BirdNES: 1500 AD: A New World

Blazes...that one might get you some FBI on your door Fantasmo

They can try it, but Brisbane, Queensland isn't really in their jurisdiction.


Besides, I'd avoid capture, and then do the same thing to the families of the FBI agents.

ON TOPIC WARNING: Biiiiiiird...can you give me a hint of how much use my churches are with the populace of the Duchy of Athens? You know, couple with my propagandas. Or am I going to have to keep waiting?

Ah yes, the massive overland assault from a D.Day stylle landing in the Gulf of Venice..then slogging up into Austria... you've got me.. that was my massive plan.

You know full well that I meant Greece. Though, I must say, that would have been a good plan. I totally forgot contingencies for if I was invaded.

Greece-Smeesh.. little tart piece of land to rich for my tastes.. quite costly to take, even with a papal blessing.. what is to gain by owning that piece of land? I'll stick to plucking the riper fruit on the lower branches of this NES Tress for now.

All of you will have to wait a little longer. I didn't get the map finished last night and feel badly about some of the text. It is n't very good and needs more work. My ETA though is still tonight. **crosses fingers**

Thanks Alex.

Awww Boo Take as long as you like, good storys take time...but i dont suppose you would bend slightly and give us a sneek preview?

Abaddon said:

Awww Boo Take as long as you like, good storys take time...but i dont suppose you would bend slightly and give us a sneek preview?

Click to expand...

If I fail to get things completed tonight, I will offer up something.

If the title you refer to is "King," that is at your pleasure Farow.
If the title you refer to is "Holy Roman Emperor," that had before it "subject of the"

Birdjaguar said:

Thanks Alex.

Click to expand...

It was my pleasure and please take your time.

Map of general religious preferences:

Purple: Traditional Catholic (strong support for pre reformation catholicism)
Yellow: Reform Catholic (Strong support for this Pope)
Green: Lutherism, Protestantism and all other anti-Catholic groups
Pink: Orthodox and Muslim

Colors represent the most favored (more than 60&#37 christian religious preference. The people are fickle and this map is subject to change. It does not reflect the religious preference of the leader/player.

Update 1525-1529
​

Europe 1528

Nicholas Verner pushed his breakfast away and picked through the papers on his desk. In spite of the religious unrest, trade had been good almost everywhere. With the war in England wool was scarce and both Antwerp and Amsterdam suffered, but at least the Italian mess had come to an end; or at least a standstill. Religion, while on everyone’s mind, did not stop trade the way war did. It was clear now that Luther’s reformist movement was here to stay and growing in influence. Many of these “protestant” churches had completely broken with Rome and followed their own path on religious matters. In some cases whole countries had adopted the new religion and cut ties with the Pope. His own Germany was a patchwork of religious diversity. Some groups jumped to adopt the Lutherism, or one of the other splinter religions of the anti Rome factions; other groups were rigid in their support of the traditional ways of the Church and pressed for the use of force to bring the dissenters back into line. And yet a third faction wanted the Pope to push harder for his reforms and bring all Christians back into a harmony and unity in their faith.

Augsburg was now firmly in the Protestant camp, but Nicholas could deal with that as long they allowed the goods to move. A dispatch from Florence took his mind back to the spring of 1525. Fast riders had brought him the news before anyone else knew and so he had been prepared when the news of war broke. Venice had invaded Mantua and lay siege to Bologna in an effort unseat the Pope and add to its waning influence. The rebellion in Greece must have irked the Doge to no end. Bologna fell without much resistance, but by then Tuscany, Parma and the Pope had raised troops that were at the ready.

As Venice marched on Rome, Tuscany marched on Verona and Parma stepped in to grab Bologna. But Venice was ready and had troops to defend Verona and her advancing troops made a u turn and pounced on the small force from Parma and sent it scurrying home. But that was enough time for the Pope to bring his army to the front and force Venice to rethink its plans. The season ended in an uneasy truce that lasted all winter and into spring when without warning Venice moved against Parma. Tuscany watched as Parma capitulated rather than have their city attacked. And that was it. No one seemed too upset with the outcome and so as quick as it started, it ended. Trade resumed and the House of Verner had made a bundle in the meantime. Yes, life could be good. He was sure that the Doge was pleased with the additions to his little empire, but less happy with Greece. According to Nicholas’ contact in Athens, Venice made no move to suppress the Basil and his orthodox rebels, and had in fact let the rebels establish themselves firmly in the Peloponnesus. He couldn’t afford a two front war Nicholas figured, but the additional loss of Crete to the rebels must have galled whoever was leading the Venetian military.

Pietro was in Paris on his way back from Madrid and Lisbon. His news was intriguing. Portugal was two years into a big expansion of its trading network and the time to act was now to get in on it. Three new agents were on their way south, two to Portugal and one to Genoa who apparently was tired of losing trade to the disorder in the Mediterranean. In Spain there were only rumors of something big and it was connected to Portugal. His man there would have to dig deeper and bribe better informed officials if he was going to turn whatever was planned in his favor. His gut told him that Spain had finally figured how to make its colonies in the New World pay. That would be nice.
Outcomes:
+Mantua and Parma to Venice
+Crete to Greece

With the end of the Italian war, Rome settled into the business of religion. The Jesuits and Dominicans were encouraged and financed to expand their practices: the Dominicans in Brandenburg and the Jesuits in Bavaria in particular. A new Jesuit university, the Academy of Rome, was founded. Papal sermons and encyclicals fostered church unity and fellowship. And clearly Celestine was having and impact, much of Italy embraced his efforts to bring reform without division among Catholics. But the Pope’s outreach goes far beyond Italy and the principal kingdoms of Germany. His message of reform and unity is sent all across Europe to bishops, monastic orders and even parishes. They did not stop the heresy of Luther, but for some it was enough to have to stop and think about the steps they were talking. The Papal stand on England was a bit more complicated:

“The case in England being more delicate, I cannot yet say. If it becomes evident that Catholic nobles or common men wish to restore Catholicism in England, foreign powers would not be unrighteous in assisting them. Until the will of the Lord can be ascertained, the Holy See refrains from judgment.”

Others had less trouble in deciding what to do. In 1526 England invaded what was not already theirs in Ireland and fought a bloody campaign to bring the warlike chieftains to heel to English suzerainty. And just when it appeared that success was at hand in Ireland, James of Scotland declared war on his English ally. The reason given was English predations on Scottish shipping and the sinking of colony ships on their way to New Scotland. As if other arguments were needed, the decidedly Protestant position of Henry was also mentioned along with the blessing from the Pope. In the spring of 1527, 48 divisions crossed into England; York besieged and Northumberland pillaged as the Scottish armies moved south. In desperation Ireland was stripped of English troops. Henry of England declared war on all things Catholic and seized Church lands and money. His land was in turmoil. By early winter 1527 even the outskirts of London felt the pinch of Scottish raids. York fell. With his coffers refilled with the Pope’s gold Henry rebuilt his army. That winter the Irish seized the opportunity to retake much of their land.

The warring took up again in 1528 as soon as weather permited. Early English success brought them closer to retaking York in the east, but it was at Sheffield in June where things were resolved. The larger Scottish force was caught between two advancing English armies and fought to a bloody draw before withdrawing north the following day. The exhausted English failed to pursue and sat all summer licking their wounds and wondering what to do next. As they sat, Louis of France marched into Calais declaring it “returned to the one true faith of Rome”. His polite message to Henry expressed regret for the English King’s terrible situation, hopes that all will be resolved in good time, and affirms that England need not fear a French army landing on English soil. All was followed by a profusion of brotherly platitudes. English and Scottish emissaries discussed peace well into 1529.

Outcomes:
+1 Education Rome
+1 Culture Rome
+2 Bank Rome
+Calais to France
+3 EP net to English bank from Catholic holdings

Traveler’s Notebook

1529 Athens
The great Roman and Orthodox churches of Athens are near enough completion to be used and used they are. They are a wonder to behold and attract the faithful from throughout the region.

Hungarian Nobles whose lands border Austria petition both kings to switch their (the nobles) allegiance from Hungary to Austria. (See map)

Louis of France stands firm for Rome and Catholicism across Europe. He opens the Paris academy with great fanfare even as Protestantism spreads across central France.

An English Bible printed for the first time

The Elector of Brandenburg supports traditional Catholic values and declares Luther a heretic and outlaw; he launches a new project: Leadership Institute (+1 civil +1 military ) 1/3

King Michal of Poland stands behind the reforms of the Pope and extends political ties to Austria and Bohemia looking for ways to contain the reformist and breakaway religious groups. He reforms local and regional leadership and creates a state bureaucracy to manage the internal affairs of the country. Nobles now act as advisors to the various government bodies and to the Imperator himself. On a personal note, the King celebrates the birth of twin sons on June 2, 1528.

German Princes are found to be arming for trouble. Luther goes into hiding, but his books and papers keep spreading. German language bibles are now readily available throughout Germany. Luther’s hymns grow in popularity among people everywhere.

Bavaria builds two universities to add to its prestige and forms a base for a home grown scholars. One university focuses on history and philosophy the other on Alchemy and science. The king of Bavaria welcomes the Jesuits from Rome.

Neither Spain nor Portugal makes any pronouncements on the Reformation and its impact on the Church in Germany and elsewhere even though the Spanish Netherlands is rapidly becoming a haven for Protestant churches.

Genoese sailors discover the new world with a successful voyage to Hispaniola and the West Indies.
A Bengalese galleon (of three that left India) makes landfall in Ceuta and then Cadiz in 1527. Their uneventful return trip is celebrated when they reach home in 1528.

Outcomes:
+ 1 Religious Culture Bavaria
+1 Education Bavaria
+Paris Academy France (+2 Civil Leadership, +1 Education)
+Athens RC Austria
+VOD WCA Bengal
+VOD MC Genoa

High Seas adventure

1525 somewhere in the Arabian Sea
A Portuguese patrol spots what appears to be an Egyptian ship riding the monsoon winds southwest towards Africa and changes course in pursuit. The Viceroy has offered a big reward if the Netjer, flagship of the fabled explorer Ashraf Sayf, is taken with charts and maps intact. This one could be it. Three days of strong winds and clear sailing bring them no closer to catching the well-sailed Egyptian. Then at dawn on the fourth day, the Portuguese are astonished. Their prey is nowhere to be seen. In these winds Sayf’s choices were few: stay the course for a speedy crossing to Africa or turn north for the Portuguese waters off the Horn of Africa. “He is smart.” Thought the captain, “but even if I do not catch him, another of us will.” He ordered a change in course and turned toward Mogadishu.

100 miles to the northeast, Sayf sailed southeast where he knew he could catch fair winds to Sumatra. Sitting all night under bare poles had been risky, but cloudy skies had hidden them from moonlight and discovery. In dead silence they had watched the lights of their Portuguese pursuers sail past and disappear over the western horizon. Europe seemed out of the question now, so it was to the east he would sail with his knowledge and his rudders. In the spring of 1526 Sayf dropped anchor off the south China coast. Once re-supplied he would sail north along the shore in easy stretches. He would have a home soon.

Captain Baca sailed from Lisbon in the spring of 1525, westbound. During the four week crossing of the Atlantic he studied the maps he had received from the Spanish embassy. They were maps of the Carib Sea and lands there about. Hispaniola and Cuba and the few other Spanish isles were clearly marked as were the unfriendly lands of the Calusa and the trading post that connected Cadiz with the Mexica. Baca’s flotilla would bypass the empty islands, except to pick up some slaves perhaps, and head for the edge of the known. He would land explorers at likely spots for successful colonies. He hoped for an uneventful voyage.

The Portuguese spent lavishly upon their overseas adventures. While Captain Baca was exploring the lands of the Mexica, colonists expanded two of its African trading post into real communities dealing in gold, timber, ivory and cocoa. And in the Congo Portugal raises and trains a division of local militia to be the first line of defense. Madagascar holdings are expanded and vanilla plantations cut from the thick jungles.

Outcomes:
+Rio Grande TP Portugal
+Panama TP Portugal
+Ghana colony Portugal
+Congo colony Portugal
+ Interior Congo TP Portugal

Go on to Part 2

Asian, African and American Interludes

With the ancient cities of Bukhara and Samarkand firmly under Safavid control, the land to the west is soon brought within the bounds of the growing empire and Bukhara sees a revival of its glory days. Sufism flourishes and hundreds of mosques are built to accommodate the influx of travelers and students. Hafiz and Rumi are recited on street corners and the love of God given and received freely. Trade from India and China fills the caravan routes as it makes it way west.

To the north the dying lands of the Golden Horde stir under the firm grip of Maxmud II Khan of Khazan who sends his horsemen into the lands of disordered chieftains to his south. Peace offerings from Muscovy provide security along his western border and in a rebirth of the old ways of fightin, the people of the Steppes succumb to the prowess and battle tactics of Maxmud. With dazzling swiftness Khazan sweeps aside the lesser lords of the grasslands.

Death and Rebirth
In Ayutthaya the funeral of King Dhajammara and coronation of King Naitu dominate the life of the Siamese citizens. Foreign diplomats from Southeast Asia, as well aa, China and India are all in attendance and anxious to see more of this hidden and little known country. All are impressed by the wide streets and prosperous, well educated people. The transition events have become a meeting place for officials of both eastern and western lands. The Portuguese met the Chinese and Cambodians and chieftains from the Spice Islands. The astute visitors notice that behind the genial and orderly exterior there is a steely edge. Dockyards along the river are firmly off limits; the naval academy and new military academy are still too “unfinished” for visitors. In fact, the soldiers on display seem a bit too ceremonial and antiquated for such a nation. The Chinese understand completely, but the Portuguese are a bit perplexed. The strong ties with China are evident at every turn from court clothing to food to the very elaborate fireworks displays. One Indian visitor noted that behind the simple, pleasant, facade there is much sophisticated knowledge that is less obvious. At one point, towards the end of the many weeks of ceremony the naval attaché from Bengal requested a private meeting with his Ayutthaya counterpart.

Whatever the truth is about those areas that are off limits or hidden, one thing is clear: Ayutthaya now controls many of the rich islands that provide the much demanded spices that flow to India and Europe.

At the two far ends of the world expansion was afoot. The newly kindled Japanese nation burst upon its northern and southern neighbors with swift fury: Hokkaido and Formosa felt the sharp edge of samurai steel. But Shogun Shimazu did not neglect his people during his wars of conquest. The port city of Kagoshima was rebuilt to be the “Capital of Japanese Buddhism” with grand temples of classical Buddhist design and many lesser temples suited to lesser sects of Buddhist thought.

Nobunaga’s Catch of the Day
Admiral Nobunaga smiled as his small fleet of junks, escorted the large galleon into Nagasaki harbor. He wasn’t sure what would come of this, but couldn’t be bad. He had never seen such a ship and imagined the secrets it held. Across the water Sayf stood on deck and gazed landward. He was finally here, the fabled Japan Islands. Language would be a problem, but after that he anticipated nothing but smooth sailing.

Of the Calusa people of Florida little is known except, perhaps, by the Spanish before whom they remain unconquered. There are no established contacts with this elusive tribe, but rumors trickle into Hispaniola that the Calusa are expanding.

In West Africa Mali makes the most of her Portuguese contacts: for maps and charts she provides slaves and a small contingent of troops to Portugal. Unfortunately, none of the troops return home to report on their adventures abroad. Serrekunda, on the Gambian coast reaps the benefit of new trade from up and down the coast and becomes a gateway to the inner kingdom of Mali.

Outcomes:
+Buhkara RC Safavid Persia
+Kagoshima RC Japan
+VOD Japan: IOS, ECA
+Explorer Sayf to Japan
+Serrekunda TC Mali
+VOD WCA Mali
+Philippines Colony Ayutthaya
+1 EP Ayutthaya Bank

1529
February 1529 Valencia Spain: Diego de la Varga boards a Portuguese flotilla with 40 divisions of Spanish troops. The Spaniards join 15 Portuguese divisions already on board. The light winds and pre-dawn ebb tide carries the fleet east.

Mohammed al Jafr was in charge of the garrison at Jerusalem. His five divisions of the Empires best troops had endured four years of peace. It had been a nervous peace though. Troops sent to occupy Aden found it well defended, very well defended with lots of port activity. They did not press and moved back to the north securing both Mecca and Medina before stopping in late 1525. News was sent north to Jerusalem. It arrived about the same time that word from Tripoli came in that the Portuguese had landed at Fez, forced the pirate king to submit and then they had moved against Algiers and captured it too. False promises of peace was the word around the court. Preparations were made and all was ready for the attack that never came. Aden was watched and Tripoli put on alert for Portuguese ships. Tunis was warned and patrols sent to sail the waters off Malta whenever the winds were from the west. And still nothing three years later as 1528 came to a close. The strength at Aden was most troubling. Muslim eyes could not see past the Horn of Africa and what the Portuguese did there. Even to the traders all looked peaceful and without change or concern. So, as was usual this time of year the Caliph took his family to Cairo. They would be away until the end of the harvest and the onset of the Nile’s annual flood in June.

The rider from Jaffa arrived in a cloud of dust late one afternoon and babbled almost incoherently about ships and armies and devils and the world coming to an end. He was calmer by the time Mohammed al Jafr met with him. The Spanish had landed a large army at Jaffa and were marching on Jerusalem. How large an army? He didn’t know just large very large, and lots of ships and cannons. Al Jafr knew he had two days at the most to get ready. Reinforcements would be weeks in coming from Egypt and while Damascus was closer, there were few troops there. Perhaps the Spaniards were not really so many and he could turn them aside with his 5 divisions. In a flurry orders and riders were dispatched to all corners of the city, to Damascus, to Cairo and Mecca. On short notice he would do what he could.

Unloading and organizing for the march to Jerusalem took Diego de la Varga longer than expected even though they were unopposed. And while 10 divisions moved inland on the second day, it took three more days for the last of his 40 divisions to join the march. The Portuguese fleet departed leaving only a few courier ships anchored off shore. Jerusalem would be his and all the injustices of the past would be righted. He was God’s instrument on earth and victory was assured. Outside of the Holy city they met al Jafr small army. The Muslim had decided against being besieged and would face his destiny on the field of battle. As battles go it wasn’t much of one. The desperate Muslims fought well and gave more than they got, but in the need they knew they had lost and surrendered to the mercy of the Christian lords.

De la Varga’s entry into the city was triumphant. Jerusalem was Christian once again. Order was restored within a week and there was no sign of enemy approaches. Once the Muslim prisoners were in guarded camps outside the city, de la Varga emptied the city and gathered everyone beneath the curtain wall where he stood with al Jafr at his side. He unrolled a great parchment and read aloud to the crowd below. Even those that did understand the pompous Spanish message from the King, and they were very few, actually listened. Until…

“And upon the taking of the Holy City for the glory of Rome and Spain and the one true Catholic faith all those who are not wholly Catholic in their heart shall be put to the sword, in the city and in all the lands around. This land will be sanctified and cleansed by the blood of all those who are not Catholic….”

Consternation turned to panic in the crowd below as soldiers formed up all around. The gates into the city were blocked and only those who could recite the Lord’s Prayer or the rosary were permitted to reenter the city. The bloodletting began early the next morning and it was gruesome work. Al Jafr watched as he hung by his arms from a tall pole on the walls. He watched as his soldiers dragged the bloody bodies to a great bonfire and then were forced into the flames to be burned alive. And then he watched as the most pious of the Muslims were discovered taking refuge in the Dome of the Rock and as they refused to come out he saw Spanish soldiers hack holes into the roof and pour pitch into the interior. He saw them drop torches into the holes and he saw the billowing black smoke engulf what had once been holy. He screamed, but whether it was from the destruction of the Mosque or from the naked blade that sliced him from sternum to pubis and was followed by greedy hands that pulled at his intestines and praised God the Almighty we will never know.

Damascus fell and was put to the sword in similar fashion. By summer the Holy Land was cleansed and empty. All who could not recite the “pater noster” died at the hands of Spanish soldiers. No army appeared to revenge the relentless killing. No children sang or played in village streets. No farmers tilled the fields or harvested fruit. No civilians attended mass in the great churches. Everywhere was empty except for the army of Spain and it smelled of death.

Elsewhere in Egypt 1529

As the Islamic Empire lurched its way into response to the Spanish invasion the Portuguese showed up. Alexandria was besieged and Suez attacked from Aden. The Empire was in chaos as the Caliph’s army tried to be everywhere at once. It was at that terrible low point that word came to Cairo of the destruction of the Dome of the Rock and the slaughter of everyone in Jerusalem. And such words could not be contained. By morning, Egypt, like the Nile, was rising, taking arms and calling out to God for the strength of his sword and the terribleness of his vengeance. In the weeks that followed, tens of thousands died beneath the weapons of the well trained Portuguese troops surrounding Alexandria. Many more died driving the Portuguese back from Suez and to their ships. Mercy fled these battlefields and the only hope was to survive. Pirates waged a war at sea against the fleet that kept the Portuguese army well supplied. Summer dragged on into fall and the Nile rose washing much of what had transpired out to sea.

Outcomes:
+Jerusalem to Spain
+Alexandria besieged
+Portuguese besiegers surrounded by the rising then falling Nile and hordes of jihadists
-Damascus as TC
-all Muslims, Jews and other non Catholics in the Holy Land
-7 divisions Spain
-10 divisions Islamic Empire
-20 divisions Portugal
-10 squadrons Portugal
+many jihad divisions Egypt

The Map 1529

Alexandria is besieged by the Portuguese who are surrounded by Muslim fanatics.

Oh boy Oh Boy Oh Boy!

Whats going on?

I wish had been around when this started. I think I would have made a great contributor. Id join now but I hate starting stuff from the middle, or end.

I am very excited to see what Portugal accomplished for me.

And also, we will start a new business after this turn. Abbadon used it this turn, from now on others can as well.

You will see.

Map is finished; I'm giving the text another read (8 pages in Word) and then will have to format it. I may go ahead an post the religious map in the next few minutes so you have something to talk about while the rest is finished up. Stats will not be up tonight.

Man, I hope something went good for me, I'm dying of nervousNES

OOC: Stop posting useless posts nuclear kid. That has been your second useless post after "oh boy oh boy oh boy"

Bird, do take your time please.