OOC: Not the most exciting set of turns... Story write-up will probably only happens tomorrow, as I have a few more things to do today.
IC:
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Story
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"... and that's where the new market will be built later, son. It should be a sight to see", Bazil explained to his son, who looked at it in amazement. His wife smiled, loving that small moment.
"Woooah. But why not build it right now? It would be amazing." the boy asked.
"Well son, if you want to build up a city, you do what's best to get wealth. But when you want to build a kingdom, you have to look at the whole picture. And before that, we need to train people to work on what's outside the city." said Bazil, now standing and walking back home, wife holding his arm. The boy hasted behind.
"Well I guess I understand... But it would be really good to see it".
"Yes it would...".
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Bazil's personal logs
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A few days before that talk with my boy, I had to decide exactly that. What to do about Delphi, and what to prepare for. At first, I thought about a new caravansary, to improve our land routes... But then I remembered what all the traders there want... "internation goods", all the little things that others produce... And since the late King Alexander, we haven't been seen with good eyes, not even by other traders. It's a shame our people can't appreciate what we have right here at home...
So, I was left with workers or start a new market. And I did want the market, just like the boy, what a sight would it be. All the colors, the smells, and the weird baubles coming from other places. Not that I care much about them, I still prefer our goods. But wouldn't they turn a good profit...
Turn 11 - Game Turn 151 // 820 AD
Our old trades have been detected by the Shoshone, and we terminated. Seems like even their rulers are holding our trades with their merchants. I've made several attempts to return the trade routes back to normal, but all they said was "We cannot allow blood trades". No matter how much how it was explained that the old King was dead, they would only remember him. It will take longer for them to forget. And by them, I mean everyone.
Our scouting party in the north seems to have met a big city, that doesn't abide to Polish rule. Brussels is the name, gold and culture is their game.
In the middle of the year, Khirra finished a new work-boat fleet. The sea seems to accept our fishing quite well, so we'll take whatever he offers to us. Many fishermen all over the kingdom have complained about the rocky coast and the night fishing required on their borders, just like the traders before them. I guess we can't ignore them anymore, and since we've had these plans for building tall light towers, I guess it's time to test them. "Lighthouse" seems to do them justice.
Thanks to it, our population grew a bit more, and the mining operations seem to have increased near Khirra with all the new blood (new miner @Melda).
The west war against the barbarians seems to never end, they seem to be an unending flood. These war meetings have been bothering me more and more... If only Awpathos was stil here, he could've taken care of this for me sure.
Turn 12 - Game Turn 152 // 840 AD
A strange message arrived late last night. It contained the official symbol from Netherlands. Fearing the worst, I left for my chambers and open it slowly. To my surprise, William proposes a new deal, where they are willing to buy some of our copper. That should allow us to improve some relations in time, and any gold is welcome, so I quickly scribe an answer and return it to the carrier. I must keep this issue down, I do not wish to make this public, or they might suffer the consequences, we need to rebuild trust.
A new celebration was held by Queen Sueang. She hasn't been in the city lately, and she seems to be pleased to return for a celebration, and to do some prayers at the temples. This time, she seemed to be way more please about the travel.
"So how was the travel this time?" I asked "Better than before I expect?"
She seemed happy about the whole change.
"So much better now, my traveling party seems to be complaining less! I swear I can't listen to them sometimes, I'm older than them and I complain less about my back."
I laugh at that outburst of energy. What was the celebration all about... Ah yes, Muang Sulang has now been connected to our trade routes ((we are at 34 gpt)). A new farm is comissioned on the spot the road was finished, to mark the start of a better time.
Since Khirra's mining operations are improving regularly, a new mining area is commissioned nearby. Wouldn't it be good to find a new deposit of a precious metal there... But I hold no expectations on that, the area doesn't seem to be good for that.
Turn 13 - Game Turn 153 // 860 AD
Some of the boat builders returned from Khirra to Dostana, just in time to finish the new work-boat fleet there. Since this is the biggets fishing area of the Kingdom, a Lighthouse is dearly needed. And we don't want to bring a raging rivalry between Dostana and Khirra's fishers. It seems that with so many visits from Sueang had a big effect into bringing the word of our religion, and so Dostana becomes officially Hellenic.
Some might not like her, but she has been useful in her own way to the kingdom.
As I walk past the streets with my wife, she spots a painter in the streets. She quickly runs there to see what he's working on. She loves painting herself, and I find this child meekness towards it rather fun. But she calls me near. As I observe all that he has painted, I notice a big city besides a big golden hill, painted in a rather large canvas.
"What city is this from?" I ask. The painter answers in a rather strange accent "Brussels, my lord, the golden city". I hadn't seen it before, and I guess that this is the closest I'll be to knowing it... And now it seems we have a new painting in our living room...
Turn 14 - Game Turn 154 // 880 AD
Rumours of China completing a great work of engineering have been floating around. But stranger than the look, is the name... Chichen Itza... sounds more like Chicken It's-a, but reversed, if you ask me. Seems like my old age is taking me into making bad jokes... I'll go to the apothecary later to see if this can be solved
Si Satchanalai continues to be improved, and a new Pasture is being built nearby. Cattle is rather welcome, with the growing population.
Exploration proceeds near Brussels, and I ask my reporting party to escort the painter back to Brussels, as a way to thank him. The southern area, where Melodios' family seems to have some roots, is being properly charted. I wonder why he has never spoken of it.
Dostana fishing is booming lately, and more fishers have been assigned there (new fisher @Melda).
Turn 15 - Game Turn 155 // 900 AD
More old deals have been shut down, now with China. This time, I'm not expecting as much luch as with Netherlands though. It's hard being a trader with no one to trade with.
Delphi's farmable area has been improved again, let us hope it can help keeping the population well fed.
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The meeting
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Current status:
Delphi
Khirra
Dostana
I come to the council and ask what direction we should continue on my last years as ruler.
We have almost 400 gold, what can we use it for? Purchase some buildings, upgrade our units? What to research after gunpowder?
Will we annex any city? Or just puppet them?
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