~Darkening~
Weep, Mother.
[size=+2]Update Zero[/size]
Years 2000 B.C.E to 1900 B.C.E
“It All Starts With A Bang”
Years 2000 B.C.E to 1900 B.C.E
“It All Starts With A Bang”
Across the world, an explosion of unimaginable importance has begun to take place. Latter reffered to as 'awakenings', the people of these lands are doing just that- they are beginning to realize that there is more in life than thier current lots. In doing such, they are forming stronger bonds with their people, begining to inhabit dozens of cities, and serve their commander with undoubting loyalty. In the process, they are founding not only the first 'true' cities but also the first true states.
We begin our little trip in the site of one of the earliest of awakenings, perched in the mist of the bustling town of Harappa. The oddly-named city lies baking under the Indian Sun, the sun-baked brick walls giving off the musty odor. The town, under the command of its young ‘king’, has flourished in recent years as trade picks up with both distant and regional ports. Rumors even flout the palace of Harappan goods demanding outrageous prices in far off ports- much to the ‘king’s’ delight. In addition to the dramatic rise in goods, the Harappan king has taken command of many of his neighboring towns- greatly extending his own domain.
In recent time, the small city of Lothal has risen to prominence- in direct conflict with the Harappans. The great king Njkao, expressing his great distaste (and perhaps jealousy) at the Harappan dominance, took direct control of the situation and forbid everything Harappan in his own kingdom. As a result, the vast numbers of Harrapan nobles are urging their own king to deal with the situation before it
(+1 City Economy (Harrapa) for Harappa, +2 oddly located cities.)
If you travel great distance into the far east, performing a few twists in your path to head north, you might eventually stumble across the isolated capital of the Zhou dynasty. Zhengzhou, as the city is ornately called, stands as any other city on the Huang He. The Imperial Palace, a small but functioning center of government, stands with its thatched roof blending in with all the others. The Zhou, other than managing to function at a level unknown to other cultures, have come across some of the first plows in the world.
In addition to the Zhou, a smaller kingdom of Xi’an has risen to prominence on the Huang He. Little more than a smaller version of the Zhou, the Xi’an has nearly absorbed the entirety of Zhou culture.
(+1 Government Efficiency)
Far to the west, past our starting point in Harappa, lie the three kingdoms of Janja, Sadythi, and Byzantion. These three kingdoms, making up the densest part of the world, are constantly in various degrees of conflict with each other. Janja, led in the city of Janjarant, are the southern most of the three. These people, revoking the pantheon of Sadythian gods, have come to express their faith in the worth of the earth instead of a god. Naturalism has become a trendy faith in the southern regions, quickly becoming the dominate faith in the surrounding regions. In addition, trade flows up and down the rivers in Janja along with the wealth. The Janja have come to be in direct conflict with their northern neighbors, the Sadythi. In addition to revoking their gods, the Janja often support the Sadythian enemies.
The Sadythi are the largest of the three kingdoms, possessing the most land and population. Their people worship a number of gods, representing numerous issues such as Nobility, Glory, Evil, and Depravity. Their king is often seen in a weak light, falling to the pressure exhibited by the numerous cults for various demands and requests. The capital of Saydthi, Sithis, lies in the middle of the three kingdoms and benefits from the wealth flowing along the rivers. As of this wealth, Sithis has become a center of trade for the region. Finally, the Sadythi have excelled in an area few others have- military. In addition to possessing an infantry force rivaling their enemies, the Sadythians have the strongest cavalry force in the world. Their training is unequaled among their enemies, and this has often given them the needed edge to survive.
At the northern end of the group lies Byzantion, ruled from its namesake city. Unlike the other end of the kingdoms, Byzantion tends to remain more neutral in affairs with Sadythi and has prospered from such. While Byzantion isn’t an extraordinarily rich city, the city has large potential and could easily become one. The Byzantion army tends to avoid the Sadythians and prefers to expand peacefully into the north. Overall, Byzantion –while not as developed as its southern neighbos- holds just as much (if not more) potential. A strong king could easily bring the focus of the kingdoms away from the middle to the north.
(+ Janjarant Religious center, - 500 Janjarian infantry, + Sithis Trade center, +1 Army quality, -300 Sadythian infantry, -50 Sadythian cavalry.)
Heading west once more- performing the small crossing to the island- you’d reach the semi-barbaric chiefdom of Meralis. The island is ruled with an iron fist by its despot, Merlin, and very little time is devoted to anything other than plotting and carrying out raids- especially on its neighbor Phoenicia. These people, among the best seamen to sail yet, are centered around their namesake capital- a city, failing any other term, that is nothing more than a lawless orgy of thematic elements.
Meralis’s main victim tends to be the Phoenicians, with their wealthy city of Tyre and based on the sea banks across from it. These people, while failing to rival the naval abilities of the Meralisians, can be counted on to at least give the Meralisians a fair fight in their own waters. In addition, the Phoencians tend to be much better at conducting trade- restraining from cutting off their partner’s heads tends to have that effect.
(+ Meralis naval quality, +5 ships, +1 Special economy (1 turn)- 1 Government Efficiency, + Tyre Trade center)
As we near the end of our journey, we come across the kingdom of Egypt- the oldest kingdom existing at this day. Located roughly along the middle section of the Nile, the kingdom has expanded rapidly to incorporate a few neighboring towns. The Pharaoh, as the Egyptian king has come to call himself, rules over the daily life of his subjects. His people wake and praise their gods, work their fields while praying for a good flow during the summer season, and finally recover from their daily work at night. Already, the city of Thebes has become a hub for artistic activities, as numerous statues and temples have been built to praise their gods. Trade runs along the Nile, but there is not enough to build upon this at the time.
(+1 education, +religious following in neighboring lands)
Three Largest Cities in the World (1900 B.C.E)
1.) Sithis
2.) Harappa
3.) Meralis
Three Largest Religions in the World (1900 B.C.E)
1.) Naturalism
2.) Sadythian Polythesim
3.) Chinese Population
Three Largest States (1900 B.C.E)
1.) Sadythi
2.) Egypt
3.) Zhengzhou
New Developments
Various forms of monarchies (absolute, divine, etc) are now open. If you wish to switch your government to a monarchy, simply include it in your orders. For switching from despots to a monarchy, there will be no penalty.