A Spartacists' Fate

January of 1919 was a year of change for the face of Europe and her boundaries. Countries were cut up, or destroyed while others were born and reborn again. For Germany it became a beginning of a new era in the aftermath of a defeat in the Great War that lasted from 1914 to 1918. The Armistice was signed with a large amount of punishments laid upon the once proud German Empire. Several months after the armistice was signed in November of 1918 upheaval and parties started to rise. The communist party was one of many parties that squabbled in the streets all over Germany in the fight for control. In Berlin a coup was just attempted. Under the leadership of Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg the Spartacist group went against the current government of the Weimar Republic in the hopes of starting a revolution.

            “The bomb went off!” Hans yelled running down the street towards two others who wore the Spartacists badges.

            “Wait…what?” Leopold shouted in aghast.

            “Bombs away our revolution has started brother!” Hans said patting him on the cheek. Leopold looked at him with disbelief.

            “What did you do? HANZ what did you do?” Leopold screamed at him. The other two looked at them as if they were parents arguing.

            “Revolution of course!” Hans said smacking him in the chest twice playfully. Hans smiled a stupid smile and laughed.

            “You are crazy Luxemburg said not to attempt a coup!” Leopold growled.

            “Pfff that bitch doesn’t what she is talking about-“ Hans was cut off by the sounds of whistles and boots hitting the streets.

            “It’s the paramilitary and the Wehrmacht let’s get out of here!” one of the other Spartacists yelled out in fear and worry.

            A quartet of Spartacists raced down the alley towards another street where one of the others had a car waiting for them. Each one got inside the vehicle and started the engine. The front seat was full taken by a strange sack forcing the other three to cram inside the back of the vehicles.  Lukas pressed hard on the accelerator forcing the vehicle to race down the street. He turned around streets that were too small for multiple cars and kept going until he reached the end of Berlin. It was not through the main entrances or streets but through a neighborhood. Their ride drove on the grass winding around trees and bushes before he decided to get back to the main road.

            “Lukas where are you taking us Poland or to Bavaria? Ahhahahaha!” the other one said laughing at his driving. Eckhard laughed so hard that no sound came out of his mouth. It worried them for a bit until he started to cry of laughter.

            Lukas ignored him as he came back onto the dirt road that led out of the city. He drove on for some time until the vehicle ran out of gas. All of them got out of the vehicle finding themselves in a forest outside of Berlin’s boundaries and outskirts.   

            “Where are we?” Leopold asked looking at the trees around them.

            “No clue, Lukas where the heck did you take us?” Hans demanded from Lukas.

            Lukas ignored his question and went straight for the bag. He snatched it up and made his way into the forest. The other three looked at each other confused, puzzled and angry at him. Hans raced after him first.

            “HEY, Lukas, what the heck? Where are you off to?” he roared at the fellow Spartacist who appeared oblivious to his cry. Lukas looked over his shoulder to acknowledge his fellow party members.

            “I am off to give my offering to the old man they call the Rubezahl.” Lukas answered to his friends.

            “The Rubezahl does not exist Lukas you no longer a child quit believing in fairy tales!” Leopold screamed at his blind fellow party member.

            “He is a mountain spirit my comrade. Rebezahl may be a prankster, but he does reward us. Those who give him offerings according to the Krkonose Cult.” Lukas replied still in the blind stupor that he was in.

            “Bugger that Rubezahl old man spirit fuck! How can we get back to Berlin?” Erckhard yelled throwing an object at him.

            The leaves rustled violently as the trees started to moan and rock a little. Each one swayed back and forth as if they were about to move. Roots pulled themselves out of the ground like the trees were coming alive and discovering they had limbs. Out of the branches dropped a large figure with a long thick beard, grayish hair, and wearing medieval style clothing. This figure stood nine feet tall and bellowed at the sight of the Spartacists.

            “Who the Reich are you sir?” Leopold demanded pointing a finger at this tall figure. Erckhard and Hans stood next to him as if ready to attack or flee for their lives. Lukas dropped to his knees and bowed to this tall figure. He pushed the sack over to this tall medieval bearded figure.

            Whoever this figure may be even if he was Rubezahl, the male giant flicked a single finger causing lightning to come down and strike Leopold first. Leopold’s body burst into flame and collapsed onto the ground. He was nothing more than ash and smoke on the ground. The tall figure’s gaze then looked to Hans and Erckhard. Each Spartacist must have soiled themselves before this tall figure after witnessing a comrade burst into flame and ash. He did it again to Hans this time while growling something under his breath. Hans’ body exploded, blood flesh, and guts flew all over this place. Erckhard was covered in his own friend’s guts, and blood. He screamed hysterically out of blind fear and shock. In his mind this brought back the trenches and the shell shock he witnessed on the western front. Scared for his life he tried to flee, but this Rubezahl stopped him and impaled his body a branch high in a tree.  

Evusian Royal Flag

This is the Royal Flag of the Ruling Family of the Evusian Empire. It is in the main flag of the Empire, but it is flown over every ship of the Imperial Navy. All vessels that float within the naval fleet are required to fly these colors. 

Vullanese Alliance

This flag represents the alliance that exists between multiple nations that were once part of the Vullanese Empire. Such members include the Vullanese Islands aka. Vullanese Empire, Gontrella, Nymres, Muskalla, Arqolith, Ossus, Nazdar Vodwania, Vidothran Isles, and Galaia. 

Flag of Boathria

This flag flew over islands of Boathria that was the loyal side of the kingdom. Boathria fought to preserve the unity of the Boathrin Kingdom, but failed when the Vullanese Allies entered the conflict. It was due to their own alliances with other nations that the Boathrin Kingdom remained intact. 

A flag of the Boathrin Kingdom

This flag represents the alliance, unity between the Vestrisian Republics, and the Boathrin Kingdom. It flew below the Kingdom's main flag before the Kingdom chose to join the Union in 1845. 

Discarded Commando Part 47

Maurice held the phone piece feeling some hint of hope reemerge. They had just repelled a large force of gunslingers, goons, thugs, and hired guns who numbered over six-hundred. He wondered how many of their attackers were left. Losing that much of your force meant you probably spent too much time relying on cocky, overconfident, blind, and foolish brigands wielding guns. The Caligari Syndicate must have sent most of their forces after them while gathering all the goons, and gunslingers all over the region. Maurice was certain these hired hands of the Caligaris were either wiped out or had smaller numbers. He commanded for the rest of their soldiers and allies to gather around for a head count.

            They had seventy-seven men still standing to hold off any more attacks. With permission from Segun Maurice sent out their Jumbo Cat riders to scout out the area for any signs of their attackers. He then sent out parties to loot the corpses of the gunslingers, and goons for ammunition, new weapons, money, other supplies, and allowed them to take anything they saw valuable. The rest of their forces kept an eye for the parties and the scouts. With a tank and a fortified position in a marshy area he felt confident in repelling another attack. He prayed none of the locals or natives would come after them for trespassing onto their lands. For a few hours they waited for the parties to return during the next day. As they waited a force of 102 soldiers led by nine Uxane came up to their encampment from the west on the backs of bearing news. Seeing this large force riding military vehicles gave them more hope for survival, yet more questions.

            Maurice, Segun, and Owun met with their leader while their parties returned with many prizes, guns, ammo, and supplies. The leader was an exiled soldier from Miccado, a long-lost ally in this war against the invaders. He did not give his name, but a nick name dubbed Automan. His entire army consisted of exiled soldiers, outcasts, and members of the nations that were conquered by the invaders. This exiled army of rebels came to warn them the Caligari Syndicate has made a pact with a few high-ranking invaders. A force of 63 Nazdar troopers, 88 Gantronese, 95 hired thugs, 25 remaining Caligari hired guns, and a large force of supporters of the invaders was heading this way from the north. A force of Grussians should be here any moment with some sky pirates from Cydnam.

            All this news came as a mixture of good fortune, bad luck to them. Not only were they getting more allies, but the Caligari Syndicate was gaining friends among the invaders. Their new friends did not know the full story of how the Caligari Syndicate was able to get the Gantronese and the Nazdar on their side. How the Syndicate was able to get the empires on their side was not important right now. What was important was getting out of this area, and preparing to fight off the invaders. Automan ordered his troops to prepare defenses using the multiple vehicles they brought with them. Whoever these rebels are, they had half-tracks, tracked trucks, troop transporters, supply trucks, and various weapons from different factions including the Vestrisian Republics. These rebels also wielded weapons from all corners of the world. There were weapons from the other side of the world such as the Nevoran L-34 rifles, and these sub machine guns called Cobra 96’s.

            Automan’s small company formed a barrier around the encampment just as a small airship arrived that drew attention from everything else. It had the shape of a sea ship kept in the air by a bomb shaped balloon. This balloon kept the vessel afloat in the air, but what made this ship go forward was a set of sails, and a propeller system. Everyone watched the airship come down on the other side of the road. A force of thirty-two Grussians, and a crew of pirates who wore various uniforms from other factions. To their greater fortune none of them wore any Vestrisian uniforms, or those of the alliance against the invaders. Automan stepped up to greet these new comers. He briefed them on what was about to occur. Both pirates and Grussians rushed to grab what was needed to fend off the attacking forces. In a hurry the two new groups prepared a loose defense around the encampment alongside the rebels. The pirates left five of their crew members with machine guns, and small cannons to use against infantry and vehicles. Their defenses felt rushed, yet they had little time to prepare.

            Maurice looked at the Captain of this vessel, and recalled how many wounded soldiers they had. His eyes rested on the Captain who had on a long leather pirate duster over a green shirt, black vest, striped trousers, and boots from a Nazdar Trooper. To Maurice’s surprise this pirate captain was a female Drow known as Inaleth. Her hair was not white like most Drow, but dyed a brownish color. On her head she wore a wide high fan hat. There was something on it that appeared to be scratched off. He could not make out what it was. Whatever this symbol or icon was it did not matter now. Maurice returned his attention to the female Drow. She gave him a slight smile showing her teeth a little. Inaleth revealed they were once members of a well-known pirate who turned into a privateer for the Vestrisians. For years they sailed under their banners until something happened, and the crew went their separate ways. She and a few other crew members found themselves under the employ of the Caligari Syndicate, which paid well. For two years they raided, plundered, and harassed some cities in the mountains, and along the borders of the Gantronese Empire. It was a few weeks ago did they decide on a mutiny and join the Vestrisians again. That was all she said before letting Maurice explain what he wanted from her. He gave her the location of the Gantronese fort they were using as a base. There should be more Vestrisians, and their allies heading there now if they had not arrived already. As if asking permission from a teacher, Maurice requested for their wounded to be loaded onto her ship. She glanced at him, glanced at the wounded, and at her own ship. The pirate captain nodded her head and agreed only one condition. Maurice’s own military organization would have to give her a Vestrisian Uniform, and her crew any blades from their arsenal. In a heartbeat Maurice agreed to this, but warned her that his commanding officer Colonel Bryce may not agree just yet.

            Both Captains shook hands, and the wounded were loaded onto the pirate vessel. Every one of their fighters who were wounded had to be carried over to the ship via stretcher that the rebels had on hand. Nearly half an hour passed before they got all the wounded on board Inaleth’s vessel. Right as the last of the wounded were being loaded the enemy began their attack. No more than a small battalion’s worth of Nazdar troopers, Gantronese soldiers, thugs, gunslingers, goons, Grevaskii, and loyalists appeared out of the trees. Without hesitation both attacker and defender opened fire on each other.

            The exchange of fire became sporadic in the marshy field. In force the attackers made an advance that was soon forced back with aid from the airship and the tank. After the first wave was forced back the defenders rushed the pirates to leave the area. Captain Inaleth’s vessel, the Red Dagger, began its ascension under fire. It fired a few rounds in return destroying the earth, and the trees. Maurice had no doubt there were a few more casualties among the enemy. Within a short span of time the invaders, and hired guns sent in the thugs covered in black, all the Grevaskii and loyalists to attack the encampment. This second wave had the bulk of their forces. More than four hundred charged from their positions, shooting wildly at the defenders. Every personnel available fought to keep the line from crumbling. Their attackers managed to reach them for close combat, which they did engage. Up close the Grevaskii, and Loyalists looked more like half-starved creatures dragged over with many diseases. It was only a mercy to kill the wretches. Despite the advantage of machine guns, a tank, and a few cannon turrets the defenders still suffered a heavy blow. However, their losses were nothing compared to the enemy who managed to get barely a hundred men out of there. All day they returned fire with the invaders who crept up on them slowly gaining ground against the encampment. During this stretched out battle the defenders slowly began to dwindle whereas the invaders lost many of their own.

            In the late evening the invaders appeared to have given up when from the trees an anti-tank missile was launched. This projectile flew straight for the tank followed by a few more. One of the projectiles hit the tank forcing the crew to jump out. In reaction the defenders returned fire giving everything they had remaining. There was no stopping or letting down on the amount of fire they sent into the forests and grass of the marshy landscape. Here it did not matter how many anyone lost if the pirate allies arrived on behalf of Maurice Viyamor’s unit. He sent five shots into the ranks of a group of shadows. Several went down causing him to get drawn into the fight. Out of instinct he stood up and fired another round. Maurice picked up another revolver, and rifles as bullets went past him. Several skimmed his body. At this moment he did not care as he loaded the firearms. He fired a few more shots before he himself was hit in the side then the leg, and the arm. Maurice Viyamor fell backwards landing on a few corpses, and a defender still drawing breath. His gaze was clouded by the shock of getting hit numerous times. At first, he thought he could see the souls of the dead rising and bullets flying over him. Each one looked like a cloud of smoke, and the bullets speeding objects zipping through the air. Maurice did not black out, he simply watched the skies as a few large objects came down.

A Nautical Flag

A flag used for directing heavy sea traffic in the gap of Borvados. 

Flag of Eoth

Flag of Grussia

Discarded Commando Part 46

No more than a platoon’s worth of warriors, knights and Uxane entered the encampment with a radio man among them. At least twenty-three led by a cloaked knight wearing a badge with his own house sigil on. This leader gripped Maurice’s hand with a firm grasp. His hand felt like he had experienced the harshness of the unknown lands, and endured its dangers. Maurice had been in these Unknown Lands for years, yet he wondered if this knight had been here longer. Welcoming this knight and his own companions, Maurice introduced himself as Captain Maurice Viyamor. This knight who acted as leader was known as Sir Owun Downpelt, an exiled knight from Vunnace. He was originally from one of the islands of Iznar Kingdoms. Maurice recalled hearing about the Iznar Kingdoms. Those islands were allies to his nation alongside other nations such as Hradria, which has a hard pronunciation, and Ermentwa an elf kingdom. Those three stats allied themselves with the Gantronese to maintain their independence from the Nazdar. Maurice recalled these nations had flying ships that allowed them to slip past the blockades at night. That was years ago this was most likely the year 1847, and coming on to 1848. All three of those allies of theirs were now under the bootheel of the Nazdar Invaders. Thinking about that area also reminded him of the southern neighbors to these kingdoms, Vios and Luvahan. Each one of those allies are under Nazdar and Gantronese Control. The same could be said about most of their allies at this point in the war.

            Sir Owun’s own party came up to meet Maurice and his own allies, who seemed pleased to see some help had arrived. Maurice was introduced to twenty-four unfamiliar faces, and names. He hardly got half of the names down in his own head. All he was able to get out of the introductions were several names. There was also news of uprisings in certain parts of the world. He heard the names of a few locations, and a few occupations. Maurice quickly reviewed the names he had just heard while the platoon of newcomers met the rest of the encampment. All he got were Morgan, Liam, Sandos, Evrik, and Mervok. The radio man came up to him once he dismounted from his own mount. He stood at five feet seven or eight inches tall. His stature was skinny, but appeared to be able to survive the Unknown Lands. None of his credentials, uniform pieces, or boots were even on him. Only his cap with the Vestrisian insignia on it, the blue flag sewn onto a cloak, and his dog tags showed he was a Vestrisian. The radio man wore a Gantronese jumpsuit that had been torn up, and had parts replaced. This Vestrisian Radioman had three bags on him, one that carried the radio, another that appeared to be a large satchel, and another that was a travelling pack. Maurice introduced himself as Captain Viyamor. Realizing he was a Captain the Radioman saluted to Maurice, addressing himself as Private Bill Harris. Maurice saluted back then dismissed the Private. As the Private made his way past the commando a cat popped its head out of the bag. Harris stood before the newly promoted Captain with a nervous grin on his face.

            Maurice ordered for him to follow his captain to his own tent. Private Harris did as he was ordered and followed Maurice over to his tent. There Maurice briefed him on what was going on before allowing Harris to give his report. Private Harris had been in contact with multiple factions including Maphai’s and the Vestrisians in the Sarcagos who were on their way to an abandoned Gantronese fort. Maurice was about to question him on what happened to him when Lieutenant Razif came to the entrance of Viyamor’s tent. He came to report a few more members of the heroes were being carried in. Their new tank chased off a good portion of the goons, and gunslingers. It was now making its slow trudge towards the encampment. Maurice had Razif find a sleeping spot for Private Harris. The two Vestrisians left him in his tent with the empty cot that was once Brittany’s. He sat on the bed contemplating on when the enemy would attack their position. In his head he calculated how many troops they had now. At the start of this mission he started with a team of ten to eleven hand picked soldiers, warriors, and hired guns. He made friends with a group of five mercenaries part of a larger army. Found scores of dog tags, came across more Vestrisians, and forged an alliance with a pirate crew. They had a fort in their possession. Now they had over one hundred soldiers, warriors, adventurers, knights, and mercenaries, who were now being watched by a larger force. He stood up thinking about all of this at once. There was some thing about this Caligari Syndicate that said it needed to be destroyed.

            His eyes rested on the floor of his tent wondering how Eyanosa was faring with his wound. The Tuxir’s condition was starting to improve after a few days of resting. Maurice got up to search for the companions who joined him on this journey. Along that journey they lost multiple members of the original party. He found them at their own fire, which was close to his own tent. Amonif, Hilastes, Taregan, Oraceth, and Eyanosa in crutches made from an old rifle sat around a fire. His approach caught their attention drawing it away from the fire. Each one of them had a weary look on their faces, and in their eyes, he saw sorrow for the loss of Brittany of the Red Hearts. Maurice was their leader, and now he stood as their Captain. The Ranger, Tuxir, and Uwaux did not mind joining them as volunteer member of Viyamor’s unit. Brittany’s death must have taken a toll on them. He came up to them with some news about these heroes followed by the bad news. Their ranks swelled to over a hundred, and they had a tank with them. However, their enemies were most likely six hundred or more.

            Shouting and shooting emerged from the edges of the encampment. Many voices warned of the encampment coming under attack. Maurice and most of his companions sprang into action. They grabbed their weapons before rushing to the borders of their encampment. Maurice had his group spread out, the Vestrisians take position with him. He instructed the radioman to stick with Eyanosa who was place inside his tent with the radio man. At the edge of the encampment he found the mercenaries, warriors, Uxane, Knights and soldiers firing on a larger group of gunslingers, and goons. Hundreds of these goons and gunslingers advanced on all sides of the encampment. Almost every defender fought vigorously to push back the advance. Their attackers slowly made their way to the encampment through the grass, and around as much body of water as possible In a futile attempt to attack the encampment this army of the Caligari Syndicate, exposed themselves in the open. Maurice could tell there were at most five hundred coming after them. In the mud, thin patches of land, and terrain these goons, and gunslingers dropped like flies. This wet, muddy terrain gave the encampment defenders an advantage. On the road Maurice spotted a force of two hundred goons racing towards them, using the road. With a tank at hand the goons faced a hail of machinegun fire. Long, and short bursts from the machine gun, and the turrets shattered the large force forcing them back. Despite the advantage the defenders had their attackers still took out multiple defenders. Maurice did not count the dead just yet as another wave seemed to have emerged from the trees to push what remained of the first one to attack.

            For the rest of the day the defenders fought to hold back this other wave that crawled and returned fire. This forced the tank to roll along the road and open fire on the attackers’ flanks. With a tank at their disposal the defenders forced the second wave to retreat. At dawn they discovered their numbers were starting to decrease, nearly all the heroes were dead, most of the bowmen shot up, half the knights fallen, three Vestrisians wounded, and ten or more mercenaries killed. Maurice decided to mount his own jumbo cat and went out to check the aftermath of their attack. He was joined by Taregan, Oraceth, and Segun. The quartet scanned the perimeter to see how many enemies they had taken out during their battle. Each one made their body counts and returned to the encampment at full gallop. The total number of dead included 131 gunslingers, 192 hired hands, and 200 goons lay dead all around the surrounding area. Three leaders met at the center with the remnants of their combined forces. Harris had his radio and had the two Lieutenants riding him over contacting the headquarters and their new pirate ally. Harris made several attempts and got a signal with the headquarters. Through the headquarters they were connected to the pirate who answered. Maurice was given the phone piece. Odeliah sounded pleased to hear Maurice’s voice again. Both Captains spoke about their adventures before getting down to the reason Maurice called.

            Odeliah was still in Oceanrest Var gathering supplies for her airship, which she was about to launch at any hour. Maurice told her of their situation and where they currently were. She told him to stay put, and hold on for another day.