human-slaughter
brand new year
I wasnt necesarily jusging that the game was like that. I just was making an observation. Why so serious?
Alternate Timeline Building Experiment, v1.0
- Thread starter Daftpanzer
- Start date
Daftpanzer
canonically ambiguous
(greatly embellished once again, for my own amusement 
)
Era 10: The Medieval Age
(map: click for big version)
This era saw plenty of warfare and turmoil, but not the same rapid pace of change as the previous eras. The 'barbarian' invaders of previous centuries had now settled down to form their own kingdoms and empires. Science and technology moved ahead, especially in the field of metalworking. The Ustri empire gained a reputation for its fine suits of plate armour, the Mantahu for its excellent swords, and the Guraj for its development of corrosion-resistant alloys. Gunpowder was discovered by 1150 AD at the latest, seemingly in two different places - the Wuzhen alchemist shops, and the scientific academies of the Turun Kingdom - but in any case the knowledge slowly began to spread back and forth across the Asian trade routes. Though, its true usefulness as a weapon was not grasped for some centuries to come. Its main use was in small fireworks, used to impress kings and crowds of peasants alike. In war, it was relegated to the arsenal of strange and dangerous weapons that might only be used in a deadlocked siege. Arrows, crossbows and sharp edges in general were still the most obvious and effective means of causing harm on a large scale, and so it would remain for centuries.
Across the world, many attempts were made by many different leaders to expand and unify, but few powers remained in one piece for long. Messy civil wars were very common, and wars between empires were often just extensions of them. Only the Yansala and Guraj empires, benefiting from old Pargian and Kaj traditions respectively, were able to hold together reasonably well. Meanwhile, new tribes of nomads and fierce warriors were establishing themselves on the borders of civilized world...
In the Mediterranean, the ancient empires of Tesnara and Voresia both came to an end as they struggled under foreign attack, mainly from the Yansala Empire which was still enjoying a phase of confidence and strength, not to mention its emerging status as global centre of the Wainist religion (much thanks to the legacy of Hurozhyn, now enshrined as the political and spiritual father of Yansala). For a while after 900 AD, Yansala officially forbade its military from any further expansion into north-west Africa, but rogue/rebel forces moved to the frontier and carried on the fight. In 930 AD, they first conquered the ancient city of Tensarn, and then conquered the north African coast beyond, founding their own splinter-state and semi-vassal of Yansala, which became known as the Tezan kingdom. Several attacks on the Aleari peninsular were defeated only by the efforts of the Aelarci kingdoms, while the last remnants of Tesnaran power and territory there were effectively destroyed.
At the same time, the Voresian Empire faced direct attack from Yansala, by land and sea. The Yansalans made use of 'flowing fire' (an incendiary mixture stolen from Turun alchemists) to break Voresian naval power during the battle for the island of Smara (home to ancient seafaring civilization that became one of the pillars of later Mavan culture), after which the Maitan homelands were invaded. At the same time, various invaders struck from the north, and in the Muterri (or 'Mutyl') peninsular. By 948 AD Voresian power had collapsed, the last emperor Valian II fled to the Turun kingdom (where his descendents continued to enjoy status as ceremonial figures with no actual power). But as Yansalan forces became distracted by other wars in the middle-east, they could not formalise control of their new gains. Gradually the forces of the Varas Kingdom, after years of being both mercenaries for and enemies of the Voresian cities, took power for themselves (with help from various other neighbouring factions) and founded a new empire with a new captiol, Saratas. The neighbouring Kupartan Kingdom gained greater power across the Savisian Sea, but could not seize the vital waterways of the Kuliuz.
Neither of the old Mediterranean empires truly died - the Saratian Empire was much like the last, with influence over Turun, and continued to own a network of trade assets across much of the northern Mediterranean, while the Tesnaran tradition was picked up and expanded upon by the remaining Aelarci powers, reappearing as the Navacubi kingdom (with some Tezan and Yansalan nobles residing at its royal court). Although, former Tesnaran colonies overseas were left much to their own devices, and gradually the Anutesnara Kingdom on the west coast of Africa became more like its native neighbours. However, by 1250 AD there was a renewed interest in trade along the west African coast, as the actions of Yarala and Zarimen made existing trade routes less dependable.
Mainland Europe remained very divided in terms of language, culture, religion, and writing (where it existed at all). Arguably, as a result of migrations across the steppes and throughout the mediterranean, there was now a greater mix of cultures in Europe than anywhere else. Semi-civilized cultures still thrived across much of the continent, and some like the Arad Chiefdoms (who had appeared in the wake of previous steppe invasions) were even able to expand their territory.
There was no unifying factor, and no old imperial tradition to inspired by (at least, none that lasted, outside of the mediterranean coasts). Still, some tried to forge one - the Ustri Empire had appeared by 1200 AD, having exploited the aftermath of a century of Serezyl raids (some of which reached the Atlantic coast and the central Muterri peninsular), and Olan raids along the northern coasts, and Amestrian expansion before that, and building on the existing Bohemai kingdom, one of the oldest and best established in Europe, with well-defended alpine territories, along with having an ongoing tradition of high-quality metalworking, particularly in weapons and armour. Amestrian influence slowly withered away in the north, and various 'natives' clawed back lands from them, although their remaining kingdoms were increasingly unified against outside threats, and their leaders had a growing interest in acquiring scribes and books from the south.
After pillaging their way across Europe for decades, the Serezyl eventually lost their military edge (neighbouring states were adopting both steppe-style horsemen and heavy armoured cavalry), and were finally more-or-less confined to their own kingdom, or Keyzad, which was in turn later divided in two by a succession dispute. A chain of other Keyzads led back to the steppe and the Savisian 'Ketada', throughout which semi-nomadic steppe culture was very much alive, although tendrils of civilization continued to spread via trade routes.
For a time the Skilmar Kingdom, founded by the northern expansion of one of the Targarota kings, came close to uniting much of western Europe and overshadowing the Ustri, before collapsing into smaller states. Other Targarota kings moved south into the Aelarci peninsular in the wake of Yansalan invasions there, and others moved into northern Muterri (where they later became vassals of Ustri). The Targarota, now blended with the old Aelyn culture of north-west Europe, remained the single strongest group on the continent, with improving knowledge of agriculture and the fastest growing population, though they were considerably less united than the neighbouring cultures.
Konnahr, prince of Gaert, fought a series of wars in the mid-1000's and united much of the cloudy northern isles before he died, after which most of the Gaert Kingdom reasserted its independence, leaving Konnahr's descendents to rule only the former Bretoch territories. Meanwhile the Kilamys kingdom, based on the European mainland, expanded through marriage and alliance to gain the valuable tin mines of south, and revived trade with Navacubi. The islands were now home to hardened, militarised cultures, which were able to shrug off attacks by Olan seafarers - the fleet of the Gaert kingdom in particular was more than a match for any Olan boats, if they could be caught.
The Olan had a little more success on the coasts of northern Europe, where they conquered and intermarried with the Nuyt peoples (becoming known as Geldut culture), founded the Aarut kingdom, and harassed the previously-peaceful coasts of Amestrian kingdoms. But the Olan had most success of all in the east, where they inspired the rise of the Ponebytav Kingdom from the surrounding Sariv lands. Yet they were also slowly assimilated into the (predominantly Amerstrian) cultures of the east. By 1250 AD, the only 'true' Olan chiefdoms were to be found in the Northern fjords of their homeland, and the few islands further west. The Otlav Kingdom had steadily expanded behind the wave of its less-civilized cousins, reaching a peak of power and influence around 1150 AD, though it too had eventually dissolved into a patchwork of smaller kingdoms.
Asia was engulfed in a series of large wars between empires and various spheres of power, though trade continued to flow along both land and sea routes. After 980 AD, Yansala was attacked by Zarimen Empire, which was then at its height under the rule of Emperor Thylak and a reformed feudal system that was temporarily strong enough to allow attempts at expanding the frontiers. The adoption of Wainism by the Zarmien did nothing to prevent violence with other Wainist powers. Thylak's campaigns almost succeeded in changing the balance of power in the middle east - sacking several cities in the upper Nile on one occasion - but his forces were ultimately repulsed. The fighting only served to weaken both empires, and prevented Yansalan expansion into mainland Europe.
The Zarimen empire went into a long decline and looked like falling on several occasions, but none of its neighbours could ultimately gain control from the chaotic feudal situation there. In the north-east, the former vassal Arazen Kingdom became a strong power in its own right and expanded further along the Silk roads, fighting against Civetis Empire on several occasions, and importing more of Tuizen-Yueren culture into the west (especially the Tiandishi script, a simplified version of Yeuren written language). The Tuizen tribes guarding the trade routes gradually carved out rough territorial boundaries, known as 'Guos', where fortified trading-posts began to grow into towns and cities. These were vassals of the Tuizen Empire and gave it greater contact with the west, and trade flowed in ever-greater quantities.
Meanwhile, the Tuizen sought greater control of the east. After 1000 AD there was another round of full-scale wars with the Yueren alliances of Wuzhen, this time even more ferocious. Philosophers at the Tuizen imperial court promoted the philosophy of 'Quandao', advocating utter ruthlessness and pragmatism as the way to bring peace and order to the land, while denouncing sentimental morality as irrelevant. Massed catapults broke the defences of Wuzhen strongholds, and hundreds of thousands of people were killed. Still the Wuzhen fought back, and became just as ruthless in defence of their remaining territories, still with a large pool of manpower to call upon. Ultimately the Tuizen only managed to further militarise the Wuzhen, to the point where a rival and more liberal alliance began to form around the city of Nanxun. Nanxun gained support from local Yueren and Hai-Ren cities, as well as weakened tribes of Sai-Hsin, during the fight against the north-east 'barbarians' (by now the Lujin and Sregnib kingdoms had merged and broken apart into new states, still with heavy Tuizen influence).
At the same time, the Tuizen Empire lost its grip on the south, where the Tien Kingdom grew out of control, and eventually swallowed most of the mainland territories of the short-lived Yenishi Empire. By 1100 AD, Tien itself then broke apart (despite attempts to copy the northern Tuizen imperial model), resulting in a mix of Tiandishi-Tuizen states known as the 'Tiendishi'. Naval power passed to the Toshion Kingdom in the east, which was reaching a peak of strength, influence and unity (having done much to crush the pirate threat in the region), while in the south power passed to the emerging Ayutashai Empire (heavily influenced by old Tiandishi culture and, since Sanzo Wukong's famous pilgrimage to the north, the Mingdebu religion of Tiandishi also). This, combined with the growth of the Dagon trade empire in the southern straights (following the decline of Ceyloni), and the endurance of the warlike Tiandulong Kingdoms of the inland jungles and mountains, presented major obstacles to the Guraj Empire's attempts to spread Shynism to the east during the 1100's, which eventually failed and cost the Guraj many thousands of troops.
Luckily, the Guraj Empire faced relatively little trouble from the Wainist powers of the west. The Issec Kingdom, home of Wainism, itself waged war on the outlying vassals of the Zarimen empire, efforts which ultimately failed and resulted in the collapse of Issec, but the birth of a new Jornmarin-Wainist state further up the Indus, known as Baltai (troublingly close to the sacred mountains of Shyin). Efforts by the Guraj to fully annex the Kaj states were complicated by friction with the growing Vakharu Empire of the south (with mixed religion and ethnicity). Many Kaj states remained useful as buffer territories, though they paid far more tribute to Guraj than Vakharu, and there was little doubt about which was dominant in India.
Trade across the Indian Ocean was helped by the ongoing growth of centralised African kingdoms (themselves spurred by trade with the coast), especially the resurgence of Zuru coastal states, and the reappearance of a united Hom kingdom in the south. Elements of ancient Zul culture had now spread across right the Indian Ocean - the descendents of the original Zul sea-peoples now living in the tropical islands far to the east, where their expansion was halted by the strength of other sea-going tribes in the region. It is known that Zul peoples had reached the Australian continent by this time, but only in small numbers, with no substantial settlements or influence there.
In the mid-late 1000's, the confederacy of the Panto was the most powerful and populous state in the Americas, with an emerging republic-style system founded by descendents of Kanuthuaw and other semi-legendary heroes of previous wars. But as newly-unified Panto armies moved westward to claim new land, usurpers and rebel tribes caused problems at home, and civil war eventually returned. By 1100 AD, the northern Makantaw peoples had united to throw off Panto rule, and then conspired with other tribes and rebels to basically hijack the Panto leadership. After a few decades of more chaos, the Mantahu Empire was born. The Makantaw gave new strength and unity to what was otherwise another Panto state, now completely surrounded by lesser tribal kingdoms which all paid it some kind of tribute.
Across North America, there had been a general migration of peoples southwards, many of which began to pick up the ideas of farming and settled life. Others were influenced by growing coastal trade, on both east and west sides of the continent. While some eventually founded their own kingdoms, others blended into existing ones - mostly peacefully, but sometimes by being conquered. By around 1100 AD, both the Xante and Tagon states became too large for their leaders to control, and began to fracture into smaller states. The Xante still effectively functioned as one state when it came to honouring and spreading the faith of Lantan, which by 1250 AD had reached most of the continent in one form or another.
New kingdoms and empires also reappeared in central America at this time. Taken together, the empires of Ilameca and Tuklimaceh exceeded the greatness of ancient Chuklikan. There was now a great mixture of cultures due to immigration/invasion from both north and south, as well as coastal settlement by Timiquican kingdoms. There was also an exchange of ideas and scientific knowledge. The Tumec kingdoms were notable at this time for their attention to astronomy and mathematics, along with a rebirth of literacy. New knowledge of metallurgy had spread southwards from the Xante, and the Americans were technically capable of rivalling the sophisticated plate-armour of Ustri and Zarimen, if not for their preference for fabric-based armour (which was sometimes just as tough, and in many ways more practical).
As for the Timiquican kingdoms, there was another confusion of wars and civil wars from around 1050 to 1100 AD, after which there was another briefly-lived union of the main territories, before divisions set in again. This time however, the fragments ended up as larger and more powerful states, and trade had become too important to be sacrificed for any prolonged warfare between them. Timiquican influence continued to spread to South America, via the growing Tinkual Empire (increasingly outside the main sphere of Timiquican power). The Hinchas empire, based on centuries of local ingenuity with irrigation and hillside terrace farming, was a power to rival anything in the north. The Carribean Timiquicans also began to venture down the east coast of South America, where native chiefdoms began to appear in response to trade and contact with the civilized Americas.
At this point, it seems many of the 'Timiquican' voyagers where not actually from Carribean islands, but were recruited from the mainland coasts which had been influenced by the Timiquicans for centuries. Xanauk inscriptions from this time describe the deaths of several nobles who went to sea with the Timiquicans, to trade with the 'overseas lands'. Whether or not this meant South America is not clear. Some have suggested a clandestine contact between some parts of the Carribean and the African coast, based on certain anomalous objects that have been found in the tombs of African kings and chiefs from this period (and, even more controversially, in the tombs of Pargian kings going back thousands of years earlier). Ancient Tesnarans are also suspected of having reached the Americas at one point, even if they did not realise what they had found. And on the other side of the world, there are also suspicions of voyages by Toshion and Yeuren ships to the west coast of North America, based on some obscure texts from the time. Of course, there is no firm proof of such voyages, as they either didn't happen, or those involved wanted to keep them secret.
What we can say for sure that another group of Americans had come into contact with the rest of the world at this time - the northern Asuat tribes, benefiting from a period of warmer weather in the far north, had grown in number and ventured from the island of 'Masubat' (as it was then known to its first colonists) to make contact with bewildered Olan and Rith peoples on the fringes of Europe (who still did not suspect anything more than a few small islands to exist in the north-west).
In any case, both America and Eurasia already had ships that were technically capable of crossing the oceans. The main obstacle, as it was for many other areas of human endeavour, was a psychological one. Very few, if any people wanted to risk their lives and leave home indefinitely for no obvious gain. Meaningful contact between the continents would take a little longer to come about, and when it did, it would be mostly by accident.
Its now around 1250 AD.
Cultures and Factions Ownership:
Since this is getting longer and more confusing, please feel free to ignore some of them, and only send orders/input for anything you are interested in!
The rest: NPC, and may be claimed by new people. BUT please check with me first, and I can tell you what tribes/factions/cultures are related to what.
For the factions that have more than one 'player', each can send their own orders/input regardless of the others. If there are big differences, then that may result in civil wars etc.
Notes:
Muterri peninsular = Italy, Aleari peninsular = Iberia (Spain and Portugal), 'Masubat' = Iceland, 'Kuliuz' = Dardanelles/Bosporos, 'Savisian Sea' = Black Sea, 'Smara' = Cyprus.
@bestshot9, I don't imagine there is much interest in fighting among the tribes of far north America, since it seems survival is hard enough up there. Similarly I can't see why Tagon kingdom would want to expand aggressively into the harsh northern wilderness at this point... BTW, in real life, referring to the British Isles as the 'English Isles' could be highly offensive to Scots, Welsh and Irish people
@Warhead, I keep changing your names, because I don't want to have obvious Latin or Greek names for a culture that is still mostly like Celtic/Gaelic, pre-Roman British. I hope that isn't too upsetting. Please feel free to re-rename things
Next Era: (PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THIS!!!)
Era 11 will be Invention and Discovery. That means that new things will be invented, and various parts of the world will probably discover more about each other (although, it might not be via ships, which might not cross the oceans). So you have more freedom for requesting inventions (printing press?) or just emphasising tech in general, or for exploring, or for getting contacts in other parts of the world by various means.
Note that its possible one part of the world will become a centre for overseas exploration, as Europe was in OTL (though only after china burned its great fleet!), this will depend on more than one kingdom/state though.
Also note that there is still the potential for huge barbarian hordes to appear suddenly (this has already gone past OTL start time of the mongols )
I intend to post Era #11... sometime... I just don't know anymore
)Era 10: The Medieval Age
(map: click for big version)
This era saw plenty of warfare and turmoil, but not the same rapid pace of change as the previous eras. The 'barbarian' invaders of previous centuries had now settled down to form their own kingdoms and empires. Science and technology moved ahead, especially in the field of metalworking. The Ustri empire gained a reputation for its fine suits of plate armour, the Mantahu for its excellent swords, and the Guraj for its development of corrosion-resistant alloys. Gunpowder was discovered by 1150 AD at the latest, seemingly in two different places - the Wuzhen alchemist shops, and the scientific academies of the Turun Kingdom - but in any case the knowledge slowly began to spread back and forth across the Asian trade routes. Though, its true usefulness as a weapon was not grasped for some centuries to come. Its main use was in small fireworks, used to impress kings and crowds of peasants alike. In war, it was relegated to the arsenal of strange and dangerous weapons that might only be used in a deadlocked siege. Arrows, crossbows and sharp edges in general were still the most obvious and effective means of causing harm on a large scale, and so it would remain for centuries.
Across the world, many attempts were made by many different leaders to expand and unify, but few powers remained in one piece for long. Messy civil wars were very common, and wars between empires were often just extensions of them. Only the Yansala and Guraj empires, benefiting from old Pargian and Kaj traditions respectively, were able to hold together reasonably well. Meanwhile, new tribes of nomads and fierce warriors were establishing themselves on the borders of civilized world...
---
In the Mediterranean, the ancient empires of Tesnara and Voresia both came to an end as they struggled under foreign attack, mainly from the Yansala Empire which was still enjoying a phase of confidence and strength, not to mention its emerging status as global centre of the Wainist religion (much thanks to the legacy of Hurozhyn, now enshrined as the political and spiritual father of Yansala). For a while after 900 AD, Yansala officially forbade its military from any further expansion into north-west Africa, but rogue/rebel forces moved to the frontier and carried on the fight. In 930 AD, they first conquered the ancient city of Tensarn, and then conquered the north African coast beyond, founding their own splinter-state and semi-vassal of Yansala, which became known as the Tezan kingdom. Several attacks on the Aleari peninsular were defeated only by the efforts of the Aelarci kingdoms, while the last remnants of Tesnaran power and territory there were effectively destroyed.
At the same time, the Voresian Empire faced direct attack from Yansala, by land and sea. The Yansalans made use of 'flowing fire' (an incendiary mixture stolen from Turun alchemists) to break Voresian naval power during the battle for the island of Smara (home to ancient seafaring civilization that became one of the pillars of later Mavan culture), after which the Maitan homelands were invaded. At the same time, various invaders struck from the north, and in the Muterri (or 'Mutyl') peninsular. By 948 AD Voresian power had collapsed, the last emperor Valian II fled to the Turun kingdom (where his descendents continued to enjoy status as ceremonial figures with no actual power). But as Yansalan forces became distracted by other wars in the middle-east, they could not formalise control of their new gains. Gradually the forces of the Varas Kingdom, after years of being both mercenaries for and enemies of the Voresian cities, took power for themselves (with help from various other neighbouring factions) and founded a new empire with a new captiol, Saratas. The neighbouring Kupartan Kingdom gained greater power across the Savisian Sea, but could not seize the vital waterways of the Kuliuz.
Neither of the old Mediterranean empires truly died - the Saratian Empire was much like the last, with influence over Turun, and continued to own a network of trade assets across much of the northern Mediterranean, while the Tesnaran tradition was picked up and expanded upon by the remaining Aelarci powers, reappearing as the Navacubi kingdom (with some Tezan and Yansalan nobles residing at its royal court). Although, former Tesnaran colonies overseas were left much to their own devices, and gradually the Anutesnara Kingdom on the west coast of Africa became more like its native neighbours. However, by 1250 AD there was a renewed interest in trade along the west African coast, as the actions of Yarala and Zarimen made existing trade routes less dependable.
---
Mainland Europe remained very divided in terms of language, culture, religion, and writing (where it existed at all). Arguably, as a result of migrations across the steppes and throughout the mediterranean, there was now a greater mix of cultures in Europe than anywhere else. Semi-civilized cultures still thrived across much of the continent, and some like the Arad Chiefdoms (who had appeared in the wake of previous steppe invasions) were even able to expand their territory.
There was no unifying factor, and no old imperial tradition to inspired by (at least, none that lasted, outside of the mediterranean coasts). Still, some tried to forge one - the Ustri Empire had appeared by 1200 AD, having exploited the aftermath of a century of Serezyl raids (some of which reached the Atlantic coast and the central Muterri peninsular), and Olan raids along the northern coasts, and Amestrian expansion before that, and building on the existing Bohemai kingdom, one of the oldest and best established in Europe, with well-defended alpine territories, along with having an ongoing tradition of high-quality metalworking, particularly in weapons and armour. Amestrian influence slowly withered away in the north, and various 'natives' clawed back lands from them, although their remaining kingdoms were increasingly unified against outside threats, and their leaders had a growing interest in acquiring scribes and books from the south.
After pillaging their way across Europe for decades, the Serezyl eventually lost their military edge (neighbouring states were adopting both steppe-style horsemen and heavy armoured cavalry), and were finally more-or-less confined to their own kingdom, or Keyzad, which was in turn later divided in two by a succession dispute. A chain of other Keyzads led back to the steppe and the Savisian 'Ketada', throughout which semi-nomadic steppe culture was very much alive, although tendrils of civilization continued to spread via trade routes.
---
For a time the Skilmar Kingdom, founded by the northern expansion of one of the Targarota kings, came close to uniting much of western Europe and overshadowing the Ustri, before collapsing into smaller states. Other Targarota kings moved south into the Aelarci peninsular in the wake of Yansalan invasions there, and others moved into northern Muterri (where they later became vassals of Ustri). The Targarota, now blended with the old Aelyn culture of north-west Europe, remained the single strongest group on the continent, with improving knowledge of agriculture and the fastest growing population, though they were considerably less united than the neighbouring cultures.
Konnahr, prince of Gaert, fought a series of wars in the mid-1000's and united much of the cloudy northern isles before he died, after which most of the Gaert Kingdom reasserted its independence, leaving Konnahr's descendents to rule only the former Bretoch territories. Meanwhile the Kilamys kingdom, based on the European mainland, expanded through marriage and alliance to gain the valuable tin mines of south, and revived trade with Navacubi. The islands were now home to hardened, militarised cultures, which were able to shrug off attacks by Olan seafarers - the fleet of the Gaert kingdom in particular was more than a match for any Olan boats, if they could be caught.
The Olan had a little more success on the coasts of northern Europe, where they conquered and intermarried with the Nuyt peoples (becoming known as Geldut culture), founded the Aarut kingdom, and harassed the previously-peaceful coasts of Amestrian kingdoms. But the Olan had most success of all in the east, where they inspired the rise of the Ponebytav Kingdom from the surrounding Sariv lands. Yet they were also slowly assimilated into the (predominantly Amerstrian) cultures of the east. By 1250 AD, the only 'true' Olan chiefdoms were to be found in the Northern fjords of their homeland, and the few islands further west. The Otlav Kingdom had steadily expanded behind the wave of its less-civilized cousins, reaching a peak of power and influence around 1150 AD, though it too had eventually dissolved into a patchwork of smaller kingdoms.
Asia was engulfed in a series of large wars between empires and various spheres of power, though trade continued to flow along both land and sea routes. After 980 AD, Yansala was attacked by Zarimen Empire, which was then at its height under the rule of Emperor Thylak and a reformed feudal system that was temporarily strong enough to allow attempts at expanding the frontiers. The adoption of Wainism by the Zarmien did nothing to prevent violence with other Wainist powers. Thylak's campaigns almost succeeded in changing the balance of power in the middle east - sacking several cities in the upper Nile on one occasion - but his forces were ultimately repulsed. The fighting only served to weaken both empires, and prevented Yansalan expansion into mainland Europe.
The Zarimen empire went into a long decline and looked like falling on several occasions, but none of its neighbours could ultimately gain control from the chaotic feudal situation there. In the north-east, the former vassal Arazen Kingdom became a strong power in its own right and expanded further along the Silk roads, fighting against Civetis Empire on several occasions, and importing more of Tuizen-Yueren culture into the west (especially the Tiandishi script, a simplified version of Yeuren written language). The Tuizen tribes guarding the trade routes gradually carved out rough territorial boundaries, known as 'Guos', where fortified trading-posts began to grow into towns and cities. These were vassals of the Tuizen Empire and gave it greater contact with the west, and trade flowed in ever-greater quantities.
Meanwhile, the Tuizen sought greater control of the east. After 1000 AD there was another round of full-scale wars with the Yueren alliances of Wuzhen, this time even more ferocious. Philosophers at the Tuizen imperial court promoted the philosophy of 'Quandao', advocating utter ruthlessness and pragmatism as the way to bring peace and order to the land, while denouncing sentimental morality as irrelevant. Massed catapults broke the defences of Wuzhen strongholds, and hundreds of thousands of people were killed. Still the Wuzhen fought back, and became just as ruthless in defence of their remaining territories, still with a large pool of manpower to call upon. Ultimately the Tuizen only managed to further militarise the Wuzhen, to the point where a rival and more liberal alliance began to form around the city of Nanxun. Nanxun gained support from local Yueren and Hai-Ren cities, as well as weakened tribes of Sai-Hsin, during the fight against the north-east 'barbarians' (by now the Lujin and Sregnib kingdoms had merged and broken apart into new states, still with heavy Tuizen influence).
---
At the same time, the Tuizen Empire lost its grip on the south, where the Tien Kingdom grew out of control, and eventually swallowed most of the mainland territories of the short-lived Yenishi Empire. By 1100 AD, Tien itself then broke apart (despite attempts to copy the northern Tuizen imperial model), resulting in a mix of Tiandishi-Tuizen states known as the 'Tiendishi'. Naval power passed to the Toshion Kingdom in the east, which was reaching a peak of strength, influence and unity (having done much to crush the pirate threat in the region), while in the south power passed to the emerging Ayutashai Empire (heavily influenced by old Tiandishi culture and, since Sanzo Wukong's famous pilgrimage to the north, the Mingdebu religion of Tiandishi also). This, combined with the growth of the Dagon trade empire in the southern straights (following the decline of Ceyloni), and the endurance of the warlike Tiandulong Kingdoms of the inland jungles and mountains, presented major obstacles to the Guraj Empire's attempts to spread Shynism to the east during the 1100's, which eventually failed and cost the Guraj many thousands of troops.
Luckily, the Guraj Empire faced relatively little trouble from the Wainist powers of the west. The Issec Kingdom, home of Wainism, itself waged war on the outlying vassals of the Zarimen empire, efforts which ultimately failed and resulted in the collapse of Issec, but the birth of a new Jornmarin-Wainist state further up the Indus, known as Baltai (troublingly close to the sacred mountains of Shyin). Efforts by the Guraj to fully annex the Kaj states were complicated by friction with the growing Vakharu Empire of the south (with mixed religion and ethnicity). Many Kaj states remained useful as buffer territories, though they paid far more tribute to Guraj than Vakharu, and there was little doubt about which was dominant in India.
Trade across the Indian Ocean was helped by the ongoing growth of centralised African kingdoms (themselves spurred by trade with the coast), especially the resurgence of Zuru coastal states, and the reappearance of a united Hom kingdom in the south. Elements of ancient Zul culture had now spread across right the Indian Ocean - the descendents of the original Zul sea-peoples now living in the tropical islands far to the east, where their expansion was halted by the strength of other sea-going tribes in the region. It is known that Zul peoples had reached the Australian continent by this time, but only in small numbers, with no substantial settlements or influence there.
In the mid-late 1000's, the confederacy of the Panto was the most powerful and populous state in the Americas, with an emerging republic-style system founded by descendents of Kanuthuaw and other semi-legendary heroes of previous wars. But as newly-unified Panto armies moved westward to claim new land, usurpers and rebel tribes caused problems at home, and civil war eventually returned. By 1100 AD, the northern Makantaw peoples had united to throw off Panto rule, and then conspired with other tribes and rebels to basically hijack the Panto leadership. After a few decades of more chaos, the Mantahu Empire was born. The Makantaw gave new strength and unity to what was otherwise another Panto state, now completely surrounded by lesser tribal kingdoms which all paid it some kind of tribute.
Across North America, there had been a general migration of peoples southwards, many of which began to pick up the ideas of farming and settled life. Others were influenced by growing coastal trade, on both east and west sides of the continent. While some eventually founded their own kingdoms, others blended into existing ones - mostly peacefully, but sometimes by being conquered. By around 1100 AD, both the Xante and Tagon states became too large for their leaders to control, and began to fracture into smaller states. The Xante still effectively functioned as one state when it came to honouring and spreading the faith of Lantan, which by 1250 AD had reached most of the continent in one form or another.
New kingdoms and empires also reappeared in central America at this time. Taken together, the empires of Ilameca and Tuklimaceh exceeded the greatness of ancient Chuklikan. There was now a great mixture of cultures due to immigration/invasion from both north and south, as well as coastal settlement by Timiquican kingdoms. There was also an exchange of ideas and scientific knowledge. The Tumec kingdoms were notable at this time for their attention to astronomy and mathematics, along with a rebirth of literacy. New knowledge of metallurgy had spread southwards from the Xante, and the Americans were technically capable of rivalling the sophisticated plate-armour of Ustri and Zarimen, if not for their preference for fabric-based armour (which was sometimes just as tough, and in many ways more practical).
As for the Timiquican kingdoms, there was another confusion of wars and civil wars from around 1050 to 1100 AD, after which there was another briefly-lived union of the main territories, before divisions set in again. This time however, the fragments ended up as larger and more powerful states, and trade had become too important to be sacrificed for any prolonged warfare between them. Timiquican influence continued to spread to South America, via the growing Tinkual Empire (increasingly outside the main sphere of Timiquican power). The Hinchas empire, based on centuries of local ingenuity with irrigation and hillside terrace farming, was a power to rival anything in the north. The Carribean Timiquicans also began to venture down the east coast of South America, where native chiefdoms began to appear in response to trade and contact with the civilized Americas.
---
At this point, it seems many of the 'Timiquican' voyagers where not actually from Carribean islands, but were recruited from the mainland coasts which had been influenced by the Timiquicans for centuries. Xanauk inscriptions from this time describe the deaths of several nobles who went to sea with the Timiquicans, to trade with the 'overseas lands'. Whether or not this meant South America is not clear. Some have suggested a clandestine contact between some parts of the Carribean and the African coast, based on certain anomalous objects that have been found in the tombs of African kings and chiefs from this period (and, even more controversially, in the tombs of Pargian kings going back thousands of years earlier). Ancient Tesnarans are also suspected of having reached the Americas at one point, even if they did not realise what they had found. And on the other side of the world, there are also suspicions of voyages by Toshion and Yeuren ships to the west coast of North America, based on some obscure texts from the time. Of course, there is no firm proof of such voyages, as they either didn't happen, or those involved wanted to keep them secret.
What we can say for sure that another group of Americans had come into contact with the rest of the world at this time - the northern Asuat tribes, benefiting from a period of warmer weather in the far north, had grown in number and ventured from the island of 'Masubat' (as it was then known to its first colonists) to make contact with bewildered Olan and Rith peoples on the fringes of Europe (who still did not suspect anything more than a few small islands to exist in the north-west).
In any case, both America and Eurasia already had ships that were technically capable of crossing the oceans. The main obstacle, as it was for many other areas of human endeavour, was a psychological one. Very few, if any people wanted to risk their lives and leave home indefinitely for no obvious gain. Meaningful contact between the continents would take a little longer to come about, and when it did, it would be mostly by accident.
---
Its now around 1250 AD.
Cultures and Factions Ownership:
Since this is getting longer and more confusing, please feel free to ignore some of them, and only send orders/input for anything you are interested in!
Spoiler show :
The rest: NPC, and may be claimed by new people. BUT please check with me first, and I can tell you what tribes/factions/cultures are related to what.
For the factions that have more than one 'player', each can send their own orders/input regardless of the others. If there are big differences, then that may result in civil wars etc.
Notes:
Muterri peninsular = Italy, Aleari peninsular = Iberia (Spain and Portugal), 'Masubat' = Iceland, 'Kuliuz' = Dardanelles/Bosporos, 'Savisian Sea' = Black Sea, 'Smara' = Cyprus.
@bestshot9, I don't imagine there is much interest in fighting among the tribes of far north America, since it seems survival is hard enough up there. Similarly I can't see why Tagon kingdom would want to expand aggressively into the harsh northern wilderness at this point... BTW, in real life, referring to the British Isles as the 'English Isles' could be highly offensive to Scots, Welsh and Irish people
@Warhead, I keep changing your names, because I don't want to have obvious Latin or Greek names for a culture that is still mostly like Celtic/Gaelic, pre-Roman British. I hope that isn't too upsetting. Please feel free to re-rename things
Next Era: (PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THIS!!!)
Era 11 will be Invention and Discovery. That means that new things will be invented, and various parts of the world will probably discover more about each other (although, it might not be via ships, which might not cross the oceans). So you have more freedom for requesting inventions (printing press?) or just emphasising tech in general, or for exploring, or for getting contacts in other parts of the world by various means.
Note that its possible one part of the world will become a centre for overseas exploration, as Europe was in OTL (though only after china burned its great fleet!), this will depend on more than one kingdom/state though.
Also note that there is still the potential for huge barbarian hordes to appear suddenly (this has already gone past OTL start time of the mongols
)I intend to post Era #11... sometime... I just don't know anymore
Luckymoose
The World is Mine
Amazing. I will look into this barbarian horde business!
mythmonster2
BEC NOIR! RUN!
I assume you mean Zulyan tribes are mine, right?
Crezth
i knew you were a real man of the left
Great order, Daft!
Amestris
Priorities: Consolidate, Explore
The Amestrians, with a relatively stable cultural border, would focus on consolidating the kingdoms and developing themselves domestically, with help from new technological advantages scrounged for. The same explorers who sought writings from the south would travel as far east as they could go in search of foreign knowledge to enrich the homelands with.
Amestris
Priorities: Consolidate, Explore
The Amestrians, with a relatively stable cultural border, would focus on consolidating the kingdoms and developing themselves domestically, with help from new technological advantages scrounged for. The same explorers who sought writings from the south would travel as far east as they could go in search of foreign knowledge to enrich the homelands with.
alex994
Hail Divine Emperor!
Why do I not have a role in the Naxun Alliance? When was the last time kkmo was around anyways? 
Soon, very soon.
THIS IS GREAT DAFT!!!
Soon, very soon.
THIS IS GREAT DAFT!!!
Daftpanzer
canonically ambiguous
Map of main areas of main organisied religions:
(click to see full)
My take on these religions: (feel free to say otherwise)
Yuerenism = chinese version of ancient OTL druidism!
Mingdebu = more relaxed, chinese version of islam, with pagan sky father and earth mother as deities
Shynism = taoism / buddhism (without a Buddha)
Wainism = judaism, with hindu twist and a female as supreme deity
Bretochism = codified gaelic/celtic goddess worship
Jonsarism = zoroastrian-esque, worship of ancient Pargian king as divine hero ruler
Orimudism = same, with greek/roman hint
Lantanism = taoism / shintoism / Buddhism
Yes that is correct
(click to see full)
My take on these religions: (feel free to say otherwise)
Yuerenism = chinese version of ancient OTL druidism!
Mingdebu = more relaxed, chinese version of islam, with pagan sky father and earth mother as deities
Shynism = taoism / buddhism (without a Buddha)
Wainism = judaism, with hindu twist and a female as supreme deity
Bretochism = codified gaelic/celtic goddess worship
Jonsarism = zoroastrian-esque, worship of ancient Pargian king as divine hero ruler
Orimudism = same, with greek/roman hint
Lantanism = taoism / shintoism / Buddhism
mythmonster2 said:
Yes that is correct
Nick014
Deposed Despot
Xante Kingdoms: The High Priest collects more tithes from the Mantahu Empire as the Lantan faith spreads there, and continues using it to fund research in its monasteries. Specific focus is on physics, math, and architecture. Continue solidifying Lantan in North America.
(note: I'm thinking that the High Priest and Lantan is organized similarly to the papacy in real-world catholicism)
Mahantu Empire: begins a massive public works construction project from the tribute of weaker kingdoms. Focus is on practical structures like paved roads, meeting halls, waterworks, etc. Some effort is spent on lavish Lantan temples in the larger cities. Also: cultural integration of minor kingdoms/tribes is a secondary effect of this.
Xanauk Kingdom: Continues seafaring trade, attempting to establish a trading outpost in Africa where Mediterranean traders can exchange goods with them for the North American market.
Nanhumei Kingdom: Follow along with the wishes of the emperor...for now
(note: I'm thinking that the High Priest and Lantan is organized similarly to the papacy in real-world catholicism)
Mahantu Empire: begins a massive public works construction project from the tribute of weaker kingdoms. Focus is on practical structures like paved roads, meeting halls, waterworks, etc. Some effort is spent on lavish Lantan temples in the larger cities. Also: cultural integration of minor kingdoms/tribes is a secondary effect of this.
Xanauk Kingdom: Continues seafaring trade, attempting to establish a trading outpost in Africa where Mediterranean traders can exchange goods with them for the North American market.
Nanhumei Kingdom: Follow along with the wishes of the emperor...for now
Good update! Even though I didn't send orders. I'll get orders in for this one. My extended essay is done and all is right with the world.
Whatever works for you. I was just BSing it all along, so it's cool that there appears to be something of a pattern to it.
Whatever works for you. I was just BSing it all along, so it's cool that there appears to be something of a pattern to it.
Crezth
i knew you were a real man of the left
It'd be rather difficult to do that, given much of the North American peoples are themselves poorly organized. It could possibly work like that in the Empires or some of the more civilized Kingdoms, but definitely not as far west as it spreads where there are only tribes and chiefdoms.
KrimzonStriker
Master of the Dawn
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2005
- Messages
- 1,933
Great update Daft, hopefully the Toshion Kingdom will make a bigger splash in the next update soon.
Priorities: Unification and Exploration
At this time, with growing confidence the Toshion Kingdom will begin riding that wave of success and begin making moves to expand its power and influence. After a small backlash amongst some conservative minds which is summarily suppressed in the wake of this new interest the Toshion Kingdom can now push forward in its continued growth. The first move is to isolate and wear down the Kojin Kingdom through diplomatic and economic pressure in coordination with what cooperation can be made with the mainland and what leeway our naval dominance can bring us. Nonetheless, continue to push for unification through a combination of negotiation and warfare until the Kojin succumb, and the way to the northern Islands is opened. In conjunction with these efforts to the north however, a greater interest in exploration and trade will develop, marking the pioneering of the Kingdom to establish trade routes throughout the Far East. This will also generate greater interest in colonization to secure these routes and thus lead to the acquisition of the Taiwan Islands under the control of the Yu Chiefdoms, marking only the beginning of the Toshion rise to become a major power in East Asia.
Priorities: Unification and Exploration
At this time, with growing confidence the Toshion Kingdom will begin riding that wave of success and begin making moves to expand its power and influence. After a small backlash amongst some conservative minds which is summarily suppressed in the wake of this new interest the Toshion Kingdom can now push forward in its continued growth. The first move is to isolate and wear down the Kojin Kingdom through diplomatic and economic pressure in coordination with what cooperation can be made with the mainland and what leeway our naval dominance can bring us. Nonetheless, continue to push for unification through a combination of negotiation and warfare until the Kojin succumb, and the way to the northern Islands is opened. In conjunction with these efforts to the north however, a greater interest in exploration and trade will develop, marking the pioneering of the Kingdom to establish trade routes throughout the Far East. This will also generate greater interest in colonization to secure these routes and thus lead to the acquisition of the Taiwan Islands under the control of the Yu Chiefdoms, marking only the beginning of the Toshion rise to become a major power in East Asia.
Nick014
Deposed Despot
Perhaps. In the Xante Kingdoms especially I've been trying to hint at the fact that the political leadership is a distant second in importance to the church. Given the spread of Lantan into the eastern Panto Empire (or whatever it's currently being called
) and the beginning of massive temple construction projects there, I think would be possible to have a highly organized religion. The other kingdoms might be less organized, but that doesn't mean the Xante missionaries don't still revere their leader or teach the concept of the church hierarchy to their new converts.As far as their beliefs go - it's basically like daft described it. Buddhism's goal of enlightenment (though it can be achieved through more ways than just meditation), mixed with Shinto/Taoist ancestor-worship. Maybe a bit of the old pagan star-worship in some of the more backwater areas too
Ninja Dude
Sorry, I wasn't listening...
Tagarota Kingdoms / Skilmar Kingdoms: See the British Isles as a place to escape the chaos in Europe. Initiat a bloody war to gain control over atleast one island. Once they have power, embrace isolationism.
Kalik States: Begin to settle down, becoming city-states. These city states will be fiercely independant. The ruling classes of these city-staes will begin to listen to the popultaion of their cities to keep control of the people. This might lead to Republics and Constitutional Monarchies.
Serenity of Syhin: Begin contacting Honue and Mandai tribes. Have them become the Serenity's protectors against the Wainist powers. They will serve as a standing army to protect the Serenity from invasion.
Guraj Empire: Begin modiying the many forts and fortresses to have slopping walls to help deflect cannon shots. The Guraj Empire will stop waging war against others unless attacked first by another power. Also, besides copying other countries' gunpowder inovations, make something called the bozaw. It is a metal ball filled with gunpowder and small peices of metal. It will also have a fuse. Once the fuse is lit the bozaw is thrown at the enemy.
Kaj Kingdoms: Begin an attempt to solidify into a single entity while they are at peace with Guraj. Begin persecuting Wainists, driving them out of the country or imprisoning them. Make war with Garakal in an effort to secure better trade routes.
Kalik States: Begin to settle down, becoming city-states. These city states will be fiercely independant. The ruling classes of these city-staes will begin to listen to the popultaion of their cities to keep control of the people. This might lead to Republics and Constitutional Monarchies.
Serenity of Syhin: Begin contacting Honue and Mandai tribes. Have them become the Serenity's protectors against the Wainist powers. They will serve as a standing army to protect the Serenity from invasion.
Guraj Empire: Begin modiying the many forts and fortresses to have slopping walls to help deflect cannon shots. The Guraj Empire will stop waging war against others unless attacked first by another power. Also, besides copying other countries' gunpowder inovations, make something called the bozaw. It is a metal ball filled with gunpowder and small peices of metal. It will also have a fuse. Once the fuse is lit the bozaw is thrown at the enemy.
Kaj Kingdoms: Begin an attempt to solidify into a single entity while they are at peace with Guraj. Begin persecuting Wainists, driving them out of the country or imprisoning them. Make war with Garakal in an effort to secure better trade routes.
flyingchicken
Deity
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2007
- Messages
- 3,783
Several Sariv dudes will develop agricultural techniques and tools and adapt stuffs from the west. One or more of the kingdoms will try to use this as a leverage against neighbors, either with more mooks to throw or through market stuff. One or two of the Sariv kngdoms could gain some sort of supremacy of the others during this time.
Of course, the Keyzad of Tyansk (and maybe not just them) will notice that the dudes above them are getting fat, so they come in to storm for foods. But since the sedentary dudes there have more ties to the metal-working central-Europe guys, so maybe after a little shock from the raids the fat dudes will retaliate in force. The Keyzad will be developing more better horse breeds and breeding techniques, as if they hadn't already had enough of that.
The western Tagarota and northern Skilmar should start developing powerful naval prowess. Maybe advanced galleys and maybe galley-asses or more. These guys will get their power from trade and navy, developing small, tight states for the time being, but maybe one or two can get an advantage and build a bigger thassalocratic kingdom. The ships could be going around, and some might even get lost and get to Africa or someplace.
The inner Tagarota and some of the other Skilmar would just squabble, but at some point some priest or oracle or crazy will say that the eastern empires are evil bastards. So, a bunch of kings and princes and maybe other really rich people rally under the modified holy banner of a winged horse facing the sun (representing the flight from the east, or the horse farting on the easterners) for crusades-like things, which would be highly unoriginal. Hey, maybe they'll find themselves strong and form some sort of confederated kingdom, which would also be highly unoriginal. They'll be adapting to the technology of the east, with a horsey flair and maybe stirrups if they don't have already, but definitely advanced horseback techniques and armor and weapons.
The Civetis Empire could just remain content being rich from being a trading middleman. These guys will stagnate in their richness.
Of course, the Keyzad of Tyansk (and maybe not just them) will notice that the dudes above them are getting fat, so they come in to storm for foods. But since the sedentary dudes there have more ties to the metal-working central-Europe guys, so maybe after a little shock from the raids the fat dudes will retaliate in force. The Keyzad will be developing more better horse breeds and breeding techniques, as if they hadn't already had enough of that.
The western Tagarota and northern Skilmar should start developing powerful naval prowess. Maybe advanced galleys and maybe galley-asses or more. These guys will get their power from trade and navy, developing small, tight states for the time being, but maybe one or two can get an advantage and build a bigger thassalocratic kingdom. The ships could be going around, and some might even get lost and get to Africa or someplace.
The inner Tagarota and some of the other Skilmar would just squabble, but at some point some priest or oracle or crazy will say that the eastern empires are evil bastards. So, a bunch of kings and princes and maybe other really rich people rally under the modified holy banner of a winged horse facing the sun (representing the flight from the east, or the horse farting on the easterners) for crusades-like things, which would be highly unoriginal. Hey, maybe they'll find themselves strong and form some sort of confederated kingdom, which would also be highly unoriginal. They'll be adapting to the technology of the east, with a horsey flair and maybe stirrups if they don't have already, but definitely advanced horseback techniques and armor and weapons.
The Civetis Empire could just remain content being rich from being a trading middleman. These guys will stagnate in their richness.
qoou
Emperor
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2007
- Messages
- 1,991
After I wrote my orders for each tribe, I found them quite confusing, so I made a time-line of sorts. Both are included in this post.
Edit: just noticed that I wrote "ITL" instead of "OTL" multiple times and fixed that.
Spoiler tribe-by-tribe :
Spoiler time-line :
Edit: just noticed that I wrote "ITL" instead of "OTL" multiple times and fixed that.
Luckymoose
The World is Mine
You guys are the reason these updates are taking so long. He clearly says do not bother with long orders as they make him feel obliged.
Daftpanzer
canonically ambiguous
Thanks!!1!11
Well, I could still end up writing thousands of words if there were no big orders!
I fear it also goes the other way and people feel obliged to send big orders, and so on. What I need to do is force myself to keep updates to a minimum to break the cycle. I have problems doing that tho
I'm starting on the next update but will probably still be on the map this time tommorrow, so there's still time to send input/orders/etc. Again, I'm not asking for anything more than a sentence or two
Luckymoose said:
Well, I could still end up writing thousands of words if there were no big orders!
I fear it also goes the other way and people feel obliged to send big orders, and so on. What I need to do is force myself to keep updates to a minimum to break the cycle. I have problems doing that tho
I'm starting on the next update but will probably still be on the map this time tommorrow, so there's still time to send input/orders/etc. Again, I'm not asking for anything more than a sentence or two
Luckymoose
The World is Mine
Baltai Kingdom: A fierce steppe warrior lifestyle is to develop and attempts to conquer parts of the Zarimen empire and others in central Asia are to be attempted.
Champay Kingdoms: Unify under a strong diplomatic leader who proclaims himself emperor of Champay. He is to try to keep peace with his neighbors and develop and efficient internal government.
Kaj: Begin to distrust the Guraj and try to make alliances to fight them.
Vakharu: Seeing possibilities to expand north again, the king is to mount and army and move in for the kill.
Champay Kingdoms: Unify under a strong diplomatic leader who proclaims himself emperor of Champay. He is to try to keep peace with his neighbors and develop and efficient internal government.
Kaj: Begin to distrust the Guraj and try to make alliances to fight them.
Vakharu: Seeing possibilities to expand north again, the king is to mount and army and move in for the kill.
Crezth
i knew you were a real man of the left
Perhaps. In the Xante Kingdoms especially I've been trying to hint at the fact that the political leadership is a distant second in importance to the church. Given the spread of Lantan into the eastern Panto Empire (or whatever it's currently being called
As far as their beliefs go - it's basically like daft described it. Buddhism's goal of enlightenment (though it can be achieved through more ways than just meditation), mixed with Shinto/Taoist ancestor-worship. Maybe a bit of the old pagan star-worship in some of the more backwater areas too
Perhaps. Within Xante of course, where you seem to have a Romanesque empire going on, the organization might be sufficient to ensure the efficiency of a church hierarchy. But given the context of the religion and the spread of it, I think this papal thing may not work out quite how you intend - especially as the backwaters may not consider such a thing of dire importance, especially especially given the religion's ancestor-worship.
However all my jaded criticisms aside, it is possible, and indeed, probable, that in a Romanesque empire such as Xante the religion might naturally adopt a Churchlike feel as a result of being around such structured and organized institutions.
mythmonster2
BEC NOIR! RUN!
Hom Kingdom Priorities: Continue the attempted reconquering of Madagascar, even at the cost of its African mainland colonies.
Zuru Kingdoms: Start unifying more, with now only 2 states of Zuru origin (as in 2 shades of the color of the Zuru Kingdom)
Vakharu Kingdom: Leave the Ceyloni alone and instead move into the Kaj Kingdoms up north.
Ceyloni Kingdom: Recover, but make no attempt against the Vakharus, instead be a leader of trading in the Indian Ocean, taking goods from China and bringing them to Africa, the Red Sea, and thus Europe through the Yansala Empire.
Dagon Empire: Try to monopolize the spice trade, annexing the Zulyan Tribes of Sumatra and moving more onto Borneo.
Zulyan Tribes: Lose Sumatra, but instead launch large attacks on the Parugan Kingdom.
Zul Sea-Peoples: Attack the Pari Tribes and once again try to go across the Pacific, again establishing an outpost on the Galapagos if successful.
Zuru Kingdoms: Start unifying more, with now only 2 states of Zuru origin (as in 2 shades of the color of the Zuru Kingdom)
Vakharu Kingdom: Leave the Ceyloni alone and instead move into the Kaj Kingdoms up north.
Ceyloni Kingdom: Recover, but make no attempt against the Vakharus, instead be a leader of trading in the Indian Ocean, taking goods from China and bringing them to Africa, the Red Sea, and thus Europe through the Yansala Empire.
Dagon Empire: Try to monopolize the spice trade, annexing the Zulyan Tribes of Sumatra and moving more onto Borneo.
Zulyan Tribes: Lose Sumatra, but instead launch large attacks on the Parugan Kingdom.
Zul Sea-Peoples: Attack the Pari Tribes and once again try to go across the Pacific, again establishing an outpost on the Galapagos if successful.
