Calradia 1817, The invasion of the Coalition - Events and Lore

[phunter648 15]

These posts will be a summary of roleplay events and Battle Summaries that happen throughout Campaign 10, the Invasion of Calradia in 1817. 

Enjoy if you'd like to read, or use this as reference point in the future.

Consul Elections within the Senate of Jelkala, June 1st 1817

On the evening of the 1st June, 1817, the senate met in a tense setting on the topic of the next second Consul. Whilst the bureaucracy of war talk had flooded the chamber as questions and petitions demanded to know the Republic's response to the ongoing threats reported from abroad and in the north, the matter of the Second Consul position needed resolving since the peaceful passing of the previous skeleton. Not many put their names forward, either scared to take on the responsibilities of domestic duty and order or were afraid of being blamed for the war effort. Nevertheless as the Senators made their voices heard, over the few hours able to be spared for such matters, it was clear that by the end the Veteran of the Republican Guard, Hunter would take the position. Not wanting to take part in such a conflict, the candidate had initially remained silent until requested by Greaves again to serve a second time as his subordinate.

After this issue was swiftly resolved, the preparations for arming the multi ethnic armies at the Stronghold in Praven and the war camp at Beyvadin took priority concern, yet a great relief would be was the reintroduction of the veteran Republican guard, grenadiers that wrecked hell into the ranks of Sarranid sand dwellers, and their men would now find themselves mixed in with the regiments of Greaves' armies - if necessary. After all, there was prayers that the idea of war would subside after the summer, who would dare invade Calradia - fools.
 

Below is a painting of the Rhodokian Republican Guard, marching in the Centre towards the Sarranid Capital of Shariz - over 3 years prior to the current date.

The Sacking of Rivacheg, and news from the Senate, 2nd June 1817

It was only a day after the elections within the grand senate chamber of Jelkala, it was very clear that the armies of the Republic were growing at a rapid rate as newly conscripts across all of Calradia made their way in convoys to the newly formed northern armies. Consul Greaves issues orders, that within the next few days, all forces should be armed and prepared in case of inevitable conflict occurring - especially as rumours of foreign ships spotted along the northern shores were becoming more frequent.
 

Nevertheless, with the overall mood of the Republic being uneasy and tense, the Second Consul gave a fiery speech that boomed out of the State Chamber and through halls and into the many streets of Jelkala.

"No matter WHAT may come, The Bastard of Balion, 'Swadian Pretenders', Merciless mercenaries paid by foreign states... OUR REPUBLIC WILL NOT BE DETERRED!" 

Claps and jeers rang across the many wings of the Senate room; senators, nobles and officers from all over Calradia praised in a Patriotic fevour not seen since the Conquest of Shariz a few years prior. The Speech continued for the best half of an hour, and crowds gathered in huge numbers all over the city square singing anthems among all sorts to praise the Republic and sang open prayers for the Mighty Greaves. Although these events mainly stayed around Jelkala, it would begin to spread through common mouth to the country, and through convoys to the soldiers, with a simple message - the Calradian Republic will stand firm against any daring intruder.
 

However by the late afternoon, news had reached Greaves and at the end of the day, the Senate itself - Rivacheg had fallen. The Coalition undertook a long sack and butchered the citizens, led by the King of Balion. Any pleadings and prayers from pacifists that war could be avoided, suddenly fell silent, for the Republic marches to war. Rivacheg had given the invasion fleet a runny nose, with many hundreds killed as they attempted to storm the barricades, but it was not enough - Rivacheg lay a stain on the Republic's honour... and it would have to be avenged.

A wing of the Senate Chamber in Jelkala, here we can see a high profile Senator from Praven issuing his support to Consul Hunter, and reassuring that the Swadians are mustering as requested. A tense time indeed.

A painting of citizens of Rivacheg being rounded up by Jumne riflemen, systematically shot for their defiance against the Coalition.  This would be a memory that traumatised any survivors of the sacking.

[Kaden 31]

Quote

A painting of citizens of Rivacheg being rounded up by Jumne riflemen, systematically shot for their defiance against the Coalition.  This would be a memory that traumatised any survivors of the sacking.

 

The official position of Jumne is that the individuals identified as innocent citizens were found to be concealing significant stockpiles of weaponry, presumably intended for a prospective uprising within the occupied Jumnese territory. Consequently, they were subjected to execution, serving as a deterrent and exemplification to dissuade others from contemplating similar acts of insurrection. It is important to note that any contrary information propagated by external sources is deemed as nothing more than fabrications of propagandistic nature.

[phunter648 15]

The 'Abbatoir' of Fenada, 3rd June 1817
 

The war had erupted in the aftermath of The Sacking of Rivacheg, Republican armies stormed their way straight into Coalition occupied territory. 60,000 equipped soldiers of Calradia marched straight through the North, liberating Nordic homelands as they paved their way with little opposition toward Rivacheg - not surprised, as a large quantity of the rural countryside supported the Republican cause - with the new liberal reforms and stability drawing a much needed market economy that thrived in many places after years of instability and poverty.
 

Nevertheless, whilst the Northern Offensive began into action, the 1st Rhodokian army, led by the Second Consul and supported by a portion of state paid mercenaries found themselves along the long roads in the plains of Fenada, the countryside was barren and not much human life presented it to themselves, many probably fleeing already as soon as word of war broke out. Yet, as this army continued it's march, it found its path halted by a vanguard of the Coalition, half the size but eager for combat. Immediately seeing this, The Consul ordered immediate assaults to be launched along the marshes and plains to where Coalition guerrillas and Balion line infantry lay in wait to meet them. But with the ferocious might of the Rhodokian infantry, veteran mercenaries and the many conscripted auxiliaries - they were easily overwhelmed. A slaughter enveloped the portions of Coalition forces, and the Consul's new Nordic Guards ( a replacement for the Republican Guard who were redirected to hold in the heartlands ) blew groupings of shell-shocked monarchists to pieces whilst the Calradian Cavalry  rode out to make sure no survivors followed.

Despite fierce resistance and accuracy by the Coalition artillery positions, one foreign observer gave an overall summary to the skirmishes as an 'Abbatoir of destruction', that left the fields of Fenada littered with mauled corpses.

Fenada marks a decisive victory for the Republic, with 9000 dead for the Coalition at a cost of  a mere 1000 Republicans... almost enough to avenge the Sacking of Rivacheg.

The 'Abbatoir' of Fenada, a masterpiece undertaken by the Second Consul and the Veteran officers + State paid Mercenaries.

[Greaves 22]

'A tale of two nations!'
 

On this day, Premier Consul Greaves used the NRP campaign to found the basis of his creative writing response to question 5 40 marker on his literature exam. It involved Slavomir getting bucked by a horse over a cliff, 1_210 getting executed, Broke going broke, Hunter smoking enemy cavalry and me sitting on a horse looking important.

[Florian 66]

I got full marks in my creative writing exam at school and as far as I know its still used as an exemplar response to this day. 

 

Not flexing, just want everyone to know how smart I am

[Greaves 22]

Ahem, evidence?

[Florian 66]

No.

[phunter648 15]

The 'Massacre' at Mazen, 4th June 1817

The triumphant victory at Fenada would bring great pride and increase the morale of the 1st Rhodokian Army, and Consul Hunter would rest with the whole army pretty much intact after a glorious day in battle. News however would take a while to spread.

On the Morning of the 4th of June, the great Nothern Offensive was underway, Premier Consul Greaves led the veteran 3rd army, and the newly made 5th army along 2 separate roads on their march north, small crowds of young children out in the fields, people passing on the side of the roads would watch in amazement. Word of the atrocities at Rivacheg had left a bad taste for the coalition amongst the rural Nord population in the North West, and many were eager to see those 'heroes' who gave their lives in defence of the town avenged. After the couple days of Marching since the Sacking, both healthy armies of around 20,000 strong each would rendezvous at the market Village of Mazen, however just as the 2 had almost joined up, they were set upon by artillery bombardments from Coalition positions, entrenched near the villages that oversaw the river connecting the Republican armies to Mazen.

And thus, Consul Greaves ordered an all out preparation of the battle lines, the artillery were initially placed too far back to be effective whilst the coalition were well entrenched and able to offer heavy fire upon those waiting. It would not take long for Balion infantry to engage the Rhodok infantry as they crossed the bridges, whilst cavalry and other coalition infantry charged a defence laid out by mercenaries under Generalissimo Robert O'Connor. The resulting battle saw thousands of men fight in brutal hand to hand combat along the banks of the river by the bridges, whilst the roars of musket fire laid effective fire at either close range, or by long range skirmishers. The Coalition even sailed a couple gunboats into the battle, packed to the brim with riflemen that prevented any push from going unharasses, and the Republican Nordic Guard were unable to blow them up for being too far. Further skirmishes happened, mainly with the newly conscripted 5th army as they fought in the highlands around Mazen, taking heavy casualties but with the help of mercenary veterans were able to capture the Estate as men hurled each other through the courtyard and bullets rained through the forests.

Overall the Battle saw 40,000 brave Rhodkians annihilate the vast majority of the Coalition vanguard sent to halt the Northern Offensive, the river was crossed after the Balion dreaded hussars were repelled and the infantry overwhelmed and slaughtered by the outnumbering Republican line infantry, that when one line fell, 3 more appeared to meet. The Prince of Jumne was tasked with overseeing the halting of the Consul's offensive, yet was only involved in the gunboat and was unable to organise a safe and orderly retreat, sailing back north along the narrow river to regroup with the troops at Wercheg. 

Mazen was undoubtedly a massacre, even though Greaves suffered a few thousand mostly new conscripts... the Coalition had lost around 13,000 men in their desperate attempt at halting the Republic's ambitions. Mass graves would not fill the amount of Coalition killed, and thus many had to be rolled down the hills and to the river for the fish to have a long banquet... but this was only the beginning.

The Massacre at Mazen

[ShekelHaver 44]

3 hours ago, phunter648 said:

. The Prince of Jumne was tasked with overseeing the halting of the Consul's offensive, yet was only involved in the gunboat and was unable to organise a safe and orderly retreat, sailing back north along the narrow river to regroup with the troops at Wercheg. 

Lmao

[phunter648 15]

The Battle of Ruvar, June 10th 1817

The aftermath of Mazen saw the Northern Offensive begin with the coalition forces commanded by Consul Greaves, the King of Balion had desperately retreated behind the walls of Rivacheg, in the hopes he could recuperate a strong enough defence to halt their advance. Meanwhile, the Prince of Jummne had sailed his way to Wercheg with the remainder of riflemen with him, joining up with the 4th army of the Coalition of 20,000 men to relieve the remaining defenders and prevent the  success of the Northern Offensive. Consul Greaves caught wind of this, and ordered the 2nd army to hold on the western side of the city to meet any foreign soldiers that would dare face the might of the Republic.

On the fields of Ruvar, 10th June at noon, the awaiting Republican army  came into contact with the coalition relief force sent from Wercheg. Clearly showing signs of desperation, the coalition all out assaulted the Republican forces in an equally pitched battle, and it was clear the goal of the Coalition was more to link up with the forces at Rivacheg rather than defeat Greaves. The Prince of Jummne led the men forwards, and bloody fighting broke out throughout the fields and later to the banks of the river where the Republican forces tactically retreated to halt the further advance of more Coalition breakout attempts. Inevitably, this occurred when all forces of both sides charged, throwing nades and unloading their firearms at very close quarters, whilst the majority of the Coalition fled straight past the vanguard sent to hold the Republic off and make their way to Rivacheg before a response could be made.

Consequently, the Coalition was able to slip 3/4 of their army through the lines at Ruvar and flee to the safety of Rivacheg, some would say in shame. The sacrifice made to allow such a cowardly move would be costly, and Greaves capitalised on this suffering only a couple thousand in the process of the skirmishes and the decisive charge, showing little mercy to those who surrendered or were wounded...

[phunter648 15]

The Assault on the snowy outskirts of Rivacheg, apart of the Northern Offensive, June 14th

The remaining armies that were fleeing from Consul Greave's advance fled in terror towards the snowy plains of Rivacheg. Many died or deserted on route from the mass rout that took place after Mazen and Fenada with thousands of Coalition dead lying as mere feasts for the crows and wild beasts of Calradia. Greaves knew there was little time to waste, and after hearing news of the success at Ruvar,  began to plan a swift end to his famous 'Northern Offensive' that had seen success far beyond any expectations. 

Meanwhile, whatever remained of the King of Balion's armies rallied in the snowy hils and forests to lie in wait for a Republican attack to retake Rivacheg, it was only a few weeks ago that they had recently seized the port town, and now it may fall back into the hands of the Republic. Finally, on the morning of the 14th, a few skirmishes broke out through blizzards and saw heavy casualties sustained on both sides as both men and horse trampled their way through the snow and banners flied high. Surprisingly to all, the defence ultimately held - with both grenades and cavalry flanks repelling constant Republican advances and many of Greaves' junior officers fell in the freezing snow not to be recovered for decades to come.

By later in the afternoon, the blizzard had passed and the Republican advance picked up pace towards the outskirts, where a small bloc of apartments was taken over by Jummne guerrillas and riflemen, whilst the King of Balion led desperate counterattacks in support to bring an end to the Consul's ambitions. Yet despite this, the outnumbering and more professional republican army not only bested their counterparts, but destroyed them - no surrendering foreigner that hid within the rooms or cowered in shrubs were spared. The stand of the King had fallen, the price paid was high at around 18,000 ... and the Path to liberation was now open.

Apart of the King's faltering defence in the Outskirts of Rivacheg, the painting shows the start of the Republican advance.

[phunter648 15]

The Second Battle of Mazen, the attempted stand 22nd June.

The slaughter within the snowy plains had decimated the King of Balion's might, and left whatever left of his forces scattered in a rout - heading straight towards Republican territory to escape the onslaught. By the time the skirmishes at seized, Consul Greaves laid siege to the foreign mercenaries that were tasked with holding Rivacheg at all cost, and with easy access to the coast behind them, and resistance being pretty much wiped out, they'd only have to repel whatever the Consul threw at them. Knowing this, Greaves began planning for an all out liberating assault, but his war camp was far too big at around 50,000 men in the snow - they would struggle to sustain themselves. Consequently, he sent 15,000 in the direction of Wercheg and another of the same amount to pursue the survivors that threaten Republican territory.

The remaining forces of the Coalition had been deserted by the King, who took a ship in Rivacheg to recuperate forces elsewhere, but were tasked with bogging down the Consul long enough so that a relief force could collapse the Northern Offensive. And these Coalition bands in their few thousands marched through the Republican fields and along the roads, seizing grain from farmers and ordering the tribute of village folk - their vengeance was not fulfilled. whilst a group of 1000 men head towards the walled town of Curaw, another just over 3 times the size marched into deeper, but word spread that the Consul was coming down to crush them once and for all. A Geroian Officer by the name 'Gokibouri' was one of the prominent men who organised 6000 of those who were stationed at Mazen, after fleeing to healing their wounds to meet this Republican force and prevent them from stopping the rampage into the Republic. Many were wounded and starving, but were eager to avenge their previous defeat and set up a defence a few miles away from the previous battle a few weeks back. 

It wouldn't take long, as whilst the river was being fortified, 15,000 under the Second Consul, Hunter - whom at regrouped with Greaves after the Rivacheg assault - fought their defences long and hard to swiftly end their trouble. And due to being outnumbered and previously weakened, the coalition fled in panic after Hunter was briefly held back by some of the artillery positions that dealt most of the Republican casualties in a failed first charge. Yet despite this setback, the eager republicans tailed not far behind the Coalition until they made it to a town stationed on an island within the river. The Coalition set up a last stand as their cavalry desperately engaged but was shot down, and fierce close quarter combat enveloped the urban buildings whilst many of the coalition laid a defensive perimeter around a church in the centre. Unfortunately for them however, mercenary CSC artillerists brought cannon which overtime broke their defence and the houses that the remaining coalition tried to hold in, shooting out of windows in hopeless defiance.

Gokibouri, led a detachment of Geroian soldiers during the failing skirmish via a boat to cut the island from behind in what he thought was a smart plan. They landed and occupied the far end of the bridge successfully, yet little did they know they were being watched by the Consul from a window the entire time. As they quickly marched across the bridge to try and save the day, Hunter led the small regiment of Republican Guards to lie in wait - and when they came close, released bombs and sprayed gunfire in their advance, shrapnel blasted everywhere and the few left from the ambush carried the wounded officer from the pile of blood and corpses and scurried away.. soon the final remaining pockets of resistance was annihilated and the Second Battle of Mazen was won for the Senate. An entire army had been wiped out with only a handful of survivors, and Consul Greaves could rest easy knowing his flanks were being secured.

Gerorian soldiers being repelled within a small island town near Mazen.