Frencian

>Name: Ammar Bashaw
>Male (+2 Skill)
>Second Francian Empire
>Natural Nobility
My great grandfather was the last Dey of the province of Algiers. As a reward for his summary surrender to invading Francian forces, it was seen fit to grant him a noble title and keep him as the governing noble of the province, with a steward watching over him.
>Quartermaster Corps
Our location was close enough to the straits of Gibraltar that we trade quite a lot. Our province bordering the Yitalian province of Libue also helped matters a little, since neither of us bore any grudges and could trade without engaging in the nationalistic equivalent of Yo' Mama arguments.

>>Personal Skills (6+2=8)
>Noble Birth (free)
Our nobility title was never more than an in-joke between the nobles. We were never of their blood, and the people never stopped resenting us for capitulating to the Francian demands.
I understand the people's anger all too well, though I also understand my great grandfather's decision. My only recourse is to bottle up my seething hatred for the Franks; their time will come.
>Accounting, Code of Law, Common Knowledge, Diplomacy (4)
All in a day's work for a Bashaw. My instructors drilled the fact into my skull incessantly.
>Artillery, Logistics, Diplomacy (2)
When the war started and I enlisted, I was made Bombardier in charge of an Artillery squad. Maria Foch took notice of my... gift for requisition. I was reported, and the court martial I underwent took a strange turn when they realized I had in fact "requisitioned" the extra shells and luxuries from the frikking Yitalian army while simultaneously earning them money and two mule carts.
I was summarily promoted to Commandant and sent on a series of secret missions to acquire all kinds of assets for the army.
>Cultural Studies, Information Network (0)
On one such mission, I ran into a certain Yitalian who wasn't quite Yitalian. The kid seemed to carry an unquenchable fire in his heart, much like mine. I told him about operation Annexa's main idea, and what role he could be expected to fulfill in it. He agreed enthusiastically. I gave him some artifact I kept off the books, a knife, and let him do the rest. He was kind enough to make it mostly bloodless, and even gave us a headstart on the lifeboats and the radio to call for help.

>>Personal Belongings (6+6[from magic]=12)
>Universal Map (11)
I found it helps knowing what paths the enemy could take for one who wishes to bombard them at their most vulnerable
>Skeleton Key (10)
This has helped me browse through many a "sealed" package I was asked to ferry
>Money (9)
Yep, they gave it to me in case I find something that would be valuable for Frencia to have
>Gas Mask (8)
I managed to get some cheap propellant for our mortars. The smell was horrible though
>Automobile (7)
>Elemental Knife (6)
I claimed these off an enemy Yitalian officer who tried to double cross me when I tried to trade him some "falsified" intelligence for a certain item
>Viro Crystal (5)
Item in question. The brass think the officer didn't really bring anything, considering his plans. I traded it for a herd emus a few years later
>Ring of Bonds (4)
A certain witch was the one that rescued me out of my jam with the Yitalian. I've been slightly obsessed with her since...
>Maldea Crystal (3)
The recordings I took at the lands I visited fetched a pretty penny back at Parisii. I'm now the proud owner of the first international video company, bringing people the sights of the world, and being given more leeway as to where I could visit...
>Blacksmith Bombs (2)
>Alchemy Kit (1)
I met a certain witch that seemed desperate to travel the world, and very open to exploitation. I bought these gifts for her
>Viro Crystal (0)
I managed to find another crystal on the black market, and was lucky that the seller was very much ignorant to its true value. Some bargaining and tough words later, and he was begging me to take the "useless piece of glass" off his hands for practically no price
Bringing this piece to the brass, they were overjoyed, promoting me to Colonel, and even letting me hold onto it in case I could utilize it in some unforeseeable capacity

>>Witches (2+2=4)
>Claire Carissa Carolina de Castlenau (3)
I requested she be added to my team to make use of her enchanting abilities -raising the value of all items I traded in tenfold- as well as her effectiveness in combat to work as my gopher and bodyguard
>Mathilde Clarence Foyelle (2)
An untapped gold mine, this one. I merely had to dangle the opportunity to travel to exotic -often hostile- landscapes, and she hopped on board.
I sent her one of the Emus I purchased, and she came back a week later with a theory on how to make the ridiculously resilient birds even more-so with some magic thrown in. Interesting. I'll be forwarding that to the network
>*Mora Catherine Brettaniai (0)
The witch that saved me from the botched trade with the Yitalian. I owe her my life. I petitioned the brass to have her added to my team, and was initially refused due to me "not really needing another combat witch" with me.
I tugged a few strings, and had her end up as the Bashaw's new steward, namely mine

>>Events
>The End of Democracy
I humbly excuse myself from the scene in any official capacity. Unofficially, I make sure both sides are well-supplied with any weapons they'd need, putting a word in with several merchants and inspectors. I'm banking on an actual civil war
>The Colony Problem
We start our tour of the East Plan from the south-east Asian colonies. Mathilde enjoys her time in the jungles, inspecting the wild life and looking through ruins for ley-lines. Mora and Mathilde are utilized fully in rooting and routing insurgents and witches, while I provide highly effective artillery support to hasten their surrender.
Instead of putting the insurgents and witches on trial there, I plan to bring them back to Parisii so they can be made a spectacle for the masses, possibly even boosting the position of the democrats in charge. At least that's the story I'm using to ensure they provide me with the manpower and transportation to move them all back west.
We'll stop at Syria after paying for our passage through the Suez canal. I'll continue my operation, to ensure what I bring are "all" the malcontents of the east.
While there, I will propose to my lovely Mora. Strings will be all but yanked to bring her friends and family to the wedding. I'll also be hosting a cocktail party for the top brass at a separate building.
I hope the Xalthians don't mistake our wedding building for the cocktail party building when they start their surprise bombardment, and that they time the release of all the prisoners I carted at the right time. I also hope the prisoners carry out my instructions to sabotage the heavy equipment first before carrying out their executions.
Amazing what a little crystal can do as a gesture of good will...