IOT: Song of Another World

Alright guys here are the pretty much finalized maps. All that needs to be done really is splitting islam, which I can do whenever.

Now comes the really hard part, stats.

By the way, the numbers on the trade centers indicates the value of each center. I will explain further at a later time, probably in the update notes.

Spoiler main map :
mQZOl3r.png

Spoiler religion map :
j3vIeBq.png

Spoiler trade map :
G1flGBK.png
 
For the sake of keeping this updated on.. the update. I've pretty much completed the stats proper. All that's left is traits and the update writeup. I don't have an ETA as my ability to work on this as well as ability to concentrate on this is sporadic at times. But this is happening.
 
UPDATE 0
1193 - Year of Spring
The Hunt Begins

Link to video.​

The silence of the night was secured by the slicing arc of a sword. The last cultist collapsed, her last breath leaving her as quickly as the attack had started, her blood staining the blade of the Inquisitor Livio Noschese. The servant of the Pope sheathed his sword and ordered his men to snuff all the flames in the camp.
This camp had been one of several that the Inquisition had its sights on. Livio’s orders were to study the small group of twenty-two cultists to see what their purpose was, and to dispatch for an Agency group if anything interesting was discovered. However, as weeks turned to months without any significant activity, Livio grew tired of waiting and ordered his men to exterminate the vermin. Now, Livio could study the less overt rituals, rites, and writings the cultists could have been working on. He again went to his group to search the camp for any relevant materials. They knew what to look for; part of the training involved in becoming an Inquisitor was extensive study of the cults that have cropped up since that one spectral event.
What his subordinates found was, however, entirely unprecedented. First of all, they only found two things of note in what appeared to be the leader’s hut. Two pages in some sort of journal. They depicted surprisingly detailed drawings of two particularly infamous creatures along with unknown symbols or runes of some sort. However, the beasts that had permeated this deep into Italia had been purged near the beginning of the event and from what he could tell, these had to be no older than a few days. His group had been observing this camp for months. They were much more isolationist than other cults and not a single member had left too far from the group; they were small enough to live off light hunter-gathering methods. Even if one of these cretans saw the beasts a year ago, the drawings were so very well detailed. He had studied not just anatomical drawings made by the agency, but had actually come to blows with a few himself. Something was not right.
However, when he ordered the corpse of the leader brought to him, his subordinates grew quiet. His men laid out twenty-one fallen cultists.

A hunt it was, then.

Stats and Maps
STATS
Political
Religious
Trade

State of Affairs
This turn I’m mostly covering the “Unique Traits” of each nation as well as summing up the issues so you know what they mean beyond the vague 2-4 word descriptors in the stats. Note: Both issues and “Unique Traits” are dynamic; old issues can be settled and new issues can crop up and as a culture evolves the traits will reflect the evolution.
Anyways, to the meat of it.

Religious Upheaval Threatens Unity
Antioch, Kingdom of Antioch
From devout Catholic Princes of the Crusade to Muslims following either Islamic sect, arguments on the events of the past year shake the stability of the young Crusader Kingdom whose leader follows the heretical “Word of the Last Book” faith. Many have joined under his banner, but the differences in beliefs of both his followers and those that would call him a heretic are clear. Proponents of the new sect say that the faith needs a code of laws similar to what the Bible and Quran has done for their respective faiths along with aggressive conversion policies. For now, though, the Holy Land seems ripe for much conflict in the near future.
Additional:
With Cyprus split, tensions run high with Rome. If we cave in, though, a strategic island will be lost and access to a strange and alien resource will be denied. Still, with religious tensions already running so high, perhaps it’s best to let the Orthodox Christians be governed by Orthodox Christians…
In the south, Mecca is said to be under constant threat of the strange “demons” that have invaded our world. While we are stretched thin, we could win over many people of Islam if we are able to hold Mecca ourselves or even push the beasts back.
UNIQUE: Crusader Tradition
Ground units gain +1 Combat Effectiveness when fighting heathens, heretics, and pagans.
Army tradition loss from recruiting additional generals decreased by 1.

The Dark Mountains’ Influence Creeps into the Southern Border
Paris, Kingdom of France
Rumours come in day by day of entire towns going dark from afar if you travel through the southern roads of France. Hence the new, grim name the people of southern France have begun to call the Pyrenees” The Dark Mountains. The French military has yet to formally act to the struggles as diplomatic isolation has already done a number on the economy, but as tax revenues in southern France flatline and people, nobles and plebeians alike, begin to worry about relatives and friends that they have lost contact with, the matter becomes more pressing day by day.
Additional:
Border disputes over a newly-discovered and strange resource has put a literal barrier between France and the Holy Roman Empire. Perhaps France could cave in to curry favor, or perhaps we can take them by force to help with our own problems…
England and France has held a rivalry as old as time itself. Currently, this rivalry manifests itself in a trade dispute surrounding the English Channel, with which a member of Holy Rome even has a part in.
UNIQUE: Montjoie Saint Denis!
All units gain +2 Combat Effectiveness during Holy Wars that France is a part of.

Historia Calamitatum
London, Kingdom of England
While this phrase is the title of a letter few actually know about at this time, this term has often been used to describe the current state of affairs in England. And it is not far off. Scotland has more or less dropped off the map and the King has yet to send a large force to quell what many think to be a rebellion but what few who know better realize to be much more grave. This is largely because much of the Kingdom may as well actually be in rebellious upheaval with peasant uprising clashing with swords serving the King almost daily. With the world itself full with similar disarray, the King is forced to handle this himself.
Additional:
France is using this opportunity to encroach on our trade. We still have a navy, and many an advisor has implored the King to use it.
UNIQUE: Even So
Naval units gain +2 Combat Effectiveness during trade disputes.
Trade effectiveness increases when no trade disputes exist.

Orthodoxy Crumbling
Constantinople, Roman Empire
While calamity has caused the collapse of essentially the entirety of the Orthodox world, monarchy after monarchy faltering, Orthodoxy is being attacked from all sides. Over time with no legitimate government, the people could very well turn to heresy — or worse, paganism — for their religious needs while the church stands powerless. Either by direct Roman dominance or proxy Kingdoms, the Orthodox world needs to be repopulated with legitimate government.
Additional:
Cyprus stands as a point of much tension between the heretical crusaders that inhabit the Holy Land and our own empire. We could appease them and potentially gain an ally against the Western church, theoretically a diplomatically sound move. However, can we really leave the orthodox and Roman people of Cyprus to heretics who are too unstable to completely keep their own religion intact? What about the strategic significance of the island?
UNIQUE: For Imperium
Army units gain +2 Combat Effectiveness when fighting an aggressive war with a goal of retaking land from the fallen Empire.
Naval units gain +1 Combat Effectiveness in the Mediterranean


Beginning of an Age
Kumasi
As we settle with what we currently have, the air grows more and more still. We are among the largest of our cultural peers, but why settle for stagnation? We must expand. We must conquer.
UNIQUE: The Dream Wrought by Blood
Kumasi may expand through West Africa using armies as well as coin with a reduced food requirement for expansion in this way.

The Heresy of Vilan the Bard
Vienna, Holy Roman Empire
As days pass, the strength of the Heretic Vilan grows. However, the Empire is divided and in tatters. Bavaria is on the verge of collapse and distrust between the electorate is blatantly obvious. All parties are wary of another war, but Vilan’s heresy threatens to spread to the Imperial Capital itself. Holy Rome must be reigned in by her Emperor and made unified and strong again, lest it fall into total chaos instead.
Additional:
France and Poland have each disputed claim on new peculiar resources on the borders of their nations and Holy Roman provinces. Giving up these resources would not only give up what could be a strategic asset we could research, but also make the Empire look weak for coddling these lesser Kingdoms. However, without doubt, Holy Rome needs allies now more than ever…
Italia, due to recent events, has been almost entirely cut off from the empire and is now, officially, outside of the Empire’s influence. Talks have gone around about a new, unified Kingdom of Italy to join the ranks of the great Kingdoms of Europe. Can Italia be allowed to completely sever their ties to Holy Rome?
UNIQUE: The Reich
The Kaiser can enact Imperial Reforms. These reforms in effect increase centralization of the Empire gradually; thus, union of the Empire and its vassals is much easier than other countries unifying in a similar way; however, these reforms hinge more on the diplomatic relationship between the electors and the Kaiser. However, this can be bypassed somewhat; if the majority of electors agree on reform, all electors must follow suit.

A New Land
Sangama
The sun rises above our City, lost in this strange land with strange speakers and strange ways. We must decide how we will handle this land. The cultures of the natives and our own are extremely different and they seem to be just as alarmed that we are here as we ourselves are. Can coexistence with these strangers be possible? Or should we simply enforce our own will on this land and forge a Kingdom truly worthy of Nagraj?
Additional:
To the east and the south we hear rumors of “Dark Mountains from which beasts invade the land. They are fairly far however, and rumors of the pale men suggest that the beasts are most interested in what is north of them - this Kingdom of Franks.
UNIQUE: King of Snakes
Sangama starts with a free general of 30 tradition.

Tunisian Piracy
Venice, Republic of Venice
One of the many things in the way of Venetian dominance of the Mediterranean, and the money that entails, is rampant piracy instigated mainly by North african pirates. If allowed to continue operations, this could have an adverse affect on Venetian trade throughout the Mediterranean — a truly grave prospect.
Additional:
Plebeian and Noblemen alike speak about a unified Kingdom of Italy, what with most of the standing Italian states on good terms and out of reach of the Holy Roman Emperor. What is our answer?
UNIQUE: Stato da Mar
Venice gains double trade power in centers which it has a majority before this modifier.

Unrest in the Kingdom
Krakow, Poland
Our swift takeover of the eastern lands has not been met with the kindest feedback to say the least. Between the religious strife between the Pagans, Catholics, and Orthodox, the cultural differences between the Prussians, Lithuanians, and various slavs we rule over, and the unrest among the nobles for having to bow down to a woman, the army is stretched thin to maintain order.
Additional:
The Kingdom is surrounded by rivals and enemies. There are pagans on the other side of the Baltic Sea to the north, disputes at the border with Holy Rome to the west, Muslim Hordes to the east, and the Roman Empire seeks to expand its influence in the Black Sea which we have only just established influence in ourselves. Perhaps a concession must be made in order to secure some sort of alliance...
UNIQUE: Grand Army of the East
Poland gains an additional General slot and ground troops cost 25% less to train and maintain.

Tears of God
Roma, the Papal States
Around the catholic world, formerly righteous and pious men turn to mysticism. It is a sad and twisted sight. In Germany, the heretic Vilan gains more influence day by day. the Holy Land is ruled by another Heretic lord. There are rumours that upon the corpse of the Santiago de Compostela is a palace of heathens. Catholicism is in dire straits. If we don’t answer these heresies somehow, the entire Western world may turn to depravity.
Additional:
Still, the states of Italy are all on unprecedented friendly terms. Perhaps this unified Kingdom of Italy talked about throughout the peninsula wouldn’t be a bad idea…
Tunisian Piracy is very visible from Roma, almost an ugly a sight as the Heresies equally visible from the capital of Catholicism. Perhaps the Pope can throw support behind the Venetians to make sure this threat does not further damage the Holy See.
Between Holy Rome and Italy is a edge of darkness. Few who enter the mountains come back; and those that do seem irreparably mentally damaged. The only thing truly blocking this threat from pouring into Italy is the faithful Kingdom of Lombardy. Our resources are spread thin, but can the Papacy stand to not assist in their defense?
UNIQUE: DEUS VULT
Faith under the current government cannot rise above 0 for any faith other than Catholicism. The Papal States can order the construction of religious buildings in Catholic kingdoms; these buildings do not increase faith of that Kingdom, but does spread Catholicism;this spread is slowed by the Kingdom’s faith in other religions as well as proximity to Religious buildings espousing heretical or heathen beliefs. The more lands converted to Catholicism, the more coin the Pope can spend.

Slaughter
Milan, Kingdom of Lombardy
Day after day, the King can hear the cries of man, woman, and child being torn asunder by the demons. The men are holding the line where they can. Even still, towns once filled with trade and prosperity are now still with death. Not even fire dares to alienate the new domain of the demons. Though men turn to traditions that edge on heretical, they are unified in their purpose to defend the Pope, the Kingdom, and Italia as a whole.
UNIQUE: We Will Fight
Lombard land units each have +1 Combat Effectiveness.

Science and Progress
Verona, Archbishopric of Verona-Bologna
We are one of the few countries with exclusive access to a very curious substance. It is of utmost importance that we look into it; it could very well change the fate of Italia and the fate of the world!
UNIQUE: Birthplace of University
Verona starts with a university to be placed by the player.

Age of Discovery?
Dekhistan, Liao Empire
Word travels freely through the avenues of trade. Despite recent events, there exists Kingdoms from the West, and it is in our interests to find them.
UNIQUE: The Empire from the East
The Liao stretches across asia; each turn, the support from the rest of the Empire arrives, manifesting itself in a random boost in coin and production.

The Teachings of Vilan Spread
Vilanstein
The teachings of Vilan the Bard grow ever popular in central europe, bringing to bear a huge threat to Christendom. However, the faith still is not seen as legitimate by many. Although it may never be, the teachings can still be spread across the lands as faith in the old church wanes as they provide no real answers to the many questions recent events have brought up.
Additional: To the south, as in many parts of the world if the rumors are to be believed, the beasts make their nest. They don’t seem interested in spreading north, but any we send to the area rarely return just the same. We must decide what to do with this eventually.
UNIQUE: Vilan’s Heresy
As a theocracy, Vilan can manipulate the faith many ways as it permeates through Catholic kingdoms. A host of inquisitive actions unique to the heresy are available.

Uniting the Slavs
Skopje, Kingdom of Serbia
Serbia stands as the sole surviving Slav kingdom. It is our duty to bring society back to the Slav people. Perhaps one day, it may be time for the Serbs to take our place in history’s host of great empires.
Additional: Though we have rebelled against the hard-pressed Romans, the stand as our only neighbor and has many more resources to bring to bear. Unless we somehow align ourselves with the Catholics or bring relations with the Empire back, our Kingdom may not survive long enough to make our own mark on history.
UNIQUE: The Serbian Army
Serbia employs aggressive fighting tactics; in wars of aggression and when fighting in enemy territory, Serbian army units receive +2 Combat Effectiveness

Backwards Administration
Tunis, Kingdom of Tunis
Those that pledge loyalty to the dynasty ruling from Tunis are united, but this union is shaky at best. It boils down to downright tribal. Though it may have been effective during the early chaos of the recent events, netting us huge profit at the expense of Christians, this general disorganization could prove to be dangerous as the dust settles and the various countries we take from bring up a united front against us. Perhaps it is time for some centralization.
UNIQUE: The Horde at Sea
Tunisian warships cost 25% less to build and maintain; however they may at random times leave the active roster to undertake piracy operations regardless of the will of the King. This steals the value of trade centers in which other countries hold a majority and gives the value to trade centers Tunis holds a majority in, but these ships will be taking their own orders for the turn, not contributing to military plans and sometimes working against their allies for the sake of increasing their own loot.

A Union of the North
Uppsala, Kingdom of Sweden
With Europe in proper chaos, conquest and supremacy looks ripe for the taking. However, such a goal is stunted by the restrictive nature of the Catholics in Norway. By sword or by word, we must bring Norway under our fold in order to bring Europe to its knees.
Additional:
Catholics still exist within our borders to the south. For now things are silent, but they cannot be ignored forever.
To the north, beasts are said to roam. To our understanding, they are more docile than the ones that are said to be rampaging across Europe. This isn’t to say one can get close to one without being mauled, but they don’t seem to have an interest in wandering our own land for now.
UNIQUE: Defiance
Sweden fights for their faith and their independence; Army and Navy forces receive +1 Combat Effectiveness in defensive wars and foreign faiths do not easily spread in Swedish territory.

GM NOTES
First of all, sorry for the wait! It’s finally here! woot. For your patience(and also balance) I handed out income bonuses to everyone! Smaller powers gained larger boosts so that larger ones couldn’t scale out of control. That’s what the +## next to your resource values are. Also, armies made during this update only can take actions against non-player entities and do in-country actions.

There is some more, though minor, update content to come. You should all be able to formulate all your orders based on what is here, though; much of what’s left is flavor/roleplay related. For example, the pages Livio finds. Fun stuff. If you have any questions feel free to contact me any way you believe you can; chat, steam, and forum PMs are all viable. If I had to pick, I’d prefer chat and steam though.

There is some information missing in the stats, but again, it isn’t vital.

Include all official diplomatic agreements in your PM’d orders. That’s all!
 
Formally claiming the dust and fish off my coast.
 
Formally claiming the dust in the English Channel. Shoo, French.
 
I will correct the update post's link and parse errors when I get the chance, along with updating the reserve posts.

Just so everyone knows, formally claiming sea resources means nothing within the scope of the mechanics. The one whose navy comes out on top in any skirmish over the resource (or just sends a navy regardless of a skirmish for that matter) is the one who gets the resource.
 
All the problems with the update and front page posts have been rectified as far as I know. I still have yet to add the personal changes to some countries, but like most things I haven't added yet, those won't change much if anything mechanically, so that would be why. Thanks again for your patience!
 
One more thing, after NinjaCow brought something up, I decided seasons will now take up the whole year, in-universe. Seasons now transition year by year. This year is Spring. Next year will be summer, you get the drift.
 
To: Augustus Theodor IV Kommnenus,

We have heard some incredibly disturbing rumours coming from your country. You are mobilizing your armed forces as we speak, yet I have information from reliable sources that you are planning to use those forces to attack the good Christian peoples of Italy and Venetian Ragusa instead of using them to protect your citizens from the Creatures of the Spectrum and rampant heresy. I want to believe that a man such as yourself would not do something so foolish, but this evidence I have is rather damning. Because of this, I ask that you sign a Non-Aggression Pact with the Italian Nations (The Papal States, The Archbishopric of Verona-Bologna, Venice and the Kingdom of Lombardy, obviously for nations other than my own you will need their permission also) to prove your good intentions to our realms. Despite our differences, we wish to maintain good relations with your country and your church in these times of crisis and we believe that signing these documents will provide a foundation of a good relationship between us.

Signed,

Pope Celestine III
 
tobiisagoodboy said:
The Roman enperor reassures the italian nations that he currently has no interest in attacking them. But his majesty rejects to sign any treaty for now .
Click to expand...

Due to the severity of these rumours that is not good enough, we still request that you sign a treaty. And why would you refuse to sign a treaty that says you have no interest in attacking us when you have no interest in attacking us?
 
tobiisagoodboy said:
The emperor has no plans or desires to attack Italian terretory, we guarantee this, not more and not less.
Click to expand...

Very well, we will take you on your word. We still find it puzzling that you refuse to sign a treaty, but you have given your word so that will suffise.
 
From: Serbia
To: Papal States

Although we are of different sects of Christianity, we have mutual interest in protecting ourselves from Roman aggression. So we ask for a defensive pact which shall make sure that the Romans do not dare to make aggressive moves.
 
We would also like to approach Serbia on the grounds of making a defensive pact with Venice, which, of course, will trigger only if Serbia didn't via one or another of its actions or words provoked Rome.
 
From: Roman Empire
To: Kingdom of Serbia

While the Emperor is not happy about Serbiaa secession, the Emprie sees no point in waging war against Serbia.
We only demand that Serbia does not expand into Bulgaria or towards the Black Sea, while we offer not to expand into Illyria.
Furthermore, since Serbia is orthodow just like us, we feel that we should cooperate, so his Majesty offers the hand of his oldest daughter, Lady Sara Kommnenus to the oldest prince of Serbia, to form an alliance between the Roman Empire and the Kingdom of serbia.


To : Kingdom of Antioch

Rome wants to solve the Cyprus problem without war, diplomacy is always Romes preferred way.
We offer, if Antioch doesn't give up its claims of Cyprus, to turn our both parts of the province into a single Republic, governd by two consuls, one appointed by the Empire and one appointed by Antioch.
We would share the recourses of this republic equally and defend it together.
 
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