tossi
Der kleine Prinz
With each deadline the feeling of impending doom is getting stronger and stronger.. Please das, update as fast as you can!
ITNES I - An Epoch of Change
- Thread starter das
- Start date
alex994
Hail Divine Emperor!
Gah, NPC Tieh this turn. Gotta go to school....
silver 2039
Deity
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2003
- Messages
- 16,208
Crappy and horribly general and medicore orders sent. Priase Allah.
das
Regeneration In Process
Sorry, tossi, but this seems likely to be the longest update thus far...
Disenfrancised
Beep Beep
OCC: All this tech sharing is rather silly, there almost certainly isn't a concept of "scientific inquiry" as of yet, and upgrading is far more an internal thing than external 
The Strategos
Thanatos
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2002
- Messages
- 1,175
Ive never slept with an emperor before, I heard an inviting voice whisper in my ear, warm currents of air gentling buffeting me. I kept my body rigid, pretending I did not hear the sultry invitation as the maidservant straightened from pouring my drink and went to pour one for my mother, exaggeratedly swaying her hips as she moved away from me.
You may leave now. I said, in the best regal, condescending tone I could muster. I noticed the maidservant making an alone? pout in my direction but I ignored it, though I was more unsuccessful at ignoring the deep bow she gave which gave me a view of previously inaccessible places.
As the maidservant left, I heard my mother sigh. Darling, you dont have to stay if you dont want to. Making a motion with her hand towards the now departed maidservant she continued, That is why Emperors have advisors, to take care of the boring work so that the Emperor is free to have fun.
Steeling myself, I allowed my eyes to meet hers, forcing myself not to break her gaze. I had heard, of course, all the rumors. That though my father ruled the Empire, my mother ruled him. It was no great secret, indeed, towards the end of his life, my father didnt even bother even pretending to be the ruler, simply secluding himself away in at Caer Bechet while my mother oversaw the army, with me following her like a little lap-dog. That is why when Caer Bechet fell, my father died, and not my mother, nor me. I make no excuses, he was a terrible Emperor, weak-willed, ineffective, but he was my father, and so I mourn for his death. An Emperor rules, mother, and that is what I intend to do, rule.
I could imagine I saw in her eyes fire, an unholy conflagration that would have gladly consumed me. But, perhaps, it was my imagination. Popular gossip had turned my mother into a strange and terrible beast. Once, when I was very young, I asked Cadeyrn about why such rumors swirled about my mother. Your mother, he said after a moment, does not eat and drink like normal folks, but she eats the souls of men and drinks the sweat of their brow, and that is why people hate her. I did not, at the time, understand what he meant by that, but I think, perhaps, now I do. My mother drank deep draughts from the cup filled with power, and every once in a while she allowed others the merest sip. And yet for most men, that slightest sip intoxicated them more than the strongest wine, so that they would do anything for her to be allowed another taste.
It was my mother who broke eye contact first, with a small little laugh and wave of her hand, as if such matters were inconsequential. Suit yourself, but dont blame me if youre bored to death. I felt a small flush of pleasure at her words. Undoubtedly she would make this meeting as boring as possible, hoping to drive me away from ever wanting to do anything besides hunt and use my position as Emperor to seduce women. Still, I felt as if I had won a great victory. There were not many people who stood up to my mother. Off the top of my head, I could only think of one who could do so with impunity, Cadeyrn.
Cadeyrn was the Grandmaster of the Order of the Sons of Sol. He had been a member from its very inception, recruited by none other than my mother, or so the rumor went. I think Cadeyrn represented one of my mothers few political blunders. Though I had never found out what, everyone assumed that my mother had something on Cadeyrn, something that would cause him to obey her without question, or perhaps she just thought she could seduce him with promises of power, like she had so many before, and after, him. Whatever claim she thought she had on him, however, proved to be non-existent. Cadeyrn was one of those dangerous men who saw things in black-and-white. He obeyed the Church, and obeyed the Emperor because the Church told him to. He killed, by order of the Church, he saved, by order of the Church. When the Church commanded, he obeyed.
And so, Cadeyrn was like a hunting falcon. He would faithfully attack the prey that the Church set him against, without question, without complaint. But I think that which made him such a useful tool, also made him a dangerous weapon. For Cadeyrn was that most dangerous of men, a fanatic. And fanatics are so dangerous, because they are so irrational. Men act for their own good, this is a law of nature. But fanatics, they ignore this holy law, for they answer to one that they believe is higher. And if this higher law commanded them, they would throw away everything, friendship, loyalty, life, honor. And I think that my mother could never escape the fear that one day, this higher law would ask Cadeyrn to do something that would work against my mother, and he would do it without second thought. As long as the Iceni Church went through her husband, the Emperor, I think my mother thought herself safe. But now, she was forced to sacrifice her religious power in order to keep her political power, and Cadeyrn now answers to the Gallic Church, not her.
If my mother fears anything, has any weakness, that is it. Yes in this battle for power between my mother and me, I think Cadeyrn may prove useful.
You may leave now. I said, in the best regal, condescending tone I could muster. I noticed the maidservant making an alone? pout in my direction but I ignored it, though I was more unsuccessful at ignoring the deep bow she gave which gave me a view of previously inaccessible places.
As the maidservant left, I heard my mother sigh. Darling, you dont have to stay if you dont want to. Making a motion with her hand towards the now departed maidservant she continued, That is why Emperors have advisors, to take care of the boring work so that the Emperor is free to have fun.
Steeling myself, I allowed my eyes to meet hers, forcing myself not to break her gaze. I had heard, of course, all the rumors. That though my father ruled the Empire, my mother ruled him. It was no great secret, indeed, towards the end of his life, my father didnt even bother even pretending to be the ruler, simply secluding himself away in at Caer Bechet while my mother oversaw the army, with me following her like a little lap-dog. That is why when Caer Bechet fell, my father died, and not my mother, nor me. I make no excuses, he was a terrible Emperor, weak-willed, ineffective, but he was my father, and so I mourn for his death. An Emperor rules, mother, and that is what I intend to do, rule.
I could imagine I saw in her eyes fire, an unholy conflagration that would have gladly consumed me. But, perhaps, it was my imagination. Popular gossip had turned my mother into a strange and terrible beast. Once, when I was very young, I asked Cadeyrn about why such rumors swirled about my mother. Your mother, he said after a moment, does not eat and drink like normal folks, but she eats the souls of men and drinks the sweat of their brow, and that is why people hate her. I did not, at the time, understand what he meant by that, but I think, perhaps, now I do. My mother drank deep draughts from the cup filled with power, and every once in a while she allowed others the merest sip. And yet for most men, that slightest sip intoxicated them more than the strongest wine, so that they would do anything for her to be allowed another taste.
It was my mother who broke eye contact first, with a small little laugh and wave of her hand, as if such matters were inconsequential. Suit yourself, but dont blame me if youre bored to death. I felt a small flush of pleasure at her words. Undoubtedly she would make this meeting as boring as possible, hoping to drive me away from ever wanting to do anything besides hunt and use my position as Emperor to seduce women. Still, I felt as if I had won a great victory. There were not many people who stood up to my mother. Off the top of my head, I could only think of one who could do so with impunity, Cadeyrn.
Cadeyrn was the Grandmaster of the Order of the Sons of Sol. He had been a member from its very inception, recruited by none other than my mother, or so the rumor went. I think Cadeyrn represented one of my mothers few political blunders. Though I had never found out what, everyone assumed that my mother had something on Cadeyrn, something that would cause him to obey her without question, or perhaps she just thought she could seduce him with promises of power, like she had so many before, and after, him. Whatever claim she thought she had on him, however, proved to be non-existent. Cadeyrn was one of those dangerous men who saw things in black-and-white. He obeyed the Church, and obeyed the Emperor because the Church told him to. He killed, by order of the Church, he saved, by order of the Church. When the Church commanded, he obeyed.
And so, Cadeyrn was like a hunting falcon. He would faithfully attack the prey that the Church set him against, without question, without complaint. But I think that which made him such a useful tool, also made him a dangerous weapon. For Cadeyrn was that most dangerous of men, a fanatic. And fanatics are so dangerous, because they are so irrational. Men act for their own good, this is a law of nature. But fanatics, they ignore this holy law, for they answer to one that they believe is higher. And if this higher law commanded them, they would throw away everything, friendship, loyalty, life, honor. And I think that my mother could never escape the fear that one day, this higher law would ask Cadeyrn to do something that would work against my mother, and he would do it without second thought. As long as the Iceni Church went through her husband, the Emperor, I think my mother thought herself safe. But now, she was forced to sacrifice her religious power in order to keep her political power, and Cadeyrn now answers to the Gallic Church, not her.
If my mother fears anything, has any weakness, that is it. Yes in this battle for power between my mother and me, I think Cadeyrn may prove useful.
Oruc
Reactionary
das you got my orders right?
Grandmaster
Deity
OOC: Well, there is an OTL town called Ypacarai in Paraguay. But that isn't where my Ypacarai is. 
My nation is centered on the Rio de la Plata, with the capital (Ypacarai) on the northern bank, approximately opposite OTL Buenos Aires.
My nation is centered on the Rio de la Plata, with the capital (Ypacarai) on the northern bank, approximately opposite OTL Buenos Aires.
Sheep
Orange Shrooms!
To Wagadou Empire
From the Punic Empire
Do not be tricked by atheist lies!
From the Punic Empire
Do not be tricked by atheist lies!
, you just lost yourself an ally for being pricy 
Finmaster
The White Ghost
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2003
- Messages
- 2,716
On the highest hill of Burebistatuza, sat the brilliantly shining palace of Imperator Leo Diocomes. And there, in the center of that magnificent building, was Leo Diocomes's work room, where he was planning the division of Northern Africa on that sunday afternoon when he heard a knock on his door. It was his old friend and closest advisor, high priest Molonik.
"Molonik, come..", started Leo Diocomes, but furious Molonik quickly cut his speech off.
"So I was visiting Syracuse, to see if local schools are functioning as we want them to", started Molonik his preach, "when suddenly I heard a yell in the streets: 'the war if over'. Now isn't that crazy, the second-most important man in the Empire hears about this from a mouth of some random Punic?"
"I apologize, but I needed to do some quick decisions when the Punic ambassador presented the offer. And you were far away", answered the Imperator.
"Yea, well, thats not all. It appears you completely screwed our loyal allies over? Gaul, Cimberland, Nortugal.. all were loyal and good friends of ours? And you just ditched them? Whatever happened to not leaving your buddies in trouble, huh!? Doesn't loyalty mean anything to you? DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT THE WORD 'MORAL' MEANS?!"
"Moral? You talk to me about moral? What about our soldiers, huh? We have saved thousands of Dacoillyrian lives with this treaty!"
"Since when have you cared about the lives of our soldiers? Look, I know that you face difficult moral decisions, and I remember your ponderings about choices between human and politician, but this is going too far, you have soon screwed over everyone who has ever believed in the Dacoillyrian noble manners!"
"Shut up, just.. shut up! I have friends, I have nothing to worry about! I am the ruler of the Mediterranean, nobody tells me what the rules are, I make the rules!"
Molonik took a long, despiseful gaze at Leo's cold eyes. "No, you don't care about the lives of Dacoillyrian soldiers, you only care about.. you. You only care about your personal benefit! DON'T YOU!"
"ALLRIGHT I DO! So what, so ****ing what? I'm the king of the Mediterranean, some weird religious nuthead is not going to tell me how to think or how to feel! Go.. read a Bible or something, and let me do my job!"
"You.. you.. you were such a good and loyal friend and now.. now I hardly even know you anymore! The power has turned you into some kind of.. a monster! Do you really think it's that special that we have a few ships on the Mediterranean? Do you? Do you think it makes us big? Other than your ego, of course, which seems to have turned into the size of a galaxy! You know, if God Zalmoxis is watching you now..."
"God? God Zalmoxis! HAH! I laugh at your Gods! I am bigger than Zalmoxis ever was! I have done more for Dacoillyrians than neither of our so-called 'gods'! And that is all I have to say to you, NOW GET OUT!"
"Very well", said Molonik. "But remember that your arrogance might one day be the doom of us. Mark my words: no tyranny has ever lasted to stand the test of time, Carthage is a perfect example of that, and even they weren't as trechorous as you have been ever since gaining a little power on the two-sea basin."
Having said this, Molonik shut the door behind him. He walked to his home, and started to write. As a respected man of religion, he wrote about the holy texts of the Dacoillyrian book of Zalmoxis, to give a lecture at the Academy the following day. Thats when he heard a knock.
Two guards of the Palace were waiting for him outside.
"We.. we are terribly sorry", started one of the guards, who respected Molonik very greatly because of his position, "but the Imperator wants you to come with us."
I see, thought High Priest Molonik when prison cell doors were shut behind him, yet another loyal friend betrayed by Imperator Leo Diocomes.. the power he has been given has truly made him insane.
"Molonik, come..", started Leo Diocomes, but furious Molonik quickly cut his speech off.
"So I was visiting Syracuse, to see if local schools are functioning as we want them to", started Molonik his preach, "when suddenly I heard a yell in the streets: 'the war if over'. Now isn't that crazy, the second-most important man in the Empire hears about this from a mouth of some random Punic?"
"I apologize, but I needed to do some quick decisions when the Punic ambassador presented the offer. And you were far away", answered the Imperator.
"Yea, well, thats not all. It appears you completely screwed our loyal allies over? Gaul, Cimberland, Nortugal.. all were loyal and good friends of ours? And you just ditched them? Whatever happened to not leaving your buddies in trouble, huh!? Doesn't loyalty mean anything to you? DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT THE WORD 'MORAL' MEANS?!"
"Moral? You talk to me about moral? What about our soldiers, huh? We have saved thousands of Dacoillyrian lives with this treaty!"
"Since when have you cared about the lives of our soldiers? Look, I know that you face difficult moral decisions, and I remember your ponderings about choices between human and politician, but this is going too far, you have soon screwed over everyone who has ever believed in the Dacoillyrian noble manners!"
"Shut up, just.. shut up! I have friends, I have nothing to worry about! I am the ruler of the Mediterranean, nobody tells me what the rules are, I make the rules!"
Molonik took a long, despiseful gaze at Leo's cold eyes. "No, you don't care about the lives of Dacoillyrian soldiers, you only care about.. you. You only care about your personal benefit! DON'T YOU!"
"ALLRIGHT I DO! So what, so ****ing what? I'm the king of the Mediterranean, some weird religious nuthead is not going to tell me how to think or how to feel! Go.. read a Bible or something, and let me do my job!"
"You.. you.. you were such a good and loyal friend and now.. now I hardly even know you anymore! The power has turned you into some kind of.. a monster! Do you really think it's that special that we have a few ships on the Mediterranean? Do you? Do you think it makes us big? Other than your ego, of course, which seems to have turned into the size of a galaxy! You know, if God Zalmoxis is watching you now..."
"God? God Zalmoxis! HAH! I laugh at your Gods! I am bigger than Zalmoxis ever was! I have done more for Dacoillyrians than neither of our so-called 'gods'! And that is all I have to say to you, NOW GET OUT!"
"Very well", said Molonik. "But remember that your arrogance might one day be the doom of us. Mark my words: no tyranny has ever lasted to stand the test of time, Carthage is a perfect example of that, and even they weren't as trechorous as you have been ever since gaining a little power on the two-sea basin."
Having said this, Molonik shut the door behind him. He walked to his home, and started to write. As a respected man of religion, he wrote about the holy texts of the Dacoillyrian book of Zalmoxis, to give a lecture at the Academy the following day. Thats when he heard a knock.
Two guards of the Palace were waiting for him outside.
"We.. we are terribly sorry", started one of the guards, who respected Molonik very greatly because of his position, "but the Imperator wants you to come with us."
I see, thought High Priest Molonik when prison cell doors were shut behind him, yet another loyal friend betrayed by Imperator Leo Diocomes.. the power he has been given has truly made him insane.
tossi
Der kleine Prinz
OOC: Well, there is an OTL town called Ypacarai in Paraguay. But that isn't where my Ypacarai is.
Creepy.. Whom are you reffering to?
And: Greetings neighbours!
Grandmaster
Deity
Birdjaguar asked a few pages back where my new nation was.
MjM
Deity
Ahh damn. Well uhm. Be defensive.
Insane_Panda
Deity
If Azale is no longer Aryavarta, I will take it!
tossi
Der kleine Prinz
Oh ok. Didnt see that.
"...and that is the plan General Arshadaxes."
In an open, airy room of the Imperial Palace of Persepolis, three figures stood around a table, talking and gesturing.
The Shah of Parhae backed away from the table and gazed at the map of Egypt and surrounding lands.
"It seems sound to me." said the General.
Ardashaxes was a strongly-built, dark haired man. He perhaps would have looked almost stereotypically barbarian had it not been for his Parhaen armour and manner of dress, and his dark, wise eyes.
"Kaskarras. Your thoughts?"
Kaskarras was a thinly-built and battle scarred soldier. A veteran of the Israfanid campaigns, he was a respected soldier and leader, traits which had led Saraxeres to personally appoint him to the command of the Eternal Legions of Parhae.
"I have a distinctly bad feeling about the secondary offensive, but I nonetheless see its strategic importance."
Pausing for a moment, the wiry Parhaen raised his hand (missing the 5th finger) to his chest.
"I swear to you, my Eternals will perform this task for Parhae to the utmost of our abilities, or die trying."
"Excellent. As the situation is still quite cloudy, I will leave the exact details in your capable hands."
"I will not fail you."
"I know you won't. Dismissed."
Kaskarras bowed and swiftly left the room of the Imperial Palace.
Saraxeres gazed over at General Ardashaxes.
"General, I have one- no, two requests for you."
"Yes?"
"My sons, Tirius and Kades... I wish for them to go on the campaign with you."
"My lord, you are aware that this campaign is qui-"
"Of course I'm aware of the possible dangers General, don't worry, I have discussed with them and considered it deeply. But... I am aging. I want my heirs to know of the world, at least a small part of it, firsthand before I am gone. I spent time in Turan and Israfanidia before my ascendance, it taught me much. In these troubled times, I believe my sons should experience war, and what it is. They must not become detatched with reality, viewing war as numbers of faceless soldiers and grand campaigns! They must realize the consequences of the actions of a Shah. Surely you understand this?"
"I, yes I understand your motives. Very well, I shall take your sons."
Saraxeres' demeanor lightened considerably.
"Excellent. I'm most glad that I didn't have to force this on you. I don't believe that they'll be excess baggage for you to lug around, they went to the same academy as you did. Tirius is quite skilled with many means of weapon, and Kades..."
"Yes?"
"Well, he is more of a thinker than his brother. He's a philosopher. Perhaps like I was before the wars began... But Kades is a deadly shot with the bow and arrows."
"Very well. I shall bring them along."
"Thank you. That is all."
Arshadaxes strode out of the pillared room, and shut the door behind him.
In an open, airy room of the Imperial Palace of Persepolis, three figures stood around a table, talking and gesturing.
The Shah of Parhae backed away from the table and gazed at the map of Egypt and surrounding lands.
"It seems sound to me." said the General.
Ardashaxes was a strongly-built, dark haired man. He perhaps would have looked almost stereotypically barbarian had it not been for his Parhaen armour and manner of dress, and his dark, wise eyes.
"Kaskarras. Your thoughts?"
Kaskarras was a thinly-built and battle scarred soldier. A veteran of the Israfanid campaigns, he was a respected soldier and leader, traits which had led Saraxeres to personally appoint him to the command of the Eternal Legions of Parhae.
"I have a distinctly bad feeling about the secondary offensive, but I nonetheless see its strategic importance."
Pausing for a moment, the wiry Parhaen raised his hand (missing the 5th finger) to his chest.
"I swear to you, my Eternals will perform this task for Parhae to the utmost of our abilities, or die trying."
"Excellent. As the situation is still quite cloudy, I will leave the exact details in your capable hands."
"I will not fail you."
"I know you won't. Dismissed."
Kaskarras bowed and swiftly left the room of the Imperial Palace.
Saraxeres gazed over at General Ardashaxes.
"General, I have one- no, two requests for you."
"Yes?"
"My sons, Tirius and Kades... I wish for them to go on the campaign with you."
"My lord, you are aware that this campaign is qui-"
"Of course I'm aware of the possible dangers General, don't worry, I have discussed with them and considered it deeply. But... I am aging. I want my heirs to know of the world, at least a small part of it, firsthand before I am gone. I spent time in Turan and Israfanidia before my ascendance, it taught me much. In these troubled times, I believe my sons should experience war, and what it is. They must not become detatched with reality, viewing war as numbers of faceless soldiers and grand campaigns! They must realize the consequences of the actions of a Shah. Surely you understand this?"
"I, yes I understand your motives. Very well, I shall take your sons."
Saraxeres' demeanor lightened considerably.
"Excellent. I'm most glad that I didn't have to force this on you. I don't believe that they'll be excess baggage for you to lug around, they went to the same academy as you did. Tirius is quite skilled with many means of weapon, and Kades..."
"Yes?"
"Well, he is more of a thinker than his brother. He's a philosopher. Perhaps like I was before the wars began... But Kades is a deadly shot with the bow and arrows."
"Very well. I shall bring them along."
"Thank you. That is all."
Arshadaxes strode out of the pillared room, and shut the door behind him.
Thlayli
Le Pétit Prince
If Panda is no longer Gaul, I'll take Gaul.
*makes notes about this being the 4th time the DIE has switched sides in a war against Carthage*
Unless of course they re-re-betrayed Carthage, as that story oh so subtly implies.
*makes notes about this being the 4th time the DIE has switched sides in a war against Carthage*
Unless of course they re-re-betrayed Carthage, as that story oh so subtly implies.
OOC: Well, there is an OTL town called Ypacarai in Paraguay. But that isn't where my Ypacarai is.
Thank you very much!
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