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Post by Nemt on Dec 6, 2007 9:35:06 GMT -5
Nemt shrugs, laughs slightly and turns to walk away without responding, confident Rubanya is only looking for confrontation after not being vindicated by the Emperor.
(OOC: The Judged by the Emperor sequence was very well done. Also, how does Valast recognize Nemt? Do they know each other from Zekran?)
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Post by Gamemaster on Dec 6, 2007 17:42:15 GMT -5
(OOC: Thank you for the compliment. Yes, Valast is from a prominent and wealthy family in Zekran. He is not actually an acquaintance of Nemt, but they have attended many of the same social functions in the past, especially after Nemt became an officer in command of the fourth most pretigious kantora in the Empire. In the past, army and navy officers would frequently attend the same parties and also frequented some of the same taverns. Nemt is not at all surprised that Valast recognizes him. What might be a little surprising is that Valast already knows about the naval battle.)
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Krulmuk
New Member
Imperial Army Commander
Posts: 37
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Post by Krulmuk on Dec 7, 2007 2:46:04 GMT -5
(OOC: Don't miss previous message.)
Krulmuk continues walking down the corridor with his officers behind him, then down some stairs passing various servants along the way. On the ground floor, a very well dressed man bearing a strong resemblance to Prince Shalimuk passes by, going the other way, with a bevy of servants and guards around him. Krulmuk ignores him and keeps walking. He reaches the courtyard and only then has a moment to speak to his officers without being overheard.
Krulmuk turns and quickly gives orders, "Anamuk, go at once to the barracks. Tell the ekanoro to assemble the Kantora Ramoro (Lions Phalanx). Take as many of them as you find at the barracks ready to march and take them with you. Go as fast as you can to the port and hire a ship. Make sure it is not from Zekran. Hire Ilanians, Slythians, Verronese, anybody who is not Zekresh and therefore less likely to have ties to the senior navy officers. You must get to them before the navy has a chance to talk to them and try to hatch a plot to assassinate me. The ship should prepare immediately to sail across the Eastern Sea. I need to be away as soon as possible, before Valast has time to react. Post the men from the Kantora Ramoro to guard the ship until I arrive. Give them orders that no one is to get on or off that ship until I arrive, not even to take on supplies of fresh water. We'll stop at Serat Trayakir for that. If any of the crew are ashore, the soldiers should go get them, not other crewmen. I'll stop by the army headquarters. Send a man to tell me which ship and which dock as soon as you have one. Go now. Run."
Anamuk sets off at a run to carry out his orders.
Next, Krulmuk turns to Ekanor Falan Talimuk, the Imperial Army Quartermaster and says, "Talimuk, I am hereby promoting you to Gurikan Falan and giving you a new assignment. You will be the senior officer at Imperial Army Headquarters. As of now, you are in command of all Imperial Army forces west of the Eastern Sea. I will issue a written order to this effect as soon as I get back to my office. It is vital that you prevent Chancellor Rubanya or anyone else from interfering with army operations unless you receive a direct order from me or the Emperor allowing it. You heard what the Emperor said. I run the army and the Chancellor has been commanded by his highness the Emperor not to interfere. Our lives depend upon seeing to it that the Emperor's order is obeyed. I will issue a written order, to be distributed to all regional and provincial commands instructing them that the Emperor has personally issued an order changing the chain of command to exclude all civilian authorities except for himself. That is my understanding of his intention. Neither Rubanya nor any of his Ulors are to give orders to our men. Also, henceforth, no member of the Imperial Army shall obey any order from any member of the Imperial Navy, regardless of his rank. Army soldiers take orders only from Army officers and the Emperor. No one else. One of the main reasons Rubanya wants to send me across the Eastern Sea is so that I will be out of contact and unable to give orders to counter his schemes. In the North River Valley, I would still have the Imperial Courier Relay and could continue to effectively command the army. On the frontiers of the Overseas Provinces, it will take a very long time to get messages back and forth. Our only hope is to have a senior officer in Zekran with the authority and the wits to thwart whatever Rubanya and his allies attempt. Talimuk, you are that man. Now that you have stood beside me today, Rubanya will count you among his enemies. Your life, and mine and many others including all of us here, depend upon your success in this mission. The future of the army and the Empire depend upon it as well."
"I will not fail you, Gurikan Falanorata," Talimuk says.
Krulmuk nods, "Good. Come with me to Imperial Army headquarters so I can write out the orders and give them to you. Also, find someone to take over as quartermaster and make sure he gets to work hiring more ships to bring troops to the Overseas Provinces as soon as possible. I want the rest of the Kantora Ramoro to put to sea within two days. My ship will wait for them at Tarnat ee Kikal for as much as five days. If they are not there by then, they should proceed to Kast Vyloresh and meet me there. As soon after that as you can arrange it, send six more loyal kantoro to Kast Vyloresh. The ones I want are these:
1st Kantora Frayethay 2nd Kantora Frayethay 2nd Kantora Kast 7th Kantora Zekresh 8th Kantora Zekresh 10th Kantora Zekresh
All of them are at Yishil now so the convoy should depart from there. But before you send them, send half the troops that served with Rubanya at Yishil. I want them shipped off to Kast Vyloresh to serve under me. Get them on ships and out of Rubanya's reach as soon as possible. If I am to go away, I'm taking his troops with me. I'm also going to write orders dismissing Ekanor Falan Korinyva from the army. On second thought, I'll demote him to Ekanor and take him with me to Kast Vyloresh. Make sure he goes in a different convoy from any of the units that he commanded in the recent crisis. By taking Rubanya's kantoro, I'll have a chance to speak to the men and find out the true allegiance of every officer. I'll have a chance to replace any officers who need to be replaced. This needs to be a priority for you as well Talimuk with the rest of the army. I don't know how much time we have, but we must use it to make sure the army will not split again."
"As you command," Talimuk says.
Krulmuk then turns to Gurikan Verno, commander of the 2nd Kantora Zekresh, "Verno, I have given Talimuk command of most of the army not because he is a good field commander. He's not. His strength is his ability to deal with the civilian bureaucracy to obtain supplies for the army. That makes him exactly the right man to defeat Rubanya in a battle of papers and words. But I also need a good field commander in Zekran while I am away. I am hereby promoting you to the rank of Ekanor Falan and creating another new post for you. You will be the commander of the Zekran garrison. Your main mission will be to protect Gurikan Falan Talimuk and the Imperial Army Headquarters. Of course you must also ensure that the Emperor is safe and that there is no effort by Rubanya's men to seize power by force. Keep an eye on the Navy Headquarters. There are usually at least a thousand navy men there at any given time and it's right here in Zekran. Do you understand?
"Yes, sir," Verno says.
"Talimuk," Krulmuk says, "You have overall command, but you must rely upon your field commanders for actual fighting. Regional commanders now have operational control of all units in their regions. Let them do their jobs. You have the authority to countermand their orders, but don't do it. You should deal with administrative matters. You decide which units are assigned to which commander, you arrange supplies, funds, transportation, and above all make sure Rubanya doesn't manage to gain control of any part of the Army. If he tries, appeal directly to the Emperor right away. Get Levorek's help if you need it. But leave the fighting to the field commanders. If they prove incompetent, replace them, but don't try to run a war yourself. I know your strengths and that is not one of them. That's why I made you a quartermaster and not a field commander. Even if I am wrong about that, I want you to focus on the bureaucratic battle with Rubanya that is sure to come. Only you can win that battle."
Talimuk looks unhappy, but says, "It shall be as you command."
Krulmuk then turns to Nemt and says, "Nemt, it seems you are no longer an Ulor. My condolences. But you are still an officer of the Imperial Army. Rubanya doesn't have the authority to take that from you. You are one of my most reliable officers and one of the very few with any combat experience. Also, you stood by me today when few others would. Even more importantly, you have made yourself Rubanya's enemy. Even before he dismissed you as Ulor, I had you in mind for a most important mission. It is a big step, but I have every confidence that you have the ability, the experience and the motivation to carry it out. I am hereby promoting you to the rank of Ekanor Falan and placing you in command of the army we're going to send to suppress the rebellion in the North River Valley. You will also officially be the commander of the garrison troops of Helmarie and Aatan provinces, but there are probably no loyal troops left in those garrisons."
"You are to take the 3rd Kantora Zekresh with you, but put someone else in command of it. You'll have other duties. Take with you the other half of the troops that served Rubanya at Yishil and at least five other kantoro I shall specify after I have a chance to look at a map. Also Talimuk will send you reinforcements if needed. I will issue a written order before I leave that will give you authority to commandeer any Imperial Army troops anywhere in the North River Region. There is no regional commander there now that Gurikan Falan Trenyva has been killed. This authority I'm giving to you is virtually the same as making you regional commander, but I don't want to promote you two ranks at once or give you more than you can handle. I also don't want you sitting in the regional headquarters in Trayavix far from the fighting and within reach of the disloyal Ulor Tervin and his mutinous provincial troops. Be wary of him and don't trust anyone from the Trayavix garrison. If you suppress the rebellion in Aatan and Helmarie, you may be given the North River regional command and another promotion. Of course, you are the one choice for this command that will most offend Rubanya and demonstrate the army's independence from his authority."
"I will also give you secret orders that in the event of any attempt by Rubanya or his men to take control of the army or usurp the Emperor's authority under any pretext, that you are to take your entire army and march to Zekran to put things right. You will be authorized to take command of all provincial garrisons along the way. Don't let anyone see these orders unless they need to be carried out."
Krulmuk says, "Let's go to the headquarters now so I can write out all these orders before I go to the ship."
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Post by Nemt on Dec 7, 2007 4:22:48 GMT -5
Nemt nods and thanks Krulmuk, "You honor me with this mission, Gurikan Falanorata." he says. Nemt goes with the others to the army headquarters.
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Krulmuk
New Member
Imperial Army Commander
Posts: 37
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Post by Krulmuk on Dec 7, 2007 6:01:55 GMT -5
Upon returning to his office at the Imperial Army Headquarters, Krulmuk summons Ekanor Falan Sarman and tells him briefly what is going on. Then Krulmuk orders Ekanor Falan Sarman to assign someone to look after his horse and his house while he is away. Krulmuk tells Sarman that he will be leaving without even going home to pack. He will take only his armor, weapons and what he already has in his saddlebags.
Sarman seems horrified, then says, "If I may ask, Gurikan Falanorata, why did you not choose me to command the army while you are away, or even the garrison?"
Krulmuk says, "You are a good assistant, Sarman, but you're afraid to take initiative. I invited you to come with me to the audience with the Emperor, and suddenly you were afraid to be seen with me. I need men who will be with me when times are tough, when death is staring us in the face, not men who cower in an office at headquarters rather than face danger, whatever form it takes. You have served me loyally in your own way and now you will serve as adjutant to Gurikan Falan Talimuk. You were desperate to keep your life or your job and you should be glad that you got what you wanted. But that is not enough to be promoted or given a command. Perhaps you will do better next time."
Krulmuk pulls out a scroll, a stylus and some ink and starts writing. He writes orders for Talimuk and an order to be issued to all regional and provincial commands. Then he writes the orders for Ekanor Falan Verno. He puts his seal on these orders and hands them out.
Then, he pulls out a map with units marked on it. He looks at it, smiles and says, "We can force the navy to help us transport troops from the South Peninsula to the North Peninsula. He starts writing down unit names:
1st Kantora Ilania 1st Kantora Groglinth 1st Kantora Logoria 1st Kantora Kikalan Tros 6th Kantora Kikalan Tros 2nd Kantora Kikalan Inuva 5th Kantora Kikalan Inuva 1st Kantora Yenthitia 2nd Kantora Yenthitia 1st Kantora Pilania 2nd Kantora Pilania
That's eleven. With the 3rd Kantora Zekresh, that makes a dozen loyal kantoro. It should be enough to keep any mutineers from the rabble in Yishil in line. It will also mean that if Rubanya wants a rematch, all those troops will be able to march down into the North Peninsula without any seawater or navy ships blocking their path. Krulmuk quickly wrote orders to all those units to redeploy to Yishil and then Trayavix by sea. He wrote orders promoting Nemt to Ekanor Falan, designating him garrison commander of Aatan and Helmarie, giving him authority to commandeer troops in the North River Region and assigning him command of the above list of troops as well as "such troops at or near Yishil as he shall request to assist him in his mission." Krulmuk drew attention to the last part and said, "But only take half of them and if Talimuk has an opinion on which ones should go with you or not go with you, defer to his decision. He outranks you and is your commanding officer. You report to him or to me. Nobody else unless it's the Emperor himself." Krulmuk places his seal on the orders and hands the orders and the list of troops to Nemt.
To Talimuk Krulmuk says, "It's very tempting to insist that Valast do his duty and provide transport ships to move these troops, but I fear he will find reasons to delay it or argue against it being done at all. So will Rubanya. So I want you to get these troops moving on hired civilian ships. Try not to let the navy even know it is happening until they start arriving in Yishil. It will be enough for our purposes if the navy has to just stand by and watch. Of course, if they interfere in any way, go straight to the Emperor, accuse Valast of malfeasance and demand that he be removed from command of the navy."
Talimuk smiles and nods.
Krulmuk now writes out the secret order to Nemt that he mentioned earlier and gives that to Nemt as well.
After that, Krulmuk confers with Talimuk and starts writing orders demoting garrison commanders whose behavior in the crisis was noncommittal or tilted towards Rubanya. He issues orders replacing them with other officers, but soon starts running out of men he is confident in and says, "Talimuk, you'll have to figure out who to send where. I'm not going to have time to figure all this out."
Just then, an Ekanor from the Kantora Ramoro comes in and says, "There are armed sailors gathering at the gate."
Krulmuk smiles and says, "They're only one step behind us. How many?"
"Two dozen so far," the Ekanor replies.
"They're probably just spying on us. How many men from the Lions are here now?" Krulmuk asks.
"Sixty. Gurikan Anamuk took about eighty to the docks and the rest haven't reported back in yet."
"Get them ready to ride with me to the docks at once," Krulmuk orders.
"Yes, sir!" the Ekanor says and hurries away.
Sarman asks in confusion, "How did the Kantora Ramoro get here? I thought they were with you at Yishil?"
Krulmuk smiles and says, "We confiscated every horse we could find all the way from here to Kast Yvar and from there to Yishil. We got enough to put nearly 400 of the Lions on horseback. The Lions are practically a cavalry unit now. The ones that have horses rode with me from Yishil. It's a pity we can't take the horses across the Eastern Sea."
Just then the sound of galloping hoofbeats is heard outside. They clatter to a stop and a soldier comes running into the headquarters shouting, "Urgent message for Krulmuk! Urgent Message for Krulmuk!"
"He's in there," a voice outside says and the soldier comes bursting into the room, sees Krulmuk and says, "Gurikan Falanorata, sir, the ship "Hope of Ilania" is waiting for you at the docks by the Devoran & Company warehouse near the temple of Salganit. It's ready to sail now. Gurikan Anamuk ordered me to tell you that. He's waiting there with eighty Lions guarding the ship."
Krulmuk says, "That's it then. I must go now. Does anyone have any questions? Do you all know what to do?"
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Post by Nemt on Dec 7, 2007 12:20:26 GMT -5
Nemt nods, says he understands his orders and wishes Krulmuk success in the Overseas region.
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Post by Gamemaster on Dec 8, 2007 6:43:31 GMT -5
Krulmuk departs. Half a foss later, Gurikan Anamuk and several dozen "lions" on horseback return to the headquarters.
A rumor spreads through the base rapidly that Krulmuk and a group of his "lions" from the Kantora Ramoro have set sail for the Overseas Provinces.
That evening, Gurikan Gamuk, commander of the 1st Kantora Sishan seeks out Nemt and says, "I heard you have been promoted. Congratulations. I also heard you've been given command of a force to fight the rebels in the North River Valley. I would like to volunteer to go with you with my kantora. Is that possible?"
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Post by Nemt on Dec 8, 2007 11:26:18 GMT -5
Nemt agrees to include Gamuk's kantora in the North River Valley expedition, and thanks him for his support. He also tells Gamuk of Talimuk's new position, "he's preparing a convoy, I'll let him know the 1st Kantora Sisha will be joining us."
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Post by Gamemaster on Dec 9, 2007 15:37:06 GMT -5
Gamuk thanks Nemt.
Later, when Nemt mentions this to Gurikan Falan Talimuk, Talimuk says, "Actually you don't have the authority to agree to that. You can commandeer units in the North River Region only. Other than that, you are only supposed to take the units specified in your written orders from Krulmuk, half the troops who served Rubanya at Yishil and any others that I agree to send you."
Then Talimuk smiles and says, "I'll be cooperative, though. If you want the 1st Kantora Sishan, that's okay, but since they are already across the Gateway Waters and one of Krulmuk's objectives in assigning you units from the South Peninsula is to get them across the water, we mustn't reduce the number of units coming across. How about this, since I was going to leave the 1st Kantora Sishan here to guard Zekran, why don't you pick another unit from the South Peninsula and leave them here at Zekran instead. Then the 1st Kantora Sishan can go with you and we'll still have brought all the units Krulmuk listed across the Gateway Waters. If you need reinforcements and the rest of the Zekran garrison returns, I could perhaps send the other unit to you as reinforcements later."
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Post by Nemt on Dec 9, 2007 15:59:30 GMT -5
Nemt agrees to Talimuk's proposal, and says he'll choose a unit to leave behind as more soldiers arrive - unless Talimuk has any pressing opinion on the matter. "I suppose it may just be best to leave the final Kantora to arrive to defend Zekran, so we can leave more quickly." he continues.
Nemt also tells Talimuk he'll be placing Ekanor Arno in command of the 3rd Kantora Zekresh, but also suggests Ekanor Garon for his own command should any Gurikan need to be replaced.
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Post by Gamemaster on Dec 12, 2007 2:31:57 GMT -5
City of Zekran Zekresh Empire
31st day, 1st month, 41 Cledman VI
Ekanor Arno is extremely happy with the promotion. Ekanor Garon congratulates him and tries not to show any sense of disappointment.
(Talimuk did not have any other kantora commands available just yet.)
Later in the day, a ship called the "Skanor" arrives in the port of Zekran. ("Skanor" means traveller in Zekresh.) This is one of the ships that was part of the convoy from Osim. It's the one that headed west on its own when the confrontation with the navy started.
It turns out that the "Skanor" escaped from the navy without any further incident and sought refuge on the South Peninsula at the port of Serat Falan until they got the news that it was safe to go to Zekran again.
There are 75 soldiers from the 3rd Kantora Zekresh onboard. They are now reunited with the rest of the unit.
Coincidentally, another lost soldier shows up the same day, arriving on a ship from Serat Trayakir. He is another survivor from the Windrider. Though he couldn't swim, he managed to hold on to a small barrel, was washed ashore, and found by local farmers.
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Post by Nemt on Dec 12, 2007 3:17:32 GMT -5
Nemt tells the newly arrived soldiers he's glad to see them back.
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Post by Gamemaster on Dec 15, 2007 0:48:32 GMT -5
(OOC: What do you do now?)
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Post by Nemt on Dec 16, 2007 14:06:16 GMT -5
(OOC: Oh, right..)
Nemt asks whoever would be appropriate for this type of thing to attempt to hire some translators who understand the local languages in Helmarie and Aatan, knowing he may have better luck in the North River Valley, but not wanting to trust someone outside of Zekran.
Nemt also decides to write a brief note informing Krevimuk of what's happened in the capital, and the expect Rubanya to send a new Ulor to Kopixer.
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Post by Gamemaster on Dec 17, 2007 10:05:11 GMT -5
(OOC: Hiring translators is outside the normal procedure. You might want to assign the task to one of your subordinates such as Gurikan Arno or Ekanor Garon. Money to pay for this should be requested from the quartermaster. In most provinces, you would request it from the provincial garrison quartermaster, but there isn't one in Zekresh. Such matters are handled by the office of the Imperial Quartermaster for the whole Imperial Army since he is there in Zekresh, but there is an officer named Gurikan Naluk in that office who handles quartermaster duties for the Zekran garrison. His title translates as something like Deputy Imperial Army Quartermaster for Zekran Garrison.)
Shortly after Nemt writes and dispatches the note to Krevimuk in Kopixer, he is informed by Gurikan Arno that word has already spread that there is an unfilled position for an officer in the elite 3rd Kantora Zekresh. A man named Dramuk has volunteered for the job and offered to pay Gurikan Arno 100 baylo to be appointed to the position. Arno says he knows this is the normal procedure, but he does not feel comfortable doint it without Nemt's approval and he is willing to give some or all of the money to Nemt.
Gurikan Arno informs Nemt that Dramuk comes from a Zekresh family that has made a fortune as merchants, but is not part of the social elite. Dramuk is a third son. His eldest brother is to take over the family merchant business, his next eldest brother has joined the priesthood of Noddan and Dramuk himself is hoping for a place in the army. Dramuk has no prior military experience.
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