State of Elibe - Update
Jan 17, 2018 6:34:39 GMT -6
Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on Jan 17, 2018 6:34:39 GMT -6
For the first time in recent memory, an end to the wars gripping Elibe seems tantalizingly close - in a surprise move, Etruria and Ilia announced today the cessation of hostilities between their countries as the result of backroom negotiation between the highest elements of leadership of both powers. Details are scant, but Etruria's unexpected generosity surprised many naysayers, returning a fair chunk of Ilian territory as a gesture of good will and offering the aid of the Church in supplying healers to help in rebuilding. Ilia in turn has agreed to the absolute free passage of all Etrurian forces through their territory and begun limited trade negotiations for the enormous quantities of supplies needed to rebuild their country and army back to full strength.
Some pundits believe that Etruria's move was simple realpolitik rather than a gesture of genuine good will, pointing out the multi-front war stretching their army thin as well as rising discontent on the home front at the Church's increasingly harsh predations - suggesting that this is simply a momentary ceasefire before Etruria returns to eradicating all 'infidels' in Elibe. Others believe that the Prophet may have had a change of heart or heard different counsel, but the Prophet himself has not been seen in some time, with the Herald, now known far and wide as the face of the Etruria war machine, simply claiming that Ilia had seen the value of mutual prosperity and that further attacking fellow believers would be unnecessary cruelty, and encouraging his countrymen to stand strong against the horrors facing Elibe - only through unity could they lead the way against the darkness and bring light to all. He especially cautioned against traitors and and disbelievers in their midst in an impassioned speech historians will recall for the ages, promising to bring these sinners to justice - to the accompaniment of thunderous applause from the audience.
Western Ilia still bears heavy scars from the brutal war, and views are mixed on the developments. Few trust Etruria fully, but an unexpected proponent of the peace agreement - the hawks of the council - are already suggesting that a resurgent Ilian military demand reparations from the rebellious Bernese curs who drove them out, and many are less than happy with what they see as a lack of aid from Sacae in their darkest hour - the worst of the war was waged on Ilian territory and the bulk of the Etrurian army was concentrated there, after all. Most, however, are happy to take the momentary peace as an opportunity to rebuild, seeing opportunity in a strong Etrurian relationship to further their reach in Elibe in the future, and Ilian high command has strictly forbidden overly anti-Etrurian actions in an attempt to keep the transition relatively bloodless.
Sacaen forces led by the Crimson Demon, Kenshin, managed to push back the disorganized forces of Etrurian mercenaries as the tribes came together, though the disappearance of the brave young Khan who had helped unite them, Selibas, has left the men of the plains temporarily disorganized. Unfortunately, the massive Etrurian fortress city Taras halted the Sacaen counterattack with contemptuous ease, leaving both sides at an uncertain standoff as Etruria continues to amass forces at the border, but seems content to hold off on another actual attack - one that could utterly dwarf their previous probing feint and potentially shatter the tenuous Sacaen resistance.
Bern continues to rebuild from Hargus's repeated predations, with the former Rebellion consolidating all power under the new Senate and focusing mostly on exterminating the countless gargoyles and other horrors plaguing their country while rebuilding their battered economy. Constant and growing monster attacks accentuated by a lack of leadership has paralyzed the once-proud country, keeping them well out of the ongoing conflicts, but war hawks argue that now is the time for a resurgent Bern to act - though few can agree which side they should take and who exactly they should invade this time.
Lycia crumbles from within as endless tides of the dead and the damned pour from ruined Ostia like an eternal torrent of terror. Laus and Araphen accuse each other of the direst treacheries as Santaruz and Laus forces eye each other across the demilitarized zone, awaiting just one incident severe enough to spark a war that both are eager to begin but politically unwise to be seen as responsible for. Worde and Ryerde's alliance holds southwestern Lycia stable, for now, but the battered Thria is slowly being drowned in the dead, and bandits from Caelin have found footholds in Khathelet and Santaruz, and even the militarizing Tania is rapidly becoming harder pressed to keep their borders secure - not least because Bern's regular anti-monster campaigns continue to drive more and more displaced gargoyles into Tanian territory, leading to a diplomatic and practical nightmare for both sides. Pherae in turn drifts further away from their countrymen and Elibe alike, with the isolationist forces in the court growing more and more powerful by the day. And enough of Tuscana has gone dark that some argue the failed march should be brought under the control of one of its neighbors.
Throughout it all, as newer and stranger breeds of monsters come to light and beasts continue to become more and more common, with occasional claimed dragon sightings from southwest Bern to the Western Isles, the common man seems less and less safe even as Elibe's power brokers see only possibility. Many existing power structures seem on the verge of collapse, and it would take only a few gentle touches to start a domino reaction that could forever reshape all Elibe... or plunge it into undending darkness.
Some pundits believe that Etruria's move was simple realpolitik rather than a gesture of genuine good will, pointing out the multi-front war stretching their army thin as well as rising discontent on the home front at the Church's increasingly harsh predations - suggesting that this is simply a momentary ceasefire before Etruria returns to eradicating all 'infidels' in Elibe. Others believe that the Prophet may have had a change of heart or heard different counsel, but the Prophet himself has not been seen in some time, with the Herald, now known far and wide as the face of the Etruria war machine, simply claiming that Ilia had seen the value of mutual prosperity and that further attacking fellow believers would be unnecessary cruelty, and encouraging his countrymen to stand strong against the horrors facing Elibe - only through unity could they lead the way against the darkness and bring light to all. He especially cautioned against traitors and and disbelievers in their midst in an impassioned speech historians will recall for the ages, promising to bring these sinners to justice - to the accompaniment of thunderous applause from the audience.
Western Ilia still bears heavy scars from the brutal war, and views are mixed on the developments. Few trust Etruria fully, but an unexpected proponent of the peace agreement - the hawks of the council - are already suggesting that a resurgent Ilian military demand reparations from the rebellious Bernese curs who drove them out, and many are less than happy with what they see as a lack of aid from Sacae in their darkest hour - the worst of the war was waged on Ilian territory and the bulk of the Etrurian army was concentrated there, after all. Most, however, are happy to take the momentary peace as an opportunity to rebuild, seeing opportunity in a strong Etrurian relationship to further their reach in Elibe in the future, and Ilian high command has strictly forbidden overly anti-Etrurian actions in an attempt to keep the transition relatively bloodless.
Sacaen forces led by the Crimson Demon, Kenshin, managed to push back the disorganized forces of Etrurian mercenaries as the tribes came together, though the disappearance of the brave young Khan who had helped unite them, Selibas, has left the men of the plains temporarily disorganized. Unfortunately, the massive Etrurian fortress city Taras halted the Sacaen counterattack with contemptuous ease, leaving both sides at an uncertain standoff as Etruria continues to amass forces at the border, but seems content to hold off on another actual attack - one that could utterly dwarf their previous probing feint and potentially shatter the tenuous Sacaen resistance.
Bern continues to rebuild from Hargus's repeated predations, with the former Rebellion consolidating all power under the new Senate and focusing mostly on exterminating the countless gargoyles and other horrors plaguing their country while rebuilding their battered economy. Constant and growing monster attacks accentuated by a lack of leadership has paralyzed the once-proud country, keeping them well out of the ongoing conflicts, but war hawks argue that now is the time for a resurgent Bern to act - though few can agree which side they should take and who exactly they should invade this time.
Lycia crumbles from within as endless tides of the dead and the damned pour from ruined Ostia like an eternal torrent of terror. Laus and Araphen accuse each other of the direst treacheries as Santaruz and Laus forces eye each other across the demilitarized zone, awaiting just one incident severe enough to spark a war that both are eager to begin but politically unwise to be seen as responsible for. Worde and Ryerde's alliance holds southwestern Lycia stable, for now, but the battered Thria is slowly being drowned in the dead, and bandits from Caelin have found footholds in Khathelet and Santaruz, and even the militarizing Tania is rapidly becoming harder pressed to keep their borders secure - not least because Bern's regular anti-monster campaigns continue to drive more and more displaced gargoyles into Tanian territory, leading to a diplomatic and practical nightmare for both sides. Pherae in turn drifts further away from their countrymen and Elibe alike, with the isolationist forces in the court growing more and more powerful by the day. And enough of Tuscana has gone dark that some argue the failed march should be brought under the control of one of its neighbors.
Throughout it all, as newer and stranger breeds of monsters come to light and beasts continue to become more and more common, with occasional claimed dragon sightings from southwest Bern to the Western Isles, the common man seems less and less safe even as Elibe's power brokers see only possibility. Many existing power structures seem on the verge of collapse, and it would take only a few gentle touches to start a domino reaction that could forever reshape all Elibe... or plunge it into undending darkness.