Gordon Santos Sondland
This lore has been taken from the R&R 2 Wiki, Which I have written. It goes bonkers, but I hope that whoever reads it at least gets a kick from it. Thank you, and enjoy. Any questions, please hesitate to ask me, I won't respond. - Danya
English- "Our Only Strength lies in our unwavering power to survive, embracing our morality, for that lies in our uncertainty in our strength" - Gordon Santos Sondland, 1783 After the Fall of Kapitaloposis’s.
Galmish- "Singura noastră putere constă în puterea noastră neclintită de a supraviețui, îmbrățișând moralitatea noastră, pentru că aceasta constă în incertitudinea noastră în forța noastră”
Character And Early Life
Gordon Santos Sondland was born on the 24th March 1751 In the Viceroyalty Of Galmland, At the age of 19 He attended the "Kapital Heartland Military Academy" and eventually became a black star general at the start of the "Century of Revolutions" where he backed the Republicans in the Revolution.
Sondland was born to Factory Worker William Galade Sondland, His mother is unknown, however many historians and geneticists believe that he was born to his father's Cousin Lily Sondland. Living in Kapitalpolis during the reign of Arthur II impacted Sondland's life drastically, as crime involved the city due to over-taxation by the aristocrats and the Durazzo Family. On the 9th Of December, 1761, at the age of 10, Sondland was shot in the knee by the "White Kings" after he walked into their "territory" Sondland returned home to his Father who was lying on the floor with 9 bottles of alcohol next to him. William eventually got better and Sondland was forced to take up his work at the factory, gaining experience and connecting with the lower classes and their culture.
At the end of 1770, Sondland had been approached by a member of the Infamous Sentinel Corps, asking him to join the army. William asked for him to join, seeing as the pay could help them financially and would give the family more prestige. Sondland however didn't want to at first, seeing the massive violence and corruption within the Sentinel Corps and the rest of the Army. However, William eventually convinced him to join. Sondland was moved to the northern half of Kapitalpolis and would train in the Heartland Military District. Sondland would be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel after leading a counter-insurgency raid against the "White Kings." Sondland would after around a decade, become a Major General during the Battle Of Gallows Callsway, which Sondland would surround over 13.000 Atenser at the narrow passage of Callsway.
With his Military career and public prominence he would be allowed to meet Arthur III during a meeting at Citadel De Capital. Sondland would also meet prominent Republicans within the Heartland, in particular, David and Arthur Wisson. The two brothers led the way in taking the ideas of Republicanism and Democracy to the population. Sondland would be highly influenced by their ideals, especially after living in Kapitalpolis and experiencing corruption within the Army.
At this time Rumours within the nation would accuse Sondland of having relations with a married woman named Isla D Easels. Sondland would write a memoir about the situation, saying that "It wasn't her fault" and that "In my position, I should never have acted in that way to her." Some Historians and people who claimed that the situation had continued, believe that Sondland had a child with Isla. However, this has been denied by Sondland and Isla.
Sondland weathering the romantical storm would also help end the War, and by late May, people would begin to riot under the costs of higher grain prices and increase in taxes to pay for the war. Sondland would try and convince Arthur to allow the Republicans higher power in the government. Arthur would threaten Sondland, barking at him.
“Sondland, You are a Military Officer, And whether you like it or not, I am in charge of this nation, and by extension you, and I will never take orders from some footling member of the Galmish Army, And If you don't like it, then you can leave and see where it gets you!”
Sondland would storm out and contact the 11th Core to execute "Operation Fallen Crown" to take control of the Posis Stronghold. And The War had just begun.
"The War Before The Storm" 1779-1781
The Imperial House Of Galmland, the Durazzo Dynasty had continued their permeation of social life. Taking private assets and raising taxes wherever they could find them, of course, this war was not only for themselves but for the military. The Military was majority made up of ethnic Galms, with no Bluda being allowed to join the officers or sentinel cores. The Durazzo would use this network and violence to impose their rule across the cities and communities that made up Galmland's mainland. However, Galmland also participated in the "Shorting Of Xia" where the colonial powers of the day would conquer the Xian continent for resources, manpower, and glory.
Galmland in 1761 was ruled by the Benevolent, Karl I, taking the position from his father Arthur II. Karl started his reign by reducing the size of the Silver Guard, a paramilitary wing of the Durazzo Dynasty. Believing them to be a threat to his people, but a threat to his power. Karl would institute land reform purchasing land from aristocrats and granting serfs more rights and economic freedom's. Economically, Galmland would be a beacon of economic power controlling the "Straits Of Xia" and the vital spice trade that came with it. Kapal Colony was founded at the end of Arthur II's rule and it had grown to a population of around 30.000.
Karl would also reform the army allowing a merit-based system to increase the power of the military from outside threats. However, Karl did not believe in Galmish naval forces, reducing the marines and decommissioning several vessels, increasing the royal treasury. Karl also centralised the army by giving the nobles massive tax breaks and greater power over trade within their regions. The serfs would give Karl the title of "Karl The Illustrious" and when the infamous Listeria outbreak reached Galmland he and the royal house provided grain to the serfs to prevent major deaths.
Karl also improved the nation's relations with the outside world, creating new trade routes and purchasing the "Silver Peaks" from the Empire of Rythenhall, due to the latter's poor debt due to the failure of a colony in Xia. The Silver Peaks were among the best silver and mineral deposits in the nearby region, and Karl established the "Durazzo Mining Corporation" in 1768. Karl would grant partial stakes in the company to his nobles granting them high economic power, however, this came at a cost.
The nine district municipalities that made up Galmland were centralised down to three, With the Durazzo owning the Capital, and the region of Posimont, Which contained the Silver Peaks and the strategic port city of Vale. The Region of Dunemire, owned by the Noble House of "Rezyanids" this region contained the ethnically diverse city of Bludianstad alongside the bulk of the immigrants in the nation living in this region. Emberskar would be the smallest of the regions, ruled by the House of "Tourch" This house also made up the bulk of the Military and the industrial complex and city of Draven. These houses were somewhat autonomous, having owned police and economic regulations, but all owned by the House of Durazzo.
Karl also founded the first Royal Court to oversee the realm, this was made up of mostly the nobles however several non-nobles were allowed in. In Particular, the Brothers David and Arthur Wisson who with several other members pushed for more democratic reforms and republicanism. However, with the majority that the other houses held, their influence was never really tested in any major capacity.
Karl attempted to continue centralisation but the other two houses, in particular the Torch resisted. Karl not wanting to upset the power dynamic between the houses, let it be. This was also due to the Xian Crisis. The Continent of Xia had been known to the Galms for centuries, but never had they held a presence on the continent for this long. Kapal Colony had been under siege from July 1779. The Imperium Of Atenser would back the Xian people sending arms and logistical support to kick the Galms of the continent and the vital trade links they owned.
During a Banquet at Citadel De Capital with members of the House of Tourch and the Captain of the Silver Guard, Karl was assassinated. "Juan Of Draven" was the one who fired the shot, He wrote in his final memoirs,
“It was Karl's hostility towards our people and my house, his plans to destroy our people and my house, his central thumb that would destroy all that we believed and cared.”
With the "Viceroy Of Citadel" the head of the Palace Guard arresting the culprits the Citadel would be placed under martial law with the successor Arthur III locked in the Capital Vault. Kapitalpolis would be put in a state of grief as "Karl The Illustrious" had died. His last heir Arthur III would take the throne.
Arthur moved quickly. Being coronated two days after his father died. Arthur III would destroy the other royal houses exiling the remaining members of the House of Tourch and expanding the Silver Guard to "Deal with" the Rezyanids. Arthur would officially centralise the realms of Galmland and the Military would be purged of all of its officers not loyal to him. Arthur also nationalised the Durazzo Mining Corporation, giving him large wealth and would stop providing subsidies to farms and the population. The Military would be massively expanded with his new loyalist General "Harold Mountbatten" expanding the military to around 200.000 soldiers.
Arthur would also send the Silver Guard to kill any remaining nobles and threats to his power, Harold Mountbatten also strengthened the military's control over the capital and major urban regions. However, he would also hire new officers and expand military perks, which in turn increased corruption within the Sentinel Corps. Arthur exiled 245 noblemen and house members including his cousins to prevent them from seizing the throne. Despite Karl's reign being seen by the population as illustrious, Arthur had just inherited a conflict that was brewing in Xia, The Fenxian People living in northern Kapal would revolt and seize the northern ramparts of the Colony and start the siege of New Draven. Arthur begins conscripting thousands of men to combat this, many being Bludan. Arthur hated the Bludan minority and wanted to deport as many as possible, so he sent over 15,000 Bludan people to Kapal.
He also began sending over 20.000 soldiers to Xia to prevent the fall of the "Kapal Colony" and the vital spice trade that it controlled. Alongside engaging in more corruption and sending Republicans to exile in mass. The Fenxian people would continue to revolt, with the foreign powers backing Fenxian to weaken Galmland's colonial presence in the region. Seeing this happen, Arthur would declare war on the Imperium Of Atenser for backing the Fenxian people in liberating Kapal. Atenser had been the strongest naval power in the world to this point, and they instituted a mass naval blockade upon all Galmish ports and began seizing the cargo of Galmish companies.
Arthur would send his fleet into the bay of Draven to hold the largest port city in the nation, and that was when the Atenser Navy was sent into action. The Galmish fleet was half the size and lacked in quality against the Atenser's massive well well-trained and modern fleet. Galmish planners attempted to send artillery at the harbours to help with offshore bombardment, however, due to army corruption, and a certain Republican member of the officer corps, it got lost along the major highways. Arthur would order the Galmish fleet to attack the Atenser navy while they were still in port around Erua Island which they had taken within hours of the war. Atenser knew about the plans and split their fleet in two enveloping the Galmish fleet as the marines attempted to land on the island, the Galmish fleet was surrounded, and it was destroyed, over 15,000 Marines were killed and the sinking of 56 ships.
The Galmish high command was seen as the reason for the failure of the mission and Arthur attempted to purge them all, however, Harold advised against it. The Atenser navy now unchecked sent "Firefly" to the city of Draven, under the cover of night, the city of over 2.000.000 people, was burned to the ground. With 3.000 people dying in the weeks that came. Sondland and other military officers requested that forces be sent to the strategic passage of Gallows Callsway, to block the way into central Galmland of the Atenser armies that had begun to land in the mainland. Arthur would only allow around 20.000 soldiers, many of which were conscripts. Sondland used artillery to shell the hills around Gallows Callsway, causing an avalanche, ensuring the Atenser armies could not escape. With the Atenser forces away from their supply lines, they were encircled and starved to surrender by Sondland, over 13.000 soldiers were captured.
Many naval admirals pressed for the construction of a new fleet which Arthur would oblige to spending a third of the treasury to form a new fleet and counterattack. Republicans would seize on this moment, calling for the people to rise and prevent the Imperial Family from spending their money on a war they didn't want. Arthur would block all communication between Kapitalpolis and the rural areas and would call for the arrest of several prominent Republicans, who would flee the nation and continue rallying support abroad. The Reformed Galmish Fleet would meet the Atenser Navy at the "Second Battle of Cape Erua" over 142 ships, 61 On Galmish Side and 81 on Atenser's side would clash for 3 days and 4 nights, with the garrison on the island aiding in the resupply, the battle was a draw. Galmland considered that a victory as 39 of their ships had been sunk while 53 of Atenser's had been destroyed.
With this "Victory" both sides met to discuss the treaty of peace, Arthur demanded harsh reparations while the Atenser Diplomats requested control over Erua Island. Both sides would refuse to back down, however one side would buck first. With the massive cost of the war and naval blockade, Goods and grain were hard to import and the nation soon started to starve, alongside the Military going without pay and having to use out-of-date equipment and rations. While Arthur called it an "Atenser" issue, the Republicans and a majority of the people would blame Arthur.
The Peace Treaty was Finally signed on July 10th 1781. Sondland and other Military officers would negotiate with the Atenser Diplomats for days until finally coming up with a treaty. Arthur was not invited to the meeting as he was seen as a liability. Galmland would have to hand over all operations in Xia, except for the port city of "New Draven" and in exchange, Atenser would pay reparations for all material lost and would have to pay back all debts to Galmish banks. Arthur after finding out about the treaty would fire all of the Officers, except Sondland, who was involved in the treaty, seeing it as a betrayal.
Meanwhile, Republicans would whip the public into a frenzy with one republican newspaper calling the King "Arthur The Dullard" and with a massive food crisis and economic black hole made by the war, the people would begin to riot, as the now infamous 16th August 1781 "Bloody Monday" caused the shooting of 109 civilians many being women. Republicans would seize on this moment and protests would continue calling for the abdication of Arthur. Meanwhile, Sondland and other Officers began planning Operation "Fallen Crown" to capture Imperial strongholds and topple Arthur from power.
Sondland headed to the 11th Core's Barracks on 17th August and ordered them to lay siege to the Posis Stronghold, while many refused an overwhelming majority backed him and they laid siege to an undersupplied and low morale stronghold, while propaganda continued to work the rounds in the Capital, it was clear to everyone inside and outside of Galmland that it was the end of the Durazzo dynasty, and the start of the "Galmish Revolution"
Those who have long too successfully laboured to inflame My People in Galmland, by gross Misrepresentations, and to infuse into their minds a system of oppression, lay down your arms and we will meet you in kind, but persist and treason will meet the noose around you necks. - Arthur III After learning about the 11th Cores Siege.
"The Galmish Revolution" 1781-1783
17th August 1781, Republican sentiment would continue to expand in the Capital, as ports would be blockaded alongside the cutting of supply lines from International aides, with a majority of the Imperial forces being cut off from supplies and the Republican popularity forever growing. Leaders in the Republicans such as ‘Samuela’ And Sondland would rally public support against the Monarchists, aiding in recruits in the “Republican Revolutionary Forces”
Republicans held the key river crossings leading to Kapitalpolis alongside the majority of the rural population supporting them, Militia and other decentralised groups quickly disrupted supply lines and vital rail links between the urban areas, in particular, between Draven and Bludianstad. Alongside the backing of the rural population, ethnic minorities and religious figures would back the Republicans with Arthur's policy of mass deportation and high levels of oppression of the Bludan population of close to four million.
The Imperialists would have the backing of the international community, the 1st through 9th cores and the well-equipped 104th Battalion. Using their control over the industrial capacity of the nation, equipment would be shipped out of the Capital to key Imperial strongholds across the countryside and rural areas. Sondland and Samuela would attempt to centralise control of the militias and would use their limited resources in the army, to intercept and control the supply lines leading out of the capital.
Bludianstad would be the first city to have all Imperial forces driven out, with Draven's southern, east and western ramparts quickly seized by the republicans and the limited offensives of garrison, the south would be isolated and all infostructure leading out of the city, destroying the supply lines. Other international powers would eye the situation, and the kingdoms and dynasties around the nation would pounce and supply the Imperial armies to liberate many communities and townships.
The Galmish Ports and coastal areas would be seized by the ‘Empire of Rengal” in a surprise invasion leading to the destruction of the Galmish Naval Assets and the capture of Voloian and the Imperial Family. With Rengali Diplomats leaving the Capital and other nations pulling out, with the sudden instability. With the Capture of the Gazi Industrial sectors, the Republicans would hold the supply lines and the majority of Galmish economic strength.
Gazi and Draven being the economic lifeblood of the industrial capacity, would be a major boon to the Republicans, and Sondland would quickly mobilise the workers, rural serfs, and some small section of business owners, including a small business owner named "Mustav Ostrom" While Samuela would quickly call for the upper classes and military figures to back him, placing the two ideological rivals against each other, leading to the Imperial armies quickly breaking through communication lines and taking back control of most of southern Gazi alongside launching a besiege on Draven.
Sondland would favour sending reinforcements to Draven to relieve the city garrison and continue to liberate the countryside, while Samuela would favour sending additional forces to hold the commercial and business areas of Kapitalpolis alongside and seizing foreign supplies to the Imperialists, With the majority of the Military on Samuela side, the "Defence Of Commerce" would begin, with the 2nd Core being encircled and their commanding officer Jenson Dress would join the Republicans, handing over a large arms munition dump and garrison capabilities in the south of the city.
Sondland disregarded this order and led workers and serfs to surround the Imperial 3rd army besieging Draven, the siege quickly ended with Sondland and the 2nd Industrial Corps launching a probing attack into the northern region of the city and the siege collapsed. However, with the fragrant lack of respect for the military command, Samuela would demand that Sondland hand over all armies to the Republican central armies.
Sondland would refuse and with a majority of the working class in the city backing Sondland, supply for all of Samuela's forces would be blocked. Sondland would quickly organise the capture of a Samuela-held garrison and after a quick siege, a small army group under Samuela would surrender. Leading to a complete infighting between Sondland and Samuela within Kapitalpolis, and the rural regions outside of the city. Starting the 90-Day Campaign, Sondland would quickly occupy the industrial sectors of the city and with military officers quickly defecting to his side, with Samuela's promise to restore Arthur to the throne, he would lose all of his support among the young officers that made up a bulk of the Republican leadership.
The 90 Days Campaign would destroy the info structure and central command centre of Samuela, With Sondland having more equipment and control over industrial output in the City. Samuela while leading forces in the now infamous ‘Charge of the Blackened Legion’ would be assassinated by a nameless Galmish Republican, leading to an internal collapse of the central command of Samuela Forces. With the least loyal of Samuela's forces collapsing into Sondland’s armies, the Republicans would begin to reorganize, However, the Imperialists would seize the northern and eastern regions of Draven.
The Empire of Rengal and Other Kingdoms fearing their instability, would quickly send arms and munitions to the Imperialists while handing over key outposts and supply bases outside the Capital. With an influx of Supplies and Munitions, the Imperialists would launch sorties and counteroffensives across the Industrial heartland of the nation, even launching several incursions into Kapitaloposis’s Southern Districts. Sondland would also call for the mass culling of any "Traitors to the Liberty Of The Revolution" including women and children who harboured support for the Monarchy and Imperialist sentiments.
With a growing vengeance for these attacks on civilian targets, the last remnants of the Imperial Guard would act. Over twenty thousand members of the guard would organize the “Last Frontier” on the battle of the ‘Arthur Dam’ on September fifth. Republican forces were able to pin the masses of Imperial legions towards the Yikil Lake, leading to the defeat of the Imperialists and the capture of several military plans and logistic supports, but the loss of several stockpiles of heavy weapons and supplies during the assault on the dam, one of these documents that was captured was named "Operation Resurrection" which called for the assassination of Sondland, and a further plan which called for the mass murder of all Bluda people living in Kapitalpolis.
Swimming In Wine
With a major morale boost with the capture of the dam, Sondland and the other officers now under threat, would begin planning for "Operation Camelot" to capture the Citadel of the Imperial family. Doing so would cause a massive morale dump for the Imperial armies and the quick collapse of any logistics, The 2nd Core would be chosen to undergo the operation due to their high supply and experience in urban fighting, however, Dresa would be stripped of his position and Sondland would lead this offensive to show the unity of the Republicans. The Operation would begin on the First of March and heavy fighting would begin around the river banks of the river Posis, while saboteurs would be sent inside the Citadel to capture the bridge controls into the Citadel. The Central command centres and military garrisons inside would be blown while the 2nd Core would move inside of the citadel while the sewer system underneath the Citadel would be infiltrated as Republicans infiltrated the main citadel capturing the "Viceroy Of The Citadel" the head of the Palace Guard. With the leader captured and logistics quickly falling for the Imperialists, the 2nd core forced the gate and flooded into the Citadel's outer gardens and central square. The Citadel's outer regions would be quickly seized and the wine stocks leading out of the Citadel gardens would fall into the Core hands, Sondland would pour over 4.2 Million millilitres of wine into the lake in the southern regions of the city, while officers swam in the lake. The 2nd core would quickly storm the main garrison, and the Citadel would officially fall into Republican hands.
This offensive would spill the end of the Imperialists with the Rengali and other imperial international supplies being taken in the victory at the Citadel. Coupled with a majority of the Imperialist morale and stockpile of equipment being taken, the Imperial focus in Kapitaloposis would disintegrate, leading the city of over three million to fall into Republican hands. Mountains overlooking the Capital would be taken and “Riverunners” would march down the Posis to the sea and stop the supplies and manpower of the Imperialists from arriving in force. However, most forces loyal to the Imperial Family were already fleeing the nation to the other Monarchies. With the Capital falling and rural areas overthrowing their aristocratic and serf leaders the entire nation would be placed under republican control. Whoever resistance movements such as the "Crown Marches" still protected several towns and communities from the Republicans. Sondland would make deals with them including returning the last male heir to the throne from exile and allowing him to live.
Many Imperial strongholds would hold out, the most famous being the "Battle Above The Silver Clouds" where Imperial forces attempted to destroy Silver mines and quarries across the silver peaks. These sieges would deal massive damage to the nation's infrastructure. However with a majority of the population in favour of the Republicans and with only limited supplies being taken. The Revolution had ended, and this would not just be one. But the start of a Century of Revolutions and violence across the nations of the world. In particular, all foreign powers who backed the Durazzo. The last male heir to the former Imperial nation would be allowed to return. "Callum The Survivor" would be his title and he would be granted permanent housing and left to his interests in the City of Draven. This action was very unpopular with the rest of the Republicans including Dresa, who pressed for the execution of Callum and the other Imperial's living in exile. However, with Sondland's popularity and with a majority of people supporting the return, it was seen as necessary to stop the bloodshed.
The Final days of the Revolution were the most deadly, On September 10th 1783, Sondland was placed into hospital for "Thread Blight" and the leadership of the Revolution would quickly scramble to set up governments and legislatures without Sondland in charge. Dresa would favour massive powers to the "Viscount" including the power to directly bypass Congress and appoint Justices directly to the Supreme Court. Liberal factions and the popular lawyer "Dewald Lits" favoured strengthening the Legislature and Judiciary, making the "Viceroy" subservient to them while still influencing with "Vice Decrees" which would allow him to bypass Congress after a term had been completed.
Sondland would eventually be treated from Thread Blight, and in the institutional debate, Sondland would back both sides. Knowing how important the role of "Viceroy" would be, he decided to allow a veto system and allow the Viceroy to approve a Justice to the Court if a seat opened up, However, this would require the backing of the Senate. Both sides roughly agreed to this, and Sondland by 99.9% vote was voted as Viceroy of the "Republic Of Galmland". The one Dissenting vote was by Jenson Dresa who voted for himself. Historians believe that this vote happened due to Sondland taking the glory of taking Citadel De Kapital, away from him.
"Post Revolution"- First, Second, Third Administration Of Galmland
Sondland's First years as Viscount would involve reforming the nation and rebuilding the ability of the state to provide for the population, welfare systems would be nationalised and industrial sectors would be brought under state management to control supply and keep the nation stable as the majority of the trade links where still cut off from the outside powers. Legislation would be passed quickly as the "United Galmland Party" held a strong majority of 162 Out of the 300* seat Senate. They passed laws to increase production such as the "Draven Revitalization Act" and the "Bludianstad Farmers Protection Act" The DRA, And the BFPA, helped increase Autarky measures within the nation and home production.
Galmland although now restructured internally was still struggling internationally, An international coalition made up of 4 Nations: "Kingdom Of Rythenhall, Emirate Of Maru, Imperium Of Atenser, Empire Of Rengal, would blockade the nation relentlessly, stopping all shipments heading to the nation. They would also occupy the strategic Galmish port city of "Deaur" off the coast of the mainland, over 53,000 would fight the occupiers, While Sondland would secretly enter negotiations with the Coalition. The Coalition wanted three things, A return of the Durazzo Dynasty to the leadership, A tariff-free agreement between them and Galmland, and Limits of Galmish Naval and Military Production. Sondland surprisingly laughed them out of the room. And order the Military to begin rearming and artillery to be placed on the Silver Peaks overlooking the “Bay of Gold.”
Shelling would begin on the 5th of February 1784, and several naval ships of the Coalition would be sunk with no way of counterattacking, Sondland would also approve the secret naval build-up in the town of "Voloare" close to 200 Ships would be hastily made causing some quality issues within the massive fleet. The Coalition had over 200 Ships and more were arriving to counteract Galmish Artillery. Sondland called on over 50k Soldiers and would assemble a wartime command centre to deal with the crisis. They all decided on a single strategy, to use the coalition's numbers against them. The Bay of Gold had many inlets leading to the Southern Ocean, and Sondland decided to cause manmade avalanches to destroy these gateways. Naval Admiral Joshua Piers, sent half of the navy to the Bay of Gold, and the Coalition took the bait. Over 300 Ships fought for around nine hours at the bay, as Artillery picked up ships from the hills around the bay, The other half of the Galmish Navy blocked the way out of the bay, surrounding the Coalition navy and fighting off any ships attempting to enter. The Coalition was now surrounded and with the inlets leading out destroyed, there was no way out. The Atenser Commander called for a surrender but the Maru Commander refused and shelled Atenser Ships. With the chaos, Joshua Piers ordered his artillery to stop shelling and naval forces to wait. After the brief scuffle between Maru and Atenser, The rest of the coalition commanders surrendered. Over 300.000 Coalition men would be captured to a force a sixth of the size.
With the massive Victory and Maru and Atenser preparing war against each other, Sondland would jump on this moment and order the navy to land and recapture Deaur, the city would fall within days and garrisons on the island would be seized, giving the Galmish army a large supply boost to hold the island forever. Sondland would again meet, now in public, with the coalition leaders. And this time he made demands: All Coalition forces and naval assets leave Galmland, Reparations be paid to Galmland at the cost of 100,000,000 Galmish Gen, and that Galmish Companies be given a two-year tax-free period in all coalition nations. With over 300.000 Soldiers still stuck in Galmland, and Maru and Atenser preparing war against each other, they quickly signed the peace treaty. Rengali also signed on after a deal to allow Rengali companies a year of free tax, While the Kingdom of Rythenhall would refuse to sign a peace treaty unless the Durazzo were back on the throne.
However, with the rest of the coalition forces being allowed to leave and the steep cost of the war to the Kingdom, they were forced to accept as Rengal threatened them to accept or be invaded. Rengal did this because Sondland would refuse to sign any trade deals or economic pacts with Rengal until Rythenhall signed the treaty. Considering the current food crisis in Rengal, they needed Galmish grain to feed their population, and as such Rythenhall finally signed the treaty, but with the same deal as Rengal with the tax-free period. With the "Coalition Of Gold" over the Galmish economy would experience massive growth with the welfare system being increased in quality across the nation and education experiencing massive waves of literacy in urban and rural areas. Sondland would also Nationalize the Durazzo Mining Corporation, turning it into the "Galmish State Corporation" to oversee construction and mining within the nation. The Financing of new infostructure works would begin, including railways and zeppelin manufacturing in the industrial sector of Gazi.
The nation's GDP per capita would rise to 9,300 Gen, a rise from 6,200 in the Durazzo reign. Galmish people were the second richest people per capita in the world, only behind the "Holy City Of Haleem" Sondland would also free up religion and build many sanctuaries and cathedrals within the major cities. Propaganda at the time made Sondland into a godlike figure who revived the nation and brought power to the people. Sondland became a saviour of the Galmish people but this wasn't always true.
Workers' rights would be decreased and many unions would be crushed, the most famous being the "Yikil Revolt" in which miners revolted against military quotas in the region's mineral deposits, Sondland would also expand the power of the ministries of the Interior and Justice, appointing "Mustav Ostrom" to the supreme court alongside 6 other justices. Politically the nation would still suffer from instability, with the minority "Bluda" population forming militant groups to force autonomy and independence movements within the state of "Bludania" with the infamous "Battle Of Arthur Dam" killing over 5,300 women and children. With the Reformists and conservatives within the UGP calling for more intense measures, Sondland would be forced to grant Bludania "Special Administrative Sessions" which would grant them some regional autonomy within Galmland.
Sondland on the international stage would be one of the first leaders to propose the "GFTA" to ensure free trade between all nations and to boost Galmish production as it still hadn't recovered after the Revolution. Sondland would also manage the return of Erua Island from florigen powers and the end of all trade embargos by early 1784. With trade opening up and small-scale privatisation increasing competition within the markets of the nation, the economy not just in Galmland but in the rest of the "GFTA" would outperform all other economies in the other region.
With a major diplomatic Victory and a strong economic and social class, the nation would become a giant of liberalism and economic ventures, while corruption continued to persist through the many back channels of the UGP and many of the Opposition parties would be famous for the mass lobbying of members of the Senate. Despite Sondland and Vice Minister Ostrom's attempts to institute basic anti-corruption laws, the “1784 Measurement And Finance Act" was blocked by members of the UGP, and Sondland would soon leave the office to Vice Chair Kennard.
Corruption would be the largest issue for the Kennard Government, Sondland would still be allowed to participate in votes at the Senate courtesy of the "MoGS" Law which was passed on the last day of his time in office, Kennard would be weaker than Sondland in combatting corruption and after massive nationalisation of the Central Bank and "Galmish Commerce" in 1785, to appease the conservatives, the liberal and reformist factions would flock to the Freedom and Prosperity Party leading to Kennard only holding 98 Seats losing Sondland's Majority.
Kennard would be Impeached on April 1st 1785 After a Lobbying Scandal which brought Oligarchs a higher level of power over the Monetary policy of the nation, The Justices of the Supreme Court would in a 3:4 Decision Impeach Kennard leaving the UGP In the turmoil and the FJP Would call for elections to ensure that the republic is listening to the demands of the people, A referendum would be held to hold this election and it would barley not pass with a 78% turnout rate for a 49% decision. The FJP would continue demanding that the election be held, but inside the UGP, a silent majority elected famed military leader "Jenson Dress" and he would immediately work to empower the Viceroy to ensure that his power would be absolute.
After the nationalisation of many news corporations, Dresa would call an election to gain a comfortable majority in the Senate, with many members of the National Rally party already switching sides to the UGP, and a sex scandal destroying the FJP's party leads, it would be a steamroll for the UGP, with 180 Seats out of the 300* seat senate. With a comfortable majority and public opinion controlled by the new "Galmish Media" Dresa would begin empowering the Viceroy's power over the Supreme Court, allowing him/her to impeach justices with the "Backing of a Senate Majority" Ostrom would oppose this and with the supreme court's power, would block all attempts of pushing through the legislation required to change the constitution, Dresa would form the "Intelligence Services" soon after and in the infamous "Night Of Seized Hearts" Ostrom alongside two other supreme court Justices would be killed by members of the Nationalist group "Bludian Legion" however historians still believe that Dresa ordered the assassinations.
With the viceroy power to appoint Justices, Dresa would appoint three loyalists and would officially have control over all three branches of the state, the Legislative, Judiciary and after pushing forward "The Emergency Act" and "State Council On Interior And Judicial Markings Act" Dresa would officially become impeachable and the elections would officially be postponed using the Emergency Act, which allowed the suspension of elections if "The security and integrity of the state demanded it"
"The Midnight Rail" July 23rd- July 31st
Sondland alongside many members of the UGP, Young Officers and prominent Oligarchs would meet on the famous "Hill Of Valour" after a long ride on the Midnight Train, where they would discuss removing Dresa from power and allowing the reformists within the party to break his grip over legislation. Sondland's influence would be tested but after two days and several bottles of wine, an agreement would be made, Sondland would officially motion for the Senate to impeach Dresa on the 6th of August 1786, Sondland would use his influence and with the backing of the Oligarchs, who where under threat from mass nationalisation efforts by Dresa, would lobby to impeach him. The vote would pass by 151 votes out of 300, and with the backing of the Senate, it would go to the Supreme Court.
Despite Dresa packing the court with 5 Justices Loyal to him, Sondland and the Oligarchs alongside the population, seeing their living standards and freedom decreasing, would push through the impeachment of Dresa. However, Dresa would refuse to leave and Sondland would be arrested by the Intelligence Services and exiled to Eura Island while the Oligarchs would have their assets seized. Despite all of his power, Dresa had long neglected the Military and in the 1785 Budget reduced their spending to around 1.2% of GDP.
Chief Of Staff Harold Gaunt alongside many other members of the Young Officers would officially surround the Offices Of Galmland blockading the Government District from any loyalists arriving. Gaunt would arrest Dresa and the Intelligence Services would attempt to assassinate Gaunt while heavy fighting took place between the Viceroy's Guard and the 1st Army in Central Kapitalpolis. Sondland would be officially freed from Exile and Gaunt would appear on Galmish Media and speak to the people stating:
"The Viceroy Of this nation is no longer fit to uphold the: rights, liberty, and freedoms of the Galmish People. As such, other members of the honourable armed forces have removed former Viceroy Dresa and the situation is now under control, Myself and I will now be appointing a special committee to oversee all operations moving forward. Thank You" - Chief Of Staff Harold Gaunt, 1786.
Lits And the New Age.
The Committee would act quickly, appointing "Dewald Lits" a former Justice Minister to become acting Viceroy while elections would be scheduled for Late January 1787, At this time the Committee alongside the UGP and JPP would dismantle the Acts of Dresa, and the nation would return to a functioning democracy, while the economy would still stagnate with international partners cutting trade ties to the nation due to nationalisation and instability. However with the return of stability and authoritarian acts removed, international support would return and the elections would end in an FJP-UGP Coalition stomping the SPG, National Rally, BDP, SSP and all of the independents who ran in the election. Before the election, the Supreme Court would be strengthened with now eight seats on the bench and the four parties who received the most votes would be allowed to have two seats in the judiciary.
Dewald Lits would also quickly reform the economic development of the nation, increasing privatization and local business growth would continue in cities like Draven, as Taxes would be reduced to increase growth. However taxes on larger corporations would be raised to quickly balance to government budget, with the final 1789 budget running the government a deficit of around 230,000,000 Galmish Gen. With this massive debt but higher growth than any others in the GFTA, taxes would be increased on consumer goods, like tobacco and alcohol. However with a higher industrial capacity and production line increasing Galmland's economic reach. Dewald would also enact electoral reforms and would in partnership with the FJP, give regional autonomy to the city of Bludianstad, and the wider region.
The Nationalists within the Senate and the National Rally party would quickly grow in influence with a majority of the population not supporting the radical reforms of the FJP-UGP. In Cities Like Draven and Kapitalpolis, protests would increase with the nation and the police and judiciary would have the budget raised to deal with the crisis and the newly formed Anti-Corruption-Force would be placed under the judiciary. Economic growth would begin to fall with the riots and protests against the reforms ever-growing. Dewald Lits would call for peace among the people of Galmland.
“We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The holy bond of peace will swell once we hand ourselves back to prosperity. I ask that the proud sons and daughters, friends, of our great nation, come together in unity and peace." -Dewald Lits 1790 Speech.
Galmish members of the Senate would attempt to impeach Dewald on several occasions, however they all failed due to the strong 190 coalition government they had formed. Dewald continued to enact privatisation measures to prevent a major debt crisis and the 1790 budget ended with a surplus of 20.000.000 Gen. However this came at a cost of massive austerity measures and welfare decreases to save the economy and the nation's credit. The Privatisation of the GSC would be massively controversial as Dewald would sell a 49% stake in the company and lose 40 seats in the Senate as conservatives would leave the government in droves. However, the government and the nation as a whole would suffer a massive loss. On October 11th 1790, During a campaign speech in Draven, Security agents informed Lits about the discovery of Sondland's body in the Southern Ocean and a sunken civilian cruiser. He was also informed about a letter found on Sondland's body, with the Bludian Legion's involvement in the death of the father of the nation. Conservatives, nationalists, and even liberals in the Senate called for the destruction of the Bludian Legion. The "State Defence Act Of 1790" was passed giving the Interior Ministry an emergency grant of 10.000.000 Gen to equip new units and 2.000 Agents were sent to Bludianstad.
Bludianstad would be placed under martial law and over 4.000 Bludan citizens were arrested in connection to the Legion, and the bombing of Arthur's Dam would occur after the martial law was put in place. The Interior Ministry would also quickly send in agents to Kapitalpolis and a "Search and Seize" policy was put in place with all trade leading into the city. Several arms caches would be found and their "Customers" would be arrested shortly after. The Legion would do mass propaganda to get the city and region on the side. However with the death of Sondland, even liberals would refuse to back them publicly, and only the region of Dunemire was somewhat influenced. Arthur Dam would continue to be attacked considering the massive energy power it held over the region and the nation as a whole. Dewald Lits would authorise Article 91 of the constitution. "The Military and the Honourable members of the armed forces may act on behalf of the Interior if the needs of the state demand of it, The Military will not be allowed to act on behalf of the Interior unless the Article is backed by a Senate Majority, The Article has to be voted to continue every two months or at the admission of the Viceroy and the Permanent Chair of the General Staff" The Senate would pass on the Article and the Galmish Armed forces officially entered Arthur Dam. Shelling Legion positions and many civilians would be forced to leave. Dewald would visit the small border town of "Arthuram" and the Legion would attempt to assassinate him by bullets, Lits would be quickly sent out of the town and the Rythenhall Border Guards would block all access to refugees entering the north.
The Galmish Armed Forces would kill or arrest over 5.000 members of the Legion, massively destroying the Legion's numbers and equipment supplies. However, protests within the region would begin to spill outside, even into Posimont. The People would demand that the Military back down, however with the Leadership of the Legion now being within their grasp. Dewald would call for a vote to expand Article 91 for another two months. Despite the massive public opinion against it, the vote would pass with 165/135 votes in the Senate, and the leadership of the Legion would be captured in Arthuram while trying to flee to the Merchants of Aoneg. However, with the Article still active, the Military was still active in Bludianstad and the wider Dunemire region. The Military would enact policies to scare the Bludan people straight. Harold Gaunt would continue to demand the Senate enact the Article again, however, with the population actively voicing against it, and the election of 1791 starting in three months, the Senate overturned the Article in a 209/91 vote. Many believed that Gaunt would coup Dewald, however, Gaunt understanding the need for peace and the end of the Legion, backed down and resigned as head of the General Staff.
With the violence in the region over and the election of 1791 changing the Senate massively, the National Unity Party, Workers Party, Dunemire People's Party, and the Sons Of The Revolution, steamrolled the government in the election. The UGP-FJP would just barely hold a majority, only holding 152 Seats in the Senate, and with many conservatives and even some liberals trying to leave the bloc, once the election season fully ended, the coalition would lose 28 seats. Now only hold 124, losing their majority. Economically however with the markets ever growing and the newly established "Kapitalpolis Capital Exchange" the markets would become far more liberal and economic growth would spike to 4% growth in 6 months. Economic development projects would begin in all of the regions, with new highways and railways being made to connect the regions and stimulate growth. The massive railway between Draven and Bludianstad would be completed at the end of 1792.
Galmish economic growth would continue to grow massively as the Oligarchs would be kept in check by the Anti Corruption Taskforce developed in 1789 and a massive tax break for industrial conglomerates would create the single largest amount of job growth ever scene in the nation. The GFTA increased trade massively and trade with the Xian people would increase quickly after the discovery of massive gold reserves in the Po Valley. All of the colonial powers in the region would attempt to seize this Valley, however knowing that if one side took it, it would spark a major conflict, all sides decided to back down, leaving the Xian people to the largest gold deposits ever found on the continent.
“A Fateful Night.”
Erua Island January 3rd 1787. Sondland awakes from a long sleep the day is long gone, but the boat is here. A large steam cruiser outfitted with gold trimmings and the latest maritime design, a boat fit for exploration. Sondland took his chrome-lined trunk out from beneath him, packed with the essentials and Galmish toffee. Approaching the steamer, a short portly man, Bludian by his appearance, asked.
"Are you sure? You're a Hero of this nation, your blood and sweat, made this state." Sondland gently nodded his head. The man turned and gestured for Sondland to enter the steamer. It was well equipped with large living quarters and an extensive cabin network filled only by him. Sondland headed into the largest Cabin with the markings "Singura Noastră Putere" carved into the wooden side door of the cabin. It sprawled out in front of him, with a large ottoman and hanging plants from side to side. The Portly man hit the door with four sharp knocks and asked “Are you ready to go, We have a long trip ahead of us to reach the island” Sondland swung open the door and nodded, the man turned and climbed the mahogany stairs to the top of the deck.
Regatul Bătrânilor also known as the "Golden Isles" was a hidden archipelago somewhere near the Southern Gap. It had been discovered by the famous Rengali author Elliot Allen, who supposedly visited the Isles in 1689. Allen wrote about an island made of Gold, with sprawling mountains and luscious land for farming. Many nations and empires would send colonists and explorers to find Regatul, however, none could find it even after nearly a century. Sondland believed in the myth and wanted to adventure across the world instead of being on Eura Island. Sondland had visited Allen to find a map of the region, However, Allen could not produce the map, leaving Sondland to find the island alone.
Sondland had now spent three days at sea, and there was no turning back, Regatul Bătrânilor was a mythical island some thought never existed, but in his retirement, Sondland knew that it had to be real. Sondland dragged a smoke and placed the Aippo Lighter pocket. It was only when a letter had been found under his cotton pillow that he understood what he had just done. It was a brownish-golden letter addressed to him, its blood-red wax seal had been placed, locking him out of the treasury that the paper contained. Sondland opened in, and inside it all made sense.
“The Words That Changed Everything”
Dear, George Santos Sondland
We hope this letter finds you at ease somewhere in the middle of the Southern sea. We understand that you have left our company in Galmland, We do not wish you harm at all, but do wish that you return in kind, lay down your arms and we will meet you in such, but persist and treason will meet the noose around your necks. We do not wish to hurt you, but we the people of your great nation have decided it best to take the situation into our own hands. Our Oppression had begun that faithful day, Our lives began that faithful day, you took everything from us, our families, our lives, our freedom. All People, Under The Law, Are Considered To Have Liberty, Freedom, and Peace. We do not believe that you have given these exclusive freedoms to us. Galmish Blood will be spilt until you return and we will not stop until every city knows our oppression, from education to health, to the freedom of our people. We do not wish to hurt you, but we have to hurt you.
Yours Always, Bludian Legion.
He placed the letter down and recoiled as a painful graze on the back of his neck had just been felt, then darkness.
23 11月 2024 21:54
First Character Lore :)
24 11月 2024 14:52
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