JalNES I: Quick and Easy

[jalapeno_dude]

The Middle East is complete!

Need to send DNES orders, and then there are only the finishing touches...

 

[Birdjaguar]

Hip Hip Hooray! Was it bloody?

 

[jalapeno_dude]

Hip Hip Hooray! Was it bloody?

There was actually surprisingly little bloodshed, considering the scale of the forces involved...

 

[North King]

Hmm... That may mean my plans succeeded admirably well, or that I failed so utterly that the enemy didn't even have to engage my armies.

 

[jalapeno_dude]

Hmm... That may mean my plans succeeded admirably well, or that I failed so utterly that the enemy didn't even have to engage my armies.

Yes.

 

[North King]

Crap, both? Then I've lost!

 

[Birdjaguar]

Hey JD, how about a clue on what went down in the Middle East?

 

[jalapeno_dude]

Hey JD, how about a clue on what went down in the Middle East?

No.



You'll find out soon enough...

 

[TerrisH]

Lord Iggy Beat you by mere moments JD!

 

[jalapeno_dude]

Beginning to post update....

 

[jalapeno_dude]

Update 15: World War, Part I​

600-500 BC​

As the rest of the world goes to war, the merchants of Atyria continue to trade in peace (+1 confidence). Work continues on the canals, and the people of Atyria begin to research improvements to their fortifications should they ever have to go to war, as well as weapons to knock them down.

An enterprising group of merchants manages to bribe the local tribes in the northwest to form a confederation, called the Scythian Confederation. Though not powerful at all, it does keep the peace, and for the first time in centuries, Atyrian merchants penetrate into Noricum--and farther, into the massive nation of Prussia. And where they go, trade--and perhaps iron-- is sure to follow. (+1 trade to Noricum, Scythian Confederation, Atyria).

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Hopefully you've had your fill of peace, because that's about as much as your going to get. Let's start the bloodshed with the Eirehann/Briton/Iberian Confederation/Tartessos/Rome/Syracuse/Carthage mess. Yes, everyone's at war.

The Mediterranean is alarmed (or at least some of it) when news comes that Briton and Eirehann have acquired iron. Suspicion grows as it becomes clear that only merchants from Rome, Carthage, and Syracuse could have passed through the Strait of Gibraltar. The Mediterranean teters on the brink of war.

Then, it falls over it. Carthage stages a massive naval assault on Syracuse. A large portion of the Syracusan fleet and army are away founding the city of Massilia, and another portion is lured away by a diversionary attack to the north (Carthage: -10 Galleys, Syracuse: -10 Galleys). The now-larger Carthaginian fleet is able to split the Syracusans into two and destroy them, then land its troops in the western part of the island (Carthage: -50 Galleys, Syracuse: -50 Galleys). Once a beachhead is secured, the Carthaginians proceed to take the western part of the island, destroying all the villages in their path (Carthage: -100 Axemen, -2000 Swordsmen, Syracuse: -1500 Spearmen, -500 Archers). At the same time, a renewed barbarian insurgence occurs in Sardinia, and the small garrison there is destroyed (Syracuse: -1 trade economy, -1 rural economy, -1 infrastructure). At the turn of the century, Carthage is in sight of Messina itself, and Syracuse's future seems grim..

Unless, of course, it is helped by its ally, Rome, which unfortunately is rather busy this century. As Rome expanded, it grew to encompass many people who were not ethnically Roman, and thus who were denied the vote. As the disenfranchised population grew larger and larger, unrest began to grow. Finally, in late 585 BC, riots broke out throughout Rome. For several months, Rome was in chaos, until on February 27th, 585 BC, Senator Atretus Brutus took control of the mob and founded the new Second Republic, becoming First Consul. Three acts were passed by the Senate in his term (though rumors persist of a secret "fourth act"): one declaring that Romans are those who follow Roman customs and are loyal to the Republic, one creating a High Justicary Council, and one which, rather randomly, called for the placement of street signs throughout Rome (+1 culture).

Rome also sends galleys containing grain and supplies to Tartessos. These are greatly needed, for the city is preparing for a siege. The northerners have returned, this time with iron. Dropping off their troops in Port Naill, the new Briton Wargalleys, heavy ships armed with rams and catapults, combine with the Eirean Sea Wolves, light and maneuverable ships armed with crack archers who offset the Briton heavy ships to great effect. The armada lands its troops to the west of Tartessos, where they build Fort Eire as a military supply depot, with much grumbling from the Druids of the Claw, who have lost their special rank and are forced to work as common axemen. Soon enough, the already-ravaged Tartessan lands are taken (Tartessos: -2 Infrastructure), and the city is besieged, as catapults pound its walls. But everyone knows the true battle will be on the water. The tables have been turned, as a much-expanded Tartessan armada combined with Roman galleys faces off against a smaller Northern armada. Determined not to repeat the mistakes of their Great Defeat, the northerners do not send all their troops in force to die, but have the Sea Wolves carry out small hit-and-run attacks to wear down the opponent (Eirehann: -10 Sea Wolves, Tartessos: -20 Galleys). This strategy works well enough until the Tartessans station their galleys permanently in the Strait, causing the casualty ration to even, and tilt in their favor as they fight the smaller Sea Wolves (Eirehann: -15 Sea Wolves, Tartessos: -10 Galleys). With their smaller force, these casualty numbers are unacceptable, so the troops continue to besiege Gibraltar, while Roman galleys bring food and weapons. The Northern forces seem to be waiting for something to turn the tide, but it never does. In the absence of supporting ships on the other side, and without control of the other side of the strait, it is not feasible for a smaller force to take the strait.

While the Eireans are staring at walls, the Britons are doing something else entirely. As discussed above, the Wargalleys drop off a massive army in Port Naill, which splits into three respectively large prongs and proceeds to overrun the Iberian Confederation. The battle is tougher than the Britons expected--Rome has sent them iron, and a warning, and although the Iberians scoff at the thought that the Britons will break the peace, they do take the time to prepare a contingency plan. When the Britons cross the border, the Iberians give up any semblance of sedentary lives. They abandon their western city, and burn their few farms in the midst of the Iberian forest (Iberia: -2 rural economy). The women and children are evacuated to Zaragoza, and fortifications are built around the city. Except for a garrison in the capital, the army splits up into small, wandering bands who constantly harass the Briton army. As it slogs through the unfamiliar forests, entire companies of the Briton army simply disappear (Iberia: -300 Swordsmen, -200 Spearmen, -200 Axemen, -100 Archers, Briton: -2000 Spearmen, -800 Archers). They finally approach the capital--only to be stopped by fortifications. Demoralized, the generals decide to wait for supply lines to be established and proper battle lines drawn before assaulting the fortifications.

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In Prussia, meanwhile, all seems peaceful. The new cities of Kiel and Rostock are founded in the west (+1 rural economy), and a more efficient tax system is organized. Word spreads of the Atyrian merchants in the south--perhaps Prussia could obtain the iron that their trading partners Eirehann and Britannia now have? In addition, a force of Prussian Axemen led by the king is established to root out corruption in the vast empire. They start in the capital of Konigsberg--and what they find shocks them.

The new nation of Sweeden perceived the Prussians as a threat to its existence. So, it decided to weaken them. It hired merchants to convey its troops and their weapons to Stockholm. Once there, the Sweedes bribed every relevant official that could hinder their goal. So when the first corrupt official, the Keeper of the Palace, is executed in the city square, the Sweedes know they have little time to spare. But they still have the advantage of numbers. That night, they assault the palace, succeeding in capturing it and killing the king (the heir, who is in Kiel, became the new king) (Prussia: -1 confidence, -400 UU, -300 Archers, Sweeden: -400 Spearmen, -400 Axemen, -200 Archers). They then assault the army barracks, defeating the troops quartered there (Prussia: -100 UU, -200 Archers, Sweeden: -300 Spearmen, -200 Axemen). As refugees flee the city, the Sweedes ponder their odds of taking all of Prussia, and decide they cannot fight the larger Prussian army. So, they plunder the treasury, burn the city, and flee back to Sweeden, narrowly avoiding defeat in crossing the Baltic (Prussia: -1 urban economy, -1 confidence, -1 culture, -10 Galleys, Sweeden: +1 confidence, +1 culture, -12 Galleys, 2 spending points from Prussia to Sweeden). Prussia, always held together more by convenience then by a unified culture, seems on the verge of fragmenting (OOC: -1 culture when culture=None is very bad)...

Meanwhile, Novgorod seems to stagnate, as expansion ceases.

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Far to the south, it seems that war has been averted, as Sumer and the remnants of Magan sign a treaty. The previous capital of Sumer becomes the new capital of the city-state of Eden, a city devoted to peace and learning. The Sumerian royal family is returned safely, Eden and Sumer sign peace, and the first king of Eden, Adam, marries one of the daughters of the Sumerian king. Eden releases the mercenary Arabian Cavalry from its service, muttering vaguely that payment will come later (it never does). The Marines are converted into Shining Guardians, a police and military force devoted to protecting the kings of Eden. Education is invested in, and work begins to turn Eden into an earthly paradise (+Eden Cultural Center).

In Sumer, meanwhile, the work of rebuilding begins. The king resumes his rule, but the 200-member Senate and 12-member High Council it elects stay on, the former as a legislative body (the king has veto power) and the latter as advisors to the king. A new capital, Sumer, is built at the junction of the Tigris and Euphrates River, though it will never be as glorious as the former capital. The lands of former Magan begin to be assimilated, and the armies there are consistently able to fend off attacks from the Arabian tribes (+1 size, -300 UU, -200 Swordsmen). Overall, there is peace in the east--for a few years. The trouble starts when the Sumer's princess and Eden's queen is found strangled in her sleep. The peaceful denizens of Eden are unable to determine the killer. So the Sumerians step in--and present evidence that they claim shows her death was ordered by Adam himself. When he denies it, the Sumerians announce that the assassination will be taken as an attack against the state of Sumer, and declare war. Despite taking large casualties from the naval fortifications and fleet, the Sumerian swordsmen are able to land in Magan's harbor. The peaceful natives try to surrender, but in their wrath they execute every last inhabitant of the city, including the royal family of Eden. When the son rises the next day, the city is in rubble. The earthly paradise is no more. (-Eden as an independent nation, Sumer: +1 culture, -60 Galleys, -3500 Swordsmen)

That's one of Sumer's two conflicts. The other, though it is far greater and may ultimately effect many more lives, seems all but forgotten at home, and this century it is indeed all but forgettable (see below).

Meanwhile, to the south, one family has finally risen to control all of The Hedjaz, which has stagnated for centuries under the feudal rule of different families. But now, the Hedjaz once again has a monarchy, and a purpose, as it expands to the south (+1 culture, +1 confidence, -500 UU). Can the new dynasty revive the empire that could have been, or is it too late?

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Sumer's other conflict is, of course, with the League of the Sea Peoples, who dig in for a massive assault from them, determined to slow down the inevitable massive army as much as they can. But none comes. For the Sumerians have been doing the exact same thing on the opposite side of the river. So both sides watch each other, and are glad they don't have to fight on the other, more active fronts.

The League does, indeed, have more active fronts. Sparta reveals to the world that the Sea Peoples have been funding a proxy war against them through the Byzantines for centuries, and declares war, seizing the shipments of gold that Byzantium is sending back to the League for repayment (+2 spending points to Sparta). This puts a damper on the opening of the Grand Harbor of Tarsus, which had already been dampened by the fact that the Harbor was originally intended to provide a Mediterranean outlet for Sumerian goods, when the Sumerians were still friendly.

In any case, the League gathers its ships at the Isle of Rhodes, intending to prevent any invasion from Sparta. However, the Spartans have prepared for just this eventuality. A smaller fleet continually skirmishes with the superfleet, harassing them and pinning them down in one place. It then attempts to sail away. As the League fleet tries to follow, a second small Spartan fleet attacks them from behind, forcing the Sea Peoples to reform their fleet or be destroyed. They have no choice but to let the first fleet leave, as they continue to fight the second fleet. They manage to destroy it, but then must spend all their time protecting shipping from raids by a third Spartan force (Sparta: -55 Galleys, League: -45 Galleys).

The Spartan fleet attempts to land troops in two places, the first of which is Troy. However, they are repulsed and destroyed by the larger League defensive force there (Sparta: -15 Galleys, -750 Swordsmen, -750 Spearmen, League: -10 Galleys, -1000 Swordsmen, -500 Archers).

The second part of the fleet goes to Cyprus, which they find completely undefended, and easily take (League: -1 Rural Economy).

By that time, Sparta has other things to worry about. Although the Spartan galleys have managed to repulse the raids from League Triremes (League: -5 UU, Sparta: -12 Galleys), the Dorians have somehow managed to acquire iron (perhaps from a shipwrecked League galley), and when they move south in force, they are much harder to defeat then expected (Sparta: -1500 Swordsmen, -1500 Spearmen).

Sparta's troubles are just the reverse for Byzantium, which seems finally to have reawakened. A new city, Adrianople, is founded on the western frontier, and as the Dorians move south and east, the Byzantines follow, gaining territory which is half again their previous size (+1 urban economy, -2000 Spearmen). As Byzantium grows, the Senate is increasingly divided between two forces--those who believe Byzantium's destiny lies in trade, and those who believe its destiny lies in land, and empire. Who will triumph?

Egypt, too, is flexing its muscles, but at the expense of another nation. Like the Sea Peoples, it completes a great harbor, this one at Rosetta. Like them as well, it also prepares for war. So it is perhaps not surprising that its war is against the Sea Peoples.

The February after the Spartans declare war, as Cyprus is captured, and as water and food supplies are at their lowest before the harvest season, the Egyptians invade the Sinai. Simultaneously, before anyone in Tyre has heard of the invasion, its water cisterns are poisoned. Sickness immediately begins to spread. The Egyptians advance into the Sinai with amazing speed, since there are no troops whatsoever garrisoned there. Before the locals can attempt to burn their crops, they are overwhelmed. In two days, Egypt controls all of the Sinai, with minimal casualties. That night, merchant ships in the harbor of Tyre ignite, burning the harbor, and the adjoining granary, to the ground. Panic spreads throughout the city. In one week, the Egyptians are outside Tyre. Only now have the forces on the eastern front heard of the assault. The mounted cavalry rides west as fast as possible, and torches the fields within fifty miles of Tyre in an attempt to slow down the army. But in Egypt, it is the height of the growing season, and a steady supply of grain follows the army. In Tyre, by contrast, it is impossible to bring in enough water for the city, and grain is scarce as well--for it has all been burned around the city, and Cyprus, one of the great breadbaskets of the Mediterranean, has been captured by the Spartans. The people of Tyre, starving and sick, overthrow their garrison and surrender--only to be put to the sword. The city is looted and burned, and the League seems on the verge of collapse.

(1 spending point from League to Egypt, League: -1 urban economy, -1 rural economy, -2 confidence, -2 culture, -600 Horsemen, Egypt: +1 confidence, -500 UU, -1000 Swordsmen)

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After a period of stagnation, far-off Yamato is waking again. Roads begin to be constructed throughout their lands, and a formalized code of the Bushido begins to be developed.

Meanwhile, Kenu continues to beat the northern barbarians back, and Hi begins to settle the island south of Asuka. Will Yamato do the same?
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Srivijaya continues to extend its dominion over southern Sumatra (-500 Spearmen, -250 Archers). More expansion occurs on the Malay Peninsula (-300 Spearmen), and a small beachhead is established with great effort on Java (-400 Spearmen). Increased mining of gold turns Jambi into Srivijaya's booming second city (+1 urban economy). Brave Srivijayan traders also sail to the north, and encounter many Chinese kingdoms, which range from Yu in the south to Yen in the far north, along with the powerful kingdoms of Chin and Chu, plus many smaller states.

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NPC Diplo​

​

From: Noricum
To: Atyria

We wish to purchase iron from you.

From: Syracuse
To: Rome

We call on you to declare war on Carthage per our alliance.

From: Tartessos
To: Eirehann

Is there a particular reason you want to exterminate all of us, or are you just dying for the fun of it?

From: Noricum
To: Prussia

Per our defensive alliance, how may we assist you?

Rants from the Mod (OOC)​

​

Yay, I finished! That took way too long.

Novgorod will be NPCed if I don't get orders this turn.

Darkening, and LittleBoots: You're going to need to research Greek fire before you can use it. You can do it jointly, if you'd like. Since I didn't tell you, I'll assume, if you start it, that the turn counter will start at (1/x) rather than (0/x).

Neverwonagame2: You're going to need to enter the iron age, and research Greek fire, before you can use it. Also, I gave you the color you requested, but could you please change it? It's too close to Prussia's color.


Scapegoat-for-the-turn: Neverwonagame2--nonsensical at times, not in list format, and about 6 different revisions.

Best orders: Birdjaguar--meticulously researched and well thought out.


Deadline is midnight between Friday and Saturday.

 

[jalapeno_dude]

Stats are up.

 

[North King]

Well, I lost, but it seems like my orders were basically ignored entirely, so I don't know if I'll bother sticking it out.

 

[jalapeno_dude]

Well, I lost, but it seems like my orders were basically ignored entirely, so I don't know if I'll bother sticking it out.

What are you talking about? They were certainly taken into account, though that mostly harmed you.

What, specifically, did I ignore?

 

[North King]

Oh, I don't know, the fact that I've been investing in an espionage and counter-espionage system nearly every turn since my nation's inception, so there should be no way that someone is able to poison my water and launch a massive invasion without my troops hearing about it until they're already attacking the capital?

The fact that I expected that the Spartans would try and play a cat and mouse game with their fleet, and specifically gave my fleet good orders to draw them into a pitched battle where by all rights I should have won?

The fact that there's an enormous amount of ways to get gold from Byzantium into the Sea Peoples without shipping it right through the Spartan dominated Aegean?

The fact that somehow the entire harbor of a city which is pretty much entirely harbor managed to get burnt to the ground, and even then, my ships seemingly couldn't figure out a way to get food into the city without using a properly manicured harbor?

The fact that somehow even though I specifically committed troops for the land on the Spartan front that there was practically no resistance in either Troy or Cyprus?

The fact that even after they attacked Troy, my navy still seemed to be paralyzed and couldn't prevent them from attacking Cyprus?

The fact that basically my generals seemed to take the stupidest choices in all theaters?

 

[North King]

Nevermind the quitting part; sorry, I did let my temper get the better of me, but all my rants still stand.

 

[North King]

To: Egypt
From: League of the Sea Peoples

Infamy, treachery, basest of all evil. You are the scum of the Earth, and we shall see you pay dear for your treasons; though we may be destroyed in the coming years, you shall feel the iron, brutal hand of war. We expect you to give no quarter, for we shall give you none.

To: Sumerian Empire
From: League of the Sea Peoples

It is clear that this war is not going to benefit either of us. I suggest a peace at current borders.

OOC:

To: Swissempire
From: North King

You know, I was going to help you with your war. You shouldn't have trusted andis.

 

[The Farow]

From Prussia
To Noricum

We will gladly accept your help in our war on Sweden.

From Prussia
To Sweden

We could have crushed you like a bug when you formed but we spared you. Now you will feel the combined might of Prussia and Noricum fall upon your pathetic little nation who only managed victory through decieving our forces.

From Prussia
To Atyria

We wish to purchase iron for the sum of one economy point.

OCC: Time to write a story to rebuild my culture

Nice Update! Well worth the wait.

 

[jalapeno_dude]

Oh, I don't know, the fact that I've been investing in an espionage and counter-espionage system nearly every turn since my nation's inception, so there should be no way that someone is able to poison my water and launch a massive invasion without my troops hearing about it until they're already attacking the capital?

Birdjaguar has too. He gave me details for everything he decided to do, and convinced me they were feasible. Also, there was absolutely nothing in your orders to do with Egypt--everything was focused on Sparta and Sumer. Your intelligence service was much more concerned with finding out when the attack would come from Sumer.

The fact that I expected that the Spartans would try and play a cat and mouse game with their fleet, and specifically gave my fleet good orders to draw them into a pitched battle where by all rights I should have won?

You did win the pitched battles. They just had a strategy in which that was desirable.

The fact that there's an enormous amount of ways to get gold from Byzantium into the Sea Peoples without shipping it right through the Spartan dominated Aegean?

Not that you mentioned, so it was assumed you were using the usual system--which Spartan agents had infiltrated. And don't complain about that--I sent you a PM specifically warning you of that.

The fact that somehow the entire harbor of a city which is pretty much entirely harbor managed to get burnt to the ground, and even then, my ships seemingly couldn't figure out a way to get food into the city without using a properly manicured harbor?

Only part of the harbor was burnt. That part was more there for color. They could get food into the city (what ships there were, since you specifically ordered them to stay in the Aegean), but the lack of water was the bigger problem.

The fact that somehow even though I specifically committed troops for the land on the Spartan front that there was practically no resistance in either Troy or Cyprus?

You commited troops for the fleet, which was in the Aegean. There was resistance in Turkey. There wasn't any in Cyprus because every one of your troops was either on the Spartan or Sumerian front.

The fact that even after they attacked Troy, my navy still seemed to be paralyzed and couldn't prevent them from attacking Cyprus?

Your navy was specifically ordered to STAY IN THE AEGEAN. It did.

EDIT: What was here is no longer relevant, and has been removed.



EDIT: I'm very happy you didn't quit. Please consider my points above.

 

[jalapeno_dude]

From Prussia
To Noricum

We will gladly accept your help in our war on Sweden.

We will put an expeditionary force under your control. What kind of troops do you want?

OCC: Time to write a story to rebuild my culture

Yay, story!

Nice Update! Well worth the wait.

Thanks. Sorry about the wait, but I have a lot of work at school. My teachers don't seem to understand that NESing is more important than RL.