[quote]Sir Pez, Lord of the Slutty Fist: >A cheaper source of heavy muskets and help building ships (not a lot of wood where I am) would be a huge helpSir Pez, Lord of the Slutty Fist: I could help you there
Sir Pez, Lord of the Slutty Fist: If you'd like to set up a little trade contract
B͉̯̦ͅơ̢͖̲̼̞͎r̷͉̮̝̼̀y҉͈̹͖͙̞s̬̜̕͠: I ain't signin no contract
Sir Pez, Lord of the Slutty Fist: It's fine go- I mean boy, give over your shecke- I-I mean, gold to me
B͉̯̦ͅơ̢͖̲̼̞͎r̷͉̮̝̼̀y҉͈̹͖͙̞s̬̜̕͠: Who are you anyway
Sir Pez, Lord of the Slutty Fist: Who aren't I?
B͉̯̦ͅơ̢͖̲̼̞͎r̷͉̮̝̼̀y҉͈̹͖͙̞s̬̜̕͠: tolerable
B͉̯̦ͅơ̢͖̲̼̞͎r̷͉̮̝̼̀y҉͈̹͖͙̞s̬̜̕͠: oi ur feckin norway
Sir Pez, Lord of the Slutty Fist: ye
Sir Pez, Lord of the Slutty Fist: Trees and guns out the asshole
B͉̯̦ͅơ̢͖̲̼̞͎r̷͉̮̝̼̀y҉͈̹͖͙̞s̬̜̕͠: Your guns are inferior
Sir Pez, Lord of the Slutty Fist: Calm down sandnigger
Sir Pez, Lord of the Slutty Fist: Viking guns best guns
[/quote]
Norway worst country
[QUOTE=Karishnikova;46107910]Norway worst country[/QUOTE]
[IMG]http://i.gyazo.com/29e834b5dab93019307231130de0f01f.png[/IMG]
Don't forget that wild capitalization you did there m8e
Slave race confirmed for worst shitposters
[QUOTE=Karishnikova;46107140]A cheaper source of heavy muskets and help building ships (not a lot of wood where I am) would be a huge help. We don't need troops from you just some fighting supplies.
I don't anticipate the Ottomans being a HUGE problem with the Persians on my side but you never know.[/QUOTE]
That can be arranged, however I want to lend some military assistance in order to secure some vital land along the Ottoman coast, it would be a massive help if in return for some assistance in building your ships you would sell cotton and sugar I us Venetians at a less expensive price
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/4Ml0DsC.png[/IMG]
[B]The United Kingdom of Iberia declares total control of the new world - this is a bluff[/B]
[QUOTE=Pezgod1;46108545][IMG]http://i.gyazo.com/29e834b5dab93019307231130de0f01f.png[/IMG]
Don't forget that wild capitalization you did there m8e
Slave race confirmed for worst shitposters[/QUOTE]
Caps lock is cruise control for cool, and even if it wasn't that doesn't excuse the use of that word bro
[editline]29th September 2014[/editline]
[QUOTE=Native Hunter;46108950]That can be arranged, however I want to lend some military assistance in order to secure some vital land along the Ottoman coast, it would be a massive help if in return for some assistance in building your ships you would sell cotton and sugar I us Venetians at a less expensive price[/QUOTE]
We would prefer if colonial european entities didn't expand into Levantine holdings, as it undermines the authority of local governments. We would however be willing to lower export prices of Egyptian Cotton, Sugar Beets, and Sugar Cane to Venice, though.
[QUOTE=Karishnikova;46109517]Caps lock is cruise control for cool, and even if it wasn't that doesn't excuse the use of that word bro
[editline]29th September 2014[/editline]
We would prefer if colonial european entities didn't expand into Levantine holdings, as it undermines the authority of local governments. We would however be willing to lower export prices of Egyptian Cotton, Sugar Beets, and Sugar Cane to Venice, though.[/QUOTE]
I wasnt refering to the levant I was refering to Morea, Greece, and Illyria
I don't give a shit about those areas
[quote]Naples: 1514
Even before the battle our army had been devastated. The Spanish disease broke out here again as it did twenty years ago, with many of the same pustules causing the flesh to peel from the bones. Frequent shortages of powder and skirmishes reduced our guns ability to fire, managing only four shots a day. On the 2nd day of July, the Eve of St. Thomas, our scouts had reported upon the movements of a force of Neapolitan and Papal soldiers, possibly composed of twelve-thousand in total with a large complement of guns and knights. King Louis ordered us to mobilize in order to meet them in the field at Casoria. Despite protestations of illness and exhaustion from the lengthy siege, we moved out that afternoon and camped nearby Casoria.
On the feast day of St Thomas, we made many prayers for the upcoming engagement, including some to Saint Barbara. King Louis heard his masses before putting the Gendarmes in a corn field, and leaving thirty men armed with pike and shot to guard his baggage in addition to those who fell ill during the night. The rest of the forces were arranged in several blocks along the plain, while the few serpentines which could be recovered were deployed upon a hummock in addition to several musketeers. The Swiss and German mercenaries were deployed close to this hummock which lay at the northern end of the plain, with the goal of forcing the Italians away from the village.
The Italians had taken a difficult route to the north and had circled around Afragola before coming along the Via Padula road from the Southeast. As midday came close, King Louis went among the different units to give speeches and encourage them to do well. The Italians slowly deployed themselves between two thickets and rather terrifyingly, had seemingly brought forth two dragons with them, which were following two gentlemen. In addition were a complement of handgunners and pikemen along with even some old Condottieri. A duke on our side raised a stick and cried “Nestrocq”, the signal for attack, before ordering the gunners to open fire and the pikes to advance.
The guns on both sides disabled many before the pikes closed in, with some groups pushing into one another before collapsing and forcing a retreat to group up again at a further distance. After this continued for ten minutes, the Gendarmes were ordered to charge the flanks of an Italian unit that had been fixed in one field. However, this successful move was opposed by the entry of the two dragons to the battle, both concerned for the wellbeing of their masters. The Gendarmes were pulled off their horses and lay on the ground like turtles before having their limbs hacked off by the Italians, which was a great pity. The others tried to pierce the dragons with their lances, to which the response was a burst of fire which drove the horses wild and caused our vanguard to fall into disorder. The flesh of many had been burnt off, and those in plated mail had been roasted inside their armour. The dragons and Italians pushed them further and caused the retreat to become a rout. The Italians, seeing us shaken, advanced where they saw breaks and struck down and killed our men without mercy, continuing until the vanguard was overwhelmed. The dragons in addition to the collapse of the vanguard caused the order of battle to be broken. The rearguard saw this and took up as many guns, armour and other supplies that they could before fleeing the field. Shortly after, the Germans and Swiss retired in order to preserve their own lives, which were followed by a complete rout. The Italians pursued us until six in the evening. The next morning several of us privately returned to find any who may be still alive. We found only naked bodies, for the peasantry and soldiers had stripped them during the night. [/quote]
Native Hunter
Jrose14
Mallow234
Daniel Smith
Get in your turns within the next 24 hours
The Italian war is much bigger than expected. I have 4 turns left to write.
[QUOTE=Poben;46135553]The Italian war is much bigger than expected. I have 4 turns left to write.[/QUOTE]
Irl it wasn't though? I don't see how it could be that much bigger, I mean I get the whole dragons thing but they aren't impossible to kill , plus we have ballista
[QUOTE=Native Hunter;46135671]Irl it wasn't though? I don't see how it could be that much bigger, I mean I get the whole dragons thing but they aren't impossible to kill , plus we have ballista[/QUOTE]
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntVtN3g6ERM[/media]
[QUOTE=Native Hunter;46135671]Irl it wasn't though? I don't see how it could be that much bigger, I mean I get the whole dragons thing but they aren't impossible to kill , plus we have ballista[/QUOTE]
I don't think, IRL, the Italian war directly involved the the Persians and the Mamluks as well as the French and Ottomans...
Sobot and I are working on [URL="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Roleplay/FacepunchRPGroup"]a TVTropes page for the group[/URL] after Sobot decided he wanted one when he saw Murder at Midnight had its own page.
We're currently looking for tropes to add to the page. Help as much as you can.
[QUOTE=Karishnikova;46136206]I don't think, IRL, the Italian war directly involved the the Persians and the Mamluks as well as the French and Ottomans...[/QUOTE]
my college history textbook would disagree, The Mamluks and persians were never involved in the Italian Wars [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Wars"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Wars[/URL], also the one going on now is technically the war of the League of Cambrai which doesnt really exist due to the intervention of Austria and Naples on my behalf.
Nerds
[QUOTE=Native Hunter;46136857]my college history textbook would disagree, The Mamluks and persians were never involved in the Italian Wars [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Wars"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Wars[/URL], also the one going on now is technically the war of the League of Cambrai which doesnt really exist due to the intervention of Austria and Naples on my behalf.[/QUOTE]
Uhm
Your college textbook would agree with me then
I literally just said the Mamluks and Persians were not involved IRL but in this timeline they are.
Also the War of the League of Cambrai was a part of the Italian Wars, so the Italian Wars is happening.
[QUOTE=Damian0358;46136340]Sobot and I are working on [URL="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Roleplay/FacepunchRPGroup"]a TVTropes page for the group[/URL] after Sobot decided he wanted one when he saw Murder at Midnight had its own page.
We're currently looking for tropes to add to the page. Help as much as you can.[/QUOTE][url=http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RevolvingDoorRevolution]Revolving Door Revolution[/url] - In Creation of Centuries, between 904 and 988, the Tozholleronese state in North Africa underwent repeated revolutions and counter revolutions between Republicans, Monarchists (collectively refered to as Anticoziots), and even right wing authoritarian groups at some points.
[url=http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ReignOfTerror]Reign of Terror[/url] - In CoC, during the early, turbulent years of the young Zaudibaum Republic, this happens once Ziad Mashoud, father of the republic, dies, and his political rival Ghassan Aqil assumes consulship and swiftly transforms the republic into a dictatorship.
[QUOTE=Karishnikova;46137648]Uhm
Your college textbook would agree with me then
I literally just said the Mamluks and Persians were not involved IRL but in this timeline they are.
Also the War of the League of Cambrai was a part of the Italian Wars, so the Italian Wars is happening.[/QUOTE]
It shouldn't matter regardless that a chronological event would span longer and longer then say how long it was in terms of history, and I never denied the Italian wars were going on now in fact I said which one it was before you pointed it out. Let's just stop this here before it spirals into another argument alright?
READ ME, SEND IN TURNS AS TURN 3.
[i]I feel much freer now that I am certain the pope is the Antichrist. – Martin Luther[/i]
[img_thumb]http://i.imgur.com/RFDDDOP.png[/img_thumb]
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMJWBqXfa9g[/media]
Events of the years 1520 to 1550
-The reformation spreads and diversifies throughout Europe, eventually resulting in several major regime changes, destabilisation, religious wars, rebellions, and changes in society at large. The two main movements are the protestant and reformed churches, both seeking alternative ways to god. After several councils are held in the latter part of this period, the “Counter-Reformation” is launched with the aim of reviving the effectively Medieval Church and adapting it to modern challenges in addition to stepping up conversion of both heretics and heathens. The Jesuits are the most famous, establishing branches outside of Europe throughout the New World, Africa, and Asia.
-The price revolution begins to take effect around this time, with the main factors being the increase in world bullion supplies and production, increasing urbanisation, and the shift from older systems of land tenure towards the growing of crops and livestock for profit. All this contributes not only to the total sum of monies in circulation, but the speed they travel at. Inflation rates rise considerably, leading to the collapse of price controls that held strong for centuries and a stagnation of wages. The livelihoods of many rural peasantry and urban workers slowly decline or stagnate, and many farmers are forced to either invest into their lands or sell off what little they have and move. Traditional welfare systems break down as the monasteries and churches are dissolved and appropriated by the state, leaving many homeless, infirm, and needy without care or shelter.
-Dragons are slowly being systematically tamed and now bred throughout Europe, with many monarchs and princes attempting to secure eggs and breeding grounds for the creatures whenever possible. Given the lack of experience with them and massive bounties for their collection, many eggs are inadvertently destroyed, stillborn, and other dragons are driven away entirely. The largest states end up setting up successful breeding programmes under patronage of various crowned heads, although some unlucky people are utterly bankrupted by the cost of them. Whole teams have set to the task of trying to retrieve eggs, leading to many wild dragons migrating even deeper into the mountains or eastwards into less populated areas. Indeed, the number of attacks increases too as many dragons become especially fierce when cornered like this. By mid-century, the wild dragon is clearly on a decline at the same time that the domestic variant is growing in numbers.
The Italian and Ottoman wars: 1521 – 1536
The French, still wishing to expand their influence in Italy, signed an alliance with the Ottoman Empire in order to cause more problems for the Holy Roman Empire. The ongoing reformation further destabilises the Empire as many German princes begin to convert and openly rebel against the Emperor, often plotting with his enemies. The Imperial forces strike first by besieging several principal French cities in the northeast, while the other Italian states move on Milan. Unfortunately that summer, the Ottomans seized the city of Belgrade after using heavy artillery batteries to reduce the city. Milan was captured by the Italians, but Imperial forces were routed before Antwerp was besieged and later taken by the French in 1522.
-As the 1520s progress, successive Ottoman campaigns conquer much of Hungary, prompting the Italian and Imperial forces to divert resources to that theatre. Spain intervenes in the war on the side of the Italians, giving significant forces towards an invasion of Morea spearheaded by the Venetians. This angers France, which declares war on Spain and invades Navarre with the old pretender for the throne in an ultimately unsuccessful campaign. In 1528, the Ottomans crush a Hungarian army and kill their king, leaving a small power vacuum. The Imperial forces quickly seized the opportunity by annexing what was left of the Kingdom and pushing hard on the Ottomans. An invasion by the Persians in Dulkadir, the joint Italian and Spanish forces in Morea, and the Commonwealth in Moldavia lead to the Ottomans being forced to give up many of their recently acquired territories. Ambitious naval invasions on the behalf of Egypt are thwarted by the Ottomans, and eventually the Ottomans sue for peace in 1534.
-The biggest gainer from the war is quite clearly the Hapsburgs, whom have doubled their existing territories and neutered the threat in the Balkans. Using this, they manage to finally force the French out of Italy. A naval invasion on behalf of the Neapolitans removes the French from Corsica (aided by a firebreathing dragon), which is subsequently added to their kingdom. The French give up the Duchy of Milan, which is divided between the Venetians and Austrians in 1536. Embarrassed by their conduct of the war, the French begin focusing on internal religious problems, as now the reformation has taken root. The Holy Roman Emperor however now must contend with managing over the vast new territories he has acquired, in addition to clamping down on the Protestants. The other problem is that their newly found power is a considerable threat to the overall balance in Europe, which is tipping dangerously in their favour. Many peace treaties saw the movement of dragon eggs to the Habsburgs, giving them one of the largest dragon forces in Europe.
[img]http://facepunch.com/image.php?u=340743&dateline=1411380731[/img][img]http://i.imgur.com/ZSD3iv8.png[/img]
[b]Daniel Smith – Kingdom of Spain and Portugal
Capital: Madrid
Culture: Castilian
State Religion: Roman Catholicism [/b]
-As the 16th century progresses, the need to service ships in ports and to carry heavy objects (such as bronze artillery pieces) in and out of them is finally satisfied by the advent of the lifting tower, a type of crane which is well suited to this purpose. Another recent advance is a development of muskets and harquebuses. By putting a flared barrel on the end and using the gun to shoot a grenade a short distance, it effectively increases the range of men armed with grenades and turns these firearms into effective “hand mortars”. They are unreliable and dangerous to the users as well however, making them unpopular among many soldiers.
-An army is sent to the borders of the Aztec Empire, led by Hernan Cortez. Composed of a few hundred men and woefully ignorant of the lands around, it discovers the Aztec Empire and attempts to make war on it. Unfortunately, they march inland to find only scenes of desolation, for many towns and cities had been cleared by outbreaks of disease. When they finally do reach the Aztec capital, they discover that a number of wild dragons have been feasting on the dead bodies there, and after being shot at by the Spanish in an attempt to drive them off, are attacked and routed by the dragons. They are forced to flee to the hastily established port of Vera Cruz, although along the way many of the Spanish died. The next expedition has better success, aiming instead to go to the land of “Biru” when the natives there tell of a land full of gold.
-On arrival in “Biru”, the conquistador Pizarro finds an empire devastated by disease and civil war. They trick and capture the Emperor Atahualpa, before demanding that a room is filled with gold for his release. After this room is filled with said gold, the Spanish execute him anyways and take over the empire for themselves. The conquest is celebrated by the Spanish monarchy and Pizarro is made viceroy of the new colony (before being murdered). The viceroyalty of New Spain is granted permission to conquer and settle the new territories as well, with much of the Caribbean coasts also being settled with hordes of migrants from Iberia and slaves from the African west coast. The native nobilities are purged as well (often leading to bloody and violent rebellions), with the governors of these territories gradually replacing the native ruling elite with imported Spaniards (typically their family members).
-John III and Joanna II of Portugal and Spain respectively, create the house of Aaron, a new ruling house that combines the crowns of both countries into a new political union. Despite this, the kingdoms (including Aragon, Algarve, and Navarre) constituting it still possess their own languages, legal systems, customs, and other internal methods of administration. Attempts are made later on to promote the use of Spanish as the language of administration, although this is considerably difficult. The common people still tend to speak their own regional tongues, and only the nobility seem to adopt the Spanish one on any scale. To help build up support at home, the monarchy establishes a parliament which the nobles can attend, although most of the time they use it to protest the raising of taxes and the imposition of various new laws. Frequently the monarchy sidesteps it, undermining its legitimacy.
-A non-aggression pact is signed with the King of France, promising not to interfere in French colonial efforts and to respect shipping in addition to not intervening in any wars that would involve the other power. Unfortunately, this does not stop the spread of pirates and privateers, who have begun to raid the treasure fleets bringing back silver and gold from Peru. Coming from all nations, these privateers raid shipping from the New World to the African coasts, where a number of forts have been set up to control some of the trade in the area. Slaves are becoming steadily more useful, and are being imported to work the plantations in the Caribbean or the mines in Peru. Unfortunately for Spain, despite claiming or conquering vast stretches of land in the New World, much of it is still uninhabited or loosely held, into which many of these slaves and freemen tend to run away into.
-The Spanish send a military force to Morea to support the Italian League in their wars with the Ottomans, which eventually leads to the intervention of France in the war. An invasion of Navarre is made by the French, which is ultimately unsuccessful. Despite this, the French show the battlefield prowess of the dragon they brought with them, having set the main city on fire and terrifying the inhabitants. It is later felled after it is repeatedly shot at by the Spanish defenders, with the body crushing one of the houses.
[img]http://facepunch.com/image.php?u=461103&dateline=1410891072[/img][img]http://i.imgur.com/R0Go18G.png[/img]
[b]Mallow234 – Kingdom of England
Capital: London
Culture: Anglo-Saxon
State Religion: Protestantism
Number of dragons: 2 (large )[/b]
-The English crown has been convinced (largely through observation and reportage on battles but also from the growing threat of France and its multiple dragons) of the necessity of securing both dragons and suitable facilities for their care and training. Luckily, the rugged landscape of Wales has provided a number of eggs (some of which were hatched successfully). The two resulting dragons were reportedly of good stock as well, according to the foremost philosophers. They have been kept in a royal estate in Wales so far, with sheep reserved for them (at some expense). King Henry has also deemed it necessary to invest into the navy as well, coming up with a new design. By removing the fore and aft castles of a galleon and reducing the overall height of the vessel, one makes a ship which is built to hold cannon and is easier to direct without it capsizing (if the experience of the Mary Rose is to be accounted for). Unfortunately, they are poorly built for this purpose and consist of modified old ships, making these new “razees” less effective than they otherwise could be.
-The Pale, long having since slipped increasingly from English grasp is now at the forefront of policy once more. Henry finally gets around to declaring himself “King of Ireland” and appointing a military governor to subjugate the place. This normally takes the form of the governor burning down rebellious villages and constructing tower houses throughout Ireland. In the later phases, a dragon is even brought along to terrorize several chiefs into accepting the English sovereign as their own overlord. In order to deter French ambitions in Calais, the defences there are also rebuilt and strengthened (complete with star walls and heavy gun batteries) to prevent an easy siege. Unfortunately, the port has begun to decline in recent years, a trend which has not been easily reversed.
-After the spending of some considerable monies on these new military campaigns to subjugate the Irish and fortify Calais (not to mention feeding the dragons), the King has found his inability to secure a divorce very annoying. After the pope refused to grant him a divorce, King Henry breaks with Rome to establish his own church and to rid the country of papal influence. To this end, it meant the complete abolishment of canonical law, the execution of everyone who disagreed with him, and the dissolution of the monasteries. The latter led to a massive boost in income from both the acquired estates now in his possession and all of the relics, books, lead from roofs, etc being sold off to raise monies.
-Continuing the somewhat frugal economic policies of his father, he finds great interest in exploration and settlement moreso than warmongering (the Irish are fair game), giving patronage to more explorers to the New World and funding expeditions to settle “Newfoundland”. The first expedition arrives there and sets up a permanent settlement, before several more bring a few hundred additional colonists over the next few years. Most of these newcomers settle the rest of the island in small homesteads, and although the climate is similar to home, they eke a miserable subsistence existence from the soil, the only worthwhile economic activities generally being the raising of sheep or fishing cod.
-One of these ships however, is wrecked upon the island of Bermuda, forcing the inhabitants to found a settlement and survive on it for over a year before they sent out a message for help and received it. The island is deemed sufficient for settlement as well, and several more ships delivered people and supplies, it becoming a good base and stopover point for naval vessels. Unfortunately, it had little in the way of any good agricultural land or fishing grounds, with the only things here seeming to be a type of timber and some salt. There are whaling opportunities, but the Danish and Livonians have started to interfere in whaling by this stage. Given that the movements of foreigners in these waters have become a recent concern, the English have also started to regularly employ spies to keep an eye on these activities.
[img]http://facepunch.com/image.php?u=601768&dateline=1390096607[/img][img]http://i.imgur.com/B98Yhkv.png?1[/img]
[b]Kingdom Denmark-Norway – Pezgod1
Capital: Copenhagen
Culture: Danish
State Religion: Roman Catholicism
Number of dragons: 4 (large)[/b]
-With royal interest in the capture and training of dragons, many significant moves have been made by the Kings of Denmark to secure this valuable resource. Over thirty years, only a sole egg was found by the diligent peasants and travellers seeking a monetary reward. It was discovered hidden in a cave, and when the mother returned many of the reward seekers were killed, an event which led to the rescinding of the bounty. Thankfully, the construction of cages and stables to hold dragons has made it difficult for them to easily part from their handlers too (they are specially reinforced too). In addition, by the 1540s, it was discovered that the dragons could be bred, and the resulting hatchling was much more pliable and accepting of human company. A book was written on the species and what of their behaviour and physiology was known, in addition to their ages (the older ones are now well into their 70s). Secret maps of known nests were also made, with effort made not to disturb their locations.
-Denmark-Norway, having heard of increased interest in the New World, once again sends explorers and sailors to the northwest. Greenland is claimed for the crown once more, and a small fishing settlement is built along with a trading post and a mission to convert the local Eskimos. Trading ships gradually begin to take on the Dutch style, while the military vessels begin to copy the English style. Several new shipyards are established in addition, catering to both private and naval needs. Several have also been built for sailing the northern seas, as interest in Greenland has increased. A shipyard is built in Iceland too, mainly for the purpose of repairing vessels. An additional pier was also built to service supply ships, allowing explorers to only have to return to Iceland rather than to the homeland.
-As dragons have come to be viewed as an important tool in the monarch’s hands, a new task has been set for them in order to raise monies. Handlers are granted a royal charter to act for border patrols and to check tollbooths, with dragons being ordered to terrify smugglers and to protect people from highwaymen and other brigands whenever possible. The revenue raised is considerable, moreso once the rescinding of the egg bounty leads to a decrease in dragon attacks. The dragons (some of which can seemingly voice desires) soon have herds of livestock set aside for them in addition to comfortable lodgings (in the form of converted stables and barns).
-Finally, the Danish crown manages to find new spots for colonizing by mid-century, starting with the establishment of a colony on the coast of Labrador (close by to English activities) for the purpose of cutting timber for the Greenland colony and fishing for cod. In the Caribbean, the island of Antigua is settled (despite half of the initial population dying from disease and hunger). To solve the problem of labour shortages on the island, the Danish sail to the West African coast looking for slaves, and find a local King who is more than willing to sell those slaves in return for firearms, beads and frying pans. A year later, he grants the next expedition permission to build a fort in return for an old bombard, which he proudly displays in the market on a stand.
-The reformation reaches Denmark-Norway, aided by the printing press. Preachers are frequently spreading the word of both the Protestant and Reformed churches, while Catholic authorities attempt to clamp down on their activities. The bible is translated into the respective languages of Denmark and Norway, which quickly goes on to become the most popular book in the country. Several peasant rebellions also break out at this time, and several churches are ransacked by people from opposing faiths. Various members of the nobility also tend to waver, while the Holy Roman Emperor demands the Danish King keep the duchy of Schleswig Catholic.
[img]http://facepunch.com/image.php?u=295683&dateline=1383090155[/img][img]http://i.cubeupload.com/dViFT1.png[/img]
[b]Jrose14 – Kingdom of Naples
Capital: Naples
Culture: Neapolitan
State Religion: Roman Catholicism
Number of dragons: 4 (large)[/b]
-Continued attempts are made by the Neapolitan state to breed and train dragons. There are some considerable difficulties with doing so, but eventually they manage to breed two more. In addition, they discover that dragons very much hate pepper after one of them ate a piece of old beef that had been flavoured with pepper (to disguise the fact it had gone rotten). A new invention thus comes about whereby a cloth satchel is stuffed with ground pepper and is fired from a small artillery piece. Upon hitting the creature, it irritates them immensely and drives them insane. The only downside however is the cost and the atrocious range.
-The academy for the training of dragon handlers is extensively reformed, with a series of examinations introduced to find out the handlers best suited to the job. By the 1540s, they are the best trained in Europe, with some even leaving for other countries to attend to their dragons (enticed by very large bribes and wages). In the Italian wars, the Neapolitans use these dragons on several occasions, most notably to attack the city of Milan and in the invasion of Corsica, which sees the use of a fire breathing dragon to set the French fleet on fire. In the peace treaty, the island is ceded to the Kingdom of Naples.
[img]http://facepunch.com/image.php?u=23000&dateline=1410718785[/img][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/109107273/RP/DragonRP/miscgfx/flag.png[/img]
[b]Ruskie – Kingdom of Mutapa
Capital: Bulawayo
Culture: Umgqomo
State Religion: Mbira Dza umgqomo[/b]
-The latest King of Mutapa is one particularly interested in reforming his kingdom and improving agricultural yields so that he may sire many more wives. He contacts several Arab traders (and later Portuguese ones) and eventually coaxes several of them to come to his kingdom to reveal a new agricultural technique which is used elsewhere. By planting two fields and leaving one fallow before rotating them, one can produce much more from the land. In addition, he introduces several new ironworking techniques and designs of various tools. Mutapa soon has a large number of new iron forges set up, with the intention of manufacturing picks for mining and hoes for agriculture in addition to ploughs.
-Despite these recent advances, much of the population are reluctant to adopt them. Thus in 1533, the King introduces a policy which loans out parcels of land to people for life (that is, once the tenant dies, it passes back into the crowns hands). Despite the implications of this, he is very willing to give the heir the tenancy of the land as long as he uses the new farming techniques and tools. Over the next two decades, this gradually leads to the estates held by the crown becoming rapidly much wealthier and more productive, in turn improving royal revenues. The techniques are soon copied by the nobility, who later copy the tenancy system and encourage the use of the new iron ploughs and crop rotation. It is still somewhat delayed however in the more isolated or poorer parts.
-With the increase of agricultural production, this naturally leads to an increase in population and by extension the size of settlements and private armies. The number of permanent towns established begins to rise, which is followed by the resettlement of Great Zimbabwe. New patrols are established to find and kill raiders, in addition to wars of conquest. Mutapa roughly doubles in size, aided by the virtue of having a much bigger population and having a better manufacturing base for weaponry and armour. As the Arabs are slowly pushed out, the Portuguese still seem keen to trade with Mutapa, although they seem to be more expansionary. They slowly push along several rivers, setting up trading posts and gold mines, while many Portuguese traders have started to appear in Mutapa (several of them being hired as translators and interpreters). The first firearms in the region appear.
[img]http://facepunch.com/image.php?u=144505&dateline=1411864624[/img][img]http://i.cubeupload.com/SGwRko.png[/img]
[b]Telepethi – Mamluk Sultunate
Capital: Cairo
Culture: Egyptian
State Religion: Sunni Islam
Number of dragons: 4 (small)[/b]
-A new type of ship is introduced around this time, influenced largely by the caravel and galleon ship types, plus there is significant backing from the Venetians, who send over shipwrights during this time to aid in naval expansion. By building a cross between a normal galley and the galleon, one produces a ship that sacrifices little manoeuvrability in return for additional room for guns and mariners. They begin to be built in sizable numbers and are outfitted with another recent innovation adopted from Europe, the Bronze artillery piece. Not only are they a significant improvement over the old way of making cannon (by hammering metal rings together), but tend to fit better into manoeuvrable carriages too.
-All new recruits to the army are now granted two different methods of payment, some of which end up causing very strange divisions. The first is a piece of land, normally in newly conquered areas to which one is entitled after completing service. The other, is a payment in wages. Rural conscripts tend to take the land offer, whereas the urban dwellers prefer their wages to be paid in coin. The downside of the land grants however, is that the Mamluks must constantly grant out new parcels of land to their soldiers, necessitating further expansion.
-During the course of the Italian and Ottoman wars, the Mamluks finally manage to secure enough men and guns for a war on the Ottomans, aided by an alliance with the Persians and the European powers. The invasion begins in Dulkadir, backed by artillery and the Mamluk cavalry. After reducing several towns, the Mamluks attempt a naval invasion of both Anamur and Bodrum, both of which are repelled when the Ottomans coastal forts delay the invaders long enough for reinforcements to arrive. When the Ottoman reinforcements arrive, they end up forcing much of the fleet to retire after using great bombards, in turn stranding many soldiers on the beachheads. While this was unsuccessful, they were still able to secure the acquisition of many new territories in a peace treaty for both themselves and the Persians.
-In Cairo, a permanent embassy is soon established in the hopes of strengthening relations with the Persians (who are not only Shiite, but are a contending great power in the region too). When the war finally ended, several major efforts were made to reinvigorate education through the expansion of several existing schools and universities in addition to libraries with the spare monies secured from war indemnities. Furthermore, frequent trips begin to be made by scholars from both nations, while many valuable texts are also exchanged (although the laborious task of copying them by hand is a major problem). Despite these moves, Persian relations at the moment seem cordial at best.
[img]http://facepunch.com/image.php?u=243999&dateline=1389299675[/img][img]http://i.imgur.com/mPnQT4R.png[/img]
[b]Satansick – Aztec Empire
Capital: Tenochtitlan
Culture: Mexica
State Religion: Teotl [/b]
-The Aztec, due largely to their contact with outsiders, have managed to import and refine several technologies. The French (who have begun to operate in the area) are keen enough to give the Aztecs such assistance. Metal casting is introduced initially, mainly to allow the Aztec to cast bronze artillery pieces (which are so small they resemble hand cannons) in addition to making simple iron tools that don’t last long when used. In addition, the French have assisted them in the construction of walls made of earth and rubble, made to deflect cannon shots whenever possible and soak up the shock of cannon fire.
-A great pestilence hits the Empire, killing nearly half of the population in addition to the Emperor himself. It not only cripples the army and administration, but prevents regular sacrifices to the wild dragons that live throughout the area. These dragons turn to eating the bodies of the dead, and later when the Spanish arrive they hunt them as well. While having saved the country, the severe loss of manpower and general degradation leads to a near complete social collapse, held together only by the timely arrival of the French, who assist with the construction of several earthen forts along the eastern borders and coast. Further attempts at the continued duties of normal life are hampered by both Spanish raids and the disease, although recovery seems to begin several decades later in the 1540s. A small French population has established itself here and intermarried with the locals, being a vital link to the outside world, bringing not only innovations but their skills as well. In addition, the Jesuits have started the construction of missions and the conversion of peoples whenever possible.
[img]http://facepunch.com/image.php?u=440820&dateline=1409317697[/img][img]http://i.imgur.com/wEPAaQQ.gif?1[/img]
[b]Native Hunter – The Most Serene Republic of Venice
Capital: Venice
Culture: Venetian
State Religion: Roman Catholicism
Number of dragons: 2 (large)[/b]
-Racing to keep up with naval developments in Europe, the Venetians begin to develop a new type of cargo ship designed for efficiency. Built to sail on transoceanic voyages with as small a crew and large cargo space as possible, its one major disadvantage is that it cannot be converted into a military vessel or handle well against any warships. They are however exceptionally popular and are quickly adopted by merchants, and are used on transatlantic voyages to the colonies and slave ports. Later on, a type of flammable and sticky liquid is invented to help set ships ablaze easily. By mixing oils, resins, and tars, one produces a substance that can be stored in a clay pot and be lit before it is thrown. The goo inside will stick to most surfaces and will burn unless extinguished with urine or sand, making it exceptionally useful.
-The war with France still being a recent memory, the Republic takes a step towards modernizing their army. Firstly, all existing mercenaries are disbanded and a system of conscription is introduced (much to the annoyance of many people in the country), with a focus on the training and equipping of men with harquebuses and pikes. Wages are unfortunately low however due to financial problems and the slow decline of trade to the east (the alternate route around the cape of Africa has been especially damaging), which in turn means many soldiers have to take on part time jobs to supplement their pay, impacting quality and angering urban workers that have been recently unemployed. Much of the budget has also gone towards the finding of dragons eggs (one is discovered, and the other is bought) and the raising of dragons, which means the construction of suitable facilities to tend for them and well-trained handlers as well. Frequently both the dragons and common soldiers suffer from the lack of organized finances, with the dragons often hunting in nearby states (annoying the peasantry and causing riots) and the soldiery bullying people into giving them lodging and food whenever they can get away with it.
-This new army is put to the test when a war flares up with the French and Ottomans. Despite many major early difficulties, the city of Milan is taken from the French in addition to the rest of the duchy, while in the east Morea is invaded. Aided by the Persian and Egyptian offensives, the Italians are also given major support by the Spanish, whose contributions effectively won the conquest of Morea. In the campaign itself, the Italians fare very poorly, with many soldiers having mutinied or deserted due to low pay and poor rations. The end of the war brings a positive result for the Republic however, ending with the cession of several territories to Venice, with some parts of former Milan and Morea being the main additions.
-The colony in Trinidad, having struggled somewhat, becomes economically self-sufficient around this time with the expansion of the plantation economy. The import of slaves solves up labour shortages, while the tariffs and duties earned from the new colonies helps to make up the budget shortfalls which recently afflicted the republic. Growing more confident, they construct a fort on the coast of West Africa to protect slaving interests, and begin to settle several more islands in the Antilles. This eventually leads to the appointment of the first Dogmaros, a type of governor whose job is to administrate and develop the colonial assets of Venice. A second one is appointed to manage activities in Africa, given the major delays in communications. He is also instrumental in achieving several brokered deals with the Portuguese (aided by the Iberian union) that give Venetians permission to anchor their ships in ports owned by Portugal.
-The foreign office of Venice seems to expand greatly in this time period as well, prompted mainly by the need to cultivate allies for the wars against the Ottomans and French. The commonwealth is courted and enticed into the war with promises of regaining the lost Moldavian territories, while Persia is also convinced to invade Dulkadir with the Egyptians. Further treaties are signed with the Neapolitans to import new firearms, while shipwrights travel to Egypt to help them design and build new ships. Overall, the efforts of the diplomats are greatly commended by the doge, who reserves little praise for the rather inept army. The financial situation seems to have improved as well, although many loans have yet to be repaid, and expected tariffs and duties fall short whenever a ship is wrecked or attacked.
[img]http://facepunch.com/image.php?u=193052&dateline=1386775127[/img][img]http://u.cubeupload.com/Mackalda2k6/Chinaflag.png[/img]
[b]Mackalda2k6 – Ming Dynasty
Capital: Beijing
Culture: Han
State Religion: Confucianism
Number of dragons: 40 (medium)[/b]
-The Chinese have been long known as having invented and developed gunpowder weaponry centuries ago, but as of late their ability to manufacture and improve on these designs have worsened. Contact with powers to the west (through traders and missionaries) has led to the introduction of the harquebus, a simple matchlock gun that can be mass produced and deployed, although as of yet it is not widespread. In addition, a separate technological import from the west is the use of Roman-style concrete. This material is much like a thick paste that is used initially as a replacement for mortar, although it can also be used to make walls and smoothed surfaces with sufficient quantities of it, so it is used to help repair fortifications or the major paved roads.
-With eunuchs having become steadily more powerful and corrupt within China as of recent, the Emperors collaborate with the official bureaucracy to reduce their power. This takes the form of many brutal executions, tortures, purges, and the reduction of the eunuchs powers whenever possible. This of course led to several violent attempted coups and kidnappings of the imperial dynasty, ending with the first ban on eunuchs in the dynasties history after a dragon was convinced to attack the forbidden palace (before being cornered by several dragons hastily conscripted from the city). The downside to this of course, is the bureaucracy almost effectively monopolizes the state for themselves, leaving the nearly impotent emperor at the top of a nearly uncontrollable edifice.
-The Emperor instead diverts his attention towards reform and reorganisation of the military. Mongols are hired in significant numbers to help make up the cavalry wings of this new army, while the new harquebuses are also manufactured in some numbers for them. Unfortunately, pushing through demands for additional manpower and supplies is troublesome under the imperial bureaucracy. The new army barely grows or receives the supplies it needs, although in the 1530s they are able to send a force into Mongolia and force the khan there to submit tribute and acknowledge the superiority of the middle kingdom. The khan is then granted some supplies and permission to conquer lands on behalf of the Ming as a client state. In return for autonomy and various privileges, he is to defend the northern borders.
-Several new academies are established with an updated examination system. Their purpose is to train people for either the imperial bureaucracy or to become officers and generals in the military. While somewhat innovative, these reforms are constantly hampered by the bureaucracy, and placements are frequently blocked. One of the few additional reforms pushed through however is the construction of a new large estate for the purpose of breeding and feeding dragons. In this estate, some new dragons are bred and are assessed for their abilities and potential uses. Given their neglect in recent centuries since the ousting of the Mongols, the dragons have often been forced to work on defending the borders, the delivery of messages and parcels, rides for some rich persons (on simple silk harnesses) and in administration.
-An attempt is also made to open up more contacts with the nations outside of China, mainly for the purposes of acquiring new information in light of the adventures of the European states. There is a hunt for eggs in India and Indochina (most of which are thwarted by the local authorities various monopolies or restrictions on the gathering of eggs), although some princes have been willing to sell off their eggs. In addition, they have contacted various European diplomats, merchants, and missionaries with the intent of finding out more about the European civilizations in addition to collecting gifts for the Emperor. Finally, envoys are sent to the Japanese daimyos, promising them assistance in their various wars (in which nobody is too sure who is ruling who and what). The arrival of the Portuguese in both China and Japan creates even more problems in the later part of this period.
[img]http://facepunch.com/image.php?u=507230&dateline=1376613839[/img][img]http://i.imgur.com/NgdbPVs.png[/img]
[b]StaleRye – Kingdom of Livonia
Capital: Riga
Culture: Livonian
State Religion: Protestantism
Number of dragons: 2 (big) [/b]
-The Livonian Order (later Kingdom of Livonia) has always been a bit behind other countries in terms of technological and economic development on account of their geographic position. However, in these years they made many efforts to revive and modernize their aged medieval army. One of these efforts involved the importation of a great many harquebuses and muskets, followed by the establishment of several arsenals and gunsmiths for the manufacture of these guns. Cottages and many smaller smiths were also contracted to manufacture the needed materials for powder, shot, and the handguns. At around the same time, a growing interest in the capture and use of dragons led to the use of a sauna to heat and keep eggs warm during incubation. It was with this that the Livonians managed to successfully hatch the few eggs they acquired.
-In 1525, with the reformation underway and Livonia destabilising and many converting to the new faith, the aging Wolter von Plettenberg, hero of the Battle of the Siritsa River leaves the order and declares himself “King of Livonia” and establishes a new kingdom in addition to converting to Lutheranism. Unfortunately, this comes at the price of having annoyed the sovereigns of Muscovy, Sweden, and the Commonwealth, who take offense to the upstart, especially one so isolated. Needless to say, the new Kingdom moves its capital to Riga and begins a policy of centralization, the creation of a standing modern army, and other administrative reforms as it moves from being a monastic state to a monarchy.
-Unlike most monarchies however, Plettenberg creates a new political system that strongly resembles the Polish and English parliaments. All freeholders who own land worth a lump sum of silver are granted the right to vote representatives to the Sejm (about 10% of all males thus hold the right) in addition to having the king elected as well by the Sejm. The nobility also enjoy a wide range of privileges, although unfortunately this strengthens localism and makes it difficult for the monarchy to raise taxes or armies. The establishment of a franchise also divides urban and rural persons too, leading to factionalism in the Sejm.
-One of the first landmark laws passed by the Sejm however (forced slightly by the urban areas needing cheap labourers) was a law which granted serfs the right to leave the land outside of a time which they were obligated to work on the land (so as to allow them to go to the cities to do work off season). Over the 1530s and 40s, the institution of serfdom begins to slowly disintegrate as many serfs either make (or borrow) enough money to pay rent or lease land instead. Wages begin to slowly climb, and the nobility, increasingly freed from their obligation to care for their serfs, start kicking them off the land and enclosing the land for livestock, the demand for which is steadily rising. The enclosure underway is considerably unpopular, resulting in several riots throughout the period, worsened by religious strife.
-The rather impotent central government can respond only half-heartedly, although those ruling are generally agreed on Lutheranism. All of the churches are taken over by the state and have much of their wealth confiscated (a much needed boost to money shortfalls) in addition to having the new bible publicly given out. German bibles are common among the nobility and in the towns, but the lack of bibles in Estonian or Latvian hamper this for the commoners. Literacy very slowly inches up at the same time as the reformation brings an interest in reading the bible for oneself. By 1550, half of the urban population can read some passages from the bible.
-The Livonians also copy the European craze ongoing for acquiring dragon eggs. A royal bounty is put out, and over the course of several years two eggs show up (both of which are successfully hatched). Of course, being pioneering days, beyond leaving the eggs in a sauna they have little idea of what to do next. A noble is bankrupted by the cost of feeding them until the crown steps in and nationalizes the creatures. Several peasants also become convinced of the magical properties of amber (believing them to be good for dragons as the creatures covet shiny objects) and begin selling them as good luck charms to both handlers and people. A rumour spreads that having amber on your person can prevent dragons attacking you, which leads to a small boom in the export of the material.
-The Livonian state soon scrapes up enough financial resources to found two standing armies, one based in Riga and the other in Reval. Armed with guns and pikes in addition to swords and crossbows, they also have a cavalry component largely consisting of nobles that pay for their own gear and steed. There is also a use of light infantry in the form of crossbowmen, or cavalry armed with pistols that skirmish at the front before retiring behind the pike and shot formations. The Livonian state has made it a stated goal to acquire as many firearms as possible, eventually bringing the ratio of guns and pikes to a 1:1 ratio. Despite this, the Sejm frequently blocks the imposition of new taxes, while the cost of feeding two dragons drains the finances of the state more. The dissolution of the Catholic churches and monasteries does help provide some monies and estates to make up the shortfall, but this is all but gone by the end of the 1540s. Many soldiers are also forced to take up supplementary jobs in the towns while their officers have bought commissions, impacting on the time overall quality of the army too. The cost of all this ends up with the king incurring severe debts (although luckily the reduction of interest rates and a gradual rise in inflation helps keep Livonia struggling for longer).
-There are several more ambitious attempts made as well, with the repair and improvement of coastal forts and castles on the border with Moscovy (many are still using cannon from the 14th and 15th centuries) and some attempts having been made to secure more artillery pieces with what limited funds the kingdom has. A naval expedition sails to the New World as well, (largely funded by private backers) and sets itself up on one of the north-eastern peninsulas, close by to English and Danish possessions. Most of the passengers die on the way there or soon after landing, and only religious madmen and criminals make up the population of this land. Four centuries later, this would still be the case.
[b]If you haven’t already done so, please join our group. There will usually be people chatting in the chat room after each turn is posted, so please pop in for a visit.[/b]
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/groups/FaRPG[/url]
Great turn
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/ETZIMam.png[/IMG]
Viva La México
[QUOTE=Native Hunter;46142495]who?[/QUOTE]
For the time being, me.
Good turn, but this part bothers me
[quote]Persians (who are not only Shiite, but are a contending great power in the region too)[/quote]
Which is untrue. In this time period, they're not known as "Persia" and they're not Shiite. They're the [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aq_Qoyunlu]Aq Qoyunlu[/quote] (which you yourself told me they were) who are Sunni. It wasn't until 1501 that they became predominantly Shiite because of the Safavid coup, but that never happened in this time-line, as the strong alliance between the Mamluks and the war with the Ottomans prevented it.
[editline]3rd October 2014[/editline]
[QUOTE=KriegsMar1ne;46142442]Oi' guess who's back[/QUOTE]
Sweet it's literally hitler.
Welcome back KriegsMarine. Where do you think you're gonna start?
[QUOTE=Karishnikova;46142576]
Sweet it's literally hitler.
Welcome back KriegsMarine. Where do you think you're gonna start?[/QUOTE]
Somewhere entirely different than usual.
Wooo Corsica.
But it still cannot fill the void left in my heart that is Sicily.
Sorry, you need to Log In to post a reply to this thread.
