Leaving the Jungle

 "The Creed of Piety, one of what, 628 orders and factions scattered across our side of the world.” Raxhale pointed out looking at a book on the various Orders of Vestrisia. 

"It is a bit hectic, isn't it? All those factions that are orders, fraternities, sororities, brotherhoods, cults, guilds, covens, and cabals in one part of Calorn. Were there more than a thousand all over Calorn?" Eloso Dreath of Evusia brought forward with a hint of mockery in his voice. 

"More than fifteen hundred all over our planet. Yet half of those were wiped out by the invaders, and the Nevoran Federation." Colonel Raxhale replied to Eloso's mockery with a bit sincerity. He loved to laugh at times, tell funny stories, but not every moment of the day. Yet the Evusian Prince gave him a stir. The Evusian was not a Prince from tales, but more like a governing leader, or Baron of some land. 

"Are there any orders operating here?" Eloso asked the Alagen Colonel. Raxhale did not have all the answers, but he was certain the people of Oramatra had their own cults, clans, and bands of warriors one would be able to join after achieving something worth their time. The city-state itself was made up of five close nit cities that could be mistaken for one larger city. Its army proved effective against infantry for a few years until they were forced to give up. When it came time to round up more forces 288 Rogues of four different cities found themselves rounded up. Each one was pressed for answers according to reports. Once an agreement was made between Rogues and authorities an Emissary Rogue position was formed to represent any thieves, or local rogues who found themselves dragged in. 

Out of 150,000 and more coalition forces Alagen sent a force of over 4,000 while keeping their main forces in reserve. Lybris sent over 1,400 personnel, from Evusia ten thousand fighters were sent over, 5,600 soldiers came over from Nahem. Other countries joined or allowed their citizens to join the fight. Ruhonthra allowed 1,100 to volunteer to fight, 427 Rovantion volunteers arrived on their own large vessel. Whether they volunteered, were exiled, chose to avoid imprisonment 320 Tante, 310 Malvieth, 1,300 Ivodran soldiers, volunteers, criminals, over 2,000 Mezeen, and 7,000 from different nations in Nevoran all joined this fight. The bulk of this invasion force was mainly Vestrisian, since the other nations directed forces towards another front to the south. Plenty of unclaimed islands in the south became battlegrounds but had a tendency to disappear every ten years. 

"I am sure there are other orders present here in the continent of Jurax. These Unknown Lands were cut off by mountains and raging storms, which we are now able to push past. Our Vestrisian Allies are pressing their advances against the Vullanese and their allies. Yet rumors about some insurgency sparking along their northern borders keep entering the ears of my superiors." Raxhale replied. 

"From one of my men a ground of 279 locals showed a feat of Resistance towards the enemy near the front." Eloso mentioned taking a seat. He leaned over with his hands clasped, arms on his knees, and his mustache clearly graying with bits of blonde still there. Raxhale in his Vestrisian khaki uniform designed for this climate looked down at some books, and bottles on a desk as if he did not hear him. 

"Follow me Eloso." he commanded the Evusian who was clearly wearing the old style uniform that would make him sweat like a pig in the humidity. 

Exiting his office they passed a room where some True Faith Censor, and a Traveler's amulet was found. Knowing the origin was that of Vullanese he kept both items locked away incase he got a chance to speak with a Vestrisian ally. Having set up inside an abandoned palace Raxhale's fellow Alagen made nice with the Evusians while evicting the disgruntled Mezeen, and Redrin without much of a fight. Each one in a different short sleeved uniform designed for this climate stood up to salute. It appeared similar to a military office, and police station only within the walls of an older building. Various weapons were stored in the storage spaces, and three large rooms they found. He overheard an account to one of the other Colonels, and a Vestrisian Commander present. 

"....Magesar sends 439 Chief of the Scales to help in the front according to a Vestrisian unit commander, and Lybresan commander who are monitoring their end of the front..." a Secretary soldier read off the translation slip from the telegraph. 

Stepping outside of the palace they had to pass through a complex of connected villas and apartments of locals. In silence the pair of commanders brushed through the locals who either seemed pleased to see them, oblivious, or focused on their own tasks. Plenty of shaven or cropped youths smiled at them brandishing various rifles from all over the world. Some lost a few teeth, others gave them smiles with big teeth. T.M. 13s, L 34 rifles, E-7 repeating rifles, lever action, Windkisser23s, Wolf 10 shot repeaters, and various anti-personnel rifles. Raxhale thought he spotted plenty of old Evusian rifles from their war against Redrin. Some wielded anti-tank weapons as they chanted in their own language, death to the invader. Once they made it past the enthusiastic youth Raxhale, and Eloso found a way outside the city itself. Just outside they got to witness a total of 369 shell shaped houses being constructed. Digging into one of the local engineers they found out that 363 Goblin smith Rogues were drafted between cities along with carpenters, and masons. Watching the construction would take too much of their time. A Vestrisian Staff member of a General approached them with a clipboard of orders, shipments, and reinforcements coming for the entirety of the front. Whoever was in charge of this campaign on the Vestrisian's end summoned them to VUVR headquarters in the city. 

The Vestrisians used an old vineyard as a headquarters for their own large battalion stationed in Oramatra. Over a dozen city-states to station 150,000 personnel while the city-states allied with them managed to field a combined force of 256,000 modern military style personnel, and warriors. It would have been a million strong, but the constant fighting with the Gantronese left them somewhat limited. Uxane tribes who fought against the Gantronese invaders added about 650,000. One would think that would be enough, but the Gantronese came with their own supporters, and allies. Approaching the vineyard turned headquarters that was surrounded by nine or more tents, four huts, lean-tos, and some ruins turned to camouflaged depots, he spotted crates being delivered by a tank with forks. Forklifts were usually found at body shops, warehouses, large hardware stores, and loading bays at docks or train stations. Ten soldiers representing different nations guarded the several pallets of crates that were just delivered off a transport truck built for the jungles. Raxhale approached the crates of goods to get a look as the forklift rolled back to unload more goods. Getting one of the soldiers to pry it open was easy when your rank was Colonel. 

"I see your nosy asses found the 306 Prying Eyes artificer orbs brought over from ten different countries." someone caught his attention from his left flank. A tall Vestrisian Elf General with a clean shaven face, cropped hair, a part of his ear missing, the other with a hole in it, and a scar trailing from his mouth to jaw had three of his staff behind him. In combat fatigues this Elf showed some resemblance of an officer with his posture. "In my 1,219 years of life I have never seen a more nosy commanding officer." 

"Colonel Raxhale of Alagen Defense Forces." Raxhale saluted the higher rank. 

"General Maydeene Orym Kelleth, VUVR Expeditionary Forces. Both Field Marshall and Mysdran are located in Borvados. Don't worry about their whereabouts being discovered. A Zhenrai, and Forysthan are bodyguards." The Elf General saluted him in return. 

After making acquaintances with staff members of Kelleth's command Raxhale and Eloso had a cup of native juices made from crushed luxury beans, squeezed fruits from the surrounding vegetation. Mixed with shots of whiskey, cider ales meant to keep one cool in the heat. According to Kelleth a unit called the Veiled Shades unit arrived via the renegade freighter bring in 356 from the western portion of the frontlines to replace his own. Along the frontlines towards the eastern parts about 420 Coalition members getting pinned down to the earth by a group of hostile mages. Due to the mountainous terrain in the western flanks of this vas landscape the Gantronese could only send in troops from the north. According to one of Kelleth's staff 450 Efreeti sent to combat in order to counter the light flame throwers that were sent in up north. Once his second cup was consumed Raxhale left this meeting with news for his unit and Eloso's unit. Following orders from a Vestrisian did not bother him. What bothered was there were other allies involved and they were scattered all over. On the other side of the world was another continent known as Nevora who was barely doing much to aid them except the smaller nations neighboring the bigger empire sized one.  

His units of 850 Alagens, and 318 Evusians moved eastward where 224 personnel were ambushed on the road outside the perimeter of 514 Leagues of Plains up north. Coalition Commanders gave them three flak guns pulled by trucks, 4 heavy tanks, 4 light tanks, 2 amphibious assault troop vehicles, six anti-tanks, 2 half-tracks, 2 troop transports, and a single anti-infantry vehicle. Thanks to some locals they were able to play escort for a caravan towards the east. Escorting a caravan reduced the amount of marching to their destinations. Despite further expansion through the Unknown Lands they still found signs of attacks made by other tribes who managed to slip through their lines using the jungles, or swamps. Moving further towards Borvados at an eastern route they run across a unit of 390 Orc Hellraisers. Only this unit found themselves in a predicament after they engaged a unit of 330 Void Wielders from three collaborator city-states. Among the dead were Gantronese, their Gantron spawn, plenty of locals, thralls, and fellow coalition personnel. Just 312 of the Orc members were trapped in capture sphere along with some turncoats who switched sides. Among the wounded they found a pair of Gearsmith prodigy artificers who possessed the skills to free the Orcs from their sphere like prisons. The moment they were freed the Orcs were on the remaining attackers, who made up most of the wounded. Raxhale, Eloso, and their units go to witness a conviction of a Korivan mage who faked being a guide. These Orcs used to have a warband of locals fighting for them who either lay dead or left. Most of the Gantrons lay dead leaving 191 or so Gantrons to get punished after surrender. Looking up at the branches above them he noticed they were not the only ones who witnessed the conviction and punishments being thrown around. In the trees he spotted 400 or more Prickly Marmosets watching them. 

With the unit of Orcs ready to move the next day Raxhale's unit made their way towards the mountains near Borvados. For several days they cut through the paths of other city-states, tribes, clans, smaller kingdoms, who pointed the way towards some fields of 514 leagues in acres. On the way they come across some Rubble back Rhino found in the fields of Jurax or Unknown Lands. Watching them graze was peaceful as they cut through the tall yellowish grass, wheat, scattered trees, human shaped bushes. While pressing through they passed through Wahote Lands, a large group who resisted the Gantronese invasion alongside other tribes. Raxhale was certain they had a million natives on their side to face these alien invaders. Painting themselves with dark orange, blue, red symbols on skin, clothing, and weapons the Wahote made themselves distinct from other tribes with a head wrap with a tail. Appearing more Uxane in appearance some did show traits similar to Borvados, Ottante, and Zema Ilam. Meeting this tribe of nomadic lifestyle gave him a surreal feeling. Hearing about this group did fascinate him. In his mind the Uxane of Vestrisia came to mind only they wore modern clothing, and lived in their own style houses that appeared like wooden pavilion tents according to magazines and brochures. Among this particular group they found a handful of Khasungai fighters in their tall skinny hats under a turban. Some wore wrapped clothing around them. Just a long piece of fabric or something like it wrapped around their bodies to cover themselves. At first glance it appears as though are wearing a robe, or long tunic. Some decorated their wraps in claws, jewelry, brooches, Gantronese pins or medals, small daggers, or whatever they can attach to the fabric. Although they had a city closer to the coasts another city with the same name rested further inland to confuse their enemies. Observing these Khasungai he noticed their appearances matched Aleos-Jurnis slanted eyes, and the Mezeen. One of them was astride a camel, which seemed unfazed by the climate. 

Engaging in conversation the caravan leader, Tatol, spoke in Kicari language. A translator spoke to him mentioning they decided to recruit, press gang, conscripted, drafted 281 Dwarf Light Smiths to aid in producing weapons for this war against the Gantronese. More tribes were choosing to fight alongside the coalition forces next year. Yet the lizardmen, Gnolls, and other races may switch sides or fight both sides in the next couple of years. Keeping this in mind Raxhale ordered for them to press onward towards the mountains of Borvados, and Jurax. Getting closer to the end of the grasslands and towards the hills of Borvadosi mountains took a little longer than expected. Their route took them through some grizzly scenes, other villages, battle sites, destroyed Gantronese outposts, troop encampments, and abandoned settlements. One scene depicted 308 locals were caught in the crossfire in a burned town, which coalition forces fought over. Hundreds of combatants were involved just revealing how broken the frontlines were late in the second to third year of operations against the Gantronese. As this route took them north they came across scenes where coalition forces were caught in some arcane trap that needed to be dispelled. In his head he calculated 321 Dispels being used to free coalition personnel. Once they reached the mountainous borders of Borvados Raxhale noted to Eloso they likely passed ten abandoned settlements, and twenty-five or more military bases. 

Two days of rest is all they asked for as their local guides moved southward to a city called Motuh with goods to sell. He was able to get acquainted with the Borvadosi commanders, some soldiers, chiefs, and heads of clans. One notable figure was Chief Izze Nemix, a prominent figure who donned traditional Borvadosi clothing with the rings his cheek. Others included a General known as Bazzi, a Major Vikmen, female Clan Head Natoye. One soldier known as Pwame Tuzzaru wore the Vestrisian uniform under his combat fatigues of greenish color. After a few rounds of tea in small cups their command structure was arranged according to where the lost soldiers were located. His forces were given a cleaned out, prepared bastion on a few hills to call headquarters. Since Borvados was part of the VUVR they had peoples from other parts of the newly formed country. Elves from Geverine, Humans from Bisdolan, Geverine, Naaditra, Castaria, Dwarves from different mountains, and clansmen who appeared weighted down by the climate. Once they were set up Raxhale left a Major in command of half their forces while he and Eloso joined 354 shortcut seekers of Borvados move into positions along the broken front. Three days is what it took before they engaged hostile units near the frontlines with other units close by. Wearing Gantronese helmets with their fur and hide clothing and hoods pulled back. Armed with Gantronese rifles such as the Yekato Assault Rifles, Numei Katana rifles, various bolt action rifles 297 Gloom Stalkers charged their positions. Backed by 427 Lizardmen hear a Tormenting Voice that makes them look crazy, these Gloom Stalkers pressed their attacks.

"Could it get any noisier, and bloodier than this?" Raxhale asked himself as his unit returned fire on their attackers. 

Machines rattled, cracking sounds of discharging rifles rang all over them. Screams, shouts, and yelling in different languages filled the air at a patch of land where villages used to stand. He could have sworn the enemy came with more as his own units took on multiple waves that pushed their limits each time. Four hours of fighting resulted back and forth fighting. He watched several fall backwards from the shots they received from VUVR weapons. Some seemed to fall down limp, while a few stiffened up as they died. One side attacked the other then the other side counter attacked. Each side attempted to flank the other. Trading places was something that put a strain on each opponent. As more hostiles poured on to the battlefield hand-to-hand combat or close quarters erupted over rubble. Raxhale had to fight off several Lizardmen who used their claws as melee weapons. One scratched his face on the left. He had no doubt his own unit were dealt a blow to the face or limb. Stabbing a third in the neck he spotted one Gloom Stalker entering the battlefield armed with a Gantronese Nezero-64 Cannon that seemed to drag as they attempted to haul it onto the field. Taking aim with his own weapon he fired two rounds bringing the Gloom Stalker down. He paused as more of his own comrades jumped in to repel another wave that sent the hostiles packing for a temporary moment or two. More hostiles showed up bringing in at least 1100 more to be shot as the previous wave pulled back. Using what they had his own units and allies took out as many hostiles as possible. One hooded figure jumped at him armed with a pick axe. He fell back in response. One of his own shot up the hooded combatant. As it fell the hood fell back revealing it to be a Gantronese in disguise. Getting back up to regain a footing Raxhale witnessed reinforcements come to the rescue. It seemed like an annoying cliche from a book, but he knew where these forces were in the first place. One unit of 400 Hardened Berserkers raced from the northern flanks into the mass of approaching hostiles. From his left came a Captain Knight leading a unit of 306 on horseback acting as a cavalry to break the enemy. Machineguns on both sides either jammed or were broken in the fighting. 

"Send them packing my vermin so they won't come back!" A Berserker leader yelled as he smashed two hostiles into each other. Various melee weapons were used by the Berserkers whom Raxhale saw as bat shit crazy when a few more machineguns were brought up. 

In the confusion and chaos of the flanking maneuvers the enemy started to retreat forcing the newly placed machineguns to wait. Whoever led the cavalry took advantage and chased down as many hostiles as possible. It wasn't until the next morning did they get a good look at the aftermath and carnage the battle caused. Not the prettiest sight to behold, but it would have ended with their corpses decapitated or mutilated if their asses saw defeat. No one left this position for another week as they gathered or collected weapons, ammunition, helmets, loot, canteens, rations, weapon like tools, intact clothing or combat boots. Raxhale returned to base with most of his unit intact but wounded. While they were fighting Gantronese allies, and leaders Death Cultists attacked one unit of 192 Bastion Enforcers in the north on the mountains. Further away from the main Borvados borders 374 Borvadosi Canyone Lurkers are shot by some enemy who keeps hiding from them. A battalion of their 780 Summit Prowlers are sent in the mountains to hunt them down. While taking this all in Raxhale knew this campaign would require some more help. Coalition aircraft were doing what they could to take out bases, and convoys of enemy vehicles their reconnaissance planes located. However it seemed the Gantronese hosted more supporters among fellow Calornese and thralls from other worlds. Returning to his own quarters where Eloso awaited him he found a total of 618 Senate letters warning of different attacks, or court orders to oversee. While going through them with Eloso who chose to drink both discovered that 363 coalition members made a bad deal. It took more personnel away from their reliable source of forces in the regions. Inside his own mind Raxhale was certain the Gantronese were banging their own heads at the losses they suffered.