General SenojNai field reports (2)

[DribNairb]

The following military reports have now been declassified. While war is still ongoing, each report is subject to rigourous censorship. I will endeavor to provide each as soon as their publication will not cause harm to our brave frontline troops.

SmailliwMot, chief historian and librarian.

"
Following research by a priestess in France, my leader DribNairb has ordered me to draw up plans for an immediate attack on our northern neighbours. I am to co-ordinate with generals from Skarsgardia and the Catfish Confederation while deferring to French leaders. This poses major logistical problems and given the timeframe imposed I am unsure if this is a wise move. I will endeavour to provide the best possible plan in the circumstances. I am sure the reasons for the restricted terms are just but I will leave it to others to document the causes of war.
"

[DribNairb]

I now have more information on the circumstances for this war. French generals have proposed an outline of a plan (Operation Koddo) to invade the dokko. They intend to destroy all access to military grade resources such as Iron and Copper. Apparently they have low level operatives inside dokko territory who have remained undetected for some time. This should give a significant tactical advantage in the early stages of war. France has also confirmed they have an ally in the Arctic Nomads.

However I have concerns that the plans do not go far enough and have requested further information from all involved.

[DribNairb]

My leader has given permission for large numbers of military units to move through our lands from the nations of Skarsgardia and the Catfish Confederation. Secrecy is of the utmost importance, so they will mostly move in small groups. Meanwhile Founders forces are being trained by senior soldiers from the previous war against our western neighbours.

dokko technology appears to be malevolent. We are unsure as to their telepathic ability and are concerned that our own troops may turn on one another if any of the rumours about dokko experiments are true. Therefore speed is of the utmost importance.

Outlying dokko cities must be taken in a first strike. Skarsgardia is tasked with taking Shuppen. The Founders will split into two forces to take the cities of Sjokolade and Sot. Sjokolade is important to the success of the entire mission. French spies are unable to penetrate the camps housing the giant elephants. Should these be utilised as a military force by the dokko we would be at a significant disadvantage.

The jungle along the northern borders of our empire will provide ample cover enabling troops to gather without fear of detection.

In the north, France and the Nomads will direct their forces towards taking Syltetoy and Plopp. Cover is more sparse up there though, and the element of surprise may be partially lost. However, we have little choice and our allies appear confidence in their own abilities.

[DribNairb]

The Catfish Confederation has confirmed they will be joining in the strike on the dokko. Their forces are depleted from years of war, but will reinforce The Founders and Skarsgardia where needed. I have requested some of their forces join the attack on Sot since I have directed a larger strikeforce towards Syltetoy given it's significance in the mission.

[DribNairb]

French spies have reported that the dokko military is surprisingly weak. They lack the tools to build even simple weapons such as bows and arrows. This appears to have appeased many troubles of the leaders of other nations. However, I am concerned that dokko research can be re-routed to military technology at any time. Their teaching methods are very fast - even supernatural - possibly due to their telepathy. Founders intelligence on our neighbours is very limited, but we have unconfirmed reports that handheld projectile weaponry may be their next breakthrough. We also believe they attempting to reach an 'enlightened' state of meditation, which could boost their research significantly.

[DribNairb]

The coalition attempts to co-ordinate such a difficult military operation are falling short. Time is running out and 2 messengers to the Arctic Nomads have not returned. France has confirmed they will attempt to take the city of Plopp, but Syltetoy will be too much in the timetable we have.
Catfish troops are on their way but I fear will not arrive at the frontline in time. Skarsgardian troops look impressive in numbers but are known to be vulnerable to enemy maces should they deploy them.
The element of surprise will be our only advantage but I am not sure if it will be enough. My personal feeling is that we should postpone until we are more prepared. However, such a delay to the operation could prove catastrophic.

I have conveyed these concerns to my leader. He has asked that I defer to the French premier general in this difficult decision since they are the leader of the allies. I await the final order to attack...

[DribNairb]

The operation will go ahead on the planned date - 150AD. France has confirmed they will be ready. Nomads will not make it into french territory in time, but will instead direct towards the western city of Kyss. I am unsure of it's military significance, but due to the difficulty in communicating with them I have bowed to my leaders request and left their strategy to be coordinated by The French.

The first few hours will be crucial. The plan is sound, but our execution will be the real test.

[DribNairb]

I have left standing orders with my generals to attack at dusk. I have received similar confirmation from Skarsgardia but know little about the situation with our northern allies. Once war is official communication will become even more troublesome. We cannot see far enough into enemy territory to determine if the French spies have been successful with their mission in the mines, but must proceed under that assumption.

[DribNairb]

The morning sun rises and reports are finally arriving.
French spies were successful in their endeavours. The enemy has limited ability to forge weaponry.
They also report taking control of the city of Plopp.
Skarsgardia reports minimal resistance in the city of Shuppen. Their troops marched through the jungle and arrived at the city boundaries unopposed.
Founders mounted division have taken control of the city of Sjokolade - and most importantly the elephant camps. Workers have been drafted to make temporary roads to move our catapults and allow quick marching of the main Founders army. However, losses were heavier than expected. Men from the first wave report almost zombie-like fighting from enemy defenders. Despite obvious disadvantages and continuous requests for them to lay down arms the dokko soliders said nothing and merely fought with an aggression not seen in any previous skirmishes. Such brainwashing may become par for the course and I expect to come across much greater resistance as the war goes on.
The city of Sot will also fall tonight. The route to this city was slightly longer and consisted of more jungle. While preserving the element of surprise this has slowed progress but I am confident of our success.

[DribNairb]

Sot is now under our control. However, just before the attack commenced dokko reinforcements arrived. Their iron maces are very powerful and are a cause for concern. Only after the strike was completed did we discover that a shipment of iron from america had arrived only hours before.

Founders diplomats have been dispatched to resolve the situation.

After a brief period of rest our forces will move onwards. However, our numbers are depleted far more than originally anticipated due to the actions of the americans.

[DribNairb]

 have received word of diplomatic achievements from Founders embassadors. It seems *************** agreements have been ******* due to offers of ****** from The Founders *********.

Ordinarily such special treatment is reserved for those who follow The Path. However, times are hard and such methods have been applied to ensure the survival of our nation. I hope this means the last shipment of iron from the west has been and gone.

[DribNairb]

My initial cause for optimism has now left me. The initial strike plan had gone according to plan, albeit with a few more casualties than I would have liked.
However, we now know the enemy has access to iron and despite our best efforts these military resources are still somehow getting through. America seems reluctant to accept that their role here is cause for worldly concern.

Arctic nomads are much further away from the frontline than I had previously understood. Their attack on Kyss will not come for sometime yet.

France has reported heavy losses outside the city of Syltetoy and they have aborted their attack. American iron has caused the deaths of many French soliders. This act will not be taken lightly.

Skarsgardian forces appear overconfident in their ability to take Titt Tei. It is now heavily defended by macemen. I do not believe the Skarsgardian military has yet to face such a powerful foe. It is my belief they will not succeed if they attack without backup. Only a single squadron of Founders forces has maintained pace with them and will offer little in the way of assistance.

The city of Borte Borte was the next target for The Founders. In a pincer movement, the two forces which attacked during the initial strike will converge on the city. However, upon arrival we have found much greater resistance than anticipated. Again, the arrival of American iron has allowed the enemy to equip troops more quickly than expected.

I must retire and contemplate our next move. I have dispatched messengers to our allies but I fear their messages may not get through. The challenges we must face on The Path are not over yet.

[DribNairb]

Following brief discussions via mounted messengers the coalition has decided to postpone further city attacks. Reinforcements (which I would have preferred be available in the initial strike) are now arriving. Skarsgardian forces will join with Founders and Catfish troops to take the city of Borte Borte. Resistance will grow by the day, but we will succeed - it is decreed by The Path.

[DribNairb]

The time has finally arrived. Our new trebuchet seige units are a very powerful tool in initial strikes on enemy fortifications. The assault was a success with acceptable casualties. Again though, enemy defenders were like zombies in their unwillingness to stand down even in the face of impossible odds. The few survivors have been taken away to be treated and so that we may try to understand what happened to them.

As we walk through the streets it becomes obvious that much of this once thriving city has been abandoned. At first I would have thought the citizens merely left as the fighting began. However, further investigation reveals a much more sinister truth. Men, women and children have been in forced labour to craft tools and to train to fight.

After several days a small number of survivors have spoken of their ordeal. Each tells the same story - dokko troops arrived in the city and enforced a military rule. All townsfolk were required to work day and night with little sleep. Everything was geared for war. Training camps were set up at the end of each street. All who entered them came out a different person with a single purpose. The survivors managed to avoid going into the camps because their skills were needed elsewhere. Not one man, woman or child who entered the camp is alive today to tell the tale.

This is in stark contrast to the cities of Sot and Sjokolade. Here the dokko were taken by surprise and had no chance to setup such training camps. Obviously there was some initial hostility by a minority of natives. But even they have come to recognise the benefits of following The Path and believing The Truth. The cities are now thriving and happiness is clear to see in all the citizens.

[DribNairb]

Our troops will now push onto the capital city of Dokko By. This city appears to be the hub of dokko communication and research. We hope that losing control of such an important city will cause the dokko military to capitulate at their futile efforts. However, I do not hold out much hope for this for I am now certain the military in the dokko empire is controlled by a small number of highly specialised telepaths.

Quite who and where they are I do not know, but they must be stopped.

[DribNairb]

Resistance is much weaker than expected. The dokko leader is nowhere to be found. Those who still have the capability of their own thoughts say their leader disappeared days ago. Perhaps hiding on an island retreat.

In a hurried but well executed plan, French and Founders forces took control of the city. A small miscommunication meant Founders forces arrived at the heart of the city first, but control is now entirely in the hands of The French.

Out attention is now drawn to the outlying cities of Syltetoy, Titt tei and Tiden Flyr. With the central hub now out of enemy hands their war effort will be restricted. But their telepathy likely means the lack of road routes is only a physical setback. I can only hope the control over the citizens is weakened as the citizens of dokko improve their lives under Founders rule.

[DribNairb]

As coalition forces converge on Syltetoy it becomes apparent that enemy resistance is declining.

The city which caused such headaches at the beginning of the war and depleted French forces is now under the control of the Nomads. There was obviously a small amount of resistance, but in only a few days the citizens stopped revolting and joined their new government with glee. We expect a similar story in Titt tei as we move on there.

The outlying island cities will be the final challenge. Resistance may be greater as we expect to find the telepaths there and word of the happiness of the conquered cities is likely to have been kept from the citizens.

[DribNairb]

Indeed I was right. The city of Titt tei is now under coalition control. Resistance was minimal - the citizens begged us to let them join our kin. But The Founders have taken on huge numbers of dokko citizens and resources are stretched thin. Skarsgardia has volunteered to make government. The people will still learn of The Path and The Truth and in time they will be happy and peaceful.

Tiden flyr is expected to have a similar story.