TerraNES: The Civil Experiment

The wheat trade slowly rebuild itsself, as did the coffe trade with the growth of Nubia and Kush. Egypt remained chaotic as each city fought for itsself. The ivory trade thus grew weak and coffe decreased in price. In the meantime, the port authority lifted many of the regulations of the kings, opening trade. Merchants once more ruled Axum. Plans were drafted to expand the Red Sea trade, for it was becoming clear that Axum would need that trade route if instability spread on the Nile. The plague had only a small effect on the South African trade hub and seemed to be subsiding. The majority of the people were confident that it would not come back. Axum grew in wealth and power. This was a golden age for the Nile state. Would this prosperity continue? What would happen in Egypt? Would the plague come back?

Which Egyptian city is the Red Sea Port?
 
As the Green Death, the Red Death and the Grey Death started crashing into Cytria in great droves, two things started changing.

First, The (Green) Death was a sign that the Ancestors were troubled. They would spread The Death to others as they were buried or cremated, signalling their unusually great unhappiness at passing. Many attribute this to turmoil in the Afterlife, caused by the Grey and Red Deaths ravaging the land. The Red Death especially was what was upsetting the balance of nature- the rise of the Kitba, the Priests of Death And The Ancestors, was triggered mainly by this large upheaval of the social order.

The Kitba represented all the fears and hopes of the people - they (supposedly) channeled the feelings - not the thoughts - of the long and recently departed into the Afterlife. These Priests of Death And The Ancestors would convey these feelings to the local Rumen, who usually acted upon them for fear of retribution by The Death for their people.


Secondly, as rich merchants (for those that traveled often or hosted foreign guests suffered even greater from The Death) were killed, their riches often fell to their lower-born distant families, often thrown to the side. This caused for a great influx of farming-level people to come into alot of money very quickly. Not knowing what to do with all of it, they simply invested it into their own broken (farming) ventures and foremen and moved to The Big City (Ctesiphod or usually Mediolaun) to try their hand at playing merchant.


Thus, The Death brought about (sometimes) influential religious leaders, a shattered and very weak or inexperienced merchant base, and a re-invigorated farming-based economy for the ruined Cytrian lands.
 
I thought you were doing that as thebes?
 
Red Death

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.

More drugs, more flesh, more suffering. My flesh, my flesh cracks and breaks away in my dreams, but in life it is supple and healthy. Delicious flesh, so long without the consumption. Must have more. Must have more flesh. Eat flesh, yes, yes, yes. Hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe.

Blood, precious blood splatters against the ash and salt. We take the Toras men and women, and even children, and we sacrifice them on the mountains of salt and watch as the blood flows down. It mixes, with the ash and salt of our vengeance upon this world. They weep, they cry, they beg for mercy.

There is none.

We give no mercy, like they gave to us. We do the same to the Apulians, and the Samnites. Suffer they will, suffer very much indeed.

The Kindly One speaks to us. Speaks to us and comes to us in our dreams. He tells us what to do. He tells us what we must do.

There are so few of us left... thousands have died, but there are thousands more. The Kindly One bids us to do what he tells us to do. We are compelled to do so. We must do so. All of us, yes, all of us shall answer the call.

We'll enter their cities, tear them to pieces, bloody pieces as we sup on their flesh. Their blood, their heretics blood, so sweet and delicious, as is there flesh... Samnites. How I wish I could have a banquet of Samnites... but the Kindly One promises us a banquet in the afterlife if we tear the people of this world a new wound, and salt that wound as we fill it with fire and fury. They can have this land, these Ashlands... we will have their heretical souls.

They have caused this, caused it all. There delicious blood shall wet our appetites, and we will enjoy ever minute of it.

This land

Shall

Be

Soaked

In

The

Blood

Of

The Martyrs.

Gods preserve our brethren.

Vy Shaah Sallah.
 
To Dakinsa Raj
Spoiler :
From Gujarat
It seems that our current agreement is working well. Let’s Keep it that way.

From Daretokimas
Several cities joined us during the Plague years, but now are agitating for freedom. Would you like to buy them back, or do we have to crush them?
Also, our trade has been becoming ever fruitful, but the trade of the Ganges is stagnating. We are offering a different method of payment- send your Macemen to help us crush the Vanassi Kingdom.

From the Vanassi Kingdom
We might not have as much to offer in money or goods as Daretokimas, but we have something we believe is much more important- Legitimacy. Only we can unite the Ganges in any kind of peace, which will be the true conduit of trade. Open a front against Daretokimas, and you will be rewarded in more ways than one.

To Aramya
Spoiler :
From Boukae
You know, I really like our current situation. Let’s certify it- you guarantee our freedom and we will promise to dissuade future attacks on your borders.

From the Merchants
You have incorporated Priests, Soldiers, Secretaries, and Workers skilled and unskilled into your government, and yet you ignored our contributions while taxing us heavily and forcing us to trade only with Hormun. Several of us are preparing to move our operations to Hormun or Siria where the government is more supportive, prove why should we stay here?

From Siria
Hyak has finally collapsed. Let’s divide up the beast and make sure they never rise again.

From Hyak States
We might seem to have fallen, but we can defend ourselves. Stay out, or we will cut the trade between Mesopotamia and the Levant for good.

To Thloryn
Spoiler :
From the Scorpius, King of Sparta
Recognize me as the King of Sparta, ye merchants of Thloryn, and I shall once more march alongside you, if only to kill the Makedonians.

From the Dionikes, King of Pella and Overlord of Makedonia
Recognize me as the King of Boeotia, and we will cease our invasion so that you can take care of business in the Peloponnesus or Krete.

From the Kretans
We have enjoyed our independence for a century, and we like it. If you promise to stay away, our small but growing fleet will help you clean up the pirates; especially since we know the location of several of their coves.

From Byzantinos
We need to act against these Pirates as soon as possible, before all merchants forego the seas! We’re preparing a fleet to sweep the Aegean clean of the scum- will you help us plan and elect an Admiral?



To the Faithful Horde
Spoiler :
From Natives of the Rhone
What is this religion you are preaching? Maybe we might listen IF YOU WOULD STOP STABBING US!?!

To the Sarkovian Horde
Spoiler :
From the Natives of the Danube
You have strange metals. If you teach us where and how to use them, we will give you enough food and gold so that you won’t have to pillage us.

To Sardinia
Spoiler :
From Iberian Natives
We have no problem with you, mistresses of the seas, our problem is with those Oathbreaking Sarkovites. Let us have at them, and you can win peace or even our loyalty.

From Utica
The Piracy problem is slowly filtering westward. Perhaps we should respond in some way?

To Toras-Noth
Spoiler :
From Naffas-Noth
We both worship Ziril, and we both respect the Torasetar. Our Torasetar has crimson hair while yours don’t, so why don’t we agree to accept the purer line of descent? Drop your useless claim on the Title, and let us unite in Ziril’s name.

From the Monastaries
Scientifically, your Torasetar has a better blood line- he has the family eyes and chin. But the crimson hair… that we cannot account for. Has he lost Ziril’s blessings? Only more studies can find out.

From Utica
If you promise to stop taking slaves, now that the plague is over, we will agree to reopen trade with you.

To Kingdom of Katan
Spoiler :
From the Kingdom of Keres
We, as giants among the ants of Koyulan, should make an agreement about the future of this world. Come, brother, and let us cleanse the native chiefs and show them our brand of civilization.

From the Cypriot Pirates
Pst! If you don’t mess with us, we’ll pay you off big!

From Levantine Merchants
We would make much more profits if you would commission a fleet and rid the seas of those Pirate scum!

From the Union of Phoenicia
We have agreed (no we DIDN’T) to commission an expedition to clease Cyrus of Egyptians and Pirates. Well, sorry for the repetition. Anyway, we see your bourgeoning people as a perfect replacement to those scum… if you help pay for the expedition and our suzerainy over that island. (totally didn’t agree to this!) Shut up!


In other news, I'm updating stats and stories right naow.
 
From Sarkovian Horde to Danube Natives;
We will gladly teach you! Join us, or head south and pillage the lands down there! Plenty of gold and virgins await you!

From the Faithful Horde to the Rhone Natives;
Reflexes, sorry. Would you like to join us? We can offer protection, salvation, prosperity, and peace if you join us! We go to the promised lands to the north, which await us with open arms! Join us! Our religion seeks new converts, and will guide you through life.
 
OOC: For the first turn after a culture broken up, I will allow a player to influence the other cultures and set their character (but no direct orders, either).

IC:
From the Danube Natives
Great! Some of us are considering joining you, and others already left. Wish you well on your journey while we play with... this toy. (Burns hand on molton Bronze) ARGH!
(Sarkovian Horde +2EP +1 Citizens, No combat in Danube)

From the Rhone Natives
Yeah, we can sorta see why (points at a giant cloud of smoke behind the mountains behind the Priest). We're interested in this Faith, although we're not interested in moving around that much. Maybe if you decide to stick around a bit, we can learn more and adopt it.
 
From the Faithful horde to the Rhone Natives;
We will stick around... and teach you the Faith in return for precious material and crops. Do that, and we will give you enlightenment about the Faith. Peace and prosperity will follow.
 
From the Aramyan Bureaucracy

To the Merchants
I don't think you have so much choice in the matter, Aramya is the gateway between where the sun rises and sets. However, the wars are over, the loyal service of the merchants is no longer needed. The taxes shall be lifted, both Hormun and Xiras shall become open markets. We would never want to stomp on the freedom of the merchants by incorporating them into the government, we respect your contributions.

To Hyak States
Come now, your people are splintered, you have a better chance wealth if you join with us peacefully.

From the Aramyan Military

To Boukae
Brilliant. Agreed, but how would you like us to secure your independence? I somehow doubt your people would allow Aramyan troops into your city if barbarians were to invade your land.

To Forman Siria
Yes, we are well aware of that ploy, we used it ourselves, and we used it against a nation that was religiously similar too. Counter proposal: To guarantee each other a fair shake, let us both move military units through the Hyak lands, to each others borders before we divide the land, this way, we can prevent one of us or the other of us moving in a night before any agreement is meant to happen. So before we even discuss which towns are whose, two things must be said: Firstly, do you agree to these terms? Secondly, if you move on the towns before us a state of war will exist between our two peoples.

To the Hyak States
If we DON'T conquer you, you will cut our trade! You will be stomped by us and the Formans, so come peacefully and you shall see the fewest of your race exterminated. Then again, stomping Hyaks does give our scribes good content for their writings...

OOC: The military and the bureaucracy are talking as if they are separate entities, to be clear.
 
Three stone tablets were held up to the eyes of the Chief Minister of the Parusha Intergovernmental Ministry. They were old, ancient even. The markings were clearly Paruhorsehockye in origin. Scribbles on clay.

This was the job of the bureaucrat. Entrusted. That was what they called slavery in the deep core of Levean bureaucracy. Your parent's entrusted you to the state, and if you were wealthy enough, you were entrusted to learn. When you didn't, you were punished. You entrust the state, you entrust your life, you entrust in the gods and the family and the guilds and the kings and the screams of death from a war outside your doorway, one which you cannot gaze at because you have been entrusted to read a 50 year old message sent in the context of an entirely different war.

The delightful trifles within the deep core of the bureaucracy.

The message read:

"From Paruhorsehockyes of Zagosa
We can raise 2500 Archers and another 6000 Militia. As for joining you, as long as you respect the Godly Flame of Purification and our independence as a people, and our rights to our land, then we'll allow you to call yourselves our master."

The bureaucrat knew already from the first sentance what to do. The numbers were wrong, the Paruhorsehockyes were at least 20 thousand strong at that time. And if anyone protested, another tablet would be commissioned to read that the gods duplicated the soldiers so as to appear twelve fold their real strength.

"...Godly Flame of Purification..."

That was new. No learning had gifted the bureaucrat with understanding of this kind. The tablets were not dated, but the Semi-Sub-Deputy of Messaging Services for the Parusha Intergovernmental Ministry had told the bureaucrat the context was that of a message from the leaders of Zagosa in response to union.

The bureaucrat stood up and had a new stone tablet prepared for carving. And on the tablet these words appear:
Name - Ozymandias
Title - Minister of the Parusha Intergovernmental Ministry
Request - For Information Retrieval Access
To - Ministry of Information for the Territories



From the Aramyan Bureaucracy

To the Paruhorsehockyes at Zagosa
What is this godly flame of purification?
 
From Iberian Natives
We have no problem with you, mistresses of the seas, our problem is with those Oathbreaking Sarkovites. Let us have at them, and you can win peace or even our loyalty.

The common man shall not be abandoned. Were we to do that, then we would be no better than the Sarkovites that ruled before us. Please, we are bringing wealth and stability to this region. Help us, and together past transgressions can be buried under great monuments of progress. Those that have wronged you are dead, the people that are left are mere farmers and craftsmen. They do not come to conquer you, but you join with you... will you let them?

From Utica
The Piracy problem is slowly filtering westward. Perhaps we should respond in some way?

This is something we can combat together. We will begin construction of a grander fleet which might combat the pirates. Perhaps you should look to establish a few enclaves along the African coast to Egypt so that ships may have somewhere safe to drop anchor.
 
From: Daksina Raj

To: Gujarat
Works for us.


To: Daretokimas

What is your price?
We will send what help we can, but these are tough times for us.

To: Vanassi Kingdom
If we declare that a state is legitimate, then it is legitimate. How union is achieved does not matter to us. Although, we will try to help.
 
From the Faithful horde to the Rhone Natives;
We will stick around... and teach you the Faith in return for precious material and crops. Do that, and we will give you enlightenment about the Faith. Peace and prosperity will follow.
From the Rhone Natives
Teach, and we shall learn.

From the Moderator
Sorry, but as MjM didn't send orders, I was forced to update it twice. It's still there, your position a bit improved.
Hint: it's near the bottom of part 3, I didn't bold the sections (I should, shouldn't i?)
The common man shall not be abandoned. Were we to do that, then we would be no better than the Sarkovites that ruled before us. Please, we are bringing wealth and stability to this region. Help us, and together past transgressions can be buried under great monuments of progress. Those that have wronged you are dead, the people that are left are mere farmers and craftsmen. They do not come to conquer you, but you join with you... will you let them?
From Iberia
We had. We allowed the bloodline of Sarkov to survive on our food and our friendship. And yet they threw that friendship away like a used shield in exchange for a new one, and showed no respect for our contributions. Their entire people have wronged us, and our entire people will seek vengense. Do not stop us, or you will be seen as enemies as well.

This is something we can combat together. We will begin construction of a grander fleet which might combat the pirates. Perhaps you should look to establish a few enclaves along the African coast to Egypt so that ships may have somewhere safe to drop anchor.
From Utica
Capital idea. The return on investment is astronomical.
Oh yeah, can you also help us broker a permanent peace from those slaving Zirilists?

From: Daksina Raj

To: Daretokimas

What is your price?
We will send what help we can, but these are tough times for us.

From Daretokimas
Praise the Raj! May silver flow as swifty as the waters!
To: Vanassi Kingdom
If we declare that a state is legitimate, then it is legitimate. How union is achieved does not matter to us. Although, we will try to help.
From the Vanassi Kingdom
The Star-Metal crown of the Ganges can only be worn by one of Patni blood.
 
From the Faithful and Sarkovian Hordes to the Rhone Natives;
We shall teach you.

OOC: Mind if I send you the teachings in a private message Terrance, or would you prefer me to list it in the thread?

From the Faithful and Sarkovian Hordes to Iberia;
Changing direction. Hope you can host us. We'll still come if you decline... and we'll take more if you do so. :evil:
 
How Far We Can See
[The State of Xilaroi/Xiyi Kingdom in 2650 BC (Fiftieth Year, Fourteenth Cycle)]

Look over the lands of your birth, my sons! The great river of Fenyi flows across those plains, giving life and security to all its inhabitants. Once it dealt death in the towns and cities, and in memory of a dead brother, the twentieth Silent Emperor renamed our kingdom. Now, in union with those who were Zhangat and Xiong, in trade with the Man and Yueh and Huai and all the peoples of the area, we call ourselves Xiyi. It is a new name to reflect the rebirth and growth in our nation.

Rumours have spread to us concerning a massive range of mountains in the south; in the north great plains of snow; in the east islands and a great ocean. Perhaps the world is bigger than we previously thought. Even artisans such as myself, and one day you, cannot help but wonder what might exist in our world.

Work has begun on bringing the Man peoples under our protection. The Emperor has encouraged trade with them, sent soldiers to supplement their cities' garrisons... with any luck, before the end of the fourteenth cycle we will be as one, united.

The Emperor has said that in unity with those peoples who are as we are, of one nation, we can reach further, see further, know more than anyone before us. Several of the Man city-states are in concord, and move towards joining the empire.

But in the meantime, our lives go on, made better by our rulers' generosity. We are Xiyi, we are farseers, we are artisans, we are people.

Thanks to the Emperor's latest legislation, we can even look those who rule us in the eye without fear. That, my sons, is how far we can see.
 
Of Vesuva and Zirila, the start of the schism.

Torasetar X Faran had a Samnite wife. Many thought that his wife would urge the torasetar to keep war, to liberate the rest of Samnia. They were right. Many thought that the marriage between the torasetar and a Samnite would result in the furthering of friendly relations between the people of Samnia and Torasnoth. They were right too. With the Sark War carrying on (Sarkovite, or Sark, became synonymous with demonic, or demon), the Torasetar, with his Samnite wife and Zirilist Samnite children, spent a greater deal of time in Naffran, and the Torasetar soon became good personal friends with the King of Samnia. Their children would often be seen together – a friendship that would last until Ziril once-more claimed the world (which many thought to be soon. It was in fact, as we are all here today, not the end of times). Their friendship would later prove to be troublesome for future torasetars.

Upon the death of the King of Samnia (he was but one of many innocent claimed in Ziril's wraith), his son, the friend of the Torasetar's daughter, rose to the throne, and took the Torasetar's daughter as his wife. Years later, with the death of Torasetar X, the council of Ziril's Will was assembled in Toras to decide who the new Torasetar would be. The King of Samnia had his own plans, however. The acceptance of mount Vesuva as a point of communication with Ziril led the king to consider appointing his own Torasetar. He decreed that the wife of Torasetar X Faran, his Ziril Samnite friend, would be the Torasetar of Vesuva, and of Samnia. Their son, it was said, had crimson hair. The people of Samnia, now becoming known as Naffas-noth, were overjoyed, but the people of Toras were not. This led to strained relations between the two Zirilist powers. The Torasetar of Naffran was of the line of Faran, however to distinguish between that line still in Toras, they became known as Kamek, after Torasetar X's old name.

_________________________

To: Naffas-Noth (and monastaries):
The creation of your title of Torasetar was against the wishes of the Council of Ziril's will. However, the council will accept your current position as Torasetar of Naffas-noth, to provide religious guidance to the people of Samnia. Your crimson hair is indeed a blessing, however all the council of Ziril's Will are descended from the Great Torasetar, and collectively have a greater blessing of Ziril than any one living man. We would ask the following, to bring an end to this schism.

Your line of Kamek will become a new family in the council, and due to your blessing of Ziril, will receive two votes (a total of seven votes in the council in that case).
The current Torasetar will retain his position. If he passes to Ziril prior to your passing, you will become the new Torasetar. Afterwards, normal elections will take place to determine the new Torasetar.
Your descendents will retain the title of kudamziril of Naffas-Noth.
We hope that this schism that divides us from Ziril will be mended.

Ziril bless us all.

To Utica
We will stop taking slaves from your land if you cede the tip of your peninsula (13 pixels or so) to us, as a trading outpost, and if you accept Zirilist preachers. We hope we can establish friendly relations soon.
 
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