[COR - Oct FB1] March of the Grenadiers - Victoria Island [UPDATED 15 OCT]

[Ayrlego]

March of the Grenadiers - Victoria Island (AKA Skaford Heights/Isle de Victoria)

Colonel Sir Andrew Howe of the Queen's Own Foot Guards consulted the rough map that Captain William Bradley held as the men of Bradley's Grenadier company marched past. The Grenadiers formed the vanguard of the column that consisted of the Corlander force on Victoria Island. 

The Corlanders were on this island, claimed by Mardier yet settled by Eslandola, as an expeditionary force sent by Her Majesties government. Having accepted the justification for Eslandola's occupation of the island as stated by the Eslandolan Secretary of State, Her Majesties government had decided to aid in halting Mardier's influence in New Terra. Almost immediately after they arrived at this decision however, concerning news of a new proclamation from Terreli had reached Bellson. Apparently King Fernando had recalled all Eslandolan forces from the new world for unknown reasons - some even suggested he may march on Olean to claim the throne he disputed ....

Tired of Mardier's constant attacks on her shipping, and wanting to curb Mardier's influence in the new world, Her Majesties Government had decided that Mardier could not be allowed to reoccupy the island that the Eslandolans were calling Isle de Victoria. As a result, the government had immediately dispatched a small military force under command of Colonel Sir Andrew Howe. His orders were clear. Resist any attempts by Mardier to reclaim the Island and protect any Eslandolan civilians who remained after the withdrawal of their military.

Sir Andrew frowned, the map was not up to Corlander military standards... somewhere down the column a Major of Engineers was busy sketching away a more detailed version, but for now it was all they had. He was indeed a troubled man. A capable military commander, he believed there were too many unknown variables here. Corrington had yet to establish settlements in the Prio Sea, so the nearest Corlander settlement was quite a distance away. It was unknown how Mardier would react, there were rumours that elements within Eslandola had rejected their King's call to return to Eslandola, and most strange of all, the Colonial Ministry had included the following line in his official orders. "Be prepared to cooperate with and potentially work together with an Olean force under similar orders to your own." It was quite astounding - would he be working with bluecoats? absolutely unheard off.... what was this world coming to??? Sir Andrew's musing was interrupted by Captain Bradley.  

"Sir, according to this... ah... map, we should be arriving at the site identified by the Ministry for the new fort shortly after noon, if of course, we can keep up this pace" stated Captain Bradley.

"The sooner the better Captain, I am keen to get the fortifications started and the artillery train unpacked and set up. We are completely in the dark about the number and disposition of any Mardierian forces that may or may not be present, and the gods know what else is lurking out here..."

With that both men frowned, turned back to the column, and continued on...

----------

Ladies and Gentlemen, here is the first part of Corrington's response to developments in the Prio Seas. Official announcements will be issued from Bellson soon.

Some may dub this "KMA Red"... or as one Grenadier in the above column was heard mutter... "Them Greenbacks have nuthin' ta worry 'bout now, the real soldiers have arrived"

STORY CONTINUED IN THE POST HERE:

 

 

Edited October 14, 2016 by Ayrlego

[Elostirion]

<3

Finally - great to see Corrington join us in our rightful efforts against Mardier.

And now I am so much looking forward to a joint force of Eslandola, Corrington and Oleon marching in union against a Mardierian fort in the new world. A man may dream, after all?

 

Great MOC also, green jungle scenes really become more and more of your trademark. Absolutely fascinating!

What I think you could improve on, though, is the selection of faces. With all people in uniforms I think that should be the one thing distinguishing them, bringing variation and detail. Their posing and walking in line, which is as good as it could be in a jungle (ordered, but not inch-perfect) is great however.

[TitusV]

The text makes my heart leap in joy, as does the MOC. I love all the figs and the vegetation!

[Capt Wolf]

Another fine jungle build from you! Excellent portrayal of the column marching through the jungle.

And on the diplomatic front, it's good to see that we have an ally against Mardier! If you head to Fuerte Unido, Capitan Alonzo and his men will still be there to greet you. Welcome to the fight!

[Garmadon]

Another awesome build from you, Ayrlego!  Excellent job with the jungle, and the marching grenadiers, as Elostirion mentioned, are posed perfectly as well!   And it's great to see you guys on our side in the war against Mardier! 

[Kai NRG]

Very nice jungle scene Ayrlego, and quite a fine troop of soldiers!  Strikes me as though Mardier had better start trembling in its boots!

[SkaForHire]

To the citizens of the Brick Seas.

 

If the forces of Corrington do not remove themselves from La Isla de Medio by  October 14^th, 616, the King of Mardier will issue a letter of marque to all willing participants. The letter states that the captain may attack Corrington's vessels of all nature in the name of Mardier.   This will be considered a  lawful prize to all courts in all nations, as Mardier and Corrington shall then be at war.  Along with this letter of marque, the king offers a generous reward for every Corrington vessel taken or sunk  in the conflict. Captains may keep the vessel, with a clear title for 15% of the value of the treasure on board. Any  Corrington Warship taken or destroyed will also merit the victor 100 gold doubloons.  We encourage Corrington to rethink their discretions and avoid this fruitless war.

 

Sincerely

Count Adwin Encarnacion

Minister of the Colonies of Mardier

[Ayrlego]

Thanks for the comments everyone!

On 10/8/2016 at 5:58 PM, Elostirion said:

What I think you could improve on, though, is the selection of faces. With all people in uniforms I think that should be the one thing distinguishing them, bringing variation and detail.

I agree. I was trying to go for all clean shaven faces to show the superior discipline of our troops, I didn't realise quite how many 'classic' faces I'd used until I was editing the photo!

You may or may not have seen on Flickr, I did some playing around with these troops and another build I did for LoR. I also did something unthinkable to many and decided to experiment with fleshies! Anyway a wider variety of faces I think definitely improved the troops!

and you know what.... I really like them! Actually I originally considered going fleshie for BoBS, the thing that decided me against it was the vast majority of my pirate torsos are yellow. Oh the agony of choice!!!

In other matters I had a response good to go for the comments about the storyline, I suspect many of you greenies may have guessed what was coming next, but which will probably not happen now! However, nothing has been decided and everything is on hold until we sort out what we are going to do with the Isle de Victoria situation!

Edited October 11, 2016 by Ayrlego

[Bregir]

Great work and great story, Ayrlego. I agree the faces are a bit similar, but I think this is better than unorderly beards everywhere! DISCIPLINE!

It truly is an interesting time on Skaford Heights!

The landscaping is really nice - I definitely need to practice my jungling!

 

And the second rendition is great too, although they all seem to be down with some horrible jungle fever, judging from their horrid complexion...

[blackdeathgr]

I saw both versions on Flickr but i missed commenting! As always your jungle and general landscaping rock! On their natural state, the marching minifigs in unison remind me of my youth LEGO era and i am totally fine with everyone having this trademark smiling face (i do love unity and discipline-sort like lead soldier armies). The second MOC although with fleshies (sacrilege!!!) looks a bit more professional but equally beautiful. Since i am a Caribbean/island lover, though, i cast my vote on the first version. Regarding recent news circulating around, it is yet to be seen whether this detachment marches towards a fight/ will act as a fleet-in being or just marches to catch some exotic butterflies! 

P.S: Someone troll this MOC by putting this minifigure chasing this one!!! 

[Puvel]

Beautiful builds and excellent pictures again!

The jungle in the firs pic looks great, it has a nice variety in density.

The second pics is less monochrome but its not a jungle anymore so that makes sense. I hate to admit it but I like the fleshies, they really fit the build.

I also like the yellows in the first build though :D

[Mpyromaxos]

beautiful representation of the marching army!! 

[Ayrlego]

New Orders

Captain Bradley was on picket duty when the messenger arrived, and he escorted him directly to Colonel Howe.

Colonel Howe quickly read the contents of the message.

“Hmmph, he grunted before reading part of the contents to Captain Bradley. “it turns out there is, and I quote, a significant Mardierian colony already well established on the island known as Victoria Island, Isle de Victoria or as the Mardierians call it,  La Isle de Medio…” Howe paused before continuing, “three well established settlements to the north, rumours of a very large fortress and significant military forces…. The Mardierian Minister for the Colonies has issued an ultimatum for all foreign forces to withdraw from the island…” he kept reading. “Furthermore Eslandolan troops have shown no signs of compelling with their royal directive to immediately leave the colonies, and are rumoured to have rejected the Mardierian ultimatum and are preparing for military operations against them…”

Howe continued to read in silence for some time. Captain Bradley, shocked at this news, yet unsure if he had been dismissed, waited also in silence. Finally Howe looked up and gave a deep sigh.

“Captain our orders have changed”

Howe continued “We are ordered to immediately cease aggressive patrolling and to avoid hostile actions against Mardierian forces. We are only to authorised to use force if directly attacked. Our camp is to be strictly of a temporary nature and not a more permanent settlement as originally planned. We are further ordered to avoid contact or any kind of cooperation with Eslandolan troops and be prepared to evacuate the island immediately if so ordered.”

Bradley looked puzzled.

“Captain you look confused by these new orders.” Said Howe

“Well Sir, I’m not sure I understand the intent. I would have thought we either withdraw in compliance with the ultimatum, as distasteful as that would be, or we ignore it and align ourselves with the Eslandolans.”   

Howe, usually distant from his subordinates, uncharacteristically decided to educate the younger Captain.

“Captain, what do you suppose our main goal here was originally?” Howe asked

“To counter Mardierian expansion Sir” replied Bradley, almost automatically.

After a brief pause, Howe responded, “Try again, and consider this, despite their privateer’s constant attacks on our shipping, Her Majesties government doesn’t desire war with Mardier and is not really concerned about halting their expansion”

Bradley frowned and thought about it. Then it dawned on him

“So Sir, if we are not here to halt further Mardierian expansion, the only other reasonable explanation is that we were sent here to curb Eslandolan expansion…”

Howe didn’t reply immediately… again he paused before replying,

“An astute observation Captain Bradley, One I will neither confirm nor deny, but perhaps our orders make more sense to you now?”

“But if that were the case Sir, now that it is known Mardier will aggressively defend their colonies, why do we remain. Why not just let the two of them slug it out?” asked Bradley, seeing his superior in the mood to explain things.

“A number of reasons I would say. Firstly, as you pointed out, to meekly comply with Mardier’s arrogant ultimatum would be a sign of weakness we could ill afford. Rather we remain here as a kind of bargaining chip the diplomats can use as leverage in negotiations – risky for us I might add. Also by remaining here we can be used as leverage in negotiations with Eslandola.” Howe paused. “Also, with nearly 20 years experience in dealing with the parliament, the ministries and the Royal court, I wouldn’t be surprised if the right hand doesn’t know what the left is doing, if you follow my analogy.”

Both men silently reflected on this silently. Howe then recovered is normal composure.

“Captain, sound the assembly. I shall address the troops. We will of course, prepare to execute these orders immediately.”

“Sir, yes Sir!” responded Captain Bradley.

----------------------------------------

 

An official diplomatic communiqué will follow from Her Majesties Lead Counsel, Don Isaac Montoya. 

[Bregir]

On 09/10/2016 at 7:38 AM, SkaForHire said:

To the citizens of the Brick Seas.

If the forces of Corrington do not remove themselves from La Isla de Medio by  October 14^th, 616, the King of Mardier will issue a letter of marque to all willing participants. The letter states that the captain may attack Corrington's vessels of all nature in the name of Mardier.   This will be considered a  lawful prize to all courts in all nations, as Mardier and Corrington shall then be at war.  Along with this letter of marque, the king offers a generous reward for every Corrington vessel taken or sunk  in the conflict. Captains may keep the vessel, with a clear title for 15% of the value of the treasure on board. Any  Corrington Warship taken or destroyed will also merit the victor 100 gold doubloons.  We encourage Corrington to rethink their discretions and avoid this fruitless war.

Sincerely

Count Adwin Encarnacion

Minister of the Colonies of Mardier

To Count Adwin Encarnacion, Minister of the Colonies of Mairdier,

The Crown of Corrington has no wish for war, but neither will it be swayed by threats. However, to prove our willingness to negotiate, orders have been issued for our troops to refrain from any offensive operations and only respond in force if under direct attack. Further, they will be instructed to refrain from erecting any permanent fortifications. Nonetheless, let it be known that field defences will be prepared and that her Majesty's finest will be prepared to meet any direct aggression mercilessly.

Your threat of issuing Letters of Marque appear to her Majesty empty, as Mardierian privateers have long been preying on our trade. Unsurprisingly our fleets have met these unprovoked aggressions relentlessly, yet they have not gone unnoticed, and you may consider this an official protest against these attacks upon a peaceful nation's shipping.

Her Majesty's forces will remain entrenched on La Isla de Medio awaiting the outcome of our negotiations. The Crown of Corrington wishes only peace and order, and will be awaiting for instructions for the Queen's representative to meet on neutral ground with a suitable official to negotiate for a peaceful solution to the current conflict.

In service of Liberty, Peace, and Order

Don Isaac Montoya

Lead Consul, New Terra

Corrington

[Kai NRG]

I feel sorry for those poor soldiers, stuck between a rock and a hard place it would seem! 
Very nice little watchtower and excellent photography as usual!