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Post by Artsy Astra on Dec 15, 2022 5:43:41 GMT -5
A boy and his father slowly paddled out into the blue for a day of fishing. A pleasant day on the water was in store for them, the sea's beauty and bounties awaited them. Upon their return home though, they returned to a city in tatters. Within their 3-hour fishing trip, the city had been decimated by an earthquake and its effects had yet to end. As they entered the tattered port to get home and check on their family, the Tsunami appeared on the horizon. The boy was the first to noticing having realized the birds had stopped their calls, looking around he happened to glance back at the ocean and tugged at his fathers sleeve. "Papa?"
It was still a few minutes out but it could distinctly be seen on the horizon. Upon seeing this the mans eyes widened, he picked his son up and began a dead sprint to his home all the while the imposing wall of blue drew closer and closer. As they grew closer to home, the destruction was further shown to them, the port and accompanying city had been trashed completely and the countryside was no better. Their home was completely leveled, the thatch and wood stood no chance. With tears in his eyes the man turned to what was left of the barn in hopes that one of the horses still remained. He placed his son on the back and quickly mounted the horse and whipped it into a canter. As the man began to diminish into a dot on the horizon, the Tsunami hit. Buildings that were not already shaken to rubble were smacked by the mass of water and began toppling, those that survived the initial force were destroyed by the slurry of debris peppering their bases. Streets filled with disoriented people were swept clean as the wave claimed them.
The whole island of Ryuku was shaken and any semblance of civilization reduced to rubble with very few traces in the higher elevated areas only taking damage from the earthquake. The coast and most of the inland was completely leveled.
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Post by aimway921 on Dec 17, 2022 1:24:11 GMT -5
Baron Churko te Virun'ko-Eyriesky has woken up quite late on this fateful day. A terrible hangover has plagued him, after a long night of partying with his court, celebrating a victory petty victory over his cousin, Baron Artim te Virun'ko-Eriesky, by convincing the local councils that a few of Erie rice fields actually belonged to Eyrie. The citizens of the two provinces hated each other almost as much as the two cousin Barons governing them, and it even came to blows every now and then, although most of that hatred came out of loyalty to their lord.
Churko has been awoken by dust and small pieces of plaster from his bedroom's ceiling falling on his face. As he was snapped into consciousness, bewildered by the event, he stood up from the bed and was about to call for his servants to explain what the hell was going on - but froze in his tracks. He wasn't sure if it was his hangover, but he could swear that the floor under him was vibrating. The feeling didn't last long - 10 seconds at most. Looking around him, he began noticing the chaos that developed in his room. Several paintings fell from the walls. Cracks ran across the ceiling's plaster, and most worryingly, the wall containing a window looking into the inner courtyard of the castle, which was made thinner than almost every other wall in the castle to accommodate easily accessible windows, has a large crack spanning from the corner of the windowsill to the floor.
Walking up to it to inspect the crack, he glanced out the window, and that's when he saw it. The courtyard was in disarray. Several trees had been knocked down, and most of the newer wooden and brick buildings retrofitted into the castle over the last couple decades were in ruins. It was clearly an earthquake. Churko thanked the spirits that he was in one of the most secure rooms in the castle, not counting the donjon. The ancient stone walls were built long before architects figured out how to be more precise in their calculations, and thus many foundations ran much deeper, and walls were much thicker, than they would ever need to be, just in case the building would get too big and tall, and thus too heavy. This created the unintentional but beneficial side effect of being pretty good at withstanding earthquakes - at least if the epicenter wasn't too close by.
His eyes then focused onto something in the distance. The castle was just a bit over 10 miles away from the coast, situated on a mountain. Down below, hugging the coast, was the city of Eyrie - his provincial capital. While the city was too far away to make out details, he could clearly see the huge clouds of smoke rising from it. Although rather quickly, he noticed the columns of smoke getting snuffed out. Baffled at first, he remembered a harsh realities. On islands, where ocean is nearby, if an earthquake hits - tsunamis will always follow. He once again thanked the spirits, realizing he would likely be dead by now if he had not decided to postpone his move from the old familial castle into the city.
Snapping back to reality, however, he remembered that, well, he was not the only one here. What kind of a governor would he be, if he wouldn't concern himself with the wellbeing of his subjects. Quickly getting dressed into the most basic of clothing, just his shirt, trousers and waistcoat, not even bothering with an outer coat or a hat to appear more formal, he stormed out of his room. Immediately he called for his steward, asking for a rundown of the situation. How bad were the damages? In the castle, things were rathe obvious. Pretty much everything not in or too close to the smaller addon-on structures was safe. Several horses that were not inside the stables when they collapsed, two trucks and a car that were parked outside were a good start. Servants were quickly ordered to mount the horses and survey the countryside, while the Baron's personal doctor was told to load up medical supplies onto the trucks. Churko himself would join the doctor on an incursion into the ruined city of Eyrie.
Meanwhile, the situation in Eirie was very similar. Churko's cousin, Baron Artim te Virun'ko-Eriesky was awake for most of the day, and at the time of the earthquake was on a walk in a park in his personal grounds. He lived in a more modern countryside estate than his cousin's castle, and it wasn't as lucky, though certainly luckier than the cities by the shoreline. Similarly located on a higher elevation and inland, it was untouched by the tsunami, however the quake has completely crumbled one of the estates wings, and considerably rattled the rest of the building. The city down below was brought to ruin just as much as Eyirie was.
This member of the Virun'ko family was a bit more callous than his cousin, however - which didn't win him any favors. No wonder Churko's subtle land grabs like the one yesterday were often successful. And even now, he was more worried about his own estate more than anything else. Unlike Churko, who almost immediately organized an effort to help his citizens, although very small at first since he had no way of contacting local police, medical and military forces at the very beginning, so it consisted mostly of himself, his court and his servants, Artim meanwhile rallied his servants to save what remained of his estate. The municipal services of Eirie would have to pull rescue efforts of the citizens by themselves for now, with no support of their governor.
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Post by Artsy Astra on Jan 23, 2023 4:27:53 GMT -5
As Baron Churko's truck descended from the castle's elevated position, he was able to fully drink in the destruction the planet had wrought upon his people. Once sprawling structures and beautiful wooden creations now lie in rubble bodies occasionally appearing in the sea of jagged concrete. Even as the devastating even itself had subsided, things were far from over. After shocks struck the Baron and his men as they attempted to approach the city further but did not last long. What remained of the walls of slurry and debris now simply filled the remains of the streets. Pressure differentials causing small currents where possible. It was nothing other than a total mess. Even still, his men began rendering aide to those they could find and searching the rubble for survivors. The Baron himself among them picking through trashed building after building saving who they could. Soon he was finally able to contact the full government for further support but it would take time. He dispatched an entourage to his cousins portion to attempt and coordinate what they could. The Churko was met with initial resistance to his efforts, but they couldn't sway him from assisting nor could they turn an extra hand away. He was met with bewilderment but also joy and genuine thankfulness as the people began to see him as more than just a Baron.
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Baron Artim's lack of effort did not go unnoticed as what remained of his portions EMS worked without overhead organization. This lead to many mistakes before they worked out a reserve power structure, and some of those mistakes cost people their lives. As the city below the estate crumbled and decayed under his absent gaze, the Estate was almost fully evacuated of his valuables and loaded into trucks and carts drawn by horse. A few servants were lost in a collapse as books and clothing were being hauled out and all he could do was bemoan over the gore and the loss of his favorite suit. Eventually Churko's dispatched men would begin mingling and organizing with the EMS who were left without a clue and a proper effort would begin without the main governments support. The word of no Artim only grew contempt especially with those who had fought in Ferville and returned home, having felt even further cheated. The milk and honey their compatriots in Tafatu they had fought for were not enjoyed by them and murmurs would begin. "He still has yet to arrive? Would he not have tried to see to his people? To come to their aide in a time of need like this?" A man said with some of his friends, "Baron Churko is down with us here and now. He is the one deserving of governance here."
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As the energy depleted Tsunami reached Elenrian shores, many people enjoyed a larger than normal wave with some nice cast off waves along side it. Some Kumo were even seen surfing as the weary waves continued to ride in generating a hotspot of joy before they finally petered out.
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Post by aimway921 on Feb 17, 2023 23:14:48 GMT -5
In the first few days, Churko along with his men have managed to rally the local law enforcement from the ruined city and it's suburbs, along with anyone who volunteered, to form organized search and rescue parties. Building by building they would begin to comb through the once sprawling city looking for survivors - anyone found being able to walk would be told where to go for safety and refuge, who can't would be carried the same direction, dead bodies would be marked for future recovery. The greatest difficulty and most time consuming stops would be those where someone would be found stuck under the rubble. In most cases it would take 5-10 men anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to take apart the rubble from a single building to rescue all those trapped inside. It was a miracle anyone survived under the rubble in the first place, as the flood of water form the tsunami would surely be a death sentence for most who couldn't get out from down below.
On the 5th day, Baron Churko finally addressed the crowd. Walking out on his balcony in the castle, overlooking the castle courtyard where he has organized a refugee camp, he informed that while his men and the local officials are doing everything in their power, he shall travel to the capital, Kyograd, to get further support from the Imperial Government.
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With all of his belongings gathered, Artim retreated to his hunting reserve far inland of the island. Only on the 4th day after the disaster did he sent out men to see how the recovery efforts in the town is going, and to assist the local officials if they need it. It was not long until they ran into some of Churko's men, and it did not take long until an argument erupted into a fight. Some Eirians, still blindly loyal to their baron, seeing that Artim did indeed send someone to help in time of need, came to their defense, while others, who over the last several days became disillusioned to their liege's actions, sprung to the support of Churko's people. What started as a fight between about 10 people grew into a brawl of several dozen.
There seemed, however, a third group. Comprised mostly of veterans of the Tafatu Liberation War, they saw what was happening for what it was: petty squabbling over who's boot they'll prefer to lick. The veterans, seeing that no support is coming, have organized themselves rather efficiently, with those who used to be officers sharing responsibilities of leaders, and those who used to be privates and corporals did what they did best - follow orders of their superiors. They have quickly began their own operation on search and rescue, and people noticed - a great number, especially among the local law enforcement, have chosen to join their group instead of bickering over the nobles.
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Post by Greywall on Feb 18, 2023 20:53:04 GMT -5
After several hours with the bickering still ongoing, one of the barons men reported to Churko about the veterans efforts. How they were inspiring the locals to action, without him, his fur became stiff and bristled with anger. “I did not approve of this! Arrest those men!” His men looked in confusion, “sir they’re veterans of th-“ Churko waved his hand dismissively, “I do not care, nothing happens without my say so! The people need to know they need their Baron. Go stop them.”
A group of armed men under the Baron would make their way toward main group of veterans, many of them with unsure and honestly, unwilling looks about them. They were simple guards to an aristocrat now confronting trained battle hardened Ashinarian soldiers. “Cease this action at once, by order of Baron Churko! You are violating the law his lordship, those of you in charge of this act of looting and destruction of the baron’s property are to come with us now.” The head guard was a boisterous ashinarian fox, broad shouldered and rather handsome but he was sell out to the Ashinarian military. He took the Barons money over service to country and had been bullying the local people in Churko’s name for several years. “Did you hear me?! Cease this now!”
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Post by aimway921 on Feb 19, 2023 1:24:31 GMT -5
The officer leading the veterans was a Lieutenant or Poruchnik in Ashinaran, recognizable by the old uniform he wore. Oleksa Chuchupak was his name. While the veterans- most of whom took out and put on their old uniform, in a symbolic gesture to show that the Royal Army serves the people of Ashinara no matter what - didn't have access to any firearms, as per Ashinaran law, they did have one thing that the Baron's guards didn't is skill. About a dozen of the veterans were from the 5th Infantry Regiment. The very unit that commenced the final melee charge that drove the Union soldiers out of the central plaza of Le Troi during Ashinara's first battle in the Tafatu Liberation War. If there was anything they knew how to do, it's to fight hand-to-hand against overwhelming numbers. Of them, however, only Chuchupak himself was armed - with his saber that he was allowed to keep as an officer. After all, weapons are not much use when you're digging people from under rubble. What the other men had, however, were tools that could be used as weapons. Several had axes to chop through wooden framing. Some had pickaxes to break concrete and clay walls into smaller pieces that could be moved easier. A number of them also had heavy steel crowbars to leverage the rubble.
"Well well well, if it isn't the local town bully and his mother's shame, Burchenko?" Chuchupak adressed the head guard. "You come here in our homes to what? Stop us from fixing them up after they were destroyed? I'm sorry, did his lordship," he pronounced the title with audible disgust, "forget to extort his tribute on the building materials?" To add to the display of how he is discussed by the Baron's and his lackeys actions, he spat on the ground right in front of Burchenko's feet. "Looting and destruction of property, have you heard this overgrown child?" he said, as the men around laughed - some because they genuinely find the insult funny, and some to add salt to the wound. "Do you even use your head for thinking, or just to drink mead into it?"
Sensing that a fight is about to break out, one of the witnesses of the scene quietly backed away until he was sure no one was paying attention to him and ran off. Knowing that the local Gendarmes were on the veterans side, he ran to get them, as they actually had real weapons - even if they were merely revolvers.
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Post by Greywall on Feb 19, 2023 1:57:11 GMT -5
Artim’s lead guard bared his fangs, “you dirty cur, your fur stinks of unwarranted self importance. You should be ashamed speaking to a Baron’s head guard like this. You will kneel, bow your head and beg forgiveness before I punish you worthless rabble.”
The head guard looked around seeing the other veterans holding their tools, he grabbed his baton and barked loudly “BOW YOUR HEAD!”
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Post by aimway921 on Feb 19, 2023 2:11:19 GMT -5
"You want me to bow... in front of you?" Chuchupak said, faking bewilderment. "Well, if his magnificent excellence, most important serf."
Not giving Burchenko the time to react to the insult, Chuchupak raised his hand to his forehead to begin executing the traditional Ashinaran bow, not even stepping back from Burchenko far enough to have enough room to bow forward - and suddenly slammed his forehead into Burchenko's nose, concaving it into his face. Stepping back right after the headbutt, Chuchupak drew his saber.
"Come on boys! Show them what the Royal Army can do!" he shouted to his comrades. While they were initially shocked from the sudden action, they quickly raised their tools. On an instinctual level they shouted the banzai charge battlecry "URA!" as they charged at the remaining guards.
Meanwhile, the guy who ran off earlier found 3 Gendarmes, all of whom were armed with their revolvers. They have began their way towards the scene of the fight, but through the rubbled streets, it would take them about 5 minutes to make it.
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Post by aimway921 on Mar 1, 2023 14:15:05 GMT -5
As the potential rebellion was brewing in Antin's province, Churko was already in Kyograd. He had went to appeal to the Queen that his island needed help, and it needed it now.
As he exited the meeting, he could only thank the spirits. As luck would have it, just a day earlier, Gaelia has sent a package of help for the recovery. 7 million pounds, 200 tons of food, 200 tons of medical aid and 1000 tons of construction materials, which would be equally divided between the two provinces on the island.
That was the catch. Half of the aid is going to go to his good-for-nothing cousin, who is for sure going to embezzle it all. Unfortunately, the young Queen was too goodhearted to believe that anyone could be THAT inhumane to their own subjects. Besides, the materials were already on their way to the island in two separate ships, one headed to either of the provinces. The Minister of Internal Affairs, meanwhile, handed Churko a stack of specially designed checks, half of which he was asked to deliver to Artim. These checks were to be used to request required materials above what the Gaelians have sent, and shall be paid for from the pool of 7 million pounds - the money itself shall be kept in the Royal Treasury. At least this gave Churko some peace on his soul - however minimal, at least this was one insurance against Artim's possible embezzlement attempts - the requests by the checks will have to go through the Minister of Interior before they are approved.
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