nastrond's Reacquisition
With the threat of Xinhai stabilized and betrayed by our allies, we felt unable to rely upon foreigners. Therefore, we sought to increase our own strength through expansion. Declaring war against the Raivan Empire, we took Mt. Black Nastrond. This region was formerly part of Morek, but had joined the Raivan Empire to avoid joining us. It was intended to be returned to us, but the matter had been postponed during the war with Xinhai. Taking back that what was rightfully ours, half of us then worked to solidify our presence among the population while the other half refit. We had not returned to our duchy since embarking to assist the Raivan Empire with their takeover of Aegir's Deep. Mt. Black Nastrond was entrusted to Orris Morton.
Monster Hordes
During this time, a large monster horde struck Yaren. The size was unprecedented and had not been seen since the scoutings of vast rogue territories such as Nifel Peninsula or Unterlands. Those who had finished refitting turned to defeat them while another half of Mt. Black Nastrond left to refit. More monsters appeared in the mountains with only a quarter of our army remaining in the region(still having not refit for some weeks). Both monster groups continued to be crushed despite our disadvantages.
Government Changes
Meanwhile, Queen Alanya Costella changed the government system from council members being elected quarterly by all nobility to appointment by the ruler. A few disagreed with this discussion, but it was explained that we were a monarchy, while still being liberal in our policies; additional explanation was that it allowed the council to do their duties without having to be politically subject to popular whim that could be incorrect.
Aquilegian Plague
Soon afterward, Pasha Blatkovetchkin, a priest of Sanguis Astroism, sought to join Aquilegia. Aquilegia had recent suffered a plague(ooc: multi-cheater leaving the game) leaving it with fewer nobility than regions and no Emperor(ruler), Overlord(general), judge), Duke of Flowrestown, or lords of Flow or Fatexna. Tithe Overseer(banker) Maximus Westfall, Count Caxias Flowres of Turbul, and Viscount Bowie Ironsides of Ashrak.
Morek War Completed
With the time available to devote to finishing their first war, Libero Empire turned back towards Nifelhold. Undertaking two brutal takeovers due to the worship of Morek within the stronghold capital, the peasants and minor nobility were finally purged from Morekian and Virovenian influence. Older minor nobility from the days of Springdale were re-appointed to the civil service ranks while Marquis Rohk Darksun of Cold Spring renounced his claim upon Cold Spring in order to be appointed due to an older claim to Nifelhold from his family. Gitaro Kobayashi, a long time knight of the region, was appointed Marquis of Cold Spring by Duke Sammael Haine of Springdale. Soon, Baron Orris Morton of Mt. Black Nastrond joined the Duchy of Nifelhold. Under Queen Alanya Costella's helpful presence, much work was put into the recovery of Nifelhold by Rohk Darksun, Walter Crawford, Sejieda Vita, Elsebeth Evans, and others.
Peace
The conclusion of the Morek War brought peace to Libero Empire. Very little happened publicly, but behind the scenes, discussions with Summerdale, Thulsoma, Astrum, Xinhai, and other realms continued. Banners were discussed. Some nobility and adventuring commoners were discovered to have been witches (ooc: multi-cheaters). As a result, Royal Marshal Sejieda's Ruron's Aegis of Righteousness and Morek's Crown and the soon-to-be Crown of Libero Empire, Blessed Crown of Beauty, were lost. This was disappointing for several nobility.
