Netherlands: The King of Kings

Hello! I'm a long time Civ story lurker, and I've finally gotten the hang of it, so I'm going to try my nack at writing a story. I roleplay alot, so this shouldn't be too hard. I'm inspired to write because of stories like Tokugawa's Japan, Celtic Peace keepers, and Sandman's Mongol story. If you read the title, I'm using the Dutch, because I got my first win with them, and I like their traits. This is also a heavy picture story, since you people seem to like pictures! :)

I'm playing on Chieftian, only because I still get beaten horribly on Warlord, and I'm only comfortable playing on Chieftian, despite playing Civilization since this summer(I got Civilization for the SNES at a Yard-sale, and then I played Freeciv.) Anyways..on to options, and enjoy the story!

-Large World
-Continents
-Sedentary Barbarians
-Wet Climate
-Cool Temperature(Makes no sense, does it? Oh well.)
-5 billion years

Enemies:

-Persia
-England
-Spain
-Egypt
-Germany
-France
-Greece

All victories on except Space, Diplo, and Wonder. Cultural conversions are on.

And of course, playing on Chieftian. *sigh*

Anyways, let's begin!

Chapter 1:

In 4000 BC, a tribe of light skinned people settled along a rich bay, with fresh fish, game, and even a plant known as "Kush" by these people. These people had wandered for years, and mostly comprised of warriors, farmers, and weavers. The tribe is well known for their clothing made of Kush(Kush is tobacco by the way), as well as blankets and other such materials, and a noble class ceased to exsist, and government was far from being known by these primitive people.

Yet through their wanderings, this tribe had learned two vital ideas to civilization: The ability to create hardened bowls with clay, to store food and other such items, and the creation of their own letter system, the beginings of of writing and Civilization. The city formed along the bay was named Amsterdam, after the head god in these peoples pantheon: Amsteer. After the city was settled, a young and ambitious man rose to power. His name was William, and he was of the Orange family. The Orange family was mainly weavers and warriors, and William was no different. However, his ambition soon made him chief of the village of Amsterdam. He ruled in a harsh despotic government, where warriors were valued above all, but no one could complain: the village needed a strong chief to make it work.

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Amsterdam - 4000 BC

By 3800 BC, the scribes of Amsterdam were already thinking up new methods to improve the the city, and had set off researching Ceremonial Bural, at the choosing of William Orange, because "Bronze Working" would just: "Take too damn long". Although the scribes detested this, they did not disagree, because William was the chief, and he knew best..even if he was slightly insane. While researching this new conception, the scribes of Amsterdam came across a startling piece of information, from the first pot ever made by the civilization. On it's side was etched: "Dutch", most likely the name of these nomadic people who had barely a reason to settle. Soon the scribes took this info to Chief William.

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Amsterdam Palace - 3800 BC

"Your lord, we have made a wonderous-"

"Oh finally! It's been a long two hundred years, I thought you never would get it done! So, show me Ceremonial Burial." William exclaimed, leaping from his throne. Oh how excited he was, to see how his choice of research came out. Yet the scribe that had brought the news merely shook his head.

"Uh..we haven't got a new advance sir. We know the name of our peoples! After two hundred years of being nameless, we can finally know what we are! We are the "Dutch"!" The scribe told his chief quickly, and William pondered. The Dutch? William didn't like that name..there was something about it.

"Why can't we be the Netherlanders, or the Hollanese?" William whined. Two other gods in the Dutch- I mean Netherlander/Hollanese pantheon was Nethae, daughter of Amsteer, and mother of Hollan, the God of agriculture. The scribe merely shruged, removing a pot from his belt, full of a green bubbling substance.

"I believe you haven't taken your medication sir.."

Gulp, gulp, gulp...

"Ah, I feel much better. Okay, we are the Dutch. We shall let this name ring out to the world!"

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And so that is how the Dutch became named. Also in 3800 BC, a warrior militia, made to protect Amsterdam was created. It however became scouts, sent out by William to survey the land. These brave men searched far and wide, and soon discovered a village of Bulgars. The Bulgars, amazed by the weapons of the Dutch, gathered their strongest Bulgar men to create their own warrior regiment to help the Dutch. Both regiments scouted the area, discovering many places surrounding the city of Amsterdam, including a large river which was dubbed "Endless". The regiments also discovered the Macromani tribe. This kind hearted tribe gave the Dutch the idea of Warrior Code, greatly increasing the Dutch people's knowledge.

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Macromanni Tribe Teaching the Dutch

In 3150 BC, a great excitement shook the Dutch people, as the scribes of announced they had discovered Ceremonial Burial! Great excitement flew as the scribes set out on Bronze Working, finally with the blessing of William Orange, the tribal leader of the city. The first one thousand years of Dutch civilization was rough: But slowly it was baring fruit, as group of adventerous pioneers left Amsterdam to settle yet another city. The wandering warriors of the Dutch continued to move, discovering more tribes, including the Iberians who taught them Mysticism, as well as many other tribes. Some were friendly, giving the Dutch gifts, while others were evil, bringing weak tribal warriors out. But the Dutch were stronger, and thus they prevailed!

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The discovery of Ceremonial Burial

In 2850 BC, the city of Rotterdam was founded, sister city to Amsterdam. It was located beside two rivers, as well as some Kush plant. As the Dutch people learned more ideas, Kush became more important. Besides being used for clothes, it was now being used in Temples, being burnt and releasing a scent which was heavenly. The Dutch pantheon grew more complicated, as more gods and goddesses were born from the new ideas which the people learned. Yet the people did not care. They were successful, and they seemed to be the strongest. Yet, in 2590 BC, that changed.

The wandering warriors had traveled far north, past many trials. Burgundian tribesmen delayed them, but with some talking they had convinced the weak tribe to teach them Masonry. They had found another tribe! This tribe was different however for they had a culture, one which the Dutch warriors took too. These people were known as the Persians, and they were impressed with the Dutch ways. So the warriors traded Kush cloaks and Kush plant for silken robes, gold rings, and spices from the Persian homeland. When the warriors relized this people had bronze working, they set to get this idea.

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The first diplomatic meeting between the Persians and the Dutch

It was acceptable. The Dutch traded Pottery to the backwards tribe for the Bronze working, and they soon left, leaving an impact on the Persians. The Persians were a mere city state, while the Dutch became an empire. More heroic souls left the halls of Amsterdam so they could aid their empire. More mapping by the scouts discovered silks north of Rotterdam, and planned set get them. The Dutch wanted the fine ivory located outside Rotterdam as well. The ivory was more abundant however, so it was taken first, so the great Dutch people would have a monopoly on it. The Hague was the name of the city which was founded in the field of ivory.

In the far north, the Dutch discovered the Egyptians. They were larger than the Persians, but the icy soil kept them from being productive. They had nothing worthwhile, so the Dutch traded them nothing. This period of Dutch life is known as the First Empire. It grew from a lone city to a cluster of cities. They outcasted both the Persians and Egyptians culturally and scientificly.

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There we go, first chapter!

wow, your no daftpanzer but pretty soon i think you might be. One of the most entertaining stories in a looooong time Drake keep it up and i want more

It's great. You may compete with Daftpanzer for "Most-Beloved Story Writer" as well as "Story Writer With Most Stalkers."

It seems that my English writing needs improvements,my story isn't that attractive.It's a long way to go,since I played Dutch in Diety today,but wrote nothing but a turnlog... :blush:

Hardened Bowels of clay? Are you sure.

It seems spell check didn't catch that. *goes to fix that*

Thanks for the good comments everyone: I really didn't think my story was all that great.

Just so you all know, I'm writing chapter 2 as we speak. Should have it done in a few hours. I'll make sure there are no Bowels this time. ;)

Alright, here's chapter 2 everyone. I'm sorry that the ancient age only spanned two chapters(This chapter marks the end of it), but I didn't want to start any wars in this era.

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Chapter 2:

We last left off at 1150 BC, the First Empire of the Netherlands. At this point in time, cities were held in deep corruption by William Orange's despotism, and the many militias of Swords men, Spear men, and even warrior regimes over three thousand years old. This empire however flourished. Scribes invented new skills on an almost century basis, and the architect and art of the Dutch people were the envy of many. They had also vastly expanded outwards in three thousand years. In this little time, they had gained access to the rich fields east of Amsterdam, teeming with elephants, who were put into Dutch ranches, having their ivory tusks extracted from them. This habit of extracting ivory, although crude, would be how the Dutch would get their ivory well into the Middle ages. The Dutch peoples also had access to iron, buried deep into a mountain. However an outpost mining city allowed this iron to be dug up, not posing a problem. And finally: The Silk forests. These forests were full of rich silk, this silk more precious than the Persians, which the Dutch traded for at almost every renewal of their peace treaty, in exchange for Kush made items. However, the silk was useless to the Dutch at the time of the discovery. No road connected the silk village to the rest of the Dutch empire.

The scribes soon discovered Philosophy, which brought a renewed interest learning, and right after this renewed interest, Polytheism was discovered by a student at Amsterdam's Military academy, who had been studying the tactics of a great Egyptian War general, whose name was Ramese. The Dutch continued to explore the world, discovering more icy land, and even a harsh terrain of a range of mountains, dubbed "Death", for it's icy peaks so made the scout regimes recall the Dutch God of death, "Grimm". The study of Philosophy also brought the completion of the first wonder of the land: The Colossus.

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Warrior/Scout Regime just crossing "Death"

By time 590 BC had rolled around, The Code of Laws had been discovered. This discovery seemed to be a terrible pox for the despot William. Cities broke out in revolution, it's people refusing to do work, stating that the evil William had went to far, stepping out of line. He was to guide the people, not treat them like play-things, stated many Dutch philosophers. Persian and Egyptian people extended sympathy to the poor Dutch people, as the revolution continued.

Amsterdam Palace - 350 BC

William Orange stared outside the window, almost furious. Amsterdam was falling apart! The giant Colossus facing the sea was surrounded by protestors, holding signs such as: "No Kush for the tyrant!" and "Boil his head!" The despot silently rubbed his temples. It was an embarrassing situation, being partitioned by the poor of your country for reforms. If William didn't fix this, the whole empire would follow suit. Even the completion of the Oracle did not calm these peasants.

"My dear domestic advisor.." William asked a woman of Persian decent, sitting in the room along with all the other advisors. She gulped. It was frightening to speak to William, most of it due to his mental diseases, the diseases that made him...well...insane. She perked up at his question.

"How do I fix this..ah..problem? I'm afraid killing people just won't do." William sweetly asked his domestic advisor. She took a moment..what seemed like years, before turning to the other advisors, and finally to the despot himself.

"Sir: I have spoken with every advisor. We suggest you supply the people will more luxuries. With luxuries started, a noble class will start to form. That will curtail our richer citizens. Secondly, reform the law system. People shouldn't be decapitated just for jay-walking sir. We should copy the Persian models. slight penalties, like jay-walking, or stealing would have jail time, or a public whipping..while things like treason and murder go for death, or cutting off the hands."

William grinned. Over many years, the laws became reformed, and people finally went back to work. However the establishment of a nobility made the warrior class - a class so highly praised in Dutch society decline. This decline was leading the First Empire toward impeding doom. Scribes however continued to search for the meaning of life, and the scouts finally finished surveying the harsh north, and headed back towards the Dutch empire - and it's ways.

Slowly the clock ticked, the days of the ancient ways of life soon to end. The advances by the scribes slowly became more complex, and even more complicated. Alarming news rang forth from the Egyptian town of Thebes. A young peasant, by the name of Jesus proclaimed that he was the son of God, and that he had been born to save humanity of it's sins. The Egyptian Queen Cleopatra had the man put on execution immediately, for such a person was a threat to Polytheism and it's ways it had put upon the Earth. Followers of this man were dubbed "Christians" and were persecuted in un-imaginable ways, with public killings to pick off these "exiles of the faith". This last horrible ordeal is what ended the Ancient Age, opening a new one.

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The Dutch Evolution, circa 110 AD

I got lazy, but I didn't give up on this story people! Here is chapter three, and I am writing chapter four as we speak.

Chapter 3:

The year is now 310 AD, and a new power is starting to evolve in the Dutch lands. The ancient years of old are long gone, and the wonderous ancient scribes which once invented technology which kept the Dutch empire afloat are long dead. Without these people, the empire slowly collapsed, bringing forth the Dutch dark age. William of Orange was beheaded, and the empire collapsed into anarchy. Cities went onto revolt for years and years, and the civilized ancient kingdoms of Egypt and Persia cut ties with the revolutionary Dutch. In 360 AD, the anarchy was over. The youngest child of William Orange, who was born in 320 AD(William was killed in 321), stepped forth to guide the Dutch people. He spoke with vigor to all, in the center of Amsterdam.

Amsterdam Town Square - 360 AD

A man clad in furs from the north stepped up onto a fountain in the center of Town Square. The fountain once displayed the despot William of Orange, but it was no more - the citizens destoried it. The man seemed to be thirty, with dark brown hair and ivory skin: the Dutch traits. He slowly began to move his hands, starting to speak.

"My people!" The man cried out. The citizens growled: they had growned so used to freedom, the ability to speak their minds, take anything they wished from the Amsterdam palace. Being called "my people" by a man certainly did not fit them. But they were soon silenced by the man's voice again.

"It has been a long fifty years of anarchy. You have slayed our former despot in your anger, and brought down everything that was even related to the ancient empire. You whiped away decendants of the scribes, destoried ancient buildings, and much more. It cannot continue. A civilization cannot function under anarchy, it must have a solid leader. My people - I am your king, chosen to rule by Amsteer. I am the youngest child of William Orange, who was raised in "Death" by farmers: because William never wanted to have children. I am your father, and you are my children. I am the Dutch, and I am the Netherlands. I am everything."

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This speech was over, as the people fell over in prayer to Amsteer. The anarchy was over, and from it's ashes the Dutch kingdom was born. Civil disorder became whiped from the cities, and life resumed as normal, as William Orange II rose to become first king of the Dutch. The king was however unwed. If wanted a successful kingdom he would need children, and to have children, he would need a wife. And so William II met with his advisors, in hopes to find a bride.

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Amsterdam Palace - Throne room

"Sir, there are many many noble women in the Netherlands who you could wed." The domestic advisor stated.

"I do not want a common harlot. Everyone knows the nobles of the Netherlands are just those who gained money from my father." William II snapped.

"There are Egyptian and Persian nobles.." The science advisor replied.

"Feh." Is all William had to that. Suddenly, the Military and Cultural advsiors rose up, with a plan.

"Sir, why don't you wed Isis, empress of the Egyptians! They are culturally weak, they would be glad to join us." The cultural advisor exclaimed.

"She has refused all suitors, indeed Darius, the Persian prince was turned away for even trying to speak to her." William stated, crestfallen. Would he ever find a bride?

"Who said we have to peacefully make a marriage! Egypt's military is decline! We simply take over the Egyptian empire: Isis will marry you when her empire is just a former shadow."

William just grinned.

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The Dutch kingdom would soon grow, expanded from the Egyptian lands. Yet the Dutch military was still under-funded from the anarchy, so it would be many years before the plan could go into effect. They planned to make the new army more powerful than before: with strong warriors and other such things. William II soon recieved support from Dutch nobles to set up a new science funding, comprised of Soothsayers, Magicians, and Sages. Indeed, a new age; The "Middle Ages" have settled upon the Dutch world.

by 600 AD, the Dutch army was revised. Olden spear men were disbanded for Pike men from the land of Swiss. The change brought a wave of fury, as the Dutch declared war unto the Egyptians. Indeed, their empire was frail: many cities were small, and easy to take. Thebes was captured in days: but Isis refused to speak of peace, razing a Dutch city. It was actually not from the reformed military that won these victories: Ancient Cavalry had!

In 690 AD, the Dutch kingdom became a Republic. It was a peaceful change, unlike the one before. William II remained king, but instead his advisors held true power, with William having power over the military and a few civil matters. This increased the amount of money pouring in, and made the Dutch much more richer. 710 brought an end to the Dutch-Egypto war, where Isis forked over Elephantine in order to have peace. William was not done however: he would make Isis marry him, even if he had to raze her whole empire to the ground! This anger brought another war in 750 AD, with the capture of Giza.

Also in 750 AD, Christianity swept the Dutch kingdom. The pagan rites were tossed away, and the king himself converted to christianity. This fevor inspired by God made the Dutch wars even stronger: they were not claiming land now, they were destorying the pagans who did not believe in god. The war raged, as many cities became captured. Isis became a sore loser, handing over city upon city, her empire becoming trapped by a wall of Dutch frontier. Forced with defeat, Isis agreed to marriage.

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Self-portrait of a glowering Isis after her marriage to William II

The Dutch kingdom soon florished under the rule of William and Isis. The remainder of the Egyptian empire remained, to be ruled by Isis and Isis only, as the Dutch kingdom was only Williams. William seemed determined to keep quiet, but when the Persian king Darius(He had gained the throne) asked for support against the Egyptians, William quickly agreed, and thus war was set.

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Darius recieving Dutch support

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