tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17920136807502332022024-02-02T14:49:48.820-08:00Oronegro a land of warDaisy Gowan Ditchburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476802587483833107noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792013680750233202.post-13750220984984883272019-10-02T19:47:00.000-07:002019-10-02T19:47:00.578-07:00UPDATE: Changes inbound!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hi all so this post is slightly different than some of my previous ones. I have been thinking quite a bit about Oronegro and this project I have been working on for many years now. In short looking back there are some things I would like to change, others I want to keep. Some elements of the story line, particularly the 21st Civil War are going to be changed fundamentally if not scrapped entirely.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No models today so here's a cat.</td></tr>
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I am looking at changing the story up. New (and some ever present but inactive) factions are going to make an appearance. The map of the land, indeed the world, is going to change. I will start posting different types of stories. All that and much more. Oronegro has been and always will be a land of mystery, danger and adventure. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's one happy face. Ignore the mess in the background. That's not my room so not my responsibility haha</td></tr>
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Don't worry I am not going to fundamentally change what Oronegro is. Rather I want to change the story to better fit those characteristics that make Oronegro what it is. Some of the other things I want to change relate to creating a more believable history. I will keep some elements of utopianism to early Oronegro, I will also keep the fantasy elements. Rather I am looking at how I can take those elements but have them exist in a world where the human interactions, motivations and attitudes are just as reasonable as if this were an attempt at historical fiction. In addition I am going to use images differently. Many of those I linked were later removed so posts ended up full of broken images. I am looking at avoiding this occurring in future.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The perfect cat trap has been devised! This one is my room so critiquing the state of it is allowed.</td></tr>
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As you could imagine given that a substantial rewrite is in progress I am interested in <b>your suggestions and ideas</b>. Although Oronegro is very much my own project I never wanted it to be mine alone, where I the sole master and creator ruled over it all. Rather I had always hoped others would have their own piece of the world and took up threads of story and ran with them. I look forward to hearing from you all. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Except the spam comments which I finally dealt with, tougher measures in place to stop them now)</span><br />Oh and as I haven't done this in a while I give thanks to my new followers <b>Aidan,</b> <b>Baconfat, Maj. Guiscard and Sam Wise. </b>I know some of you have been following for quite some time but better late than never as they say. ;-D</div>
Daisy Gowan Ditchburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476802587483833107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792013680750233202.post-84030061770264248702019-04-18T22:19:00.002-07:002019-10-02T19:09:05.222-07:00General Atena Minervista<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last time we discussed the illustrious <a href="https://gowansoronegro.blogspot.com/2019/04/las-minervas-daughters-of-goddess.html" target="_blank">Las Minervas</a> the famed women of La Tierra del Diablo who, though not numerous made a significant mark on the military history of Oronegro. Today we shall look at one of Minerva's most famed daughters, Atena Minervista, who although she came from obscure origins was to rise to the highest ranks of the Oronegrean military.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atena was one of the few women to gain the rank of general within the Oronegrean military</td></tr>
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Atena was born into a poor artisan family, who, unable to support her gave her over to the priestesses of the goddess Minerva. Under the tutelage of the priestesses Atena demonstrated a particular propensity for classical history and excelled in all her areas of study. Upon her coming of age she, as with all girls presented to the temple, was submitted with the choice on how she would dedicate herself to Minerva henceforth. Much to the horror of the priestesses, who had expected her to take up a clerical role, Atena instead chose to take up the spear and join Las Minervistas. Although at first Atena struggled with the rigours of martial discipline, it was not long before she would demonstrate her skill.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sgt. Atena directs the Samurai as they prepare to leave his castle.</td></tr>
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It was on a mission to Japan, to secure the safe passage to Oronegro of a disgraced Samurai and his family that her tactical genius became apparent. The family and their attendants, escorted by Las Minervas were making their way down to the coast when they were ambushed by assassins. Atena, at the time a sergeant, noticed one of the mules head between two rocky outcrops and with quick thinking directed the party into the path. The winding track took them down to the shore where the boats awaited them. With only the loss of a few guards they were able to make their getaway.</div>
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It was at this point that their translator Jorge Zanja y Corriente revealed that he was not in fact a humble staff officer but in truth the head of Oronegro's refugee underground lifeline programme. Impressed Sgt. Atena's efforts he swore he would secure her a commission upon their safe return. So it was that at the age of 20 Atena became the Lt. Col. of the 1st cohort of the 21st regiment of foot Los Lobos (the wolves). It was with this unit that she had her first experience of large scale warfare while they served as mercenaries in Europe. During a siege she noticed some bandits harassing a mother with her children. Despite orders to remain in position she and a couple picked men rushed to the aid of the family chasing the bandits away and getting them to safety inside the town itself despite of risk of being attacked by the defenders. The town would surrender shortly after, with Lt. Col. Atena and the 21st Los Lobos ensuring that there was no looking or damage of civilian property.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lt. Col. Atena personally intervenes to save the family even in the midst of battle.</td></tr>
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After service in Europe she would return to Oronegro, now with the rank of Colonel. More important was her reputation, not only for her skill in command but also her personal bravery as well as the concern she showed not only to her own troops but all those she came across. </div>
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It was at this time that one of the native tribes allied to Oronegro was threatened by a large war host who were encroaching on their territory from the North. Colonel Atena's 21st Los Lobos, along with the 28th grenadiers San Francisco, and the 8th Las Minervas were dispached to assist the tribe. During the march through the jungle the army was ambushed, which lead to Col. Atena and one cohort being separated from the rest of the army. Extremely vulnerable to attack and with night spreading through the valley Col. Atena, with only the moon shining through the canopy to guide her was able to lead her soldiers back to the camp. The next day the army was to withdrawal to safer territory ceding ground to the warhost while reinforcements were brought in from La Ley.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The night march of the lost 200, was one of the defining moments of her career.</td></tr>
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During the months that followed a full legion, was amassed to return to fight the warhost. During this time the expeditions commander an elderly man named Fernando died dysentery. Due to unusual circumstances the chain of command was unclear so it was decided that the next commander would be decided by the vote of all 5,500 soldiers present. Much to the surprise the gentlemen officers and to the press Atena Minervista won that election by a significant margin. With her commission endorsed by the head secretary of the army, one Jorge Zanja y Corriente, General Atena Minervista became the second woman to achieve that rank in Oronegrean history.</div>
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Here concludes her story, her deeds and achievements after this time will no doubt be recorded elsewhere.</div>
Daisy Gowan Ditchburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476802587483833107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792013680750233202.post-36243838965834375572019-04-02T20:54:00.002-07:002019-10-02T19:09:05.138-07:00Las Minervas, daughters of the goddess, a history.<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>"Lágrimas de plomo" - "tears of lead" </i></b></div>
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<b><i>The Motto of Las Minervas</i></b></div>
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In the history of Oronegro there's one unit who stands out above the rest, indeed they do so quite literally. The 8th regiment of line, Las Minervas, from La Tierra del Diablo was one of the first units to be formalised during the founding of Oronegro's standing army. As with all these early regiments they were recruited from and garrisoned in one of Oronegro's major settlements, in this case La Tierra del Diablo which contests with La Ley the honour of being the first settlement established in Oronegro. La Tierra del Diablo is unlike any other settlement in Oronegro founded by witches, heretics and pagans the settlement is home to a few mysteries and people whisper of unspeakable horrors that stalk the streets on dark and misty nights.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Las Minervas may be unusual in many ways but too often foes have mistaken their apparent novelty for incompetence a mistake they rarely get to make twice.</td></tr>
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Such stories and the aversion to the religious beliefs and practises of La Tierra's inhabitants have been the source of much mistrust towards the settlement from Oronegro's other inhabitants. This mistrust is returned as it was known that the inquisition, ostensibly outlawed by the constitution was given free reign in many of Oronegro's cities. In this climate of mutual loathing and suspicion it should come as no surprise that when the time came for the formalisation of Oronegro's armed forces there were few volunteers from the militia of La Tierra del Diablo to establish a regiment. There was one exception however, the followers of Greco-Roman paganism, specifically those devoted to the goddess Minerva. According to the popular account it was an oracle who foretold how it would be the daughters of Minerva who would save the settlement in a time of great calamity. So it was that the daughters of La Tierra stood up and announced themselves as Oronegro's 8th regiment, Las Minervas, the daughters of Minerva.</div>
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Las Minervas occupied an odd position withing the Oronegrean military. On paper they were a line regiment, which normally would be composed of 1000 troops divided into two cohorts of 500 infantry, officers and other attached forces. Except Las Minervas never reached that size during their history. At their largest they numbered around 500, the size of a cohort. However, the most usually fielded for combat (in campaign that is, most remained behind to defend La Tierra, as per the prophesy) was around 120-150. Due to their small size they operated more as a century than a regiment. Numbers, however, are not everything and despite their small size in numbers they were exceptional in many ways. The first and immediately notable was their height. At an average height of 194cm or 6'4" they towered over their fellow soldiers. Indeed they were so well known for their height that Frederick William I of Prussia became obsessed with them, trying many times to kidnap the women of the regiment. He was unsuccessful, due to both the strength of the women who repeatedly fought off his hired thugs and by prudent measures put in place to guard the women when they were off duty.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosa Alexandra Minervista, the commander of Las Minervas, devoted to her sisters whom she commands and to her goddess. She is highly respected by both her fellow officers and by her foes.</td></tr>
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Unwanted attention of Prussian kings were not the only threats the unit faced. Their daring and bravery in battle along with their skill (and the terror they caused amongst their foes) brought the admiration of their fellow soldiers. They were known to stand firm even as the rest of the line crumbled around them. Officers from Las Minervas, all of them women, were known to become some of Oronegro's finest generals, the tales of whom should be familiar to any student of Oronegrean history. One of these women, Rosa Alexandra Minervista (Minervista being the name taken by those who fully devoted their lives to the goddess) would lead Las Minervas to reach the pinnacle of their prestige. Their achievements during her command will be accounted elsewhere. For now we shall conclude this history with a discussion of their final years.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Las Minervas were often paraded before visiting dignitaries. Many of whom were deeply impressed by these tall women. Their enemies were equally impressed by their skill in combat</td></tr>
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It can be said that Las Minervas represented the best of Oronegro's pre-independence culture. While the tolerance and acceptance of that society existed more on the pages of the constitution than in practice there were some instances of genuine progressive policy. The approval of the 8th Regiment, Las Minervas, into the ranks of the fledgling Oronegrean army was one of those. Where elsewhere women were being murdered on suspicion of witchcraft or being shunned for pursuing tasks seen as too masculine, these openly pagan women became the pride of a nation! A nation however, that was changing and lamentably was becoming less open to them. </div>
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During the civil war of the 1860s they fought the last of their battles. Taking the side of the Royal/anti-independence forces they stood against the nationalists who wanted to impose a more conservative order on Oronegro. They fought bravely until the end. Refusing to surrender they died defending La Tierra del Diablo. It was during this fight that they managed to kill Don Juan de San Antonio, leader of the nationalist forces who had sworn to wipe the heretical town from the face of the Earth. In so doing it was said that they did indeed fulfill the prophecy, for the new commander a man of a more gentle nature would not allow the civilians of La Tierra to come to harm. The victorious nationalist forces celebrated the rebirth of the nation. However, this new nation was not as welcoming as the old. There was no place in it for women soldiers, nor pagan soldiers. As such Las Minervas was formally disbanded and would not be officially reconstituted until the end of the Second Oronegrean Civil War in the mid 21st century.</div>
Daisy Gowan Ditchburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476802587483833107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792013680750233202.post-36691918724406138682016-12-05T20:10:00.002-08:002019-10-02T19:09:05.143-07:00Oronegrean Patrol ships - Naval history<div style="text-align: justify;">
Oronegro has always been a naval power. Right from the start it was the ships and boats of the settlers that enabled them to venture into the interior up Oronegro's many rivers and connected the many coastal settlements that were established. Roads were later built connecting these places, and later still railways also linked the growing towns (Oronegro being the first to both build steam engines and railways - a story for another day). However, water remained the main link between the settlements and these links needed constant protection.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9h2AWpKBooeYS3gSBEMSDf1Yo4HqVRoyYOljbSgnfXyIPT0HT59nsyv30-83lXHy6U0Gv5pvQUOhIcUOEQvxgBlFCFf4jYl__unjKf7H7vOhV6u0fcsQCC9H-qbS-ds_DZUPsNxEl8us/s1600/DSCF1483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9h2AWpKBooeYS3gSBEMSDf1Yo4HqVRoyYOljbSgnfXyIPT0HT59nsyv30-83lXHy6U0Gv5pvQUOhIcUOEQvxgBlFCFf4jYl__unjKf7H7vOhV6u0fcsQCC9H-qbS-ds_DZUPsNxEl8us/s400/DSCF1483.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">El San Francisco is typical of the many patrol ships in the Oronegrean navy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Almost from the start Oronegrean ships found themselves attacked, by hostile tribes on the rivers and by pirates along the coast. In response a series of ships were built to counter the threat. These included small vessels designed almost exclusively for use on shallow rivers and estuaries. These ships were often armed with only 2 light cannon or some swivel guns or no guns at all, relying on her crew to use their weapons to fight any foes they encountered.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinuyAgb0NiOZ6AXeye5tl5ZSUoytyWU4SEKa8BSewGV68UHZx1BZsAXKsO3TawHMyksJIiOvzJTtdg7vGtOb0b1hsTG1njgu38OhT9H6ZH088x84Lzn7hMw2bcIV5S9wNEaTyn2iG0S4E/s1600/PB280285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinuyAgb0NiOZ6AXeye5tl5ZSUoytyWU4SEKa8BSewGV68UHZx1BZsAXKsO3TawHMyksJIiOvzJTtdg7vGtOb0b1hsTG1njgu38OhT9H6ZH088x84Lzn7hMw2bcIV5S9wNEaTyn2iG0S4E/s400/PB280285.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The River going craft had shallow drafts to enable them to go in shallow waters or to land on beaches or river banks</td></tr>
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Some threats however could not be dealt with by these small vessels. This was especially true along the coasts and shipping routes. Out here the river craft were, by design, less suitable and a different type of ship was needed. While a variety of naval ships could be used, such as frigates, cutters and sloops, it was decided that specially designed patrol shops would be made. These vessels were often armed with between 6-12 cannon and swivels. Not enough to take on other naval ships or larger pirate vessels but fire-power wasn't the focus.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://piratehold.com/images/ships/caravel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://piratehold.com/images/ships/caravel.jpg" height="347" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pirates were the main threat in these waters, but sometimes merchant ships would run into trouble and need assistance.</td></tr>
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These ships were able to sail in quite rough seas, were fast and had shallow drafts (making them suitable for use on larger rivers). Although their primary task was to defend shipping lanes and coastal settlements they also served other roles. First amongst these was as search and rescue craft. Because of their speed they were sent out after storms to look for any survivors of wreaks, either clinging to floating debris or washed up on the coast. Another role was transporting important cargo securely. Quite often this meant that letters and parcels being sent during times of war were taken by these ships. In a similar vein high value individuals may also be transported. Such as officers being sent to or brought from the front lines.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://collections.rmg.co.uk/mediaLib/486/media-486556/large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://collections.rmg.co.uk/mediaLib/486/media-486556/large.jpg" height="227" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Storms were deadly, sinking many ships. Oronegrean patrol ships looked for survivors often with little success.</td></tr>
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These patrol ships operated in conjunction with the navy but were distinct from it. Often they were part of the Oronegrean Marines (which also operated in tandem with the navy.). This was because of the fact they were used for riverine and estuarine warfare which was considered the marines domain. This relationship wasn't permanent and the patrol ships were placed under the command of the navy and a distinct branch at others. It was this distinct branch - The coast guard - that would eventually become a permanent fixture of the Oronegrean state and carry on the legacy of the patrol ships until the current day.</div>
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Daisy Gowan Ditchburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476802587483833107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792013680750233202.post-4247910897227916022016-01-22T02:20:00.001-08:002019-10-02T19:09:05.155-07:00Alberto and Sophia Castillo<div style="text-align: justify;">
Alberto and Sophia are the last members of the Castillo family to have their biography written, They are the second youngest son and eldest daughter respectively.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sophia was born in 1719. Her childhood was a happy one and she spent many days reading down by the steam next to the family home. As she got older Sophia took to riding great distances in the cool Oronegrean evenings. It was on one of those evenings that she chanced upon a beautiful blue pebble in a stream bed. Upon returning home she asked her parents to encase the pebble in a golden case too keep as an amulet. It was this amulet that she wore to a local ball as a necklace when she turned 16. It was said that the son of a local aristocrat was so entranced by the pebble and Sophia's beauty that he asked her to dance with him. This caused quite a stir as it was expected for him to dance with the young ladies in attendance rather than the daughter of a merchant. </div>
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It was soon after this that Sophia, possibly encouraged by her mother, started trying to court the young gentlemen of Oronegro. Although it was more common in Oronegro for someone of lower class to marry one above them it was still news when it happened.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3v4NDrtIfqSJleyZy_GwZoCvHa3XxUoLu-luYHCuifXB8TqIS4PpTICXS6KdIa6CtDE_4fXyzoeV2_oebvZdxVsOMX47HxP2nIK86zCcupsSR7LiTM8sBzyKd4aQucN72fAyh0u3L9Es/s1600/DSCF0785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3v4NDrtIfqSJleyZy_GwZoCvHa3XxUoLu-luYHCuifXB8TqIS4PpTICXS6KdIa6CtDE_4fXyzoeV2_oebvZdxVsOMX47HxP2nIK86zCcupsSR7LiTM8sBzyKd4aQucN72fAyh0u3L9Es/s400/DSCF0785.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sophia out riding her horse, She doesn't wear her amulet most days for fear of losing it. She firmly believes that it once belonged to a queen of the indigenous peoples who lost it long ago. A local legend does support this idea although most are sceptical of this.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Although she has yet to marry she has caught the eye of many fine gentleman. And her mother tries her best to make sure that the finest match is made. Many suspect Maria's motives are securing her family a position within Oronegro's ruling elite. Whether or not Sophia shares her mothers motives is unknown and many do not care. Most are just happy to see a young lady making her way in the world.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOEUMquvZZ0eW1aE49yk1jq3o_wRyvxj7vBpeyqI3l6KEm19ISi6ew5suyoiePGZyzTUvYBbQ5uknsi3LeUONsFUYBx5d5nry4E4d4aIjdmLYqiekzCdPz5J-kkGyYIzk23-5oh_leS4/s1600/DSCF0786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOEUMquvZZ0eW1aE49yk1jq3o_wRyvxj7vBpeyqI3l6KEm19ISi6ew5suyoiePGZyzTUvYBbQ5uknsi3LeUONsFUYBx5d5nry4E4d4aIjdmLYqiekzCdPz5J-kkGyYIzk23-5oh_leS4/s400/DSCF0786.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearly this ride is a short one, perhaps it is the heat or maybe she has an appointment to keep.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
If his sister wants to be the glamorous aristocratic lady Alberto Castillo is most certainly not gentlemanly. Born in 1714 he had a good childhood playing with his older brothers outdoors often exploring the woods around the family's property. As he got older he didn't take up a position within the family's trading business instead he went out hunting and drinking with his friends. This inevitably caused problems with his mother who had ambitious plans for expanding the family business that most definitely included him. So it was that in 1722 he moved out of the family home into a small hut on the edge of the forest. Although he would often visit his family he enjoyed his time away.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0j8eDsKYN9Yq1ndJMrABodvoRk4FoemZwBgQ8QNMU85EWL6AB9LfLyr8vS7p2PtIKMrfdPuThd_EXAAIHd2feon2AJJ4hapF8d2TRJSgUYQ80y1rOiuM1eSXjjv7D98NHEHgLappmwCs/s1600/DSCF0793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0j8eDsKYN9Yq1ndJMrABodvoRk4FoemZwBgQ8QNMU85EWL6AB9LfLyr8vS7p2PtIKMrfdPuThd_EXAAIHd2feon2AJJ4hapF8d2TRJSgUYQ80y1rOiuM1eSXjjv7D98NHEHgLappmwCs/s400/DSCF0793.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here Alberto can be seen hunting. He appearts to have caught an Oronegrean short eared red hare. </td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Fishing, Hunting and Drinking take up considerable parts of his new life but he is not a fool. Although the black sheep in his mothers eyes he is respected by his brothers and is fiercely loyal to his family. Although unmarried he is known to have had (and probably has) multiple female companions. Considered a bit of a rouge he is not averse to danger and is a crack shot. What will become of his lifestyle is unknown but he's happy as he is and it doesn't look like he'll make a change any time soon. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXDwOgcqcxeTV5Rzp0UAZRcMDFNq_G7t1-ATM5uNLScMMatD82zKCOObl_j5vl_jWAl60SllMhDVmxk5ZoDCcy7wZnQZelI16nK-Zl_PWobbYgNxQwV4m5oRQCMT4rjH5UwSDvEeHL3I/s1600/DSCF0794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXDwOgcqcxeTV5Rzp0UAZRcMDFNq_G7t1-ATM5uNLScMMatD82zKCOObl_j5vl_jWAl60SllMhDVmxk5ZoDCcy7wZnQZelI16nK-Zl_PWobbYgNxQwV4m5oRQCMT4rjH5UwSDvEeHL3I/s400/DSCF0794.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alberto returning to the shade of his hut to get out of he hot sun. Heat stroke it a very real problem in Oronegro's hottest months.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
This concludes our biography of the Castillo family. Please refer to our expanding selection of biographies and histories to learn more about the people and events that make up the land of Oronegro.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Well that's all for the Castillo family. From now on I won't include dates for my Biographies this will enable more flexibility with dates. And it also removes Oronegro somewhat from our world in time just as Oronegro is somewhat removed in space through the use of a portal. Again this is all about flexibility it allows Oronegro to be 18th century without having to conform to all the realities of that period. I may include some dates for other things such as technological developments or conflicts.</i></div>
Daisy Gowan Ditchburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476802587483833107noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792013680750233202.post-48074288102672576732016-01-06T01:19:00.000-08:002019-10-02T19:09:05.169-07:00Fernando and Maria Castillo<div style="text-align: justify;">
Maria Castillo is wife of Jose Castillo and mother of their six children: Fernando, Rolando, Sophia, Alberto, Rosa and Giorgio.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamF_FpIAhefz64IoCJMfQb7kFU1oxa8yLsUix_6hJHUJ7Him8z6gBi2fCYD8eVyq4SgoqaX5WWn2tzLwGgO7wIK6ZVz7hAXm4svMRHpfYgBuFyuQausoQBxPwOSwlr14KqJqUXxPfrmY/s1600/DSCF0693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamF_FpIAhefz64IoCJMfQb7kFU1oxa8yLsUix_6hJHUJ7Him8z6gBi2fCYD8eVyq4SgoqaX5WWn2tzLwGgO7wIK6ZVz7hAXm4svMRHpfYgBuFyuQausoQBxPwOSwlr14KqJqUXxPfrmY/s400/DSCF0693.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother and eldest son together. Fernando seems to have found himself a nice mug of coffee.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Maria Castillo's age is unknown, nobody dared to ask her for it. What we do know is that her no-nonsense attitude and stubbornness was legendary. And although she may have seemed harsh at times she always took the best care of her children.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOAdSZM-eks6PVWOFNhfMG0xdROU2q2UtM8bxXIs6JLGVDSLa6cMstKLHiZBMj3xOejKofgRoEXN23yOncJshQ9euLbL-vD8ztIe_7Gm7lpkAf8yxaeANEZk0u6YlyNoFxoIJJbkIjb0/s1600/DSCF0699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOAdSZM-eks6PVWOFNhfMG0xdROU2q2UtM8bxXIs6JLGVDSLa6cMstKLHiZBMj3xOejKofgRoEXN23yOncJshQ9euLbL-vD8ztIe_7Gm7lpkAf8yxaeANEZk0u6YlyNoFxoIJJbkIjb0/s400/DSCF0699.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maria likes to wear simple garb as it is less likely to get ruined in the rural areas of Oronegro. Fine clothing doesn't last long there.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Despite her stuborness she also had a keen sense for trade and it was as much her effort as José's that their trading enterprise got off the ground. And it was thanks to her teaching that her second born Rolando gained the insight into trade and was able to take the family business from the local to national scale. Of her social life and other exploits we know little. She was quite conservative in that regard and kept as much information as possible to herself. No rival would be able to find her weakness and none ever did.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqb8F1PfkH_oxpTF3xY11MjCF2bxDN7Tdz1sbnyNNUibjhrtPYVNYVQcqKagVrBTISOvCctCuPM3yrMJ8BaUAPhKmbpEPilvFQzUs-kI9O8AmL8rQ9AlwQr056bOx8X6oNzj13TOOi85k/s1600/DSCF0697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqb8F1PfkH_oxpTF3xY11MjCF2bxDN7Tdz1sbnyNNUibjhrtPYVNYVQcqKagVrBTISOvCctCuPM3yrMJ8BaUAPhKmbpEPilvFQzUs-kI9O8AmL8rQ9AlwQr056bOx8X6oNzj13TOOi85k/s400/DSCF0697.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Although it may not seem like it Maria and the Castillo family are very well off. José's successful trading business.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
With his golden blond hair Fernando takes after his father. Also like his father he participates in the family business captaining one of the family's river boats up and down the Oronegro river and its tributaries. Born on the 6th of February 1709 he would become quite famed for his numerous romantic exploits much to the annoyance of his mother who had hoped to arrange a good marriage with a family of Oronegro's established upper classes.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WG3jzfaIuGJVwH2omSSAwseMNM_7Y47e7ZsBlH6oBOlVvLd8UIZMtlFWRAMFVXKrRF17edJx0KuNVrpPJiWGYWdqfgHtjaGNcracAu1mkYDB0b6sDPPLkTprt9JOB4tnkcFsfSa37P8/s1600/DSCF0694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WG3jzfaIuGJVwH2omSSAwseMNM_7Y47e7ZsBlH6oBOlVvLd8UIZMtlFWRAMFVXKrRF17edJx0KuNVrpPJiWGYWdqfgHtjaGNcracAu1mkYDB0b6sDPPLkTprt9JOB4tnkcFsfSa37P8/s400/DSCF0694.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fernando with his coffee. Coffee being one of the commodities the Castillo's trade regularly.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Although his still with trade was competent he was soon overshadowed by his younger brother Rolando. Despite some fear that this could cause a rift between them, the result was actually a strengthening of the bonds between them. Fernando who was always following his heart rather than his head felt glad that the family business would transfer into his brothers capable hands rather than his own. Although recent rumours that his brother may split and establish his own trading company have unnerved Fernando.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv35bd_mE_2Lsq1O-eLn6KQJ7fbsfnB-lb5wdIJurixGHApX7TNl0wRIb021TfTqPLwMEPu4YxjLpkUwsWqCV4gzMtGtzwtK-vksT1nZLjMu3c3qka70iphjrG4ybNyypVmjaXiSI6I60/s1600/DSCF0695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv35bd_mE_2Lsq1O-eLn6KQJ7fbsfnB-lb5wdIJurixGHApX7TNl0wRIb021TfTqPLwMEPu4YxjLpkUwsWqCV4gzMtGtzwtK-vksT1nZLjMu3c3qka70iphjrG4ybNyypVmjaXiSI6I60/s400/DSCF0695.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fernando may well take over the family business if Rolando does decide to set up his own.</td></tr>
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</div>
Fernando and Maria are quite different in their attitudes but both love their family and will strive to do what is best for it.<br />
<br />
<i>well that's it for these two for now. We'll be hearing of them again in the future but for now work is going on to complete Fernando's other siblings.</i><br />
<br />
<i>As always good day/night.</i> :-)<i> </i><br />
<br />Daisy Gowan Ditchburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476802587483833107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792013680750233202.post-52859402632573114032014-08-02T17:51:00.002-07:002019-10-02T19:09:05.181-07:00Bunker Teck de-classified informationThe Bunker in the heart of La Ley shall always be remembered for it's former occupants. NAZI scientists, dubious characters and greedy, power hungry individuals! These people commuted great atrocities, created horrific viruses, undertook unthinkable and immoral experiments on innocent people and made, sold and later used highly advanced weapons utilizing strange, rare and once thought simply fictitious compounds.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="color: blue;">The Stuff of Science Fiction</span></h3>
Witnesses to the attacks by Bunker troops from the bunker agree that the technological superiority of their weaponry was absolute and that such technology only existed in "our times" in works of fiction! True these forces were repelled to the most part by troops armed with standard weapons however their use of what has popularly been called "Laser Rifles", force/energy shields, hover vehicles and "Star Fighters" meant that early on these forces were seen as not only unbeatable but also as invincible and unstoppable!<br />
<br />
As would later become clear the Bunker was not alone in this fight. Allies came to it's aid from far and wide, and by far and wide beyond the earth and the solar system in some cases. The total number, of what came to be considered hyper-advanced forces (HAF), in Oronegro was never fully determined. Many, perhaps most left once the Oronegrean defence forces started to find ways to overcome the technological advantage and began to seize the initiative.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;">The fight b<span style="background-color: white;"><span></span></span>ack </span></span></h3>
<br />
At first the gains were made by Los Angeles Negros. Who were not afraid of taking on advanced forces and by taking the weapons of their fallen foes gained party in terms of small arms. Their superior training meant that with or without these weapons their speed, cunning and shear determination meant that the weapons and armour of their foes were only a hindrance.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Hs2iWQFejNlRMVYPKr0Eu5JwglcnT6HGV53zv6GrY43sgHDCS9w1dAoaXnRIyGAEfkTIaruG-37C25XqdBH0nN8w5yvyW9pzoDne0syWBfwK1Fo0rd5Txz1fPgh4qmiPgcxg7Kd5UyE/s1600/IMG_1444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Hs2iWQFejNlRMVYPKr0Eu5JwglcnT6HGV53zv6GrY43sgHDCS9w1dAoaXnRIyGAEfkTIaruG-37C25XqdBH0nN8w5yvyW9pzoDne0syWBfwK1Fo0rd5Txz1fPgh4qmiPgcxg7Kd5UyE/s1600/IMG_1444.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Los Angeles Negros- the black angels</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Later other forces began to put pressure of these advanced forces. The Soldiers for Earth's Defence - Los Soldados por la Protección del Mundo (SPM), a unit more secretive and almost and well trained as the Black Angels, inflicted catastrophic defeats on the HAF. This unit of the Oronegrean armed forces- Las Fuerzas Armadas de la Republica de Oronegro (FARO)- had been created during the cold war as part of a global initiative to provide the Earth with defence forces in case of alien invasion. (There was a fear that the detonation of the first nuclear bomb would attract unwanted inter-stellar attention). The SPM were well armed and armoured their weapons coming from the bunker itself.<br />
<br />
Eventually standard forces gained the upper hand as the shock of the enemy wore off and news that they could be taken down spread.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b>Conclusion</b></span><br />
<br />
At the end of the war the bunker and it's forces lay in ruins. The lead scientists were tried for war crimes and were sentenced to 200 year sentences (many being immortal or claiming to be). The Earth was again divided and much lay in ruins but after such fierce fighting people came together and started to rebuild. And although walls divided East and West once more it was both sides that put them up crying as they said goodbye to those on the other side.<br />
<br />
What will come in the near future is unknown. With 2030 fast approaching the great upheaval of the 2020's is not going to heal any time soon but globally people are coming together renouncing war and forgetting boarders perhaps the walls will comedown once again to cheering crowds. One can only hope.Daisy Gowan Ditchburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476802587483833107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792013680750233202.post-77199116248901524872014-02-25T16:07:00.000-08:002019-10-02T19:09:05.200-07:00Life Before the civil war part 1Oronegro was not always at war! although her soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen were always off somewhere causing trouble the nation itself often enjoyed long extended periods of peace.<br />
<br />
In this text we shall explore Oronegro's slow collapse into ruin during the first decades of the 21st century. a time when booming business caused by the war on terror, civil wars and international conflicts between many nations (larger ones usually fought in "imagi-nations"). Oronegro's government was for several years controlled by the right wing Freedom Markets party, who controlled government by dubious but not undemocratic means. the system of MMP in Oronegro meant that many lesser parties joined this party so they could have influence. The Freedom Markets party (FMP) was on several occasions accused of bribing these lesser parties but no charges were ever laid. So it was that with business booming the welfare of ordinary Oronegreans was overlooked.<br />
<br />
Because of the obvious reliance on Oronegro's economy of the arms and oil industries large sections of the population were employed here. Although nearly all the major companies were nationalised and attempts by the FMP to sell them off were blocked. So the FMP allowed these companies to be run on a stronger commercial basis, the basic working rights of the employees being ignored.<br />
<br />
Now the FMP did not represent Oronegro's entire right wing many sections disagreed with what was going on, on the basis that Oronegrean values from the founding days; respect, family and decency, were being eroded. Although most of these were already in coalition with FMP and none seemed to object to the passing of the many bills that allowed for this exploitation. Oronegro's left and centre had similar problems, many parties there had also become part of the FMP's coalition (bribery suspected in nearly all cases). The central Democrats, Centre-Left Labour and Liberal parties the Left wing Socialist an Communist parties could have presented a formidable opposition and would have controlled government if they had formed a coalition however because of their differenced they never did. the right wing Mayoral Party did attempt to bring them together but the Communists and Democrats were not happy with the proposed plan.<br />
<br />
Living and working conditions fell due to the FMP's corrupt and exploitive control over the national economy. Trade deals were made to places that nobody knew anything about every avenue for making money was exploited even trade with fanatical terrorist groups! Yes trade with terrorists was common but until then only "freedom fighting peoples" were sold anything, more fanatical groups got only small arms or nothing at all depending on how dangerous they were seen as.<br />
<br />
the Bunker which would become so infamous during the civil war was used to create weapons (later seen during the civil war) for states outside the standard world. Laser, plasma, dark matter and even gamma weapons were apparently made and sold. to whom no details were kept. the records only showed business transactions, giving no details of where these places were just the names of the groups, their orders, some contact details and the profits... profits in BIG LETTERS!<br />
<br />
Resentment at the exploitation began the process of radicalisation in the population! angry workers looked to far right and far left groups. Between 2015 and 2019 the Neo Nazi gangs trebled in size and the communists quadrupled in number. this radicalisation led to violence! And for the first time in over a hundred years sectarian violence shook the cities of Oronegro. Police quelled any serious events but everyone could see that the situation was becoming desperate.<br />
<br />
Although not all of Oronegro suffered so much. the Autonomous Regions OF Greater Oronegro (AROGO) did slightly better, the exception being with The Former Lawless Territory where serious exploitation occurred. The more fortunate areas on the whole remained loyal to the government although this was usually because the Government took so little notice of them that they did what they wanted.<br />
<br />
These divisions between the exploited regions and those left to their own devices matched almost entirely the divisions and boundaries at the beginning of the civil war.<br />
<br />
This concludes our text.Daisy Gowan Ditchburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476802587483833107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792013680750233202.post-49390663609364175192013-11-04T18:21:00.001-08:002019-10-02T19:09:05.173-07:00Oronegro her territories and the colony of Ororussia (Kievalsk)<i>well after who knows how long this place is getting an update. one that is well overdue! I won't say to much but until now actual work on developing the story of Oronegro's territories has been slight to non-existant... in short I need to work on the stories. this will be done at a later date, perhaps (as most of the territories were aquired during the 18th century their stories will be developed though wargaming... anyway this post will have a little bit of history and an outline on the atual structure of the territory, their status and some 20th and 21st century facts... i.e their involment in the civil war.</i><br />
<i>anyway time to get into character and write the story.</i><br />
<br />
<i> </i>Below is a map of Oronegro in the 21st century, her adjoining territories and the neighbouring states.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJu0ljToinJipfrb7yrki9mobO3NWIxtX6yU31wO9_B6U41ROA3rlrG93j1JrxO-yUfrZPY-GJVoF6UQacHcZNLbgOfuq9lT3I0PxONEq2OAZt6CW6BIrdWPbSPPpwVoD1g-HQ5FauaY/s1600/extended+map+of+Oronegro.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJu0ljToinJipfrb7yrki9mobO3NWIxtX6yU31wO9_B6U41ROA3rlrG93j1JrxO-yUfrZPY-GJVoF6UQacHcZNLbgOfuq9lT3I0PxONEq2OAZt6CW6BIrdWPbSPPpwVoD1g-HQ5FauaY/s400/extended+map+of+Oronegro.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(click for bigger picture) Oronegro is only part of a greater state made of of mostly autonimous states.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
"Oronegro is more powerful than can be considered comfortable" was what one British MP said in 1815 at which time Oronegro was at the height of her power. She threatened to become a serious empire and could have become a super power if things had remained stable internally. At this time Britain looked on crippled by Napoleon her forces were no match for Oronegro should the state wish to make any serious land grabs. Spain was no longer relevant and as her colonies began to throw off their shackles Oronegro which had as mayor a man who could claim to be descended from the old Spanish king! a possible heir.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/Zarpe_de_la_Primera_Escuadra_Nacional.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/Zarpe_de_la_Primera_Escuadra_Nacional.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">as the rest of South America rebeled Oronegro did nothing. the Governments worst descicion.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As it was the Oronegreans did not go and seize control of Spain or as it was so feared try to force their way into the games of the big empires. Oronegro decided for some reason to remain loyal to the Spanish monarch, which would cause them great distress later on as the people of Oronegro began to demand freedom like their South American cousins were. A civil war errupted between the loyalists, those who were loyal to spain and the sepratists those who wanted independance. The civil war has been called the strangest war in history. Firstly as any historian of Oronegrean history knows the control of the great imperial powers on Oronegro was limited at its greatest extent. Secondly although the fighting was fierce and involved thousonds of people the Army, navy, Marines and other military forces of the state refused to get involved! There were some who, against orders left and got involved but the majority of the armed forces remained neutral, waiting, making sure the nation would not fall into splinter groups for other powers to gobble up. The war raged until 1821 when the loyalists finally gained the upper hand. The nation was crippled and only hung onto her territory thanks to the restraint of the military commanders who had lost both friends and family in a pointless civil war.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.marariley.net/celtic/images/HighlandCamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="165" src="http://www.marariley.net/celtic/images/HighlandCamp.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Oronegrean civil war was not fought between powerful generals but radical civilian groups and dangerous militias.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
However in the 1860's Spain called upon her remaining territories to force her control upon Oronegro. Spain was still very powerful many of her colonies, like Oronegro herself were shielded from the rebellions erupting around them by the portals which were the only access to them. the imagi-nations (the modern term for them) Spain controlled immediately responded all eager to help crush the most notorious and dangerous colony around. Oronegro weakened and worried called to Britain for support, Britian turned them down on the grounds that her own colonies were causing her enough trouble.<br />
The was was short and saw Oronegro seriously battered. However, not even the most powerful of the forces sent against either Oronegro or her colonies were enough to over power her still excellent armed forces. Oronegro gained independence from Spain and all the other "traditional homelands" of the Oronegrean people. But the territories of Oronegro were angry and some wanted independance, the leadership of Oronegro then made a fateful descicion... independence through dependence. The Territories would govern themselves, raise their own armies, set tax and internal policy but every year a council would be held in La Ley to set the policy of the various states and territories. This union meant that if Oronegro went to war the territories went too, if the territories were invaded Oronegro and the rest would go to their aid. It was a union that meant later on the territories and Oronegro would be so close that they'd be considered a single nation once more.<br />
This was true for the territories of Oronegro but there was a colony Kievalsk, Ororussia that stood out.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>KIEVALSK - ORORUSSIA</b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
When this land was accidentially 'discovered' by 'the dumb merchant' in the 17th century it was considered a mistake... how can one said across the Atlantic and hit Eastern Europe without passing through the straits of Gibralter? well one captain did! Sailing from the desert city of Granada in Oronegro's most southern territorial claim he sailed north east expecting to pass through the portal and to reach europe in record time (instead of taking the long route up the coast then eastwards)</div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiK7A_rnU3hX9erqocUd0qR4iV5Vpu9L2W_9ztyXxVWWgRW_uDA9o_f3AoD-Nqtth2Y4MhKxvk4_K5szReBNv3jC7gsbaCF-Ikpszw3lio6QeKRsNxTkeAasmXW-PvrpRuatL9gCqI0CE/s1600/the+Colony.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiK7A_rnU3hX9erqocUd0qR4iV5Vpu9L2W_9ztyXxVWWgRW_uDA9o_f3AoD-Nqtth2Y4MhKxvk4_K5szReBNv3jC7gsbaCF-Ikpszw3lio6QeKRsNxTkeAasmXW-PvrpRuatL9gCqI0CE/s400/the+Colony.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ororussia also known as Kievalsk was discorvered accidentally but colonised and conquered with vigor!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well he missed the portal (somehow, its still debated how he could have managed it as if he had gone directly NE or NNE as was the most sensible route he should have passed through it) and came to Kievalsk. it's position is hard to explain as maps of the neo atlantic confusing as the many parrallel worlds and portals mean that a land mass considered part of the map may actually be part of a different parrallel world. Anyway after managing to get into the Verosk sea the captain landed at a small fishing village, later renamed El Descubrimiento. The Colony of Ororussia was to become an important part of Oronegrean history, it's violent conquest in the later 18th century and the struggle to retain it in the 19th would give the land a reputation. Naturally more shall be discussed in the artical on Kievask/Ororussia but when other territories of Oronegro were given independence through dependance Ororussia was given more colonial guards and a tighter grip established on it.... oh and a puppet government to keep everyone happy.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://firegeezer.com/files/2011/05/croatia-ancient-b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://firegeezer.com/files/2011/05/croatia-ancient-b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oronegrean soldiers acting as firefighters in Ororussia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
during the 20th century Communism spread down from Russia into the colony Oronegro had lightened her hand on the colony but would not allow it to fall to the Soviet Union, a fierce and secret war took place which started in 1918 but ended in 1936 when the Soviet Union threatened a full scale invation if Oronegro did not co-operate... this co-operation was the start of a long slippery slide towards the situation that Oronegro would find herself in when the superpowers fought for supremacy during the third world war of the 2020's. Ororussia would be crutial in the Oronegrean war effort to prevent the Russians from gaining the upperhand back in the homeland. Special forces sneaking out of the Colony would disrupt Soviet acivity not only in their lands beyond the great Siberian and Ural Portals but also in the "real world". This all ended and Ororussia asked for peace and aid when a new, unkown and deadly enemy sprang up in her own territory one which threatened not only Ororussia and Oronegro but Russia and the other superpowers as well!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqu9Q4_WMeWlO08nFzo6nje3rn9B8cUDnITq43QZ982drUBNj-Jkq66Brru3Y_lylw6KRr2rm7R6cvPaEl4nwoW08IGNEG1PLvSz6YAMODafebyR3pegyW96Ju6Uia4NE_Vmc8u6ESs6I/s1600/DSCF5111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqu9Q4_WMeWlO08nFzo6nje3rn9B8cUDnITq43QZ982drUBNj-Jkq66Brru3Y_lylw6KRr2rm7R6cvPaEl4nwoW08IGNEG1PLvSz6YAMODafebyR3pegyW96Ju6Uia4NE_Vmc8u6ESs6I/s400/DSCF5111.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it was to start in a small base on the mountainous island of Nadeyask</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>well thats the end of that then... it took me a while to write.
Getting that final picture was a nightmare, it is ridiculously hard to
get a good image of a mountain base... so a huge thanks to <b>David</b>
for his model there... not the best post on the sight but its a start...
and finally perhaps the boarders of Oronegro have been defined.<b> </b></i><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />Daisy Gowan Ditchburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476802587483833107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792013680750233202.post-12827185295998323292013-05-16T21:53:00.000-07:002019-10-02T19:09:05.118-07:00Russian tanks - Rebel Factories"If it should fall into the wrong hands..." a cliché! but one we are all familiar with. used when there is a piece of technology, an idea, or an object that is so important that if the wrong people should be able to get it... well cancel all your plans! your going to need new ones!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuFoqnnY5z8iid7u2XhgmAxv_LMdMcAgqvxtk7L9hi54PujfdN9xpq2ER7rOjGv4wMDNpdXQB61odeAatodBYxWB_oJsi6xBesgkhpvwmCBFzZWFp4MSshCfH6bYgQyH9n1HUN2PABSg/s1600/IMG_2033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuFoqnnY5z8iid7u2XhgmAxv_LMdMcAgqvxtk7L9hi54PujfdN9xpq2ER7rOjGv4wMDNpdXQB61odeAatodBYxWB_oJsi6xBesgkhpvwmCBFzZWFp4MSshCfH6bYgQyH9n1HUN2PABSg/s400/IMG_2033.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a T-90O changed everything! now the Soviet Union had a tank just as capable as those of Western powers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But that is exactly what Happened. Oronegro's civil war had some unseen effects on the rest of the world. Before the War Russia/The Soviet Union did not have tanks of the same quality as the West. They lacked the technology and the knowledge behind it. But the rebels had taken over the factories where some of these western tanks were made, they had the plans, the materials and even worse they all knew themselves how to put it all together.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ru.fishki.net/picsw/062012/05/bonus/zavod/tn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://ru.fishki.net/picsw/062012/05/bonus/zavod/tn.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the old Soviet tanks were numerous but not effective</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So when the Soviet Union's armies aided the Rebel cause Russian tanks went to these factories to get repaired. at first the rebels just patched the holes and sent them on their way but then one group decided that repairs were not good enough! When the Russians sent in one of their tanks (exact date unknown) in 2023 for repairs they were concerned when they did not get it back within a few weeks. But then suddenly 3 months later a tank was apparently ready to pick up. Curious the Russians went en-mass, the whole thing turned from a normal pick up into a ceremony! out of the factory doors to the astonishment of the Russians who were there rolled a blue, quiet T-90 Tank. It may have been a let down if another tank from across the square had not shot the blue beast. The blast was huge! many of the Russians ducked for cover. but as the dust and smoke cleared the Blue tank carried on rolling, its armour dented but not broken, the other tanks crew promptly got out, asked the Russians to stand well back and Boom! the Blue tank made the other disappear! this was caught on camera by a drone but at first it appeared to be nothing. Only later was its significance known.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAExQzZ-T5jtWE8yDFlWadBZ_XpHyXY0Nha2LOJnDjls6Q0hcTGZfxqGQxWBM9NpIZaj2MiWvDi2doYFUcoclr_N4vk9WgyGoHON4NwdrWic7x_2ke64rvO5Vh98-Xxb5G3TUDVtLpV4/s400/IMG_2038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAExQzZ-T5jtWE8yDFlWadBZ_XpHyXY0Nha2LOJnDjls6Q0hcTGZfxqGQxWBM9NpIZaj2MiWvDi2doYFUcoclr_N4vk9WgyGoHON4NwdrWic7x_2ke64rvO5Vh98-Xxb5G3TUDVtLpV4/s400/IMG_2038.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a game changer! but one that came from an unlikely source</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The tank was soon just one of many! blue T-90's and other Russian AFV's were rolling off the production line! their armour was strong, their guns accurate, they were a match for the western tanks that had seemed so superior just months before! the Oronegrean government panicked! then the Pentagon! Until all of the western world was in fear! Russia must not be able to produce these! the USA committed some its best special forces, teams of US Navy Seals to destroy the factory, assassinate anyone who held knowledge on how to produce these tanks and recover any plans of these tanks they could, the rest they would destroy!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://navyseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/navy-seal-photos-sea-assault__16_-620x308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://navyseals.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/navy-seal-photos-sea-assault__16_-620x308.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the best of the best! but could they stop the Factories now?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Seal Teams were joined by Oronegro's own Black Angels they were about to carry out their mission when some news reached them that made them change all their plans. it had fallen into the wrong hands!!! Spetnaz operators had sneaked out plans as well as some vehicles on an advanced Oronegrean submarine, which they had captured. How they had done this unnoticed was a shock, how they got hold of one of Oronegro's best warships was another! How did they get the vehicles in? how did they not get detected?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/astute/images/8-ssn-astute-submarine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/astute/images/8-ssn-astute-submarine.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">they had got away! How? unknown. Why? scarily obvious</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
But it was irrelevant now! The mission was a failure, even before it was started. But Now Russia was ready, tanks of her own equal to that of her foes! Now all Russia needed to do was what Russia did best... make hundreds of them!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.worldreview.info/sites/default/files/imagecache/article-image-big557x371/t-90s-rehearsals-victory-day-parade-moscow-s-red-square-photo-dpa_0." imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://www.worldreview.info/sites/default/files/imagecache/article-image-big557x371/t-90s-rehearsals-victory-day-parade-moscow-s-red-square-photo-dpa_0." width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the war machines that changed it all</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Daisy Gowan Ditchburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476802587483833107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792013680750233202.post-54601594308343117392013-02-27T22:25:00.002-08:002019-10-02T19:09:05.184-07:00The story of OroblancoOroblanco, white gold, is a story both sad and inspiring. her name has gone down in Oronegrean history as the thorn in the side, the great annoyance and yet it too had a story to tell it too was a proud nation once.<br />
<br />
"Los gemelos del oro" The twins of gold! that's what Oronegro and Oroblanco started out as. Early on there was little division in fact during the time of Centurion Fran and Centurion Ray the two were almost a single nation. during the 1580's and 1590's the two nations had to rely on each other to survive. San Fran, named after the Centurion, is actually built inside Oroblanco even though it was perceived to be Oronegrean, even at the time.<br />
The problem was the two nations were to become estranged, as Oronegro grew and discovered gold the gold in Oroblanco went from abundant to scarce as the deposits to richly exploited a century early, creating the fortune of La Fortuna began to dry up. the 17th century turned the twins into foes San Fran was more than once the scene of riots as Oronegreans demanded it become part of their nation. As Oronegro grew Oroblanco grew also though in jealousy not power and in anger not wealth. Suddenly in 1681, when Samuel Jose the future mayor of Oronegro fought and won a great campaign in the valley of the cat, Oroblanco broke its alliance to Oronegro, and was almost about to cut off trade and diplomatic links when the news of how far Samuel had gone to make sure his victory was complete shocked them into rethinking their actions.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.british-history.ac.uk/image-thumb.aspx?compid=45214&pubid=342&filename=fig194.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://www.british-history.ac.uk/image-thumb.aspx?compid=45214&pubid=342&filename=fig194.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the centre of La Fortuna. it was here that the great central park that Oroblanco almost declared war on Oronegro in 1681</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Yet it should perhaps not come as a surprise that the two nations would split Oroblanco was a conquistador settlement built on the hunt for gold and the conversion of native tribes, Oronegro was a refuge for the outcasts of Europe with strong principals which made it unattractive for both wealth seekers and those on a mission to save the souls of native peoples. it was unfortunate for Oroblanco that in reality Europe was full of outcasts and that in time it would be wars there between the great nations and not those in Oroblanco between natives and settlers that you'd see the influx of settlers to these lands and of coarse Oronegro not Oroblanco was ready to house them. When in 1689 Samuel Jose was elected to become Mayor of La Ley, effective ruler of Oronegro, Oroblanco tried to restore some of its former friendship but Jose remembered how they had almost declared war because of his campaign and still felt that the leadership in Oroblanco had some personal dislike of him, so it was no surprise that Jose did not negotiate with them.<br />
<br />
Yet its was Jose, the man who almost caused war between Oroblanco and Oronegro in the 1680's who would actually lead Oronegro in a war against Oroblanco in the 1690's! after the great and famous campaign in the valley of Grasdamm Oronegro found that nearly all its neighbours hated it, Oroblanco was no exception! Oroblanco watched on as Oronegro went off to fight its own private war for its own private gain when Spain her mother was suffering in her fight against the French! who they noted made up a large part of Oronegro's society. as soon as the troops returned and the news of the victory spread Oroblanco, along with that other sibling of Oronegro, Playalargo joined with the other regional powers, Nouveau Paris, New Dunedin and Costa Plata. <br />
They thought that Oronegro was far weaker than she made out, they thought such a mixed society could never hold together under the strains of a campaign, they thought that Oronegro could never fight them one by one... They were wrong!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.intriguing-history.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/British-Square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://www.intriguing-history.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/British-Square.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oroblancotine squares prepare for a possible attack on La Fortuna the fires on the distance are of the villages raided by the Oronegrean Cavalry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Mayor Samuel was a military Genius he knew the council of La Fortuna very well, he knew the old aristocrats would never be able to fight a co-ordinated campaign with the other nations. So he didn't give them a chance to even try, he sent in the 16 most elite Cavalry regiments in Oronegro to deal with La Fortuna. they ravaged the country side. on the First day Alone they covered an area of about 50 hectares burning all the crops, destroying farms and raiding villages. on the second day the army of Oroblanco formed up in squares each of 200 men, 50 squares around La Fortuna expecting the cavalry to try and attack the capital, but by mid day it was clear the cavalry was not coming. so the army split into small groups trying to find the Oronegreans. every village they came to was burnt, every time some one said they had seen a large groups of horsemen, it was to late to catch them. Some of the Oroblancotine units did find the cavalry but for them it was not a success but rather a nightmare. the 4th Dragoon regiment along with the 1st and 15th line infantry regiments found themselves surrounded by cavalry although they formed into a giant square the Oronegreans formed a great wheel around it pistols were shot into the square and every so often a cavalry officer would jump from his horse faking death so that he could take a well aimed shot or two at the infantries officers... The battle looked like it could last the rest of the day when the 3rd lancers from the Great Farming plain suddenly dismounted and attacked at one of the squares corners the attack was so unexpected and so unorthodox that the soldiers there almost forgot to fire thinking that the lancers were mad, unfortunately it was a simple distraction as while they concentrated their fire on the lancers charging with their spears they missed the cuirassiers suddenly brake from the wheel and attack the corner also. The square broke as the wheel turned into a charge all the cavalry focused on this one corner. the Oroblancotine Dragoons mounted and fled as did many of the infantry on the other side of the square. The fighting didn't last long, the general of the Oroblancotine forces sat down in the centre of the battlefield and waited he knew he had lost he just hoped that his men would realise it to and give up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://216.65.53.93/fcgi-bin/IIPImageServer.fcgi?FIF=d:/images/M1977263P.ptif&WID=500&CVT=JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://216.65.53.93/fcgi-bin/IIPImageServer.fcgi?FIF=d:/images/M1977263P.ptif&WID=500&CVT=JPEG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the general sits knowing defeats certain as the sun sets the battle concludes the last surrounded soldiers of Oroblanco surrender to the victorious cavalry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One the third day rumours of an infantry force approaching La Fortuna caused the government to surrender! The war was over, but although Oronegro had one many soldiers from Oroblanco fought on and joined rebel groups, some more organised and other simply bandits. From then on Oroblanco became the thorn in the side a nation that was no longer existent and yet still able to cause havoc!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/Battle_of_Wagram_-_Austrian_grenadiers_repulse_Molitor.png/250px-Battle_of_Wagram_-_Austrian_grenadiers_repulse_Molitor.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/Battle_of_Wagram_-_Austrian_grenadiers_repulse_Molitor.png/250px-Battle_of_Wagram_-_Austrian_grenadiers_repulse_Molitor.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oroblancotine Grenadier rebels fight back against the Oronegrean occupying forces.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Well there you go a little story of one of Oronegro's neighbours, I really hope you like these little guys as I really am going to make them look bad from here on in... of coarse I have to... I would not be making Oronegro seem like a good place if I did not and as I am pretending to be some sort of Oronegrean historian I need to keep in character for this blog... which is why the following is odd. recognition of my followers.</i><br />
<br />
Greetings to the new followers of the Oronegro blog... no I did not forget about you I just have been thinking how I could recognise your kindness in following without compromising the blogs theme, in the end I just thought that it was pointless to keep up the theme to much and just say Hello!<br />
Hello to <b>Remco de Groot </b>from <a href="http://sjemco.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">remco's miniatures</a><br />
greetings to <b>Tankmodels.Pl </b>from <a href="http://sklep.tankmodels.pl/" target="_blank">tankmodels.pl</a><br />
Hi <b>Francis Lee</b> from <a href="http://theangrylurker.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">the angry lurker</a><br />
welcome <b>Ben B</b> from <a href="http://www.benssoldiers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">bens soldiers</a><br />
Hello once more <b>Peter </b>from <a href="http://peterscave.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">peters cave</a><br />
good to see you<b> </b>again <b>Abdul666 </b>from <a href="http://mcristobylacew-abdul666.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">mcristo by lacew</a><br />
Hi <b>Steve</b> from <a href="http://soundofficerscall.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">sound officers call</a><br />
Hey <b>Aaron </b>welcome to the blog... <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/08303315226017747181" target="_blank">a link to your profile... multiple blogs like myself</a><br />
greetings to <b>Michael Peterson </b>from <a href="https://plus.google.com/106823403009906190118" target="_blank">multiple places to again a link to your profile</a><br />
And last but not least <b>Anne O'Leary</b> nice to have you here at the Oronegro blog... and of coarse a link to your blog at <a href="http://fortwitter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Anne's Attic</a><br />
<br />
welcome to the blog guys... I hope you like the story of Oronegro, or as is the case in this post of some of her neighbours.Daisy Gowan Ditchburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476802587483833107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792013680750233202.post-46784880817169974702013-02-16T16:42:00.001-08:002019-10-02T19:09:05.165-07:00Rolando and GiorgioRolando and Giorgio are some of Jose and Maria Castillo's children; both take after their mother and have dark hair, unlike Rosa, Sophia and Fernando who take after Jose and have light hair, Alberto has a dirty brown hair colour half way between his parents.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGK7h0x_vFq2IC7Z5sN93rfjhIAE_E1iCBdAJOKRHHzv_7rOe9xWQwafqCLSbuwcFHXs_T-ayYpNhNn4VKZmwX5EGSGRhyphenhyphenwuFDXyJ2ZHx3U4kCKLF1K2VlVt50JpgpoWaWQWV_PHjPkZk/s1600/P2170127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGK7h0x_vFq2IC7Z5sN93rfjhIAE_E1iCBdAJOKRHHzv_7rOe9xWQwafqCLSbuwcFHXs_T-ayYpNhNn4VKZmwX5EGSGRhyphenhyphenwuFDXyJ2ZHx3U4kCKLF1K2VlVt50JpgpoWaWQWV_PHjPkZk/s320/P2170127.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a small family gathering without the evil mother or the crazy siblings who are out and about.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Rolando is the second oldest son of Jose and Maria, he is an excellent business man who has taken the modest trading company of his father and turned it into a national organisation with a large annual profit. Although he is not yet in control is seems highly likely that he'll take control of the family business when his father resigns, though it is rumoured that he might even set up his own as he clearly has the potential. Born on the 28th of April 1711 he was different from other children in his youth, he showed a high intellect and a great mathematical ability but he was incredibly quiet and withdrawn. However at the age of 15 he started to show some vague social skills, much to the delight of his father who feared his son could never marry even if it was arranged. though Rolando has never had a relationship like those of his elder brother, but this is to his advantage as the calculating man, as he is known, knows the value of a high born wife. Something he may soon have if he can seduce of of the many pretty women of Oronegro. Though the question remains is his desire for marriage part of some equation that places a value or number on love or some true feeling in his heart?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMI5z-Li2GOYROy8AIQsxV7cKGyg2koAr2ZPZomQ_loIUIItL5FWEmKc4zJpS5UjtzYmsKBJ662vVX_tvKza1kcXxax2lxqaluh8lj8dnyyLEoHn8Xu54xLAmhdO-CCvKnOXqhrhGbx1c/s1600/P2170125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMI5z-Li2GOYROy8AIQsxV7cKGyg2koAr2ZPZomQ_loIUIItL5FWEmKc4zJpS5UjtzYmsKBJ662vVX_tvKza1kcXxax2lxqaluh8lj8dnyyLEoHn8Xu54xLAmhdO-CCvKnOXqhrhGbx1c/s320/P2170125.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolando on the right and Giorgio on the left</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Giorgio on the other hand is a very happy child, he may live in the shadow of his sister but this is to his advantage as then he can avoid his mothers strict eyes. Rolando is her favourite son which may sound good for him but all that means he, like is father, <strike>does every thing he's told</strike> is easy to love. Giorgio is not like that, he doesn't matter to her because he was born after <a href="http://gowansoronegro.blogspot.co.nz/2013/02/rosa-and-her-father-jose-castillo.html" target="_blank">Rosa</a> so can never compare. Most children would be permanently damaged by the lack of love, but when your mother it "el Burro" its different. Her nickname perhaps shows more about her character by the fact she's referred to as male rather than as a donkey. For this reason Giorgio is fortunate he can stay at his friends house without the threat of his mother breaking down the door and dragging him away for dinner. Giorgio was born on the 31st of August 1729 during what was a pretty average day which Maria saw a a disappointment but his farther was relieved that he didn't get rushed along by flood waters like the year before.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZjDAChZP26si05mRZk45YiSzJBSsS7vFYrR9syp5hOb0bRPB9BZYHVDdjjvRoiHk9a-TIzDPMwxlLJZEg3j67QNkC7HGzDWj4ExD4iETeOHdcS-jT8Zb31GrL9IVZffkGfvg0P_Cty0/s1600/P2170126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZjDAChZP26si05mRZk45YiSzJBSsS7vFYrR9syp5hOb0bRPB9BZYHVDdjjvRoiHk9a-TIzDPMwxlLJZEg3j67QNkC7HGzDWj4ExD4iETeOHdcS-jT8Zb31GrL9IVZffkGfvg0P_Cty0/s320/P2170126.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the family really should consider getting a better artist to do their paintings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
all in all they both live very different lives and the wars of the 1730's and 1740's will be a large part of their lives.Daisy Gowan Ditchburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476802587483833107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792013680750233202.post-36908400074852902712013-02-15T17:42:00.002-08:002019-10-02T19:09:05.147-07:00the Oronegrean Song of war (english version)This song is the English version of Oronegro's war song which is sung during the long marches to war. The Spanish version is not a direct translation as the versions are all sung to different tunes and created by different units. The English version was written by La Ley's British cohort which is one of the few units of el ejercito segundo which is permanent and ready to be deployed at a moments notice. They are mostly light infantry though they do include some policing forces and engineers. This is their song which after a few decades of being sung only by that unit spread to the whole army!<br />
<br />
<i>Come my sisters, my brothers , my sons.</i><br />
<i>we're off to war and the sound of the guns</i><br />
<i>with courage we go</i><br />
<i>though death may show</i><br />
<i>his fear is weak and weak his blows</i><br />
<br />
<i>Come my sisters, my brothers, my sons</i><br />
<i>we're off to war and the sound of the guns</i><br />
<i>our spirits are high</i><br />
<i>though some may die</i><br />
<i>to their honour let the remainder cry</i><br />
<br />
<i>Come my sisters, my bothers, my sons </i><br />
<i>we're off to war and the sound of the guns!</i><br />
<i>though peace we seek</i><br />
<i>and victory desire!</i><br />
<i>let us not fail to fire</i><br />
<br />
<i>come my sisters, my bothers, my sons</i><br />
<i>we're off to war and the sound of the guns!</i><br />
<i>to the battle we go the fight and the foe</i><br />
<i>forget not our cause and forget not our home</i><br /><i>for Oronegro we fight;</i><br />
<i>for Oronegro our home! </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>come my sisters, my brothers, my sons</i><br />
<i>though the guns may sound </i><br />
<i>our courage will be found.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Because of this song it is said that the young Eduardo Martínez would be inspired to lead his own armies, he is quoted as saying. "as I watched the forces move silently out of the city I could not help but hear a growing sound moving towards the mound on which I stood. as it came so could the drums be heard the flute, and horn played in time to the rhythmic march, the song that was sang certainly not a piece to be found in any Opera, our of time with the beat in many places, yet it is true that all the men and women spoke as one. I looked to General Marco d'Amarillo y Natillas who stood to my right and asked him how long it would take to reform the Mayoral <span class="st">Cuirassiers</span>. he said two months at least should we use horsemen already in service or years if we were to train some especially. I answered that I wanted them ready and armed as soon as the army reached the mouth of the La Esperanza some and that I myself would be amongst them."<br />
<br />
and so it was that the Story of Eduardo Martínez, child and warrior mayor comes into the story of the great Oronegrean war of defence, conquest and survival.<br />
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i> </i>Daisy Gowan Ditchburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476802587483833107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792013680750233202.post-62716279869523672582013-02-07T20:22:00.004-08:002019-10-02T19:09:05.196-07:00Rosa and her father Jose CastilloRosa daughter of Jose and Maria Castillo was born on the 5th of October 1728. The day of her birth in El Pollo where she was born would become know as la Gargantua Del Rio, the throat of the river! For on that day the river surrounding the island part of El Pollo was so high that it almost completely swallowed up the settlement and her birth was to become a story of great renown!<br />
<br />
<i>"the cries of a new born child were heard over the roar of the waters and the screams of the drowning! </i><br />
<i>All those forced onto the roof tops froze in that brief moment and as if hearing the anguish the river found mercy in its destructive heart and retreated back to its channel leaving behind those it had so cruelly taken.</i><br />
<i>The cries ended and slowly life returned and the priest could be heard muttering 'an angel, an angel!'"</i><br />
<br />
<br />
Her father Jose was perhaps the most amazed by the event, kept away from his family by the raging currents he could not have swam to them from the town hall. yet just before he thought we would miss the birth of his fourth child the balcony upon which he stood collapsed, the cold water dragged him along but when all seemed lost a hand from nowhere grabbed him and pulled him from deaths grip, to the shock of all as well as himself he had made it to the family home and not more than half an hour later his daughter was born.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_In-zXCNn3fEcaHENM_YdZHvP0eKS7DUIPErYuh_UhdPOaDfI_3Ofy00lH6AIuSNcUWZVuN09LSBAndNjqRFD4S0S6IDk8nEXy3SMJiTMuGeJnRkrC46eRlgl7UVuN7yyxGZwXwoaN4/s1600/P2080125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_In-zXCNn3fEcaHENM_YdZHvP0eKS7DUIPErYuh_UhdPOaDfI_3Ofy00lH6AIuSNcUWZVuN09LSBAndNjqRFD4S0S6IDk8nEXy3SMJiTMuGeJnRkrC46eRlgl7UVuN7yyxGZwXwoaN4/s400/P2080125.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jose goes to ask his daughter what the matter is, she has not come down for dinner and Maria is getting into one of her grumpy moods</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgObxdAt-nKpBz3CmAjieuOQ-CKFAUZikUGFNTYvKuH0vhrmENVDbxmFTA5TsoOTAPHPy8Xrv4UeCXV_3zQ3e60F63teZ-NsV7nOJQhsKXxKN7JvHV-d9MnfJHud13PTht0K21FjvvXA/s1600/P2080128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgObxdAt-nKpBz3CmAjieuOQ-CKFAUZikUGFNTYvKuH0vhrmENVDbxmFTA5TsoOTAPHPy8Xrv4UeCXV_3zQ3e60F63teZ-NsV7nOJQhsKXxKN7JvHV-d9MnfJHud13PTht0K21FjvvXA/s400/P2080128.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosa shows her father the cupboard in which she is certain that mice are hiding.</td></tr>
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Perhaps then it was surprising that although many people begged that the child's name be things such as Diosa (goddess), her mother, Maria is perhaps better known as burro (donkey) because of her stubbornness and as such her decision to call her daughter Rosa stuck. It was only when at the age of 4 when she stared to go out more into town with her older brothers that she started getting called Diosa, and although officially she was not called that by anyone, it appeared that there was some sort of identical twin running around with that name... at least that's what it seemed like when Maria went out with her daughter<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnMCFD6xD_8VMavzvtQIZnp18oMQspOWFsyeBtJ9QSl_epnyD1FPxX_W9lZLY9_d4nUf7aRCYFz7cJSMaMuhe7U8xonzxfnpyT7t3__QZIGedFSpih7nNRASSu3yofo-C5rF5LKKUi3c/s1600/P2080134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnMCFD6xD_8VMavzvtQIZnp18oMQspOWFsyeBtJ9QSl_epnyD1FPxX_W9lZLY9_d4nUf7aRCYFz7cJSMaMuhe7U8xonzxfnpyT7t3__QZIGedFSpih7nNRASSu3yofo-C5rF5LKKUi3c/s400/P2080134.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">father and daughter pose for a portrait</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWtjywwSSsgRE3MV2fYhS8d4FOKO9-8bc62HjlcMvsPyXfrRhB3VU0SUeWhb8SYx9CclajccLTpTRNavLlwhJJOr_qHiHXUaxfPPuDazeFGQ4FcIFEVIn_MLsWUrD_bw208yAOMSZTm0/s1600/P2080136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWtjywwSSsgRE3MV2fYhS8d4FOKO9-8bc62HjlcMvsPyXfrRhB3VU0SUeWhb8SYx9CclajccLTpTRNavLlwhJJOr_qHiHXUaxfPPuDazeFGQ4FcIFEVIn_MLsWUrD_bw208yAOMSZTm0/s400/P2080136.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">unfortunately the painter has to paint them from behind for some reason?</td></tr>
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The Castillo family are quite well off, not only because Rosa received money and gifts from nearly everyone on the town as gratitude for her miracle! they are quite a large family also, Rosa has a younger brother Giorgio who is always seen in the Shadow of his sister.Fernando is the eldest child, his long blond beard and hair make his somewhat barbaric, he is however very protective of his little sisters. Rolando is the second oldest and most respectable so far as the aristocracy sees things, most likely to follow his father in looking after the families trade business he is also a visionary planner. Alberto is the second youngest son, he is totally unlike Rolando and spends his days hunting with his friends. Sophia is the eldest girl, she is unmarried and is known throughout the great farming plains and the El Pollo region as the fairest woman with an incredible intellect. they are a moderately wealthy family but the trade business has boomed and some of the family, like Sophia are looking to marry into the rich and powerful families in Oronegro.Daisy Gowan Ditchburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476802587483833107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792013680750233202.post-91201928051281724842013-01-25T20:56:00.004-08:002019-10-02T19:09:05.232-07:00Captain and commander Alfred Hale<i>this post and the figure/ character featured within it are dedicated to Alfred Hale the late husband of Anne O'Leary. I quote her in saying "my departed husband who was a sailor and a deep sea welder. He was
killed while working on a rig in an explosion over 25 years ago. He was a
good man and I miss him still." Anne when you told me this story I knew that I must name this figure after him as you asked me. I hope that it honors the memory of your departed husband and that perhaps he wherever he is now feels that this respects his memory.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Captain and commander Alfred Hale is a man to whom all others is the symbol of bravery and honour. In Battle on land and sea he wears plate armour that both makes him a target to his foes and a striking symbol of leadership to his comrades!<br />
born on 27th of June 1705 to a middle class family from the beginning he showed himself to be greater than most of his classmates in school. Strong and brave he soon was selected by his peers for a leading role in his school. in April 1721 he was recruited into the military after a fight in one of San Fran's many bars. Yet although he had not been trained for very long he soon showed a great knowledge for military and naval matters. in the great pirate raid of 1725 he showed perhaps the greatest courage and discipline when the commander of the company was in was slain and all the NCO's refused to lead the unit. Alfred took control of the remnants of the force which now only numbered some 13 men. It was in that moment he first wore that iconic suit of plate steel, taking it from a mannequin in the great house where they were cornered. There in that place they fought for 3 hours cut off from help facing waves of foes who surly outnumbered them 20 to 1.<br />
Help came in the form of some marines who came up from the river, their ship had been taken now and they sought refuge in the large house where Hale was fighting for his life his force now reduced to only 6 brave men. However as soon as the marines shot, bayoneted and slashed their way through the building Hale took command of them and lead them out of the building and charged them down the streets of La Ley's old district and with the retaking of marines ship his legend was made! <br />
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For him the rewards and honours came thick and fast He was promoted to the rank of commander which meant he could lead a half century of soldiers (50 men and 10 officers) and granted the honour of also being a naval captain which was un-heard of for a man from the army. Though perhaps he was not rewarded enough for his actions there was one thing that he was given that other men could only dream of: A purpose built boat, HMS Anne!<br />
He wrote in 1728:<br />
<i>"To my loving wife to whom I owe a great deal</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Do you remember my dear that day 3 years ago, it seems like an age now. However after that nasty incident I had recently it came back to the forefront of my mind. Remember the</i> <i>carpenters at the shipwright were shocked when I asked for our dear Anne. They thought I would ask for a large frigate or something, they do not understand that I am no simple leader, I do not like others to wait in a cabin or upon a hill watching the action from afar. I am a man of action, and my dear although you probably tire greatly when you hear me say it I must say once more, I always will be there in the thick of the fray where musket balls fly and bayonets flash and the smoke and the blood is mixed into one great cloud that covers the land hiding the horrendous sight of men killing men from any onlooker. Well my dear I shall gladly be back home soon, how's the maid I heard she was up to no good? </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>to my dearest and most loving wife</i><br />
<i>Alfred"</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
The incident he refers to in his letter is none other that the Battle of Petrablanca which took place on the 30th and 31st of March 1728. The Anne and the Gato were sailing down a small river near El Pollo when they came under fire from a battery on the bank! The Gato was sunk and Anne was damaged on her starboard side. Anne's gunners fought bravely but it was clear that they needed to take her out of range or out of sight of the guns and march over land to destroy it! The next morning Hale lead his 2 infantry men and some of his sailors along the road they met up with many scared villagers who spoke of a raiding bandit party that had come from the south. Hale brought many of the villagers and local farmers to a near by supply post where they came under attack. mounting the rood of the building the morning sun reflected of his steel helmet. Lord Alfonso Caballero wrote <i>"the man was mad, mad I say for all the bullets I heard were surly aimed at him and yet he stood firm guiding the fire from the top of the building upon the enemies best shots." </i>Alfred has hit several times that day but many shots did not penetrate his armour saving his life for sure. The battle was won when reservists marched up from El Pollo alerted to what was going on the previous days by the survivors from the sunk el Gato. The bandits fled rather than face the century coming up from the town. The bandits were well armed for a bunch of rouges and it was discovered by Alfred Hale himself that they were from south on La Fortuna in the remnants of what was once the nation of Oroblanco.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54dOmIhJAPPEfJyXgBVQY-bU9N6zB2TDaims4DgKN93_qYTzofH6cES8NhyphenhyphenN9Y8j-ApQszi-f2TkCB5BY-3gvhpAZuVmDR6KlYZirJtUpCY7miItbJ7A3fOJtxf5WIyvFjR-ckgreuvg/s1600/P1260045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54dOmIhJAPPEfJyXgBVQY-bU9N6zB2TDaims4DgKN93_qYTzofH6cES8NhyphenhyphenN9Y8j-ApQszi-f2TkCB5BY-3gvhpAZuVmDR6KlYZirJtUpCY7miItbJ7A3fOJtxf5WIyvFjR-ckgreuvg/s400/P1260045.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alfred Hale on Anne's port side as she turned to fire on the battery.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBF8sMdmTHw13w1_J7MiHqUwH3Qb71wBLiy0dKoTHPPWcI8X9evNy3ObxMGZL5AjdqTTnldVlGkQd79dqgFYRZsuvuUuoBjWjWZ1gBItG1nrzk7mRSunfmfBZWQys017LV6CLAlR1osD0/s1600/P1260043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBF8sMdmTHw13w1_J7MiHqUwH3Qb71wBLiy0dKoTHPPWcI8X9evNy3ObxMGZL5AjdqTTnldVlGkQd79dqgFYRZsuvuUuoBjWjWZ1gBItG1nrzk7mRSunfmfBZWQys017LV6CLAlR1osD0/s200/P1260043.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Anne sailing through fog</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohMMwbfDDxXMiNsaD4VDntz3kXY_MGQqDB6boGVSp_2TQbD1yfElNhYJWTWVqUAlgp8_6GJqTV255PzlzJArBLd93kZFR4X3vcwrBJGkeDcWt4lrrhSlBtmPO4nrz6eLTFSLN5CjNjV8/s1600/P1260047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohMMwbfDDxXMiNsaD4VDntz3kXY_MGQqDB6boGVSp_2TQbD1yfElNhYJWTWVqUAlgp8_6GJqTV255PzlzJArBLd93kZFR4X3vcwrBJGkeDcWt4lrrhSlBtmPO4nrz6eLTFSLN5CjNjV8/s200/P1260047.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the defence of the supply house the next day</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJmWTpFptZwY3QdJ-SXBgu30_aTuIdEi0wB3jqv2R_qGzEw0OntInjSAeFx7BjKiztFxMnJEZOL-qZSC3X65o1hwOX2kz_dO7bUsS2ifZB25RLBzaQkEWeXeX7wJgrLSrMp2gOZGWNuE/s1600/P1260049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJmWTpFptZwY3QdJ-SXBgu30_aTuIdEi0wB3jqv2R_qGzEw0OntInjSAeFx7BjKiztFxMnJEZOL-qZSC3X65o1hwOX2kz_dO7bUsS2ifZB25RLBzaQkEWeXeX7wJgrLSrMp2gOZGWNuE/s400/P1260049.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Without fear Hale mounted the top of the building to direct the fire of the infantry</td></tr>
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Alfred Hale was in 1730 Granted a knighthood by the representative of the multiple monarchs of Oronegro, for his gallantry in battle and his help in restoring order to the nation of Oronegro. he currently resides in a respectable dwelling outside of San Fran where he is head of the police force. His boat the HMS Anne is usually in port at Rio Pescado north or San Fran. However as all in Oronegro begin to realise that our nation is once more about to go through a time of war the question arises <i>"what role will Sir Alfred Hale play in the coming conflict?"</i> perhaps we shall know soon enough for in this year 1735 after a break down with the respectable Lord McDonald of New Dunedin and his Allies in Nouveau Paris Oronegro is once more at war with her neighbours.Daisy Gowan Ditchburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476802587483833107noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792013680750233202.post-88719228998062628472013-01-22T19:53:00.001-08:002019-10-02T19:09:05.226-07:00Oronegrean supply system and buildingOronegro is not a nation to be messed with. her military far exceeds the expectations again and again. Oronegro takes many influences for Ancient Rome in her military, the Oronegrean legion the century the centurions and the Ala for the cavalry. Another influence is the soldier-builders. in Europe all roads lead to Rome and these roads were well made and as straight as an arrow! of coarse if the ancients can do it why not a nation who does not have to worry about the extreme distances involved in the roman empire?<br />
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of coarse when there are roads there's the need to provide places to rest. One cannot ride the distance between La Ley and Santiargo del oronegro! so there needs to be places to stop, rest and perhaps most importantly stock up on supplies of food and drink! so in Oronegro when the Military builds roads it also builds fortified buildings every 25km the average daily walking/marching distance or a weary traveller or fully laden army, however even though these buildings are reasonably large, the biggest being forts in their own right and the smallest the size of a large house, they are often too far apart for comfort and when walking 25km a day is a big ask especially when its hot and you only want to go at a leisurely pace. The solution was provided by Oronegro's generous souls and those who knew how to make a but of money. Small buildings popped up along main roads everywhere. if you built it and offered to keep it stocked full of food the government payed you for it, even though in fact criminals would be forced to pull carts to the houses for you.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bj7gqIbk9Chp1D6dISTN55gsfNXcMvCBv9A3nLeDZDV8NNw7kd9s62qmoua3cL4LcsIv0OWjK2a0tn2yU8nxhRquWIX25NMs9IllXG9s5Qxj2vLMCc78Hb-uYsUSwqmq5coUTMCxMpY/s1600/P1230043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bj7gqIbk9Chp1D6dISTN55gsfNXcMvCBv9A3nLeDZDV8NNw7kd9s62qmoua3cL4LcsIv0OWjK2a0tn2yU8nxhRquWIX25NMs9IllXG9s5Qxj2vLMCc78Hb-uYsUSwqmq5coUTMCxMpY/s320/P1230043.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is a small commercial/ non-military supply house</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrl9_XH0l4wy2-tGuJSKNY_98dPWeJ1E9T5U2crZnuMG8NwW4ANJFufYwRvlIAkI9JOSgPYU20bg8SXiac-7LEqg8cYLUE6kSBRhwIc1hTdeNy63vYsHXFXKqkVb_D4cxJyf9FZBHyF_8/s1600/P1230046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrl9_XH0l4wy2-tGuJSKNY_98dPWeJ1E9T5U2crZnuMG8NwW4ANJFufYwRvlIAkI9JOSgPYU20bg8SXiac-7LEqg8cYLUE6kSBRhwIc1hTdeNy63vYsHXFXKqkVb_D4cxJyf9FZBHyF_8/s320/P1230046.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">its roof which is accessed via the ladder and easily removed platform is designed to protect anyone sheltering up there</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lcBGjiwcNiZlkdXl4UQVluL5vwjaCtGUnm23v8mBwfn1EXrDeHbJOrAHpmOmf29PfxQN86JLogMwftnPtD1ky1h01PFeX9n2eTQHx5KuDQsN4V66IH5urz2X7GfvSaCftFXnJSDzi94/s1600/P1230044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lcBGjiwcNiZlkdXl4UQVluL5vwjaCtGUnm23v8mBwfn1EXrDeHbJOrAHpmOmf29PfxQN86JLogMwftnPtD1ky1h01PFeX9n2eTQHx5KuDQsN4V66IH5urz2X7GfvSaCftFXnJSDzi94/s320/P1230044.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a nice stone path leads to the road making it a welcoming sight and an easily accessible one to a tired and/or hungry traveller.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEico1CwrOBF-XpEWT4dEPnnVEUIAm7LEyx5n7KXJJ_hq3ZZyyv74c843O13_OFCKHXP94HGSL60Qk9L00WlwvAW_3MJc_fsmNxmUyX2bCAD7DPcpuf50HLgfJjZbkw2ztpyLC70Q-UzWE8/s1600/P1230047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEico1CwrOBF-XpEWT4dEPnnVEUIAm7LEyx5n7KXJJ_hq3ZZyyv74c843O13_OFCKHXP94HGSL60Qk9L00WlwvAW_3MJc_fsmNxmUyX2bCAD7DPcpuf50HLgfJjZbkw2ztpyLC70Q-UzWE8/s320/P1230047.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the building is not of great size but is still strong enough that if bandits or raiders, including pirates if its along a coastal road attack it people inside can defend themselves</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xVjl8C6IGhnaZv68YAW-Kv4AuQRsw98KDR9U3yBSsLZRqTUK_5L0Jmn-4AlRp4WVDMfJ6NTHKs3bOkAZPY5k35VgsRQGsWjSkpxi2noEJIN5GT8PcSpbE2o6yZESIRINLeO4eCHZkjI/s1600/P1230054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xVjl8C6IGhnaZv68YAW-Kv4AuQRsw98KDR9U3yBSsLZRqTUK_5L0Jmn-4AlRp4WVDMfJ6NTHKs3bOkAZPY5k35VgsRQGsWjSkpxi2noEJIN5GT8PcSpbE2o6yZESIRINLeO4eCHZkjI/s320/P1230054.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the windows are purely defensive as well as offering light, they can be boarded up a bit allowing people inside to shoot out at any attacker from any direction from the safety of the building</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLoOCWk6x8S8yZdOzVNm1deInBIp_VbY62jL63VLk7xQHYs0B-VYXa1odp1nufOA1a4RDvOt8p_dl8KBM-0enV0_QFzINsFo2W_rGQvi0j686uzDpeo2a2tkM-BUAiMczZf2L_-g5OBQ/s1600/P1230053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLoOCWk6x8S8yZdOzVNm1deInBIp_VbY62jL63VLk7xQHYs0B-VYXa1odp1nufOA1a4RDvOt8p_dl8KBM-0enV0_QFzINsFo2W_rGQvi0j686uzDpeo2a2tkM-BUAiMczZf2L_-g5OBQ/s320/P1230053.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">although cramped and small there is enough room for supplies of water, wine, food like bread, cheese, fire wood under the desk in the cupboards and even some hammocks, rope, canvas and pegs so a person set up a tent outside or a hammock inside.</td></tr>
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These commercial buildings were never permanently guarded unlike the military/national ones but relied upon the honesty of the users. they were a welcome and useful part of a travelling man or woman's daily life.Daisy Gowan Ditchburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476802587483833107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792013680750233202.post-1461124428060325062013-01-22T00:33:00.000-08:002019-10-02T19:09:05.125-07:00Oronegrean national anthem<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: small; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>the following is the National anthem of Oronegro. I apologise if the image is a little fuzzy and if the spanish is not perfect but its the best I could do in one day... I could have taken longer however when <span style="font-size: small;">I do these things... like all my stories they are on the whole spontan<span style="font-size: small;">eous a<span style="font-size: small;">nd not t<span style="font-size: small;">otally well made.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMHPgnP8v_p9S5XbVtKwlznrng7PiC-BSQ9zmnq_LEqLb1n7deKpn0YwelobFmI_iDxML3j204GqMp-Qj7x5f2CPeQLd9WR1jzoNbyV94DyU0PJfuq1KId9lS9AFpBqaDJWDU4mWyrNQ/s1600/Oronegrean+national+anthem.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMHPgnP8v_p9S5XbVtKwlznrng7PiC-BSQ9zmnq_LEqLb1n7deKpn0YwelobFmI_iDxML3j204GqMp-Qj7x5f2CPeQLd9WR1jzoNbyV94DyU0PJfuq1KId9lS9AFpBqaDJWDU4mWyrNQ/s640/Oronegrean+national+anthem.png" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the spanish is not perfect not the image</td></tr>
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<i>sorry I accidentally posted this before... I was trying to hit save but hit publish... I also apologize for all these extra lines I have written that detract from the sense of realism that I like to maintain with my stories and other posts on this blog</i><br />
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Daisy Gowan Ditchburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476802587483833107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792013680750233202.post-79157444531571743502013-01-11T00:09:00.000-08:002019-10-02T19:09:05.207-07:00Colonisation and expansion part3In this the final part of the Colonisation and expansion tale of early Oronegro we focus on the final acts of Oronegro before the year 1730... a time of consolidation but also great threat, old friends become foes and old foes rear their heads once more. It was a time where Oronegro once more decided to show herself the equal of any great power and also shock the world with her bold and sometimes brutal actions. the 17th century may have been a relative time of peace for Oronegro but the 18th could see war and death on a scale that may surprise those who do not expect much from such a small place.<br />
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below is a map printed in 1758 of the west of Oronegro as it was in those days... although the lands actually extended far to the east almost to the boarders of Oronegro in the year 2000. however this was the heart of the nation and its life blood. there is no scale see caption for details.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSGz2qpxxlOTFqfPNz9bH2mM9tKNNYjVGZD46DUnG9a9wrKV0O7jWo8qXDoncHHkVOiTdQYT0zCBxd72Kyroa1PeT79OyrkeLcPd6Z5Z5kEUk3qCo7ffgbSarTvfeCtP0lymS6iVJZ04/s1600/james'+map+1+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSGz2qpxxlOTFqfPNz9bH2mM9tKNNYjVGZD46DUnG9a9wrKV0O7jWo8qXDoncHHkVOiTdQYT0zCBxd72Kyroa1PeT79OyrkeLcPd6Z5Z5kEUk3qCo7ffgbSarTvfeCtP0lymS6iVJZ04/s640/james'+map+1+001.jpg" width="464" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">as with most maps of Oronegro there is no scale because Oronegro is a
very large place and it would threaten many in this earth to see how big
it really is, HOWEVER if you take the width of the Oronegro's river
mouth at La Tierra del diablo to be around 0.5 km you will have a
reasonable scale.</td></tr>
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1690 was a tense year in Oronegro with the Nine Year's War or the War of the Grand Alliance being fought in Europe and all the different Colonies around the world, it seemed certain Oronegro would have to side itself with one of the combatants or face possible invasion from any or all of the nations involved.<br />
But taking sides was against one of Oronegro's founding principals: To be neutral to all sides so long as both sides could claim to be the homeland of many Oronegreans. This mean Oronegro could not take sides as France could claim to be the homeland distant or otherwise of almost 26% of Oronegreans, and on the other side Britain claimed 24% and Spain 37% with many of the other European combatants claiming around 42% of the population. This was a problem However Oronegro had one trick up its sleeve. For deep in One of Germany's parallel lands was that small state where long ago in the 16th century Lord Wolf the rightful ruled with his Oronegrean wife. Eliza daughter of Juan Carlos founder of Oronegro and the first of the many powerful Mayors of Oronegro.<br />
By now the little German state was a small insignificant principality pushed about by its neighbours, Yet it was a state and one which Mayor Samuel Jose the former general now declared Oronegro's whole and secure Ally.<br />
It was strange first of all as a mayor you needed to be part of the family of Juan Carlos, Samuel barely qualified and as such was not seen as a legitimate leader... also it was the democratically elected Prime Ministers Job to run the state and deal with foreign affairs.<br />
However Mayor Samuel was although only just a distant relation to Juan Carlos and as such could qualify for Mayor, also despite being democratic Oronegro was practically a constitutional monarchy and as Mayor Samuel could make these decisions, though there was no rule that anyone had to do them.<br />
The Principalities current crown Prince was Michael von Oronegro. the Title Von Oronegro had been retained ever since Eliza had been at the families head. Michael had little care for his families history the war in the Germany of this world made the principality the target of many of its neighbours in their smallish parallel world. They were for some reason allied to France seeing a chance perhaps to extend their power beyond the valley that made up the land into the rest of Germany beyond the tunnel of trees to the north and the cave below the mountain waterfall to the south. Prince Michael and the Principality looked doomed. Then came the news from across aurora covered sea! HELP WAS COMING!!! a Whole legion of Oronegro's finniest and many thousands more of the Reservist was coming to his aid.<br />
To Britain, Spain and the other members of the Grand Alliance this was Oronegro's show of allegiance to them. To France and her allies Oronegro was just helping a small friend with little connection the war. This was due to some skillful words and clever actions made by Oronegrean diplomats and the Military.<br />
in march 1691 the army Landed in Northern Germany and began its long march to the tunnel of Trees, it passed many lands inspiring awe as it passed. None hindered it all watched it. River boats were accompanying them up the rivers to where the river from the hidden valley emerged. it took them several weeks to get there but when they passed under the massive wide tunnel made by the branches of trees larger than any the soldiers had ever seen they entered a place that could not physically fit on any map of this world, Just like Oronegro.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a4/Quebec_1690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a4/Quebec_1690.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the siege of Kaltburg the principalities capital in 1690-1691</td></tr>
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The vanguard emerged from the tunnel as ink from a pen writing the tale of a war that even the great powers would never had predicted! crested helmets wear the first to appear signifying that these men were of el <span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">ejército primero. However this blue mass of infantry was followed by cavalry, cuirassiers, dragoons and a mixture of other horsemen, behind them was the centuries of grenadiers and fanned out around them were the cazadores. Suddenly behind the blue came the red after the cannons and artillery came the red-coats and tricorns of the thousands of reservists members of the </span></span>el <span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">ejército segundo. Like a river flowing in the opposite to the one on their left they marched into the valley, although they passed through hostile territory at the tunnels mouth, none came to oppose them, they reached Sattel a small town known for its horses. Here under the midday sun many men from the great farming plane broke from the marching column and leaped onto their new, somewhat startled mounts. There was only a token of resistance a few shot from the window of the town hall, which was answered with a laugh from the soldiers surrounding the building, this brought the ashamed defenders and councilors out with their heads hung and their pride gone. </span></span><br />
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">The Army camped there that night hoping to draw out some foes. With no loss of life they had taken and now secured a position, in which an estimated 9300 Oronegreans now slept. sentries watched through the night as a few of their comrades went back and forth between town and the woods bringing lumber for constructing defences in the narrow streets. every entrance to the town was blocked with a barricade, this included the back doors of all the houses on the outskirts, every house facing the fields around the town and those looking out over the river that ran through it had their windows turned into gun slits boarded up to allow defenders to shoot out unseen.</span></span><br />
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">The next morning on the 21st of June 1691 saw an army of Grasdamm close in on the small town, whose population had more than doubled the previous day. they walked up to the houses not noticing anything out of the ordinary until the first shots rang out, to late they noticed the strange shutters with vertical and horizontal slits. the first ranks fell back to regroup but now the second and third wave charged the houses from where the fire came. they found the doors almost impossible to break down and by the town they were in the defenders were gone. those who ran through the streets had to fight for every meter, every house hid soldiers each corner hid a barricade, each time they broke down a door defenders ran along rooftops and through hidden passage ways to get to the next building.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pages.uoregon.edu/dluebke/Germany342/BARRICADES1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://pages.uoregon.edu/dluebke/Germany342/BARRICADES1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fighting in the centre of Sattel, the funneled army of Baron Franke von Grasdamm. found it a cauldron of death</td></tr>
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<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">It all came to a head in the afternoon then the army of Baron Franke von Grasdamm entered the Plaza. the sound of gunfire was still prevalent in the smaller streets of Sattel but the roof runners and the passages that the small Grasdamm army found lead to that place. they entered not expecting much there was a small wall that blocked off one half of the square, however apart from that there was nothing there. Suddenly the doors around them exploded the cannons of the Oronegrean artillery were hidden on the ground floor of the towns large central buildings then from above came more gunfire and on the other side of the wall they could see soldiers emerging from the town hall.</span></span><br />
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<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">by 5pm it was all over the Barons army was cut off as the defenders who had hidden in basements and attics emerged blocking off the ways in and out of Sattel. the men of Grasdamm surrendered immediately and the Baron after he was found hiding in the bathroom of a baker negotiated peace with Oronegro. With Grasdamm out the way and the river free from foes up to the grassy dam of Grasdamm the river ships joined the army in the valley and after being raised up the river they sailed across the lake behind and began to support the crown prince. he had been besieged Kaltburg for a year now and was totally surprised by the appearance of Oronegrean boats and soldiers, he had expected monetary aid but not physical military support. By 1692 the war in the valley was over and the principality of Kaltburg was now dominant in that region. the Oronegrean army sailed home leaving some military advisers and specialists behind but also taking home many willing settlers and lots of loot.</span></span><br />
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps"><br /></span></span>
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">This was the first of many actions Oronegro would be involved in all over the world as she showed off her somewhat oversizes military muscles. However their actions made some enemies closer to home many of the smaller European colonies along the coast from Oronegro declared war and invaded seeing what they thought of as Oronegrean aggression towards France. some even thought that Oronegro had showed Britain and Spain disrespect. By 1695 Oronegro was at war with 5 neighboring states; these were Oroblanco, Playalargo, Costaplata, New Dunedin and </span></span><br />
nouveau Paris.<br />
Oroblanco was the first to fall its capital La Fortuna was taken on the 21st April 1695 after a war only lasting 3 days. the small nation was attacked solely by a cavalry force, before its small infantry force could form up for a battle it wound all its undefended villages raided and empty. They surrendered on the third day as rumours of a large infantry force approaching and the devastation wrought by the cavalry was too much for the council of La Fortuna to take.<br />
Playalargo was on the coastline between La Ley and La Esperanza, it was based in the small port of Costa Buena. Playalargo had long lived in peace with Oronegro, allowing Oronegrean armies to pass through quite often so long as a large fee was payed, however now they declared Oronegro an enemy of Spain! They claimed although Oronegro had fought against some allies of France this had been done in their own interests and not as a show of allegiance to Spain, they also cited Oronegro's quick return home and lack of action on the main fronts as a sign of her contempt for the Spanish king. Playalargo fought for many years and it was 1697 before Costa buena was assaulted and held by Oronegrean marines before the army of Mayor Samuel arrived to secure the claim.<br />
Costa Plata was based on the Isla del fuego, the island ships first past after crossing the aurora, it was invaded in 1694 but total control was not established until 1697. the capital El puerto grande was taken without a fight in 1695 to the great surprise of its citizens. The famed silver reserves on the island brought more wealth to Oronegro and its new 68,000 settlers brought more man-power to the state.<br />
New Dunedin which was mainly settled by Scots was based to the north of the La Esperanza river mouth and asked for peace in 1698 after marines attacked its capital in June of that year. Nouveau Paris also asked for terms but as it was further around the great Oronegrean bay it was not invaded and as such its power remained stronger. The final peace was established in 1700 as the final guerrillas emerged from the jungle and the last of the riots were quelled. Oronegro enjoyed a brief respite but its wars had not pleased any of its larger mother countries and they began in secret to arm some of Oronegro's most powerful foe's as well as those who it had just established peace with.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://totallyhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Signing-Preliminary-Articles-Of-Peace-1782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://totallyhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Signing-Preliminary-Articles-Of-Peace-1782.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the signing of the peace treaty of Costabuena in 1698 that meant Nouveau Paris would end the 6 year war it had with Oronegro during which it had not been invaded and only briefly cut off form France.</td></tr>
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The start of the 18th century was brought in with great fireworks in La Ley, La Esperanza and smaller celebrations all over Oronegro. Oronegro had proved itself a powerful nation and one that even the large superpowers had to take into account! the next 20 years past with little incident although there was war in Europe and else where this only helped Oronegro grow as refugees added to the already large population. It was a boom time in Oronegro as traders exploited their new found wealth and Pirates were kept at bay by the increasingly well trained Oronegrean navy. By 1720 there were 1,365,218 people in Oronegro according to the census of that year, with a possible margin or error of + or - 300 people. Oronegro became a powerhouse of innervation as well as strange devices appeared and usually disappeared in the streets of the capital. there was steam powered elevator type thing built in Oronegro's port in 1719 though it proved unreliable and noisy and so was removed. Canals were planned and roads improved, there was an influx of Muslim settlers also in 1713 which brought the camel to Oronegro in sufficient numbers to warrant a camel farm in the arid valley of el Minero.<br />
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Things seemed to be going well until 1725 when Oronegro was once again attacked by pirates like those 100 years before this time the raid was much more effective and La Ley was almost totally lost many soldiers, marines and civilians were lost and once more the saving factor came from La Esperanza... <b>this was just the beginning Kaxad was rising</b> the land of Oronegro was going to go once more through a time of terror and pain as its neighbors, old foes and pirates all decided to attack in succession and at some times in unison.<br />
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The time of Colonisation and expansion was over now it was the time of War and conquest!!!<br />
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<br />Daisy Gowan Ditchburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476802587483833107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792013680750233202.post-39696010040305875782013-01-06T00:54:00.007-08:002019-10-02T19:09:05.151-07:00uniforms of the Oronegrean first armywhile our historian constructs the next and perhaps final installment of Colonisation and expansion we shall now take a brief moment to showcase the uniforms of the Oronegrean first army... it must be noted that the following only shows the Grenadiers and the line infantry and information relating to both. a following post will display the cazadores (hunters) commanders and the other important elements in a unit. We shall now explore the uniforms...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWSAxZi1KXpMbTF4S_z7DmIUdaX2hl0NeoN3vg6Mdgn52Aj9qEJ6z5dv-TEjGumhP-LOg19UdvG75UfWAHbVuVlQ6yqtpQf6XzqxOaPa0R_M-MTlgnYo43CI3By_VU07VLXDX6h9Y0Ds/s1600/FA+Inf1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWSAxZi1KXpMbTF4S_z7DmIUdaX2hl0NeoN3vg6Mdgn52Aj9qEJ6z5dv-TEjGumhP-LOg19UdvG75UfWAHbVuVlQ6yqtpQf6XzqxOaPa0R_M-MTlgnYo43CI3By_VU07VLXDX6h9Y0Ds/s400/FA+Inf1.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">standard line infantry of the first army of Oronegro, the different coloured helmets determine his company</td></tr>
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The Line infantry of el <span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">ejército primero (first army) are perhaps the most well trained of any in the world! They have the standard military training of any other line infantry along with skills that are especial for a main force of a small nation. These include advanced bush craft, marksmanship, how to make ammunition and gunpowder, first aid, standard biology, standard chemistry, standard physics, basic mathematics, basic ethics and philosophy, history and military history, carpentry, bricklaying, literacy, road laying, boat building, swimming, urban warfare, basic agriculture, farming skills, languages and many more... usually trained from childhood or even birth if the parents are both criminals these men and a few women are the backbone or the Oronegrean army at all times, though the reserves take over in serious conflicts. they have the shooting skills of a life long hunter and the skills that will let them be self sufficient in jungle and even arid environments. They are the masters of combat only second in shooting skill to Oronegrean cazadores.</span></span><br />
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">They can fight in normal shoulder to shoulder battle order, in skirmishing order or even in no set order. they can fight in large conventional battles or in hit and run warfare and if the situation requires it by them selves or in small groups. as such when they fight overseas they are held in high regard and have been known to be loaned by the Oronegrean government to support a foreign ally in his war. The reason for all this training and conditioning is because these soldiers have to fight as well as 20 soldiers from other nations, although that level of skill is rarely reached there are certainly many Oronegrean line infantry that would show up the best that any other nation could put up against them.</span></span><br />
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">they wear the normal dark blue (may be slightly different from in illustrations) overcoats over a white shirt and white trousers. their helmets have coloured crests, this denotes which company (group of 20 men) they come from the standard colours (4 per century) are red, yellow, blue and black. However there is no strict rules to colour schemes and white, green and orange are known to be worn by some companies. it is also known to have several colours in a company this may occur when there are not enough supplies in an armoury of one colour or to many of another, or soldiers trading helmets or crests because they prefer a colour.</span></span><br />
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">All in all the standard Oronegrean infantry man or woman of the first army is in some ways an elite force and yet the regulars of a strict disciplined and yet in some ways lenient army that teaches the most effective and useful military skills in the world.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOH1vmdx3siU43bUTnF5DOPczcFCz8wnykxovDDot7yP-Qfo71IMiVjyGe7e-jTL-aFm5Zn0TwCfqUwPL9-dqkrx8e2l_iZ4cKB9OxbsfZrvfZlgGDj_soTStC_BpHcZnTE8JVpHcPr54/s1600/FA+Inf1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOH1vmdx3siU43bUTnF5DOPczcFCz8wnykxovDDot7yP-Qfo71IMiVjyGe7e-jTL-aFm5Zn0TwCfqUwPL9-dqkrx8e2l_iZ4cKB9OxbsfZrvfZlgGDj_soTStC_BpHcZnTE8JVpHcPr54/s320/FA+Inf1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
The Grenadiers were even more well trained than the line infantry though their marksmanship skills were less than those of the cazadores. they were not the tallest men but the strongest, almost exclusively made up of men due to the physical requirements. they came from the families of soldiers themselves, also raised from birth to be ultimate fighting machines they had all the practical skills of line infantry and a few more. these included advanced chemistry which meant that in many situations they made their own lethal weapons including explosive rounds for their muskets, practical wargaming so that each individual grenadier could if the situation require make tactical decisions, practical knitting and sewing so that they could make their own over coat or other clothing so suit their situation, desert conditioning which included long marches in the arid valleys of southern Oronegro, jungle conditioning which included long marches in the jungle hills on the edges of the great farming plain, and even advanced agricultural skills which meant that a grenadier unit could set up a camp and then grow their own food in hostile or remote territory where supplies might not reach them for months.<br />
Because of the physical and mental requirements for the grenadiers the size of grenadier units is small compared to even Oronegrean units. instead of the 20 men to a company of the line infantry there are 8 to a company in grenadier units. The ratio of officers and NCO's to soldiers ridiculous however as grenadiers will usually fight individually or in larger groups of 2 companies, which means there are 16 soldiers it does not matter to much.<br />
Oronegrean grenadiers are a special bunch that can be used as much as an implement of terror upon a foe as they can to eliminate them.<br />
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This post has been dedicated to the normal and yet extraordinary men and the few women who make up el <span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">ejército primero or first army of the Oronegrean military, the grenadiers and line infantry of what could be considered the finest and yet one of the smallest fighting forces in the 18th century world or parallel world.</span></span><br />
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<i>LINE DRAWINGS ARE REMADE FROM HAT LINE DRAWINGS, I TAKE ONLY LIMITED CREDIT... </i>Daisy Gowan Ditchburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476802587483833107noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792013680750233202.post-5563445122720009522012-12-31T00:47:00.003-08:002019-10-02T19:09:05.187-07:00colonisation and expansion part2 in the previous instalment we focused on the beginning of part2. Part 2 focuses on the maturing of Oronegro into a nation and so now in section B we discover how Oronegro turned from a battered nation into a secure and strong nation with its own distinct laws and customs.<br />
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in 1625 the Pirate Raid shocked Oronegro into action, her navy was expanded and her marine forces were improved to face off any other potential invaders. the story of the Military power of Oronegro entered its second chapter Oronegro created 2 land forces, of massive size. the first was tiny, called el <span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">ejército primero it consisted of 2 legions (1000 men each) and a few cohorts each of which have 500 men. The soldiers in these forces were some of the best trained forces for their day in the whole world. the second force was el </span></span><span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">ejército segundo, it consisted of what today would be considered reservists, they came from the general populace but attended regular training and arming exercises, they made up around 5% of Oronegro's total population in 1650 and that only ever increased until in 1700 it was 20% where it remained stable more or less until the system was abolished in 1894. More on these forces will be explained also in other texts that will come later on.</span></span><br />
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps"><br /></span></span>
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">The navy was also altered in a way. more larger ships were built and in 1659 what would later be considered a first rate ship of the line was built. the Juan Carlos was a massive ship that only just managed to fit into the harbour at La Ley. it was crude and was dismantled and rebuilt several times until in 1723 it took the form that most first rate ships of the line had. the name Juan Carlos was always used on Oronegro's largest ship and if Oronegro ever acquired or built a larger vessel the name would be transferred unto it no matter if the other ship was still in active service. the Navy also started to recruit more marines, who were the envy of many other nations except those of the great naval powers or France and Britain.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.conwaypublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/067-San-Trinidad-pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.conwaypublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/067-San-Trinidad-pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a painting of the Juan Carlos made in 1754</td></tr>
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<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">However although the mid 17th century saw the great explosion in the military and naval power of Oronegro it also saw the explosion in her population. in 1625 Oronegro had a population of 193,000 people however by 1700 it had exploded to well over 1 million... Why? Gold. in the early years of Oronegro the conquistadors and settlers found no gold. none at all. however in 1634 an expedition into the mountains south of Oronegro entered a wide plain in the somewhat arid terrain, here they found gold, lots and lots of gold. Due to Oronegro's neutrality towards the conflicts between, Spain, France and Britain, hundreds of settlers from all these nations descended upon the small nation almost immediately after the news spread. thousands would descend on Oronegro to get rich in a spectacle similar to that of the 19th century gold rushes, this was because Although Oronegro did control the mining and minting of gold and silver, any miner could keep 20% of his or her find so long as they complied with the laws surrounding mineral extraction, these included not mining or panning in another miners area, not damaging the land scape, not taking land from natives and not breaking the other laws of the land. Of coarse these laws were easy to in force when you have so many reservists who themselves quite often were miners by day and were always more than happy to make sure that all Oronegrean miners were not exploited by the new comers. many settlers came for gold or for turning it into products of great beauty. the town of el Minero was the main consequence of this influx. it was during this time that Oronegro first started to become estranged from Spain as Oronegro's gold did not end up on the treasure gallions but on all types of vessels from all over the world. the Gold rush died down in the 1670's as people lost interest in the stories, though there was still plenty of gold and silver to be found.</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQCrTcsWTL6PjMTLOu-ZZTXNxkjBrAR9EvnXm3rU23HaNkfB3QmHw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQCrTcsWTL6PjMTLOu-ZZTXNxkjBrAR9EvnXm3rU23HaNkfB3QmHw" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the mine shafts in the valley of el minero were some of the most well constructed anywhere, to comply with strict safety regulations</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps"><br /></span></span>
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">However it was during this period that another group of settlers descended in vast numbers into Oronegro.... Germans, with the Thirty years war raging fiercely in Europe many German catholics and protestants who found their homes on the front lines fled not to safer areas where their religion was prominent but to Oronegro. Oronegro's parliament of 1649 even considered officially adding some German kingdoms and duchies to its list of Official allies by settlers decent. the Next mass influx of migrant was during the English Civil war, this had the effect of consolidating Britain's presence in the nation and also meant that the age old tolerance of other religions was threatened.</span></span><br />
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">Oronegro had always been tolerant however these new arrivals were divided, though many were not overly zealous there was certainly division between them. Something had to be done, the answer was education and health care...</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://anubisstudios.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/a003056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="165" src="http://anubisstudios.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/a003056.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">as war rages in Europe Oronegro grows rapidly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">Health care and education were well established in Oronegro, they were part and parcel of the democratic system of Government. sure there were some very rich people in Oronegro but poverty was something that was always addressed. La Ley had many schools for the young. both men and women were treated and educated equally, though the Arab/ Muslim population always had a few issues with this. However although there were hospitals the governments action was not for curing the sick but for preventing illness. Sewers were expanded to cover the whole city and areas outside for the predicted growth, Pumps were set up everywhere supplying clean water, aqueducts were built and the cities streets were paved. it made La Ley one of the cleanest cities around and one that was the envy of many a large nation. La Esperanza also was improved in the same way. but both cities were also transformed in other ways, there was a new group established,made up of reservists, firefighters! Fire was always a problem in cities like La Ley where in the hot summer days could cause wooden frames to become matchsticks. the Firefighters and the Police forces were to become some of the saving factors for Oronegro's religious harmony. they kept everyone safe and with safety comes happiness. The next step in tackling religious division was education. All Oronegrean schools were run by the state, every teacher was well paid and taught the same curriculum, this included, reading, writing, history, science, practical skills (suck as wood carving or sewing), physical education, military education (non compulsory for girls), social sciences, languages and religious education. The purpose of this system was to allow all Oronegreans to work how they wanted and where they wanted, in an environment that would not cause them to be at a disadvantage due to their religion, race or sex.</span></span><br />
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">The punishment for religious, racial or sexual crimes became harsher also, although there still were some crimes committed, the punishment of death for killing someone because of their religion as opposed to a long prison sentence and then hard labour before release helped to get the message across that Oronegro was not about to let religion get in the way of running a nation.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kipar.org/period-galleries/engravings/1700/1700_hanging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://www.kipar.org/period-galleries/engravings/1700/1700_hanging.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hanging became the common punishment for those who killed a fellow man because he believed something different</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">But for all Oronegro's best efforts religious tensions did result in conflict. in La Ley in 1661 the Muslim community came under attack from gangs of catholics because of the apparent mistreatment of catholic women working in Muslim shops. the fighting was put down by the police but troops had to be called in to make sure that fighting did not start up again. However soon Oronegro would have other problems to face instead of religious divisions.</span></span><br />
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps"><br /></span></span>
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">What the Native tribes did during the early 17th century in Oronegro is relatively unknown however some must have grown in strength. the Kaxad empire grew in strength and cohesion after their long lull due to their defeat at the hands of Oronegrean forces in the previous century the valleys leading to their home were explored and secured by Oronegrean soldiers and military settlers, the towns of La Palma and San Juan were founded in this way. But it was the tribes in the valley of the cat that caused the most problems. they declared war on Oronegro in 1678 for what reason no-one knows but they would soon regret the act. A legion under the command of Samuel Jose was sent to clear the valley. The only way to reach the valley was usually through the Kaxad plain, however Samuel decided to cut a new one, through the mountains north west of La Ley. his regulars were of the all well acquainted with road building and an all weather military road across the mountain passes was established within 3 months. The Tribes feared their destruction and began to head for their sacred home in the tall mountain range in the far north of the region. However Samuel decided to make an example of this conflict. he carried on the road even though there were already trails in the valley, in fact he buried the river in a long large sewer and fresh water system! every few Kilometers he built some small watchtowers and every days march distance a secure fortified complex of houses was built, at the same time the reservists were pulled into action thousands upon thousands joined the army. a large wall was built at the point where the valley of the cats entered the Kaxad plain it was manned by reservists and volunteer militia. the advance of the army of Samuel Jose was slow due to the construction however it was unstoppable all ambushes were either found and destroyed or beaten back. by the time Samuel reached the town later called el gato, his forces had swelled to over 15,000 drawn by the opportunities of wealth and land. by the time he had reached the base of the mountains where the tribes took refuge 2 years had passed, the river that once flowed through that valley had been all but covered and turned into a water supply for all the fortified houses and the small towns along the route.</span></span><br />
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">Now came the hard part getting up the mountain side. for this he built a massive zig-zag up the hill the road was wide enough for many carts to pass and at each end of the rise there was a large battery in place to cover the construction crews... All the tribes could do was watch and wait as the monstrous worm or road made its way up the slope, all their best attempts of stopping the army failed and they were worried about the coming of winter which at that altitude brought snow! However now it seemed that the army of Samuel Jose would reach them before the winter of 1681...</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Louis_XIV_at_Mons_1691.jpg/280px-Louis_XIV_at_Mons_1691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Louis_XIV_at_Mons_1691.jpg/280px-Louis_XIV_at_Mons_1691.jpg" width="353" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a drawing of Samuel commanding the battery aiming down at a very fanciful drawing of the fortified city of the tribes... this is in fact highly inaccurate as there was no ground that much higher than the castle and the mountain sides were much closer than the drawing shows them to be</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps"><br /></span></span>
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">on the 12th of June 1681 Samuel Jose and his cuirassiers reached the level top of the mountains the air was thin but the tension in the air was suffocating. for over 3 years now he had led an army all the way up one of the most obscure places known, building one of the most over the top and complex systems of roads around, he had covered rivers and carved hills into plains paved a road longer than the distance between London and Dover. All this work, all this effort and all the expense had been done for this moment, the moment when he would conquer the fortress on top of the mountain. its defenders hid behind the walls, their muskets and bows ready to draw Oronegrean blood. </span></span><br />
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">Samuel brought his infantry up to the hill top, then the artillery and finally the thousands of reservists and militia he never really commanded. Now assembled on the plain on top of the mountain their uniforms were like a red and blue sea that turned that place into a parade of death.</span></span><br />
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">At precisely 12 p.m the cannons of Samuel's army opened fire upon the wooden castle, it lasted for 3 days and 3 nights. and on the morning of the 15th of June the infantry of the Legion that started the long march to the place so many years ago stormed the broken walls killing all its defenders, the fighting for the huge castle lasted for a week but when it was done the war was over and the Oronegrean flag flew on the mountain top!</span></span><br />
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">It was September when Samuel Returned to La Esperanza and then to La Ley. in the Capital he was greeted by large crowds he was hailed as a national Hero and his name would forever go down as the man who conquered a nation only to establish a permanent peace. the mountain top the Tribes once hid in was flattened and a new Stone castle built. El Castillo as it became known was the grandest and largest fortification built in Oronegro and for that matter it was also one of the largest built since the middle ages. Oronegro was now secure and it had matured as a nation. nothing could stop it now... could it?</span></span><br />
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps"><br /></span></span>
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">in the final instalment we look at the early 18th century and the start of some political moves that will affect Oronegro in a major way and some wars that you may not have thought involved them.</span></span>Daisy Gowan Ditchburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476802587483833107noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792013680750233202.post-79799280837484876302012-11-23T02:13:00.003-08:002019-10-02T19:09:05.211-07:00colonisation and expansion part2in the previous installment of Colonisation and expansion we looked at the early days of Oronegro and how "los Desperados" set up a colony of equality and peace, separate but not free from Spain and her kings and queens. in this installment the time of the securing of the colony and the foundation in the 16th and early 17th centuries comes into focus. Also a key story comes into focus at this time the tale the children of Oronegro's founder Juan Carlos.<br />
<br />
Colonisation and expansion part2 section A<br />
<br />
the Year 1523 will always be known as the year of passing for the colony! Though not yet known as Oronegro the colonials came together united and mourned the death of the founder of the land. For on the 3rd of March 1523 Juan Carlos de Costa y Andalucia passed away at the age of 67 he was survived by his 8 children, of whom those born in Oronegro had names from the different nationalities that made up the colony.<br />
<ul>
<li>His eldest son Juan Carlos Segundo born on the first day of April 1479 inherited the farm they owned near El Pueblo Antiguo south west of La Ley. He would in 1555 declare the state of Oronegro he was 76 at the time he lived 7 more years until he died age 83 in 1562. he had 2 sons</li>
<li>His eldest daughter Maria born 1483 was the last child he had before coming to Oronegro. She went onto become something of a free spirit never marrying and becoming an author of great renown her books on Murders and romances were to become all time favourites for the people of Oronegro for hundreds of year to come. she died in 1591 at the astonishing age of 108 she had no legitimate children but rumours persist that a love affair with a noble gentlemen from France ended in the birth of a son and two daughters.</li>
</ul>
Then came the twin brothers who were his first children born in Oronegro they born in 1496<br />
<ul>
<li> Alberto named after the Italian merchant who brought his hometown to the colony. Alberto married the daughter of the merchant and inherited the business. he grew wealthy and powerful and sailed many times to Europe. visiting his sister in Germany multiple times. he played a critical role in supplying the Prince and his troops in their struggle for his rightful crown. when the prince regained his crown in 1534 the 36 year old Alberto was knighted by Lord Wolf the Rightful for his services to the crown. Alberto died in 1548 age 52 a wealthy man and his sons were to become some of Oronegro's most powerful traders</li>
<li>Pierre named after the french expedition leader. he was a very sensible man, he married and had a child however this was overshadowed by his work in Forming the Oronegrean Navy. he set up many shipyards in La Ley, made the ports more efficient and with some of his brothers money he helped the Italians build La Ley's central quarter on the Island. he died after his brother in 1551 leaving his son a house boat that was almost as grand as the large townhouses in La Ley.</li>
</ul>
the remaining 4 children were <br />
<ol>
<li>Then there was Elizabeth born in a warm sunny day in 1500 was named after the wife of the English merchant who brought his native town to the Colony. She lived most of her life in the family house somewhat of a recluse. Her farther worried that she may never leave the home started looking for a possible husband. she married, against her will in 1513 to the young explorer Ben of La Ley who was the son of the same English merchant whose wife she was named after. Ben took her out of her comfort zone time and time again as he went exploring the jungle near La Ley... in safe territory of coarse. they both died together of natural causes in 1561. </li>
<li>Juan's most notable child Emir Born on a stormy night in 1502 named after the Moorish captain who brought the first Arab settlers to the Colony. Emir Became the first man in Oronegro to take part in a Native canoe race which he won, receiving the respect of the Nakwaztec tribe. He also became the first man to organise the Conquistadors and old soldiers into Oronegro's first army, though not very well made he based it off the roman system, his command and division structure would remain nearly the same until the present day. he died in 1553 in a hunting accident.</li>
<li>Taxtecohi born in 1504 named after the chief of the Mehobeck tribe which the colonists first encountered. He married the chiefs daughter in 1526, she was 14 at the time. in 1534 he fought the chiefs son for the leadership, he won the duel and was popularly proclaimed chief. he ruled happily until his death in 1558.</li>
<li>Eliza born in 1510 was Juan's last child. Named after the Jewish woman who had helped Juan find and aid as many Jews forced underground in Spain. Eliza married an exiled German prince in 1523 aged only 13 her father saw her get married in the original church in La Ley a few days later he passed away. Eliza lived a great life and enjoying the wealth her husband brought from his homeland. they even went to Germany with an escort to fight for the princes crown. and in 1533 her husband regained his families lands from their foes and was proclaimed Lord Wolf the Rightful. she died in in Germany with many children in 1593 age 83 a German aristocrat. </li>
</ol>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.artexpertswebsite.com/pages/artists/artists_a-k/birch/Birch_AmericanMerchantShip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://www.artexpertswebsite.com/pages/artists/artists_a-k/birch/Birch_AmericanMerchantShip.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">an Oronegrean ship enters port in Germany ready to aid the prince in his fight for his crown</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Colonial tension 1555-1625<br />
<br />
La Ley was the Capital of the new Land of Oronegro but still there were problems. La Ley was being rebuilt in in brick and tile. the Island on the southern bank of the Oronegro river was built in the Italian Renaissance style. very beautiful it was a great tourist attraction bringing many native tribesmen into the city to marvel at the incredible architecture and the twisting turning streets. However there were problems as a land where nearly all nationalities could live in peace La Ley found itself the target of Pirate raiders. These raiders knew that the port was harbouring the trade ships of their homelands enemies. Spanish privateers attacked the English ships in harbour, the English Buccaneers the Spanish all depending on the political situation. La Ley could not defend itself its navy although already organised by the Noble Pierre Carlos de Costa y Pizarro. The shipyards were mostly turning out merchant ships for Alberto y Maria Oronegro's largest trading company. all that was available were boats of the line and a couple of old Carracks.<br />
So in 1561 the Mayor of La Ley Juan Carlos Trecero ordered that La Castillo de La Ley be built. it Incorporated 2 fortifications a Wall around the old district, the southern part of La Ley on the island, and a fort on another island at the narrowest point of the Oronegro river before the city. the fort was rebuilt many times and was the site of many important battles. it was finally made into an imposing star fort in 1613 one of the strongest fortifications at the time it would become the heart of a great battle in 1625.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://artworldchicago.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/chateau-at-dusk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://artworldchicago.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/chateau-at-dusk.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the mayors palace for La Ley was in the town of Pueblo antiguo, a fine building it was beloved of the Oronegrean people</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
However during the 1550's and 1560's Oronegro was at peace Coco beans were grown in plantations on the jungles edge and the great planes to the west of La Ley began to be cultivated as the tribes slowly lost their power due to disease or joined the Colonials in alliance. the reason for the tribes willingness to ally themselves would not become known until the 1580's. Oronegro was little bothered by pirates during this period also a few raids brought the fleet in La Ley to its knees the Army was strong enough to stop them plundering the city and after the wall was built around the old district in 1561 the cities banks and government buildings were safe. though the port and the Muslim and Jewish quarters were still raided the British in their quarter nearby would respond with their guards quickly enough to prevent any serious damage.<br />
meanwhile in La Esperanza peace was constant the valley in which the city was based was fertile and crops were grown, an irrigation network aided the growth of many other crops and cattle and sheep could be reared in peace and security. the tribes around La Esperanza were not as eager to ally as those around La Ley but after the wave of disease had swept though them and gone they began to seek help from the white men. Friendships were built and the catholic priests began to convert the local population, another difference in the practices around La Ley, With La Esperanza far up river and it's navy already set up it was too far and too strong for most pirates and those who were powerful enough were not able to bring their large ships up the river... only Boats of the line could fit up the river.<br />
During this time a few explorers ventured up the Oronegro river, not too far the city of Santiago de Oronegro became the furthest port of call for the time being the large island of El Pollo was also settled by farmers who used rafts to get from the defensible island too the farming fields. which although not attacked so far, were left unsettled, this was because the local tribes who gave land warned that there was a power in the hills and jungle behind the plane. still the land was at peace and farmers, traders, explorers and woodsmen all went up the river in search of new land and new opportunities.<br />
During this period Oronegro's population boomed from 9,500 people to 33,500 people mostly from overseas but also because of the good sewer and water systems in La Ley and La Esperanza which prevented outbreaks of serious illness. Also with all the new settlers came more soldiers and sailors who were able to defend the outlying territories and increase the trade between Oronegro and the rest of the world. Oronegro was becoming known for peace, health, happiness and opportunities.<br />
<br />
the 1570's were the beginning of the wars that would secure European control over the lower Oronegro river valley. the Warnings of tribes came true as out of the forests marched the armies of the Kaxad an empire that would threaten Oronegro more than any pirate fleet or terrible storm could. the Kaxad empire was a powerful nation based in a large valley that would one day be the place where El Granproyecto would be established. the Kaxad had suffered from the wave of disease that came with the arrival of Europeans but they had benefited also! Kaxad city had been terribly overcrowded the people were seriously unhappy the plagues that had come had killed off the people in the cities slums making it a more secure place. Now with the empire in possession of a few gunpowder weapons since sending a few spies and traders to acquire knowledge about the settlers and gain some of their technology. The empire secure and armed was now ready to make its presence felt they marched down the selva river valley and came out into the plane to the horror of the settlers and native tribesmen alike. the town of San Antonio was leveled the island of El Pollo was isolated the City of Santiago de Oronegro was besieged. the Oronegro river was the only was that La Ley could supply the towns. La Ley was attacked the Port and the surrounding districts were taken and the old district and its walls were the only safe haven. La Esperanza was also attacked, Kaxad troops marched over the mountains that separated the valleys. La Esperanza had a palisade around the whole city and with the loyal tribes all rushing in to defend the city it held out far better than La Ley.<br />
The sieges were not well implemented and the Kaxad troops often went away for festivals in their capital, what troops remained were well trained but too few to keep the Oronegreans inside the cities. La Ley was was fully recovered in 1575 after a year of partial occupation while La Esperanza was too strong for the besieging forces to attack and in 1576 they retreated back over the mountains. Santiago de Oronegro was still surrounded and the Oronegrean boats of the line were the only things stopping Kaxad troops from taking the city from the river. El Pollo was unassailable with the bridges destroyed and the Kaxad boats were no match for the Oronegrean warboats that came up from La Ley. The sieges lasted until 1583 when the troops were all withdrawn for no apparent reason.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQlT2WKGEZV7ofPH2K2MgGktwLx-NcYtTIJkN1_urVRelluPYbTxA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQlT2WKGEZV7ofPH2K2MgGktwLx-NcYtTIJkN1_urVRelluPYbTxA" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the view across from el Pollo looking at the palm covered river bank.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Colonists rebuilt their towns and improved their fortifications more effort was put into exploring south of the Oronegro river and a series of watchtowers and outposts was set up along the jungle edge. however in 1590 the Kaxad troops returned but now the Oronegreans were ready their armies formed up upon the planes and at the battle of Selva y Campo the Oronegrean army under the command of Centurions Ray and Fran set up with 600 men in front of the small town of San Paulo. facing them were 30,000 Kaxad soldiers armed with bows axes and primitive, crude swords made by Kaxad blacksmiths who had just discovered the art of forging metal from the towns taken during the last assault. the Battle lasted the whole day 5 times the Kaxad troops assaulted the Oronegreans 5 times they were sent back under a hail of lead. finally the Kaxad army retreated. 231 Oronegreans had died but over 21,000 Kaxad men never returned to their wives. For this San Paulo was renamed San Ray and Fran who later fought in the south of Oronegro outside the town of San Diego had the town renamed in his honor. So were San Ray and San Fran created, they would become very important later on but for now they were just relieved to have survived the invasion.<br />
The Kaxad were battered but not broken and their armies marched over the great farming plains for years to come it was not until after the war had seen many incredible victories and crushing defeats on both sides that in 1603 the imperial troops withdrew. Losses on both sides could only be guessed at Oronegro loosed between 3000-5000 people while the empire lost around 86,000-87,000 warriors. The Empire was crushed it would never again hold the power it did then. their capital city fell into decline and instead the Kaxad people left the large city and built a few towns in the jungle... the empire was weakened but the towns were still loyal to the emperor even though they lived far away from him.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.designzzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Jungle_Venture_Concept_by_Zureul-630x451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://cdn.designzzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Jungle_Venture_Concept_by_Zureul-630x451.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the fate of the Kaxad empire was to become a series of Jungle villages loosely controlled from the inpierial capital</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
the great Pirate raid of 1625.<br />
<br />
after the Kaxad empire had withdrawn the land of Oronegro was slow to recover, they feared another attack was imminent. However in 1625 La Ley was once again threatened the Pirate Captain Samuel the Black heated came down from the Caribbean with 32 ships and 2800 pirates. He had heard that the land was weak and the Banks of Oronegro were without guards. they sailed past la tierra del diablo and up the Oronegro river. they reached the starfort and 1200 pirates disembarked to assault the fort while the rest of the fleet carried on up river. The Pirates headed for the seemingly unguarded walls only to find that when they were 100 meters away that hundreds of helmets and muskets appeared over the parapet. cannons from the ships fired at the fort and the forts own guns responded in kind. the rest of the pirate fleet carried on towards the port bombarding the old district along the way. Then the La Ley fleet mostly made up of 3rd rate and 2nd rate boats of the line went against the pirates sloops and brigs the battle was fierce many ships were lost and the river was not wide enough for either side to utilise their numbers or their maneuverability. the Starfort was being heavily bombarded but the defenders did not waver, instead they fired back twice as fast. the battle lasted 5 days until the pirate fleet was surrounded when a fleet came down from La Esperanza to relieve the shattered city. the Pirates surrendered and their ships taken. the pirates were not executed but put straight to work only one was killed Samuel was ceremonially shot by the mayor of La Ley and then clubbed by the native tribesmen if the bullet did not kill him. Samuel has gone down in history of one of the most daring and brave pirates of his day, the only problem is that his name was hidden with Oronegro.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/brochures/1940/fomc/images/fig14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/brochures/1940/fomc/images/fig14.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oronegrean ship and marines looking across at the fort after the battle in 1625</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And so this second installment comes to the end. In the next installment the 17th century is covered along with the discovery of Gold in Oronegro. the Story of Oronegro was now in motion.<br />
<ol>
</ol>
Daisy Gowan Ditchburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476802587483833107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792013680750233202.post-32409047942906725472012-11-15T13:30:00.002-08:002019-10-02T19:09:05.134-07:00colonisation and expansion part1in 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue... unaware that his ideas about the size of the world were completely wrong, leading to native Americans being known as Indians. However he was not the only one to set sail that year. Juan Carlos de Costa y Andalucia, he was from a group known as "Los desperados" (the desperate ones) they were made up of atheists, Jews and Muslims and other "heretics" who since the end of the riconquista had been hunted and prosecuted by the inquisition. Hoping that perhaps they could reach the east indies they set out after Columbus half expecting that they would have to donate him food once his supplies ran out, knowing that he had underestimated the size of the world. instead one night they travelled under an aurora in a tropical region, when dawn came the next day they passed by a large volcanic island but did not land assuming that it would be devoid of life so far out in the ocean, then they saw land and lots of it. they headed for wide river mouth that came into view before them, it was almost wide enough for the 13 ships to sale abreast however the 13th the one in which the old pagans and witches sailed in grounded itself on the spit, this land would become known as "la Tierra Del Diablo", because of the practices that went on there, and its wind swept nature.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3c/Gustav_Adolf_Closs_-_Die_Schiffe_des_Columbus_-_1892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3c/Gustav_Adolf_Closs_-_Die_Schiffe_des_Columbus_-_1892.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the fleet sets out across the sea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
of the remaining ships there were several groups<br />
<ul>
<li>3 carries Muslims from the south of Spain and Morocco, El <span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps"><span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps alt-edited">Árabe</span></span>, El moro and El Profeta </span></span><br /><span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">Mahoma</span></span></li>
<li>2 carried Jews escaping from persecution these were Israel and Solomon</li>
<li>2 carried catholics who were unhappy with the churches policies in Spain, the ships were the <span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">El Jesús</span></span> and the El San <span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">Martín</span></span></li>
<li>3 for the atheists life away from Spain was becoming more and more inviting! their ships were La Ley which was the largest ship on which Juan sailed, El Pobre and El Futuro</li>
<li>2 smaller ships carried christian soldiers and the sons of soldiers who had fought alongside the moors in Spain and now were being hunted down. these were El Mensaje and El Caballero</li>
</ul>
the ship that got grounded was La Fuerza.<br />
<br />
then when they came to a great bend in the river behind the long spit they decided to set up a settlement. The ships then landed in several places on the western bank of the river the Catholic ships and one of the smaller ships landed on a large island. while the Jews atheists and Muslims all sailed behind another island to set up a camp on the mainland. From this day forth the city of La Ley was established. the catholics took apart their ships and built houses and a church on the island. this was the beginning of La Ley's old district. while in the mouth of a small tributary river the Muslims and Jews took apart their ships setting up a town that would become the major port of La Ley for many hundreds of years to come.<br />
<br />
in between them was a large island they named La Isla Rica which would become a neutral meeting place where people of all religions, cultures and backgrounds could meet under the palm trees, it would remain that way until the 17th century when it was built upon by the wealthy, it would remain a place of wealth until the present day.<br />
On the spit La Fuerza was torn to bits by the crew and its passengers, who had to use it all for setting up some houses as there was very few trees there. Fortunately riders from El Caballero which had landed on the island with the catholics had crossed the river and brought the people much building materials from the catholic ships which were surplus from the constructing of the Church. This moment forever made Oronegro a symbol of equality and tolerance, catholic and witch could talk together while Arab and Jew could live in peace.<br />
<br />
A few ships were not dismantled, La Ley was the only real warship a grand Carrack and so it remained in case they were assaulted by the locals who had not been sighted and would not be for a few weeks to come, El Mensaje also was left, it was a fast ship and was crewed and with the plentiful supplies which were not even a quarter used up could be spared for a return journey of the craft! El Mensaje set out the next day passing under the aurora once again that night. when they reached Spain they found Columbus had returned and was being celebrated. This worked to their advantage, they went around in secret and gathered more people, mostly catholics who missed the priests who had gone. Also they ran into a British and Italian merchant who were willing to supply many ships in return for their own place in La Ley.<br />
<br />
So the second fleet set out.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoi4ZA8ecilmz21zDDGePOvxJH_V4pue3HvsqLWfx_H3fqa9xhSJvVivb0hwVrimG1QFaNlKnP1YCkqqdv1YqXuRWt9lYwbpox6Qm7Uppu-_7TnSdwaCfbU1WXjiYyLT6Aa0Pup95JSk/s320/Dhow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoi4ZA8ecilmz21zDDGePOvxJH_V4pue3HvsqLWfx_H3fqa9xhSJvVivb0hwVrimG1QFaNlKnP1YCkqqdv1YqXuRWt9lYwbpox6Qm7Uppu-_7TnSdwaCfbU1WXjiYyLT6Aa0Pup95JSk/s320/Dhow.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a drawing of one of the dhows that was part of the second fleet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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the Italian merchant brought the whole of his native village... 137 people who went off in 3 ships. the British merchant went one better and brought his whole town with him, 517 people in 7 ships and not to mention a further 18 ships which came together from France, Spain, Morocco and Italy. which brought the total amount of people setting out on the second voyage to 2147 people. lead by El Mensaje they set out on the 15th of November 1495 under the cover of darkness. it was called the expedition of Carracks and dhows due to the number of people coming from Morocco. 11 weeks later they arrived in the Colony. The Italians and some of the Spanish joined the others on the island while the people from Morocco went to the port. 3 of the ships that came carried soldiers who were set to work guarding the settlement. However many of the French and Spanish did not like the site and sailed off north to another river mouth. and after sailing inland for a day and a half they settled in a large plain between the hills. this was named after the only armed ship which was able to go up the river La Esperanza. so Oronegro's larger city was founded, and immediately they came in contact with some friendly locals who gifted them with the thing that could cause Oronegro to expand in years to come coco beans<br />
<br />
In La Ley the natives had been trading with the settlers for the last few years at first they had been frightened by the strange men, and even more by the fact they spoke different languages to each other, they feared that these were several different tribes which might suddenly fight each other and destroy the forests and plains around them. But after the first month they came mimicking the language they had heard, to the great amusement of the settlers, it was not long before they were able to understand each other and when disease broke in the tribes the settlers helped as best they could to save them, with mixed results but still far better than what happened else where.<br />
In fact the settlers managed to save hundreds, as many of the Muslims had a good understanding of medicine from studying in the great libraries in the Muslim world. this formed a bond between these first tribes and the settlers that would last until La Ley grew so large that the tribes were assimilated into the city.<br />
<br />
In 1517 a third fleet from Spain of 15 ships brought the law of the King to the Colony, though shortly after another fleet of ships came from England to bring the law of the English monarch. So began Oronegro's story of Spanish and British co-history. the British decided then that Oronegro was not theirs though they had many settlers there, but Spain was unhappy when they colony said that the king could not control them through force and that he could only rule through advice... the Kings men agreed leaving behind 10 ships full of Conquistadors who were then joined by the British ships and the soldiers on them.<br />
Oronegro would keep this type of hands off government by Spain until the mid 19th century which was the cause of Oronegro's war for Independence in the 1860's. So began the story of Oronegro and on the 15th of November 1555 the Nation was named as such as the Coco plantations of the Natives and settlers produced so much Coco that it replaced gold as currency in La Ley.<br />
<br />
in the next installment of Colonisation and expansion we discuss the story of Oronegro in the 16th and early 17th centuries as it starts to establish itself as a strong, democratic power.<br />
<br />Daisy Gowan Ditchburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476802587483833107noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792013680750233202.post-90242422031418616382012-10-08T23:12:00.002-07:002019-10-02T19:09:05.229-07:00UN GermansThe German government sent some peacekeepers to Oronegro during the
deceptive calm of 2022 when the Consolidation of Soviet power was
complete and before the red army spread across Europe. The German
government knew that there was many Soviet insurgents in eastern Germany
who were ready and able to recreate the old east west divisions of the cold war. though it would seem strange the German government decided it best to remove some of their forces from these areas of soviet influence, they knew that their troops would be caught in the crossfire if they remained. So some soldiers were told that they were going on an important mission to Africa, of coarse they were off to Oronegro.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3sxMuVK0sMZYaHxIRW3uKCRjJkQVfACLKoSItbGMNf7nMAIrzpIymzq8eGgGKcatgQCQWzcvu6-JZ8qgmjWvtaT6WK8FJXSeOmgBlzET8E35Wp2JTMI-C8IjY1jXzHEKhwgU6b82dB60/s400/PA080140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3sxMuVK0sMZYaHxIRW3uKCRjJkQVfACLKoSItbGMNf7nMAIrzpIymzq8eGgGKcatgQCQWzcvu6-JZ8qgmjWvtaT6WK8FJXSeOmgBlzET8E35Wp2JTMI-C8IjY1jXzHEKhwgU6b82dB60/s400/PA080140.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the normal role for security forces in Oronegro during the civil war</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
at first they were used in very unimportant roles, 2022 saw little problems in the major cities of Oronegro but when in October the Soviet Union decided that is should remake the iron curtain the Germans in Oronegro found themselves stranded. Germany which faced war in her eastern regions was unable to recall the soldiers in a safe and orderly manner especially with Soviet forces present in high numbers in both Oronegro and Germany.<br />
From then on the UN contingent in Oronegro became more involved in the conflict, they had to, Oronegro could prove important in the balance of power back home. So the Germans stepped up their searches of rebellious neighbourhoods in La Ley where they were based.<br />
In 2025 when La Ley saw heavy fighting the German force earned a reputation for never avoiding battle. they did suffer loses but though Oronegro was not recognised German media was told that certain members of the German Army had died, of coarse their names were not broadcast except in their home town, the War with the Soviet Union took centre stage. But as was to be expected any deaths in Oronegro were deaths in daring missions in Siberia!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3nSJ5sJRvyQuriYFVbe7pIj0Xd202Vnc-AUWtRLIv3vyZqus-Jfc8LVNDcVhAQmEsIi9miApeJ8KJVG_zuHq4wNdvvPXZ-Fw_mxltFxyrUcDl6vaGKtJ4yWIWhFT5Ve0n4h6t0cJK74/s400/PA080147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3nSJ5sJRvyQuriYFVbe7pIj0Xd202Vnc-AUWtRLIv3vyZqus-Jfc8LVNDcVhAQmEsIi9miApeJ8KJVG_zuHq4wNdvvPXZ-Fw_mxltFxyrUcDl6vaGKtJ4yWIWhFT5Ve0n4h6t0cJK74/s400/PA080147.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The German flag a symbol of Oronegro's importance to the world and the worlds importance to Oronegro</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
in 2029 when the Soviet Union finally stopped the conflict in Europe, with most of the Warsaw pact under its control, Oronegro sent the Germans home, Oronegro was almost under total control with just a few places needing military action. when the war ended in 2031 with the defeat of the last rebel fort the Oronegrean government invited back all the German UN peacekeepers for a grand parade celebrating their brave actions during the war.<br />
<br />
and so the story of German involvement in the nation changed tone. and when Oronegro was revealed to the world in 2035 Germany was the third nation to declare themselves allies to the state.Daisy Gowan Ditchburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476802587483833107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792013680750233202.post-45612402764077736242012-09-22T17:01:00.001-07:002019-10-02T19:09:05.159-07:00NEWS FLASH. National forces clear rebel camp ahead of campaign<b> Tuesday 23rd April 2022</b><br />
<b>Jose: </b>People here in the capital are ecstatic over recent news that the national forces under the command of Centurion Pedro Nacho Fernandez Costa! we sent Laura to interview him and find out about the battle.<br />
<br />
<b>Laura: </b>so Pedro what happened back there? I have heard the fight was quite fierce.<br />
<b>Pedro: </b>Yes it was I feared for my own life at one stage but we managed to recover from some very heavy casualties. The rebels put up a brave fight to be sure, I have never seen so many men lose their lives for the rebel cause. I myself have lost many good friends, I saw them die before my very eyes, war is a terrible thing, but a cruel necessity if we are to live in freedom<br />
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<b>Laura:</b> and the rebels? not all of them were killed according to the reports you filed.<br />
<b>Pedro: </b>Yes we took some prisons, these men are brave soldiers, I am not surprised that they were able to build this camp in what is essentially behind our lines. Their commander, centurion Manuel was a brave man I remember training with him back in 2016. It is a shame that so many good men have betrayed their own country.<br />
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<b>Laura: </b>Are you angry at all? surely these men are the reason so many Friends are dead?<br />
<b>Pedro: </b>Can I be angry? These men may be traitors and murderers but I recognise many people from training like Manuel. How can I angry with my former friends at a time that I have lost so many of my own friends? mercy is what they deserve, they fought with all the courage that is to be expected of a soldier of Oronegro, its just sad that they found themselves on the wrong side.<br />
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<b>Laura: </b>I have heard that your troops were not alone? can you tell us who assisted you?<br />
<b>Pedro: </b>it was that fellow from the capital, James I think it is...<br />
<b>Laura: </b>ep3?<br />
<b>Pedro:</b> Yes that's the one. He must have been staying in the house. We did get a chance to talk to him after the battle but he left quickly and I did not get to know him well. he only said "I have work to do, your fight is just one of many I will be in during the war".<br />
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<b>Laura: </b>Assuming that the campaign in the north does not end the war.<br />
<b>Pedro: </b>I think that is a dream, I cannot see this war being over so soon, not now that the rebel general has returned. I think that we are in for some hard fighting in the years to come.<br />
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<b>Laura: </b>well let us hope not. Thanks for your time centurion<br />
<b>Pedro: </b>Your welcome<br />
<b>Laura: </b>this is Laura Martinez reporting for Oronegro news, back to you Jose.<br />
<br />
<b>Jose: </b>Thank you Laura, in other news more fighting in Europe as the Soviet Union continues its fight against Marines on its boarders. German forces on UN missions here are going to remain as a permanent force as Germany can no longer safely bring them back...<br />
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<br />
Well there you go a news flash from Oronegro. <br />
<br />Daisy Gowan Ditchburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476802587483833107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792013680750233202.post-82889061248409141862012-09-21T01:22:00.002-07:002019-10-02T19:09:05.218-07:00The battalion- the independant centuryin the previous post I touched upon the battalion, this force is essentially a century that is independent of a legion and under the command of a senior centurion or <b><i>primus pilus</i></b>. however as an independent force a battalion needs more support! however the exact needs of one battalion may be greater than another and so early on in Orangery's history the different needs of a battalion cause the creation of two classes/ sizes of battalion. Class A battalions containing 300 men and class B battalions containing 200.<br />
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<u><b>the class A battalion</b></u><br />
the class A battalion is the bigger of the two, over the years it has become more standardised in its support and even more importantly its role has changed. The Class A battalion has the normal 100 soldiers of a century, under the command of a standard centurion, but also 50 soldiers of a combat support team, under the command of another <b><i>centurion</i></b> 20 troops from an air arm and 10 of an artillery group! there is also a 20 soldier Strong transport and communications team which helps to keep the battalion fed and armed. there is of coarse the 100 Strong command/ support force however the distribution of them is different from normal! there are 30 command troops 8 NCO's with 8 guards 2 centurions with a guard and a <i><b>Optio</b></i> each the<i><b> primus pilus</b></i> and his body guard and a <i><b>praefectus castrorum</b> </i>who organised the camp, training, equipment and supplies below him were 5 officers called<b> <i>praefectus</i></b> (prefects) who just made sure that the supply team was doing its job.<br />
the70 others were made up of 10 MP's, 10 medics, 5 bomb disposal 20 engineers, 5 civilian relations/ interpreters and 10 mechanics. <br />
<i><b>the air arm</b>:</i> the air arm is 20 men strong and contains 10 helicopter pilots, 6 gunners for the aircraft and another 4 ground crew who act as air traffic control - repairs are carried out by the mechanics and transport team. the group normally had 3 transport helicopters for deploying troops, crewed with 2 pilots and 2 gunners each the helicopters varied and most famously the rebels used the Hind O (o for Oronegro) there was also 2 attack helicopters operated by 2 pilots, this was either the lynx, Apache or another hind.<br />
<i><b>combat support team:</b> </i>the combat support team is essentially made up of armour, sniper and mortar groups. the Armour is the biggest consisting of 30 troops, it is made up of around 10 APC's normally the Bradley or the Warrior, the BTR-80 also is common, these take up 20 of the troops, 2-3 tanks are also common, 3 tanks when an auto loader is installed and only 2 if there is none, the additional troop is often put in one of the APC's. Mortar team consists of 10 men, these operate between 2 and 5 mortars depending on the size, often a mobile mortar is used in which case they only have 2 mortars with 2 driving the vehicle and the other 3 operating the mortar. and there is the 10 man sniper group.<br />
<b><i>Artillery group:</i></b> the 10 men and women of the artillery group are some of the luckiest of the Oronegrean army. self propelled guns will require 5 of them to operate while in the odd cases that a non-self propelled gun is used they can get 2 troops to a gun depending on the size.<br />
<b><i>Transport and communications: </i></b>The army needs transport, food and full HD, 300 channel plus, satellite television! apparently. 5 chefs, 10 truck divers, 3 electronic communications (also electronic warfare) specialists and 2 fixers/ stock takers. these men and women are the ones that keep the water running and the Bacon and eggs on the menu. the truck drivers drive their armoured and armed big rigs! (0.50 cal on the cab roof). they either carry supplies or if the battalion is on the move the soldiers hop on in and fight over who gets to ride shotgun or in this case machine gun!The chef have their own trucks which they drive poorly in some cases, the fixers can quite often have their own 4x4's and of coarse the electronic guys have their high tech trucks, which are often used as HQ's during battle. this group is also known as the trucker team for obvious reasons.<br />
<b><i>engineer groups: </i></b>The engineers are known as the road workers of the battlefield, the 20 people who are involved in this group are used to doing the fun things, blowing up stuff, building stuff and then watching is get destroyed, mostly that is sand castles. they are armed like the normal infantry but do not be mistaken they do know all the finner points of what they are doing.<br />
<i><b>Mechanics: </b></i>The mechanics are what keeps the modern mechanised war machine going, they have 5 trucks full of tools and nuts and bolts! the annual tank take apart and put back together competition brings the best of these teams to the capital for what can only be described as a practical sport!<br />
<i><b>Bomb squad: </b></i>The advent of the IED has meant that the old mine clearer's have had to learn new skills but their role is still the same, find the bombs/mines before the troops find them.<br />
<i><b>Civilian relations team: </b></i>Key to modern conflict is the idea of hearts and minds, and it is the job of the civilian relations team to make sure that the hearts and minds of the people are firmly with the National cause.<br />
<i><b>MP's: </b></i>The military police team is very important to the Oronegrean war machine, they keep order in camp and if the battle means that a near by town is a possible place of regrouping in the event of defeat on the battlefield the MP's make sure that the town does not hold some nasty surprises for the army. They also arrest any disorderly troops, they will often arrest anyone who commits a crime, they earned a reputation during the civil-war for being more dangerous than the rebels in some places because they would arrest so many disorderly troops.<br />
<i><b>Medics: </b></i>The role of the medics in any army is important and Oronegro is no different. the Medic is the injured troops best friend and as such they are some of the most popular members of the battalion.<br />
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<u><b>the class B battalion</b></u><br />
The class B battalion is very similar to the class A battalion, however it contains 200 troops! the normal century plus 50 others these are put under the command of another centurion. the command structure is similar to the Class A battalion. there being 1 <b><i>primus pilus </i></b>and 2 <i><b>centurions</b></i> with their Optios, body guards and 6 NCO's with guards and their guards and a <b> <i>praefectus </i></b>looking after the supplies, so a total of 20 command troops. there is also 5 two man sniper teams (10), 5 MP's, 5 medics, 5 bomb squad members and 5 Civilian relations personnel. the Other 50 are made up of 30 Armour personnel, 10 communication and 10 transport. the Armour contains 1 tank which will take up the man power of 3 to 5 troops and the rest is a mix of APC's/ IFV's (20-25 personnel) and perhaps a self propelled gun (5 personnel)! The role of these groups is usually the same as the Class A battalion.<br />
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<u><b>The cohort</b></u><br />
A cohort is Oronegro's most usable force, under the command of a <i><b>tribunus</b>. </i>The Cohort is in fact just a Class A battalion and a Class B battalion combined with one of the <b><i>primus pilii </i></b>being replaced by the <i><b>Tribunus</b></i> the Cohort is also seen in the larger cities and most Military bases that are not very large contain a cohort, there are 10 Cohorts in Oronegro, but the number of Battalions in Oronegro includes those that are part of the Cohorts. there is only 3 Native Cohorts in Oronegro. the rest are made up of the settler population.<br />
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<u><b>Native Battalions </b></u><br />
There are approximately 30 Native Battalions in Oronegro the main ones are the 12th, 14th and 21st and 43rd Battalions, these 4 often join together to form 2 of the 3 Native cohorts. the 14th and 21st Battalion are class A and the other two are class B. Native troops are well known for their jungle warfare and they often use outdated equipment. Oronegrean tigers, and panzer's from the time when Oronegro was like the 3rd Reich in South America and M48's and M60's from a newer time mixed up with T-34/85's T-55's T-72's, Chieftains and crusader tanks and many more. However Native battalions will quite often swap out their Armour for more soft skin transports or just for Motorbikes, which allow 2 people to ride (driver and gunner sitting on the back). the Native battalions are quite flexible in their equipment and quite often have no real uniform size as they gather tribes to their cause. spears and machetes are quite often included in the arms list of these forces!<br />
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Oronegro was well prepared for a war, the civil war proved their biggest challenge!<br />
<u><b> </b></u><br />
<br />Daisy Gowan Ditchburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07476802587483833107noreply@blogger.com2