Reform and Rebellion

[Krulmuk]

Greetings, Uloro,

I am Gurikan Falanorata Krulmuk, commander of the Imperial Army. I have heard reports that some of the newly appointed Uloro are seeking command authority over Imperial Army units. I warn you not to exceed your authority.

There is no legal basis whatsoever for a civilian provincial official such as an Ulor, attempting to give orders to Imperial Army units on his own initiative.

There have been cases where an Ulor, especially one with prior military experience, has been authorized by the Emperor to temporarily assume special powers during certain crises that occurred in earlier periods of history, notably the Nobles' Revolt. That chapter of history is over. There is no need and no lawful authority for any Ulor to take command of Imperial Army units. I have issued orders to Provincial Garrison Commanders to refuse such orders, even in the event of an emergency.

The Imperial Army stands ready to assist any Ulor who may need such assistance. You need only request help. If it is an emergency, send an emergency request and the army will respond appropriately. DO NOT attempt to give orders to my men. There have been two cases where this happened recently. One is in Kopixer province. Let me clear up any misunderstanding here. Ulor Nemt in Kopixer is the only Ulor still on active duty in the Imperial Army. He was sent from Zekran to Kopixer with troops under his command for the purpose of restoring order and ending the famine. He has special authority from myself to assume command of all Imperial forces in the province for the duration of the emergency or until I revoke his special powers. NO OTHER ULOR HAS THIS AUTHORITY. Even Ulor Nemt only has it temporarily.

There have been widespread reports alleging that Imperial Army forces in Helmarie have been placed under the command of Ulor Esinie. This is not true. There has been a very confusing situation due to a small separatist rebellion in Helmarie. Ulor Esinie, being new to his position, reacted inappropriately in the crisis and exceeded his authority. This matter is of the utmost seriousness and will shortly be brought before the Imperial Council with the inevitable result that Ulor Esinie will be removed from his position. Ulor Esinie's decrees appointing new commanders of Imperial Army units were null and void as soon as they were issued and orders have now been sent to the garrison to disregard those orders. New commanders are being sent out from Zekran to replace those who so foolishly relinquished their commands to a civilian politician.

Do not believe the gossip and rumors. Do not fall for the idle fantasies of the so called "reformists" who tell you that you can do whatever you like as Ulor. There are strict limits on your power. Reformism is only one step away from rebellion! If you align yourself with the reformist cause, watch your step. And watch what happens to the Tavani to see what happens to rebels! Or go visit Kopixer and see the battlefield at Arinixervolt strewn with corpses of rebels and mutineers. The Imperial Army did not lose a single soldier crushing that rebellion. That is the triumph of more than 1,000 years of Imperial Army tradition. Civilians should not presume to interfere with that tradition.

The Emperor tolerates the reformists only because his Uncle is involved with them. But the Uncle and the Emperor are both elderly. The reformists cannot count on such tolerance for long. Join the Loyalist Faction. You may be sure that we are carefully keeping track of the letters that Uloro write and the decrees that they issue.

The Loyalists are now using a system devised by Imperial Councillor Levorek Cledman, by which every sign of support for the Loyalist cause earns an Ulor one point. Every bit of support for the Reformist cause loses an Ulor one point. The resulting loyalty score will let us know who are true friends of the Empire and who are not.

Remember your duty, Uloro!

Gurikan Falanorata (Field Marshall) Krulmuk
Commander of the Imperial Army

[Levorek]

I have finished compiling a list of Uloro and their loyalty scores according to my new system. I have also commissioned Teliman the Mapmaker to make a new faction map based on the results.

Here's the map he created for me:

nationsandempires5.blogspot.com/2007/01/faction-map-02-click-on-map-to-enlarge.html

Four of the worst are Tervin, Clabbuk, Vanimuk and Ziyan with a score of -2 each and the worst of all is that Wanderjar with a score of -3.

[Wanderjar]

levorek said:

I have finished compiling a list of Uloro and their loyalty scores according to my new system. I have also commissioned Teliman the Mapmaker to make a new faction map based on the results.

Here's the map he created for me:

nationsandempires5.blogspot.com/2007/01/faction-map-02-click-on-map-to-enlarge.html

The three worst are Tervin, Clabbuk, Vanimuk and Ziyan with a score of -2 each and the worst of all is that Wanderjar with a score of -3.

Upon hearing this, Wanderjar grinned. He said thoughtfully, "You know, I take this as a compliment, though I think that the appropriate thing to do would be lower my loyalty score, and PISS OFF!"


OOC: No offense to anyone here, I'm just acting out my character ;D

[Levorek]

Krulmuk, I have just come from the Imperial Palace. No, I was not able to get the Emperor to dismiss the disloyal Uloro, not even Wanderjar.

I know. More important than that is the reason why. He is still sick and would not discuss matters of state at all. I told him it was urgent and that Wanderjar and the others might make much mischief if something is not done at once, but he wouldn't even listen. He is very, very ill. That was not just a hangover he had that caused him to miss the Imperial Council meeting. Yes, I know, he hardly ever attends meetings anyway, but the point is that he has been ill since then and he is getting worse, not better. I fear he may pass soon. Perhaps within a fortnight. Perhaps even before nightfall.

What's to be done? I did bring up the matter of the decree and he again refused to discuss matters of state. At that point, there was nothing more to be done. I begged my leave and came straightaway to meet with you.

Why else? The day may already be upon us. Decree or no, I ask you, will this Empire survive if Rubanya sits on the throne, even if but for a year or two? He would so embolden radicals and rebels that the Empire could not be saved no matter who reigned after him. And if any of his surly spawn succeeded him, it would be the end.

[Krulmuk]

This is grave news indeed, but what is to be done about it? While the Emperor yet lives, I will not order the army to make any rash moves.

Get the decree making you the heir and I will fight to the death for your cause.

[Levorek]

I do not ask you to order the army to take any rash action... while the Emperor yet lives. Perhaps I might suggest orders to the army for certain... prudent actions.

For example, there is no doubt that my uncle, the Emperor, intends for me to be his heir. He toys with me for his amusement, but when he realizes the seriousness of his illness, he will make out the decree and in haste. He knows what a dodering old fool Rubanya is. Time is on my side. As the Emperor's condition becomes more grave, the matter of the decree will occur to him. I shall visit him and mention it again, just to be sure. Then, when he is gone, I shall be Zekresh Emperor!

Then it will not be dismissals for disloyalty, but blood. When I am Emperor, there will be no more talk of reforms. No more will the Uloro tell us their opinions as if they are the masters. Instead, they will await my commands. No more will you have a Lord Chancellor who countermands your orders and undermines your authority with the troops. Separatists of all stripes will be rooted out. Cultists of deviant religions will be burned alive for heresy. The Treasury will be opened and we'll pry fortunes from "Baylo", the Lord of the Exchequer, and use the funds to bring the army up to full strength, fully equipped. When the Empire is secure and the army is ready, we shall march, conquering new provinces for the Empire. That day is close now. Do not falter.

I ask only this, that you protect the Emperor while he yet lives. Protect him I say. Surely that is not a rash action. But he needs protection because if he should die too fast, before he has time to reflect upon it, before he has time to prepare the decree and sign it, then a thousand voices would say Rubanya is the new Emperor. It would then be a difficult fight to save the Empire.

You think Rubanya is too soft to think of assassination? True, perhaps, but I say it would not matter by whose hand the Emperor perished. If he perished quickly, the consequence would be the same. And you know as well as I that there are many in the Reformist Faction who are easily ruthless enough to do it. Need I remind you that Anigon, Ulor of Slythia was an adamant Reformist. The capital is swarming with Slythians on any given day. There is a new Ulor now in Slythia named Konigak who may not be as bad, but it matters not, Anigon is not dead, nor are his many servants. The abilities of Slythian assassins are legendary. Were Anigon to so much as whisper the word in the right ears, the Emperor would feel the Viper's bite. Rubanya might have nothing to do with it. Yet still, he would be hailed Emperor.

There is no assemblage of soldiery too great for this dire threat. Call the troops out of their barracks. Put 5,000 men in and around the Imperial Palace. Let no one in or out, least of all Rubanya or his minions. Double the guard at the city gates. Alert the units in nearby provinces. Post sentinels on all approaches to the city.

On second thought, make sure the guards don't keep me out of the palace. I will still need to discuss the decree with the Emperor, while he yet lives.

[Krulmuk]

(It has been three days since Krulmuk and Levorek last met. In the meantime, thousands of soldiers have been deployed around the Imperial Palace and rumors are running wild in the city. Krulmuk comes to the palace and bursts into the room where Levorek has ensconced himself since their last meeting.)

Levorek! Have you heard the news from the North River Region! It's outrageous! It's completely illegal! It's treason! It must be stopped at once!

The Ulor of Aatan is talking about forming a provincial military force that is not part of the Imperial Army! He's gone too far this time. He must be removed. I'm sure only a handful of malcontents will join such a rag tag force, but the idea could spread. The Imperial Army will have no rival! Can you get the Emperor to do something about this?!

[Levorek]

Don't be distracted, Krulmuk. Matters here will soon be at a crisis. His Imperial Majesty is growing more ill with every passing day. His time in this world is short and he knows it.

He has now begun to think of what will happen to the Empire without him. I have broached the subject of the decree. He has not yet agreed, but we are discussing it. He is willing for me to be Emperor, but he wants Rubanya to have his turn first. The problem with that is that once he is gone and Rubanya is on the throne, Rubanya will issue a new decree, denying me the throne forever. I have pointed this out and I am making headway.

In the meantime, you must keep out all visitors. Rubanya tried to visit the Emperor today. He was turned away by your men, but I fear he will soon return, perhaps with soldiery of his own. Can you bring more men to the capital?

[Krulmuk]

No, I cannot bring more men to the capital. We've already got a war in the North with the Tavani, there's barbarians invading the Overseas Provinces, there's rebels in Kopixer and possibly Zamarula and now there's trouble brewing in the North River Region.

I've just given orders for the 7th Kantora Zekresh and the 10th Kantora Zekresh to head for the overseas provinces with a naval flotilla to reinforce Kast Vyloresh.

[Levorek]

Are you out of your mind!? You can't send troops overseas at a time like this. Even if I get the decree signed, Rubanya will say it was coerced or forged or something. You command the army, but will all of them follow you? And you can be sure the Navy will side with Rubanya and many of the Uloro as well.

We are facing the very real possibility of civil war in the next few days, don't you understand that?

And you speak of wars with barbarians? Cancel those orders. Let the Overseas Provinces burn if we must, but keep every loyal man that you have here in the capital.

How many kantoro do you have here?

[Krulmuk]

Well, the Kantora Solurenesh (the "Golden Phalanx") is here of course, that's the Emperor's guards. In addition, my own Kantora Ramoro (the "Lions Phalanx") also known as the 1st Kantora Zekresh is here guarding the palace. The 2nd Kantora Zekresh is also here. Those are the elite troops. The 7th Kantora Zekresh is here, but I was about to send them overseas. The 8th is here guarding the gates to the city. The 10th I was going to send overseas as well. If I cancel that deployment, there will be six kantoro here.

[Levorek]

Only six! What happened to the 3rd? The 4th, 5th, 6th? What about the 9th? Where are all your troops Krulmuk! The day of destiny is nearly at hand.

[Krulmuk]

The 3rd Kantora Zekresh is in Kopixer fighting rebels. The 4th, 5th and 6th Kantoro Zekresh are in Zurian fighting the Tavani. And there is no 9th Kantora Zekresh anymore. They mutinied and fought on the side of the nobles during the Nobles' Revolt. Those who survived the fighting were beheaded and the unit was abolished.

[Levorek]

I suggest you call them back. It will take months, I know, but there is no telling how long this will drag on. And the garrisons in the provinces near the capital should be placed on alert.

[Krulmuk]

The garrisons near the capital are already on alert. I'll cancel deployment of troops to the overseas provinces and bring back the 3 kantoro fighting the Tavani, but I'm not sure we can bring back the 3rd Kantora Zekresh from Kopixer without the rebellion breaking out again. I'll consider it.

(After a nod from Levorek, Krulmuk departed.)