Our World

The Umbral River region has been a contested border between Gojyria and Almyrk for hundreds of years. During the Almyrk Revolution, Gojyria consolidated its control over the fertile soil and rich forests just south of Almyrk’s provincial control and other than occasional border town clashes the matter seemed settled.

In 2020, a small team of geologists discovered oil and uranium deposits just south of the Umbral River and tensions once again flared as the nations hotly debated who owned what resources. Diplomacy would turn into saber rattling until in 2022, The Almyrk Republic deployed Task Force Primeval to secure the area by force. Gojyria’s Task Force Ouroboros was in turn deployed to seize the entire province and wipe them out. Task Force Primeval was pushed out of the southern Umbral River region, but managed to secure a small amount of assets before reconsolidating within their provincial borders while Task Force Ouroboros secured the river.

After the fighting in The Umbral River region, conflict exploded along the entire border between the Kingdom Of Gojyria and The Almyrk Republic. Each nation looked to the North for vital resources which could turn the tide of the battle.

The Northern tundra province of Pnath was once a military stronghold for Almyrk before its reformation into a republic. Largely abandoned since a series of severe blizzards damaged much of the infrastructure with no budget allocated for repairs, the war made it a valuable strategic position. Usable stockpiles of munitions and equipment in the area, and a key ridgeline providing overwatch were the primary objectives of Almyrk’s Task Force Raptor. Gojyria’s Task Force Mammoth meanwhile made a daring aerial insertion to attempt to capture the location ahead of Almyrk forces.

The ensuing battle resulted in much of the depot being pillaged and bombarded with artillery while both sides took heavy losses. After a difficult battle, the decision was made that Task Force Mammoth would attempt to evacuate via helicopter having at least denied the enemy resources. This extraction would never come, and Task Force Raptor wiped out Gojyria’s forces to the last, securing the Pnath ridgeline for Almryk.

Seeking to undermine Gojyrian logistics and deal a blow to their trade based economy, The Almyrk Republic sent Task Force Vulture to capture the shipping hub of Tauk deep within Gojyrian borders. Warned ahead of time by their intelligence network, Gojyria evacuated the civilian population and directed Task Force Basilisk to hold the city by any means necessary.

Task Force Basilisk met the invaders head on and swiftly repelled the initial Almyrk probing attack. More Alkmyrk forces were mobilized, but environmental factors and an overwhelming number of coordinated defenders kept Tauk in Gojyrian hands, albeit in a tenuous position with frequent harassment.

The Kingdom’s high command determined that a counter assault was necessary to push Almyrk forces from the area, but during the skirmish Task Force Vulture was able to secure much of the city though at great cost. Seeing the tenacity of Almyrk fighters and assessing potential losses from prolonged conflict the Kingdom Of Gojyria ultimately withdrew forces from the city limits and shelled Tauk to rubble to draw out the weary Almyrk fighters. The escaping members of Task Force Vulture were hunted, engaged, and eliminated. Task Force Basilisk left no survivors. Tauk remains in Gojyrian control, but as a dessicated husk of a city.

After a full year of battles with Almyrk forces, Gojyrian King George Plantier IV has declared their objective to be no less than a full annexation of Almyrk territory unless the Republic offers an unconditional surrender. Not interested in surrender, Almyrk forces have begun to mass in the Forn Valley just west of the Umbral River provincial capital. The terrain is mountainous and difficult to pass, but offers excellent defense to troops within the valley and logistical support via the river.

The Almyrk Republic deployed Republican Guard Chapter Mongoose to secure forward terrain in the Forn Valley region and block the advance of Gojyria’s TF KINGSNAKE, Company K. What followed was a pitched battle for key structures leading to the encirclement of Almyrk forces while Gojyria undermined logistical assets with wide flanking efforts. Assessing the situation to be untenable, Almyrk command pulled the Republican Guard back to the valley’s key airfield after securing only a small amount of assets from their forward-most position.

While Gojyrian forces searched for ordnance, Guard Chapter Mongoose consolidated control over the air field. Irregular volunteer forces attached to Mongoose conducted harassing patrols and ambushes which made KINGSNAKE’s advance treacherous. After many frustrated efforts to seize the airfield, Gojyrian High Command deployed ordnance assets to render the area inhospitable to further defense. Reluctantly, Almyrk forces vacated the area and ascended the steep valley hills.

Against all odds, Gojyria’s loyal soldiers attempted the climb, making use of hidden foot trails to bypass enemy positions until encountering overwhelming Almyrk resistance just shy of the summit. With so much of their energy and resources already expended, there was simply no way for KINGSNAKE to assault though the harsh terrain and coordinated defense. Literally and figuratively tired of the cat and mouse game, Gojyrian High Command pulled their forces back to their most defensible structures before deploying more ordnance to force Almyrk troops to give chase for once.

As darkness fell, Guard Chapter Mongoose descended from their fighting positions and laid an overwhelming assault on the exhausted members of KINGSNAKE. Before long, all communications with Gojyrian High Command were severed and it is believed Company K was eliminated to the man.

The Almyrk Republic’s gamble worked, and they took control the Forn Valley.

Following Almyrk victory at the Pnath Forward Logistics Center, the next year was plagued with harsh chills, logistical setbacks, and broken promises from the Almyrk government. As the failed assault into Tauk and desperate retaking of the Forn Valley sapped many critical resources, the remnant of Task Force Raptor was left to hold the line in the Pnath province. They patrolled the northern tundra with what little support could be mustered from the South.

While Almyrk command allowed the position to stagnate, Gojyria’s intelligence assets had been watching. With the northern position’s morale and resources low, the King gave the order to attempt once more to take Pnath in order to split Almyrk forces onto a new front. Task Force Northman was deployed with the task of avenging their fallen comrades and establishing a permanent foothold in Pnath.

As Task Force Northman inserted to the Pnath Forward Logistics Center, they were quickly spotted due to Task Force Raptor’s vigilance. The invaders were quickly engaged with small arms and indirect mortar fire stalling their advance. After reconsolidating, elements including Gojyria’s 3rd GSOD and OI-SOG, along with unidentifed foreign advisors, took initiative and seized the high ground.

Almyrk forces, including local Homeguard volunteers, responded with raids to secure resources before engaging Gojyrian forces with indirect mortar fire and unsuccessful counter-assault actions. As darkness fell, both elements conducted further raids to secure advantageous terrain and eliminate enemy key personnel. Finally, after heavy casualties and desertion, the loyal remnants of TF Raptor were overwhelmed and destroyed by TF Northman. This marked the first Gojyrian victory on Almyrk soil, now drenched in the blood of both nations.

As the war between the Kingdom of Gojyria and Almyrk Republic drags on, the Chimeran Mountains between the two nations continue to act as a natural barrier with major fighting concentrated around the more developed border crossings. With The Almyrk Republic’s footholds secured for now in the Forn Valley and Umbral Province, the Kingdom of Gojyria is exploring all avenues to bring the fight into Almyrk territory.

Decades ago, a mountain-traversing highway project had been considered by the neighboring countries until the Almyrk revolution removed the prior government which had taken the lead. The wilds of the Chimeran Mountains have since only hosted a small regiment of Gojyrian border guards and the smugglers they occasionally contend with. With the war escalating, Gojyrian command has ordered a full scale occupation of the project site for development. Troops and construction equipment don’t move quietly though, and Almyrk intelligence quickly caught wind of their enemy’s intentions. Now the site of what was once a great cooperation between the nations will become the site of a brutal forested battle through the Chimeran Mountains…

The peace was shattered that day in the quiet and remote Chimeran Mountains as Almyrk and Gojyrian forces once again clashed.  Acting in concert with the Almyrk Survey Service and supported by light vehicles, TF PIONEER deployed to survey and secure the area for a highway project which would enable

the advance of their frontline into Gojyrian territory.  To counter-act this expansion, the Kingdom of Gojyria assembled the numerically superior TF BLACK KNIGHT though their light vehicle support was tragically lost to the treacherous trail conditions of the mountains.

Brutal close quarters fighting quickly broke out in the dense forest with corporate mercenaries advised by members of the Almyrk Special Tasks Group initiating contact with Gojyrian forces and confining them to low ground while TF PIONEER units secured a retired comms relay station and established occupation of the main highway path.  Over the next several hours, TF BLACK KNIGHT would rally and secure a foothold on the high ground but could not make the Almyrk task force abandon their project. However, both sides’ supply lines were stretched thin due to the terrain and tempo of violence.

After a failed artillery barrage and continued logistical difficulties , Almyrk command called for TF PIONEER to consolidate and hold the highest point in their AO for support from a follow-on force. In a last ditch effort to dislodge their enemy from the Chimeran Mountains, TF BLACK KNIGHT courageously assaulted uphill once more. Keenly avoiding ambush by taking the unexpected route, Gojyrian forces hit hard to begin the final confrontation. In the ensuing battle, both sides sustained heavy casualties but ultimately Gojyrian forces were beaten back and scattered from the high ground. TF PIONEER now awaits support to finish the project they surveyed, while Gojyrian forces gather again to organize another wave of resistance.

With the Fórn Valley secured by Almyrk forces last year, the enraged King of Gojyria ordered an escalation of efforts to make inroads to Almyrk territory. After Gojyrian victory at the Pnath FLC, their offensive efforts could now count on logistical support from the North and the Kingdom immediately capitalized with a two-stage attack plan. First, deploying forces to the Chimeran Mountains to establish another land-route further south in Almyrk territory and second, by massing for their largest attack yet in the Forn Valley. In response, Almyrk Command has consolidated forces in the Fórn Valley to mass for a counterattack and retake initiative from Gojyria by not only repelling their forces, but pushing beyond to break out of Forn Valley and occupy the border crossing and send forces deeper into Gojyrian territory. In the vast Fórn Valley, both sides now meet supported by vehicles, indirect fire, and drone operators. This stands to be the longest and bloodiest battle in the Skjult War yet.

The sun shined down on the mountains, making the treacherous march upward all the more strenuous with the heat. On orders from the King, Task Force Strider deployed to the Fórn Valley with vehicle support and attached members of OI-SOG and 4th

GSOD advising both regular Gojyrian forces and prisoner conscripts. Their mission was to occupy the high ground and collapse down into the valley in order to destroy Alymrk positions. On their insert, forward reconnaissance elements encountered and destroyed an Almyrk vehicle patrol, but their cover was blown and they took heavy casualties.

In response, The Almyrk Republic’s Task Force Huntsman scrambled Homeguard units with advisors from 6STG and unidentified foreign units to find and fix Gojyrian forces. After climbing the hill and establishing a CP, they were able to begin patrols in the high ground and ultimately identify and destroy Gojyrian elements occupying their initial rally point. As the fighting continued into the night, each side would attempt to consolidate resources and conduct patrols to identify and destroy enemy positions. In the small hours of the morning, Gojyrian forces attacked the Almyrk CP with their efforts being narrowly repelled only by tight security.

With the sun rising, each faction enacted their end-game with Gojyrian forces attempting to spread out and pinch their enemy while Almyrk fighters consolidated and pressed across the high ground as one element. Ultimately, Task Force Huntsman was able to repel the Gojyrian flanks, identify the primary location of Task Force Strider’s command and resources, and make a coordinated push to destroy their presence. Task Force Strider was routed and forced to abandon all forward positions. Their shadows cast no longer on the Fórn Valley.

After the Almyrk Republic and Kingdom of Gojyria faced off in the Umbra Province, the area was physically and economically devastated. As part of a negotiated cease-fire agreement in civilian territory, the province became a demilitarized zone under the authority of a Provincial Government. While the southern half of the Umbra Province remained Gojyrian territory, Almyrk control of the northern capital district “swayed” elections to ensure the Provincial Governor protected their interests by allowing free trade throughout the province. With military forces reconsolidating elsewhere, the Provincial Guard was left in charge of peacekeeping.

Seizing the turmoil as an opportunity, large corporations and international conglomerates moved in to curry favor with the local government and exploit the resource-rich border region for themselves. The northern half of the Umbra Province under Almyrk control was almost entirely converted into a “Commercial Development Zone” by these conglomerates. Rival syndicates, seeing the vast concentration of wealth lining the coffers of those extracting the DMZ’s resources, wanted their own cut.