Rohirrim Rider: December 1911

[Ithekro]

(Slowly I try to fill in some gaps in time.  After this one I'll probably group them together either by year or just a generic until it catches up with what is going on.  It will be a slow process so I might not get done for a week or two because I probably should read up on the events of those years to put in relevant material reactions (of the Mark)


July 5, 1911

Grimbold Brandywine, Marshal of the Southern Seas, issued orders today that the shipyard at Puerto Montt is fully operational.  The first vessel constructed here will be a destroyer for the NUS.

July 15, 1911

The construction on existing Battleships and Battle Cruisers continued today as plans for fitting all ships on the stocks with fire control was approved.  Felaróf, Battle Cruiser of the Mark, took priority, though Narm, Battleship of the Mark gained some additional attention from her construction crews to match up with work done on her sistership the Aragorn, Battleship of Mark.

July 29, 1911

Narm Underhill, former Captain of Thengel, Battleship of the Mark, has been given command of the Helm Hammerhand, Battleship of the Mark.  He is expected to bring the ship up to full readiness by October.  He is also in line for a promotion to Commodore and perhaps is first fleet assignment during the War Games in Novemeber.

August 10, 1911
(Theoden's Day)

Today we remember one king who helped shape our destiny. Theoden King is remembered as a legend, but is considered to have been an actual living person by historians, as the written evidence from the archives of Edoras, Mundburg, and Dol Amroth along with some mention from other coninental sources indicates that he did live and that he was king of Rohan 8,200 years ago. His grave is also still present in Edoras. While most of his reign is lost to history, just that he was considered to have decayed during the last decade of the Third Age until his spirit was rekindled just before the great battles before the Hornburg and Mundburg that pushed the darkness back to Mordor. Theoden died in front of Mundburg at the hieght of the battle, but his spirit remains to remind us to keep our head in the light and charge when the worse seems to be upon you. Some say his tactics imply that the best defense is a good offense. They may be correct, and Rohan has followed this logic for land and naval warfare. While on land the days of the horse are ending, they still are a heavy and quick offensive tool that reminds our potential enemies that we can strike them back fast and hard should they attempt to take our lands or those of our allies. On the sea, this has brought about the practice of arming our ships heavily. They have to come to us, unless they wish to wait for us to come to them, but we will make them pay dearly should they try either option.

Today the King went to the mound of his fathers, his great-grand mothers, and uncles that were King of Rohan. Vistiting the 274 graves of the kings and queens of old, Theocro is reminded that one day he will be grave number 275. The Simbelmyne (Evermind) still bloom on every grave. The traditional reading of the names was done as is done when a new King is put on the throne, but the line breaks at Theoden to drink then continues until Theocro King is named, then the second drink is had. Rememberance of Theoden still takes centerstage on this day.

As a new tradition, Hasufel, Battle Cruiser of the Mark, was laid down on this day as the last several ships of its type have been.  As this is suppose to be the last vessel of this class type, the tradition will rest until the Mark needs more Battle Cruisers.

August 18, 1911

As mention on Theoden's Day, the Hasufel, Battle Cruiser of the Mark, was laid down.  This vessel differes from her sister ships in that she's designed with a fire control system as oppose to needing to spend an extra month on the slips for a refit.

September 10, 1911

Work finishes up on Helm Hammerhand, Battleship of the Mark, three weeks earlier than expected.  High praise has been given by Narm Underhill, Captain of the Vessel, of his crew.  Underhill Captain will be summoned with his ship to Puerto Montt after a stop at Ammon-In-Gelydh.

September 15, 1911
(The King's Birthday)

The King seemed in good spirits today on his 63 birthday.  While the nobles still insist on a party, the King seems to not like the waste the parties generate if it also does not inspire the people or the military.  Thus the King vanished again after only a hour.  The guards again attempted to locate the King of Rohan, but could not find him.  Some speculate that it would be the perfect day to kidnap the King, yet this hasn't come to pass.

September 19, 1911

At Ammon-In-Gelydh, Underhill Captain of Helm Hammerhand, Battleship of the Mark, was promoted to Commodore and command of a squadron of ships assigned to the War Games in Novemeber.  His task is to get the group ready in time.

September 22, 1911

After a week Theocro King has been found...or rather he arrived in Mithlond seemingly without escorts.  His arrival launched an impromt commissioning ceremory for Firefoot, Battle Cruiser of the Mark. The vessel still requires several months of work to fit out, but was in a ready state to be launched.  The King seemed happy to lauch the vessel even if that wasn't his plan.  Or maybe it was.  The King is quoted at saying something about a ship into the west will always be built here in Mithlond.

October 9, 1911

Fengel, Battleship of the Mark, finishes its trials two days later than expected due to some preoblems with her engines.  Eventually the trouble was tracked down to a miscast gear messing with the timing of the rotations.  It tooks several days to track it down and even more to get at the gear to replace it.  The Vessel with soon be on its way to join up with the Helm Hammhand, Battleship of the Mark, to perpare for the War Games in November.

October 17, 1911

The training and reequipment of several cavalry units of the Mark have been completed and placed back in their respective armies.  This will keep the Riders of Rohan on the edge of any wave in the Americas, should war come again.

Novemeber 1, 1911

Sherman's Plan takes effect as the land the Confederates call Nebraska is selected as the testing ground for settlement efforts by the Rohirram and the Normans.  The locals have considered adding the Confederates to this experiment on a case by case plan, but want to see how Nebraska turns out first before expanding the program and potentially getting too many Europeans and Rohirrim in their lands.

Novemeber 11, 1911

A task force of four Rohirrim Battleships and two Battle Cruisers were send to Puerto Montt with escorts to test out different theories on if the area was invaded and how Rohan could counter based on possible naval units brought to the region.  Helm Hammerhand and Fengel represent the Rohirrim forces or the modern European style vessels, depending on the situation.  Snowmane and Windfola are assigned to act as the Swiss or Brandenburg forces, or a Rohan fast wing, and the older battleships Eomer and Brytta are assigned the role of older power or Rohirrim defense fleet.  Results of these tests will be released on another date. (When I actually get around to doing them).

December 9, 1911

Firefoot, Battlecruiser of the Mark, finishes being fitted and starts her trail runs, which will take her to Ammon-In-Gelydh where she will be assigned.

December 18, 1911

The War Games task forces have returned to their bases and patrol routes.  Underhill, Commodre of the Mark, is assigned to Second Caribbean Battle Fleet as commander of both Helm Hammerhand and Fengel in combined actions.

December 25, 1911
Fellowship Day

Still a year away, but the candidates for the Fellowship of 1912 is progressing well, reducing the number elegeble to 99, of which only 9 will be going on a world wild mapping and cultural tour in the name of Theocro King.  It is hoped this tour will provide the Mark with a lot of useful information about the changes to the world, international relations, and the state of world events. 

It may also have the misfortune of discovering the remains of the Followers of the Eye...one of the few groups prosecuted by the Mark due to the groups constant desire to destroy both Rohan and Gondor over the last few hundred years despite the originators of the idea being several thousands of years dead and gone.  The Mark and the Westron Peoples have never been able to erase the followers of the Eye or the servents of the white hand.  They keep coming back.  The Fellowship of the Nine has also served in the past as a way to find these threats before they strike, using the safty of the King's name as a tool to enter the dark places of the world.