<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #008080">[General Aposum Kiln, Nenna<br/>Colony Fortuna-Ainowan, Bay]</span></span></div><br/><br/>Sailing his pride and glory, the<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #008080">Nenna</span></span>merchant-ship, Southwest, the Bhuj'eruban general Aposum Kiln finally reached his destination, lighting up the bleak metallic harbor with gemstones of every shade of blue imaginable. The trade vessel stuck out like a well-decorated thumb in the very functional, but not at all stylish port, however it blended in with the water underneath. The Bhuj'eruban place masonry and architecture as some of the most honorable and sacred professions, the traders upon the ship inevitably surveyed the foreign location as they departed via a steel ramp cushioned against the side of the small vessel.<br/><br/>Some time into the voyage, General Aposum Kiln separated from the Nenna and boarded a Monobatallion, with an assembled 20-man entourage. As the Nenna sailed towards the Kingdom of Illayra, he sailed for<span style="font-style: italic">one of the colonies of Illayra - Fortuna-Ainowan</span>, primarily for trade, but also to learn more about the civilization. However, General Aposum Kiln recalled a queer conversation he had with<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #80BFFF">Guildmaster Sandorz Zigurrato</span></span>back on the docking bay of<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #FF4000">Bhuj'karaam.</span></span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #80BFFF">"General, I'm entrusting you to this sensitive mission, but I'm no military man. You're the expert on this voyage. Establish trade connections with the colony of <span style="text-decoration: underline">Fortuna-Ainowan</span> and observe the colony. We've word from our naval scouts that there is turmoil in the region, these people may pose a threat to Bhuj'eruba. If this insurgency must be quelled, you are to inform me at once. We will have our <span style="font-weight: bold">mail-pelicans</span> surveying the Southwestern Arctic Circle should you need to relay a message. It is possible the cold weather will cause interference with your machinery."</span></span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #008080">"Don't worry about me, Guildmaster. I've fought against the Heathen Tribes many decades ago, I recognize the importance these graceful birds have for the Sultanate. The Pelicans are both easily tamed and fly fast and reliable."</span><br/></span><br/><br/>The shores of Fortuna were now within reach, as the extremely swift, but quaint vessel reached the port. The metal-and-wood of the ship was encrusted with sapphires, blending the ship in with the water around it. Fortuna-Ainowan's harbor was certainly not as grandiose and brimming with pastels as Bhuj'karaam, but it had its own charm. However, it would seem the colony's harbor already had surprise visitors.<br/><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #008080">"Ay, those are Karlsland Ships. This is most unexpected. A pelican shall be sent to Bhuj'ylon at once. And one more pelican to the Guildmaster."</span></span>And with that, one of the covert soldiers opened a pelican's beak and inserted a letter in there, tied to the creature's tongue. He thrust both pelicans into the air; the first began flying Northeast, towards Bhuj'eruba and the second bird flew Southwest towards the Kingdom of Illayra, where the Guildmaster's vessel was on a trade mission. Admiral Aposum Kiln's boat docked in the harbor, as several colonists began fastening the small, but bejeweled yacht with hemp rope that the Admiral's men threw overboard.<br/><br/>The ship was pulled closer in and the Admiral descended gracefully to the quay. Off in the distance between mountains much larger than the ones in Bhuj'eruba, he saw a gathering of people, as well as some structures. However, they had nobody but a few dockworkers to greet them at the dock. General Kiln and his men walked towards the crowd, hoping that someone would escort them. What they found instead was a massive metal ship, almost rivaling the Pleasure Barges of Bhuj'eruba. But these ships were uncivilized savage creations, not in the least attractive and certainly no marvel of human construction. The entourage reached the bay and saw the flag of Empire of Karlsland looking rather flat, rather than swaying in the wind, as if Vaal himself had calmed the winds. General Kiln and the 17 remaining merchant-soldiers washed as a sturdy-looking,<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Voldritch flagship washed up on the bay.</span></span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #008080">"By Vaal, this is no ordinary trade mission, men. I suspect this is not Fortuna's doing. You three, back to the ship and get ready to sail at once. You are to sail swiftly north, with our sapphire ships and small size, avoiding larger vessels should be no issue for three seasoned Bhuj'eruban traders."</span></span>Kiln cast off the men and they scurried back to the dock at once and sailed towards Bhuj'eruba, but not before<span style="text-decoration: underline"> running into a freed hostage and a delegate of the Fortunan people. The 3 soldiers and 2 Fortunan dignitaries set sail towards Mother Bhuj'eruba to report directly to the Abrakanazzar II.</span><br/><br/><br/><blockquote><div><cite>Racoonjones wrote:</cite>January 1st, 1946 - 6:20 AM<br/>Daina hoped that this could be used by the locals to strengthen their position and resist any political pressure applied by Karlsland. Patience and deception would be required in order to hold out long enough for the main fleet to arrive. Daina just hoped that the locals would support the Voldricht over Karlsland.</div></blockquote><br/>In addition, General Aposum Kiln sent<span style="font-style: italic">two of his most trusted traders aboard the Voldritch ship</span>to establish intel on the situation.<br/><br/>Sensing trouble, General Aposum Kiln rushed onto the Karlsland vessel, which it seems the Dictator was able to do as well. For an empire with such big cannons, their security was lax, an issue the Bhuj certainly didn't face. The merchant-soldiers unholstered their guns, a blaspheme in the eyes of Vaal, but a necessary evil. They stormed the cabin, and saw the Dictator sitting at a table, seemingly negotiating with the enemy, but still largely in charge of the situation.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #008080">"WHAT IN THE NAME OF VAAL IS GOING ON HERE?"</span></span>General Aposum Kiln's tiny militia in their stealthy, swift, but small ship managed to arrive in the dock unnoticed, as well as rendezvous with the unexpected Voldritch vessel. Aposum had no idea who the unscrupulous looking character across from the Dictator was, but he was determined to find out. General Kiln snapped his fingers, and one of his soldiers removed the satin cloak that obscured his body, and the turban that obscured his face. Another soldier dutifully pulled up a chair and Kiln sat down, reached out his hand to shake the hand of both men, gaudy golden rings weighing his hand down slightly.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #008080">"Certainly an empire with your technological prowess is not picking on smaller, more vulnerable nations, Admiral Ron Knofer? As a nation which desires trade with the Fortuna-Ainowan colony, the great Vaaldom of Bhuj'eruba requests you not establish any action in the region which might impede the Motherland's trading. As for you Dictator, we fear we cannot let you make any decisions which may negatively affect your sovereignty. Bhuj'eruba shall mediate between the two parties on this issue. Our interests are mutual, would you two not agree?"</span></span>General Aposum Kiln sat there with neat posture and expected the captain Daina of the Voldritch ship would be arriving any second now.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #008080">"In addition, it would be highly unethical of me not to inform the Kingdom of Illayra that one of their rightful colonies is making trade agreements which may directly endanger the Kingdom. Dictator of Fortuna-Ainowan, I must urge you reconsider for such "invitations" may not be in your best interest in the long-run. Do you wish for these foreign ships to turn your lush, green and preserved nation into a docking bay? Certainly you value your colony more than to prostitute it as a military base?"</span></span>the General was crude, but sharply honest and did not mince words.<br/><br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #FF8080"><span style="font-weight: bold">[Pyromancer's Guild, Hashemara<br/>Greater Samora, Port Superior]</span></span></div><br/><blockquote><div><cite>Matt wrote:</cite><span style="font-weight: bold">Meanwhile, on the Vanderson Peninsula Port Superior...</span><br/>The merchant ship of Vaal arrived at a very fortuitous time. None other than Felix Vanderson was in Port Superior at the time the ship went into harbor. Felix was discussing business with Goldy Nora, wife of Micajah, Heir to the Vanguard. Goldy, the daughter of a prominent CEO, had a mind for business herself. When word of the Vaal reached Felix's ears, he told the guard to send whatever envoy up to his offices.</div></blockquote><br/><br/>The largest and by far most ornate vessel, the<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #80BFFF">Hashemara</span></span>, saw Greater Samora in the distance.<br/>The trade vessel with its massive bow hardly fit into the harbor, but after some skillful maneuvering, the Samorans managed to attach the wooden ramp to the floating ruby. The metal-and-wood was painted a burgundy red, before clear tar was applied to waterproof and seal any imperfections in the wood. Although the dwindling timber fields of Bhuj'eruba suffer to some degree when one of these ships is built, the morale it brings to both traders and military alike is priceless for the Vaaldom.<br/><br/>An antique crimson carpet was rolled down from atop the<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #FF8080">Hashemara</span></span>onto Port Superior, the<span style="font-weight: bold">Guildmaster Rizotto Razarro</span>traversed its length and reached out his hand to<span style="font-style: italic">Felix Vanderson</span>. Guildmaster Rizotto was below Guildmaster Sandorz in rank, however, he was in charge of the second largest military and economic division in Bhuj'eruba - pyromancy, as the Bhuj called it, or incendiary devices to most other men. Although this trading mission, was for spice, gems and fabrics, Guildmaster Rizotto recalled a conversation he had with Guildmaster Sandorz before the Hashemara set sail from Bhuj'karaam.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #80BFFF">"You are to smuggle our best incendiaries into Greater Samora, but you are not to use them under any circumstance. First, establish trade agreement with Greater Samora and then offer to sell the final crate. A rising nation like Greater Samora could always do with more high-quality weaponry produced by artisans as opposed to mass-produced goods with planned obsolescence."</span></span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FF8080"><span style="font-style: italic">"Very well, Sandy."</span></span>Rizotto smirked, but would obey orders.<br/><br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #80BFFF">[Guildmaster Sandorz Zigurrato, Nenna<br/>Kingdom of Illarya, Dock 16-A]</span></span></div><br/><br/><blockquote><div><cite>Milkman wrote:</cite> Sir Lexinton was on his way to the harbor to meet up with a merchant party of the distant Sultanate of Bhuj'eruba.<br/>After a long trip the ministers driver parked the car near Dock 16-A. The dock where the Bhuj ship would arrive.</div></blockquote><br/><br/>Sailing West and then Southwest, the sapphire-like Nenna reached the dock at last, not surprisingly an easy voyage in the artisan vessels.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #BFFFFF">"For the glory of Vaal, our ship Nenna has brought the Kingdom durable fabrics, gemstones of every hue, marble sculpture and books. Dusty tomes a'plenty for the Illayran people. We hope literature is a luxury the Illayrans enjoy. As well, the Vaal would have my head if I did not ask you to show me around your impressive Kingdom."</span></span>the Guildmaster dutifully recited and shook Sir Lexinton's hand as they walked off the Dock, feeling rather joyous. At least for now. Men started unloading the smaller crates, as cranes on both the Hashemara and the dock removed the gargantuan crates.<br/><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFBFBF"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold">[Vaalmasons Guild, Philinta<br/>Grand Empire of Nihon]</span></div></span><br/><br/>What? Our ships aren't THAT fast, the emerald-green<span style="color: #FFBFBF">Philinta</span>is still sailing towards the Grand Empire of Nihon. Captained by the Vaalmason's guild, they bring much gemstones, jewels, marble, strawberries, and local spice to the foreign land.