Parthian tales and other things

[Kaiser Kirk]

While I have a great number of things I would like to write in order to illustrate my vision of Parthia,
I have not been able to find the time or inspiration.

Further, the effort to stoke the fires of the game and get it steaming along again have both
taken substantial time, and moved the game past the start of many of my planned stories.

I wanted to follow the Emperor, Prince Vache and Princess Shirin.
I wanted stories to describe how Parthia has lush valleys, with river weirs backing up the flows, how the ancient forest cover has been mostly retained, how the highlands are grazed, the diversity of peoples, how they dress, act, etc.
I wanted to follow 4 young people through National Service in both military branches and civilian labor to illustrate how it rewards merit...mostly, mixes genders and classes....somewhat, and unifies the nation.
I wanted to follow a retired soldier turned colonist, and what a female surveyor saw in her work in the colonies.
I wanted to follow House Mihran and a cruiser captain's stories as she promoted up through the ranks.
I wanted to show the Eye of the Flame, The Imperial Eye, the Justicars.
I wanted to show how the colonization of Ria de Janerio went badly under House Suren, and how the Parthians removed and punished that Satrap, and installed a new one. 
I wanted to follow a colony through development.
Then I wanted some miscellaneous characters.


I may get there.
But just looking at the list.... I think it's evidence my goals exceed  my time and resources.

So the next several posts will be more Narrative and Descriptive than stories.
Eventually I'll move them to the Parthian Encyclopedia.

[Kaiser Kirk]

Overseas Territories of the Parthian Empire

Background :
The Parthian Empire is a Hydraulic Empire. The Parthian plateau has been coaxed to fertility through careful management of water resources, and the valleys bloom. This stewardship of resources by a competent bureaucracy is a hallmark.

The old traditionalist bureaucracy has many of the flaws one would expect, but long been on the system of tests and promotions and results, and so is actually competent. The nobility and upper classes dominate the upper ranks. This is due to better schooling and family focus, and that the idea that good performance brings honor to the family mean those Nobles who fail to perform will are typically given other jobs by their families. The Zoroastrian threefold path of 'good thoughts, good works, and good deeds' offers official guidance, but human nature means many fall short. Official corruption is seen as both embracing the dark forces of Angra Mainyu, and as a crime against Emperor and people. It has serious penalties up to and including execution of the offender and the stripping of rank and property from the offender's immediate family, or more severe.

Simple medical advances have greatly increased childhood survival. The burgeoning population creates two great problems, the first a foreseeable time when there may not be enough resources, the second is simply jobs. The Parthian empire, with extensive trade links, oil resources, and industry, is heavily exporting goods and the state coffers are full. The Parthian empire can afford to spend funds on capital improvements on a large scale.

Combine that with the publications of western theorists on Integrated Economies for National Prosperity, and Emperor Alexandros V is determined he shall be remembered for creating a thriving nation.

Policies :
The Parthians have set course on two types of holdings.

Strategic :  points to project power, protect their trade and their colonial routes are the first.

Colonial : Large areas of arable land, preferably with few people, for Colonization. Most of these areas are not settled by farming peoples, and so have low population density.

They have wound up with an unanticipated third and fourth.

Conquered States : The Kingdom of Kandy, and the Sultanates of Aceh, Palembang and Brunei have been added to the list of Parthian States. Sophisticated & well populated, they are not useful for colonial expansion, and tie up great numbers of troops.

Protectorates :  The Protectorate of Hawaii was expected,  but that of the Senegambian Kingdoms of Kaabu, and the lesser kingdoms adjacent was not. The Fulanji Jihad against the coast was not considered, and the initiative of the Satrap of the Atlantic islands in sending troops and pledging protection was unforeseen.

Interactions with current owners
The Parthians view their expansion as justified by need and as Right of Conquest.
This does not mean they need to evict the locals, as they hope the locals to be residents in the Empire will gain citizenship.

They expected the existing peoples to have claimed some of the best land, but Parthia has a long history of making less-than-the-best verdant. So the Emperor directed that the existing inhabitants be left in place, and development done on the lands the locals do not already work.

The more sophisticated the government, the more the Parthians will try to leave it in place.
They will dictate the terms, insist on certain "Rights" be recognized, and will insist on being allowed to build infrastructure for mutual improvement, and on schooling. They will form a town council to advise them on if legal changes need to be made, and they will also expend effort to root out corrupt officials. Then they will generally leave the locals alone to make their choices.

They do not tax the locals or compel labor at first. The more sophisticated states are generally feudal in nature, and the Parthians will seize and redistribute land from Nobles who resist to long. Part of that land becomes the Parthian fortified camps, part is set aside for 'state stewardship', but much of the arable land is given to local villages. This tends to bring the nobles to the negotiating table, while making the Parthians popular with the common folk.

The Parthians believe that by focusing on demonstrating what the Parthian state can do well, and by improving conditions they will reduce local resistance and fondness for what had been. The Parthians believe in first demonstrating the benefits, then asking for support.

On Conquest
Parthian conduct of conquest emphasizes sending more troops than you need. In the Pampas of Bahia Blanca, the locals fish and hunt and live in small villages of no more than a couple hundred.  A 1600 strong Parthian Regiment will ride up and encamp nearby.  A civilian and translator will seek the chief.
The Parthians will explain that they have brought a small force, that they plan on conquest, and that if the village would like to surrender, they will go away. They then will explain terms.

For larger towns, more troops in a siege posture may be sent.
Either way, the overall guidance is the Parthians want to be so imposing the locals do not choose battle. Slaughtering people and burning down their towns is viewed as a good way to ensure long term resistance. Show up, be patient, take the surrender, go away, come back with civic improvements.

As part of that, when Noble armies retreat to difficult ground of their choosing... the Parthians do not follow. They withdraw some, surrendering some villages and dig field redoubts, earthen star forts. Dragoon cavalry forces are held in the rear, while scout forces seek the foe.  The Nobles forces will run low on food and are allowed to raid and plunder the villages between, and when the villagers flee, the Parthians provide food and will build new earthen-rammed houses on land redistributed from the Nobles. The Parthians will try to counterstrike and cut off Noble raiding columns. Eventually, if the Nobles fail to come engage, It may be six months, or a year, before the Parthians move to a final conflict with then dispirited and starving Nobles.

After Conquest
Along with the troops come surveyors, engineers, scientists, and particularly botanists & agrarians. Steam engines are used extensively to build roads, earthen forts, and rammed earth bricks for buildings.
The first year after conquest is spent mapping the area. They view it as important to map the areas, recording what is there, what areas have resources, which have arable land, where the rivers and fords are, and what territories the locals have developed and need to have property rights recognized.

The Zoroastrian stewardship ethic dictates that a recognition exists that not all areas are to be developed, and that what is done should be deliberate and planned for the long term. At this stage, places for development, and what is needed is roughly determined. This includes lands which are tillable now, and which need irrigation constructed as dams and quanats take time.  Signs of flooding determine how far from the river the new settlement will be, with "twice as far as the river is wide" as a simple guide. Where the locals claim are avoided as best possible, though it is assumed their villages are in the best ground.  Much of the land is designated 'Crownland', to be developed or managed further once better more information is found.

Engineers lay out roads once they have an idea where to go. Soldiers work on simple fortifications and security, and rammed earth buildings to house people are built. Riverine weirs may be built to moderate the rivers and allow barge traffic. The researchers see how Parthian crops and animals fare, and what the locals use, waiting at least 1 full growing season.

Only once information is gathered are colonists sent. The colonization is organized, with miniature towns laid out, and volunteers to fill the roles chosen from across Parthia, usually at least two pairs of volunteers from the same village are grouped together, to help cohesion. The Parthian National Service, split between the military (+2 years) and civil service (+3years), provides a pool of young able bodied workers who can be sent to do this work, and if they choose perhaps be volunteers later.

This plan not always worked as foreseen in the council chambers. What seemed so smooth and logical has failed in many ways.

[Kaiser Kirk]

Kingdom of Kandy
The Kingdom of Kandy was a proud independent ruler of a unified Sri Lanka. Prosperous and well educated, it is the type of state the Parthians would prefer to have negotiated with.

The Kingdom of Kandy absolutely refused to consider letting Parthians develop a naval base. For all the planned expansion to the East, the bases at Triconmalee and Tarakan were seen as essential.  The position at the tip of India is critical, so, after negotiations failed, the Emperor delivered an ultimatum...which was rejected. So invasion occurred.  Now the Parthians have a densely populated highly sophisticated society which they are responsible for.

[Kaiser Kirk]

Sumatra and Borneo
The expansion and militarization of the lightly populated primitive Andaman islands and the oil trading post of Tarakan went smoothly, and gave the Parthians alternatives to Siamese Malacca.
The claiming of the two alarmed the Sultanates Aceh and Brunei sufficiently they began badgering the Parthians while piracy in the area suddenly climbed. This led to the Parthian Bengali squadron being reinforced and eventually an Aceh cruiser attempted piracy on a Parthian troopship, only to find an old armored cruiser in escort.

The forces of Brunei proved inept and poorly led. The forces of Aceh fought hard after loosing the coastal cities, retreating both west into the mountains, and south, into the neighboring Sultanate of Palembang.  The Sultanate of Palembang first served as a conduit for supplies, then a haven for Aceh forces, and finally took direct action against the Parthians. This led to the Parthian invasion of Palembang, and the remaining forces of Aceh and Palembang have been herded to the mountains of West Sumatra. The Parthians have settled into their ring of bases, leaving villages between, and the Sultanate forces will raid the lowlands and loot those villages in reach. The Parthians then assist the villagers displaced by their own rulers.

In the cases of Kandy, Aceh, Palembang and Brunei the Parthians have reacted by informing the nobles leading the opposition that the longer they resist, the more of their lands would be distributed to the peasantry.  Once loosing, the nobles tend to 'cut their losses' and turn coat.  The Parthians then turn to building infrastructure, such as free roads and mills, and place their military bases away from villages. The peasants view of things tends to improve when land is redistributed and things start getting better. The Parthian bureaucracy is very traditional, and slow, but effective.

[Kaiser Kirk]

(Here I am Necro'ing my own thread)

From : Parthian Empire
To : Nations of the Pacific

Salutations,

The Parthian Nation wishes to propose two international freeports in our Pacific holdings.
We are a nation that has prospered on trade for millenia and we have secured trade routes across the Pacific.

Our principal goal was to secure our sea lanes of communication, but at this nexus of steam and sail trade, we wish to encourage trans-Pacific trade among the nations of the Pacific Rim.

To achieve these goals, we are planning on establishing harbors on the islands of Funafuti* and Nuka Hiva**.  With a steaming range of 4400nm**, the majority of entire Pacific can be accessed from these two locations. With time, we expect new freighters, more capable of utilizing these routes, will become common.

On these islands, we shall make subsidize the stockpiling of coal and oil fuels, sufficient for large numbers of ships. We shall also set aside substantial space to allow a small permenant presence for your nationals, a house of worship, and warehouse facilities for your goods. Obviously this would be of value to such nations as the Aztec Sultanate, allowing easier access to their Zealand territories for both commerce and military vessels, but we expect this to benefit all peacable nations of the Rim.

It is our hope that the security of warehouses and fuel stocks at reasonable steaming distances will allow easier trans-pacific traffic for the Nations of the Pacific Rim.  The Parthian nation shall prosper as well, as we expect these freeports to allow more merchants to use these as central bases, trading among the Pacific islands and shores.

The Harbor Commisions will charge a nominal fee to support the operations and future improvements and will maintain open books to demonstrate the minimal profit.   The Harbor Commision will consist of Three persons designated by Parthia, and then one further person from each participating nation.

Our expectations include that all Nations who choose to avail themselves of these freeports, are agreeing to observe strict nuetrality in relation to these ports during both war and peace. That neither warships or merchants will engage in conflict within 100nm of these islands. That no weapons or munitions beyond sidearms shall be transported from ships to land, and that no subterfuge of any sort will occur, least the honor of the offending Nation be impuned.

It is the expectation that developing these ports shall take nearly 18 months. The Parthian Empire welcomes suggestions for improvements in our proposal, or concerns regarding it. 

Sealed : Shahanhah Alexandros V

*Marshalls-Tuvalu
**Polynesia-Marqueses
*** Currently, I allow DP frieghters to steam 4000nm at cruise, or 4400nm at economical. So it's long range, but IN range. 

Game Mechanic :
I will build an IC at each Province. That will include these ports.
It removes the consideration of how folks ships get across the Pacific, which reduces the moderator burden.

[Kaiser Kirk]

	Funafuti	Nuka Hiva	Lima	Puerto Vallarta	Monterey	Panama	Seattle	Tokio	Shanghai	Manilla	Brunei	Haiphong	Rubaul	Brisbane	Christchurch	Puenta Arenas	Somoa	Hawaii
Funafuti	-	2440	OOR	OOR	4300	OOR	4535	3460	4034	3862	4041	4481 (OOR)	1650	1855	2255	OOR	617	2225
Nuka Hiva	2440	-	3728	2725	2920	3860	3510	OOR	OOR	OOR	OOR	OOR	4050	3980	3211	4300	1900	2200
Lima
	OOR= >4400nm, Out Of Range

[Kaiser Kirk]

September 1914

Joint Declaration by the Parthian Empire and Japanese Empire
To : All nations

The Parthian Empire, having purchased the Roman Territories of  Polynesia and Adelaide, has entered into a Sale Agreement with the Japanese Empire regarding the Territory of Adelaide. The Parthian Empire will continue to honor the sale obligations to the Romans, with final payment in HY2, 1915. The Japanese Empire will purchase the territory of Adelaide over the period of HY1, 1915 to HY2, 1917.

It is recognized that for the settlers of Adelaide, the transition from Rome to Parthia was made simpler by the long association and common Hellenized roots. The Empire of Japan is a world power with a glorious and lengthy history, but their laws and culture will be very strange to the settlers from Rome.

This recognition has led to additional arrangements.  The Roman settlers will be given the option, throughout the transition period, to return to Roman lands, or to resettle in Parthian territories of their choice. If they choose Parthian territories, they shall be granted full Citizenship, lands, goods, livestock and all the support given Parthian settlers.

To subsidize this choice, the Japanese have agreed to establish a Roman Resettlement fund ($1) to compensate and pay passage for those who choose to relocate. The Parthians have agreed to provide liaison teams throughout the transition period. These teams will include translators and recorders and will give the Romans and Japanese a third party to resolve differences.

It is the hope of our Empires that the transition will be smooth. That the settlers, offered the assurance that they can relocate later, will choose to stay and prosper and resolve problems as they arise. May all parties prosper thereby.

[Desertfox]

Japan welcomes the Parthian proposal for two freeports in the Pacific. Japan would like to offer the services of two Kaibokan class rescue ships for the ports, one to be station at each port to provide rescue and assistance to merchants transiting the Pacific.

[Kaiser Kirk]

Japan welcomes the Parthian proposal for two freeports in the Pacific. Japan would like to offer the services of two Kaibokan class rescue ships for the ports, one to be station at each port to provide rescue and assistance to merchants transiting the Pacific.

Parthia welcomes the participation of the Empire of Japan in this project.
Indeed, we will make an open invitation to the Nations of Japan, Azteca, Wilno, Inca and China to send envoys and plans such that Parthia may build housing and warehouse to suit your national tastes. We would also welcome achitects and mastercraftsmen to oversee Parthian construction crews in the development of your sectors.
Parthia itself is intending the construction of one drydock, 141m in length, at each location. The purpose of that drydock is to be available to mercantile and military vessels in need of repair or overhaul by the participating nations.

[Kaiser Kirk]

With the advance forces of the Parthians meeting the advance forces of the Inca west of White Bay, the Sahrap (Satrap/Governor) of White Bay sends to the Shahrab (Viceroy) of the Atlantic coast, who is the Sahrap of Ria de Janerio.
That individual is Rebekah al-Daula, a member of the Jewish nobility that has a place in the Parthian court since the Exodus.
She sends a formal note to the Inca.

To: Sapa Inca on behalf of the Incan Empire

From : Shahrab of the Atlantic Coast, on behalf Parthian Empire

Greetings and Salutations,

The Sahrab of White Bay has sent news of contact between the the advancing Incan expeditions and the Parthian Realms of White Bay and South.  The Parthian Empire is interested in establishing a mutually agreed on border, and arranging the marking thereof, such that no conflict may arise between our nations. The nature of the great plain, with it's lack of landmarks, suggests that failure to take such measures may lead to lamentable misunderstandings.

There is a further interest on the part of our Empire to establish trade routes and the roads to make them prosper.  To this end, the Parthians would consider formal long term Incan access to our Port at White Bay, in order to make the trade route more prosperous.

We also look forward to further relations, trade and visitation with the Empire of the Incas.

Sealed : Rebekah al-Daula, Sahrab of Ria de Janerio, Shahrab of the Atlantic Coast.

[Kaiser Kirk]

Informational

Prior to 1913, the Parthians were maintaining an Atlantic and Pacific fleets. Each was centered on 2 battleships, with supporting cruisers.

The 2nd Sino-Japanese war featured Chinese reports of the various battles.
The development of better rangefinders, improved rangekeeping devices and a computational tracking table led to the need to refit the Parthian fleet.

Towards the end of 1913 the various elements of the battlefleet were called back to home waters.  This was not documented in an OOB as it should have been because I was busy
While this left the sailing frigates, the gunboats and the minesweepers, this was a paucity of force.  Long term, this was felt disadvantageous, but short term it would be acceptable.

With the advent of improved director tables, there was felt a need  to conduct exercises both to address the small craft threat and best use the improved firecontrol in fleet actions,

Throughout the course of 1914 the fleet units have been exercising in the Parthian Gulf, and the Parthian Sea. With hundreds of MTBs and TBs available, fast and slow cruisers, a wide assortment of destroyers, large Fleet problems could be worked on.

The Parthian Home Fleet will continue to be by far the strongest and will serve as a deterrence to the Byzantines getting 'frisky'.

At the End of 19114, the Atlantic and Pacific Expeditionary Fleets will once again be 'stood up' as full fleets, and vessels will depart Parthia to bring the fleets to strength.
These will consist of a Battle Fleet of 1x DN, 2x BB, 1x AC, 2x CR, 1x SC, 2x PC, 1x DDL, and 16x DD.
They will be supported by a Courier cruiser, a Minelaying cruiser, Armored Sailing frigates, Gunboats, Cutters, MTBs, TBs, Minesweepers and fleet support vessels.

A new fleet will also be established, the "Ready Reserve".
This will be formed from older, less capable vessels. They will primarily be used for training and staffed with reservists.
In the event a Home Fleet or Expeditionary Fleet vessel is taken out of line for repairs or refits, their place will be taken by a Reserve Fleet unit of the same type.
While frequently there are large disparities in capability, these vessels are still felt to be useful as combatants.
Edit : When Expeditionary units are sent from Parthia to other lands, this force will often be tapped to provide a military escort.

[Kaiser Kirk]

HY 2, 1914

Early in HY2, 1914, the two Parthian courier cruiser ...which I just figured out aren't in my encyclopedia...even though the final version was posted on page 7 of my design thread will visit the Inca. There they will host the officers for the Incan Mallet, and bring them to the Parthian Gulf port of Tis, on Chabahar bay where the Mallet is being completed.  Slower, freight-liners will take the crew in comfort back to Parthia. 
The ensuing months after completion will be focused on working the Mallet up, including the Incan officers in the Chabahar Naval Gunnery School, and coastal cruises from the Rajasthan border to the Tigris River.
Shoreleave at the Naval bases of Tis, Abbas and Bushere will be part of it the working up. 
Tours will be offered to several cities :

Yazd, founded 400AD,  the "City of Windcatchers" in the high desert, making ice in yakhchals, and reliance on quanats to bring water to the city, allowing gardens to flourish across it.

Shiraz, founding unknown (once Tirazis with roots back to 2000BCE) City of Poets, literature, wine and flowers.

Susa, founding unknown ( ~4,395BCE),  .  Archaeologists have been working at Susa 1885-1914, and have a trove of ancient items which lead them to think think it may be one of the oldest cities known, dating back thousands of years, and being mentioned in ancient Sumerian records, was the residence of exiled Jews in 600BCE, and is the location of the biblical Tomb of Daniel.
 
This will be accompanied by a trip to nearby Gondishapur Academy
The Gondishapur Academy was founded under Khosrau I around 531AD, taking in Greek philosophers and Nestorian Christian thinkers exiled from Byzantine.  The Academy has collected works and translated works on astrology, astronomy, mathematics and medicine from Iberia to China, Moscow to Kolumbo. The Academy is famed for learning and medicine. The Hospitals at Gondishapur and Susa have become models for such facilities throughout Parthia. A theological school has flourished there since the 6th century.
The Academy founded the House of Wisdom in Baghdad, but that was lost when the Mongols razed the city and slew the inhabitants in 1258.  Baghdad has since been seized by the Byzantines.
Tours deeper in Parthia are possible, given the rail networks, but time would be somewhat limited.

[Kaiser Kirk]

At some point during the Bermudez Conference,
Parthia will issue a statement to the various embassies/consulates/legations that may occur in Isfahan.
The language is likely a little better stated, but it goes something like this :

The events of the past 5 years have seen repeated conflicts between nations.  The Parthian Empire has had the opportunity to engage in armed conflict to assert a claim, in some cases with the advantage. In each case, Parthia has chosen the path of discourse instead. Potential Conflicts with Wilno, Japan and the Aztec have been resolved through discussion.

We will state that we have no known territorial conflicts with the Wilno Union, Japanese Empire or Aztec Empire. Further, we extend that our dealings with the Aztec, we have have formally recognized their rightfully possession of various Pacific islands, and the land south of Kalifern. Parthia does not recognize any claims by others to those lands. 

The Parthian Empire recognizes that  recorded history, the right of territorial claim and the right of conquest have been established as valid.   The quandary that has faced Parthia in recent years is how to regard nation's new territorial claims, particularly when there are conflicts resulting.

It is our considered opinion that, should a new territorial claim be a source of rancor, the objection should be voiced within a calendar year. The settlement of that dispute would be between the contesting parties.

Traditional aspects of war have become expected custom, such as stating a Causis Belli, a formal Declaration of War prior to hostilities, and enforcing a blockade through adherence to the so-called 'Cruiser rules' are among the aspects with which to judge the validity of a Nation's actions.

It is recognized that minor squabbles over far flung possessions may not involve any or all such elements. When significant elements of a Nation's navy are involved in a protracted conflict, or one over a wide area, then the traditional elements are expected to be adhered to. Further, failure to abide by them can serve to render a Nation's argument irrelevant, and even serve as a Causis Belli for third parties. The Parthian Empire reserves the right to enter the fray if there is a persistent failure to follow the blockade customs, regardless of if Parthian mercantile elements have direct involvement.

[Kaiser Kirk]

The Parthians make no great statement, rather it shows up in standard newspaper reports of Foreign Ministry announcements

"The Parthian Empire is proud to announce they have committed to providing some fiscal support to the Wilno Canal project linking the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean.
Inspired by the leadership shown in this by the Japanese Empire and the Aztec Sultanate,  the Parthian Empire has decided to follow their example.  The primary fiscal
and engineering burden will of course continue to be borne by the Wilno Union.

It is the hope of the Parthian Empire, that this Canal, in conjunction with our expenditures in establishing the Parthian Freeports, will remove substantial barriers to trans-Pacific trade, and so bring
prosperity to the nations bordering the Pacific.  As Parthia has long prospered from trade, it is our hope and expectation that such a boost will benefit the new Territories, both the native peoples and our colonists.

[Kaiser Kirk]

1917.0

Story 1

Barranacas del Oronico

Located at the edge of Parthian territory. where the great Oronico river first split to form it's great delta, Barranacas was not a great posting.  Hot, humid, the town was perched on a low ridge above the wet season flood stage and commanded the river.  The river was navigable by ocean going merchants from the gulf of Priai or the Atlantic to above Barranacas, to the Chacamay falls only 35nm upriver.  While the river moved over time, at this time Barranacas was above the first main split.  The first main branch, the Manamo, departed to the north, and was paralleled by a raised road. Trees had been left along the edges of the road, to serve as markers when the rivers came up to far, at which time motorized lighters could make their way up. The spaced out trees also made a good place to string telephone wires.

To the North and West of the Manamo river, the land rose and was fairly dry. To the East and South the great delta of the Oronico river dominated the landscape.  Completely flooded in the wet season, great loads of sediment fanned out and dropped to make a vast fertile plain. The local tribes lived on highlands or stilted huts, and reaped the abundance of fish, game, and fruit. With the addition of farming on highlands, there was no time of year that food was lacking.

Several Parsangs (leagues) away, the border with the Mayan territories began, marked by blazed trees and a string of small outposts. Like Barranacas, the outposts were located on elevated areas and surrounded by low star shaped earthworks of rammed earth, with outlying ditches and small bastions. Such fortifications would be outdated in the face of indirect artillery fire, but in a primitive unroaded area there was no such threat and made a secure bases. Barranacas itself, on the main river, could be reached by oceanic merchants, and so was well supplied, hosting the Vasht (Regimental) guns to command the river, the smaller outposts had to make do with sections of  light75mm howitzers.

Overall, the redeeming feature of such a posting was that little exciting would happen, in theory. This was why the Harza (Battalion) Commander, Sargod Varaza did not greatly mind the posting. The fishing was marvelous, and there were only a few short years until he retired from frontline service and moved to either Fortress Command or the Quartermaster's Service. Independent command of this little outpost would work nicely to vault him towards a cushy post as an Ardbeg (Fortress Commander) somewhere, which would make spending more time with his wife far more tolerable.

However, sometimes, life gets interesting in unwelcome ways.

Sargod (Major) Varaza  frowned at the report of Soratavar (Sergeant) Arsen.   this was something he had to see.  Taking his overcloak and jamming his slouch hat (Aussie style) on his head, he followed the Soratavar down the hill to the dockside. There, like bloated giant fish, were two bodies which had been dragged by boathook from the river. The bodies were two older men, dressed in their tribal regalia. They had been stabbed with long sharp even-edged blades, and then shot repeatedly and dumped in the river.  Two of the Warao indians visiting from down river, who had found them floating, indicated they did not know who they were. Runners were sent to fetch a Piacoa wisewoman.

Sargod Varaza scowled, the locals did not tend to have long sharp steel blades, and few gunpowder weapons, with the powder being precious.  Spying an empty bargo (5-person canoe) drifting sidewise down the river, Varaza turned to the 'portmaster', who was one of the few that could serve as translator, and asked for the bargo to be fetched.  The two Warao voluntold went and did that. Just as they were bringing it back, the Piacoa wisewoman came down to the water and tut'd as she examined the bodies.

After much consideration, she opined they were members of the Yanomani tribe, from the far headwaters of  the Orinoco, by the piercings, paint and necklaces, tribal elders and wisemen. The wonder was that they had not been eaten in the river, as they had been dead a week or more. The wisewoman wondered if they had been in a boat or raft, perhaps the Bargo, but more likely an earlier craft that had already floated past.

The party waited with interest as the Warao slowly brought the empty bargo in, curiously towing it, instead of one getting in. Reaching shore, they took their payment and dragged the bargo up the shore. Within were the corpses of a young men, three women and five children. They and the bargo had been riddled with bullets. The corpses, like those in the river had been dead a week or more, and were gorge-rising to regard.  Also of the Yanomani tribe, the young man was a high status hunter, with rich beading of his quiver. The women looked like common members of the tribe, and the children, other than their face paint were naked. The thick log hull of the bargo had dozens of holes where bullets had passed through, a somewhat level line stitched down the side, with exit holes on the far side. Many had also struck home in the passengers. Scatterings of other holes peppered the hull and bodies.

Sargod Varaza was unhappy as he composed his report with copies to both Vasht and Gond commands. The request for skarsegmen (scout-snipers) and permission to conduct intruder reconnaisance may not be well received, but he was going to need to know what was happening to the West. Presuming they were dispatched, it first fell on him to consult with his Vasht commander, and do what he could to ensure whatever is happening to the west did not move East and catch his soldiers unprepared. Orders to make that happen were within his ability, beyond that...well the locals seem to react well to Drahms (silver dollars), which could purchase all sorts of the new trade goods. Hiring some local hunters on his own initiative was certainly something his contingency funds could cover...oh but the paperwork. Sargod Varaza would never understand why a 2,600 year old bureaucracy, promoted via test-based merit, still could not come up with simpler forms. It was if bureaucrats Liked extra paperwork and repetitive forms, which could not be, as no one sane did.