(OOC: I did a little Internet researching and discovered my ruler's full name, so I'm including it here

)
Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov sighed contentedly, his back resting against the sturdy support of an ancient fir tree. It was late summer out on the vast steppes of Russia, with just a few more weeks of warm weather before his people would have to break out their heavy fur coats once again. But at the moment, it was as beautiful a day as the tsar had ever seen. His lovely wife Evdokia was playing nearby with his daughters Irina and Pelagia, while the Romanov family nurse Ludmila took care of the most important one of all: Mikhail's infant son Alexei. Gazing on his son now, it was hard to believe that he would eventually grow up to become the next tsar, a figure both loved and feared by millions of the Russian people. Mikhail was genuinely saddened when the sun began to fade in the western sky and his family began the hour's ride back to Moskva (Moscow). It was with a heavy sigh that evening that he once again assumed the mantle of the tsardom and began dictating letters to the other leaders of the world.
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To: The Honorable President Mr. Gore
From: Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov
Regarding: The Proposed Alliance
The people of Russia are honored by your professed committment to peace. As we have no intention of ever sending colonists to the American continent, we feel that peaceful coexistence should be possible indefinitely. However, Russia has no desire to be pulled into an alliance that is not in our interests against the nations of Europe. We therefore reject the proposed alliance with your nation, although we am very much interested in maintaining peaceful relations with the American people. It is our friendly recommendation that your nation give up this policy of claiming all of the American continents for your own people. Such a stance will only cause needless bloodshed between your people and the French and British. Russia will gladly help mediate a fair and equitable peace that will divide the American continents into spheres of interest. We urge your people to work for peace.
To: His Highness King Blackadder of Britain and His Highness Monrique d'Esoleil, le Roi de France.
From: Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov
Regarding: The War in America
My fellow monarchs, the peace-loving Russian people desire that you cease your aggression against the people of America. While the words of Mr. Gore were indeed provocative, it is Russia's stance that your acts against America were unwarranted acts of aggression. The Russian people urge that you work out a peaceful soultion with the Americans and a fair division of the unexplored regions of the American continents. Russia will be more than willing to mediate in this conflict if desired, as we have no designs on the American continent whatsoever. We wish to remain on good relations with both of your nations, and hope that you will look with favor on your brothers in the east.
To: His Highness, Imperator and First Consul Caesar Augustus
From: Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov
Regarding: Greetings!
Russia greets you, my friend. As you may recall, the House of Romanov is related to the Greek (Byzantine) emporers, and by extention to your family as well. We wish you well in your colonization of the primatives of Africa, and hope that we may form a just and lasting relationship between our nations that will stand the test of time.
To: His Highness Juan Carlos II , Rey d'Espana.
From: Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov
Regarding: Greetings
The Russian people greet you. Seeing as how there should be little room for conflict between our nations, Russia hopes that we may abide together in peace. We ask you to call off your proposed invasion of Panama, as the Russian people are unaware of any actions that the Americans have taken against you. We ask that you prevail upon your British and French allies to end this fighting before more needless bloddshed occurs.
To: His Highness, Emperor Hans Hickthen of Sweden
From: Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov
Regarding: Greetings
The Russian people welcome your ascent to the throne and hope that we may enjoy a long and peaceful relationship with one another. We will respect your territorial sovereignty as long as you do not make any aggressive actions towards Russia. Although we desire only peace, be warned that any incursions into Karelia or Russia possessions on the Baltic will not be tolerated. It is my personal hope that we may solve any disputes that we may have peacefully, and at the diplomatic table as civilized men.
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Mikhail sighed and put down his quill. By the angle of the moon's light into his chambers he could tell it was well past midnight. But there was still more to be done before he could sleep.
The tsar's work is never done he mused to himself. Mikhail called the guard outside his room over to him and murmurred an order to him, sending the guard dashing off into the recesses of the Kremlin. A few mintues later a very groggy Segeyev was brought into his presence.
"Sergeyev! Begin sending out riders with these orders immediately - and no, I don't care what time it is!" stated the tsar forcefully. The sleepy advisor could only nod his head in response. "Our settlers have made amazing progress so far; even I did not expect the Caucasus to be settled so quickly. (read: thanks uknemesis

) However, there remains much more to do before our great vision is complete. I want our settlers to push on over the Urals, straight to the Ob River and all the way to the Yenessi if possible. I want a full 35 divisions made available for this, as I expect us to gain control of the area around the Aral Sea as well.We will station 10 more divisions in the Caucasus region, 10 in the Baltic area, and the remaining 40 held in reserve in the heartland of Russia, ready to meet any possible crisis that may come up. And wait - break one of the expeditionary eastern divisions off to colonize Novaya Zemlya as well - just to keep our enemies from having a port location (if not much of one) so close to our homeland."
Sergeyev muttered something under his breath about "working me to death... this'll be the end of me for sure" but went off anyway to see to the tsar's orders. Another day of work was finally done for the mighty Russian tsar.
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OOC: With several slots open for players to enter the game and the majority of the world map up for grabs, I say that we hold off on advancing a tech era until NEXT Sunday (May 19th). Other players' opinions?
Also, everyone remember to check your personal messages (PMs) frequently; although I have not sent out any to this point, they will be vital to conducting diplomacy when you have something to say that you do not want everyone to see.