A sudden flu has overcome me, but nonetheless I shall try to deliver this on time.
[QUOTE=Poben;46174514]A sudden flu has overcome me, but nonetheless I shall try to deliver this on time.[/QUOTE]
Feel better soon man !
Five (5) turns left to go. Things are definitely interesting.
[QUOTE=Poben;46182382]Five (5) turns left to go. Things are definitely interesting.[/QUOTE]
[video=youtube;8sKn94O3sSk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sKn94O3sSk[/video]
Turn tonight?
[QUOTE=Satansick;46184306]Turn tonight?[/QUOTE]
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo3riM36Kqs[/media]
3 turns left
[editline]9th October 2014[/editline]
1 turn left
Bop it.
READ ME, SEND IN TURNS AS TURN 4.
[b][i]There is plenty of time to win this game, and to thrash the Spaniards too – Francis Drake.[/i][/b]
[img_thumb]http://i.imgur.com/DAY65oG.png[/img_thumb]
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3znw4gCk5R0[/media]
Events of the years 1550 to 1580
-The council of Trent is held, which oversees the reform and reorganization of the Catholic Church and its practices to make them more palatable to lay Catholics and improve administration. Most of these see an increased focus on the education and quality of clergymen, the abolishment of selling indulgences, and other varied reforms. Most of them allow civil authorities greater discretion with regards to religious questions, although they are still expected to broadly follow Catholic orthodoxy. In 1555, the Emperor Charles produced a legal document which acknowledged both Protestants and Catholics and that a sovereign can choose which to follow, going to a considerable length to calm down tensions in the Empire. Satisfied with this partial success at halting a descent into civil war, he then dies and is immediately replaced by his son Phillip. His policies eventually lead to the collapse of his authority in the Netherlands and the start of a bloody war for independence by the Dutch, angered by his attempts to impose the Catholic faith on his subjects.
-It is discovered in Austria that humans can ride upon dragons easily without fault or complain to either party after one began offering rides to children in Tyrol. The local blacksmith had built a crude harness for the children to be tied onto, which allowed them to ride the dragon without falling off. The implications of this are immense, leading to the first attempts to have riders on them (starting in Austria, and then spreading outwards). These harnesses and attempts to fly are crude at best, with many accidentally falling off and some harnesses hurting the dragons or breaking apart. In addition, it is difficult to move around on them, for one must be tied to the beast at all times to prevent falling off.
-Stagecoaches and glass windows become popular in Europe, in spite of the poor condition of roads and high cost of glassmaking. Chimneys are also increasingly common, while secular plays are becoming popular entertainment as well (particularly in the north and west of Europe). Roofs are increasingly becoming made from tiles as opposed to thatch too. Inequality is rising in general, with peasants slowly becoming impoverished or moving to the towns and joining militaries. Inflationary pressures plus land shortages contribute most to the impoverishment of small farmers, while forcing others to make their land turn not just subsistence, but a profit.
[img]http://facepunch.com/image.php?u=340743&dateline=1411380731[/img][img]http://i.imgur.com/ZSD3iv8.png[/img]
[b]Daniel Smith – Union of Iberia
Capital: Madrid
Culture: Castilian
State Religion: Catholicism
Number of dragons: 1 (large)[/b]
-The Iberian Peninsula has had a long history of rearing sheep for their wool, and recently there have been attempts by a clever inventor to try mechanizing the process. By studying peoples hand movements and replicating the movement of needles in a frame, he creates a machine that can produce a course woollen cloth that does the work of many. He establishes a workshop in Seville, but is hampered by the existing knitting guilds and low demand. He later turns to a different invention by refining firearm mechanisms and inventing the snaphance, a type of lock which strikes a steel plate and creates sparks. It is much more reliable and cheaper than a wheellock, leading to its steady adoption throughout the 1570s.
-In 1557, the King of Portugal, Joao III dies childless. In this period of uncertainty, his widow seizes the opportunity by mobilizing the Spanish army and marching on Lisbon in an effective coup d’etat. The protesting nobility raise an army in rebellion, which is crushed within a year before Portugal and its overseas possessions are effectively annexed, in addition to being given the sole royal dragon in Portugal. Administratively and legally however, it is still distinct as a separate kingdom, much like the other kingdoms of Spain. This makes additional legal reforms difficult, especially as the old system breaks down through a combination of economics and politics. Population growth gradually stagnates, as many people find better opportunities in the towns and colonies and birth rates decline. Inflation pushes up prices while wages go into decline, leading to increasing impoverishment and a reduction in tax revenues. Eventually, the Spanish state is forced to borrow monies to maintain the army and navy, especially in rebellious Portugal.
-Overseas, there are better opportunities. Roads are constructed throughout the colonies by viceroys (in return for tax incentives to encourage them to do so), while Jesuits establish and expand much of the public education systems and seminaries. The population of the natives plummets however, while the number of colonists steadily grows. Living standards are generally better here than in Spain, making it a powerful enticement for colonists, who settle throughout much of the Spanish Empire. New areas settled are predominantly in Brazil, mostly under Portuguese supervision. Portions of Florida and the territories to the south of the former Incan Empire are also colonized, although very thinly so. Several attempts in North America are often scuppered due to poor supplies, disease, and native hostility, in addition to the rise of pirates plus the activities of the English and Danish (who seize Jamaica and force the governor out). The slave trade begins to expand immensely as well, mainly to fuel these new colonies desire for cheap labour.
-Spain continues to focus ever more heavily in Mozambique and Guinea, mainly in order to advance the collective interests of Portugal and Spain. The local monarchies are very keen on the import of firearms, which the Spanish are happy to supply in return for slaves. Annoyingly to the Portuguese however, the Spanish sell off Ceylon to Venice, prompting many nobles to become increasingly hostile and attempt to move their assets out of the country. England is a destination for these monies given the two nations long friendship. Additionally in diplomacy, the Spanish begrudgingly sign a series of treaties with the Aztecs that recognize them as a sovereign state, while contact is made with Cathy and Cipango for the first time. The latter (in the midst of a bloody civil war) is asked to sell the Spanish dragon eggs in return for silver, but the shogunate and daimyo refuse, aided by Chinese insistence. During this time however, the first firearms arrive in the country through Spanish and Portuguese merchants.
-Spain has bigger problems besides the Japanese refusing to sell them eggs. In South America, the discovery of major silver ore deposits and their subsequent extraction has led to it becoming a major source of revenue. Unfortunately this has helped accelerate existing inflation in Europe, in turn causing the costs of products to rise and by extension the costs of running the state. The cost of the army bloats considerably while administrators are left with the choice of deciding between reduced taxes or rioting. This all comes to a head in 1566 when a Spanish army invades the Ottomans via Morea once more. This time however, they are entirely unsupported by the Persians, Venetians, Egyptians, or Austrians (preoccupied with internal issues). The Ottomans are much better prepared, and not only push out the Spanish and destroy much of their fleet, but manage to seize Morea and oust the Venetians in turn. Reinforcements are delayed by the French entry into the conflict, invading Aragon and encouraging the nobility to rise in rebellion. They eventually lose and agree to a white peace in 1568, while the ringleaders of the revolt are forced into exile or executed.
-Shipping in the colonies also begins to be attacked by fast and nimble ships that answer to no nation, known as pirates. They form an extensive number of coves and secret bases from which to assault shipping, all the while reducing revenues. They attack Venetian shipping as well, leading to English and Danish trading vessels starting to take up an increasing share of trade, especially once various pirates seize the Bahamas (largely uninhabited) and the English and Danish begin basing themselves there. The Dutch shortly become involved afterwards. The good news however is that the economies overseas are now diversifying, and a new route to China was discovered through the Philippines (the Chinese being keen to export porcelain, silks, and other luxuries in return for Spanish silver). In addition, tobacco, tomatoes, maize, cotton, and other new crops have been brought to Europe, some of which have quickly become popular.
[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: 4 (large )[/b]
-Investing even more into dragons, and despite the first deaths of them, there are now seven in England. The crown has invested considerably into their breeding, and the new generation not only seems better able to follow orders and bond with humans more easily, but it seems as though specific traits may be selected for in them by breeders. As to what traits they desire, that is up to their superiors. The royal arsenal, not to be outdone by the efforts of the dragon breeders, has focused extensively into refining and making new artillery pieces and carriages, culminating in the joint developments of limbers, trunnions, cassions, and casting. While the basic design remains unchanged, the focus on lighter “field guns” means they tend to be easier to move around and deploy in addition to being easier to aim and reload.
-In an historic act, the English pawn off Calais to the French, who in recent years have been eyeing the last piece of English territory on the mainland. Seeing that holding onto it was no longer feasible, this also stops the city returning two MPs to parliament and requiring English defences. Freed from responsibilities on the continent, the English are increasingly looking towards consolidation of the isles and overseas expansion. This culminates in Francis Drake becoming the first man to circumnavigate the world in 1577 to 1580, and not dying along the way.
-England is becoming ever more interested in the new world, although the Spanish and Venetians have already gotten all of the good bits. They friend with the Danish and descend on the Livonian colony, capturing it and turning it over to the Danish crown, forcing the governor there to give up. Next, the combined Danish and English navies arrive at the tenuously held Jamaica and seize it from Spanish control after bombarding the coastal fort and then making an amphibious landing during the night. After capture, they raise the English flag and claim the island for England. Perfidious Albion then follows up by raiding the Venetian colony set up by Ezio Giovanni and burning it down. A rival colony is then established by the English on the same spot, followed up by several more colonies being established in Virginia and New England. Unfortunately for the English, the Virginia colony is forced to be abandoned due to all of the inhabitants mysteriously vanishing, while supplying the other two has gotten difficult enough to the point that the colonists are forced to eat tree bark and grass.
-Closer to home, the costly dragon breeding program pays off when another war in Ireland flares up, when the Catholic natives rebel against encroaching Protestant oppressions by throwing several people off a bridge. The English respond by calling upon several dragons and the army to Ireland where they not only crush the rebellion, but then conquer the Irish of the southwest and reaffirm that the lords of the rest of Ireland recognize English superiority. Administration is still ad hoc and politically the lordship of Ireland is run much the same way it has been for centuries, in a semi-feudal structure. A part of Ulster ends up appealing for protection to the Scottish, who arrive and build several forts on the condition they help to keep out the English. Rebellions still frequently flare up, and the use of the English tongue is uncommon at best.
-During all of this, England at home has been suffering a fair deal. High inflation, driven by an influx of silver, an escalation of government expenditures and the velocity of monies, combines with stagnant wages to reduce standards of living and damage the common people. Unemployment rises to incredibly high levels, with beggars and charlatans crowding the cities. The dissolution of the monasteries has caused a collapse in social welfare provisioning, with many poor and sick unable to find shelter, food, or medical attention. Highwaymen frequently begin to hold up stagecoaches in the countryside (which are becoming popular in spite of the awful condition of roads). Education has declined in quality, but at least you can watch a good play to take your mind off of that now.
[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: Catholicism
Number of dragons: 8 (large)[/b]
-Taking cues from English and Dutch developments in shipbuilding, the Danish mange to design and construct several variants of the English race built galleon, albeit with new additions. The forecastle has been reduced, with an increased focus on putting more guns into the vessel so as to bring a larger broadside. While leaving it vulnerable in close quarters, these ships can deal a lot of damage before this happens. Dragon breeding has also seen some tangible improvements as new textbooks and trained breeders become an increasingly common sight. They have identified how to change particular traits, although which ones and to what degree they have yet to decide. A tradeoff in some traits is most likely the result.
-Upon hearing that the Livonians had established a small and inoffensive fort in the New World, the Danish allied with the English to advance their own interests. Starting by assaulting the fort and taking it over for the Danish crown, they then enacted a blockade on Livonian shipping until they give up claims to all territories in the New World. This was followed up by joining the English for an assault on the Spanish fort in Jamaica, which fell after bombardment and a land based invasion. In addition, the Bahamas were wrested from Spanish control and largely became a base of operations for pirates and privateers, in addition to separate ports used by the English and Danes as bases to raid shipping from. The monies raised are especially appreciated by the crown.
-Antigua is renamed Kristenjord after King Christian III, while the rest of the Antilles are claimed and later settled (with a number of forts constructed on them to deter the Spanish and Venetians). They left the other half of the islands to the Venetians, who colonized them. After they attempted to colonize one island regarded as under Danish control, a privateer was hired to ransack the settlement and force the inhabitants to leave, with the slaves being kept for the Danish colony. This privateer is later appointed the first colonial governor of the Caribbean possessions of Denmark, while a separate post is established for the colonies close to Greenland. These viceroys are also responsible for locating dragon eggs in the Americas, but as of yet they have been unsuccessful.
-Closer to home, the Danish crown secures a marriage between the heir to the Danish crown and the daughter of the Swedish monarch. While not a union, it is a step towards normalizing relations that have been poor ever since the Kalmar Union dissolved. An envoy had also been appointed to travel into the Holy Roman Empire to confirm to the Emperor that the rights of Catholics would be respected in Schleswig, and in addition the Danish crown would stop crowds attacking churches and monasteries. The effects of this is a stronger retention of Catholicism despite the state religion being Protestant, and despite tense relations between the two faiths the peace holds for now. The nobility and burghers of Denmark are annoyed with these conciliatory gestures, but it pays off when the Danish secure enough monies and permission to buy a dragon egg from Austria.
[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: Catholicism
Number of dragons: 7 (large)[/b]
-After hearing news of the man riding a dragon in Austria, the Neapolitans have begun frantic work on the creation of harnesses for the beasts. These first models are generally made of leather and metal chains, are strapped to the dragon, and provide a stable platform for a rider to go on. These do go through considerable experimentation, as some handlers fall off and die or are badly injured over the next 30 years, while some harnesses break apart mid-flight. Breeding techniques have also improved to the point that individual traits may be selected for it appears, and unlike other countries, the King of Naples demands larger dragons, to which the breeders oblige and begin to focus on increasing their size. By 1580, some dragons are topping 40 tons.
-Naples mobilizes in response to raids on shipping by pirates along the coast of Tunis, bringing their sizable navy and military. However, they do not bring their dragons on this campaign and instead opt to bring bags of pepper. Although the navy and army are somewhat outdated, they are more than a match for the politically isolated Hafsids, who progressively lost control of their own domains over the past two centuries. When the Neapolitans finally bombard and seize Tunis, the dynasty effectively gives in, allowing administration to collapse and fleeing the country for Morocco. A heroic defence was made by the two royal dragons in the city, but after being pelted with bags of pepper and being shot at they were driven insane and were quickly killed. Several other coastal settlements and fortifications are captured within a year of the fall of Tunis, although control over the interior has been effectively lost to Bedouins and other brigands. The Jesuits begin to push aggressively into the country after conquest as well, leading to major rioting and even weaker control over the new acquisition.
-The Neapolitans continue to also refine dragon breeding and training standards, starting with improved hatching facilities to ensure the egg does not die. In addition, wild and feral dragons have been caught with the aid of the civilized ones, with the wild ones being used in “stud” farms. The number of eggs that are possible to produce could be many, but the cost of maintaining them and expanding facilities slows down the growth in the numbers of royal dragons. Some countries do seem willing to buy eggs however, and the monies raised could be directed towards colonial expansion. An attempt was made to colonize the cape of Africa, but disease and hunger caused the demise of the first colony. The second one established in 1574 survives, but only just, and is a considerable drain on the Neapolitan monarchy to supply.
[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]
-Mutapa continues to advance, mainly from adopting technologies that the Portuguese have been using in close proximity to them, a process which continues even as the Portuguese come under increasing Spanish control. Double entry bookkeeping is adopted to record the personal finances of the monarchy, while large-scale irrigation and drainage projects are also built and developed for royal estates. Both take a while to disseminate, and even then generally only among the nobility (who are the only ones willing to have their children educated in the Portuguese tongue and know how to read and write). The Jesuits seem keen to provide these technologies and education, although they demand conversion to Catholicism, enough to the point that quite a few people in Mutapa are now following the religion.
-The royal household continues to steadily accrue power as a series of new laws gives them increasingly despotic control over the country and the lands within. When people die, the land is taken back into possession of the state, which in turn ends up prompting more than one rebellion. Armed with Portuguese harquebuses however, the King manages to crush opposition and steadily extends his influence and domain. His new army, although largely untrained and ad hoc, uses firearms effectively in a supporting skirmishing role. By 1580, the Kingdom has added several additional new territories and has cracked down heavily on the activities of bandits and other brigands. Native Mutapan merchants have started appearing as now many permanent villages are either established or quickly grow into towns, with agricultural products now being moved and traded on a large scale.
[img]http://facepunch.com/image.php?u=144505&dateline=1411864624[/img][img]http://i.cubeupload.com/SGwRko.png[/img]
[b]Telepethi – Sultunate of Egypt
Capital: Cairo
Culture: Egyptian
State Religion: Sunni
Number of dragons: 7 (small)[/b]
-The Egyptians have suffered from the decline of scientific endeavours in the past few centuries in the Arabic world, all the moreso due to inbreeding, but recently there have been significant major investments into the glassmakers by the state. After one myopic ruler found a pair of European glasses very useful, he ordered the construction of several lens grinders to provide enough of these eyeglasses for the country. One of these was clever enough to notice that a certain arrangement of these glasses in a frame could magnify objects beneath it, leading him to develop a simple version of a compound microscope. He initially uses it to look at insects, hair, and seeds, while hiring an artist to help him sketch pictures of these magnified objects.
-At some expense, the arsenals of the Mamluks continue to manufacture large numbers of muskets and harquebuses, although the lines between these two guns begin to slowly blur as the century drags on. Soldiers are drilled and trained to not only fire and reload these guns, but to clean and maintain them as well, in addition to the bizarre attempt at training them to shoot targets. This is quickly replaced by commands for the guns to “level”, meaning they all are held at the same elevation rather than aiming (which is nearly impossible in battle). Guns by this stage are used by half of the soldiers in any one army, putting further stresses on powder makers and gunsmiths to increase production.
-To keep soldiers away from civilian populations (due to their habits of finding whores and sneaking out for other pleasures), a number of barracks are set up in Cairo, Aswan, Alexandria, Damascus, Jerusalem, Aleppo, and Homs. Soldiers are seemingly expected to be self-sufficient too, so while many work on repairing, cobbling, growing vegetables, and other minor tasks to supplement their pay, it takes a fair part out of their normal military training and reduces their quality. Officers do better, getting involved in some of the sciences and businesses whenever possible, in spite of Islamic restrictions on usury and some other financial activities. Some monies have also been set aside to train some officers and dragon handlers in anatomy and mathematics, where they then study the beasts in great deal and record down this information. They have also been entrusted with teaching these dragons the Arabic tongue and mathematics, both of which the creatures seem to understand well, to the point that they begin to hold regular conversions with their handlers and debate philosophy too.
-In a major affront to the Mamluks, the sultan begins to increasingly style himself as a monarch of Egypt rather than the Mamluks, establishing a street in the capital for the establishment of embassies in the Italian style for other nations to send ambassadors to, while most controversially taking power from the local aristocracy and introducing a form of voting. Given that outgroup trust is quite low, this makes it difficult for many villages and towns to elect suitable representatives, and most of them tend to be Mamluks themselves or in the pockets of one. Even worse, when they even do the job of representing their constituents, most demands tend to be those involving land reform or decreasing taxes. The towns fare better, setting up somewhat more efficient administrations and making some kind of an effort to solve some of their problems.
-An army is sent south down the Nile to establish more colonies and to subdue some of the unruly peoples living there. Unfortunately, by this point the tropical diseases and lack of infrastructure here makes it increasingly difficult to maintain year round garrisons and establish long term settlement. After a fort is established to the far south, half of the soldiers there die from malaria within a year, while the nearby areas of land allotted to desperate migrants are frequently abandoned or go untended. Despite this, the tribes nearby are eventually forced to submit to the authority of the Sultan. On the seas meanwhile, a colony is established with much more success on Socotra, although the poor quality of the soil and lack of a natural harbour makes occupation difficult. What’s worse is that the island is nominally under control of Yemen, prompting several angry responses from that country.
[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
Number of dragons: 2 (medium)[/b]
-The Aztecs have been increasingly interested in European technologies and ideas, especially as the French seem just as keen to educate the Mexicans as the Mexicans are willing to listen. The Jesuits and French merchants lead the way, by introducing a great deal of livestock and other domestic animals in addition to showing how they ought to be bred and cared for. In addition, the Jesuits also show the Aztecs how to farm in new ways. The introduction of hardy wheat plants are especially helpful in the more arid areas, opening up a lot of new marginal lands to the Aztecs. As the population slowly recovers (aided by French immigration to a degree), they also bring eyeglasses with them and establish several glassworks in the capital Tenochtitlan so as to produce lenses for those impaired of sight.
-The shattered Aztec military begins to reorganize and reform itself during this time, as the smallpox epidemics which once ravaged the country have begun to decline as healthcare improves (death rates drop to 10% during an outbreak). This begins with the Aztec mining gold with the aid of indentured peoples to buy outdated French merchant ships and artillery pieces, which by 1580 end up constituting the first iteration of the Mexican navy. Logistics have also improved immensely, as the invention of the wheeled cart and use of horses to draw goods attests. The major roadways have also been repaired (most ones fell into disuse over the past few decades) and are used once more to ferry the small numbers of soldiers and carts laden with goods from town to town.
-Human sacrifice is finally banned due to the aid of heavy Jesuit influence, which now has the secondary problem of dragon attacks, which plague many towns and cities as the starving creatures are driven to find food wherever possible. The impoverished Aztec offer little in the way of livestock or humans for eating, and eventually the French deploy three European dragons that drive off the native ones. Much of the population starves to death or dies violently, and two are eventually captured and are held by the Mexicans who are given food in return for chasing off other dragons.
-The Jesuits continue to make significant inroads into the country, and tolerance of their activities leads to them building a great number of churches and monasteries throughout Mexico to convert the native populace and educate them in French and Latin. This culminates in the construction of a university in Tenochtitlan, which offers high quality education in the seven liberal arts and ensures those ruling Mexico have a well-rounded education. The Emperors begin to speak French and Latin as secondary languages, while many others begin to take on Christian names and customs.
-The last of the great emperors is a considerable reformer, who not only sets himself to reorganizing administration and appointing Jesuits to make records, but to also establish a mint for the purpose of making coinage for the Empire. Attempts are also made to emulate the French “Estates-General” through the establishment of such a system in Mexico, acting as a consultative and advisory body to the monarchy. It eventually begins to slowly assume more control of the growing state and civil service, allying itself with the Jesuits and French and undermining native traditions and customs, so that by the time it begins to enact sanitation laws applying to cities, the next emperor (who is generally weak willed) is unwilling to argue against them being written solely in French and Latin.
[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: Catholicism
Number of dragons: 4 (large)[/b]
-The Venetians have become infatuated with handguns in the past century, owing to their cheapness, ease of use, deadliness, and suitability in many battles. However, the matchlock mechanism is a major drawback, it frequently becoming useless in rain and being cumbersome to use. The solution is the use of a flint and steel to generate the sparks, in addition to a covering on the pan which only opens during firing to keep the powder dry. Basic safety mechanisms such as the lateral sear prevent accidental discharge as well, leading to the lock mechanism being widely adopted by the 1580s. Another development around this time in warfare is the move towards construction of galleons, as the shortcomings of galleys begin to be felt by this time. Copying designs from the Atlantic European countries, the Venetians design and build several of their own galleons, including some variants with a reduced forecastle to give extra room for guns and more agility.
-As the Venetian military continues to reform itself and professionalize, a number of harsh punishments are introduced to instil discipline among the rowdy conscripts. Bullying other soldiers and civilians and disobedience is usually punished with hanging or having one of the fingers cut off. While a step forwards in organization, it doesn’t help much with desertion rates, leading to a second reform in which pay is increased while permanent barracks lodging and food rations are included. As a result, the overall quality and morale of the army improves (although at some considerable expense). The numbers of soldiers employed are also slashed, with conscription being quietly dropped in some parts and many barracks merged. Instead, local militias are empowered to provide for local defence (most of them being poorly armed and organized).
-The dragon portion of the military is also seeing similar reforms, as many handlers are sacked for their poor conduct. Breeding and egg collecting continues, while comfortable lodging is provided for handlers. Experience is also well regarded, with former dragon handlers being employed by the Venetian state over native ones of poor quality (these tend to be from France and Naples). Improving anatomical knowledge of these creatures in addition to news of their use by the Austrians also benefits the Venetian army, which is gradually organizing and professionalizing itself. The Persians, having allied with the Venetians before in the past, are keen to hire and use some officers to help reform their own army too, mainly in the use of new firearms.
-Despite improvements in the army, the homelands continue to suffer as trade and financial investment moves increasingly towards the colonies. Low wages, high inflation, and lack of opportunity make emigration to the colonies an attractive option, leading to the rest of the Antilles being settled (save for several islands already in Danish possession). Despite the loss of one colony to a Danish warship, the others are suitable for the establishment of Haziendai. Based on the Spanish model of settlement, these are land estates which constitute plantations, manufacturing facilities, mines, and ranching (or all of them). Owned by patricians who appoint freemen to run them, they import African slaves and indentured servants to do the bulk of labour.
-Ezio Giovanni is a famous explorer, who charts much of the east coast of North America at this time, and is later entrusted by several backers to establish a colony on an island at the mouth of a river. Unfortunately, the English and Danes later discover the settlement and attack it, forcing the inhabitants to leave and seizing the place for themselves. Ezio Giovanni, undeterred, responds by sailing to Africa and recoups his fortune by getting into the slave trade. The castle at the main slaving port is expanded as the families of slavers move (or are born) there, while some hunters and prospectors try to explore for anything decent to shoot or mine. Most of them die from disease, but the slavers mixed families seem to be doing well.
-With the Spanish granting the Ceylon colony to Venice, a new administrator is appointed to manage it and push Venetian interests in India and the Far East. He begins to encourage Venetians to migrate to the place, although most of them tend to be soldiers, traders, missionaries, and plantation owners who wish to run the place rather than settle it. A merchant guild is also established here, as has happened elsewhere in Venice’s colonial possessions. Some of the Jesuits who have moved here are keen on not only spreading the word of god, but the use of the scythe too, an invention which is superior to the sickle for harvesting, and one that is increasingly adopted as many colonial administrators and nobles are encouraged to manufacture and distribute them widely.
-A guild is rumoured to have been formed in Venice, based upon the Assassins of the old Levant during the crusading era. They seem to be supported by the Venetian government, and constitute an informal intelligence and espionage body of the state. It is managed by the wealthy Auditore family, which has steadily risen and developed its wealth from plantations, slaving, and lending to the Venetian state. Several are appointed to run Ceylon, while another presides over the new mint. In recent years the influx of Spanish silver has led to high inflation and a decrease in the value of currency, so the mint has responded by increasing the silver content in the hopes of countering this. Taxes are paid in the old monies, which are later melted down into the new ones. It contributes to assist in the payment of loans and credit ratings, which in turn helps lower interest rates and make debt for the Republic easier to manage.
[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: 60 (medium)[/b]
-The Chinese have long bred dragons, but the methods of breeding are generally based on tradition and with little understanding of the whole process in general (of dragons fucking). Aided by the arrival of Jesuits with their books of breeding and some existing knowledge, they are given rare permission to visit and see dragons first-hand, allowing them to impart their knowledge and eventually find out ways to select for specific traits (as to which traits, this has yet been decided), although conservatism among breeders slows this down. In addition, several arsenals and foundries have been set up to improve and manufacture cannon, the designs of which are several centuries behind that of the Europeans. They make good on this by introducing new casting methods, allowing them to cast solid bronze artillery pieces and start to copy European designs. Unfortunately, the lack of expertise in these new cannon limits progress.
-The Ming begin to work on increasing the numbers of dragons they have, eventually having over twenty born in this thirty year period. Their prohibitive cost is justified when the finest Chinese Imperials (a traditional breed) are given a separate unit intended for guarding the emperor and forming his royal guard. These dragons are all born through the new methods, and receive a very different upbringing. All are indoctrinated into the cult of the emperor, putting him atop as supreme head of the state and heaven (indeed, he is venerated also as the head of the world’s foremost civilization). The other major traditional breed (Celestials) are meanwhile given top educations and are trained in matters of state, with them being appointed to administrate the bureaucracy as humans have been found to be less loyal. The civil service realises this threat and attempts to raise rebellion and assassinate the emperor to little effect, they are soon crushed and increasingly replaced with dragons and armies of low level clerks and servants.
-Cordial relations are established with Portuguese merchants, Jesuit missionaries, and several other European travellers that happen upon China. They are granted free use of the major ports for trade, but are heavily obliged to follow Chinese laws and customs. When disputes flare up, it tends to be biased in favour of Chinese traders, which while restricting European influence, often turns them to smuggling or using intermediaries. Jesuits have also established some secret missions in the ports to attempt conversion of the local populace, but their efforts are often thwarted by local authorities. The Jesuits do however offer their support to the Emperor in reforming the obsolete calendar and astronomy.
[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: 3 (big) [/b]
-A problem is discovered with the water pump for a fountain in Riga. It fails to operate on some days, and a goldsmith decides to build a model to figure out why the fountain in front of his house won’t work. He upturns a sealed glass tube in a bowl of mercury to observe what will happen, finding that the mercury falls slightly and leaves a small vacuum. In addition, the heat of his hand causes the mercury to rise, giving him a device which responds to temperature. Additionally on some days it rises or falls by itself even when the temperature is unchanged, for which he has no explanation. After submitting his discoveries, he receives a small cash grant, with which he builds his own knitting machine after hearing of the invention of one in Spain. Unfortunately for him, it is not widely adopted due to its expense and the coarseness of the cloth, and by the time he dies only a handful of the machines exist and are employed commercially.
-With the tsars to the east becoming increasingly more powerful and bent on expansion, even more of Courlands limited finances are spent on updating and expanding fortifications along the border with them. They are also forced to downsize the military as well, focusing largely on quality and improving soldiers individually. This tends to lead to a focus on skirmishing tactics and the holding of fortifications along with relying on militias whenever possible. Those in the forts tend to be armed with rifles too. These reforms also affect dragons, as now the breeding pair in possession is only allowed to give birth to two dragons so as to control the cost of feeding and maintaining them. It is found that altering the temperature will affect the sex of the hatchling and the time taken for it to hatch too.
-With the Sejm being both incompetent and heavily factionalized, the monarchy decides to simply neuter it by reducing its status to that of a consultative body. While they protest heavily, the royal dragons and the ever present Russian threat forces them to concede more changes. Taxes are raised throughout the entire country on effectively all classes, prompting a rebellion that is soon crushed when the castle of the ringleader is set on fire by the royal dragons and shelled by artillery. A professional civil service is established and expanded to find sources of revenue wherever possible, and to assist in relaying the orders of the monarchy. The monarchy later forms an alliance with Sweden as Russian aggression grows, promising the Swedish access to the Livonian dragons whenever war breaks out.
-Unfortunately, in 1564, Russia declares war on Livonia and invades, seeking to gain control of the Baltic. They are slowed down by the extensive fortifications in Livonia, plus the use of dragons to terrify some of the Russian forces. After the Russians capture several forts, the Swedish are able to bring their men and their own dragons to bear, eventually recapturing the forts after several bloody battles. Unfortunately for the Livonians, one of their dragons dies during the war after being shot at by Cossacks. Russia tries once more to invade in 1578 after securing the Volga river, but is defeated once more when the Polish enter the war to seize several territories on the borders, the defeated Russian state then sues for peace and cedes some lands to Poland, before focusing its attention entirely east once more.
-To gain the support of the rural peasantry and other commoners (who tend to speak Finnic and Baltic languages), several versions of the common prayer book are translated and given to churches to encourage the common people to support the monarchy. In addition, these books end up standardizing the Estonian and Latvian languages for the first time, and a tradition of vernacular literature begins to develop. Priests are educated in the towns and sent back to the villages with not only the ability to read, but to understand theology as well. Several more expeditions are also planned to Jaunais Kurzemes (New Courland) financed by German merchants, but unfortunately during the wars with Russia the Danish and English took the opportunity to attack and seize the colony, ending the enterprise. Instead, the monies are spent on the managing of forestry and fishing ports, with the monarchy hoping to make monies from these industries. Several marshlands are also drained too, with the land set aside for new forests or agriculture.
[img]http://facepunch.com/image.php?u=655211&dateline=1411795831[/img][img]http://i.cubeupload.com/xVJr0C.jpg[/img]
[b]ImperialGuard – Persia
Capital: Tehran
Culture: Persian
State Religion: Shia[/b]
-Improving relations with the Venetians and the rise of the Mughals have led to several hasty developments in military technology and theory in the country, starting with the import of muskets. A rather interesting change to them however is in their barrels, which are shortened and are given a large flared end. The purpose is to allow the fitting of a grenade into it, turning the musket into a small hand mortar. While extending the effective range of grenadiers, it is also dangerous for the user. The Venetians also end up introducing the printing press to Persia, where with some modification it is able to print Arabic characters fairly reliably. The first print houses are set up in the country, and begin to disseminate literature and pamphlets for an increasingly literate audience.
-The Venetians are very keen to help the Persians, as they buy many Venetian firearms, artillery, and hire their military advisors and officers as well. To incorporate these new weapons, a complete overhaul of the military is made, starting with the formation of a professional modern standing army along Egyptian and Ottoman lines. The new soldiers are drilled to move quickly (although given that they march on foot and carry heavy guns this is less effective than it sounds) and know how to ambush effectively. These new soldiers are given good rations to prevent them from pillaging the countryside, but moving whole trains of supplies slows down armies considerably. Again, soldiers still need lodging and fresh food as well, so frequent stops are a necessity.
-This new army is deeply unpopular with the Qizilbash however, who oppose their decreased influence. When open rebellion breaks out, each group is besieged in their holdouts and later crushed by the new army. With its better discipline and steady backing and professional outlook on warfare, it assists in the build-up of the Shahs powerbase, in spite of many of his administrators being murdered by Qizilbash. Several more reforms in the army ban rape, looting, murder, and encourage basic hygiene, although the degree to which these are followed tends to vary. For his attempts, the Shah is nicknamed “the moral” as he tries to ensure his people follow moral lives.
-His attempts at reform continue with the establishment of a code of rights, which promises to the peasantry that armies are not permitted to seize supplies from the peasantry (but must be paid), and that in addition, there is fair treatment under the law. A series of new courts are established and judges appointed to uphold the new laws. In turn, this leads to a gradual shift in Persian society, as rule by law slowly begins to transition rule of law. The dynasty has also made public their views to heal the Sunni-Shia split by inviting several Sunni scholars to debate with them. Although unpopular among many Persians, the rulers of the Sunni countries take the hint. The Ottomans later sign an alliance with the Persians, although they refuse a royal marriage. Venetians are also given increased permission to trade and travel within the country, although this is merely slowing what the Spanish and Portuguese have already started. Trade has increasingly begun to move towards moving around the Cape of Africa and trade tariffs return relatively less and less. The focus of trade has also gradually moved inland as it is once place the Spanish merchants cannot reach.
[img]http://facepunch.com/image.php?u=436734&dateline=1411704936[/img][img]http://i.imgur.com/Mg5QRMp.png?1[/img]
[b]LoganIsAwesome – Margraviate of Brandenburg
Capital: Berlin
Culture: Low German
State Religion: Protestantism
[/b]
-The Germans have been one of the first to manufacture and adopt firearms on a wide scale, and now there is a new development rapidly gaining prominence. Due to pike and shot formations limiting firepower, there has been a move to reduce the number of pikes, although this leaves the formation vulnerable to cavalry and infantry. To account for this, a type of special dagger fitted into the muzzle makes a makeshift spear that serves well enough in combat. The downside however is that the heavier guns are abandoned and the size of shot shrinks by about a third from 26 mm to about 17mm to make it easier to use. In addition, the stocks have been largely downsized (they doubled as clubs) to allow for this. It is one of two prominent developments, the other being the import of four-field crop rotation from the Netherlands.
-The army undergoes several reforms after the adoption of the bayonet. The prince-elector attempts to expand the size of his army. Unfortunately, given the small size of his possessions, he is only able to raise around 4000 men, but he nonetheless opts to focus on drilling them extensively. They are trained to use their plug bayonets like short pikes, and many companies of pikemen are disbanded at this time in the hopes that the new tactic will be more promising. These require trained officers and a reduction in the size of units, with a greater reliance on individual soldiers’ initiative in battle. Finally, he organizes his soldiers to fire in mutually supportive volleys at close range for maximum damage to the enemy formation, before fixing bayonets and preparing to receive the other side.
-Seeking to improve relations, the Prince-Elector signs an alliance with Prussia, which later strengthens when the ruling houses of both intermarry and develop stronger relations and additional ties, although the Polish are unhappy at this intrusion. Further marriages are made with Cleves, Mark, Ravensburg, and Pommerania, of which Cleves is eventually inherited. After Prince-Elector John George becomes ruler of Cleves, he enacts a law for the repair and improvement of roads throughout his lands, building a number of royal highways between the major towns and smaller dirt roads for outlying areas. Although costly, they win him some support from traders and peddlers in addition to the peasantry. Maintaining them is another problem as well, and the quality of these roads widely varies. Later on, he also works towards dissolving some of the old guilds and monopolies in the towns and cities, so as to make it easier for unorganized artisans to enter business.
[img]http://facepunch.com/image.php?u=489118&dateline=1390872969[/img][img]http://i.imgur.com/aydBiLt.jpg[/img]
[b]KriegsMar1ne – Cherokee
Capital: Calchoutta
Culture: Cherokee
State Religion: Droganate
[/b]
-The Cherokee have lived in much the same way as they have for centuries, but recently the arrival of the Spanish and other European explorers has begun to change all of that. Starting with a massive epidemic of various diseases, the Cherokee lose as much as half their population during this time, leading to widespread societal disintegration and decline. Afterwards, they begin to trade with some of the Spanish arriving nearby, buying iron tools and weaponry in addition to being shown how to shape and manufacture them from ingots. While mining is essentially non-existent, the Cherokee have figured out how to work whatever iron they can obtain. In addition, one Spanish man shows them how to make simple ploughs and other digging tools from wood, allowing them to work the soil more easily and open up several more areas for agriculture.
-Cherokee society at this time is still heavily traditional, based around hit and run raids on isolated small groups of enemies with field battles being rare. Males are trained in fighting from a very young age, with effectively entire villages often being called upon for war. In the chaos created by the outbreak of disease, the Cherokee attack many of their weaker tribes when many are bedridden and forcibly enslave and rape many of the women. Children are taken as slaves, while men who surrender are spared and incorporated into the village. The new major chief is particularly powerful at doing this, his intention being to destroy all rival tribes by assimilating them into the wider Cherokee. Unfortunately for him, his rule is much decentralized and with communications going no faster than one can run, this looks unlikely to change in the immediate future.
-The Cherokee expand their influence eastwards towards the coast, presumably to monopolize trade with the Spanish in the area. After establishing a village on the coast and setting up new farms, they then begin to search for dragon remains and eggs, although they are ultimately unsuccessful with both endeavours. The one egg they find and get hatched is difficult to feed, and ultimately hunger drives it to leave. Nonetheless, their religion still venerates these powerful and fearsome animals. Lacrosse is also widely popular at this time, with games usually held “for the pleasure of the dragons”, who often watch these games. Young men also gain valuable experience in fighting and warfare in these often rough competitions, which also help to keep many villages in the Cherokee tied together through them being held at regular intervals.
[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]
What are ya doin england
I'll play as the northern country in India, it's the mughal empire at this time correct?
You could have just asked for Jamaica lol
[QUOTE=thelurker1234;46186051]I'll play as the northern country in India, it's the mughal empire at this time correct?[/QUOTE]
Looks to be either the Suri Empire or the Delhi Sultanate
That being said the Sultanate of Egypt is looking to expand our cultural knowledge and establish ties with other nations. If you would like to open an embassy in Cairo please feel free to do so.
[URL="http://imgur.com/a/P1Hix"]Boop[/URL]
I like the Federation of Ibera flag you should use that now
[QUOTE=Karishnikova;46186149]Looks to be either the Suri Empire or the Delhi Sultanate
That being said the Sultanate of Egypt is looking to expand our cultural knowledge and establish ties with other nations. If you would like to open an embassy in Cairo please feel free to do so.[/QUOTE]
Nope it's the Mughals [URL="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mughal_Empire"]http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mughal_Empire[/URL]
I think I might be rejoining.
Country vote:
Poland: Agree
Japan: Disagree
France: Funny
Muscovy/Tsardom: Winner
Iroquois: Zing
Also Kriegs, why are you using the Capo Verde flag for the Cherokee? I can probably find or get one requested on AH.com for you.
Be Kawaii, Griffster
You know you want to
[QUOTE=Griffster26;46193970]Also Kriegs, why are you using the Capo Verde flag for the Cherokee? I can probably find or get one requested on AH.com for you.[/QUOTE]
Or use the Cherokee Nation flag
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/zHkuA8A.png[/IMG]
[QUOTE=Daniel Smith;46194548]Or use the Cherokee Nation flag
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/zHkuA8A.png[/IMG][/QUOTE]
English text.
[QUOTE=Griffster26;46194654]English text.[/QUOTE]
Didn't like the English on it, not in a position to change it. It'll have to suffice until I can find a replacement
[QUOTE=KriegsMar1ne;46195026]Didn't like the English on it, not in a position to change it. It'll have to suffice until I can find a replacement[/QUOTE]
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/CGduz1L.png[/IMG]
[quote]
Mexico, 1527
The printer was at home, still busy eating. The sun still hung low in the sky, while his apprentice Denis was shouting at him.
“Come on, hurry! The execution isn’t far off!” shouted Denis.
“There’s no rush, why should this be any different?”
“Because they have a dragon!” he shouted back at him.
After several more minutes, the printer soon appeared and walked out, yawning. They followed a path behind a building site for the new university before cutting across several fields towards the town square. The sounds of the crowd was growing, their attention fixated on a large wooden stage at the centre.
“Tortillas! Get your tortillas!” shouted a rotund man at a stall.
“Fresh dog meat!” shouted another, displaying his wares on a cotton mat.
Close to the crowd was a pile of broken crockery, dust, and other refuse. Around this were several groups of men dressed in ill-fitting French armour and brandishing guns.
The duo stood atop this pile to get a better view, on top of which some children were playing. They could see the stage much more clearly now, showing a dragon with lime green hide, a pole, and a man in a black cloak. Around him were small children battering drums and holding furled banners.
“Attention” shouted a man in plated armour, before the sound of trumpets rang out.
“People of Tenochitlan!” he shouted in a heavy French accent.
“Have you ever burned your hand in the fire? Imagine then, your entire body, burning.”
He held his hand over a torch, before removing it and showing a bloodied palm.
“Not for one moment, nor one day, but for all eternity!”
He then asked for the condemned to be brought up on stage. He was in a thin cloak, his hair waist long and clearly unwashed, it also stained with blood.
“Are we to be spared from the fires of damnation on judgement day?” he shouted at the crowd, showing his bloodied hand and pointing to the banners, which unfurled to show people on fire.
“Today, we shall save one man from such fires, for he has confessed his sins. Among his crimes he stands guilty of cannibalism and witchcraft.”
The man was tied to a stake by a few soldiers, at which point a dragon emerged from behind a large wooden screen.
“This dragon here, helped us root out yet another of these heathens, for which the church gives thanks”
The dragon stood there proudly, with a large gold crucifix worn around the neck.
“Move aside!” the Jesuit shouted out again. He motioned for the others on the stage to leave, while he himself stood beside the dragon.
The dragon then turned to face the stake, and with one powerful blast the pagan burst into flames and began screaming. The crowd watched silently. After several minutes had passed, the pagan expired.
“For those assembled here, there’s still hope for your souls. You must be baptized and confess your sins, before it is too late!”
He pointed to the half-finished cathedral on the far side of the plaza. Around it were a number of workmen, busy whitewashing the blood off the walls that were being recycled into the foundations.[/quote]
I might start an rp with 50 years per turn
Zing for the year 300
[t]http://i.imgur.com/SnfLeLs.png[/t]
Informative for the year 400
[t]http://i.imgur.com/iGd61To.png[/t]
Would work better on a Vicky map IMO.
[QUOTE=LoganIsAwesome;46202870]Would work better on a Vicky map IMO.[/QUOTE]
Vicky maps suck at stuff from before the 19th century
edit: why did i say makes instead of maps
Alright. I've finally decided to join! Austria, here I come!
[IMG]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7a/Flag_of_the_Habsburg_Monarchy.svg/250px-Flag_of_the_Habsburg_Monarchy.svg.png[/IMG]
Hm, let's start with the flag. Add a bit of white and some red and boom.
[IMG]http://i.cubeupload.com/E2GdBY.png[/IMG]
Very nice. Very [I]Bohemian[/I], if I say so myself.
Going to limit it to two extra players this turn (Austria and Poland respectively) as the number has bloated to 15 players and I don't want it to bloat much further.
Need following turns:
Iberia - Daniel
England - Mallow
Naples - Jrose
Mutapa - Ruskie
Aztec - Satansick
Ming - Mackalda
Brandenburg - Logan
Cherokee - Kriegsmar1ne
Austria - Damian
Who's joining as Poland?
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