The lands around Lake Vera were among the more populated areas around the Coldlands. The Warlords in this location usually had larger domains of up to twenty villages under their control and the largest of their central towns had populations up to 5,000 denizens and stone reinforced wall. It was warmer and wetter than the surrounding grasslands and forests, the lake was rich in fish and a fair amount of trade went through the area on longboats, Paddleboats and Barges. A few of these traders were natives who were generally good sailors, with many of them being employed on the paddlesteamer fleet. When this area was taken by the Infrastructural Army in 11 IA, it yielded a plentiful source of resources and manpower.Anoseb was one of the larger fishing towns on the lake's Northern coast, large enough for it to be designated a Hubtown in 19IA and had in the last decade had increased in size. A few people left for Dalatyr, Garrison-2 or decided to get a job on a paddlesteamer, but those were being replaced by new births, lower infant mortality, the elimination of warrior related deaths, families seeking education for their children and a few farm hands who had been displaced by an increase in cattle grazing coming to town in search of work. During the spring, summer and fall a few Paddlesteamers would come by to pick up agricultural produce, livestock, wool, timber and some tin from a nearby mine (both sold and collected as taxes) and unload a few mechanical components, the odd bit of machinery relating to farming or mining, industrial products, metal goods, a few consumer goods for the shop, books, paper and a few other such goods. On a day in the spring of 29IA they brought along two new additions to this list: a tall man with mutton chops and a sword in a uniform with a long jacket, as well as a shorter one man in a different uniform of the same color scheme. They set up a few posters in the town square, as well as a table. The affair was similar to what the Army did a while ago. One of them started to play a drum and the other one got onto the table. This got some attention and soon a small crowd had gathered, curious at this new addition on market day."To the fair people of Anoseb, I am Ensign Stanislav Viktorovich of the Infrastructural Navy along with my compatriot Master Seaman Janof Urbosleb. We have both served on some of the finest ships ever to take to the sea, while you may have been impressed by the paddlesteamers I can tell that the new ocean going vessels we have created are even more incredible. Iron hulled leviathans that are now the envy of the world." He gestured to an image of the Prosperity. The locals had heard about the work that was going on at the Yards after their conquest. The school talked about these very positively, there was the odd notification to the town council about affairs and talk from some of the Paddlesteamer crews about this now that the canal was completed. "These craft are vast, powerful, durable and swift. We have faced a few Pirates, bandits of the seas and they fell before our cannons and Shchukas just like the Bandits of old did before the army's rifles. And I will assure you that more of these craft are on the way, as we speak, thousands of workers labour day in foundries, factories, machine shops and shipyards bringing into this world more of these mighty craft into the world.""The only thing which we need for them now, is you. We have been dispatched by the Admiralty in search of good steadfast young men who are comfortable with boats and water. In the Navy you will be keeping safe it's borders from foreign attack as well as bringing order to lawless seas, making use of the most advanced and formidable machines in the world. I have been in the Navy for three years and I never regretted signing up. We will provide you with free room and board, three square meals a day with meat as well as beer or spirits and a starting wage of six credits a day. We will also provide you with training and valuable skills, some of which will increase your paycheck at sea or on land afterwards. Hell, any man who's willing to sign up we'll buy them a round. As the fleet is expanding there is plenty of opportunity for advancement for swift learners and those who are up for the task of command. You will see strange and amazing foreign places. The Navy serves with pride and honor and we are ready to show the world that we are more than just a collection of frozen starving dirt farmers. And of course there's the fact that in my experience the girls love a man in Naval Blue. We want you for the Infrastructural Navy."Stanislav went like this and got people excited and talking. By the end of the day, the two recruiters had gotten three young men who had become worse for drink to sign up before they pushed off for their next town. Several other recruiters had other areas of operation, picking up various people to serve as sailors. While the Committee had been working on establishing a naval presence for some time, it had redoubled its efforts in that area as part of a greater plan.Previous- [link] Next- [link]