Gem Hound
Deity
Get him the top of the next page! 
Capto Iugulum
- Thread starter EQandcivfanatic
- Start date
Mickzter97
The One and Only
*hit face really hard*
Gem Hound
Deity
And when I posted that, I counted 18 posts on the page...
*also hits face really hard*
and that is because you two posted again while I left it there sitting.
Mickzter97
The One and Only
well keep posting until the next one
Gem Hound
Deity
Agreed.
I will note that spamming an entire page when we're still a day away from the update is really unnecessary. Why don't we work on story-writing instead?
EDIT: While I was making a map of Vinland, I just noticed that 4 pixels on the OTL Lake Ontario coastline still have Scandinavia's colours.
EDIT: While I was making a map of Vinland, I just noticed that 4 pixels on the OTL Lake Ontario coastline still have Scandinavia's colours.
@Lord Iggy, maybe it's a secret Scandinavian invasion. Lord of Elves is duplicituous]
As for everyone else, yes, write stories, not spam. I can live if the update isn't at the top of a page.
As for everyone else, yes, write stories, not spam. I can live if the update isn't at the top of a page.
Phew lucky me, I was busy writing 13 pages for my research paper today, because it was due lol, and because while I was away my computer decided to restart itself for an auto update...and I lost 13 of my 20 pages, so had to rewrite them all, the best I could, in about 5 hours. Needless to say, orders were forgotten, but I shall get them in ASAP!
Moral of the story: Don't rely on autosaves. Save stuff yourself.
Moral of the story: Don't rely on autosaves. Save stuff yourself.
SouthernKing
crickety cricket
The heavy midday rain pattered down on row after row of squat houses and buildings and dirt roads. The residents of this Croatian fishing town were all either indoors or at sea, and in no position to care about the unusually finely dressed man, wearing a suit and a top hat, smoking an expensive-looking cigar, and carrying a satchel, walking through their town as if it wasn't raining at all.
This man tipped his hat at the two Hungarian soldiers standing under the canopy outside the town's main seaside watering hole. One of the soldiers nodded, and went back to minding his own business, while the other, taking shots from a bottle of cheap liquor that was most likely illegal, appeared to not notice.
The man kept walking, past the town's eerily deserted docks. He stopped in front of a seaside house. He nodded to the disheveled man who was sprawled on the street in front in of the house.
The man knocked on the door three times. It was opened, a crack at first, then completely, by a man similarly expensively dressed, albeit lacking a hat and satchel. The man with the hat puffed his cigar and walked in, the door closing behind him.
The man guided the man with the hat to a windowed room with a number of chairs around a table, where three other men were sitting and playing cards. They all put down their hands as they heard the two men enter the room.
The man who had guided him in turned and said, in broken but cohesive Hungarian, "You bring money?"
The man with the hat set down his satchel on the table and opened it, revealing a cache of notes. "Two hundred thousand forints, in one hundred forint notes. It's all here, straight from Zagreb."
One of the men picked up a wad of bills and thumbed through it. "Real money."
The man with the hat said, "Yes, real money. And, as per my deal, I get a quarter?"
The man who had led him in responded, "Yes, you get fifty."
The man with the hat nodded. "Good. It is done then. I'll take my share and-"
At that very moment, the door crashed in, and four figures with guns burst in, quickly rounding up all the men, except the man with the hat. Within a minute, they were being led out of the house. One of the gunmen, the same disheveled man who was outside, came up to the man with the hat. "Thank you, my friend. You have done a great service to your king and country. Those men were the four most wanted rebel leaders in Croatia. As per your deal, you get all two hundred florins." They shook hands, and the other man left.
The man with the hat picked up the satchel. He then picked up a wad of bills that had fallen out onto the table and thumbed through them. He chucked to himself.
This man tipped his hat at the two Hungarian soldiers standing under the canopy outside the town's main seaside watering hole. One of the soldiers nodded, and went back to minding his own business, while the other, taking shots from a bottle of cheap liquor that was most likely illegal, appeared to not notice.
The man kept walking, past the town's eerily deserted docks. He stopped in front of a seaside house. He nodded to the disheveled man who was sprawled on the street in front in of the house.
The man knocked on the door three times. It was opened, a crack at first, then completely, by a man similarly expensively dressed, albeit lacking a hat and satchel. The man with the hat puffed his cigar and walked in, the door closing behind him.
The man guided the man with the hat to a windowed room with a number of chairs around a table, where three other men were sitting and playing cards. They all put down their hands as they heard the two men enter the room.
The man who had guided him in turned and said, in broken but cohesive Hungarian, "You bring money?"
The man with the hat set down his satchel on the table and opened it, revealing a cache of notes. "Two hundred thousand forints, in one hundred forint notes. It's all here, straight from Zagreb."
One of the men picked up a wad of bills and thumbed through it. "Real money."
The man with the hat said, "Yes, real money. And, as per my deal, I get a quarter?"
The man who had led him in responded, "Yes, you get fifty."
The man with the hat nodded. "Good. It is done then. I'll take my share and-"
At that very moment, the door crashed in, and four figures with guns burst in, quickly rounding up all the men, except the man with the hat. Within a minute, they were being led out of the house. One of the gunmen, the same disheveled man who was outside, came up to the man with the hat. "Thank you, my friend. You have done a great service to your king and country. Those men were the four most wanted rebel leaders in Croatia. As per your deal, you get all two hundred florins." They shook hands, and the other man left.
The man with the hat picked up the satchel. He then picked up a wad of bills that had fallen out onto the table and thumbed through them. He chucked to himself.
Circuit
Writing Letters
The following is an excerpt from The Wondrous Wizard of Oz, written in 1902 by Frank L. Baum.
All this time Dorothy and her companions had been sailing down the stream. The river still glittered like emerald, but there were many dead twigs and leaves floating in the water, and the sailing was not at all good.
There were few birds in this part of the forest, for birds love the open country where there is plenty of sunshine. But now and then there came a deep growl from some wild animal hidden among the trees. These sounds made the little girl's heart beat fast, for she did not know what made them; but Phoebe knew, and she curled up closer to Dorothy's side, and didn't even hiss.
"How long will it be," the child asked ofthe Scarecrow, "before we are out of the forest?"
"I cannot tell," was the answer, "for I have never been to the Golden City. But my father went there once, when I was a boy, and he said it was a long journey through a dangerous country, although nearer to the city where Oz dwells the country is beautiful. But nothing can hurt me, and the Tin Woodman is not afraid so long as he has his oil-can, while you bear upon your forehead the mark of the Good Witch's kiss, and that will protect you from harm."
"But Phoebe!" said the girl anxiously. "What will protect her?"
"We must protect her ourselves if she is in danger," replied the Scarecrow.
The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman guided the boat to the shore so they could gather more supplies. Suddenly there came from the forest a terrible roar, and the next moment a great Black Bear bounded to the river bank. With one blow of his paw he sent the Scarecrow spinning over and over into the river bank, and then he struck at the Tin Woodman with his sharp claws. But, to the Black Bear's surprise, he could make no impression on the tin, although the Woodman fell over in the dirt and lay still.
Little Phoebe, now that there was a real danger, leaped out of Dorothy's arms and up a tree, and the great beast ran chasing after her and began to shake the tree, when Dorothy, fearing Phoebe would be killed, and heedless of danger, rushed forward and slapped the Black Bear upon his nose as hard as she could, while she cried out:
"Don't you dare to bite Phoebe! You ought to be ashamed of yourself, a big beast like you, to bite a poor little cat!"
"I didn't bite him," said the Black Bear, as he rubbed his nose with his paw where Dorothy had hit it.
"No, but you were going to," she retorted. "You are nothing but a big coward."
"I know it," said the Black Bear, hanging his head in shame. "I've always known it. But how can I help it?"
"I don't know, I'm sure. To think of your striking a stuffed man, like the poor Scarecrow!"
"Is he stuffed?" asked the Black Bear in surprise, as he watched her pick up the Scarecrow and set him upon his feet, while she patted him into shape again.
"Of course he's stuffed," replied Dorothy, who was still angry.
"That's why he went over so easily," remarked the Black Bear. "It astonished me to see him whirl around so. Is the other one stuffed also?"
"No," said Dorothy, "he's made of tin." And she helped the Woodman up again.
"That's why he nearly blunted my claws," said the Black Bear. "When they scratched against the tin it made a cold shiver run down my back. What is that littleanimal you are so tender of?"
"She is my cat, Phoebe," answered Dorothy.
"Is she made of tin, or stuffed?" asked the Black Bear.
"Neither. She's a--a--a meat cat," said the girl.
"Oh! She's a curious animal and seems remarkably small, now that I look at her. No one would think of biting such a little thing, except a coward like me," continued the Black Bear sadly.
"What makes you a coward?" asked Dorothy, looking at the great beast in wonder, for he was as big as a small horse.
"It's a mystery," replied the Black Bear. "I suppose I was born that way. I learned that if I roared very loudly every living thing was frightened and got out of my way. Whenever I've met a man I've been awfully scared; but I just roared at him, and he has always run away as fast as he could go. If the elephants and the tigers and the lions had ever tried to fight me, I should have run myself--I'm such a coward; but just as soon as they hear me roar they all try to get away from me, and of course I let them go."
"But that isn't right," said the Tin Woodman.
"I know it," returned the Black Bear, wiping a tear from his eye with his great big paw. "It is my great sorrow, and makes my life very unhappy. But whenever there is danger, my heart begins to beat fast."
"Perhaps you have heart disease," said the Scarecrow.
"It may be," said the Black Bear.
"If you have," continued the Scarecrow, "you ought to be glad, for it proves you have a heart. For my part, I have no heart; so I cannot have heart disease."
"Perhaps," said the Black Bear thoughtfully, "if I had no heart Ishould not be a coward."
"Have you brains?" asked the Tin Woodman.
"I suppose so. I've never looked to see," replied the Black Bear.
"I am going to the Great Oz to ask him to give me some," remarked the Tin Woodman, "for my head is empty."
"And I am going to ask him to give me a heart," said the Scarecrow.
"And I am going to ask him to send Phoebe and me back to West Florida," added Dorothy.
"Do you think Oz could give me courage?" asked the Cowardly Black Bear.
"Just as easily as he could give me brains," said the Tin Woodman.
"Or give me a heart," said the Scarecrow.
"Or send me back to West Florida," said Dorothy.
"Then, if you don't mind, I'll go with you," said the Black Bear, "for my life is simply unbearable without a bit of courage."
"You will be very welcome," answered Dorothy, "for you will help to keep away the other wild beasts. It seems to me they must be more cowardly than you are if they allow you to scarethem so easily."
"They really are," said the Black Bear, "but that doesn't make me any braver, and as long as I know myself to be a coward I shall be unhappy."
So once more the little company loaded into the boat and continued their journey, the Black Bear at the bow, shoulders broad. Phoebe did not approve of this new comrade at first, for she could not forget how nearly she had been caught by the Black Bear's great paws. But after a time she became more at ease, and presently Phoebe and the Cowardly Black Bear had grown to be good friends.
During the rest of that day there was no other adventure to mar the peace of their journey. Once, indeed, a crow was flying over the river and saw the Scarecrow, and became frightened and flew back to where it hda come. This made the Scarecrow very unhappy, for he was always careful not to frighten any living creature; and as they sailed along he wept several tears of sorrow and regret. These tears ran slowly down his face and over his straw, which began to mold. Dorothy began to smell the mold, and the crew pulled over to the river bank to replace the moldy straw in Scarecrow's head.
"This will serve me a lesson," said he, "to not be so frightening. For if I should scare another crow I should surely cry again, and crying molds my straw and makes me smell."
Thereafter he looked very carefully, trying to not appear frightening, and when he saw a bird about to fly over the river he would hide his face, to not frighten it. The Scarecrow knew very well he had no heart, and therefore he took great care never to be cruel or unkind to anything.
"You people with hearts," he said, "have something to guide you, and need never do wrong; but I have no heart, and so I must be very careful. When Oz gives me a heart of course I needn't mind so much."
OOC: Like it SouthernKing
6. The Cowardly Black Bear
All this time Dorothy and her companions had been sailing down the stream. The river still glittered like emerald, but there were many dead twigs and leaves floating in the water, and the sailing was not at all good.
There were few birds in this part of the forest, for birds love the open country where there is plenty of sunshine. But now and then there came a deep growl from some wild animal hidden among the trees. These sounds made the little girl's heart beat fast, for she did not know what made them; but Phoebe knew, and she curled up closer to Dorothy's side, and didn't even hiss.
"How long will it be," the child asked ofthe Scarecrow, "before we are out of the forest?"
"I cannot tell," was the answer, "for I have never been to the Golden City. But my father went there once, when I was a boy, and he said it was a long journey through a dangerous country, although nearer to the city where Oz dwells the country is beautiful. But nothing can hurt me, and the Tin Woodman is not afraid so long as he has his oil-can, while you bear upon your forehead the mark of the Good Witch's kiss, and that will protect you from harm."
"But Phoebe!" said the girl anxiously. "What will protect her?"
"We must protect her ourselves if she is in danger," replied the Scarecrow.
The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman guided the boat to the shore so they could gather more supplies. Suddenly there came from the forest a terrible roar, and the next moment a great Black Bear bounded to the river bank. With one blow of his paw he sent the Scarecrow spinning over and over into the river bank, and then he struck at the Tin Woodman with his sharp claws. But, to the Black Bear's surprise, he could make no impression on the tin, although the Woodman fell over in the dirt and lay still.
Little Phoebe, now that there was a real danger, leaped out of Dorothy's arms and up a tree, and the great beast ran chasing after her and began to shake the tree, when Dorothy, fearing Phoebe would be killed, and heedless of danger, rushed forward and slapped the Black Bear upon his nose as hard as she could, while she cried out:
"Don't you dare to bite Phoebe! You ought to be ashamed of yourself, a big beast like you, to bite a poor little cat!"
"I didn't bite him," said the Black Bear, as he rubbed his nose with his paw where Dorothy had hit it.
"No, but you were going to," she retorted. "You are nothing but a big coward."
"I know it," said the Black Bear, hanging his head in shame. "I've always known it. But how can I help it?"
"I don't know, I'm sure. To think of your striking a stuffed man, like the poor Scarecrow!"
"Is he stuffed?" asked the Black Bear in surprise, as he watched her pick up the Scarecrow and set him upon his feet, while she patted him into shape again.
"Of course he's stuffed," replied Dorothy, who was still angry.
"That's why he went over so easily," remarked the Black Bear. "It astonished me to see him whirl around so. Is the other one stuffed also?"
"No," said Dorothy, "he's made of tin." And she helped the Woodman up again.
"That's why he nearly blunted my claws," said the Black Bear. "When they scratched against the tin it made a cold shiver run down my back. What is that littleanimal you are so tender of?"
"She is my cat, Phoebe," answered Dorothy.
"Is she made of tin, or stuffed?" asked the Black Bear.
"Neither. She's a--a--a meat cat," said the girl.
"Oh! She's a curious animal and seems remarkably small, now that I look at her. No one would think of biting such a little thing, except a coward like me," continued the Black Bear sadly.
"What makes you a coward?" asked Dorothy, looking at the great beast in wonder, for he was as big as a small horse.
"It's a mystery," replied the Black Bear. "I suppose I was born that way. I learned that if I roared very loudly every living thing was frightened and got out of my way. Whenever I've met a man I've been awfully scared; but I just roared at him, and he has always run away as fast as he could go. If the elephants and the tigers and the lions had ever tried to fight me, I should have run myself--I'm such a coward; but just as soon as they hear me roar they all try to get away from me, and of course I let them go."
"But that isn't right," said the Tin Woodman.
"I know it," returned the Black Bear, wiping a tear from his eye with his great big paw. "It is my great sorrow, and makes my life very unhappy. But whenever there is danger, my heart begins to beat fast."
"Perhaps you have heart disease," said the Scarecrow.
"It may be," said the Black Bear.
"If you have," continued the Scarecrow, "you ought to be glad, for it proves you have a heart. For my part, I have no heart; so I cannot have heart disease."
"Perhaps," said the Black Bear thoughtfully, "if I had no heart Ishould not be a coward."
"Have you brains?" asked the Tin Woodman.
"I suppose so. I've never looked to see," replied the Black Bear.
"I am going to the Great Oz to ask him to give me some," remarked the Tin Woodman, "for my head is empty."
"And I am going to ask him to give me a heart," said the Scarecrow.
"And I am going to ask him to send Phoebe and me back to West Florida," added Dorothy.
"Do you think Oz could give me courage?" asked the Cowardly Black Bear.
"Just as easily as he could give me brains," said the Tin Woodman.
"Or give me a heart," said the Scarecrow.
"Or send me back to West Florida," said Dorothy.
"Then, if you don't mind, I'll go with you," said the Black Bear, "for my life is simply unbearable without a bit of courage."
"You will be very welcome," answered Dorothy, "for you will help to keep away the other wild beasts. It seems to me they must be more cowardly than you are if they allow you to scarethem so easily."
"They really are," said the Black Bear, "but that doesn't make me any braver, and as long as I know myself to be a coward I shall be unhappy."
So once more the little company loaded into the boat and continued their journey, the Black Bear at the bow, shoulders broad. Phoebe did not approve of this new comrade at first, for she could not forget how nearly she had been caught by the Black Bear's great paws. But after a time she became more at ease, and presently Phoebe and the Cowardly Black Bear had grown to be good friends.
During the rest of that day there was no other adventure to mar the peace of their journey. Once, indeed, a crow was flying over the river and saw the Scarecrow, and became frightened and flew back to where it hda come. This made the Scarecrow very unhappy, for he was always careful not to frighten any living creature; and as they sailed along he wept several tears of sorrow and regret. These tears ran slowly down his face and over his straw, which began to mold. Dorothy began to smell the mold, and the crew pulled over to the river bank to replace the moldy straw in Scarecrow's head.
"This will serve me a lesson," said he, "to not be so frightening. For if I should scare another crow I should surely cry again, and crying molds my straw and makes me smell."
Thereafter he looked very carefully, trying to not appear frightening, and when he saw a bird about to fly over the river he would hide his face, to not frighten it. The Scarecrow knew very well he had no heart, and therefore he took great care never to be cruel or unkind to anything.
"You people with hearts," he said, "have something to guide you, and need never do wrong; but I have no heart, and so I must be very careful. When Oz gives me a heart of course I needn't mind so much."
OOC: Like it SouthernKing
Grandkhan
Telvanni Master Wizard
The Balance of Power
Jorgen Hald, Prime Minister of Denmark, looked out over the balcony of the Amaleinborg Palace. Copenhagen stretched out before him, bustling even in the sunset hours of the day, as tens of thousands of people went on with their daily lives.
"Just across the water, Mr. Hald. Just across the water, there lie powers and nations threatening to wipe that entire scene clean." King Christian joined Hald on the balcony, looking into the distance with him. "A dozen empires, each pushing against the status quo. Each one armed to the teeth and seething with outrage for a thousand imagined slights."
"Except for the Burgundians and Dutch, of course." Hald cut in.
"Except for them. And us, I suppose. But lets be honest - would you act any differently?"
"What do you mean, your majesty?" Hald asked.
"Think about it. Every nation in the world swears by the Bible that it will maintain the balance of power. And they all rail against those who step out of line. But as soon as the Spanish realise that they have lost Sicily, they threaten war and the destruction of Naples. The Krakow Pact, for all its claims of wanting to maintain the status quo and promising to keep the Brandenburgers in line, lash out the moment that a Russian enters Georgia. But if the British marched into Oranjien? Or if the Rheinlanders rebelled with Brandenburger assistance? The balance of power would fly out the window just the same."
"Thats true. But that is statecraft. That is normal, your majesty."
"I know," said the King. "and thats what worries me."
Both men paused for some time.
"Then what do you suggest, your majesty? We assemble a coalition, to crush Brandenburg in its tracks and prevent German unification forever?"
"Its not Germany I am afraid of, Mr. Hald. It is the little things. A Spanish invasion of Sicily could trigger a war of immense scale. A skirmish in Panama could throw the Americas into war. The actions of a single drunken soldier in Bulgaria could ignite the greatest conflagration known to man. German unification is merely one of the thousand things that could upset the delicate balance that we have crafted. All we can do is wait, and pray that the Nations of Europe will be as wise as the Triple Alliance."
There was another pause.
"You are a good man, Mr. Hald." Christian finally said, looking at the Prime Minister. "I hope that a man of your calibre will be in charge of this nation when the Balance is upset."
"If the Balance is upset, your majesty."
"No, Mr. Hald. When."
Jorgen Hald, Prime Minister of Denmark, looked out over the balcony of the Amaleinborg Palace. Copenhagen stretched out before him, bustling even in the sunset hours of the day, as tens of thousands of people went on with their daily lives.
"Just across the water, Mr. Hald. Just across the water, there lie powers and nations threatening to wipe that entire scene clean." King Christian joined Hald on the balcony, looking into the distance with him. "A dozen empires, each pushing against the status quo. Each one armed to the teeth and seething with outrage for a thousand imagined slights."
"Except for the Burgundians and Dutch, of course." Hald cut in.
"Except for them. And us, I suppose. But lets be honest - would you act any differently?"
"What do you mean, your majesty?" Hald asked.
"Think about it. Every nation in the world swears by the Bible that it will maintain the balance of power. And they all rail against those who step out of line. But as soon as the Spanish realise that they have lost Sicily, they threaten war and the destruction of Naples. The Krakow Pact, for all its claims of wanting to maintain the status quo and promising to keep the Brandenburgers in line, lash out the moment that a Russian enters Georgia. But if the British marched into Oranjien? Or if the Rheinlanders rebelled with Brandenburger assistance? The balance of power would fly out the window just the same."
"Thats true. But that is statecraft. That is normal, your majesty."
"I know," said the King. "and thats what worries me."
Both men paused for some time.
"Then what do you suggest, your majesty? We assemble a coalition, to crush Brandenburg in its tracks and prevent German unification forever?"
"Its not Germany I am afraid of, Mr. Hald. It is the little things. A Spanish invasion of Sicily could trigger a war of immense scale. A skirmish in Panama could throw the Americas into war. The actions of a single drunken soldier in Bulgaria could ignite the greatest conflagration known to man. German unification is merely one of the thousand things that could upset the delicate balance that we have crafted. All we can do is wait, and pray that the Nations of Europe will be as wise as the Triple Alliance."
There was another pause.
"You are a good man, Mr. Hald." Christian finally said, looking at the Prime Minister. "I hope that a man of your calibre will be in charge of this nation when the Balance is upset."
"If the Balance is upset, your majesty."
"No, Mr. Hald. When."
Circuit
Writing Letters
I like the fact that Bodenborg is on the map. 
Quisani
Gaming Person
Prince Tokugawa Takachiyo watched the sands of Persia slowly recede beyond the horizon. He stood with one hand on the railing of the Takeda Maru, a merchant ship retrofitted to be a diplomatic ship. Takachiyo was returning to report to Imperial Court on Japan's economic partner. It was also a chance for Japan and Persia to have a public relations boost. Several Persians were on board to visit universities back Japan, while several of Japan's more adventurous scientists and inventors remained in Baghdad. It had gone rather well, in Takachiyo's opinion. He had dined with several prominent officials, and had talked briefly with the Emperor Matta. Then, he traveled with some Japanese journalists and visited several art galleries. They had also taken a week-long trip to see a local archeological site, which was overseen by a British man by the name of Howard Carter. Takachiyo and the other members of the delegation returned to Baghdad before traveling to the coast.
Takachiyo thought about the man he had met at the archeological site. It had been an interesting encounter. Carter couldn't speak Japanese and none of the Japanese men there could speak English. However, they were able to communicate through their respective guides. Even through they couldn't talk directly, Takachiyo could tell the man was amiable and exuberant about his work, to the point of failing to pay proper respect to Takachiyo, although it was momentary. Carter had told them tales of his desire to visit Egypt, and his attempts to travel there on his own to study the ruins, only to be rebuffed by Spanish officials. The Scandinavians allowed him to work in several Egyptian sites around Ethiopia, but eventually he was forced to leave due to a lack of funding. While returning to Europe on Orient Express, he had fortune to be riding in the same train-car as wealthy Persian scholar, who offered to finance his work, if Carter agreed that he would work in Persia. Though it was not his dream, he had accepted. Takachiyo thought the man was a bit peculiar, though certainly interesting and very determined. Perhaps, when he returned four months from now, he would make an offer to pay for Carter to come Japan to dig in the dirt there. One makes use of opportunity, no matter how unusual.
The last sliver of Persian coastline slipped away. A servant standing several feet behind Takachiyo spoke up. "Tokugawa Denka, forgive me, but I must remind you that you have a meeting with Shirō Asano-san. He wishes to show you his picture machine." Takachiyo nodded, but kept his eyes trained on the horizon. Opportunities awaited, and perhaps the more unusual ones were the ones worth making use of. He then turned and went below deck.
Takachiyo thought about the man he had met at the archeological site. It had been an interesting encounter. Carter couldn't speak Japanese and none of the Japanese men there could speak English. However, they were able to communicate through their respective guides. Even through they couldn't talk directly, Takachiyo could tell the man was amiable and exuberant about his work, to the point of failing to pay proper respect to Takachiyo, although it was momentary. Carter had told them tales of his desire to visit Egypt, and his attempts to travel there on his own to study the ruins, only to be rebuffed by Spanish officials. The Scandinavians allowed him to work in several Egyptian sites around Ethiopia, but eventually he was forced to leave due to a lack of funding. While returning to Europe on Orient Express, he had fortune to be riding in the same train-car as wealthy Persian scholar, who offered to finance his work, if Carter agreed that he would work in Persia. Though it was not his dream, he had accepted. Takachiyo thought the man was a bit peculiar, though certainly interesting and very determined. Perhaps, when he returned four months from now, he would make an offer to pay for Carter to come Japan to dig in the dirt there. One makes use of opportunity, no matter how unusual.
The last sliver of Persian coastline slipped away. A servant standing several feet behind Takachiyo spoke up. "Tokugawa Denka, forgive me, but I must remind you that you have a meeting with Shirō Asano-san. He wishes to show you his picture machine." Takachiyo nodded, but kept his eyes trained on the horizon. Opportunities awaited, and perhaps the more unusual ones were the ones worth making use of. He then turned and went below deck.
Quisani
Gaming Person
OCC: I like the stories. Let's keep them coming. Also, if we could keep doing excepts of things in the cultural section, that'd be cool.
Side note: We 5 away from getting EQ on the top.
Side note: We 5 away from getting EQ on the top.
I like the fact that Bodenborg is on the map.
Couldn't leave it out.
It was one of only four cities named in the updates, the others being Fort Helsinki, Port/Fort Adolphus, and New Stockholm. I just translated them to Swedish, and was ready to go. 
m.t.cicero
Good Kid
Engelbert van Bernissart strolled through the garden of his father's manor. A particularly bright rose caught his eye. As he went over to get a closer look at it, Engelbert's mind began to wander. He had heard of all of the unrest and tension throughout the rest of Europe. War appeared to be quickly becoming a reality everywhere, everywhere at least, except for Flanders. The nation's neutrality gave the people there a sense of detached tranquility, the fears of war being as ridiculous to most as the fear of fairy tale monsters.
This seemingly impenetrable peace along with the increasing democratization and liberalization of the government had left the nobility with seemingly endless free time. All of the reformations of the government had left them with their land rights and wealth, but they had fewer and fewer political and military responsibilities. This had lead to a great patronage of art and appreciation of beauty by the Flemish nobility. Cézanne, Monet, and Van Gogh had all found patronage from Flemish nobles, who were always willing to pay top price for the latest craze in painting. As Van Bernissart leaned down to sniff the rose, the thoughts of war had withdrawn from his mind, now only occupied by obsession with beauty.
Cézanne's Road Before the Mountains, Sainte-Victoire, owned by Emmanuel van Bernissart, Count of Ath.
This seemingly impenetrable peace along with the increasing democratization and liberalization of the government had left the nobility with seemingly endless free time. All of the reformations of the government had left them with their land rights and wealth, but they had fewer and fewer political and military responsibilities. This had lead to a great patronage of art and appreciation of beauty by the Flemish nobility. Cézanne, Monet, and Van Gogh had all found patronage from Flemish nobles, who were always willing to pay top price for the latest craze in painting. As Van Bernissart leaned down to sniff the rose, the thoughts of war had withdrawn from his mind, now only occupied by obsession with beauty.
Cézanne's Road Before the Mountains, Sainte-Victoire, owned by Emmanuel van Bernissart, Count of Ath.
Now, just to assure you all that the update is indeed coming, I'd like to post a teaser at what this update includes. For those of you who already helped me with this over AIM, please reserve comments until after the update. As a hint, it's what you may expect, but definitely not where you'd expect it.
EDIT: No, it is not a book cover, this image refers to an actual event in the update.
EDIT: No, it is not a book cover, this image refers to an actual event in the update.
SouthernKing
crickety cricket
Well that can't be good.
TerrisH
Mischief?
Tunguska?
hmm, but it's a few years early.. which means it might have happened anywhere..
hmm, but it's a few years early.. which means it might have happened anywhere..
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