War is Hell 2 - In progress

[Atreides]

It is with great sadness that the nation of Caelum finds itself forced to call its banners once more, so soon after ending a prolonged war with the nation of Mictlan. Our scouts have watched the rapid expansion of the nation of Vanheim and observed the full extent of the Vanir War that has left the nation of Helheim broken and Vanheim a nation that cannot be opposed except by a coalition. Caelum hereby declares its intentions to oppose Vanheim with all its might, and invites the other nations of the realm into an alliance to oppose the Vanir war machine. My generals inform me that the Caelian Army can field some 1700 soldiers, with additional troops being mustered as required for the war effort. Though our lands are small in comparison to Vanheim, we have prospered magically. My armies stand shoulder to shoulder with enchantresses, wizards, tartarians, the kings of fire and earth, and the queens of air and water. All that being said, my forces alone cannot stop Vanheim. I will oppose the northmen regardless of the amount of support this declaration receives. But know this, if Caelum falls, there will truly be no stopping Vanheim. The nations of Mictlan and Abysia remain two of the more powerful nations in the realm and those I would request aid from the most. Mictlan, far removed from the conflict, I would ask for support in the form of gold and gems. Of Abysia, I ask you to ride to war with me. The only way that Vanheim can be subverted is the pressure of wars on two fronts. To the nations of Rlyeh, Kailasa, and Oceania, I would welcome you all with open arms to the coalition I have proposed. Those of you wishing to remain neutral in this conflict, that neutrality will be respected. To the vassal state of Lanka, your nation is currently considered a part of Vanheim and will be treated as such during this war until such time that you publicly renounce your diplomatic and military ties with Vanheim.
It is my hope that many of you will stand with me, for we fly to save the realm from the greatest threat it has ever known. This is our formal declaration of war upon the nation of Vanheim.

[johnarryn]

Vanheim can only smile in the face of the Caelian warmongering. For the Caelians reveal the lies behind their actions with their own words. By Caelum's own declaration, they possess a mighty army, many times larger than that of our own. By Caelum's own declaration, they have access to mighty magics with which to summon the Lords of the Elements. We also note that it was Caelum who most recently launched a war of expansion against Mictlan, seeking to bring more lands under their power, whereas Vanheim's recent war was provoked by Helheim's invasion.

Will you trust the word of Caelum, whose magical might clearly dwarfs all other nations? Look to your own borders if you trust the Caelians, for you may soon find their Tartarians at your gates.

Unlike Caelum, we do not arrogantly call on the other nations to accede to our demands. We merely wish to be left alone. Should Caelum's troops violate our borders, they will be throw back, as will all other invaders.

[GameExtremist]

Vanheim has large armies of twice blessed glamour warriors, mages which can hurl deadly magics from afar and a massive economy fueled by its extensive conquests.

It has Niefelheims capital...soon it shall have Helheims, Lanka is Vaneheims in everything but name.

Soon the world will bow down to Vanheims foul pretender of flatulence...unless the free people can unite!

[johnarryn]

None should be surprised that Helheim would support Caelum... after all, Helheim engaged in an unprovoked war on the people of Vanheim, and only through the righteousness of our cause did we prevail.

Indeed, we have mighty warriors... yet Caelum's magical might is greater, as his very words can attest... aiding Caelum is a sure recipe for disaster in the end.

[Atreides]

While Caelum must stomach the political machinations of Vanheim in these hallowed halls, we will not allow their hypocrisy to go unnoticed. Long are our memories, and long ago we remember the first war that came to this land. My scouts hovered over the battlefield while the Vans stormed Sauromatia and the ramparts ran red with the fallen of the amazon tribes. I would pose the question: "In what manner were these actions in line with your desire to be left alone?" You accuse me of expansionism in a war against Mictlan, yet Mictlan remains silent. You claim this war is to serve my people and to increase our territory, yet I have made it clear to Helheim that I will liberate his lands, not claim them for myself. Furthermore, I have granted the nation of Niefelheim asylum within my nation and established a small fief for them to rule, until such time that their lands can be liberated as well. These are not the actions of a conquerer, Caelum seeks to maintain the balance. And as for the hateful accusation that Caelum has made demands of other nations, one must simply read my formal declaration again to see that the accusation is baseless and without merit. Seldom are words such as "ask" "request" and "welcome" used when one nation makes demands of another. No matter how skilled a politician Enawardia of Vanheim might be, I fervently hope my fellow nations can see through the lies and deceit of this threat that can divide and destroy us. I mean to prove my words with action, and my forces will fight the powerful Vanir, and we will fall without aid, but we will fall with honor and the hope that others will avenge us.

[Valerius]

It is true that Caelum attacked Mictlan and may also be true that Helheim attacked Vanheim, though that was probably only a matter of attacking before Vanheim inevitably attacked them. Still, it is a bit too much to allow Vanheim's hypocrisy to go unchallenged. As Caelum points out, Vanheim's attack on Sauromatia undercuts his claim to moral superiority. But nations don't act on morality but practicality.

Practically speaking, if Vanheim defeats Helheim and Caelum the rest of the great powers are lost. If they think they will build their strength and be ready to face Vanheim then, they are fools. If you unite and defeat Vanheim you may strengthen Caelum and create a new threat but if you do nothing and let Caelum fall you are certainly lost. It seems better to gamble on a win than accept a certain loss.

I would also add, in the event that R'lyeh is charged with being a Caelian lackey, that I have had no contact with Caelum and thought they were in the wrong in attacking Mictlan.

Having said that, R'lyeh now prepares for destruction as gold and gems will certainly be sent by Vanheim to Oceania.

[johnarryn]

Sorry for the delay everyone... its a combination of me being busy and a few stray turns needing to be collected... we should be moving again soon.