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Post by Gamemaster on Jan 8, 2008 5:20:55 GMT -5
The action on this thread continues the action from "Nemt in Zekran" located here: www.naegame.proboards83.com/index.cgi?board=capital&action=display&thread=1195118195&page=5City of Nass Umrug Frayethay Province Zekresh Empire 35th day, 1st month, 41 Cledman VI Talimuk, Sarman, Nemt and their escorts pause only briefly in the ancient city of Nass Umrug whose crumbling walls have been besieged many times. They continue on the road and make camp along the way. The next day, they ride on. It begins to rain, but Talimuk decides to press on despite the weather. Nemt gets the strong impression that Talimuk is very worried about delays for some reason.
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Post by Gamemaster on Jan 8, 2008 10:26:21 GMT -5
City of Yishil Slythia Province Zekresh Empire
36th day, 1st month, 41 Cledman VI
Talimuk, Sarman, Nemt and their escorts enter Slythia province and reach Yishil. There is still a vast encampment of troops outside the city walls. It is obvious at a glance that the troops are disorderly and that discipline has been all but lost.
Talimuk seems even more nervous upon seeing this. He enters the city of Yishil, passes several groups of drunken and rowdy soldiers and proceeds to the main garrison fortress. There he attempts to find out who is in command. He is hampered by the fact that none of the soldiers recognize his name. The officers seem confused when Talimuk tells them his rank is Gurikan Falan. He has to tell them he's been recently promoted before they even believe he really holds that high a rank. There is usually only one Gurikan Falan in an entire region and every officer knows the name of the regional commander.
Talimuk finally finds the provincial garrison commander, Ekanor Falan Korinyva. Korinyva at least has heard of Talimuk and his recent promotion, but somehow doesn't seem to take it seriously. His manner is that of a superior officer allowing a junior to ask questions when in fact Talimuk outranks him and has the authority to remove him from command at will.
Sarman and Nemt are present for this meeting, but Korinyva barely acknowledges their presence.
Talimuk asks Korinyva what the status of the troops is.
Korinyva says, "I've managed to keep order in the fortress with the Slythian troops, but I can't control what happens in the city, much less the surrounding area. Half these troops were fighting against us just a few days ago."
Talimuk says, "I see. In that case, you will be glad to hear that Ekanor Falan Sarman will be taking direct command of all troops here except for the Slythian garrison immediately for the purpose of restoring discipline and getting them out of here."
Korinyva looks suspicious and says, "very well," as if granting permission reluctantly.
Talimuk then departs. When no one but Nemt can overhear, Sarman says, "I thought Krulmuk wrote orders to remove Korinyva from command, demote him and ship him off to the Overseas Provinces."
Talimuk says, "He did, but Korinyva commanded Rubanya's troops in the crisis. He's got the Lord Chancellor's support and the Slythian garrison if not all Rubanya's troops who might obey him in a confrontation. Let's have an army at our command before we inform him of Krulmuk's orders."
Sarman nods.
Talimuk says, "Nemt, you are supposed to take command of half of the men here who were loyal to Rubanya in the crisis. I want you to help figure out which units are here, whether any of Rubanya's troops are out there anywhere else, and then select which of these units you want in your expedition to the North River Valley."
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Post by Nemt on Jan 9, 2008 1:20:56 GMT -5
Nemt nods, and also remarks that he can see why Krulmuk doesn't trust Korinyva. He then leaves to inspect the troop camps outside the city.
(OOC: Wasn't Korinyva a player character?)
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Post by Kortelan on Jan 9, 2008 10:55:43 GMT -5
(OOC: I don't think so, I think he just had his own name and everything because of his relative importance.)
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Post by Gamemaster on Jan 10, 2008 19:05:22 GMT -5
City of Yishil Slythia Province Zekresh Empire
39th day, 1st month, 41 Cledman VI
As Nemt visits various camps to inspect the troops, he finds them in considerable disorder. He learns that in most camps, the officers don't know where most of the men are at any given time. In some camps, the officers aren't there and nobody seems to know where they went.
None of the troops except the Slythian provincial garrison is being supplied regularly with food. The troops have continued to sieze food from the local farmers just as they were doing during the crisis.
There are civilians in the army camps including gamblers, drunks, hoodlums, loose women and one juggler.
Nemt observes weapons lying around in the mud and upon inquiry the soldiers nearby say they don't even know whose weapons they are.
In three days, Nemt has managed to visit the following units:
1st Kantora Nass Mysktia (90% of the men are missing) 2nd Kantora Nass Mysktia 1st Kantora Grogia 3rd Kantora Iluvan Shasif (the one where the officers were gone) 2nd Kantora Vumman 5th Kantora Grigna Zarula 3rd Kantora Nassavix (Gurikan Talan was keeping good order here) 1st Kantora Frayethay 2nd Kantora Frayethay (These guys had piles of stolen loot in camp) 2nd Kantora Kast
He has also visited three camps of soldiers who, when asked what unit's camp it was, had no clear answer. It turned out that they were from various different units that were in such disarray that the men didn't think it necessary to camp with their units.
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Post by Nemt on Jan 11, 2008 14:55:10 GMT -5
Frustrated but not surprised by the current situation, Nemt orders the officers he's found to assemble and account for their units and equipment, even if it means interviewing each soldier individually and digging through mud and brush. When met by resistance, Nemt reminds the officers it's his decision whether or not units are sent to war (though he fully intends to leave the least competent and complete units behind, regardless of officers' actions).
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Post by Gamemaster on Jan 14, 2008 23:03:59 GMT -5
City of Yishil Slythia Province Zekresh Empire
41st day, 1st month, 41 Cledman VI
After a couple days, the troops are starting to get back into shape due to the efforts of Nemt, Sarman, Talimuk and the kantoro commanders. Missing soldiers and weapons are being accounted for. Soldiers are ordered to stay in camp unless they have permission from an officer.
Korinyva now has the Slythian garrison guarding the city and keeping rowdy soldiers out. The main problem is still that the soldiers have no regular supplies of food and are still pillaging local farms for food and getting in fights with the local farmers that are increasingly violent.
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Post by Gamemaster on Jan 18, 2008 16:07:26 GMT -5
City of Yishil Slythia Province Zekresh Empire
1st day, 2nd month, 41 Cledman VI
Gurikan Falan Talimuk summons Ekanor Falan Nemt, and Ekanor Falan Sarman to the camp of the elite 2nd Kantora Zekresh where he has made his temporary headquarters.
When Nemt arrives, the others are there and some other soldiers Nemt doesn't know. There is also one he does recognize named Ekanor Falan Gevan. Nemt knows him from before the Kopixer expedition. Gevan was a staff officer at Imperial Army HQ in Zekran.
Gurikan Falan Talimuk says, "I'm glad all of you are here now. Ekanor Falan Gevan has just arrived today in response to my summons. For those of you who don't know, he's been on staff with us at HQ in Zekran and during the recent fighting, Gevan was sent by Krulmuk to take command of Imperial Army forces assembling at Bakoyost (Eastport) in Flitran province when he was captured by hostile forces while passing through Yormukan Province and held prisoner there until the emperor's recovery ended the crisis. I have ordered him to come here and take over as the provincial garrison commander of Slythia. I've invited Ekanor Falan Korinyva to come out here to the camps at noon which is about one foss from now. I didn't tell Korinyva why I summoned him, but it's to give him Krulmuk's written orders demoting him to Ekanor and sending him to the Overseas Provinces to serve under Krulmuk there. This is to get him out of here because we don't trust him. In case anyone doesn't know, Korinyva was the commander of the forces that opposed us in the recent crisis of the regents."
Talimuk looks around for a reaction, but gets none. He continues, "I don't expect any trouble, but I want to be ready in case there is any. I'm going to have the 2nd Kantora Zekresh assembled in formation to witness the change of command. We need to have several more kantoro at ready nearby. Korinyva isn't supposed to bring any troops, but it's possible he might. One reason I want all of you to witness this is because it will be harder for him to defy me when I have so many falano around me."
The officers laugh at the somewhat silly sounding use of the word "falano", but they know what he means. In Zekresh, "Falan" means "high, above, up, over, superior." "Falano" means "highs" or "superiors", but since "Falan" is the distinctive part of the top three ranks of the Imperial military, in this usage he means basically the same thing as "generals" in English. (OOC: a word Nemt noticed the need for earlier.)
Talimuk says, "I have a ship standing by to take Korinyva directly to the Overseas Provinces. We'll have a detachment from the 2nd Kantora Zekresh escort him to the ship and go with him since their whole kantora is supposed to go overseas anyway. Sarman, you'll command that detachment. Give him no more than half a foss to pack and don't let him give any orders to anyone and keep him under guard until he's on the ship. Sarman will stay here for now, but the rest of the 2nd Kantora Zekresh needs to sail for the Overseas Provinces pretty soon as well. I've been keeping them here for this little task."
Talimuk continues, "While everyone is here, I'd also like to go over what troops are here and who's going to take command of them. We have to start moving troops out of here, they're impoverishing the local people with their foraging. Only the Slythian garrison is supposed to stay here. A few units may need to go back where they came from, but most of them need to be divided into two forces, one which will be commanded by Nemt and head north to crush the rebellion in the North River Valley, and the other which is to be sent to the Overseas Provinces to join Krulmuk. The ones destined to join Krulmuk will be under Sarman's command until they board ships and set sail for the Overseas Provinces at which point they'll be under Krulmuk's command."
"These are the units that are here right now:" Talimuk says and holds up a large scroll with a list on it.
2nd Kantora Zekresh 7th Kantora Zekresh 8th Kantora Zekresh 10th Kantora Zekresh
1st Kantora Frayethay 2nd Kantora Frayethay
2nd Kantora Kast
1st Kantora Slythia 2nd Kantora Slythia 3rd Kantora Slythia
1st Kantora Nass Mysktia 2nd Kantora Nass Mysktia
1st Kantora Grogia
3rd Kantora Iluvan Shasif
2nd Kantora Vumman
1st Kantora Tanan 2nd Kantora Tanan
3rd Kantora Nassavix
1st Kantora Kajakan Tros 2nd Kantora Kajakan Tros 3rd Kantora Kajakan Tros
2nd Kantora Ulawan
1st Kantora Grigna Zarula 5th Kantora Grigna Zarula
Talimuk says, "that's 24 kantoro already and we have more coming. There's two kantoro coming from the north that were trying to link up with Krulmuk's forces earlier. There's six more coming from the Verronese provinces that are only a few days away. Furthermore, we still have units arriving by sea from Rubanya's previous orders. The 1st Kantora Grigna Zarula and the 2nd Kantora Ulawan just arrived in the past few days. There may be more out there at sea. In addition, Krulmuk ordered eleven more units from the South Peninsula to come here to be part of Nemt's Expedition to the North.
We already have here the largest assembly of Imperial Army troops that has existed anywhere in my lifetime. It's already unworkable and there are nineteen more kantoro on their way here and possibly a few more we don't know about. There's simply not enough food for that many men and of course, we still haven't received funds to catch up on pay to the soldiers.
The first seven units on this list are designated to go overseas and join Krulmuk. As I said, Sarman will have command of these units and be responsible for getting them on ships. I'll be involved as well and I plan to stay here until this mess is straightened out, but the rest of the army has a lot going on as well. We have a lot of garrison commanders to replace all over the empire and it has to be done carefully or we risk sparking a mutiny or worse. I'm actually having to organize military expeditions in some places, like Yormukan, to go relieve commanders of their posts.
After the first seven, the next three units on this list are the Slythia garrison which will be under Gevan's command. All the rest of the units on this list need to be divided into three groups, units which are to be sent back to their provinces, which will be under Gevan's command until they get out of Slythia, units which will be going overseas which will be under Sarman's command, and units which will be going north which will be under Nemt's command. We've waited too long already to do this so I want to try to get this list divided up now, even before Korinyva arrives to receive his new orders. Nemt, I'm going to need at least one unit each from Tanan and Kajakan Tros to go back to their home provinces so those provinces aren't left completely undefended. That leaves twelve kantoro on this list and eight more within a few days march. You should choose six of from this list to go with you. Then you can choose four more from those that are coming by land. That's in addition to the 3rd Kantora Zekresh and the eleven kantoro from the South Peninsula that Krulmuk already assigned to this mission. In all that will give you twenty two kantoro. As soon as you get them picked, go inform their commanders that you are in command and tell them to stand ready for combat if we have any trouble with the changeover of command today. Once that's over, get them moving as soon as you can. And be back here before noon. I want you to be here with the other senior officers when Korinyva arrives."
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Post by Nemt on Jan 18, 2008 18:26:43 GMT -5
Trying his best to recall what he knows of the recent political climate, and the units he's already met with, Nemt decides to bring:
1st Kantora Frayethay 3rd Kantora Nassavix 1st Kantora Kajakan Tros 5th Kantora Grigna Zarula 2nd Kantora Vumman 2nd Kantora Kast
and informs their officers of the new orders as quickly as possible, emphasizing the need to quickly depart from Yishil, while maintaining order if fighting erupts during the change of command. He then returns to Talimuk.
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Post by Gamemaster on Jan 18, 2008 19:04:58 GMT -5
Talimuk says, "The 1st Kantora Frayethay and the 2nd Kantora Kast are designated to go overseas to serve under Krulmuk. All the first seven units on the list are to go overseas as I said. Choose two others."
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Post by Nemt on Jan 18, 2008 19:13:03 GMT -5
Nemt apologizes and instead chooses the 1st Kantora Grogia and 2nd Kantora Slythia.
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Post by Gamemaster on Jan 18, 2008 19:15:39 GMT -5
Talimuk confirms this and writes up formal orders assigning these units to Nemt's command for the expedition. After Nemt has time to show these orders to the kantoro commanders and inform them to be on alert and ready for action right now, he returns to Talimuk's temporary HQ to await the arrival of Korinyva.
Korinyva soon shows up. He is guarded by an escort of only twenty men.
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Post by Ekanor Falan Korinyva on Jan 18, 2008 19:29:20 GMT -5
Korinyva says, "Gurikan Falan Talimuk. I have come as you requested."
Talimuk informs him that there are orders for him signed by Krulmuk. Talimuk gives him the paper, then explains what's on it, "As you can see, you have been removed as garrison commander of Slythia, demoted to the rank of Ekanor and ordered to proceed at once to Kast Vyloresh to serve on the staff of Gurikan Falanorata Krulmuk. Since you are no longer garrison commander of Slythia, it is only fitting that your Slythian escort will be replaced by an escort from the 2nd Kantora Zekresh which will be going with you to Kast Vyloresh."
Korinyva says angrily, "This will not stand. Do you think you can get away with this?"
"They are Krulmuk's orders, not mine, Korinyva. If a higher authority chooses to issue different orders, I'll happily carry out those as well. In the meantime, you have half a foss to pack your things and be at the ship that is now waiting for you. If that gives you time to send a message to your friends at court, by all means, do so. If not, then you can send letters from Kast Vyloresh."
"Half a foss!" Korinyva erupts, "You're trying to whisk me off before I have a chance to do anything. Is this a transfer or an abduction?"
Talimuk says, "I understand the situation in the Overseas Provinces is quite dire. Barbarians are overruning towns and at least one whole province. Every foss we delay may be costing the lives of his majesty's subjects and soldiers. Regardless of any political consideration that may have come first to your mind, the Empire needs soldiers in the Overseas Provinces and it needs them right now. Gurikan Falanorata Krulmuk has chosen you to be one of those soldiers. There is no room for doubt that he has the authority to do that. Go now. If you're not on that ship in half a foss, it will be insubordination."
Korinyva scowls and then turns on his heel and begins to march briskly back towards Yishil. Ekanor Falan Sarman begins to follow him and forty soldiers from the 2nd Kantora Zekresh follow on Sarman's order.
When they are some distance away, Gurikan Falan Talimuk says, "That went rather well, I think. Now, let's get the troops moving." The assembled officers and men around him soon return to various camps.
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Post by Nemt on Jan 18, 2008 20:15:46 GMT -5
Nemt nods in agreement and goes off to continue his duties preparing the units for departure to the north river region.
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Post by Gamemaster on Jan 19, 2008 0:14:03 GMT -5
City of Yishil Slythia Province Zekresh Empire
2nd day, 2nd month, 41 Cledman VI
Nemt determines that the 1st Kantora Grogia, the 5th Kantora Grigna Zarula, the 3rd Kantora Nassavix and the 2nd Kantora Slythia have all their men and equipment accounted for and could begin moving out at any time. It has not been decided what route they will take or whether they will march or go by sea.
Talimuk says he needs every ship to take forces to Krulmuk. He suggests that Nemt have his men move out on foot.
Meanwhile, the 1st Kantora Logoria arrives by sea. It has already been assigned to Nemt's force.
Also, two more units come marching into the army camp from the north. They are the 3rd kantora Trayavix and the 4th Kantora Trayavix. They are currently unassigned. They have been in combat and are in pretty bad shape.
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