_Stigwig

Both applicants receive a letter within a couple days, delivered by a young boy. "Accepted. Report to the County of Bar to be inducted, Proselytes." Jules receives a response within the day. "Deliver yourself to the County of Bar for recruitment."

THE ORDER OF THE BLAZING SUN Bannermen of House Ashford de Bar; Warriors of the Heartland Est. 1627 “There is no greater sin than to blot out Humanity’s light.” The words of Olivier de Savoie, Duke of Savoy, upon the murder of the King Andrik Vydra by elven dissidents. Guy de Bar prepares for the Rape of Brelus | August of Aldersberg The roots of militancy run deep in the tradition of the Savoyardic folk -- a dozen different military orders have served the lords of Ashford, both holy and secular. Men from Savoy have engaged in crusades, internecine war, foreign conquests and the duty of guarding royalty, yet for past years there has been so singular force of Savoyard soldiers; not since the time of the late Jon Renault has there been an order capable of representing the lands of Savoy or Lotharingia properly. With such facts in mind, and the legacy of his forefathers - the vast majority of them men of command who shaped history for good and ill - heavy upon his heart, the Lord Pepin Ashford de Bar, heir to the legacy of St. Lucien, has decreed that there must be some such order of men again. Capable men, soldiers without fear and loyal to their cause, able to serve as bannermen of the House of Ashford. Although such men do not share the same goal of holy orders past they still retain a zealotry rarely seen outside such armigers - a devotion to both the Lord and and their commanders. Currently based in the County of Bar, the Order of the Blazing Sun - taking their name from the sigil upon their, and their ancestor’s, armour - stands ready to defend the House and purge away impurities. RANKS [COMMAND] Grandmaster The supreme authority within the order of men, his word is law to all the armigers beneath him. An experienced warrior and commander he oversees both the day-to-day issues of running the company and guides it over the longer period of time, The current Grandmaster is Arthur de Bar [_Stigwig], father to the Count of Bar and a grizzled tactician. Lieutenant The Lieutenants are chosen directly by the Grandmaster to serve as his right-hand men; granted large jurisdiction over the Order they perform sensitive tasks and work closely with the Grandmaster to administer the group. They are always warriors of consummate skill who have proven themselves many times over. [OFFICERS] Decurion The highest rank that many footmen could hope to ever attain, Captains represent the ordinary soldiers and watch over them. Entrusted with bringing any serious issues to the Grandmaster’s attention they also hold the responsibility for discipline and leading larger sorties in battle. Sergeant Sergeants are the lowest rank of officers, able to command all of the Enlisted yet not quite as skilled in matters of warfare as their superiors. Often tasked with leading small missions of reconnaissance or guarding distant outposts, the Sergeant reports to all other officers and is expected to carry out his orders without question. [ENLISTED] Men-At-Arms The Men-At-Arms are the most experienced warriors that the force has, soldiers who have spent decades in service to the House as spearmen and proved both their loyalty and skill in battle. Blessed with the opportunity to wield a blade in full battle, it is a remarkable honour for an enlisted soldier to reach this rank and is often viewed as the culmination of their career. Brother The vast majority of the Order serve as Brothers - soldiers who have proved their commitment to the cause and gone through training, yet are still not veterans. Given their name due to the respect held for any who shed blood in the name of such a noble cause, they form the core of the regiment’s troops; fighters who would risk their lives for the cause. Proselyte Recruits who have not yet experienced battle, the Proselytes are spearmen in training. Treated as newcomers, these green soldiers are expected to train with and follow the example of spearmen and men-at-arms before they prove themselves. [IMMUNES] Ensign The most prestigious of all the immunes - the specialised ranks - the Ensign carries the group’s banner during battles. Providing a focal point for the men to rally during battle, the holder of this rank carries both a great deal of responsibility, to lose the banner is a disgrace, and represents the spirit of the Order. The holder of the post is also tasked with organising monster hunts and purges for the Order. Physician The physicians are healers and medics who for whatever reason have avoided frontline service to help tend to soldier’s wounds and ailments. Although not directly involved in service they are invaluable bannermen whose service has saved scores of lives already. RECRUITMENT King Olivier de Savoie addresses the men of Oren before the infamous Battle of the Forest, date unknown Any man of fighting age may join the bannermen, either by travelling to the County of Bar - there is a cart at the Tahn docks - and speaking to a soldier present or sending an application to the Grandmaster [_Stigwig] from a distance. APPLICATION: OOC: Skype Name: Username: IC: Name: Age: Experience:

Land charter (Cart): Island: Tahn Point A: Tahn Docks [tahnhub] Exact co-ordinates of Point A: x554, z-92 Point B: County of Bar [bar1] Exact co-ordinates of Point B: x3730, z157

A young patriot hums an ancient tune on the road to Metz, heart beating with pride at the reunion of two once disparate states as one once again. As his feet fall upon the cobbles he happily sings the song - the ambition expressed by it still burning within him. "Vive Rex Augustus..."

A young rebel comments on the news:

Trooper Smith reports for duty.

UNITED KINGDOM In accordance with recent actions taken by the Russian state and the Swedish proposal, the United Kingdom hereby offers the following emergency motion to the United Nations, to be voted upon as soon as is possible: [] Employ military troops in defence of the Belarus and Ukrainian states to limit Russian aggression and force a change of regime, along with serious economic sanctions. Britain also offers aid to Ukraine and Belarus economically, and presents the offer of military aid. [[MOD PLEASE.]]

THE UNITED KINGDOM Brazilian Intervention At 0800 hours, October 2nd, 2020, a claxon rang in the HMS Atlee, the aircraft carrier currently circling to the coast of southern Brazil. Although economic sanctions had been in place for roughly 42 days and eighteen hours by this point - primarily upon the big Brazilian primary sectors - no military action had yet been taken. Aboard the aircraft carrier are four Eurofighters and eight F-35 Lightning II’s. Exactly eight minutes later the dozen aircraft launch into the air, headed for their target of Sao Paulo. The planes are instructed to cause a distraction by firing at local military installations, approaching planes and other aircraft. They are not to travel too close to the city, instead drawing away heat. Meanwhile on the other aircraft carrier in use by the Royal Navy a dozen Eurofighter’s are ready to launch off, transporting the far slower Eurocopter’s. Attack helicopters occupied by members of the special forces group, the SAS, they are guarded by the patrol of attack planes. All of these planes make a beeline to Brasilia, the nation’s capital, where the Eurofighters detach and the soldiers touch down in the Parque Nacional on the city’s northern border. Taking the 479 road southwards the soldiers are dressed in civilian clothes, having touched down far from the city, and are approaching the Palacio da Alvadora by 0100 hours. Eighteen soldiers are present, amassed in the carpark by the president’s resident, only half an hour later. Each is armed with the new generation CH-12 and a full set of tactical gear. When the clock ticks over to 0145, the commencement of a final wave of the day’s consecutive air strikes that had targeted military encampments and naval bases close to Sao Paulo, the special forces cross over into the compound in an attempt to secure the residence and the President. Prior to these actions, two days earlier, roughly three-thousand British forces, accompanied by the new Challenger tanks (~72 tanks), had crossed the border of French Guiana-Brazil (operating under their UN mandate) down-river and secured the small border town next to St Georges, seizing control of the local bridge with overwhelming force. The soldiers drive south along the main road to the local stronghold of Macapa in an attempt to draw Brazilian attention to the region - accompanied by local air support and far away from the main mass of Brazilian forces close to the Argentinian border. Should the British forces succeed in seizing Macapa they would split into four forces - one driving west towards the town of Manaus, another towards Belem, and the final two remaining gathered at Macapa. The soldiers travel with UN blue-bereted soldiers and avoid civilian casualties, operating on a solely peacekeeping basis. [[MOD PLEASE.]]

THE UNITED KINGDOM The newest batch of Challenger 2 MBT’s have finished production - an armoured regiment to be deployed wherever it is needed. The tanks are some of the best protected tanks in the world, no casualties have ever been recorded, are are equipped with multiple guns and a V12 engine. In response to the European Union’s pontificating and general approach to federalisation the United Kingdom makes an offer to all nation states in Europe: join with them in the creation of a new single market without tariffs and including anti-competition laws - but without the free movement of labour, only of the sale of services. The offer is also extended to nations like Portugal that had recently left the zone. [[MOD PLEASE/EURO PLAYERS]]. With regards to the Irish troubles, half of the recently deployed soldiers are withdrawn as post-Brexit tensions are seen to ease while a strictly worded missive is sent to the government of the Republic of Ireland - politely requesting that they end their nationalistic drive and stop driving up tendencies. They are reminded of the bloody troubles before the Good Friday agreement, while behind-doors talks are held with the pro-Unionist majority in the north to see if they are prepared to quash troubles. An offer is made to France - information on the newest generation of rifles in exchange for their patented graphene research - along with a small financial gift given the Brit’s recent prosperity. A number of new research projects begin: A push is made into new synthetic oil refineries and drilling methods to boost both the reach and productivity of North Sea oil platforms. Although not intended to be overly extensive, they are aimed at reducing the deficit of oil production/consumption in the British Armed Forces. [[5 PAGES.]] New research is put into the development of motorised vehicles in the form of Jeeps - armoured personnel carriers capable of carrying 2,4,6 or 8 occupants with light armour, camouflage, and mounted rear-guns for use. Known as Bevans, they are expected to be great help in the deployment of troops in desert or tundra regions. [[8 PAGES.]] A similar concept begins with relation to air forces - research beginning into sixth-generation close air support planes that would be capable of flying extensive distances and offering detailed assistance to ground troops. Although not inherently fighter planes, they appear to be a hybrid between them and former CAS bombers. [[7 PAGES.]]

THE UNITED KINGDOM The time is 2:30PM and at Sandhurst the PM watches a delegation of soldiers assemble upon a thin, tarmac strip, each holding their new rifles. The dozen-strong group each shoulder the weapons before bringing them down, cradled in their arms, as they fire off a couple rounds each to the targets - each with an alarmingly well trained accuracy. The new rifle, CH-12, has been distributed widely to new troops, primarily to those based in the Falklands. Meanwhile, in northern Scotland, another launch is made close to the naval base of Scapa Flow. This one is a far more grandiose occasion though - attended to by the Defence Secretary, Tristram Hunt, as the various dignitaries assembled witness the launch of the UK’s second aircraft carrier, HMS Atlee, as it sails away - headed to join the rest of the RF at the Falklands. Accompanying the ship, primarily transported by plane, go three divisions of paratroopers, two of marines, and a squadron of SAS soldiers - trained for special forces based missions. Given the recent swelling of support, the new count of forces assembled at the Falklands Islands comes to: The United Kingdom also makes a number of purchases: a set of Eurofighter planes, [[5 PAGES]], two new destroyers [[6 PAGES]], and the research of a new set of amphibious landing crafts, the brief of which will be revealed later. [[8 PAGES]] Diplomatically, the United Kingdom responds to the Australian offer to reinstate knightly titles positively, though the Queen makes an unusual (and likely politically motivated) request: she will only send off the Prince of Wales, William, to complete the ceremony personally once the situation in Argentina has de-escalated. The purchase of naval bases goes ahead smoothly as permanent personnel are transferred over. The U.K. responds to the United States’ offer with glee, the idea of reaffirming the special relationship is welcome as the Prime Minister arranges a state visit and offers the transfer of the new CH-12 rifles in exchange for some equivalent piece of technology. An open hand is similarly offered to both India and Canada, both important nations in the Commonwealth, to engage in technology sharing. Dan Jarvis, the PM, accepts Sweden’s generous offer to meet in London - arranging a date - while also proposing that the pair engage in a bilateral trade agreement to allow the newly produced and cheap British exports to flood the Swedish market - raising their citizens’ standard of living. The British make an offer to Guyana, given the relative unrest in the region, of temporary governance by the British - involving a military and economic pact with political aid - to strengthen their local position. While not annexation, and more an offer of autonomous governance, it is clearly stressed that any arrangement will be temporary and last only as long as the local government desires. [[MOD PLEASE.]] With the economic boom that had occurred the British allow themselves to breathe a sigh of relief and turn their gaze to other markets. As the fiscal stimulus and investment bill begins to stimulate growth the effort turns towards debt reduction, dangerously high after the Brexit event, and the only remaining sector that is boosted is agriculture - both in response to the Swiss actions and a need to be self-sufficient. Should debt reduction occur sufficiently, and to a reasonable extent, any remaining money would be spent upon an expansion of the conditions for servicemen and a recruitment campaign. [[MOD PLEASE.]] In terms of the U.N, the United Kingdom votes as the following: [X] In order to preserve peace, employ economic sanctions against the Brazilian state, along with military sanctions - etc.. [X] Yay, inclusion of equal representatives on the UNSC. [X] International sharing of data to combat corporate tax havens.

[!] UN - UNITED KINGDOM [!] The British diplomat rises once more, soon after the Brazilians finish their speech, and begins his own sharp retort. "We do not doubt that it is the right and prerogative of the Brazilian state to defend its people, and mobilise in order to maintain the security of its borders if threatened. Nor do we deny that the Argentinians made a response that was far too militant - though this may be out of fear due to Brazil’s self-proclaimed ‘position of strength’. All of these facts that the Brazilians proclaim are indeed truths are we recognise that. However, what we do not recognise, is Brazil’s right to invade Argentina due to this slight. While your response in mobilising is one that we would copy if threatened, it is quite some step to then invade! Are we truly to believe that you, with your boastful display of strength and demand that we do not show empathy, are defending yourselves? Is it not Argentina that now needs defending, given your utmost aggression? An offer for a union is not mere, and nor is your full invasion. Unless you withdraw your forces to the original borders and issue an apology to the Argentine nation for invading, we shall propose the following motion: [] In order to preserve peace, employ economic sanctions against the Brazilian state, along with military sanctions and the deployment of troops beneath a British-led coalition to defend Argentina. A 60% majority shall be required for military action, and any majority for economic sanctions. Thank you, delegates.”

[!] UN - UNITED KINGDOM [!] With a short cough and scrape of the chair the elderly and polite British delegate rises - his title an obscure lordship - and begins to address the hall. "My country has a proud, proud history of international interventionism. In Kosovo and Sierra Leone the acts of a British government helped to save thousands of lives and avoid potentially devastating humanitarian issues. The British intervened, often with the aid of the United Nations, to help protect the rights of many citizens. We must also remember the awful, truly deplorable, scenes in Rwanda when the U.N. failed to take action, a fault that all of us must bear, and the consequences of that. The response offered by the Brazilian state to Argentinian wargames is ridiculous. While to even perform such, and label them as 'games', is a childish and provocative act, the Brazilians have responded with a clearly prepared plan. Let me be the first to tell this convention that this appears to be not an act of self defence but rather one of cold-blooded, pre-planned warmongering! What right have the Brazilians to demand political union with another free and prosperous nation and then, when refused, to launch an invasion? Are we cravens or fools to sit by as democratic freedoms fought for by so many of our ancestors are eroded so that the Brazilian people will have more lumber, more dollars - a larger market to export too? No! No; we shall not allow ourselves to witness what may seem merely as a first step towards violence, but which may become a precursor to the most awful acts of human nature. The United Kingdom does implore all delegates that would count it as a friend or ally, all delegates which desire to see a prosperous and growing world, to vote with it on this motion to install sanctions against the Brazilian government. We cannot, must not, fall prey to the weakness of our erstwhile predecessor, the League of Nations, that would bark and not bite in those dark days of the 1930s.” The mandarin takes a seat again, this time casting his vote for the former motion with no speech. [X] Yay, provide the information of all multinational corporations in order to prevent corporate tax havens.

THE UNITED KINGDOM Things were not going well for May. With an economy so weak, and so fragile, that the country was once again teetering on the edge, things could only last for so long. In order to break the status quo and constraints of such a small majority and moderate economic policy a snap election is held. With an empowered Labour Party led by Dan Jarvis MP advocating investment into northern communities, a sensible economic solution and an alternative to the now failed austerity measures against a ‘banker’s party’ led by May that advocated continued cutting of tax avoidance and an increasingly Eurosceptic stance, the solution was never in doubt -- the only question was too the margins. By the end of the night the results were clear, out of 680 seats: LABOUR - 401 CONSERVATIVE - 190 SNP - 34 LIB DEM - 27 UKIP - 17 OTHER - 12 The SNP saw a large slump in rural areas and urban Glasgow, primarily to the Liberal Democrats and Labour Party respectively, while the Conservatives saw a huge chunk of ‘Middle England’ disappear to the Labour Party. The only upset was the lack of UKIP seats - predicted higher in the region of 50 - though over a hundred former Labour safe seats in the north could now be considered marginals with majorities of less than 3,000 votes. By morning Her Majesty had confirmed a new majority Labour government, in coalition with the SDLP party, dedicated to balancing the United Kingdom’s economy. The government’s first act is to address the tax issues with a number of reform: 1. All British dependencies are taken under direct British control, to be administered by Parliament, and all tax rates are levelled out with national rates. The destruction of areas like BVI (British Virgin Islands) and other enormously popular tax havens is likely to send a wave around the financial world. 2. Tax rates are re-examined at a rate of 29% for corporations, more than double the previous but still relatively low, while a new band is introduced for top earners (above 300,000 GBP a year) of 50%. 3. A motion is tabled to the UN of a wholly irregular nature; to share global information on companies between every country that agrees in order to eliminate large-scale tax avoidance and restore global revenue. These are tabled into a greater Finance Bill, passed after two days, that includes the following: I. THE TAX BILL [SEE ABOVE]. II. THE INVESTMENT BILL: An investment fund of circa. £350,000,000,000 is taken out at borrowing rates, historically low, and to be invested in the following sectors: Manufacturing; Construction; Aerospace; Defence; Steelworks; Automobiles; Agriculture; Mining. Exporting is to be boosted by a further devaluation of the GBP to £1.10 to the USD, an act that is designed to build a competitive export market. The [STEEL, CONSTRUCTION, DEFENCE] industries are to be partially nationalised (15% of industry) and administered in a mutually beneficial manner. III. THE CONSUMER BILL: Tax cuts are made to the middle three bands of income of 2%, while VAT sees a return to 17.5% from 20%. The expected boost to consumer spending and working class income from breaks to a regressive tax are expected to be a boost in the economy. [FINANCIAL TRANSACTION TAX] -- A tax is to be levied upon the mass sale, transfer and purchase of shares to the rate of 2.5%. Although marginal, and taken off only enormous share transfers, the tax is likely to aid in balancing the books and help with income inequality. British troops are, under the watchful eyes of the new PM, deployed to Northern Ireland in the number of 5,000 soldiers, all positioned on the now far more dangerous border with the ROI, while an offer is made to Estonia and Ukraine, now on the border with a far more dangerous Russia, of martial support. Specifically, the production of tanks begins [[7 PAGES]]. In a similar style is aid offered to the now free Iraq, a former British protectorate, of economic and military partnership. Canada is invited to further round-table talks, as is Germany ((Skype.)) [[MOD PLEASE, FOR ALL OF ABOVE.]] LONDON, 20:30 GMT+00, 10 DOWNING STREET. A bright and passionate Dan Jarvis steps out of the famous black door, hand raised in greeting to the nation as he pauses before the podium. “People of the United Kingdom, To those of you whom have seen reported, or heard, of the awful and dramatic events occurring between Brazil and Argentina, I have come to offer calm and security. Whatever our previous relation with the Argentine government, [a nervous laugh from reporters], we shall NOT allow Brazil to go exercising military influence over free nations. To the Argentine nation, we offer our support.” With a singular, slow nod, the Prime Minister turns and returns to the building. Following the speech a backdoor offer is made to Argentina of support, while a major naval detachment (the nation’s only aircraft carrier, 4 destroyers, and half-a-dozen submarines) begins moving towards the Falklands. [[MOD PLEASE]] Meanwhile, the Japanese invitation is accepted by the PM, though the invite to join sanctions is thoroughly ignored.

THE UNITED KINGDOM For a country that had teetered so close to the edge, she hadn't done a bad job. Of course, the vote to leave the European Union had been an economic disaster - the pound had fallen to 1.15 against the USD before slowly, gradually stabilising and gently crawling back from the edge. The decision to leave had caused an enormous influx of migrants, 800,000 in two years, but now the borders were “controlled” and annual net migration was down to the tens of thousands again. Manufacturing jobs had been lost in their thousands, along with financial sector employment, and the City of London took its largest hit ever. The country looked ruined. From the ashes, though, struggled forth survival. With Theresa May installed as Prime Minister just four weeks after the 23rd, Independence Day according to the late Nigel Farage, a hardline approach was taken to economic recovery. Crabb’s failed leadership bid had held a single worthy element - an investment fund - was carried forwards by May in a shocking use of Keynesian thought by the British Right. With historically low borrowing rates the UK government had begun to borrow upwards of £200 billion and pump them into manufacturing jobs in Wales, northern England and Scotland. Sturgeon’s abortive bid for independence had totally collapsed, leading to a couple of shocking by-election defeats for the SNP a parliament. Glasgow East saw a 35% swing to Labour, allowing them to retake the seat, following an intense and engaged campaign, while Glasgow South saw a 25% swing, leaving the SNP hanging on by a thin thread. As manufacturing jobs struggled back, the country saw a brief respite from recession, barely struggling on to its recovery. Only six months after the sudden boom May undertook an emergency cabinet reshuffle and instated Leadsom, a rabid right-winger, to the position of Chancellor. While the political ramifications of such a move and the abandonment of the economic centre-ground are yet to be seen, her decisions to slash British corporation tax to a level of 12%, historically low and labelled by Opposition MP’s as an attempt to make Britain into a “supersized tax haven”, is soon to be seen. [[MOD PLEASE]]. Only two months into her premiership May had shuffled in the disgraced former defence minister Liam Fox to Defence Secretary, bringing with it a number of controversial moves. Construction immediately began on a new aircraft carrier, given the failure of Cameron’s government to invest in defence, [[6 PAGES]] and over 2,000 British servicemen were deployed to Gibraltar given the new troubles with Spain. Behind the scenes an offer was made to Australia to purchase several naval bases on north-western coastline. [[@ANDREWTECH]] With a controversial vote tabled in Parliament in 2 months on Trident renewal, likely to cause issues for the struggling Opposition beyond lifelong nuclear disarmament campaigner Jeremy Corbyn, a public stance was taken to put research into improved conventional rifles in order to support ground troops. [[5 PAGES]] Perhaps the greatest issue though, and the one that would be most defining to May’s career as Prime Minister, would be a ‘new deal’ with the EU. In hopes of achieving one she has dispatched Philip Hammond, Foreign Sec, to Berlin to meet with the Chancellor Merkel in talks. Similar efforts are made towards Canada and Australia, however these are in regards to the creation of a similar free-trade zone within Commonwealth countries.

Country Selected: United Kingdom Nation Leader: Theresa May Demonstrate Understanding of Nation (Bio/Facts/Info): Recently voted to leave EU, home to 'mother of parliaments', main Allied force in WW2, ~650 constituencies in parliamentary system, 6th largest eco. in world (was 5th) now faces declining world influence. Pop of ~64 million.. faces (or faced) high immigration levels, large north/south divide on spending and wealth distribution. Pass phrase: shitshitshit Do you understand the rules and regulations of this FRP: Yes

"Rats flee the sinking ship," sighs a wearied Ashford.

I am q-q-q-q-q-q-q-quakin..

Father Theodore rises after a moment's hesitation, ponderously and laboriously casting his vote for Georgiy Nikovich. After a few second's pause he takes his seat again. "Deo confidimus." The priest whispers softly.

"A close-minded, shallow, short-reaching Church will not allow the faithful to spread the Lord's light far. We must open our arms to convert more and save those who have not seen the light of our Faith." Theodore mutters after reading the thesis in the pews of the Felsenic cathedral, pausing in thought for a moment before continuing on with his prayers.

"I agree," intones Theodore.