New Turn Thread 1660-1700

Part I

1660

The Watchdogs of Democracy.

That’s what the press called itself. Keeping the men and women in power honest – that was supposed to be their concern.

In a free and democratic society like the ones enjoyed by the now 6,000,000 citizens of United Fanatica, the means for the free and unalterable dissemination of information was to be a natural occurrence.

But where does the need to inform override the safety of those citizens they are trying to reach in the first place?

Enough was on the table for the Inner Circle to contemplate – the thoughts of this new instrument of information needed to be set aside. Until the broadcasting of secret Inner Circle meetings began.

From where the leak was occurring was unknown, but already Fanatica diplomats – spies to be exact – were disappearing from the field. They brought new technology to Fanatica – rail lines and steam engines would help Fanatica prosper, and there was more to be discovered at the expense of the Romans. We were at war after all. But those brave souls who delivered the information were not heard from again. The worst was thought.

The Inner Circle met, unsure as to who they could trust. It was the MOI, duke, who finally broke the silence.

He reminded the rest that fear of exposure should not force the leaders into indecision. The world must still be made safe for our own citizens, and the time was now for Fanatica to take its rightful place as the one world superpower.

Nods all around. General Ren was already conceiving the battle plans needed once his armies took to the field – his sergeant-at-arms Becka gripping her musket all the tighter. The co-governors, Mr. Spice and Dell, began to formulate a building plan for each city lucky enough fly the flag of Fanatica. Duke’s scientists were confident that they could propel the nation to unbelievable heights – literally. Of course, duke’s national concerns would be met with wondrous results as well. All the while, concerned and brilliant advisors like Leowind and Mr. Addict were instrumental in bringing about this policy.

President Kev was glad to have the Inner Circle back to the business of the nation. However Mr. Bond was getting his information, it just could NOT interfere with the safety and prosperity of the people. Mr. Bond would just have to live with himself – somehow.

Time for action was at hand.

1660:

The citizens at Fort Pornstar begin to work the forest areas and increase production.

The Duck Pond University is completed. It has a great football team and is considered a great party school, but plans are being drawn for a more elite institution to be built here.

The crusaders out of Dukeshire kill a Zulu crusader regiment. The Dukeshire crusaders are beginning to grow weary for all of their battles and could maybe use some support soon.

In the mean time, a transport ship arrives in Dukeshire and will deliver some new diplomats to the Roman mainland. Hopes are high that these diplomats can help end the long and terrible war between Livia’s minions and the enlightened Fanatics.

Word reaches THDP:

The Romans switch their production from Women’s Suffrage to the Statue of Liberty. Seems ‘ol Livia is not too keen on having women in politics.

Messengers from Dover arrive to say that British knights have been spotted near their fair town. They just don’t want to go back to being British again. They beg to be saved. Kev agrees.

1665:

Dukshire trains a diplomat and sends it on a ship with two others. The ship sets sail for Roman shores.

Joespaniel also trains a diplomat and sends it on a ship as well. This ship is laden with 3 diplomats and a gold caravan and is heading into Chinese waters.

Athenae, Potopolia, and Dreadtown gather caravans and begin to gather more.

THDP has now begun the elite Newton’s University. It will be the center of learning the likes of which the world has never seen.

Our catapult stationed in Dover let fly burning pitch in the dead of night. It would seem that the English absolutely HAD to have their tea and so were heating kettles upon campfires. They were wonderful targets, and our catapult crushed the entire English knight division. The crusaders stationed in Dover stand down and giggle.

Word reaches the capital:

A Mongol emissary arrives and asks for an audience. He is given one in front of the entire Inner Circle – who all just sharpened their darts.

Mongol: Hey, I see you have that piddly science of Chemistry. Why don’t you let us have that and we will give you the wondrous technology of Industrialization.
Duke: What makes you think we don’t have that?
Mongol: Well, ummm, I think I read it in your latest Fanatica Times. We get it in Karakorum.
Kev: Well, I think we’ll be OK trying to get to industrialization on our own.
Mongol: We still feel warm friendship… blah blah blah….
Ren: We’ll see how long THAT lasts.

Word about the town is that the Chinese are considering Women’s Suffrage as well.

1670:

Our first diplomat lands in Pompeii and meets with that city’s governor. The diplomat notices how they use stone and wood to build a structure over waterways. Fanatica decides it could use this bridge building technique.

Word reaches the capital:

A Chinese envoy arrives and asks for an audience:

Envoy: Hello mighty Fanaticans…. Fanaticaites….. Fanati…
duke: And you are here to say….
Envoy: Ahem. You shall all look with wonder upon the Chinese as we discover the Corporation.
duke: [Rolls eyes]
Envoy: Notice that we have invented business suits to go with this technology
duke: Well, envoys of our own are off to your cities to say hello. Make sure you tell them this as well
Envoy: We welcome the warm friendship… OW!
duke: Sorry, dropped one of my darts.

The Romans, seeing a great outcry, switch back to Women’s Suffrage from the Statue. They also send another crusader to Dukeshire.

Part II

1675:

Our ship unloads the gold caravan on Chinese soil, and the city of Beijing is found. The people there try to trade Industrialization for Chemistry, but we feel we’ll have industrialization soon enough.

Newton’s University becomes a reality in THDP. A caravan is begun with thoughts of possible city walls to protect the brighter students soon.

Our diplomat lands in Cumae and notices that it looks very industrial. This is sent back to THDP, and Duke’s faculty at N.U. develop industrialization. Wooden transports are traded for iron ones and the people of Fanatica begin to consider letting women vote.

Olympia builds city walls to protect the government offices and begins a caravan.

Word reaches the capital:

A Roman knight is now seen near Dukeshire.

1680:

A huge explosion rocks the campus of N.U. Nobody was hurt, but all of the rat mazes were destroyed. However, the good news is that Explosives now belong to the Fanatics. These are given to settlers in the land, and they will out them to good use in their improvements. The Newtonians now try to figure out stuff about metal to try to use these explosives to project heavy metal balls a great distance. Metallurgy will be its name when it’s discovered. [Other choices were Atomic Theory, Communism, Corporation, and Leadership.

Fort Pornstar builds its aqueduct and starts a caravan. A library was slated, but caravans are still needed in this wonder race.

Spice Haven trains musketeers and starts a marketplace.

Word reaches the capital:

The oh-so-friendly Chinese have launched a hideous sneak attack. A frigate attacks the city of St. Leowind destroying the musketeer AND the knight stationed there. There are no defenders left, and citizen Leowind gathers the citizens of his new home town together as a militia. A new musket regiment is rushed. Let’s see how our diplomats fare in Chinese territory.

Rome is nearly finished with Women’s suffrage. Dang. But in a strange move, they switch once more to the Statue of Liberty????

1685:

Pellaken Bay builds a temple. They begin to train engineers to help develop the land around them. Kev promises some monetary support for them – likely in an effort to mollify the citizens there.

Diplomat lands in Canton to try to talk sense to the Chinese. They speak of a form of government the likes of which Fanatica has never seen. Word reaches Duke’s faculty, and Communism is now a reality – if only a philosophical one. The great thinkers at N.U. suggest a world organization of nations where they could unite. They have yet to come up with a name for this, but Kev likes the idea.

Our gold caravan on Chinese soil is in extreme danger and will likely be ransacked by the Chinese crusaders standing next to them. The caravan delivers the gold to Beijing and we get 83 gold for that effort.

A transport ship moving south stumbles upon the city of Intombe. Looks like we found the Zulus. The stench forces the ship to give the city a wide berth.

Dukshire’s unstoppable crusaders defeat a Roman knight, but is severely decimated. It will need time to perk up its ranks, but, lo, a Roman catapult approaches.

The transport in Roman waters spots a Roman ironclad and heads for what it thinks is Fanatica’s shores. In fact, the transport finds the city of Lutetia on the same land mass with Viroconium, Dukeshire and Spice Haven. Hmm.. so this is where all of those units are coming from. The diplomat approaches, but sees that there is no technology that the Romans have that’s new to us. Fearing the attack from the ironclad, the diplomat establishes an embassy with the Romans. They have 13 cities, and only Pompeii is building a wonder – that being the Statue of Liberty. They are studying Leadership, and that could prove dangerous. They are in a Republic.

Word reaches the capital:

Pompeii builds the Statue of Liberty. The women of the nation overthrow the government, and Rome becomes a Monarchy. Then, the old government wakes up and overthrows the Monarchy. They are a Republic again. What the heck is going on over there? They then offer to end our war if we pay them 200 gold. We decline.

Zulus attack Cornmaster with two crusaders. Our muskets hold. Zulu settlers sneak onshore as well. Ren will take care of that.

The English send an emissary:

Brit: We wish to end this war.
Spice: It’s about time.
Brit: Indeed. Give us 300 gold for reparations and we’ll not crush you.
Dell: Do you know how to play Cricket in darts?
Brit: Well, yes, actually at the local pub.. OW! OH! HEY! OH MY GOD!
Spice: We decline.

1690:

Our diplomat in Shanghai studies the business suits being worn and send the information to Duke’s brainiacs at N.U. and Fanatica develops the corporation. Immediately we realize the we don’t need to use camels anymore – we can send freight instead. A collective head slap ensues at such a simple solution. Our last diplomat discovers that there is no new technology in Chinese lands. We set up an embassy as our diplomat would have been a sitting duck otherwise. The Chinese are a Republic as well and studying metallurgy. Too bad we’re so close or we could have waited for them to discover it. Ah, well.

Cornmaster’s crusaders attack and kill the Zulu settlers. They looked like they were going to build a city there.

Lots of rushing.

Word reaches the capital:

The oh-so-friendly Mongols now attack at the city of Dover. Our musketeers repel the offending Mongol knight, but takes some damage. City walls that are being built here will be rushed.

The Zulus land 2 catapults next to cornmaster. How nice.

The Romans discover Leadership and trade it with the Chinese for the Corporation. We’re going to have to do something about that.

1695:

Lots built:

Mpondo builds and aqueduct and starts a harbor (and marketplace was supposed to be built, but I switched to harbor. It can go back if we wish)

Cornmaster builds and aqueduct and starts freight.

Fort Pornstar and Dreadtown build freight and start another.

Hippoville builds freight and starts an aqueduct.

Olympia builds freight and starts Women’s Suffrage.

City walls are rushed in Dover.

With wounded crusaders in Dukeshire, a musket battalion kills the offending Roman catapult brigade.

Metallurgy is ours. Our choices for science are Atomic Theory, Espionage, Genetic Engineering, Leadership and Refining. Urgh, no Conscription and no Electricity! I was torn between Refining and Espionage. I needed something I could use in battle since I’m fearing Dragoon and ironclad attacks. I chose Espionage as spies could prove invaluable here.

St. Augustine compiles a list of the happiest nations in the world. The list reads:
#1 = United Fanatica
#2 = The Mongols
#3 = The English
#4 = The Romans
#5 = Blank (the Germans)
#6 = The Zulus
#7 = The Chinese (surprising).

The Mongols are likely second as they are communists right now.

Since there is no word from the international front, the Innner Circle have a kegger to celebrate their citizens’ happiness. Wondering if any pictures of Kev’s kegstands, duke’s skill at quarters, or Becka’s ability to chug will appear on the pages of Fanatica Times.

1700:

Dover builds city walls and starts a diplomat (to become a spy).

Joespaniel builds a temple and starts a coastal fortress fearing Chinese waterborne attacks.

Spycatcher builds an aqueduct and starts a marketplace.

Athenae builds freight and starts a bank. Athenae has two unhappy citizens and Potopolia has one. This means only 3 entertainers – which shouldn’t mean luxuries right now, but Athenae needs to have something to make it happy. I’m hoping a bank will help enough, but if the governors think a colosseum is better than that’s OK too. Seems that the Communism effect on the happiness is being felt.

Three more caravans are being rushed and will be ready in 1705. That will make 12.

Here’s where we stop to have some more discussions. Much has changed. We have advanced by 6 technologies in about 8 or 9 turns. We are also at war with EVERYONE except the mysterious Germans.

Fun to be had!

Here is the saved game.