Civ Design Challenge III - Alternate History

[Uighur_Caesar]

GG

/5char

 

[Scapegrace]

ggwp =]

 

[Urdnot_Scott]

ggwp =]

GG

I'm gonna take these as compliments. Apologies one and all for the massive wall of text at any rate; I spend so much time writing essays these days that the chance to write one strictly for 'fun' obviously appealed to me a lot more than I thought it would.

 

[Scapegrace]

Of course they're compliments. I for one am not topping that any time soon.

 

[Urdnot_Scott]

Meh, the hardest bit was the formatting to be honest and thats not particularly impressive, just time consuming! Thanks a million anyway though! I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little bit proud of it - I've never even really thought about alternate history until now so I'm pretty happy with everything, excited for next week now, got a reliable format

 

[Tarmont]

While I still don't like the design for this civ, it's time for me to let it go :|

Search for the Elixir of Life, c.1420 - 1520
Inspired by early tales and Chinese folklore, the Yongle Emperor sent Zheng He to travel eastwards into the Pacific Ocean, through what now would be Siberia and Alaska to find the mysterious lands of Fusang; and the Elixir of Life said to be guarded therein. He arrived in North America, and met with the indigenous peoples of what would be Canada, before leaving empty handed. The knowledge that Fusang (And potentially the Elixir) did actually exist (And could be reached), however, fueled further expeditions into the new continent by Yongle and further Emperors, seeking the same thing that brought Qin Shi Huang's demise. Adventurers flocked to Fusang and established fortifications along the way, that grew into colonies, villages and towns. They eventually reached Mesoamerica when trying to find how far the continent stretched, meeting great native kingdoms there.

Spoiler :

Sino-Spanish Wars and Ming Mexico, 1520 - 1618
When the Ming sent ambassadors to form tributary relations with the Mesoamerican Kingdoms, the Aztecs killed them mistaking them for Spaniards. The outraged Zhengde Emperor then sent an army to conquer them, but by the time they arrived the Aztec Triple Alliance had already fallen to the Spanish. The Chinese, not making any distinction between them, successfully invaded and conquered much of the region with their superior numbers between 1521 and 1523. As rumors spread that the Elixir of Life could be found in these lands, the Chinese soon begun the conquest of all of Mesoamerica, distrusting the natives deeply: The Jiajing Emperor claimed that "(They were) Hiding the Elixir from me!". Whatever the case, by 1550 most of the north of Mexico was under Ming control. Most natives from the Pacific coast to Mexico were gradually sinicized by the homogeneous Han (Often forcefully) as well. The Ming met with French explorers around this time, but due to the Chinese take on trade with outsiders (And dealing with outsiders as a whole), that was mostly fruitless. Between 1607 and 1608, France and England began their colonization of north america, while the Spanish intensified their colonization in central and south as well as portions of (This world's) Texas and Louisiana. The increased contact allowed the Europeans more understanding of Chinese culture and by that time France had established tributary relations with the Ming Dynasty, whereas the Spanish remained at constant conflict with the Chinese, triggering a second Sino-Spanish war where England allied to the Ming dynasty and annexed many caribbean colonies and Florida, while Ming absorved some Spanish territory along its colonial borders.

Fall of Ming and Anarchy in Fusang, 1618-1679
With its colonial endeavours Ming had become the richest dynasty to have ever ruled China, but this was not to last. In their decadence, the Manchu banners rose and after a long struggle, Ming was no more. The Chinese living in Fusang and the sinicized natives had been up to this point loyal subjects to the emperor, but as news of their defeats came to the new world some Dukes rebelled, and by the fall of Ming all of Fusang had become fully independent. Some of the new independent lords even claimed the mandate of heaven for them, but most referred to themselves as Dukes. Many local dynasties rose and fell during this period, some greater than others, but none managing to achieve full hegemony over all of Fusang. During this time, European kings meddled in Fusang's politics for their own gain, even setting up puppet Dukes and Emperors in some states.

Spoiler :

Rise of the Richu and Datongyi Emperor, 1679-1707
As recorded by the Book of Richu, the "Evil", pseudo-Legalist Tamao Dynasty ruled in northeast Mexico and conquered many Spanish lands to the even further northeast (In Texas and Louisiana), becoming stronger than its neighbours. However, rebellions against the oppresive rule of their emperor, coupled with a simultaneous crippling attack from the nearby Keawei and Nawayu states broke the Tamao power. Many rebellions had arosen against the Tamao; the most prominent was that of Zheng Xin, who managed to convince others to join him and soon absorbed the other groups. After capturing the Tamao Capital, he declared himself Emperor of the Richu Dynasty (Meaning Sunrise) and adopted a Sanzuwu (Three-legged crow/raven, associated with the sun and Fusang) symbol for his realm. Sun related symbolism was common in Fusang, as it was associated since the earliest tales as the land where the Sun rose each day. He adopted Datongyi as his era name (Great Unifying), and thus was known to history as Datongyi Emperor of Richu. Datongyi was born to a non-noble Han family in Fusang and used to be a Blacksmith before the war. He fell in love with a catholic Spanish women from the Tamao-ruled Louisiana (Seen as unusual in their society at the time) named Maria Constanza, who would be his only wife (As opposed to the Chinese tradition of having many concubines). Although Datongyi took great care to limit the influence of his ministers and generals, his wife would come to excert great influence in the Richu court until her death. They had three sons and two daughters together, however his youngest son converted to Catholicism and lived as a monk, and his second son died at early age.

Datongyi Emperor would launch his state into a great struggle for the control of Fusang, seeking to unify all Han Chinese in the new world under one Emperor. He claimed not only the Mandate of Haven, but also to have the blessing of the Golden Raven of Fusang to rule. On the wars to follow, he fought first against the nearby Keawei and Nawayu, who had conquered substantial parts of Tamao during his rebellion. After securing his rule in eastern Mesoamerica he launched his campaing to subdue Western Fusang (Allying with states on the far-north of Fusang, who later peacefully swore fealty to Datongyi). His only surviving son and heir, prince Zheng Yan, died during these wars, which affected Datongyi greatly; some sources state that he wouldn't leave his tent for a week. Eventually (Under the influence of his wife) he promulgated a law that would allow women to inherit; thus securing his eldest daughter (Zheng Meiling) place as Empress of Richu.

Datongyi Emperor established around this time, as a homage to his daughter, the Sunflower Oathbound (Also known as Sunflower Guard) regiment. Formed during the last campaigns of unification, and was composed of the most experienced Richu soldiers (Often handpicked by Datongyi himself). The Oathbounds remained active after the war ended, growing in size and experience, and were involved in every Richu war thereafter. They were known for their bravery in the field; before engaging in combat, they swore an oath to the emperor (Or empress) that they would not back down until victory had been attained.

After winning his wars of conquest, Datongyi allowed many Dukes to retain their positions but also implemented (Somewhat limited) centralizing reforms (The conquered lords wouldn't dare to rise up against this, however). He thus improved the economy and taxation of the realm in comparison to the colonial times and left huge depots of gold for his successors. He also ordered and started the construction of two advanced fleet for Richu, one in the Pacific Ocean, and one in the Atlantic, forming the Great Admiralties of West and East. Under influence of Maria Constanza, Jesuits were allowed to operate within Richu.

He died in his sleep after being stricken with sickness in 1703, aged 44 years old and having ruled for 23 years, and was succeeded by his eldest daughter with Maria Constanza, Zheng Meiling.

Xiangrikui Empress, 1707-?
Although the charismatic Zheng Meiling adopted an Era name as is customary, she prefered to be referred to as her affectionate nickname, "Xiangrikui" (Means Sunflower). She became Empress at age 17.

Traditionalist and opportunist dukes who had been conquered by Datongyi and opposed the ascension of Zheng Meiling used the death of Datongyi to declare rebellion, and the "War of Xiangrikui" begun; they sought to replace Meiling with her brother, the catholic convert Zheng Ping. Zheng Ping, however, had no interest in either betraying Meiling and his parents wishes, nor in ruling Richu, and thus he returned to lead Meiling's army against the very dukes who desired to proclaim him Emperor. Wining the war, Meiling pardoned the rebellious dukes on the condition that they and their descendants swore to never take up arms against her again, and that their family would seek no revenge should they break this oath and be executed as punishment.

Xiangrikui Empress initiated great architectural projects to revitalize the Richu capital and outer regions, and created several Imperial Sub-Capitals along the rest of the empire following the model of the original one, decreasing even more the influence of local lords while centralizing Imperial power. She also developed a new imperial road to further integrate all regions of the empire, and recruited soldiers from all provinces to serve in the Imperial Army. The importance of the Imperial Examination system was also expanded, to promote cultural unity across all Fusang. Soon enough, the Dukes and local families held so little power over their provinces that they fell into obscurity, and all over the realm the firm control of the Xiangrikui Empress could be felt.

After securing the respect and winning the love of her subjects, Xiangrikui Empress could focus her attention on international matters. Utilizing from the efficient bureaucracy that had already been established by her father (But further improved by herself), and with the navy and funds left by him, she began a campaign of extensive training for the already battle-tested Richu army, eventually expanding the empire to the interior of America/Fusang - including over a Buddhist, Inuit theocracy founded by Ayutthayan missionaries, and while allied with the French against England, conquering territory on the Caribbean. With this experienced army and navy, she would soon launch a massive expedition across the Pacific for the true aim of her ambitions, and the culmination of all of her's and Datongyi's efforts: to reclaim China from the Qing Dynasty, and become the sole Empress under Heaven.

By the 18th Century, with the second highest population (Behind only Qing China) and as one of the largest nations on earth, the Richu-ruled Fusang had become one of the most prosperous nations of the century, with huge urbanized centers from Mexico to Alaska, and trade occurring with "tributary" countries such as France and Netherlands, and in some cases, Spain and Great Britain. Should the "Sunrise Invasion" succeed, a great Pan-Pacific empire will be born that no sole nation will be able to match alone...​

Richu Dynasty​

Spoiler :

Xiangrikui - Raven of Fusang
When war ends, gain Production across the empire based on the total amount of Experience generated during it. Units gain extra Experience upon defeating a type of unit they never faced before, and have extra Combat Strength based on their level.

Sunflower Oathbound (Musketman)
Cannot be fully defeated unless at level 1; rather than dying, it loses one level, most promotions, and suffer further debuffs on enemy turns, but stay alive. When outnumbered by the enemy and ordered to disband, deals damage to all of them.

Imperial Prefecture (Courthouse)
+20% Production towards Wonders, and generates happiness if the city has one. Gain Production towards Imperial Prefectures in conquered cities whenever a Wonder is built in the empire.

 

[GPuzzle]

Turn off the lights, lock the doors... these two handed our asses to us on a silver platter.

 

[Urdnot_Scott]

Hot damn that was great - the game has really been raised today. An incredible write up, handmade maps and an infographic? Awesome, might have to step my own game up now too... I'm pretty sure this is how nuclear wars start though, serial escalation

 

[senshidenshi]

I feel really inadequate now.

 

[SULOMON]

I feel really inadequate now.

Ditto.

 

[bouncymischa]

To be honest, though, I enjoy reading everyone's submissions. I don't know enough about history to really be able to contribute, but seeing everyone's take on how history could have changed is quite cool. Sure, some may be more polished than others, but each of the submissions is unique and interesting in their own way!

 

[Natan35]

Can confirm, realising I had to actually come up with a design for the ridiculous monstrosity I'd created was definitely the worst part of all that. (Maybe second worst after desperately trying to work out how to make a forum post look like a Wikipedia article)

It took me about 2 hours(after which I had to do homework!!!!) to finish my design, and the story looks.... So poor. You guys should really post your stories somewhere, they're amazing.

@Tarcisio: please make a civ out of your design!!! Its totally awesome...

(Oops)

 

[poom3619]

Well, I had a bit of headache yesterday while writing this and didn't write vivid story about how Date Clan reign supreme, how Castille turn protestant and not united with Aragon and how the Dutch being in America.

I am not really talented in writing, but I can surely do some good art but I don't want to turn this thread into artist' arms race. Who got flashier art win or something like that.

Note that I won't back off if it turn into artist' war.

 

[Scapegrace]

We already turned it into a lore war, hun. This is just one step further. A well-presented idea is always going to be more attractive than one that isn't as nicely put together. =]

EDIT: Also, can I just say: given the incredible quality of submissions for this challenge, I cannot wait to see what y'all do for my prompt. =]

 

[Urdnot_Scott]

Oh I'm excited for that, what kind of thing is it going to be? Speaking of next time, when does voting start?

 

[Scapegrace]

It's me. Guess what it involves. =]

(begin a golden age every time you use the smiley =] )

 

[Natan35]

Redbreasts Africa?

 

[Scapegrace]

So, er, paging NiaoMeow? I think it's time to begin the voting phase.

 

[Noblesse Oblige]

Urdnot, your crazy Sino-Nahua Civ is really making me eager to actually see that made, between that and Caesar's Japanese-influenced Aztec Empire. Hot damn, indeed.

EDIT: Also Crazy three-legged Raven Civ...I actually want to see what a Sunflower Oathbound would look like.

 

[NiaoMeow]

So, er, paging NiaoMeow? I think it's time to begin the voting phase.

Voting begins tomorrow, as the civ design phase is 5 days (and we started on Saturday). This may seem long, but some civs ("cough" scapegrace "cough") will require a lot of research and creativity.