From musseauh@esiee.fr Tue Sep 24 07:33:33 1996 Date: Tue, 24 Sep 1996 11:21:10 +0200 From: Herve MUSSEAU Reply-To: mystara-l@io.com Events for the New Alphatian Confederated Empire and the Alatians (except Aegos) for the years AC 1013 and 1014. Nuwmont 2, 1013: Assault on Blackrock Location: Skyfyr, Blackrock. Description: The combined forces of Seashield and Bellissaria, under the direction of Commander in Chief Broderick, invade Blackrock on the Esterhold Peninsula. Numerous troops disembark from submersible galleys in Skyfyr's harbor, while ships disgorge more troops at the outer limits of the city and in other strategic places all around the kingdom. At the same time, the rebels, warned of the incoming assault by Favian Vern, again leave their underground hideouts and participate in the attack with arms supplied by Commander Broderick. What This Means: With the full military and magical support of all member kingdoms of the New Alphatian Confederated Empire, Commander Broderick should swiftly put an end to King Xanthus's oppressive rule in the city of Skyfyr. Nuwmont 7, 1013: Pegataurs Recognized Location: Floating Ar. Description: King Qissling finally accepts to recognize the pegataurs_winged centaurs_ as full citizens of Floating Ar. What This Means: After many strikes that have prevented most transportation between the floating isles or with the other nations_skyships and magic do not suffice_the government has been forced to accede to the pegataurs' request. The life of most pegataurs will not change much, however, since most of them will continue to serve as transports for hire. Those few that are wizards are now nobles, and some adventurous fighters enlist in the so far nearly-nonexistent army of the isles. Nuwmont 10, 1013: Combat in Blackrock Location: Skyfyr, Blackrock. Description: Fighting continues in the streets of Skyfyr. Despite the ongoing onslaught of the more numerous troops of the NACE, King Xanthus's loyal troops stand firm_they were prepared for the invasion. Though it is not completely repaired, Xanthus's flying man-o-war participates in the defense of the city and the palace. Part of the city is no more under his control, however, as is most of the country outside of Skyfyr. Nuwmont 14, 1013: Xanthus Asks for Help Location: Faraway, Verdan. Description: King Xanthus's top advisor, Bargle, meets King Nicodemus of Verdan. He asks him to commit troops to the defense of Blackrock, for, he says, if Blackrock falls, so will Verdan. King Nicodemus answers he has no troops to spare, since he himself has problems with rebellious Jennites. Moreover, Broderick's troops block all routes between the two countries: Verdan navy is no match for the Alphatian ships and submersibles, and the inland roads are under Broderick's control. Nuwmont 23, 1013: Skyship Produced in Aeria Location: Aeria, Alatian Islands. Description: The first skyship is launched in the skies of Aeria. It is a military skyship; Headmaster Aiklin declares that, since his country is independent from both Thyatis and Alphatia, it will build its own skynavy, central to its future army. What This Means: The skyship prototypes constructed by the magical college for the Thyatians these last years had been systematically sabotaged by Alphatian loyalists. Now that Aeria has been granted independence, they have stopped their sabotages, and thanks to the research done under Thyatian's control, the first Aerian skyship can go on her maiden flight today. Master Aiklin knows this is a risky move, since Thyatis still has troops stationed on nearby Aegos, but he hopes the Thyatians won't break the Isle of Dawn Treaty, all the more since it could cause tension with the newly-formed NACE. Nuwmont 25, 1013: Xanthus's Troops Retreat to Palace Location: Skyfyr, Blackrock. Description: The remaining troops loyal to King Xantus, hardpressed by Broderick's, retreat to the royal palace in Skyfyr, the last place they control. The rest of the city is now under Broderick's military control. Vatermont 1, 1013: Hard-Ball Season Canceled Location: Ionace. Description: The Council of the NACE announces there will be no Hard-Ball season this year because few teams have had time to train, and the Super-Hard-Ball stadium is not ready on Ionace. All member states of the NACE are invited to form teams for the next year. Vatermont 2, 1013: Floating Ar Joins the NACE Location: Floating Ar. Description: King Qissling of Floating Ar reportedly agrees to join the New Alphatian Confederated Empire. What This Means: Floating Ar becomes the 8th country of the Confederacy. Vatermont 9, 1013: Floating Ar Asks for Permission to Move Location: Ionace. Description: King Qissling of Floating Ar asks to the Council the permission to move the floating islands some 350 miles northeastward, right above the unclaimed Yannivey Islands, and use them to grow crops in the forthcoming years. The Council agrees. What This Means: Since the disappearance of Alphatia, Floating Ar has been almost totally dependent on not-so-nearby states to get supplies_especially food. Realizing the situation could not last forever_and fearing food shortage if a problem would happen_, they opted for that solution. The Yanniveys are a lawless land, sparsely inhabited by monsters and brigands. Vatermont 8, 1013: Blackrock Falls Location: Skyfyr, Blackrock. Description: The last of King Xanthus's troops in Skyfyr surrender to Commander Broderick. Xanthus himself escapes to sanctuary in Verdan, where King Nicodemus prepares his own troops for the expected invasion by the New Alphatian forces. Commander Broderick designates Favian Vern as governor of the country for all non-military aspects, until the Alphatian Council elects a new king. Vatermont 19, 1013: A New King for Blackrock Location: Skyfyr, Blackrock. Description: The Alphatian Council names Favian Vern King of Blackrock. As his first official act, King Favian declares all Jennite natives of Esterhold free_no longer are they to be slaves or denied Alphatian citizenship. There is much rejoicing in the streets of Skyfyr. Chaos soon follows as the various strata of Blackrock society adjust to the new order_but King Favian and his appointed government prove themselves equal to each new challenge. What This Means: King Favian receives financial, as well as military and political, support from the Council. Flaurmont 22, 1013: Alpha Joins the NACE Location: Alpha, Norwold. Description: King Ericall declares Alpha is the 10th member of the Confederacy. What This Means: Ericall thinks this is the best defense against the Heldannic progression. He asks for troops in exchange. Thaumont 4, 1013: Floating Ar Flies North Location: Floating Ar. Description: Floating Ar begins its long trip north to the Yannivey Islands. What This Means: This involves much magic, especially aerial magic. Wizards from all over the NACE participate, since it is a great occasion to improve their knowledge of aerial magic and the way mortal magic interacts with immortal magic (i.e. the Isles themselves). The magical college of Aeria also throws in its knowledge. The trip will not be without a problem, however, since many powerful wizards of Ar continue their dangerous experiments while their estates are being moved. Yarthmont 10, 1013: Thothia Joins the NACE Location: Edairo, Thothia. Description: Pharaoh Ramenhotep XXIV of Thothia signs a treaty granting him a seat on the New Alphatian Council and adding Thothia to the New Alphatian Confederated Empire. The Pharaoh also declares that East Portage, Ekto and Trikelios are now independent from Thothia, but they also join the Confederacy. What This Means: The Confederacy has four new members, and gains a firm presence on the Isle of Dawn. The three small kingdoms are granted financial aid by the Council to help in the rebuilding after the war. Yarthmont 27, 1013: Alpha Gets Extra Troops Location: Alpha. Description: After joining the NACE, King Ericall asked for more troops to help him stand ground against further Heldannic incursions. Commander Broderick dispatches some available units in Alpha. What This Means: Ericall does not intent to use these troops offensively_he already finds it difficult just defending the few territories that remain loyal to him. He hopes the Heldannic Knights will see this as a sign that the NACE will back him if they should invade. Klarmont 19, 1013: Parliament Completed Location: Ionace. Description: The new Parliament building, that will from now on hold the Alphatian Council's meetings, is completed. It is located near the city of old Denwarf-Hurgon, and most of the Representations and Embassies are still temporary assigned to buildings in the dwarven city. What This Means: This location has been chosen because many of the buildings of Denwarf-Hurgon remained fully functional despite the sinking of Alphatia and the numerous earthquakes. Upper Denwarf-Hurgon has been freed of monsters, and its buildings may be used by the Council as it sees fit. The construction of the Parliament made heavy use of magic, both to speed up the process and to secure the building from magical scrying, uncontrolled teleportation, and such. Fyrmont 12, 1013: Earthquake in the Alphatian Sea Location: Alphatian Sea and surrounding countries. Description: A more powerful than usual earthquake in the Alphatian Sea makes some damages on Ionace, and doesn't help in the redigging of the Pit on Aegos either. What This Means: Minor earthquakes happen quite often since the sinking of Alphatia, but it was time since the last major one. Sages still work on discovering when this will end_or at least on predicting the major ones. As Ionace is near the epicenter, the earthquake causes important damage there: mnemonic mineral mines collapse, hastily-built buildings in the city of Sanctuary don't resist, but the dwarven-built Denwarf-Hurgon and the most recent official buildings and houses do resist. What the PCs Can Do: Well-equipped rescue teams are needed_and may well find themselves trapped by further collapses caused by minor earthquakes the following days. Ambyrmont 3, 1013: Floating Ar Drops Anchor Location: New Floating Ar position, above the Yannivey Islands. Description: Floating Ar has completed its relocation to the Yanniveys. Those who helped are rewarded as promised. King Qissling declares the Yanniveys are now part of Floating Ar; everyone can help in gaining effective control of the land. Those who seize control of land and register to the royal palace are automatically granted that land; if they are name-level spellcasters they also gain a title in the process. Territory seized by troops dispatched by the NACE, or by mercenaries hired by King Qissling, become property of the crown. Commander Broderick recalls some troops from Blackrock for the occasion. What the PCs Can Do: This is a formidable opportunity for high-level PCs to gain dominions, and titles if they happen to be spellcasters. They will soon discover that they are not viewed as equals by wizards who own an estate on the floating islands. Even if the PCs are low-level, they can find employment as mercenaries. Nuwmont 7, 1014: Karameikos Recognizes the NACE Location: Mirros, Karameikos. Description: King Stefan Karameikos officially announces his country opens up diplomatic ties with the NACE. The Karameikan Embassy is to be moved from Aquas to Ionace. King Stefan also grants favored trading status to the Confederacy. What This Means: Karameikos is the first country to officially recognize the legitimacy of the Council. Since Empress Eriadna recognized Karameikos's independence a few years ago, the two countries have maintained diplomatic ties with each other, but under Zandor's rule this didn't mean much. The two countries have had few trading relations up to now, but this can well change_King Stefan especially hopes it will improve magical stuff exchange. The two countries are not likely to become military allies or to suppress tariffs altogether, however, since Karameikos is part of the Western Defense League and as such cannot take such decisions alone_and its allies would probably be more than reluctant, especially Ylaruam. Nuwmont 13, 1014: Qeodhar Joins the NACE Location: Farend, Qeodhar. Description: King Norlan reluctantly agrees to join the New Alphatian Confederated Empire. He says to the Council that he can't place his troops under Commander Broderick's command yet, because they are busy repelling many monsters that cross the ice floe thanks to the cold winter. He only accepts to send troops to the Yannivey Islands to help Floating Ar taking over the isles. What This Means: Baron Norlan had always considered Zandor's petty empire as no threat to him, and he thought it would be the same with the NACE. But the offensive on Blackrock and the arrival of Floating Ar above the Yannivey Islands made him realize he was one of the last territories of now-sunken Alphatia that was still independent from the Confederacy. They may well decide to remove him if he continued to ignore their diplomats. After all, the Confederacy seems to be military and magic rich despite the disappearance of Alphatia. Norlan doesn't want to lose his time attending the Council meetings, however, but what he doesn't know is that this will prevent him from discovering Alphatia's survival within the Hollow World_something that could also have explained his wife's disappearance. Norlan is currently trying to devise a way to keep his army under his sole control; he particularly doesn't want his troops to help in overthrowing the kings of Esterhold. Vatermont 1, 1014: Opening of Hard-Ball Season Location: Ionace. Description: The Council of the NACE declares the Hard-Ball season open. Inscription of teams is closed today. For two months, the different teams meet each other; only one per country shall remain for the Super-Hard-Ball in the month of Flaurmont (matches between teams from different countries are friendly, mostly exhibitions). The Council also announces that Karameikos and Aeria are invited to participate in the event. What This Means: All nations of the NACE have made an effort so that they all have at least one team that participates this year, and the stadium has been completed on Ionace. Master Terari has made his best for years to develop Hard-Ball in Karameikos; he is responsible for the participation of the country in the Tournament_as well as for the good relations the Kingdom maintains with the Confederacy. The participation of Aeria is also a political coup to show it is on good terms with the Confederacy_and is accompanied by an exchange of ambassadors. Vatermont 1, 1014: Aeria Opens Embassy on Ionace Location: Aeria, Alatian Islands. Description: Headmaster Aiklin of Aeria agrees to open up diplomatic ties with the New Alphatian Confederated Empire. He also reassures that students from all around the NACE are welcome in the magical college of air magics. What This Means: This is yet another coup against Thyatis. It is obvious to all that Aeria is aligned with the NACE, although it remains independent for the time being (as per the Isle of Dawn Treaty). The official announce is also accompanied by a secret military pact stating that Aeria's skynavy can be hired as mercenary by the Commander in Chief of the NACE in exchange for a promise of military intervention should Thyatis ever try to take Aeria by force. Most students of the college were already drawn from the ranks of former Alphatian territories; there is nothing surprising in that part of the Headmaster's allocution. Vatermont 18, 1014: Qeodharian Troops Land on the Yanniveys Location: Yannivey Islands. Description: The few troops Baron Norlan sent to assist Floating Ar arrive and place themselves under the command of the general of Floating Ar_himself appointed by Commander Broderick. What This Means: It is only a token help, most of Norlan's troops stayed at home. Moreover, the conquest of the Yanniveys is already almost over. Vatermont 21, 1014: King Norlan Reorganizes his Army Location: Farend, Qeodhar. Description: Baron Norlan splits up his army into three distinct bodies: the Army, the Police and the Special Force. The Army represents 60% of the total numbers, and is placed under the jurisdiction of Commander in Chief Broderick of the NACE. The Police represents 30% of the old army, an is in charge of patrolling the cities, arresting people and similar duties. Although policemen can use arms and armors, they are not considered an armed force and as such remain under Norlan's control. The Special Force is a secret service, mostly spies and assassins, who are basically the most able 10% of the old army. They don't have any official existence, and their actions are always covert ones_few people know that force exists. What This Means: Baron Norlan didn't want to lose the power his army brought him. Thanks to that trick he keeps control of 40% of it_and even creates a secret service. The other 60% (i.e. the Army) are now under Broderick's control. Thaumont 6, 1014: Favian Tries Diplomacy Location: Faraway, Verdan. Description: King Favian Vern sends diplomats to discuss with King Nicodemus of Verdan of a way to avoid a useless war between their two kingdoms. Favian's messengers affirm King Nicodemus and ex-King Xanthus will be allowed to leave freely, with all who want to go with them and with all treasure they want, if he accepts to relinquish all claims to Verdan. King Nicodemus has them arrested and executed. What This Means: Nicodemus is confident in his army. He has always stopped Jennite invasion coming from the wild east, and has crushed all slave unrests easily. He knows the rebels are not as well organized here as they were in Blackrock. He has prepared his army for the event, which has been reinforced last year by the remains of Xanthus's, including the now-repaired flying man-o-war. What the PCs Can Do: The PCs can be the messengers sent by King Favian. If they are convincing enough, they may even prevent a bloody war and be well rewarded_or they will have to devise a plan to escape from Faraway's dungeons before they get executed. Thaumont 17, 1014: Hard-Ball Stadium Completed Location: Ionace. Description: The Stadium that will host the Super-Hard-Ball matches in Flaurmont is completed just in time on Ionace. What This Means: The Council declared the season opened the first day of Vatermont, although the stadium what not yet completed at the time. Magic has been used to speed it up. Thaumont 20, 1014: Assault on Verdan Location: Verdan. Description: Although he has troops stationed in Alpha and the Yanniveys, Commander Broderick decides for the invasion of Verdan. Knowing his submersible galleys will be no surprise, Broderick decides to attack from different directions at the same time. Of course, he puts his submersibles and ships into position on the Verdan coast and Faraway's harbor, with marines pouring out of them, but he also leads infantry through the woods of Esterhold from the port cities of Anchorage to the west and Rock Harbor to the south. At the same time, some Jennite tribes lead skirmishes on the eastern forts_thanks to Broderick's gold. The Jennite slaves in Faraway, hoping at the sight of the foreign troops, cause some trouble within the city_although they are largely disorganized. King Nicodemus didn't expect such an all-out assault, and finds it difficult to battle on all fronts at the same time. The undefended interior land quickly falls to Broderick's marching troops; only the capital and the three eastern forts remain uncaptured, though they become isolated from each other. Thaumont 25, 1014: Faraway Besieged Location: Verdan. Description: Surprised by the way things turned out, King Nicodemus decides to throw all of his forces into the battle. His divisions have been more or less able to keep the Alphatian armies at bay so far, although the rest of the land is probably no more his_except perhaps the eastern forts. He fears an uprising of the Jennite slaves, however, and he knows he would have a hard time fighting it with all his troops busy repelling the Confederated Army. So he decides to strike with Xanthus's man-o-war, and delights in the sight of the ship blasting squads of attackers trying to break through. Suddenly, three more skyships appear in the sky, and shoot at the man-o-war. The ship soon crashes to the ground, damaged beyond repair. The Jennite slaves cheer at the sight of the crashing ship, and seize the opportunity to rebel again. Attacked from sea, air, land, and from inside the city, the Verdan troops find themselves overwhelmed and must retreat to the palace where they rally. By the end of the day, most of the city has been conquered. Many Verdan masters are assassinated by their rebelling slaves, and small groups of loyalist troops that find themselves surrounded by rebels are butchered_the Verdan soldiers do the same with the groups of rebels they encounter. What This Means: Broderick knew of Xanthus's ship, so he hired skyships recently produced in allied Aeria. He didn't put them to work immediately, however, rather preferring to surprise Nicodemus and Xanthus. His tactic proved successful, because the destruction of the two kings' ace caused their armies' rout. Broderick himself is surprised by the rapidity with which he has taken most of the land, and hopes this will not cause Thyatis to react with hostility. Broderick now does his best to prevent the rebels from murdering everyone of Alphatian descent they see_he knows the surrender of the palace and the forts is only a matter of time. Flaurmont 1, 1014: Super-Hard-Ball Tournament Begins Location: Ionace. Description: All teams that have qualified arrive on Ionace today. The 17 teams will meet each other in the Super-Hard-Ball stadium; the final will be held on Flaurmont 28 between the two best teams. What This Means: When the Super-Hard-Ball tournament was created, there has been some arguing within the Council as to whether it was to be held in a different member state each year or on Ionace. It was decided that there were too many member states to use the round-robin method, and that tourism could help developing Ionace. Flaurmont 7, 1014: Forts Surrender Location: Eastern forts, Verdan. Description: The commanders of the forts protecting Verdan from the Jennite tribes, now under siege by Alphatian troops for more than two weeks, decide to surrender. Since the Jennite tribes have been driven active in the region_thanks to Broderick himself, who didn't think this would be useless_the forts remain manned as usual, though authority passes to the Alphatians. Most of the men that are no more needed here are sent north to Faraway to help in the taking of the city. Flaurmont 18, 1014: Verdan Surrenders Location: Faraway, Verdan. Description: The troops pinned in the royal palace in Faraway discover that King Nicodemus has fled the palace by an unknown mean, probably magic or a secret exit. Without their leader, and with their supplies running low, they decide to surrender to Commander Broderick. What This Means: Broderick has neutralized all pockets of resistance in the meanwhile, and this surrender means he is in complete control of the land. He sends most of his troops back home, to their respective countries. Nicodemus is on the run, and no one knows what happened to Xanthus when his skyship crashed, or even if he was on board. Flaurmont 28, 1014: Super-Hard-Ball Final Location: Ionace. Description: All teams, including those from Karameikos and Aeria, fought great matches during the whole month. All Council members and ambassadors, as well as many nobles and commoners alike, assist today to the final of the Super-Hard-Ball between the teams of Aquas and Dawnrim. After a long, disputed match, Aquas prevails. What This Means: This first season of Hard-Ball was a real success. Yarthmont 11, 1014: Council Discusses on Verdan's Future Location: Ionace. Description: The Council of the New Alphatian Confederated Empire discusses on the future of Verdan. They think they should name a Jennite king to rule the country, since an Alphatian would probably be viewed with suspicion, or even hostility by the natives. Unfortunately, the rebels have never been much organized there, and there is no obvious strong leader. King Favian of Blackrock then comes up with an interesting, though unusual, alternative: He proposes to regroup all of the territories of the Esterhold Peninsula into a single state, the Republic of Esterhold, which would be governed by an elected ruler. It would be composed of provinces, each with an elected governor, who elect the president. Elections could occur every seven years; when there is a tie for the naming of the president, the Council decides. The governor would be the ruler of his own province, and the president would decide on matters concerning the republic as a whole, or for events involving more than one province, the Council or territories outside the provinces. The Council decides to take the time to think about it, and decide during another meeting. Yarthmont 13, 1014: Gaity in Chaos Location: Gaity, Alatian Islands. Description: Gaity goes into a complete state of chaos, as most of the petty baron compete for more land, and eventually for the kingship of the island. There is much political intrigue, assassinations attempts, wars, and more between the ex-Thyatian dominion rulers. Neither Thyatis_which has troops stationed on nearby Aegos_nor the New Alphatian Confederated Empire, intervene. What This Means: Since the island has been granted independence from both Thyatis and Alphatia by the Isle of Dawn Treaty, the country has always been in a state of chaos. Escalation happens today, as a baron military attacks his neighbors and declares himself king. What the PCs Can Do: If the PCs have been granted dominion on the island when it was part of the Thyatian Empire, they can't avoid being involved in the events. They can even become the undisputed leaders of Gaity, but that shouldn't happen before they lead their armies to successful wars. Yarthmont 23, 1014: Council Decides on Esterhold Location: Ionace. Description: The Alphatian Council approves King Favian's proposition concerning the Esterhold Peninsula. The Peninsula becomes the Republic of Esterhold, with a full seat at the Council. It is composed of five provinces: The Province of Anchorage (provincial capital: Anchorage), the Province of Blackrock (provincial capital: Skyfyr), the Province of Marlin (provincial capital: Port Marlin), the Province of Southrock (provincial capital: Rock Harbor), and the Province of Verdan (provincial capital: Faraway). The central region, composed mainly of desert, broken lands and other badlands, is under the direct administration of the President. Favian Vern is named President of Esterhold until elections can be organized, i.e. until the situation is stabilized. He is charged with appointing temporary governors until the elections. Fyrmont 26, 1014: Ne'er-do-well Reaffirms its Independence Location: Ne'er-do-well, Alatian Islands. Description: King Koryn the Harpist sends messengers to Ionace, informing the Council that Ne'er-do- well is an independent nation but friendly with the world, and that ships from all over the Confederacy are welcome to make use of the ports just as any other mercantile nation may. What This Means: Ne'er-do-well intends to remain independent from both Thyatis and the NACE, while trading with both_and preying upon both nations' ships too. Commander Broderick has better to do with his troops than invading the isles. Sviftmont 21, 1014: Helskir Contacts the NACE Location: Ionace. Description: Messengers from King Eruul Zaar and Queen Asteriela Torion of Helskir ask for an audience between the Alphatian Council and their King and Queen. A meeting is called for the following day. Sviftmont 22, 1014: Helskir Meets the Council Location: Ionace. Description: King Eruul Zaar and Queen Asteriela Torion teleport to the Parliament on Ionace, where they meet with the kings of the Alphatian Confederacy. Queen Asteriela first informs the Council that she knows about the survival of Alphatia and Empress Eriadna within the Hollow World_the crew of the Flying Fish told her so four years ago_, so they can discuss freely about the future of the region. She tells that now that Zandor has been deposed, the situation may only better_but unfortunately Helskir has agreed to become part of the Thyatian Empire before the event happened, and cannot leave it for the NACE without provoking her brother's wrath and destabilizing the relative stability on the Isle of Dawn. However, Helskir has kept its status of Kingdom and as such can establish diplomatic ties with the Confederacy. This would be a way of communicating between the two empires, and maybe preventing tensions or even wars. The Council agrees to open up diplomatic ties with Helskir. Eirmont 12, 1014: Dunadale Contacts the NACE Location: Province of Dunadale, Isle of Dawn. Description: The Thyatian Province of Dunadale, whose citizens are mostly of Alphatian descent, declares it will open up diplomatic ties with the New Alphatian Confederated Empire, like Helskir the previous month. What This Means: The Thyatian governor of the province did this to please his citizens, as he was fearing an uprising. He hopes this won't upset Emperor Eusebius.