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The crusading forces unite in Burgundy. They pitch camp, awaiting more supplies and recruiting more men. They currrently have some 370 knights and 23,000 various foot soldiers. ((1 page)).

The noblemen in the French court return to the Dukes camp in Normandy. They bring various bits of news. The troops continue drilling and making maneuvers, practicing the quick motions needed for the Dukes' method of warfare. Some 3,000 new troops are recruited from the Norman lands.

The roads all around Northern France and Burgundy are worked on. A sort of postal service is worked on, to improve communications. ((2 pages)).

A new castle is constructed in Burgundy. It will cover the main road, and prevent invaders to maneuver around it without leaving a significant threat in their rear. As well, political relations with several of the Swiss cantons are worked on, proposing trade agreements with the whole of France, as well as preferred customer status ((mod needed)) ((2 pages)).

Raiding quite simply doesn't weaken defenses that easily. That, and the fact that amassing such an army wouldn't go unnoticed if it was next to the border, meaning it would have to be stationed further inland. The verdict stands, you are to await England and/or actually listen to the papacy and crusade.

I don't mean to argue but

1. England has half it's army in Norway

2. I never stated that the army was amassed secretly, on the contrary I mentioned the large forces several times

3. I am going on Crusade

The news of a Crusade reached the Brittanic forces, but not before they had taken Neanmois and the two surrounding cities. The troops await orders from their King.

Peasant levies are raised, many volunteering to go on crusade. These number 20,000 peasants and 300 landless knights. They begin their long march to Italy ((4 pages)).

An additional 7 companies of Swiss mercenaries are hired,the Duchy of Brittany being their favorite customer. Two are stationed in Burgundy, four march north with due haste, and the rest await the crusaders to arrive so as to join them ((2 pages)).

70 knights from Burgundy and 5,000 commoners also await to join the crusading force. ((2 pages))

Ten more galleys and 15 Hulks are constructed (( 2 pages))

EDIT: Noblemen from the Duchy mingle in the Royal court. They report back to the Duke sporadically of the rumors, news, and gossip of the inner France.

In regards to the attack on the English, the French and Brittanic forces have been raiding inside the province of Normandy for a while now...

The ship sent by Venice is greeted by a galleon flying the Brittanic colors. They are asked what they want.

A force of 20,000 move along the coast of Normandy in a joint attack with the French. Another force of 7,000 is sent to protect the southern flank of the army. Ships of the navy serve to deliver supplies in captured coastal towns. The largest castle in Normandy, Chateau Neanmois, is laid siege to. Trebuchets are constructed on site ((1 pages)).

The Duchy of Brittany declares vassalization to the Kingdom of France. The Duke rides to meet the King in his headquarters.

Hllo I m bill I woul like 2 join ur griup. I am aged and wise ninja hunter samurai knoght of Aegis.

*letter is nixely written*

-Jonas hartman

In another mock battle, the Brittanic fleet engages the "pirates". Two ships are scuttled for display, and the Brittanic seas are declared safe once more.

The forces sent to Spain await further orders, training. An additional 700 men are sent to supplement the troops. They prepare to test out their new tactics under the watchful eyes of the Count DeChambreau, who has been instructed to report back immediately.

As the amount of support amongst the peasants of Normandy rises, the raids increase and become more bold. Village blacksmiths continue to arm their militias.

Dvari senses a disturbance in the Valiantness

The navy has been greatly expanded, much to the pleasure of the Duke. It is now made up of 65 cogs, 22 galleons, and 5 sloops. Work on 8 new Galleons begins ((1 page)).

The brigand group that had been hired is increased by 7 different bands of bandits, bringing the total to 2,000 highway men. They are set loose on the border of Normandy, near Point du Falle. These groups would raid all around the English province. Then, in a mock skirmish, the Brittanic troops would drive away their allies, gaining the trust and love of the peasants. War is not yet declared, but the raids and phony battles continue, buying time to fortify the border.

The Duke marries the Duchess of Burgundy, thus inheriting the land. The two Duchies are far apart though, posing a problem. A message is personally sent to the French King.

Diplomats are dispatched to all the courts of the major kingdoms. They bring word of trade agreements to Venice, Aragon, The Byzantines, Holland, and the Teutons.

Additionally, spies begin to set out. They carry florins, not Brittanic currency, and speak fluid Latin, Greek, French, English, and even Arabic for some.

A contingent of 1,000 men are sent to aid the Spanish cause. They carry crosses to denote them as Catholics, and send word back to Brittany after every docking. Work on constructing an additional 15 galleons (2 pages)

Merchants make their way to Venice and Genoa. They are instructed to liquidate their boutins, and convert to the Florin currency. Some 95,000 florins are thus acquired. They do so in small groups and at different intervals, so as to not arouse suspicion.

Seeing as to how the Genoese vessels would have to go around the Brittanic coast before reaching Norway, they would be met by a patrol of the Duchy's navy, albeit they fly no flag. The small fleet would surround the galleys and attack them, hoping to gain goods and money. Arrows would fly as the two navies clash. The Brittanics hope to capture the galleys In order to reproduce them and gain their loot. Should any Genoese sailors be captured they would be brought on board the command ship.

The military presence on the borders of Normandy are increased. Two castles begin to be constructed ((4 pages)). In anticipation of war, another Swiss company is hired (1000 men) as well as 500 French crossbow men.

The harvest begins all across Brittany. The peasants gather their crops, and artisans as well as nobles benefit from the situation. A new cardinal is elected in the kingdom.

The appointment of cardinals and bishops throughout Brittany, France, Spain, and even some in England begin to be paid off. It is expected that soon, many of the religious leaders will be favorable towards Brittany.

Trade ships begin arriving in Genoa. They bring fine metals, wheat, and even some fine jewels.

The small fleet of 27 cogs was planned to be increased to 45. The various shipyards around the coast begin working on increasing the fleet. 5 frigates are also being built. (2 pages).

A banquet is held in the capital of Vannes. It is the celebration of the kings' rise to power, and is preceded by a massive joust tourney. The winners will be named "Guardes du Roi", a special corps under the command of the king. It is reported that the Duchess of Burgundy will attend.

20,000 buitons are put aside to recruit an additional 2 companies of Swiss mercenaries (1,500 men) and some for the hiring of several brigand bands.

The fine metals from the region begin to be traded in France. Couriers are sent to the Catalenese kingdom and to the Northern lands of Norway. They bring news of trading opportunities.

The King of Brittany took in the magnificent view from the balcony of his Royal castle.

He had recently come to power, and differed from his more conservative father, who had kept the kingdom in a state of antiquity.

The armies of Brittany had long been influenced by both the French and the English. This led to the establishment of a heavily clad core of royal knights, and a strong auxiliary branch of longbow men and crossbow men. The Swiss mercenaries had introduced the pike and phalanx, and peasants were being armed accordingly.

A courier is sent to the French court, proposing a joint cooperation against future English aggression. It outlines the division of the Norman lands currently held by the British.

More men are allowed to join nobility if they prove themselves in battle, hoping to increase the number of knights. The Celtic tribes of the north are appeased by giving their lords more autonomity.

The new king began courting the Duchess of Burgundy.

Application:

Skype Name (Recommended): you have it

Nation: Kingdom o Brittany

Reasonable Starting Military Strength (Ships, Soldiers): 15,000 peasant militias, 500 knights, 7,000 retainers, 9,000 men at arms, 1,000 Swiss mercenaries

Backstory (If Any): KKKKKKHHHHHHAAAAAANNN

Have You Read The Rules: Yes

How much of the nations history are you aware of: All of it

Somewhere, a Dwarf prepares an old uniform

Dvari raises a toast in the tavern when he hears word of the Matron's passing "To the Kalos medic elf"

Finally, the two armor plated frigates were completed, and transferred from the dry dock to the Lake. This brings the total navy size up to 5 frigates, 1 monitor, 1 Ironclad, 3 Galleons.  Work on another Ironclad begins.

The settlers who had been allowed to explore southern Mexico by the United Kingdom finally find what they are looking for. The Summer home of the original Federal leader, Helemar. They would ransack it, retrieving several detailed blueprints, books, and charts of the world as it was before the Great Calamity. They would share most of the information with the Cubans, but extra work is taken to ensure that the blueprints are smuggled by an alternative route.

Some troops are massed on the borders of the Union, should the full scale rebellion in the Wardom need to be put down.

Fort Knox is finally taken, and the troops inspect it. ((Mod post needed))

Work on a vast and luxurious chapel for mass begins in the city of Gastion. ((3 pages))

With the completion of the railroad, almost all of the current Union is connect on an east-west axis. Engineers now commence the building of an actual locomotive ((2 pages))

The second wind powered turbine becomes operational, servicing the wealthy district of Gastion. It seems to be a success thus far.

Several ((15)) of the elephants captured in the Great Plains are brought to a specialized camp, where they will be tamed and trained ((2 pages))

More funding is poured into the docks, increasing the amount of ships and trade that occurs there.

Mining for gold and silver in the Black Mines begins.

Trade between the United Kingdom to the south continues, each nation growing prosperous off each other. The current Consuls has only two young sons, but the competitor for the title in the next election has a girl of age 17. The Union asks that the Pope elect a Bishop and several clergy to officially represent the church in the Northern nation.

Trades gained from the Cubans to the south are given to the Wardom, and goods from there are traded back to the United Kingdom. The Union makes a massive profit from this by acting as a middle man, although it is careful to give each country it's fair due.

The Union asks that the United Kingdom allow for a colony of settlers to be established farther down the Yucatan, but above the Panama canal. 

Trade with other nations continues, and the Australian ships are stopped in Newcastle for mercantile reasons. There, they are informed of the wardom to the East, and it's potential lucrative goods.

The docks of Newcaslte are expanded to make ship building quicker.

A company ((120 men+ 6 batteries)) of Horse Artillery is established.

The ironclad and heavy monitor warship were finally finished. Additionally, a fifth factory is opened, although an incident makes it that it will not be fully operational for several months ((1 page)).

Work on two new Frigates begin. It will take almost a year to complete ((4 pages))

The troops and settlers on the frontiers settle down for winter. Due to the actions taken beforehand to suppress starvation in the eastern districts, the period shouldn't be too bad.

A trading ship laden with goods is sent to Cuba. It contains iron works, leather/ furs, and ten Winchester rifles. They would attempt to trade for sugar, tobacco, and rum.

Another battalion of Cuirassiers is raised in the Western district, and one of Carabiniers.These troops are basically a mix of the dragoons and Cuirassiers.

The road spanning the Union is completed, and the workers that took part in it can either stay to begin laying railroad tracks, or leave and go back to their farms.

Three new hospitals are opened in Newcastle. They provide free care, for the moment.

Several terms put forth by the New England delegation are accepted.

Settlers of the Northern fort village, now dubbed Lumbercity, trod forth into the Canadian forest. A lumber camp is established and begins sending the wood back down to Newcastle.

Sketches of a train are found in the Railway museum of Chicago. Engineers work on replicating the machine ((5 pages))

Chicago is officially "conquered". It becomes a new district, and some 200 pioneers move to the fort established by the army. They begin to expand into an actual town and explore more of the city.

The farmers of the Union receive fertilizer from the government. They hope to increase the crop outcome. It is estimated that 2/3 of the fields being used are growing corn, wheat, and potatoes, while the others grow peanuts or are in fallow.

The explorers of northern Indiana find a good place to settle. They establish a guarded community and the 1st cavalry battalion returns home. The new colony is made up of 500 settlers, and is given 5 cannons and 70 winchesters.

In order to protect the senators and Consul, the Boneguard is established. They are equipped with the few AK-47's there are, and all have Kevlar vests, albeit lavishly decorated.

One regiment of Infantry and the Cuirrasier battalion marches to the West, into what is the great plains. They move to establish a foot hold in the Black Hills. Additionally, they search for giant creatures. Rumor has it that several hundred elephants escaped their zoo's after the Great Calamity, and have roamed the plains ever since.

The arsenals of the Union begin to work on adding counter-infantry rifling to the Winchester rifles being used by the armed forces.

A fourth factory opens up, this time to the east of Gastion. It produces parts needed for grenades.

The group of explorers in Antartica surveys the area and finds various natural resources. They sent a ship back, asking the government for more resources for the "project".

A battalion of Cuirrasiers is raised. These heavy cavalry men are armed with sabers and revolvers.

The addition of a socket bayonet for the Winchester rifles goes underway.

Two companies of Grenadiers are raised from the Eastern districts. They are part of a new Line regiment.

Culverins are made by hand in Newcastle, which means production of these artillery pieces is rather slow.

Work on a monitor class ship begins in Newcastle, and is estimated to take several months. ((2 pages))

Several of the military units are trained in wilderness warfare. The camp is by the Northern fort of the great lakes.

A riding school is established in Gastion, It would essentially work to make the recruitment and training of cavalry much quicker.

After initial negotiations with the inhabitants of Fort Knox, the troops sent there dig in. They make strong trenches, and use their howitzer to continually bombard the surface of the base. They try to disable the 1/2 artillery pieces that the bandits are armed with. Some troops are put in reserve, should the bandits have allies that wish to attack through the rear. ((MOD post needed))