Elrich von Richt

While I may only be Dutch in heritage and blood, you guys made this game a little more interesting and gave a special community a home. May your memory live on, FOK!, and hope you keep on keepin' on.

SOS, I would have preferred for you to soldier on, or go with a more humble exit. It seems my wishes will not be coming true. Best of luck to the few in SOS I've spoken to over time whom I like, Yui probably still wants me dead, and hope you have fun with this, Roquentin. Exit stage left, SOS Brigade. You were perhaps our greatest enemy and our greatest rival, and later a good friend.

[b]Den Helder[/b] As soon as the garrison saw that the cannons barely reached the English ships, they changed to the second type of artillery of the age: mortars. Loaded with caracasses, they should prove dangerous enough to the English fleet that gathered at the harbor entrance. Michel van Ruyter, commander of Fort Erfprins looked nervously as the troops in their blue coats lit the powder and with a loud bang the 4 mortars would throw their burning load on the English. The smoke had not yet cleared up to the point he could see through it, he already ordered to reload. With eyes of anger and hatred he looked at the burning town, civilians fleeing the flames, a few men and women lining up to bravely enter the fight against the flames with buckets of water. But Michel had to stay calm. at least he could be sure, the town was not the only thing that would burn today. In the harbor, the ships had only taken minor damage. Most major ships were in the back of the harbor and beyond the effective range for most of the cannons of the English navy. And those ships that were ran out their cannons to return the favor to the English. Not in need to maintain the sails, the sailors could focus on the cannons and the wounded. But what would be even more terrible for the English effort, would be, that the Dutch had a weapon to be feared. Rather than stick with simply conventional tactics, the Dutch would go so far as to create a weapon of mass destruction. Two of the surviving light merchant ships left port, their timers set as they departed, and made a run for the near Cersi while the ship would have to reload from firing at the harbor. Steering right at the English flag ship, they had almost no crew whom would attempt to jump off as soon as the timer neared it's end. Of course, they'd have to take the risk of death, but they were willing all the same... willing to sacrifice themselves for the cause, their nation, their people and for the purpose of making sure this hellburner hit it's mark. While the Fort Erfprins and town were occupied with the English, Fort Kijkduin would begin to counter the Hessians. With their own mortars, they began shooting carcasses on the Hessian fleet and while they took one or two hits, the Fort was not all too large, but of solid construction and not out of wood like any ship on the seas. The Dutch ships came out of the volley relatively unscathed, although some were grazed by cannon balls or had minor damage inflicted to their structure that didn't necessarily allow for a single victory to be scored by the English. [b]Camperduin[/b] It was quite harsh on the morale, but the troops made do, as most cannon balls either hit the Hondebossche Zeewering or flew above their heads. A few were unfortunate and got hit, but losses were limited to maybe two dozen and the answer would come with the few Coehorns. spying over the artificial dune, Christaan van Eyck, whom had taken charge of the men who chose to rally in the defense, would await the landing of the English, before ordering the troops to ambush the troops at the shore with a massed volley into the English at close range. As soon as muskets were fired, they would retreat behind the dune again, reloading, though on guard if there may not be a charge. In some distance, the first troops of Alkmaar marched up on the field, still a good way from the line of defense, but heaving the spirit of the Dutch troops. The Netherlands were small right now, but they could easily deploy troops and readily they found those willing to help freeing the land from the Germans. OOC: Vektor, I'll either edit this post to respond to you, or post a bit later in the night separately. I've got a bit of homework.

[b]The Dutch Coast[/b] If the Hessian fleet would be sighted before the English, messengers were ready to immediatly give notice to the nearest towns, of enemy ships approaching, that the attack could soon begin. Any movements along the coast would be watched closely, to move troops quickly to where they were needed. [b]Den Helder[/b] As the Netherlands were at war, the garrison of the fortifications of Helledore made themselves ready for a fight. Hesse, as it was no country of its own would suspicious enough that one opened fire first, asked later, there weren't many countries able to rent a fleet the size of the White Fleet and none of them would send such a fleet into Dutch waters on peaceful mission. Even if from Hesse, the fleet would be seen as hostile, given this logical reasoning. it was still German all the same and Germany was an enemy of the Dutch people. A fleet of German ships, even if from Hesse, was about as welcome as a fleet from the English. Altough the fortifications didn't have all too many cannons (maybe 40 in the direction of the fleet), they had a good range, greater than some ships cannons. Once a Hessian ship entered the firing area which was within 2 miles, the thunder of cannon could be heard as mighty 68 pounders fired heated cannon balls at the intruders. The Dutch were focused on another front, but that did not mean that Helledore was free to enemy passage. Additionally, a portion of the Dutch fleet, (mostly capital ships of the line and a few requisitioned merchant ships) were made ready to leave port, to engage the enemy in the Waddenzee. ...Provided they'd even arrive there. To the south of Den Helder, Dutch soldiers had also taken position, bringing forth their heavier field guns whilst they continued to wait before engaging the enemy to not make themselves easily noticeable. They stood silent, hiding behind the natural dunes, quietly watching the Hessian movements. [b]Camperduin[/b] At Camperduin, the situation was a different one. While Den Helder had a concentration of forces ready, such a defence was not a possibility for the full length of the coast. Though, it would not mean the coast was undefended. Dutch forces from the nearby villages had gathered and rallied once the fleet had been spotted by the sentry posts. About a thousand maybe had arrived within time to make the first preparations. They could not do much, before the English would arrive, but they need not do too much. Lying in wait behind the Hondebossche Zeewering, an artificial dyke that was first constructed in the 15th century in order to close the gap in the natural line of dunes, they would hide, their muskets loaded and swords ready. They did not have many pieces of field cannons or coastal guns, but they had assembled some easily portable Coehorns. That would hopefully suffice for the first defence. Most of the Dutch volunteers at the line had no prior military experience, however a few were had some. Regardless, the spirit of freedom encouraged them to fight. If Holland was to fall, Germany would surely take revenge. Surrender was not an option. One of the few with military service would be Christaan Van Eyck. He would prove to be one of their hopes for the coming days, one of their saviors. While the first lines formed at the coast, additionally an army of 20,000 would be sent from Alkmaar to the North, in order to reinforce the first line of defense by a second one. To ensure the land was still Dutch once they arrived, the dragoons were sent on a forced march, dismounting at Camperduin and adding another 2,000 men to the lines. While the line at Camperduin had to make do with only a dozen 24 pounder field guns on the elevations south of Camperduin (able to fire at around 600 metres) and about 30 coehorns, the reinforcements would provide the much needed artillery to drive away the English. OOC: Vektor, do not respond to me in any form until I post on Thursday. Please and thank you.

OOC: Sarah, rather than respond with actual landings, roleplay your approach, wait for my response to the approach, THEN roleplay the landings. Hopefully you'll be fine with this.

[b]Den Helder [/b] Den Helder, location of the feared Helledore, a system of fortifications, created to deny any hostile force the entrance to the Zuidensee. The Dutch had constructed these fortifications ages ago and once again, they could be of good use. All over the Dutch coastline, single observers and sentry posts watched the seas for enemies, as the nation was in an all-out war after all. No risk could be taken there. Should any German or French ship approach, they would be causing a warning all over the country. Most likely early enough for some forces to be gathered to fend off any smaller invasion. Additionally, the Fleet would stay in the harbor of Den Helder, waiting for missions that may come up later. Altough a few larger vessels had been seized by the rebels, there also were enough merchant ships that could provide assistance to the regular forces. And any naval force that dared to come near would know the force a militarised Fluyd could develop if used in the right way with the spirit of liberty.

Suddenly, silence... utter and complete silence. Not even chaos could be heard in the silence. Gallia, out of nowhere in it's entirety, had just gone entirely silent. Sporadic revolts did exist, but they didn't spread far. The people mourned the disappearance of their Princess, rumored to have fled the country with the government as things began to fall apart. The hope, the wish, the dream for a culturally diverse society where a monarch from one culture reigned supreme had died. The people could only hope for salvation and protection from anarchy.

OOC: Placeholder. Sarah, wait for my response prior to continuing. Vektor, I'd like to request the same.

With the Germans getting progressively more serious and the revolts and peaceful protests seemingly being ignored and put down in favor of 'security', the Dutch would have to start mobilizing. Weapons caches would be raided across the revolting provinces with only a few successes here and there, and citizens would be evacuated where possible to safer locations. Anyone who had a household gun would take it off the rack and prepare to defend their homeland. Independence wasn't going to be easy and it would be a bloody task overall, but the men, women, and children from the Orange Country desired it. Their national pride was at stake, as was the existence of their country. Wherever possible, raids would be organized to disrupt German troops while the Dutch pulled back to become more organized. Messages would be sent from organizers, sporadic and seperated while they retreated, to the Germans. If they desired a peaceful end like the Dutch did, they would receive. Their only condition was freedom.

The spark that had begun to light the fire in Hamburg was only the beginning. The inhabitants of what was once known as the 'Orange Country' by many, the proud lot who called themselves Dutch, would begin to mobilize. Plans began to seem more like reality than simple dreams, the hopes of returning the rightful rulers of the land their throne becoming more feasible by the second. In Luxembourg, and the territories of Frisia including North & South Holland, Zeeland, part of Utrecht, Friesland, Dronigen, and part of Drenthe, some would sport the tricolor. Whether they waved it from their homes or carried it into the streets, the visiblity of the old flag, the flag of the Netherlands became slightly more commonplace by the hour. The sparks had begun to flow, even if the fire hadn't ignited in full, and the few family members left of the Orange-Nassau that had continued to remain in hiding in fear of yet another regicide had received the news by now. Was the era they had longed for so much in secrecy going to return to them? They would only hope, watch, and wait.

[quote name='Ardus' timestamp='1334366893' post='2952668'] Nope. Too late. You're a Toadie[sup]TM[/sup] now. Your membership card, gift basket, and commemorative tote should arrive by post in two to three weeks. Remember that as of recent regulatory changes, your membership card now doubles as your license to be a jerk, should you so choose to utilize that power. [/quote] Ardus, have I ever told you that sometimes I love you?

[quote name='Garion' timestamp='1334364926' post='2952642'] EvR, wtf is the image in your sig? O_o An Ultramarine anime girl... care to explain the reference? >_> [/quote] Space Marine. Warhammer. The flag is a 'war flag' that each Chapter's units carry into battle. She's carrying a storm bolter.

[quote name='Quiziotle' timestamp='1334364519' post='2952634'] oh sorry for ruining your treaty guys [/quote] Why, good sir, we don't mind at all. Please, continue to ruin it.

"The Principality of Gallia welcomes yet another country of similar cultural ties to our our. Another state created from either Gallic or Celtir roots is a state we openly welcome." ~[i]Cordelia gi Randgriz[/i] - Princess Imperial, Gallia

[quote name='Anarchia' timestamp='1333663510' post='2948761'] Eh nothing much happened then except GATO (CATO) was briefly relevant and a hyperpower (seriously, I can't imagine that ever repeating). Also pixel-hoarding came into vogue, a trend that continues into the modern day. Also if you want to fight feel free to invade me. I have a huge warchest for a nation of my size and plenty of tanks. Seriously, go for it. Also watch out for my various contacts I have had over the past half decade. [/quote] Why would I waste my infra on something so silly and pointless? I have no reason to go toe-to-toe with you anyway.

[quote name='Anarchia' timestamp='1333641093' post='2948631'] It's already happened. I've been around longer than you probably, since May of 2006. [/quote] January of 2006. I'm afraid I outrank you a little.

[quote name='Anarchia' timestamp='1333584670' post='2948428'] Again, don't really care. And you're flying a GATO thing, and I'm friends with people in GATO leadership you liked voted for. So vote for someone who thinks I'm an idot, or shut UP. Also reddit is a cesspool, but I mod three mid-major communities that are actually well moderated and idiots are kicked out and banned. [/quote] I think you're mistaking my alliance for another, because we're protected by GATO, not members of it. You might want to watch the way you carry yourself, though, as you'll run into some trouble in CN sooner or later otherwise.

[quote name='Leet Guy' timestamp='1333481356' post='2947945'] You literally just made your DoE, you couldn't have just made this an addendum to that announcement? [/quote] They're even from a cesspool of the internet known only as 'reddit'. It makes 4chan look like a golden egg. [quote name='Anarchia' timestamp='1333492869' post='2948002'] Hey if you don't like me or the alliance AA, I don't care. LSF is voting on protection as we type. [/quote] You should have gotten that done before you even declared existence, mate. Bad move.

The Principality of Gallia would be happy to assist in any way possible, should either state wish for our assistance in this matter. [i]~ Cordelia gi Randgriz, Princess of Gallia[/i]

The Principality of Gallia has no comment on this matter due to having no ties with either side of the conflict. We can only hope for minimal civilian deaths, and a quick and swift resolution to the conflict. [i]~Alicia Melchiott[/i] Minister of Foreign Affairs

People getting buttfrustrated has been common on both Planet Bob and Steve since their respective dates of creation. It's probably one of the few reasons I still bother.

[quote name='Charles Stuart' timestamp='1332376312' post='2941381'] Casual sex later right? [/quote] I might be willing to provide some [i]entertainment[/i] and [i]festivities[/i] later. Not personally, of course.

Chimaera, it's good to have you back. Omni, good to see you around and alive as well. Best of luck, gentlemen, you have my support.

Good luck with this, I guess? Not much else to say.

[center][img]http://i46.tinypic.com/295a2xe.png[/img] [i]...from the desk of 'The Alchemist': Vice-Director of ATLAS and Coordinator of AAA Activities in Misaki City...[/i] [img]http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxvep8NxTc1r8ad0jo1_500.gif[/img] [color=purple][font=century gothic]The Afterschool Alleyway Alliance is back and kicking. Our return was only inevitable, considering it was 'within my calculations'. On that note, I have only one thing further to say: Heaven or Hell, Let's Rock.[/font][/color][/center]