Martial Law in Goldshire

From ShireWiki
Jump to: navigation, search

Martial Law in Goldshire was declared after the assassination of the Goldshirean and Elwynnese Princes Arn and Rostam Ayreon-Kalirion by parties unknown in the year 1639. This being the third such attempt on a member of the Ayreon-Kalirion bloodline in which poison was administered in a secure environment, suspicion quickly turned to the Leonid Guard whose duty was to protect the family of the Emira of Sathrati. This latest failing proved to be final straw and the Royal Government of Goldshire, administered by the ESB-Jörmungandr Group, declared martial law and instigated a purge of suspect individuals and organisations within the Kingdom. That this poisoning was part of a wider conspiracy was proved when the secretive Assayers successfully, albeit temporarily, countermanded the martial law decree.

After two days of confusion, Queen Noor was able to reassert her authority and reinstated the martial law decree - adding to it the proscription of the now openly treacherous Assayers. The Assayers, more formally the Chamber of Assay of the Avakair Mint and Bullion Depository, had a fearsome reputation for being able to instil psychological terror and also a capacity for actual acts of terror, including abduction, torture and assassination, in pursuit of its relentless drive to try and maintain standards of purity in the 'gold standard' Erb and a ruthless determination to destroy any threats to that self same purity. This put them on an inevitable collision course with the ESB-Jörmungandr Group which has, no less ruthlessly, sought to promote its fiat currency - the Teldrin Thaler - throughout the river ports of the the Red Elwynn and beyond.

Faced by such a dangerous and unpredictable foe, and concerned about wavering morale amongst the Goldshire Regulars, the Royal Government, on the 11th of Araroqpinu 1639, invoked its right under the Martial Code of Shireroth to seek the assistance of Imperial Forces. The Imperial Government had already taken steps to order Leonid Guards based overseas to return to ESB run rendition facilities in Goldshire and Zy-Rodun. Now, with an official invitation, it could act with full force.

Operation Queen's Sorrow

The Mango Rangers secured, and subsequently took control of, the ferry crossing between Cabbagefall and Shirekeep on 11 Araroqpinu, 1639. The operation was executed swiftly and with no sign of resistance.

In addition, at the direction of the Minister of the Interior, all Field Offices, Legates and Liaison Offices of the Mango Rangers were put on high alert and the Fugitive Intelligence Division of the Mango Rangers launched a full investigation as well as a massive surveillance operation to catch any fugitive members of the Leonid Guard. Specialists of the Fugitive Intelligence Division have been deployed throughout Shireroth and are actively hunting for fugitives seeking to escape from Goldshire.

The aforesaid measures shall remain in effect, unless ordered otherwise by the Kaiser, until the end of the period of martial law in Goldshire.

Operation Dolichovespula

Concurrently the Order of Kampioens moved to secure Cabbagefall as a staging post for an advance of units of the Imperial Army into Suthergold and towards Avakair in Ynnraile. Meanwhile the Western Armada deployed the 1st Banner Group, a task force of 2 battleships, an aircraft carrier, 6 destroyers and 6 attack submarines, with various support elements, to secure eastern Benacian seaboard between Wendor and Tephal.

The operation culminated in 24 Rugaall 1639 with the destruction of Avakair, an act which precipitated the revolt of those County Militias which had not yet already followed the example of the Lunatic Legion in defecting to the Army of the Golden Dawn.

Martial Law Zones

In 1639/6230 Goldshire was divided into three zones, the ESB Zone administered directly by the company reporting to the Royal Government, the Feudal Zone where existing lords rendered obedience to the Khan of Cabbagefall, and the two Military Zones (North and South) directly controlled by the Imperial Forces dispatched to assist the Royal Government. The Feudal Zone acted as a buffer between the Military Zones, where disloyal elements were being directly fought, and the ESB administered zones where a degree of normalcy was being gradually restored.

Martial Law Zones.

Rising of the Southern Militias

Following the example of the Lunatic Legion which defected from Royal Government to the Army of the Golden Dawn, the County Militias of Ran and Elsenar also rose in late 1639/6232. The spread of organised resistance into the southern counties of the 'Feudal Zone' marked the beginning of the Civil War in Goldshire.