A Letter Home: War engulfs Papania

Father,


There is much news, events here in the Far East have been.. rapid.   When I left Linhai you asked that I keep you current on events here with me, and I shall seek to do so.


I have not written in more than two months, I apologize.  After landing in Papania, I made my way to the capital city of Ossaet, where I met with some of the nobles of the realm.  I was able to seek vassalage with Lord Ethan Adlai Merric, Baron of Semon, and was made a knight of Semon.  At this time, Papania and its neighbors in the north were locked in war with Soliferum, a land to the south.  In truth, I do not know what the origins of this war were, but it seemed to consume the attention of nearly every nation on the continent.


I marched with the forces of Papania and others through an ally and neighbor, Cathay, where we did war with the forces of Soliferum.  I was wounded in battle while in Pates, but the healers were skilled, and within a few days I was on my feet once again.


The war ground on, but the leadership in Papania withdrew rather suddenly, both from the war with Soliferum, but also from its alliances with its neighbors.  I grew uneasy, but I did not see it as my place to question the decisions of those in positions of power.  A foolish mistake, I have learned.


Things were quiet for some time.  The Marshal of Papania's home army retired, and I asked Lord Remorse if I might serve as Marshal, and was rather surprised when he consented.   I found myself in command of the defense of our lands!


Within another month, another dramatic turn transpired.  The High Lord of Papania declared war upon two of our former allies, Arcaea and Arcachon.  Shortly after, Cathay declared war upon Papania.  During this time -- forgive me, for it was chaotic, and I loose track of the order of things -  I was declared Judge as well as Lord Commander in Papania, and I rallied our forces to prepare to meet the armies that came to make war upon us.


Father, I must tell you that this was a harrowing and troubling time.  Had this been under different circumstances, then my conscience would be clear - I would serve without question or doubt, and be proud to bear my liege lord's banner against our enemies.  Instead, I came to know doubt and fear.  I wrote letters to the rulers of the realms that made war upon Papania -  no, that Papania had declared war upon.  I asked them to consider peace, and for a way to end the conflict.   I also asked the High Lord, Remorse, for an explanation of what was  happening.  Father, Papania is, no - was a small realm, no more than five provinces perhaps.  And I found myself trying to lead its army to defend it against three or four much larger neighbors.  It was not for lack of courage, I would gladly march to my death to defend honor and justice - but this was something else entirely.  This was madness.


Lord Remorse responded with a variety of half hearted excuses and stories - tales of paranoia and nationalism that reeked of insanity.  And thus I began to work to have him removed.  I had received replies from a number of rulers of the nations with which we were at war, who indicated that they would be willing to discuss peace if we removed Lord Remorse from power.  I began to correspond in earnest with the other nobles of Papania, seeking to bring about change, even asking Lord Remorse directly if he would step down and allow another to lead so that we could again have peace.  I was met largely with excuses and silence.  Some nobles did respond, and for them I am grateful.


I was optimistic early in the conflict.  I hoped that we would be able to remove Lord Remorse, or convince him to step down, and then we could end this awful war against people with whom we had fought beside only weeks before.  But as it progressed, the situation grew more grim.  I believe that by the time Lord Remorse did step aside, it was simply too late.  His actions had sewn so much discord and anger that a simple peace was no longer possible.  It soon became apparent that Papania was under an assault which it might not survive.


I acted as Lord Commander during this time, and I rallied the forces of Papania as best I could.  I received messages from some of the commanders of the enemy forces, and I found these men to be honorable and noble.  We faced each other in battle, yet there was a great deal of respect.  It was an honor to do battle against these men.  We bloodied them in Anaos, but when Ohnar West declared war, having already landed soldiers in Albiotel, I knew in my heart that we were lost.


Over the next days, we fought small holding actions against our enemies.  There were at least two invading armies within Papania, each of which was larger than all of the military might of our realm.  Still, I sought council from my peers and our leaders.  Again, some answered, and some did not.  Finally, having rallied our forces in Ossaet and preparing a last ditch defense, we were assailed by Ohnar West, and our forces were defeated.


In the preceeding days, I had been made lord in Isular, and so I retreated to the estates there, as I knew then that Papania was lost.  We were at the mercy of our enemies, and yet the few messages that I heard from our leadership indicated only optimism and hope.  Optimism and hope is wonderful when the game is not yet decided, but this game was already finished.


I have much more to tell you, and I would very much like to hear how mother and my younger siblings are.  I will write again very soon.


Your son,


Maurus