The Blessed Minds

[mrnutty]

Approx Late 1820s, possibly early 1830s along the Southern Coast of Himyar

The Great and Noble Caliph Al-Sistani Barakani has risen recently to power among the great Tribes of Nutt. A Bedoin people living in relative peace for centuries. Barakani was hailed as a true leader among his people, having single-handedly prevented what could have been the first true conflict their people had seen in generations by cutting off the head of his rival in single combat.

Such was the way of the Tribes of Nutt. Though there was never true conflict among the tribes, many a life was offered up for the sake of honor and prosperity. Barakani was a smart man for a tribal leader, educated across the gulf in Ko-I-Noor, he had actually seen towns and something more of the world than the simple tribal life in Nutte. It gave him perspective, or so his peers felt at least.

He was even hailed as something of a prophet for his people, having assumed the mantle of Caliph at the young age of 16, the Tribes had great aspirations for him..perhaps even that he would be the leader that would shepherd the Tribes of Nutt to the promised land of Bilad Al-Hanjaab.

On this particular afternoon, the Great and Noble Caliph Al-Sistani Barakani is taking a day of rest with one of his advisors. Looking forward to the future of the Tribes.

The men from the Hajr have told us strange stories as of late, have you heard them? The advisor, Abdul Rishani, peered closely at his young Caliph, to analyze his reaction to the question, and gauge his overall understanding of the world around them.

Of the pale men? From up North? And their interferences? Yes I am aware. But what does it matter to us? The Caliph knew full well of the collapsing of the Great Hajr to the north, it had long been talked about among the Tribal Elders. Fears had even circulated that the Hajr would one day claim dominion over the tribes themselves, but this was only ever speculation to the Nuttes.

These 'pale' men as you call them are followers of the Prophet Christ. They're a curious breed, often as eager to spread their beliefs as they are expand their wealth. They crave idols, cling to gems and gold.. they are focused solely in the material world my Caliph. They possess powerful tools and dangerous means and we should be concerned. If the Hajr cannot hold strong against them, how can we..as simple people, with our eyes set to the Lord Almighty, hope to stand against them?
Abdul was clearly provoking the Caliph, he knew full well the Caliph was not a religious man. He cared more for his ancestral sword than he did for the Qu'ran. Nonetheless, the Caliph knew that Abdul was right.. if the pale men came upon the Tribes, with their firesticks and vessels many times the size of the simple dhow's the Tribes used, there would be little to stop them from bending all seven tribes to their knee.

The Caliph knew difficult times were ahead for the Tribes of Nutt, as did Abdul, but neither knew how quickly those dilemmas would manifest themselves.

 

[Großlausitz]

Not too far away on the sea
1828

With the relations to Wiese becoming more calm and polite, Franken could dedicate its national resources to build some sizeable overseas posts, which would later be turned into fully-fledged colonies. From the Kingdom’s own independence in the second half of the 16th century it had enormously profited from the Aren expertise which they had gained via a series of trade alliances. This way the royally chartered merchant company of Franken, the Königlich-Fränkische Gesellschaft für Seehandel (KFS), could grow in the shadow of Arendaal’s very own KNH. Their relation could be compared to more or less amiable cousins. Chief Owners and operators were the patricians of Franken’s two commerce hubs, Nürnberg and Würzburg. In fact KFS is credited to be Franken’s first modern joint stock company. In return for the monopoly the Crown, i.e. the King and his bureaucracy reaped off hefty proceeds.

Thanks to the recent progress in shipbuilding, i.e. using steam power on blue water ships besides the traditional sails, expeditions to Himyar suddenly became feasible and affordable. Surely it was still a risky enterprise, but by the late 1820s and early 1830s Franconian merchants and adventurers weren’t a rare sight in Hajr’s major port cities. Once they had gained enough leverage in one town or region, the KFS representatives usually convinced the local rulers to exempt KFGS merchants from their jurisdiction and allow the Franconians to administer themselves. Later on they would even acquire the privilege to raise small militias.

In late 1828 the KFGS agreed to a perilous but somewhat promising venture: Exploring the southern coast of Himyar and trying to establish trade posts for the KFS, King and Country. This year’s flotilla consisted of three state-of-the-arts ships, which carried all sorts of merchandise to rip off gullible natives, a bunch of prospectors, mercenaries. Its commander was Gregor Sanduhl, a seasoned captain.

One should add he was prohibited to enter Franconian soil by death for a range of ugly crimes. Only his excellent naval skills spared him from the gallows. In return for running this kind of enterprises for the KFS and promising not to return home again, he was permitted to leave the old kingdom. He was a too valuable seaman for the KFS’ leaders. Between his stints for the Company he earned his living by selling opium and other narcotics of the day to Hajris and other Himyari places. Daniel Pleuter, an ambitious younger son of a Nürnberger patrician, was calling the shots of the expedition. His job was to negotiate the living daylights out of the natives and secure as many privileges as possible on behalf of the KFS.

Many kilometres northwards the Crown Princess of Franken, wife of future Nikolaus VI was giving birth to their first son and heir apparent, Prince Thomas. Two years later he would have a younger brother who would leave a permanent mark on the Tribe of Nutt.
​

 

[mrnutty]

First Contact
Fall 1828

Pokai Peninsula
High Cleric Yusuf Bingani had been dragged by fishermen to the eastern shore of the Dominions of Pokai, to the point along the coast where the distance was shortest to the island of Poke. The Dominion of Pokai was perhaps the most unique of the seven tribes of Nutt, having been the last to hear the word of the prophet, they embraced it the most fervently. The Island of Poke was held as sacred to the Dominion, and for this reason it was never settled. The Island contained many things perceived as worshipful to the tribes, most precious of all were metals the color of the sun, which the Tribes had made certain to keep a secret from traders from the Hajr and Ninevah, lest they sought to covet the treasures of the Tribes.

It was just a little bit off the coast of the Isle of Poke that the fishermen wanted the High Cleric to gaze. For anchored just close enough for view was a group of three vessels the size of which the High Cleric had never seen, and from them birthed smaller ships carrying men towards the Island. The boats were too small to have seen the Cleric or the fishermen on the coast, reasoned the cleric, but nonetheless nothing could be done while standing around.

You! To the village, fetch the warriors and tell them to prepare! Some demons threaten the Sacred isle! You! Fetch my horse, I must make haste to the mountain! The two fishermen scrambled off in different directions while the High Cleric stood alone on the beach, pondering who or what was threatening that which they held sacred.

Within a few minutes the fisherman returned with the High Clerics horse, and he was off up the nearby slope that rose along the coast. He rode on until the sun shone directly overhead, reaching the top to find the Light of Poke. A pile of wood and brush gathered every season by the local villagers, who stood guard over the Isle of Poke. They were the only people in all the seven tribes who ever stayed in one spot, and were revered as such among the tribes for their sacred duty of safeguarding the Island. Until now the only issue had ever been a wandering Hajr or Ninevan merchant, seeking the source of rumors he had heard in the interior.. nothing more than a single man or small expedition of horses had ever come near the island.

The fire atop the mountain lit quickly, hastened by the arid autumn season that the region traditionally experienced. Word would soon reach the other tribes and the Caliph himself that the Shrine was in danger.

In the distance from atop the mountain, the High Cleric could see the nearby villagers gathering their equipment together, perhaps a few dozen warriors, maybe a handful powerful enough to own a horse. The emir of the village stuck out among them all, the only one in full warrior dress, the traditional white silk of the warrior castes flashing brightly in the sun, so wealthy and powerful was he that he even had a chain coif to adorn his head, underneath his traditional scarf.

 

[Großlausitz]

First contact
Fall 1828

In this period the people and especially the leaders of Franken understood humanity as a concept limited to truly civilised people. Only after a people had converted to the one true faith, which was Evangelical-Lutheran Christianity, of course, Franconians were prepared to treat them more fairly. With the works of Hajri scholars of old being continuously translated from Talemantric Greek into German, their image was about to change in Franken. Nonetheless, they’d get their fair share of Franconian civilisation later on. Relative to what Lady Fortune had in mind for the Tribes of Nutt in general and the Dominion of Pokai in particular the Hajri could consider themselves lucky if they were able to foresee future events.

That glance, that ugly glance – Daniel Pleuter knew why Gregor Sanduhl had been banished from the realms of the Crown. He had a track record of very ugly, very cruel sexually driven crimes. Even in this period – Franken had only very recently received a written constitution – of male dominance over women and their children, Sanduhl’s crimes were seen as heinous. Pleuter shuddered when he imagined what Sanduhl would do with the poor daughters and wives of the natives. Secretly he hoped to convince the much younger captain of their second-largest ship to take over command. Johannes Seiler was about his age, had some business accumen, good navigation skills and he wouldn’t kill (or rape) any innocent females. Maybe they could arrange an accident.

An hour, three wounded mercenaries and about ten killed natives later they were talking relatively nicely to the emir of the village near Pokai Peninsula. Clearly the man was anxious and quite excited about the violent intruders. Having caused the death of a few villagers armed with pointy sticks wouldn’t cause Pleuter any bad conscience, not at all. The KFS was armed better than the villagers, they fought and the KFS won in an honorable manner. What bugged the young patrician more was Gregor Sanduhl dragging three way too young girls into some hut at gunpoint. To his surprise Seiler had been very open to the idea of doing away with Sanduhl. “If we play our cards well, captain, we may have a bright future here. The KFS rewards daring adventurers who secure valuable assets or lucrative trading posts by conquest or cleve ruse,” Pleuter had told his peer while Sanduhl was leading the charge of the mercenaries.

“My lord,” Pleuter politely addressed the emir, “you have lost several good men, who fought valiantly. We do not want you or your people to suffer excessively from the deeds of one man. In battle he is a courageous man and clever leader, but he is plagued by many a demon, which compel him to commit horrendous acts. We would be as relieved as you and your people if his soul found a peaceful resting place in your beautiful country.” A gentle jab by Seiler alerted Pleuter to the presence of a tall, slim man with a long grey beard, who had appeared almost out of nowhere. Judging from the emir’s change of attitude the elder man enjoyed some sort of seniority.
​

 

[mrnutty]

First Conflict
Fall 1828

The High Cleric had watched the skirmish from atop the mountain, firesticks.. as he had feared. Rushing down the mountain as quickly as he could he arrived at the village entirely too late. Entering the hut mostly unscathed at the hands of the pale invaders, he now found himself with the Emir and a few of the more finely dressed pale men. He discovered to his dismay that they were of the same breed that the Advisor to the Caliph had warned of. What were they here for..why were they here? So many questions. Little mattered now, the shrine would have to be protected.

You leave, and you trespassers leave too. His tone was obvious, not referring to the Emir with his respectful title, the High Cleric was not a negotiator, not the type to mix words. He wanted everyone, even the Emir who had remained loyal despite his defeat, out of his sight. But this would not be the case.

Your holiness, they want to make a deal with us. And if we do not stop this.. Sanduhl for them, do you not hear the girls? Do you not hear them?? Allah prohibits such things! You of all of us know this! The Emir was panic stricken, covered in blood, perhaps his or his followers, or maybe even Franken, he didn't know or care. All he knew was in a few short hours his entire perspective on life had changed.

The High Cleric listened to the air, and heard the girls in the hut nearby. Within seconds he was across the threshold and pulling the braided branch and leaf door down on the hut. Locking it in place with the simple but efficient designs they had passed down from generation to generation. The arrogant sailor inside was unaware of the hostile intent, blurting out 'Ey don't need any privacy boys! There's plenty to go 'round! With a second quick gesture he grabbed a torch from nearby that had been lit to honor the dead tribesmen, and the hut was ablaze. By now the more sophisticated sailors and the emir had followed the Yusuf out of the hut to see what he was up to. Shock now across their face almost as if to have been slapped.

He dies. And they die with him to purge his corruption wholly. You will leave. Allah does not permit you to be here among us. The cleric stormed off into the hut from which he had only seconds earlier jolted out of, leaving the Emir and the sailors to contemplate the predicament. While the muffled confusion of Sanduhl could barely be heard over the flames, and the screams of the girls only increased in their frequency.

 

[Großlausitz]

A turning point
November 1828

They had spent about two months with the emir’s village, as one ship had been dispatched to explore the rest of the vast coastline. It was supposed to return in about four weeks. While Johannes Seiler led that mission, Daniel Pleuter commanded the rest of the large team. Since the prospectors were also trained as cartographers, Pleuter had them systematically map the region around the village. One day, the Emir having gained some degree of trust in the pale man, he showed him metal which the sun made shine brightly. Instinctively the Emir had realized this was what his new pale friends were after.

Carefully and as subtly as possible Daniel Pleuter had implanted two ideas into the Emir’s mind: Firstly, in this time and age his country was ripe for being taken by the Northern realms, whose leaps forward in knowledge allowed them to travel great distances very quickly at sea. Last but not least, they had developed superior firepower. Secondly, Pleuter suggested the Emir would make an excellent local lieutenant for the Franconians. If he knew one or two other equally trustworthy emirs, they could be equipped to help the pales with their job. They’d become part of the new elite. In return they’d have to accept the presence of foreign, Christian teachers, and encourage their people to interact with them.

The plans for the remaining tribes – if there were any – were to entice their local rulers to allow foreign merchants, mercenaries and missionaries to roam in their realms. The alternative was submission at gunpoint. Either way, the Königlich-Fränkische Gesellschaft für Seehandel would add another region to its sphere of interest.

 

[mrnutty]

Coming to a Head
Ramadan 1828
Nuttae

The area known as Nuttae was a peculiar location. For 51 weeks of the year it was devoid of people. Very little animal life was ever seen at Nuttae, and no plants of significant value could ever be raised by the few tribesmen who did try to settle near this sacred location. An odder occurrence too was the shortened lifespan of those who tended towards settling at the foot of the mountain that stood in the very center of what was known as Nuttae. Not to say that the life of a Nuttian was exceptionally long for the standards of this time, but for a man to suddenly grow pale, weak and die in his late 20's was certainly an uncommon thing. Nevermind for it to happen frequently among people who spent long periods of time in this location.

Nuttae's odd occurrences made it the stuff of legend among the Tribes, believed to be Satan's resting place by many tribesmen, it was tradition among the Tribes that at the start of every year they should gather at the foot of Nuttae, and hold a great conference, for the tribes to air grievances and discuss events.

There was no doubting what would be on the plate for this Ramadan. The recent, untimely death of the High Cleric of the Dominions of Pokai, following the Emir of Pokai's unexpected proclamation of infidelity within the Dominion. The High Cleric's death could hardly be viewed among the Tribes as a coincidence. Many of the elders suspected foreign hands at work, and there was much to be said on the matter for those who would listen in the darker corners of the make-shift tents and the bazaar that had assembled on Nuttae.

The most startling thing of all to the local herdsmen and low members of the tribes for this Ramadan, was the presence of the Emir of Pokai and his entourage. Not only was he suspected openly among the other tribes of having poisoned the High Cleric for the purpose of usurping his position, he was now dressing more like a northerner... and had even brought some fairly important looking pale men with him to Nuttae..with the auspices of speaking before the Tribal Elders. Mercy had apparently gone a long way for the Emir, whose concept of battle had been up until now that any man who raised an arm against him, no matter how small, should have it chopped off. His humiliating defeat at the hands of the Frankens, and subsequent survival, had transformed his view of the world in a matter of seconds. That and his perceived belief that the High Cleric had no interest in letting him live after the intruders departed..hastened his decision to make a grasp at power.

But now for this Ramadan, he would find his position judged before the elders, for no man could become the leader of one of the Seven without the approval of the Six. Something the Emir hoped the pale men would be able to negotiate.. provided they didn't find out that he had exposed the secrets of the Isle of Pokai..

 

[Großlausitz]

The Puppeteer's First Challenge
Ramadan 1828
Nuttae

Of course Daniel Pleuter accompanied his new found “friend”, the Emir of Pokai, to the Ramadan council at Mount Nuttae. Not only had Pleuter brought impressive merchandise from Franken, but also a detachment of 20 mercenaries, who were uniformed in the livery of the KFS. The latter was to make a powerful point; the former was to convince the more cooperative minds. They were led by Lieutenant Erich Frier, a seasoned veteran, who left the standing army of the realm in hope of making a fortune abroad. Despite constantly sporting a grim look on his face, he was actually a jovial chap.

To honour the Emir’s social precedence Pleuter acted as if he was only one of the lord’s senior retainers instead of the pale man and grey eminence. Furthermore, there was a basic natural respect for nobility in any socially ambitious Franconian. In a nutshell, Pleuter was keen on maintaining the appearance the Emir of Pokai was calling the shots in the end of the day. The Emir turned out to have some basic ideas and information about any of the six other tribes. When he was telling Pleuter about the Zalam Kayyal’s excellent horses and experience in horsebreeding, the young patrician instinctively quizzed the lord in depth about that tribe, who were also a neighbour to Mount Nuttae. As the tribe of Barid supposedly controlled a large lake, Lieutenant Frier recommended considering them for an alliance, too. “Having a large reservoir at our disposal or at least free access will allow our caravans to explore the countryside more efficiently. Moreover, we might be able to establish an armed trade post in the middle run,” he explained to his superior. Striking permanent alliances with these two additional tribes would give the Emir and especially the KFS leverage in the rivalry on dominance over the other chiefdoms.

Thus the chiefs of the two tribes and their top advisors were invited and treated to a splendid dinner by the Emir in the following night. In the wee small hours Daniel Pleuter approached the lords. Very politely he explained to them how the Northern countries had made great discoveries in science and had become able to move large armies over large distances. “We want to share our insights in science and armament, my lords. Recognize the signs of this period: The realms of the north will dominate the coming era. If you cooperate with us, not you, not your people nor your many descendants will regret it.” At Pleuter’s behest two aides presented the tribe chiefs with one beautifully adorned box each. They bore the coat of arms of a famous weapon manufacturer and contained two state-of-the-arts hand weapons. “As a sign of our goodwill I’m delighted to present you with these,” the patrician remarked.

You could almost hear the two chiefs’ brains working busily. If they agreed, the coming days would be marked by either enticing or coercing at least two further tribes into a temporary alliance to secure the Emir’s rise to top power.
​

 

[mrnutty]

First Meeting of the Ramadan Council
Ramadan 1828

The Six established elders sat in a semi-circle within a larger than traditional tent, at the very base of Mount Nuttae. Within the semi-circle stood Hadiidh, Emir of Pokai, and claimant to the title of High Cleric of Pokai. He had no opposition to his claim, the tribesmen of Pokai having already embraced him in this role, but nonetheless there was debate over whether to accept him as High Cleric or not. In this role, he would be able to influence the over-all religious teachings taking place within all seven tribes, for the Pokai were the only ones who read scripture among the Seven.

It was this reason alone that there was opposition among the elders. Though the Elder Feisal from the Barid and the Elder Jafar of the Riders had seemed to warm to the concept over night. The other tribal leaders could not help but note that the two men now holstered unusual, short metal sticks at their sides.

The Caliph lifted his head to speak before the other elders. Kalba, you have come before those whom you were never meant to equal, and levy demands to us that we should see you as one of us. You bring infidels from far away, men who brought great suffering to the Mighty Hajr, and those who would not speak in the open tell us that you are to blame for the death of the Holiness. Worse yet, all envoys to the Island have not returned since your sudden change of fortune. What say you?

The Emir winced at the derogatory title the Caliph referred to him by, a sign of his former position as a villager. He glanced around the room briefly, the Elder from Nuttae seemed more enraged than the Caliph himself, but the Turs Al Mara of the Southern Mountains seemed to be studying him, and the simple but wise Elder from the coastal lands that bordered him seemed even to smile at him, as he met the gaze of the Caliph.

Your most esteemed and gracious father, whose will is second only to Allah, I come before you as only your humble servant. I grieve as you grieve for the loss of our mighty and glorious imam, but we must not be blinded by his passing, he would not wish that we stifle ourselves over his loss. I bring with me friends, who no doubt some of you have met, men who have traveled a further distance than any of us could ever fathom to bring us great power.

The Emir withdrew his hand to his side and exposed an elaborate Franken pistol. They have brought us tools that can shoot fire, and pierce even the most elaborate of armor. I could use this and end your life right here and now if I so chose your grace. But.. it is not hostility that I bring with me. It is knowledge. Power. For too long we Seven have been disorganized, divided, drawn down amongst ourselves. Embrace me as your new Cleric, and I shall guide you my Caliph to a new and glorious land. We shall fulfill the destiny. Together we shall reach Bilad Al-Hanjaab.

The Elders conversed loudly among one another, and the council convened itself for the afternoon. An impact had clearly been made.

 

[Großlausitz]

The Puppeteer’s Chest
Ramadan 1828
Nuttae

Daniel Pleuter was pleased with the course the meeting took. Emir Hadiidh of Pokai had made his point very clear and the Elders Jafar and Feisal had played their part brilliantly. When the Emir mentioned there was a female elder, too, Pleuter had an idea. In appropriate length and detail he explained how Enlightenment had led the Lutheran Church and the Crown to appreciate the role of the woman a lot more. Naturally the common Franconian woman’s de facto position was still far away from her 21st century descendants. „In the north the women of the elite are treated very respectfully, some of our fellow states even had female rulers. You don’t need to go that far, my lords. However, why don’t you tell Lady Turs Al Mara that your interpretation of the scriptures would allow her to rule her tribe unqestioned, as long as her position was lawfully acquired,“ the young patrician suggested.

In regards of the wise old Elder next to Pokai, Hadiidh of Pokai came up with an own idea. „What do you think about offering the Dahabs a secured trade post of their own? On the one hand their villagers would have a place to sell their goods, on the other hand they’d have armed protection. Your militia’s technological superiority will make them behave just fine, Master Pleuter.“ Daniel Pleuter was impressed. Obviously the Emir was a fast learner.​

 

[mrnutty]

The Final Ramadan Council
1828

The Caliph was furious. His anger lashed across the heads of every council member. The Elder Bin Al-Ad-Din from Nuttae was the only one now not suffering his ire. When the Six convened to vote on the Seventh, the Caliph could not take his gaze away from the similar tools that Turs Al Mara, the Shield Maiden of the Mountains, and the simple fisherman Qudar of the Dahab Ma'Altair had entered this meeting with. Tools identical to the one the Emir had flourished in their last session. It was like a slap in the face to his authority, as if they had simply nailed a sign to their backs that said 'Property of the KFS, God Save the King'. He could hardly restrain himself from brandishing his sword and beheading every last one of them.

Kalba! Every last one of you! To be bought and sold like cattle, is that what you would have for us!? For our people!? Do you not see that which they are doing? Were you not the same people who came to me with fears of the Hajr merchants tales?? Now you openly show yourselves to be nothing but cheap things to be bartered with! Bring down the King of the North and let him take you all from my sight. This is a sacrilege and I will not stand for this! You would undo all that our ancestors worked for, and for what? Cheap toys? This is madness! The Caliph paced circles around the room. The Elders, though confident in the tools the Frankens had given them, were nonetheless uneasy over this display. He was a fiery individual, strong of spirit and easy to intimidate. It was said that the Caliph's tongue could cut even the hardest of stone.

With the Caliph's rant over, Bin Al-Ad-Din of the Nuttae spoke, a great restrained anger and contempt in his voice. We now of the Six shall come to a vote on the admission of the Seventh. Your...honorable.. Emir Hadiidh, please step forward with your advisors, and accept the judgement of the Six.

At this point Turs Al Mara drew a sword, and gently cut the palm of her hand, and placed it on the forehead of Emir Hadiidh. One by one the elders Qudar, Feisal, and Jafar followed suit, placing their now bloodied palms gently on the forehead of the Emir. Last remained the Caliph and Bin Al-Ad-Din, who drew no swords, but instead simultaneously spat on the ground. Definitive no votes. It did not matter, Bin Al-Ad-Din cleared his throat. So is the will of Allah, and the will of the Nutte, we great you High Cleric Hadiidh, and Six are Seven once more.




Over the next nineteen years, the Tribal Lands of Nutt would see many changes. Most of which came to the Pokai Peninsula and the tribes that had voted for Hadiidh. The Tribal Council lost much of its influence following Hadiidh's election, and slowly Franken influence crept further into the interior of the tribal lands. Though Christianity did not spread beyond the peninsula itself, a remarkable number of the Pokai converted within the first generation of Franken colonialism, owed mostly to their lower education and perception that Christianity led to power, as the High Cleric had so rightly interpreted. An administrative structure had begun to take root in Pokai, where the converts to 'civilized behavior' were embraced by the Frankens, and welcomed into local administration and westernizing efforts. This conversion of the populace allowed for the Franken bureaucrats to effectively rape the natural resources of the Isle of Poke, where the primary Franken trade post was established. In 1847, where we return to the Tribes, a 'Governor's Palace' has at last been erected on the Isle of Poke, to oversee mining operations on the island itself, where the Tribes had always known gold rested, but not to the extent to which the Frankens would discover it.

Meanwhile, the Tribes of Nutte and Nuttae, the Caliph's own tribe and the Tribe charged with guarding Mount Nuttae, found their influence waning over the tribes that had fallen under the influence of the Franken. The efforts to 'civilize' the other four tribes had been unsuccessful so far, but they had been able to make in roads within all of the tribes that had supported Hadiidh, but not nearly to the success to which the Pokai had been converted, at this stage it is a safe estimate to say that half of all the Pokai were 'civilized'. Perhaps one in four or less for the other, more distant tribes. This delayed conversion, however, gave the Caliph time to do his own work among the people, and galvanize their opposition to the Franken outsiders, and attempted to rally many of the young warriors to the cause of Islam.

It was beginning to crystalize for the Franken, the Caliph was going to be a continued thorn in their side for as long as he lived. The fact that he was still alive now was certainly impressive, 35 was old among the Tribes, and he was respected for this. Few had ever lived to be beyond 40, and certainly no one ever remembered someone living long enough to turn Gray as the High Cleric had, so many years ago. Hadiidh himself was only a few years the Caliph's senior, and for this reason alone perhaps the Franken had to thank for their continued success, for while he was not superior to the Caliph, he was equally respected for his age.

The year is now 1847, and rumors have circulated of a plan by the Franken to establish a great metal engine that would travel along wood and metal paths, spewing smoke everywhere as it churns faster than even the mightiest of the Kayyal steeds. Such a contraption would allow the Franken access to the interior of the Lands of Nutt, and a chance to explore the tribal lands of Nuttae, which after the Ramadan Council of 1828, had been shut off to all outsiders.

 

[Großlausitz]

The Puppeteer prevails
Spring 1847
Pokefurt

Lady Fortune had been kind to Daniel Pleuter. While his older brother’s enterprise, i.e. the family business, didn’t quite flourish, Pleuter was making his fortune in the colonies. Due to his success with installing Emir Hadiidh as High Cleric and de-facto leader of the Franconian faction he received both professional and monetary recognition from his superiors in Würzburg. As his political victory was accompanied by a hefty profit, the KFS commended and rewarded her faithful servant even more. However, the year 1842 proved to be fateful for the state-sponsored monopolist: In Vangala and in Nutty the natives rebelled and rioted against the KFS’ rule and its local vassal. By the end of the year the Crown of Franken had had enough and intervened lest the precious source of income for Franken was lost.

In 1843 His Majesty King Nikolaus VI issued a writ that nationalized the KFS and replaced it by the Ministerium für Kolonialgebiete (Ministry for Colonies), which received command over the former KFS militia, which was appropriately renamed Kolonialstreitkräfte (Colonial Armed Forces). Subsequently both Vangala and future Nuttyland became subjects of the Crown de iure. In both territories the colonial authorities still had work to do until their rule would be secured de facto, too. Four years later Freiherr Daniel von Pleuter, which was his new legal name – his influence and reputation had earned him a hereditary position within the Herrenhaus (House of Lords) – was invited to the Königsburg during one of his rare trips to the mother country. In the Southern Franconian colony he had established a sizeable commercial empire of his own.

Thus he returned to Pokefurt – the name of the burgeoning trade post turned city – with a senior appointment under his belt. Daniel Pleuter had been appointed viceroy of the colony. By law the colony was designed as a kingdom ruled by the King of Franken, who consequently wore yet another title. Its local lords were formally considered vassals of the King. Over all the Franconians were satisfied with the yield they gained from exploiting the country’s rich resources in 1847.Still sporting the old ambition Pleuter hatched another daring plan. Under the auspices of the Ministry for Colonies and financed by affluent private investors they would develop the colonial kingdom into a wealthy industrialized subsidiary of Franken. It could become more than just a supplier of raw materials. Instead it could be used to maximize the Crown’s income in a most efficient manner. For that purpose they were planning to build a railroad from the High Cleric’s old capital just across the sound and reach the lake within the Tribe of Barid’s old territory at least and its border with the Tribe of Nuttae ideally.

As resistance towards a project of this size and scope would become larger relative to the distance from the Dominion of Pokai, it was a matter of fact Franken sent reinforcements for the colonial troops. Nowadays it wasn’t unusual for sons of families from the social elite to serve with the colonial forces. Furthermore, younger sons of commoners, e.g. farmers, clerks or small land-owners, would often join the colonial military to earn enough to finance starting their own farm, business or simply married life after their service.

Aboard one of the ships that were carrying the newly raised cavalry regiment called Königlich-Pokaier Cheveaulegers (Royal Pokaier Cavalry) to support the two cavalry regiments in Pokai we find a very special young recruit. 17-year old Prince Alfred, younger brother to Crown Prince Thomas, had been sent to do his army service abroad. Every physically fit Prince of Franken was expected to enroll with an officer training program. Normally they would be assigned a regiment with the Royal Guards. The reason for the temporary “exile” of Seiner Königlichen Hoheit Prinz Alfred, Herzog des Rhönlands (Duke of Rhönland, his royal dukedom), was explained to Viceroy Freiherr Daniel von Pleuter in a letter which had arrived a little earlier than the Prince’s ship. The letter was signed by King Nikolaus VI himself and asked Pleuter to look after the wayward Prince. The King expressed his hope the two years overseas would help the Duke of Rhönland to overcome “the excessive urges of his youth”. In other words, the young Prince and junior lieutenant was a notorious womanizer and very clever when pursuing his goals.​

 

[mrnutty]

Mining for Excess
Pokefurt
Spring 1847

Mining operations on the Isle of Poke had begun in earnest after the Ramadan Council, and with industrial technology slowly being imported into Pokai from Franken, mortality rates had significantly diminished. Now only 1:100 miners died on a daily basis, a considerable success given that most of the tribesmen doing the mining itself couldn't read, nevermind operate machinery of any kind.

The position the Franken had established in Pokai was one of easy exploitation, those who converted to Christianity among the Pokai were immediately trained in finances, or management, or other basic activities related to the day-to-day operation of the business enterprises. Those who did not..well, they were the miners. It was not a situation localized to the Pokai either, most of the miners and physical laborers used by the colonials were tribesmen who had been 'acquired' from the tribes that had pledged loyalty to the northerners. No specifics were gathered as to how they were 'acquired' if bought, or forcibly removed..but there was no mistaking slave labor when one saw it.

Over the nineteen years that had passed a sizable settlement had been established on Pokefurt, whose purpose was solely to handle the processing of materials gathered by the miners, so that when the goods arrived in Franken, they were ready for direct sale. Forges had been established, and many a tribesmen was enlisted in the cause of smelting gold for the Franken King.

Fliers had sprung up in many of the villages that dotted the coast across the channel from Poke, pledging wealth and power to any native who reported in the next week to the newly designated Governor's Palace on the Island proper. An effort by the Franken to employ the local populace in what was rumored to be a grand endeavor to 'Civilize' all seven tribes at once, which was mostly in vain due to their excessively low literacy rates. Nonetheless, some among the villages could read, and some would read the flier to others.


Meanwhile..
A makeshift hut, Plains of Nutte

While many of the tribes had submitted to the will of the trespassers, the caliph and his Tribe of Nutte refused any such consideration. Like the Nuttae, they had closed off their land to outsiders, but unlike the Nuttae they did still at least permit trade with the local Ninevan's across the gulf, and the occassional Hajr merchant who would wander this far south. Though there numbers had dwindled over the years, the Caliph still always welcomed the wandering merchant who would tell him news of the greater world.

On this evening, the Caliph had sat to meet with a young man, Shaheeb Ad-Din, the new Elder of the Nuttae, Guardian of the Mountain. He was impressionable, younger than what should have been appropriate, and naive of the world he had been born into. The Caliph had abstained on his appointment, but those loyal to the Franken supported him. While their influence had grown over the years they still had not quite gotten control over any territory outside of Pokai, yet despite this setback the Franken had proven adept at appreciating the inner-workings of the tribal system, and knew when to strike. By forcing the approval of this child to the seat of Elder, the Franken had effectively castrated the most zealous of the Caliph's supporters.

You are precious to me, Shaheeb. Your father was a good friend of mine, a loyal friend. But I fear that the world is changing all too fast, and that you are far too young to understand the dangers we face today. Pale ghosts of the North come and haunt us, they rape our women, soil our lands, burn our holiest books, all while the Elders grow fat and weak. Our people are being destroyed, and no one is so noble as to lift a finger against it.

Shaheeb let out a burp, and an abrupt giggle. The cold stare of the Caliph silenced him.

I fear for your future Shaheeb. I do. I think perhaps it is best that I invoke the Rite of Mawlud, and assume control of your tribe as well. What do you think Shaheeb?

Shaheeb had at this point stopped listening to the Caliph, finding a passing mosquito to be far too fascinating. Drool escaping the infants mouth as he stared in wonder at the curious creature that was now buzzing about his head.

Allah protect us...

 

[Großlausitz]

The Puppeteer’s Disciple
Pokefurt
Spring 1847

“Welcome to picturesque Pokefurt, your royal highness,” Viceroy Daniel von Pleuter welcomed his involuntary royal protégé, “You will be delighted to hear this country has much to offer to a daring young gentleman as you are. Your father wants to give you the unique opportunity to learn how to be a commanding officer in this environment. This way you will be able to deepen your military skills to become a fine officer for your father and later your brother. Therefore, your cavalry regiment will set up a brand new fort north of the isthmus connecting Pokai to the rest of the realms. The Dahab already agreed to lease their land to us on a very long-term base. By the time the railroad reaches your new fort your regiment will be in charge of protecting the project.” The young prince knew that Pleuter was just using euphemisms for his exile. Sure, he was clever and smart, but he embarrassed his father many times, since he would be after any dignitary’s wife or daughter. Prince Alfred’s thirst for female affection and more was hard to quench. The woman who could deal with his antics and convert him to monogamist lifestyle was yet to appear in his life. Nonetheless, Prince Alfred saluted the Viceroy, who was also the commander-in-chief of the colonial forces.

The Viceroy made a mental note to keep an eye on the Prince and tutor him every now and then. In his opinion the wayward royal scion had potential, which shouldn’t be wasted. Beside the Kgl.-Pokaier Cheveaulegers there were now five other regiments stationed in Pokai and/or near it. There was an infantry regiment stationed on the southern tip of Bakai territory facing the west of Pokai, the capital was protected by an infantry and a cavalry regiment, a newly arrived infantry regiment would become the neighbour of the Prince’s cavalry and the second newly raised cavalry unit would be employed to protect a strategically important route through Pokai. Furthermore, that cavalry regiment could be easily used to reinforce the border between Pokai and Bakai.

After reading a dossier on the success of the information and/or propaganda campaign trying to convert the simple villagers of the other tribes to the Franconian cause, he was announced another important visitor. He was called Georg Stiefel, managing director of the railroad company that would build the new railroad. While the Crown would finance 10%, there was a range of more or less private investors who had bought shares of the corporation. You could find illustrious names among them, some of the Major Houses (1), e.g. the House of Knýtling, the House of Guttenberg and the House of Faber-Castell. The money was plenty and there were enough engineers to supervise the constructions sites. The key questions were: How easily would they be able to expand outside the loyal territories? How much damage would the Caliph’s so-called troops try to inflict upon the project?

(1) The big guys among the nobility of Franken​

 

[mrnutty]

The Line to Nowhere
Fall 1847

Construction had advanced rapidly across the Pokai Peninsula, and they were soon approaching the Isthmus of Pokai, the narrow corridor of land that separated the Peninsula from the main tribal land. Over the last few months communication had been less and less with the Dahab, Franken missionaries and merchants had told chilling tales of whole villages disappearing overnight. No bodies, no blood, no screams.. some missionaries had even slept in huts in these villages, only to wake and find themselves completely alone. Unharmed, but deserted by the villagers. Something odd was going on.

Reports had surfaced as the rail line got closer to the Isthmus of a stop to the flow of trade into the interior, according to reports from those venturing down the Isthmus on land a wall had been constructed halfway down the Isthmus, and men carrying guns and adorned in the traditional clothing of the Jundi Malik, the Caliph's elite soldiers, were policing the wall. Trade by land had effectively ground to a halt.

Worse yet, as these rumors spread to the men working on the line itself, many of the tribesmen began deserting the operation. While their conviction to gain wealth from the Franken's was quite high, their fear of the Caliph was considerably higher. Despite the displays of power and superiority the Franken had demonstrated, they could not shake the Caliph's position as a demigod among the tribesmen. Even those who had been 'civilized' by the Franken still had a great deal of difficulty grasping the Caliph's position as a mere mortal man of no more power and uniqueness than a common villager. He was the chosen one, second only to Allah himself, or so they reasoned.

While the Caliph himself was no where near the peninsula, the men commanding the wall were certainly under his orders. A line had effectively been drawn by the Caliph, and he was rapidly consolidating his power for what he saw as the end times. Having taken control of the Nuttae, he used his expanded base to force other tribesmen into service under the Caliph. He reasoned, that in order to keep the Tribes free and safe from Franken tyranny, he would have to establish his own tyranny. Thus began the campaign by his men of kidnapping whole villages, and shepherding them north to the great Mount Nuttae. He was not sure how well his wooden wall would hold against the Northerners, he knew no tribesman would dare bring it down.. but that did not give him as much hope as it might have in years passed. The Franken had demonstrated dangerously powerful tools in order to build their road of metal and wood across Pokai, tools which would probably make short work of the Caliph's Wall. He kept hope in the notion that his kidnapping campaign among the tribes loyal to the Franken had allowed him to acquire guns that the Franken had traded for over the years. He gave them freely to his most powerful of fighters. No training in their use was needed, after all, if these men could operate them without the permission of Allah, what power his loyal Jundi Malik would wield with them.

 

[Großlausitz]

One step after another
Kingdom of Greater Pokai
Fall 1847

The commanders of the two regiments couldn’t deny they were impressed with the Caliph’s feat. While the two forts for the infantry and the cavalry respectively had been built on a stone fundament, the Caliph’s men had managed to erect the wall within less than two weeks. Of course they didn’t appear out of nowhere and the Franconian regiments could observe the flow of materials and men flocking to the construction site. Fähnrich (Junior Lieutenant) Alfred Knýtling – by armed forces convention any officer recruit regardless of station was addressed by his surname until he received his final commission – was a careful and astute observer of the events unfolding. The more senior commander of the two regiments, Cavalry Colonel Friedrich Pfinzig had sent a messenger to the vice-regal palace as soon as it had become obvious something fishy was going on.

In early October High Cleric Hadiidh of Pokai, who had received a knighthood from Viceroy Daniel von Pleuter several years ago, and his old benefactor were discussing the status quo on the small isthmus. On the one hand it would be feasible to crunch the wall with the infantry and the cavalry. To allow for the defence of a temporary or more permanently designed fort, each colonial forces regiment had an attached unit of four to six artillery guns. However, they were made for defending territory, not to attack structures. It could be possible to do away with the wall.

On the other hand, High Cleric Hadiidh proposed a novel approach to the Viceroy of the Kingdom of Greater Pokai. The members of his tribe and even more the members of the fellow tribes needed someone of royal blood or otherwise legitimized station. “Whereas they recognize your authority as the steward of His Majesty the King of Greater Pokai, they will never see what they see in the Caliph. The less bright and more simple among my countrymen need a duly legitimized figure. What about presenting them the young prince as his father’s lieutenant? True, not all of them will catch the bait, but it will earn us time to ask Nürnberg about Prince Alfred’s involvement and request more artillery and heavily armed regiments.”​

 

[mrnutty]

From Bad to Worse
December 1847

As the year grew to a close, Ramadan came upon the tribes as it always did. A time of peace, for remembrances, and new beginnings. The Council had by this point stopped meeting, the Caliph exercised his authority among the Seven unilaterally, or at least to the extent that he could without the Cleric's opposition. It was as close to civil war as a tribal society could reach, but the lines were not drawn very clearly, as those who were religious tended to oppose the High Cleric, but those who were the most zealous of the Franken converts supported the High Cleric with a fervor unknown to the Nuttians, a strange word called 'Evangelism' used by the missionaries motivated them in their opposition of the Caliph. But these men were few and far between, the overwhelming majority of the Tribesmen were ignorant, uninterested in the Franken or in anything that didn't involve tending to their herds, their crops, or their families. It was these many and numerous commoners who made up the bulk of the workforce that was now constructing the Franken railroad.

These commoners were the most ardent in their customs and their way of life. Little changed in their worlds, and so they had no need to change themselves. The Franken arrival meant nothing more to them than a third avenue for family support, nothing more and nothing less. A job among the Franken was viewed as equal to that of a herdsman or a farmer, it provided the support a tribesman needed, but it in no way gave him incentive to be powerful. And thus came Ramadan, and a temporary halt to the construction of the Railroad, for no good and true man works during Ramadan.

This was a momentary setback for the Franken, but a setback that played right into the hands of the Caliph and his warriors. As soon as work stopped on the line, raids began. Infrequent at best, but every morning the Franken would wake to find a few less Tribesmen in their employ. Sometimes bodies would remain, other times they would just disappear without a trace.

A breaking point had been reached. The Caliph had violated the holiest time of all for the sake of principal, and the High Cleric knew this. It would have to be exploited, turned against the Caliph and used to crush him like a smith flattens metal upon an anvil. But first a true and decisive leader was needed among the Franken, to galvanize the Tribes to support more than just a holy leader who had been mocked for over a decade now as a pretender and a kin-slayer.

 

[Großlausitz]

The Puppeteer’s Apprentice
December 1847

Things were pretty stagnant during the Ramadan season and made even worse by the Caliph’s raids, indeed. To say the least, Daniel von Pleuter’s mood was grim until a message from the motherland arrived at last. The Crown of Franken had decided to temporarily re-assign a battalion of assault and heavy artillery from the Royal Army to the colonial military. What was more, upon hearing about the tribulations for the railroad construction the shareholders of the Großpokaier Eisenbahn AG decided to add some more funds to the company’s war chest. They even discussed sending a prototype railroad gun to down under, but the plan was dismissed as too insecure. However, in the middle run Großpokai’s colonial forces could see the deployment of these mighty guns provided Franken’s engineers were able to efficiently refine them for regular army use.

Between January and February of the coming year the reinforcements would arrive. To speed up their deployment they would unload directly at the two forts near the Caliph’s wall. For that purpose, the soldiers were instructed to build a temporary landing bridge and expand the quarters. Nonetheless, the Viceroy wouldn’t wait until the large artillery’s arrival to do away with the monstrous provocation. From now on until the wall was broken the infantry regiment would attack the wall under the cover of the two forts’ artillery and aided by a sizeable rearguard of the cavalry. Prince Alfred would be involved, heavily protected, of course. Despite the Viceroy’s plan to raise the Prince to a sort of super-viceroy to impress the gullible natives, Pleuter was aware a nobleman and future leader needed to have some first-hand battle experience. Decisions made from the cabinet room might be appropriate in Franken, but they certainly weren’t useful in Großpokai.

Sometimes Prince Alfred was sent as a messenger to Großpokai’s capital on very flimsy pretexts lest his fellow cavalrymen didn’t become too jealous. The actual purpose was to give the Viceroy some time to tutor his royal protégée on politics in general and how things worked in this Franconian colony. Much to Pleuter's delight the Prince was a quick learner and had a sharp mind, which helped him to develop some ideas of his own on Großpokai's future. He discussed some with the Viceroy, some he kept to himself.​

 

[mrnutty]

Clash of the Penguins
March 16th, 1848

The winter season passed with little incident, other than near daily raids on both sides. The Franken reinforcements had finally arrived, and now was the time to take the plunge into the Interior. Enough resources had been spent, time wasted, and now would be the breaking point for the Franken's tolerance of the Caliph's show of force. They probably could have cracked him without the reinforcements during Ramadan itself, but such was the clever mind of the High Cleric that he persuaded a stay of overwhelming force until all the 'penguins were in a row' as the locals phrase it.

Now with artillery pieces the size and power to which no Nuttian had ever seen, the Franken would make quick work of the Caliph's feeble defensive position, and his objections to industry and civilization. It was this dynamic that forced the Caliph's hand, and it is for this that all Nuttians remember this day.

The Caliph wore his most ceremonious attire, that which was only dusted off for a funeral of one of the Seven, and rode out before his assembled army of roughly 1,000 nomads. The warriors colored scarves marked the tribes to which they hailed, a sea of Green and Blue stood before the Caliph, who paid no heed to the abandonment that the other tribes had given him.

My glorious mujahideen, the end times are upon us. Infidels have raped our women, burned our books, stolen our land. They now come upon us with great machines and demons of fire to enter into our sacred lands. They would end all that we hold dear. Allah is with us on this day, on this day we ride out to put an end to the violations of these many years! The Caliph paced back and forth before his small army, sizing up his men, many were older, though not quite as old as the Caliph. Men who had seen combat among the tribes, raided with him against the Franken, fought with wild animals, they were seasoned veterans, they had seen it all. Or so they thought.


The Caliph's horn blew across the Isthmus as the Wall was blown open by an artillery shot from the Franken army. At almost the very second the debris hit the ground, the small horde of cavalry charged through the gap and across the open Isthmus, towards the Franken forts, swords drawn in a charge that would lead only to a slaughter. Marksmen lined the fort, cannons swiveled about, fixing their gaze on the mass of horsemen heading toward oblivion. Orders had come down to avoid the Caliph, who led the charge head first.

The men charged across the breach, and to the Caliph's left and right man and horse caved one after another, falling to Sniper shot, every few minutes a mortar shot would land square in the middle of the formation, sending bits of horse and cloth across the men who continued their charge. Battle hardened, even in the face of certain death the men charged on towards the Rail workers camp, rushing into the open area between the two forts and into a complete slaughter. Suddenly all was quiet, save for the Caliph's horse, which charged on.



A crowd of tribesmen had gathered at the camp by now, hearing the chaos of battle and driven by curiosity. At the front of the camp, facing the battle and the Caliph's charge stood Prince Alfred and a detachment of a dozen of the finest soldiers that could be provided for the protection of one so important. The counterraids he had led over the months had hardened him somewhat, no longer was he a naive boy thrown into the affairs of men. Here stood a soldier, a leader, and he would face his adversary head on. He refused the insistence of the company men to stay inside one of the forts. He would put an end to this himself. The truth of the matter was his studying of the local populace and the situation led him to understand Nuttian customs better than most of the administrators who arbitrarily sought 'civilization' with no regard to the actual thinking of the Nuttians.

The Caliph charged on, unaware or perhaps indifferent to his lone position on the field. His men spread about in the wake of his charge, nearly all of them dying on the field from the wounds and shrapnel they had suffered. The Caliph himself was not without injury, but so far the Marksmen had been successful in avoiding him, though a piece of shrapnel gashed across his forehead. with one hand still raising his sword out into the air, he lifted up in his saddle and drew forth a Franken Pistol, and took aim at the Prince. Within seconds his horse was torn out from under him, the Caliph flew across the field, landing only a stones throw from the feet of the Prince.

With the tribesmen now gathered around, the prince cocked back his pistol once more, took aim, and planted a slug into the forehead of the Caliph.

 

[Großlausitz]

Change Management
March 1848

The victory of March 16th would have an enormous impact on the future of Großpokai and its neighbour territories. First and foremost, the Duke of Rhönland had successfully finished his first major battle with a remarkable feat. He killed the leader of the insurgents, the Caliph! While Alfred knew what it is like to kill a man, ending that man’s life sent cold shivers (of pleasure?!) down his back. While Prince Alfred was definitely gifted and had the strategic talent of his forebears in his blood, his quick promotion to Major was also politically motivated: After a lengthy consultation with the King, the Ministerpresident and the Minister for Colonies approved the plan proposed by Viceroy Pleuter.

There would be a re-shuffle in the Kingdom of Greater Pokai’s colonial administration, which would include the Prince’s promotion to a much higher level than before. That was why they had promoted him so quickly. The position of Viceroy would be given to the Prince, who would assume this office as a hereditary fief of his father and each of the King’s successors. Pleuter would be assigned the office of Lord Chancellor or Reichskanzler with just the same privileges as before. By royal decree the Viceroy didn’t have a say in appointing the Lord Steward and all of his viceregal decrees were to be counter-signed by the chief minister. Indeed, King Nikolaus and his advisors were intending to give the way too promiscous Prince a permanent and cosy exile, whilst Nürnberg would still call the shots.

Nonetheless, there were nearer colonies or colonies-to-be that drew Franken’s attention, too. In Vangala the Franconians were busy tightening their direct rule and in Hajr they were gradually succeeding at attaching strings to many a court advisor of the Sultan. In the very long run Prince Alfred’s highest ambitions could be fulfilled, if he wanted them to and played his cards in the correct fashion.

The second major consequence of the Franconian victory was forcing the Dahabs to cede land in two crucial locations. On the one hand, Prince Alfred would supervise the construction of another fort on the southern tip of the Dahab territory; on the other hand the istmus and the landbridges would be turned into one large city-fort run by the Franconians. Never again they would allow the natives to bother them here. It would be costly, no doubt, but it would be worth it. Provided Prince Alfred wouldn’t screw things up, he’d receive the commission for Colonel from Pleuter’s hands.​