Art of Warfare (AOW): 2

[POMC S117]

Enalinian forces pulled back and regrouped. More jets were flown in from a nearby base.

[King Acunasti]

Spoiler:

So a base just randomly appears?

[POMC S117]

Spoiler:

By nearby base I meant one from my country or Sav's.

[King Acunasti]

Spoiler:

So it's you and Sav versus Matt?

[POMC S117]

Spoiler:

Yes.

[King Acunasti]

Spoiler:

Anyone want to see another Hessian history post regarding the Royauté Dyanasty?

[Eltee]

Spoiler:

...And I have denounced them both as disturbers of the peace, but am too comfortable to do anything about it.
Well... Maybe...

Mr. Arlington,

The world is watching you and your struggle against the war of aggression launched upon your soil.
If you would consent, I would implement an arms deal to provide you with considerable amounts of anti-tank and anti-air defence weaponry and munitions. While not exactly an expeditionary force in therms of usefulness, I trust they will contribute to Zorya's struggle against foreign aggression.

Yours candidly and confidentially,
A. Aariak
Premier of Tavik

Spoiler:

Yessum

[King Acunasti]

Spoiler:

Information on every monarch of the Royauté Dynasty (which has ruled Hessia since 1789).

King Maxentius Royauté
(Born February 8, 1760 --- Died June 14, 1804)
(Ruled September 5, 1789 - June 10, 1804)
Description: Maxentius was born to the renowned aristocratic Royauté family. He was the central leader of the Hessian Revolution - a violent uprising against the tyrannical Epée Dynasty (which had ruled Hessia for over 400 years). After overthrowing the Epée family, Maxentius was placed on the throne. While his reign was short, it was highly significant. It established the Royauté family’s control over the Kingdom.

King Hercule Royauté
(Born May 7, 1783 --- Died July 3, 1833)
(Ruled June 15, 1804 - July 3, 1833)
Description: Hercule brought a period of peace and prosperity to the Kingdom of Hessia. It has been stated that he was a strategical genius, successfully absorbing the neighboring nations of Vladin and Harsul into the Kingdom without violent conflict.

King Rodolph Royauté I
(Born January 21, 1811 --- Died March 10, 1852)
(Ruled July 4, 1833 - March 10, 1852)
Description: Rodolph I is a symbol of corruption and fraud in Hessia. He was known for instituting a merciless secret police force which terrorized the civilians for many years. Several rebellions occurred in the province of Hess during his reign. However, government soldiers were able to crush each uprising without trouble. Rodolph was assassinated on March 10, 1852.

King Rodolph Royauté II
(Born December 4, 1832 --- Died November 24, 1873)
(Ruled March 16, 1852 - November 24, 1873)
Description: Rodolph II was the polar opposite of his tyrannical father. He supported human rights and introduced a fair and gracious judicial system to the Kingdom of Hessia. It has long been speculated that Rodolph II actually hired the assassin that killed his father in 1852.

King Séverin Royauté
(Born February 5, 1851 --- Died June 30, 1901)
(Ruled November 25, 1873 - June 30, 1901)
Description: Séverin took the throne during a time of chaos and warfare in the west. He led the Kingdom of Hessia through the First War of the Grey against the Tsardom of Vania (1875-1881). The war ended with the Treaty of Illumination. Neither side gained or lost any territory. Despite the war, Séverin maintained a successful Hessian economy, and is considered to have been an extremely capable ruler.

King Toussaint Royauté
(Born February 10, 1876 --- Died October 19, 1947)
(Ruled July 1, 1901 - October 19, 1947)
Description: Toussaint is viewed upon by the people of Hessia as one of the finest military leaders in the nation’s history. He victoriously led the Kingdom into the Second War of the Grey (1902-1913, in which Hessia completely annihilated the Tsardom of Vania and absorbed Vania into the Kingdom) and the Six Year War (1937-1943, in which the People’s Republic of the Orient was also absorbed into the Kingdom). However, with the end of the Six Year War, both the Hessian economy and the countryside itself were left in ruins.

King Amadeous Royauté
(Born January 17, 1897 --- Died August 14, 1992)
(Ruled October 22, 1947 - August 14, 1992)
Description: Amadeous took the throne shortly after the end of the Six Year War. He is considered one of the worst rulers in Hessian history. With the economy and many of his cities destroyed after the war, he made very little effort to repair the damages. Many human rights were denied, and police brutality occurred in almost every major Hessian city. During this dark time period, 65% of the population lived in poverty. Near the end of Amadeous’s reign in the 1990’s, the Socialist Movement began. Hessia was on the brink of civil war (as well as a possible conflict with Tavïk). However, his death brought about the end of the Socialist Movement with the crowning of Amadeous’s grandson, Cyril.

Prince Gaston Royauté
(Born September 24, 1936 --- Died April 29, 1968)
(Died before being able to rule)
Description: Gaston was the only son of King Amadeous Royauté. Very little is known about him, as he made a very low impact on Hessian politics. His firstborn son, Cyril, became King of Hessia in 1992. Gaston had already died of hemophilia in 1968.

King Cyril Royauté
(Born December 9, 1958 --- Died May 29, 2007)
(Ruled August 15, 1992 - May 29, 2007)
Description: Often called the “Savior King”, Cyril pulled the Kingdom of Hessia out of the tense and conflicting age of darkness that had been created by his grandfather. He greatly modernized the nation, built up a stronger military, improved the free-market economy, supported human rights, and vastly lowered the Kingdom’s poverty levels. During Cyril’s reign, the populace began to view the monarchy and royal family not only as politicians, but also as celebrities.

Queen Aurore Royauté
(Born March 2, 1980)
(Ruled June 2, 2007 - Present)
Description: Aurore is the first female Royauté monarch. She has held the throne for five years. Compassionate, intelligent, powerful, and beautiful, she is the most popular Hessian ruler the Kingdom has ever known. Aurore is credited with completely eliminating poverty in Hessia, blending human rights into Hessian law, ending ethnic conflict between Hessian and Oriental peoples, farther improving the economy, and making Hessia one of the most powerful military powers in the world. Aurore has yet to marry to bear a child, prompting a bit of worry amongst the people.

[Arch-Mage Matt]

Ms. Aariak,

If you would like to assist with the pestilence plaguing Zorya, I would gladly welcome it.

President Robert Arlington


____


Around 100 Anti aircraft tanks came in from the depths of Zorya. They divided around the enemy.

The ones to the north shot at the jets.

The ones to the east shot at the jets.

The ones to the west shot at the jets.

Attack helicopters came in, even more this time. They circled around the enemy again.

The helicopters shot from the west.

The helicopters shot from the east.

Spoiler:

Those are all dice rolls.

[Eltee]

Within the day, more than 3000 mobile missile platforms were delivered to Zorya through a series of nondescript convoys. A massive supply of missiles were also provided.

The small, compact launchers were meant to be fired and immediately moved, encouraging hit and run attacks and concealed fire positions. It was, without a doubt, one of the most effective pieces of modern defensive military technology, notable not only for it's small size and effectiveness, but also it's low cost and ease of use. They were renowned as being extremely safe, with several countermeasures against backfires and self destruction.

[POMC S117]

The remaining tanks and anti-vehicle trucks directed fire at the AA tanks, hitting them with all their fire power. The jets activated flares and the helicopters did the same. The Navy had grouped around the sea and were firing long-ranged missiles.

[Arch-Mage Matt]

Zoryan submarines began to launch highly explosive missiles at the Enaline ships.

Tavik's missile launchers arrived, at which point soldiers took full advantage of them, firing missiles at anything in range.

Meanwhile, in Enaline, Emperor Eliwer received a message from Zorya. It was the SMC requesting an interview with the Emperor.

[POMC S117]

Emperor Eliwer declined as he knew the SMC would manipulate everything he would say. Who cared if they called him weak for not appearing, he was not going to let some media-moguls overpower him.

------------------------------

The dreadnoughts and destroyers for which Enaline was famous for began firing torpedoes and depth charges at the submarines.

The special forces of the Enalinian army had sneaked behind enemy lines and were shooting at them from behind in small squads.

[Arch-Mage Matt]

Missiles, very large missiles, were launched at the squads of special forces.

____

"Typical." Dolores Montgomery scoffed. "Eliwer couldn't handle me. Release a report detailing how Emperor Eliwer was too afraid to talk to me." She ordered.

[King Acunasti]

Spoiler:

[POMC S117]

Eliwer messaged Dolores, inviting her to the Palace for a chat. He allowed her to bring 20 guards if she wished.

[Arch-Mage Matt]

Dolores hesitated. She had only traveled abroad in non-hostile situations. Dolores, as with most high ranking reporters at the State Media, were official diplomats. That was a popular, if not unusual, decision from President Arlington two years ago. It at least won over the support of the SMC.

Dolores took out her cell phone and called President Arlington himself, on an emergency line for the SMC. it had only been used once before, when a reporter and his camerawoman were kidnapped by pirates while on a submarine doing an interview. They did not return alive.

"I wouldn't go." Arlington advised. "At least I have respect for Mr. Erickson. Eliwer runs an authoritarian regime and wouldn't hesitate to kill you to make a statement."

[POMC S117]

Spoiler:

Don't be a prick! Surely if Dolores is as tenacious as she is she would go there.

[Arch-Mage Matt]

Spoiler:

Well I'm not going to let you kill her!

[POMC S117]

Spoiler:

But I wasn't going to. If I do that then I'll drop out of the RP. Deal?

[King Acunasti]

Spoiler:

You shouldn't have to drop out of the RP for doing something like that. Killing her would only add more conflict, which is what this RP is all about.

So, some more info:
The Kingdom of Hessia is divided into 10 provinces, some of which were independent nations in the past. The provinces are listed below.

1. Harsul (once the Kingdom of Harsul, conquered by Hessia in 1821)
2. Hess (where the capital city of Swithelm is located)
3. Kannonburg
4. Kelinrest
5. Norhelm (once the Kingdom of Norhelm, conquered by Hessia in 1701)
6. Oviria
7. The Orient (once the People's Republic of the Orient, conquered by Hessia in 1943)
8. Qarin
9. Vania (once the Tsardom of Vania, conquered by Hessia in 1913)
10. Vladin (once the Democratic Republic of Vladin, conquered by Hessia in 1808)

[POMC S117]

Spoiler:

Is it okay if I add history to my country?

[King Acunasti]

Spoiler:

Yeah, of course. If I can do it, why can't you?

[Arch-Mage Matt]

Spoiler:

OK.

Despite the President's advice, Dolores decided to go anyway. She searched for hours to find a cameraman willing to go, until one finally volunteered. He was a thirty-something man named Paul Cathmore. Cathmore was rather obese with a long brown ponytail and an un-groomed light beard. He wore a ratty grey T-shirt with the letters ZSMC on the back, jeans, and hiking boots.

Dolores made her last report before leaving the country, informing Zoryans of her decision and that there was a very real possibility of her not returning. She pointed out that if she, an official diplomat and reporter was killed, then Eliwer would truly have lost all morals. She also informed the world that she was going without any guards.

Dolores wasn't sure about going, but she was sure about one thing: if she was going to die, she was going to become martyr.

***

Dolores and Cathmore sat opposite of each other in a sleek white helicopter that was coming close to coming into Enaline space. Cathmore was polishing his camera lens. "You know, Dolores, Eliwer really hates you." He commented.

"I know, Paul. Eliwer just hates the messenger. It's the State Media, for crying out loud. Arlington sets it up."

"Either way," Cathmore chuckled. "You're not gonna get a good reception when we land."

"It's worth it. This will be the news report of the year." Dolores said. "If we survive."

"You're way too dedicated, Dolores. You need to take a break someday, get laid or something."

Dolores rolled her eyes. "You first."

The helicopter flew into Enaline space.

"Sh*t," Cathmore mumbled. "I'm nervous. Eliwer's gonna kill us. What I do for a chance at a promotion..."

"He's the leader of a nation. I think he's above executing someone who challenges him politically." Dolores answered calmly. Deep down, she shared Cathmore's worry.

[POMC S117]

Spoiler:

Did I say that you are the best mod?

Two jets joined them and escorted them to the main airport. They landed and were taken to a car. "The Emperor is at his palace. You will be driven there."