Imperium OffTopicum: The Enlightenment Redux

[mechaerik]

The Moscow Crisis​

His Majesty, Karl XII of Sweden loathes to give the news that attempts to negotiate over the province of Muscovy seem to have failed.

Sweden initially offered to drop its claims on Muscovy in exchange for its rights to Pomerania, in Brandenburg province. Poland initially proved willing to negotiate, and a few proposals and counterproposals were made.

However, things stalled after it was noted by Swedish parties that the region of Niedersachsen, a key part of the proposals of both sides, had been claimed by the United Kingdom. With all major plans now unworkable, Sweden attempted to start a new round of negotiations. Poland did not reach out to Swedish diplomats.

After several attempts to reestablish diplomatic contact were ignored, and recognizing that the province would mean more to Poland than to Sweden, Sweden made a goodwill gesture by offering to withdraw peacefully from the region, without even demanding reparations.

The Poles then reestablished contact and decided to escalate the deescalating conflict by insulting Sweden repeatedly and all but demanding that Sweden go to war over the province. Sweden attempted to defuse the situation, but the Poles continued their campaign to provoke Sweden to the point that Sweden removed their offer from the table. This caused Polish passive-aggression to transform to full aggression. Poland has refused to make any offer, or even to ask Sweden to withdraw. It is clear that the Polish desire war.

For its part, Sweden does not wish that we fight. Even now, we are willing to withdraw from Muscovy for the meager price of Poland genuinely acknowledging Sweden's efforts to avoid a destructive conflict that may bring ruin to both our realms.

This is not a declaration of war. If Poland truly wishes peace, then our offer is still on the table. In the event that Poland complies, our armies to Muscovy are to stand down..

 

[Sonereal]

Orders locked.

 

[Sonereal]

NEWS OF THE WORLD
1723


MOSCOW CRISIS ​

Tensions between the Kingdoms of Poland and Sweden are on the rise following the public revelation of failed high-level diplomatic talks between King Karl XII of Sweden and his Polish counterpart over the future of Muscovy. In response, King Karl XII ordered a massive invasion of Muscovy using the single largest post-1720 military body to do so. Sweden now stretches deep into Siberia, and as far west as Denmark and Norway.

Polish soldiers are rumored to have attacked Swedish border settlements in Livonia and St. Petersburg (OOC: Your claims included two provinces that were claimed pre-game and last turn. DOWs are required for that.)

While the Kingdom of Sweden edges out over their Polish rivals slightly in terms of economic power, the Kingdom of Poland fields the largest army on earth (ahead of second place Sweden, who is fielding the second largest).

Sweden’s expansion into Muscovy has ultimately forced Poland to either increase its aggression against Sweden, lose face and accept Sweden’s offer, or turn westward to expand in Europe in competition with Great Britain and Bulgaria.

OTHER NEWS​

NEW CENTERS OF TRADE. Edinburgh, Kingdom of Great Britain. Two new centers of trade have been created in two major ports of Europe: Edinburgh and Tsarograd. The establishment of Edinburgh as a center of trade has broken the Mediterranean’s iron grip of international trade, but also increased the power of the Sultanate of Cordoba’s own center of trade, which protects all trade between the Mediterranean and the outside world for now. Tsarograd (OOC: Constantinople), meanwhile, has entered the Mediterranean trade network in full force.


CITIES OF WORLDLY DESIRE. Cairo, Abdul Ghafaar Sultanate. The Sultanate’s aggressive trade policy and support of her merchants in Marseilles and Seville, as well as Cairo, has brought vast amounts of wealth to the sultan’s coffers. While Egyptian merchants are certainly the most numerous, the additional of strange new faces from South America in Cairo and Seville have caused a stir. Argentina, situated far from the Mediterranean network is nonetheless making her existence known through her merchants.

Argentina and Egypt are two of the largest economies in the world. The Sultanate’s wealth comes largely from trade and control of Cairo, while Argentina’s wealth rests mainly in her territories, which are coming to encompass all of South America.

The third major trader, the Sultanate of Cordoba, has taken up the same approach as Egypt in wrestling control of her own city of trade via merchant subsidies. Seville is tied with Cairo in terms of trade value.


LULL IN THE CHINESE CIVIL WAR. Beijing, Qing Empire. Loyalist and Ming forces squared off for control of border settlements throughout 1722, but as for large-scale operations designed to force each other into submission, the war has been quiet. Rebel forces controlling the north and south of the control enjoy stronger industrial and financial support, while Loyalist forces have naval supremacy. However, the Loyalists are in dire straits. Without foreign support, Beijing is likely to ultimately lose the war.


MAPS AND STATS

Check your Spendable Row for spendable. THIS IS THE AMOUNT YOU CAN SPEND.

Map Legend

Triangles: 6th Rates
Squares: 3rd Rates
Diamonds: 1st Rates

Numbers in Provinces: Shipyard Levels
Numbers in Shapes: Number of ships.
C: Center of Trade

ORDERS LOCK SUNDAY.

Cost of Center of Trade: 10 IP
Cost to send merchant to CoT: 1 IP
Cost of Land Center of Trade: 20 IP
Cost to send merchant to LCoT: 2

Coastal CoTs still require L3 Shipyards.

Corrections: Anatolia is Bulgarian. Province was still added correctly to stats for IP purposes.

Countries with L3 Shipyards shouldn't still have L2 Shipyards.

+1 IP for France, Cordoba, Great Britain, Egypt, and Bulgaria.

 

[Ailedhoo]

Egypt declares it will take over Ararat, the Congo, Fars, Kenya and Nejd.

We will decide our spending policy later on.

 

[christos200]

From: Bulgarian Tsar Boris III
To: Egyptian Sultan Gyasi

Dear brother Gyasi, although we believe in different God, I have always treated you as a good friend and a brother. I have deeply respect for your power and I am amazed at the prosperity of the Egyptian Sultanate. That's why I want to have good relations with you. However, Ararat is a territory in which I want to expand the Bulgarian Empire. Your Empire has a lot of land to expand in both Africa and the Middle East. So, I would like to ask if you if you would be kind enough to change your claims.

With respect,

Your Brother, Tsar Boris III

 

[Sonereal]

The Qing Empire and Ming Rebels request foreign assistance, as per usual.

 

[Ailedhoo]

From: Bulgarian Tsar Boris III
To: Egyptian Sultan Gyasi

Dear brother Gyasi, although we believe in different God, I have always treated you as a good friend and a brother. I have deeply respect for your power and I am amazed at the prosperity of the Egyptian Sultanate. That's why I want to have good relations with you. However, Ararat is a territory in which I want to expand the Bulgarian Empire. Your Empire has a lot of land to expand in both Africa and the Middle East. So, I would like to ask if you if you would be kind enough to change your claims.

With respect,

Your Brother, Tsar Boris III

To Tsar Boris of Bulgeria.

The wealth of the Abdul Ghafaar Sultanate came with the guiding principles of the Abdul Ghafaar Dynasty. As sultan I have extended the unity of Egypt to ensure that a great power from Camaroom to Iraq stood. This power must continue to expand, for our trade wealth can only do so much. Our cotton we have plenty to see but we cannot stop the spreading of our willing.

Hence unlike the Sultanate of Cordoba you will not be heeded... without a price: we will alter our plans to claim Tabriz instead of Ararat IF you vow not to touch the Caucasus: we desire a border with the Sweden's empire, so that we may have a land trade route to their Russian realm, as well as allow us a port in the Black Sea so that who ever control Ukraine will be able to do dealings with our merchants so that we benefit from the agricultural belt.

Keep in mind that great wealth can mean great power... and armies if needed. We are keen peace but if your promise over the Caucasus is betrayed by you then we will have to take the whole of Turkey your price. It is necessary we have all areas covered. That said we are committed to trade above all, as it will fund our efforts to reinstall not only the Arabian Empire but allow the Caliph to be reinstalled, so that all God's servants may gleam with joy as God the Greatest blesses us all, for there is only one god: God and Muhammed is his prophet.

Yet I go on and on about the glories of the future successor to the Arabian Empire of old and not enough about the other joy; we are most pleased of your centre of trade being deployed and hope to benefit from its fruits.

A thousand blessings on you, your dynasty and your empire.

Gyasi of the Abdul Ghafaar Dynasty and Sultanate

 

[christos200]

Dear Brother Gyasi,

We never had any intention of expanding in the Caucasus, so we shall accept your proposal. We hope that there will be peace and trade between our two Empires.

With respect,

Your Brother, Tsar Boris III

 

[Ailedhoo]

Dear Brother Gyasi,

We never had any intention of expanding in the Caucasus, so we shall accept your proposal. We hope that there will be peace and trade between our two Empires.

With respect,

Your Brother, Tsar Boris III

To Tsar Boris III

Fancy a drink of ‘‘Al-Qahwa’’ or Saudi coffee? Perhapes on a table cloth made from Egyptian cotton? Perhaps debating on a Arabian poetry collection you bought a merchant? My merchants are very glade of peace. You may find they will continue to go through Constantinople; the Red Sea port will primevally be security to our trade. As I alter my claims I will reward you greatly.

Thousand blessing on you brother.

Gyasi of the Abdul Ghafaar Dynasty and Sultanate

 

[christos200]

I would be more than willing to accept your offer. Hope that our friendship shall last over 1,000 years.

 

[Double A]

Expanding into Bavaria, Swabia, and Ivory Coast. Contact if you take issue.

 

[Civ'ed]

The Government of the United Kingdom is proud to announce it has reached former Canada. It hereby founds under it's direct administration the colony of Alba Nuadh, with it's capital at Ceap Breatainn (Cape Breton)

Provincial flag of the Choilíneacht of Alba Nuadh

Flag of the West India Council, the part of the British government assigned with the task of governing the colonies
(note: these colonies aren't independent at all)

Spoiler :

Move two ships in atlantic to make Claims here:

Spoiler :

Using 8IP
Build a 1st Rate, the Churchill
Expand the Icegreenland Shipyard
Send a merchant to scotland

 

[Sonereal]

Amusing, most orders are already in.

 

[Sonereal]

Relevant

Spoiler :

 

[Red_Spy]

Polish Claims:

Spoiler :

T

Hence unlike the Sultanate of Cordoba you will not be heeded... without a price: we will alter our plans to claim Tabriz instead of Ararat IF you vow not to touch the Caucasus: we desire a border with the Sweden's empire, so that we may have a land trade route to their Russian realm, as well as allow us a port in the Black Sea so that who ever control Ukraine will be able to do dealings with our merchants so that we benefit from the agricultural belt.


Gyasi of the Abdul Ghafaar Dynasty and Sultanate

This might not be to us, but if Egypt touches the Caucasus, Poland will have an issue with that.

 

[Ailedhoo]

Polish Claims:

Spoiler :

This might not be to us, but if Egypt touches the Caucasus, Poland will have an issue with that.

Egypt asks "why?" Especially as you have violated territorial relations with Sweden.

We want a Red Sea port. There should be no issue. It will make a clear border zone and give us trade security for merchant activity in the Red Sea. Poland will find that they cannot claim beyond the Caucasus like us as the zones beyond will be all claimed. However the Caucasus will provide us a bit of security in the Red Sea.

We don't have to say this but any aggression against Egypt by Poland would only result in us seeking a alliance with Sweden, your territorial rival by conduct of the Moscow Crisis. We are also currently seeking to aid trade improvements with Bulgaria; I am certain trade should see why we do not want war. However we do not want war; we want trade. Hence we encourage you to not see aggression in the Egyptian claims to Caucasus but rather... a improvement in peaceful relations and a strong chance for our northern regions able to communicate in trade talks with you.

 

[Red_Spy]

.

We want a Red Sea port. There should be no issue. It will make a clear border zone and give us trade security for merchant activity in the Red Sea. Poland will find that they cannot claim beyond the Caucasus like us as the zones beyond will be all claimed. However the Caucasus will provide us a bit of security in the Red Sea.

Stay out of the Black Sea, please. The Black Sea is Bulgarian and Polish.

 

[Ailedhoo]

What is the point of this?

The Black Sea belongs to the Black Sea; we wanted access to the Black Sea for trade security. Also the Bulgarians have agreed to our land plan. Why do you want to forbid us from access to the Black Sea? Fear?

You post a map of Egypt at its core: we post a map of Poland at its core.

Now: why do you not want Egyptian merchants to have their own port in the Black Sea? Fear? Hate? Feeling of weakness after the Moscow Crisis?

OOC: its the morning: I make a... morning mistake.

 

[Red_Spy]

The Black Sea belongs to the Black Sea; we wanted access to the Black Sea for trade security. Also the Bulgarians have agreed to our land plan. Why do you want to forbid us from access to the Red Sea? Fear?

We feel as though Bulgarian and Polish control of the Black Sea is better for those countries united security than allowing a foreign power on the shore.

You post a map of Egypt at its core: we post a map of Poland at its core.

[Modern Map of Poland]

Spoiler :

OOC: Given the year is 1723, this is what you mean. 'Twas posting the map not to show Egypt, but to show that the Red Sea was not where you thought it was.

Now: why do you not want Egyptian merchants to have their own port in the Red Sea? Fear? Hate? Feeling of weakness after the Moscow Crisis?

If we are feeling weak, then why would we challenge someone? As stated above, this is for security reasons.

 

[Ailedhoo]

What security threat does Egypt pose?

As for our weak statement: we meant that you are trying to make up for the lost of Moscow. You will find that denying us a Black Sea port will not only not make up for this lost but also make it more difficult for you to benefit from Egyptian trade.

There is room for three Black Sea powers... or four if Sweden decides to annex Circassia... but that will depend on how they act post Moscow crisis.

Keep in mind you should be focusing on improving relations with Sweden as oppose to threatening Egypt over a petty focus on keeping a Egyptian port away from the Black Sea. All we want, again, is trade security; we will not challenge Polish dominion in the Black Sea but rather add to its trade security.

We should also note that the area we claim also borders the Caspian Sea; we are not complaining about you having a port on that sea.

OOC: I edited my post a bit too late before your post...