*diary selection from a civilian girl age 9, burn marks are all around the outer edges*

Plis 15. Daddy says the war is going to be over soon. Today in school we learned how to take cover under our desks in case we are attacked. Ms. Wilson told us that we weren't allowed on the playground today. I was very sad because I wanted to play on the swings today. She said there was thunder nearby, but when I looked outside, it wasn't even raining! How odd, I thought. The man on the TV said that everything was fine, so why was Daddy running around today?

Mommy told me that I wasn't allowed over Lisa's house tonight. It is so unfair! Tomorrow, I'm not going to eat my carrots if she doesn't let me go.

*diary entry of Captain Arlan Tyrew, leader of the assault team that took Hortintown. Killed by a sniper after capture of the town.*

Arom 21. Today we set out for a town held by the Medorians, Hortintown it is called. Three hundred men in my brigade against five times as many, I don't know how my commanders believe my unit will win, but we will try. From all accounts, the commanders will have something special waiting for our enemies. i have heard rumors of heavy artillery guns being moved within range of Hortintown and Blastburgh.

Arom 25. After some heavy fighting through the days and nights, first platoon was lost and third is at half strength. artillery shells bombard our position daily. My company managed to push into town about half way through but there are hundreds of enemies preventing us from retreating. This was a well organized trap. fortunately for us, the remainder of third and second platoons are scattered so our enemies cannot find us at once. The day begins soon, we will organize a full retreat then. i hope my commanders come with that surprise soon...

Elaine, if you read this please make sure our son knows what happened to his father. That he died fighting a war so that his future could be brighter and not filled with the gloom and sorrow it nows fills today for us. Tell him...tell him when he is of age I am sorry i was not there to watch him grow up.

Talan 2. Hortintown is ours. Reinforcements have arrived today as well, 12 whole companies! and a company of tanks. I don't know where these came from but I'm grateful to our commanders for ---

*newspaper article found in drawer of a desk from the printing shop, dated Plis 3*

WAR ACROSS CONTINENT

Today marks the day the war breaks out over the entire continent. Numerous armies are gathering together to push into the southlands of the forces of Armgard, allies of Medoria. Righteous Leader Carl Tanis states, "This is the time we must fight! This is the time the enemy has shown its hand and we can crush them into dust and bring forth the shining glories of our god, Oresha." Troops have been massing along the border for three days now. It's anybody's guess when they will strike. All reports indicate that this is a force not to be trifled with. Major General Peterson has told us that their biggest mistake was, "Not surrendering when we asked them to."

it makes everything more interesting in this thread. Trying to keep in 'tune' for lack of a better word, with the rest of the story. After all, we're telling a story about a war from multiple sides. just don't make it too crazy robots and death war machines or blood hungry aliens with cloak and foot to 2 foot long blades

*a selection from book, "Tragedies of Coriston" told by a survivor of the siege*

Today I spoke to my wife about the war. I asked her, "How long do you think before they break through?" She simply replied, "Probably by tomorrow." I nodded and went back to reading the paper. Later that day, artillery shells pounded the ground and one hit my home. I wasn't hurt, but my wife was struck by a falling beam. Her back was instantly broken and she died three days later. I never got past that time, and I lived the last few years with that distant stare, my brother told me.

*Torn bit of paper, presumably from a diary of a young girl or boy*

John got drafted today, his number was up on the Town Hall Announcement Board. It was the longest list of numbers yet, well over twenty. Ma wouldn't talk about it, but Dad said he'd be put in the Town Watch, or maybe sent out to Fort Gilson for a month or two. Ralph was less optimistic. He said John would be sent off to a jungle where he's march through mud and water and foliage and have to kill other men. I didn't like that part, but I thought a jungle would be fun. I'd be a little jealous if John got to go adventure through a jungle while I'm stuck here being taught about air raid sirens and having to put up big black curtains over my window every *the page is torn, everything below is missing*

*historian's notes on the war*

It should be interesting to note, Heridias, that during the beginning of the war, only the major powers fought. However, by the end of the next six months, minor powers had come into play because of the alliances each had made. According to some sources, around 47 countries had fought in the war altogether. There were 7 neutral countries some believed may have aided others incognito. Medoria's original route was to take over and pass through an ally of Torra and into the heartland, breaking their morale. However, as they marched, a few sources mention a "powerful windstorm that reached to the heavens" touched the ground and flung men into the sky. Obviously, today we know of it as a tornado, but it should be well noted that this was the main cause the war lasted as long as it did as Medoria no longer had the power to strike a hard blow. I will send another letter in the next few weeks after more study, Heridias.

no, this is modern guns and artillery and such. But if you've never seen a tornado, what are you likely to call it?