JalNES I: Quick and Easy

[jalapeno_dude]

Beginning to post update. Note that I have yet to do the Eastern Indian nations. I'll do them tomorrow.

 

[jalapeno_dude]

Update 18: A Tangled Web​

350-300 BC​

The Hedjaz continues to expand in Africa. They convince many tribes to join them, lured by the promise of wealth through trade. However, they also open the floodgates from the mainland, and let settlers pour into Africa. Understandably, the settlers and the nominally incorporated tribes soon come into conflict. The settlers scoff at the claims of the "southern savages", and expand onto their land, killing the natives indiscriminately. After a massacre of an unarmed village of women and children, the natives can no longer tolerate the foreigners. Banding together, they chase the Arabians back to Acenata itself (-1500 Spearmen, -500 Swordsmen). But the Hedjaz does more African expansion than this...

After it was betrayed by Sumer and double-crossed by the Sea Peoples, Egypt seemed ripe for the taking. Most of its army was destroyed, and the massive Sumerian army was ready to pour into Africa at a moment's notice. The king of the Hedjaz took note, and decided to strike. Renewing a previous alliance with the Nubians, the Hedjaz struck from the east while the Nubians struck from the south, even while Sumerian forces invaded in the north. Egypt seemed about to fall.

But not everything was as it seemed. Knowing that they would be besieged from all sides, the Egyptians had decided to survive no matter the cost. After all, they had survived the Hyksos; the Sumerians were nothing compared to that onslaught. So a great movement of peoples begun. The population of the delta was evacuated, and many of them were pressed into service as militia, while others volunteered (+10000 conscripts, +2000 volunteers as militia). Two great defensive lines were formed, one in the south and one in the east. And the Egyptians waited for the onslaught.

The Egyptians are surprised when the invaders of Tanis are from the Hedjaz, not from Sumer as expected. But this does not effect the plan. They evacuate the city, and retreat inland to their defenses. The forces of the Hedjaz, trying to reach Thebes, are outnumbered by the Egyptian forces, and their cavalry neutralized by the fortifications and the terrain. After taking disproportionate casualties (Hedjaz: -500 Swordsmen, -1000 Spearmen, -800 Archers, -1200 UU, Egypt: -1000 Spearmen, -1000 Swordsmen), the Hedjaz forces retreat back to Tanis. Sensing an opportunity, the Egyptian army pursues them, and routs them as they retreat (Hedjaz: -300 Swordsmen, -1000 Spearmen, -600 Archers, -1000 UU, Egypt: -1500 Spearmen, -1500 Swordsmen), although they take heavier casualties from the Arabian Cavalry. The remnants of the Hedjaz force flee back to Mecca, and the populace moves back into Tanis, which, however, is never the same, as the trade that is its lifeblood has dried up (Egypt: -1 Trade Economy).

In the north, meanwhile, Sumer attacks, with two massive armies, one by land and one by sea. Neither of them meet any resistance. Lower Egypt is deserted. Its cities lie empty, its crops have been burned, and not a single Egyptian can be seen. However, the Sumerians have adequate provisions, at least for the moments, and so press south, taking over the Egyptian land as they go (Egypt: -2 trade economy, -1 rural economy, -1 Memphis as a cultural center, -2 size). Finally, they encounter the Hawatat Line. South of the delta, the flood plain narrows to only a few hundred yards wide. There are steep hills on the east, so the only possible place for an army to march is on the bluffs to the west. And it is here that the Egyptians fortify. It is an offensive nightmare. There is no place for the army as a whole to form up, no cover, and the defending army has the high ground. Although they outnumber the Egyptians by a large margin, the Sumerian numerical advantage has no effect. After several probing attacks are beaten back (Sumer: -2000 Swordsmen, -1000 UU, -500 Archers, -300 Horsemen, Egypt: -2000 Militia, -1000 Swordsmen), the Sumerians stop attacking and fortify, in the absence of orders to the contrary.

This is lucky for the Egyptians, for word arrives from the south, where Thebes is besieged. A large force rushes south from the Hawatat Line, and is able to drive back the Nubians, though not before they raid and loot Thebes (Egypt: -1 spending point to Nubians, -1000 Swordsmen, -1000 Spearmen, -700 Chariot Archers, -400 0 Militia). Egypt is besieged from both sides.

However, it will be hard for them to starve it into submission. It costs money to maintain Sumer's large army, even more so in a hostile land (-2 extra upkeep for supplies). Over half of Sumer's income is now spent on supplying its armies.

Meanwhile, Arabian raids intensify, hurting the Hedjaz and Sumer, both distracted elsewhere (Hedjaz, Sumer: -1 spending point to Arabians)...

And there is more bad news for Sumer. In the absence of an army to guard them, the enslaved Medean population rises up, killing their Sumerian overlords (-1 confidence, -1 culture, -1 rural economy). If the rebellion is not put down, it may spread to the other enslaved peoples of Sumer--the Hittites, the former Armenians, the Maganese...and perhaps even the Dilmunese will think of seceding...

There is some good news, however. After centuries of good relations with the Sumerians, the true Armenians, those who drove out the old Armenians centuries ago, finally form a unified state, though it has very little central government as yet. Armenia, as of now, is an ally of Sumer, one they desperately need.

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The ripples of the last fifty years continue elsewhere as well. Sparta finds itself blockaded by the Byzantine navy, which no longer owns Byzantium, since the Atyrians invaded it. The League has survived, and finds itself in an uneasy peace with Atyria, though at war with Sparta.

The Sea Peoples take advantage of the Byzantine blockade to launch an island-hopping campaign. With no ships to challenge them, the League quickly captures the minor Aegean islands. Euboea (-500 Swordsmen) and Crete (-800 Swordsmen, -500 Spearmen) take considerably more effort, but they too are captured.

In a strange turn of events, the League fleet, which is attacking Sparta, lets the Atyrian invasion force pass peacefully through the Aegean to aid Sparta. Also strangely, both Atyria and the League receive Xavier from the Romans, which appears to be some kind of stronger armor.

Atyria has a busy half-century all around. Research continues frenetically, though this time it is secret. Constantinople is rebuilt, and efforts begin to restore it to its former glory. Payment (though not as much as expected, forcing fewer merchant marines to be trained) is received from Prussia, and the Merchant Marines recalled. Ties are loosened with the Scythian Confederation, which begins a formal vassalage relation with them. Their cultural expansion continues, as several tribes in the west willingly join them (+1 size), and the Itherion Confederation is created as a new puppet state to the north, with a capital of Cherkasy.

Of course, Atyria's largest operation is the "liberation" of Sparta. Gathering their invasion force, they punch through the Byzantine blockade (Atyria: -10 Galleys, -200 UU, Byzantium: -20 Galleys). Landing north of Athens, the large Atyrian army sieges and quickly takes the city, with Spartan help (-Byzantium as an independent nation, Atyria: -1000 UU, -1500 Spearmen, -1500 Swordsmen, +1 spending point, Sparta: -1000 UU).

While the Atyrian navy tracks down the remnants of the Byzantium navy, most of whom become pirates (Atyria: -50 Galleys), its army begins to fight the Dorians, making some progress for the Spartans (Atyria: -1000 Swordsmen, -1000 Spearmen, -800 UU).

With their part in the war hopefully over, and the Byzantines defeated, the Spartans have emerged victorious, though they must pick up the peaces and try to re-establish trade. But it is the Atyrians who have truly come out winners in this conflict.

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Funan expands onto the Malay peninsula, taking control of a key site for trade in the area (-300 Archers, -200 Spearmen). If a city were to be built on the site, there is the possibility for much income...

Under the rule of Rainsey the Traveler, many northern barbarians are converted to Buddhism, and join Funan, with some persuasion (-500 Spearmen, -300 Archers, +1 Rural Economy, +1 Culture). Living up to his name, Rainsey then leads an expedition to the west to find the source of Buddhism. When the Srivijayans turn back the expedition, Rainsey heads south in a lone galley to try to go around Srivijaya, and is never heard from again (-1 Galley).

To the north, Hainan begins work on a great temple to their sun god, but otherwise remains stagnant. Further north, the Chinese states continue to stabilize.

To the south, Srivijaya begins to recover. To avoid infighting, the two main leaders of the military coup agree to a government which they call a "legalist statocracy". (+1 culture) Srivijaya is ruled by a council of governors, all of whom, at least initially, are high-ranking military officers. Rather than directly running the government, they claim merely to enforce the principle of hokum, law. As a result, law codes throughout Srivijaya are standardized.

A side effect of the new government is that it, comprised mostly of Hindus, encourages Hinduism. This causes tensions to rise between Srivijaya and their Buddhist neighbor to the north, Funan, which is systematically converting local tribes to Buddhism.

The government then sets out to restore Srivijaya. While some spearmen guard the external borders, mostly successfully except in Java, where the small garrison is destroyed (-750 Spearmen), others attempt to push the rebel tribes out of Srivijaya. Slowly but surely, the tribes are pushed north (-800 Spearmen), and, barring intervention, it seems they will eventually be defeated.

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Given promises they will not be ignored, the East Prussians reintegrate into Prussia proper (+1 rural economy), and provide troops (+500 militia) to fight the Franks). War-torn Denmark, too, begins to be repaired. In Stockholm, the Prussians try a different tack, encouraging the Scandinavians to trade with them and grow prosperous. There are still raids from ambitious tribes trying to seize the wealth in the city (-500 Archers), and pirate raids prevent the increased trade from having a significant economic effect, but overall the plan is a success.

Meanwhile, the last remnants of rebellion linger on off the coast of Denmark. They break through the blockade around their island (Prussia: -28 ships), and proceed to attack shipping passing near key islands in the Baltic, which they overrun (Prussia: -10 ships).

On the southern frontier, the Prussians are determined not to be surprised. They encamp a massive army along the Elbe, driving off any raider that attempt to cross. Meanwhile, in a raid reminiscent of their routes, the Prussians strike back. Identifying the tribe that sacked Hamburg, the Prussian Axemen ambush and slaughter every last member of the tribe (-2000 UU). Then, they retreat back across the Elbe. This has little effect economically, as the loot from the sack of Hamburg has already dispersed, or militarily, since other tribes rise to take their place, but it does increase confidence among the displaced Hamburgers (+1 confidence).

Prussia's garrison along the Elbe works, but the old agreement with Noricum prevents a problem. South of Prussia and west of Noricum is a large area of land, on Prussia's side of the Elbe, that neither nation is allowed to enter. Rather than being cut down as they cross the Elbe into Prussia, far-seeing tribes cross the river south of Prussia, then base their raids in that area. Fortunately, the Prussians have placed a garrison in Central Prussia (-500 UU), which fends of the attacks for now, but this problem, unless fixed, can only get worse.

Meanwhile, Novgorod's western expansion pushes Russian tribes south and west, and into East Prussia, which does not have a garrison. Predictable results ensue (-1 spending point from raids), much to the displeasure of the East Prussians, especially since their militia is off fighting in the west (-1 confidence).

Noricum's expansion, like Novgorod’s takes a toll on another country. As they expand south along the Danube, the Noricans push waves of tribes towards still-fragile Pest, which, lacking strong leadership, collapses.

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The Turks continue to expand (-350 Horse Archers, -250 Archers, -500 Spearmen). Their core territories continue to be developed--particularly their mines, which begin to produce usable quantities of iron (+Iron Age, +1 Confidence).

Meanwhile, Kamboja and Gandhara continue on as usual.

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Rome reorganizes many aspects of its government in an effort to win its war. It establishes a special War Committee to coordinate the logistics of troop movements. In order to facilitate logistics, the committee orders that a war tax continue, annoying many citizens, who have never known life without the so-called temporary tax, though their annoyance is appeased by propaganda, for now. More importantly, the council takes into its own hands the management of all Roman goods and industries, redirecting the destinations of goods to make sure they get to the troops quickly and effectively. This has its intended effect, but it harms international trade (-1 trade economy while "mobilized"). Seeing the failure of its siege engines previously, the Romans obtain the designs of Atyrian Siege Weapons. They produce some of these advanced catapults, and immediately begin plotting how to improve them. Finally, and most importantly, the council reforms the structure of the army itself. The army now allows citizens of all types to join it, and provides weapons and training for them, rather than would-be soldiers having to provide their own weapons. This is, of course, rather expensive.

With these reforms complete, a large army marches on Carthage, set on burning it to the ground. The Carthaginians really have no hope of winning, and, predictably, they don't. Carthage burns (Carthage: -1500 Swordsmen, -1000 Spearmen, -50 UU, Rome: +1 Confidence, -1500 Swordsmen, -500 Spearmen, -2 Advanced Catapults). Carthage is reduced to the city of Cirta. If the Romans had assaulted it, it almost certainly would have surrendered. As it is, however, the remnants of once-great Carthage are destroyed by the Berbers, their age-old enemies, who salt the earth of the remnants of Carthage and Cirta, preventing cities from being founded there ever again (-Carthage as an independent nation).

Trade begins to re-normalize in the western Mediterranean (Trade Union: +1 Trade Economy).

The tyrant of Syracuse declares that the Syracusan citizens of Italy have been saved. Erecting fortifications, the Syracusans manage to fight the Romans to a standstill (Rome: -2500 Swordsmen, -1000 Spearmen, -5 Catapults, Syracuse: -3000 Swordsmen, -1500 Spearmen). The Syracusans then turn elsewhere--to Malta. Rather than assaulting the island itself, they begin to attack shipping between Malta and Rome (Syracuse: +1 spending point from raids, Rome, Malta: -1 spending point from raids).

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Incensed at Iberia's defiance, King Adurulus VIII of Briton decides to destroy them personally. At the head of a large fleet, he marches to the banks of the Ebro River, and prepares to assault the Iberian fortifications. However, the night before what will surely be a great and glorious battle, the king is poisoned, for unknown reasons, by General Tragus Dominues, who then proclaims himself king. The Brittanian camp descends into chaos, and the Iberians take this opportunity to strike, flanking and destroying the army (Briton: -5000 Swordsmen, -2000 Axemen, Iberia: -1500 UU, -1000 Swordsmen, +1 Confidence), then conquering former La Rioja (-800 Spearmen, -500 Archers, +1 Urban Economy).

Back in Briton, the now-king, Adurulus IX, takes control. He then shocks the nation--for he announces that Eirehann was behind his father's assassination! Blaming them for not intervening or sending aid, Adurulus take his own army to attack the Eirean fortifications. But Eirehann is more than prepared, with a massive defensive army ready. In the battle of Dublin, the entire Brittanian army, including Adurulus IX, is cut down (Briton: -5000 Swordsmen, -1000 Archers, -1 Confidence, Eirehann: -4000 Swordsmen).

And then things really get bad. For Adurulus had no living heir when he was killed. All across the land, generals declare that they are the rightful king. The next five years are known, somewhat erroneously, as the Tragian revolt. Briton splinters into a multitude of warring states. It does not help that the Eireans invade in Wales, establishing a beachhead from which they continually kill any leader who seems like he has a chance of re-uniting the nation. Finally, Arkhadia, a Scot, leads a large army from the north, and is able to drive the Eireans back into the sea (Eirehann: -2500 Swordsmen). Afterwards, he is able to unify the island relatively easily. Arkhadia is a brutal and radical leader, who rules with an iron fist. He establishes the Arkhadian Justice, which essentially sets death as the penalty for any suspicion of crime. In addition, Arkhadia is not a religious man. He declares the Brittanian pantheon to be "old ideals of false gods", and, in what is known as the Great Purge, burns every temple, destroys every idol, and kills every priest he can find (-2 culture).

Arkhadia also attempts to reform the government by naming a successor, rather than passing the rule on to his son. Ironically, while attempting to reclaim parts of Britannia’s empire, he is deposed by his son, Gurive, along with an advisory body of generals, the Caea (-1 confidence).

As Gurive takes power, he rules over a nation a fraction the size it once was. It has lost its colonies to various uprisings and invasions (-1 size, -2 rural economy, -1 urban economy, -1 trade economy). The aging Arkhadia rules the True Britons from his base in Aunis, in the south of France. The pregnant wife of Adurulus IX was never accounted for, and a man claiming to be his son rules over Normandy. An ambitious general rules South Briton from Port Domnall in Iberia. Even Tartessos has gotten involved, absorbing and "purifying" the southern Brittanian city. As a new century dawns, Western Europe has changed radically...

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In Maghada, the ailing Nanda dynasty is overthrown by the energetic Chandragupta Maurya, who is reputed to have come from the far northwest. After a brief civil war (-2000 Spearmen), Maurya takes control of Maghada, and begins to act upon his dreams of conquest. Kosala is the first to fall. With a larger army and powerful war elephants, Maurya quickly subjugates the entire nation (-5000 Spearmen, -15 War Elephants, +1 Rural Economy, +2 Confidence, +1 Culture), then begins to expand further up the Ganges (-1500 Spearmen, +1 Size).

Against this onslaught, Aryan India seems to have no hope (see NPC diplo). However, Kosala's destruction does shift trade to its branch of the Ganges (+1 trade economy), and refugees from Kosala bring iron--and elephants (+Iron Age).

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NPC Diplo​

​

From: East African Tribes
To: The Hedjaz

You make promises, then discard them like they have no worth. Why do you not value us enough to speak the truth?

From: Syracuse
To: Rome

We have taken all we want. Stop supporting the Syracusan rebels, and we will be at peace. If not, we will have no choice but to enslave your entire nation.

From: Maghada
To: Aryan India

Why should we not destroy you?

Rants from the Mod (OOC)​

​

I changed some colors this turn--they were all at peoples' request.

In the stats, you'll see that some NPCs have started projects--IMO, it's only fair that they get to do everything PCs can. Soon, you'll start to see them doing research...

Pest was destroyed, since Stick Figure disappeared.

~Darkening~ has rejoined as Briton.

Scapegoat-for-the-turn: ~Darkening, for obvious reasons.

Best orders: Birdjaguar.

If possible, can you get orders in by Sunday night?

 

[jalapeno_dude]

Stats will be up momentarily.

 

[alex994]

Excellent update and as usual, your NPCs cause trouble. I had a feeling Syracuse wouldn't die easily... And my MANY PMs of questions will be sent tomorrow after I get home, around 8 PM luckily for you too

Are you still Malta swissempire?

 

[The Farow]

Very Nice Update. I underestimated the naval strength of the Danes....

From Prussian Empire
To Noricum

The land along the Elbe neither of us by our treaty are allowed for us to expand into. We purpose the territory be split equally so we can make a firm border to prevent further raids into our homelands.

From Prussian Empire
To Novgorod

Our two nations have much to benefit working together. To our east are massive amounts of nomads threatening to destroy our cultures and peoples. We purpose a joint stance on providing a strong barrier to discourage these tribes.

 

[alex994]

And you know Jal, what are the advantages of mobilizing?

 

[jeps]

Nice update. OOC: map question - is there a purpose to that line in the middle of the pacific ocean on the american side?

To Srivijaya
From Funan

What is the purpose of you returning our expedition. It was like a pilgrimage for us, finding our heritage. What offence did it cause you for us to return to our roots? We may not be descendants of the other Buddhists, but we are their brothers in faith, much like you would consider yourselves brothers with Hindus. Please explain yourself before this becomes a wedge between us.

 

[The Farow]

Oh, I forgot

From Prussia
To Atryia

Our ambassadors must have gotten lost for you did not get our message. Our lands are constantly raided from all sides so we were only able to dispatch one economic point. The remainder will come this year.

 

[~Darkening~]

Oooh, I love screwing things up. So which faction am I in control of?

 

[Lord_Iggy]

Why did I get no expansion? Or is it just really tiny?

Nice update otherwise JD!

 

[Birdjaguar]

Great update even with its surprises.

 

[Birdjaguar]

To: The Hedjaz
From Egypt

Sumer lured you into this war with false promises of easy victories if you did his bidding. Now your armies lies dead and scattered in the sands of our eastern desert while your own land is more vunerable than ever to the greed of Sumer should he turn on you as he has on others. Egypt has never been your enemy and yet you fail to see who will soon bind all these lands to his will. Break your armies against our walls again if you choose, we will be waiting. We are cornered and will fight you to the end and you are ripe for Sumer's picking.

Or you may call off your costly war and end its drain upon your treasury and side with peace.

 

[TerrisH]

Standing Offer to all Nations:
We hereby anouce a reduction in the Price of Our Stone fortification Technolagy. the Price for it has been Reduced to 1EP.
Heavy Seige Weapons will remian priced at 5EP.

To Summer:
we hearby offer to sign a three turn NAP with you.

To the League, Sparta:
while we will stand by our NAP, if the conflict between your two nations is not resolved by the time Our NAP's with you end, we will move to intervine in this conflict and establish peace on our terms. If you do not wish for this to happen, Eather defeat your foes, or establish peace between yourselves.

 

[justokre]

To Egypt
From The Hedjaz

Alas, we have been honorably defeated. We will trouble you no longer. 3 turn NAP?

 

[jalapeno_dude]

Very Nice Update. I underestimated the naval strength of the Danes....

From Prussian Empire
To Noricum

The land along the Elbe neither of us by our treaty are allowed for us to expand into. We purpose the territory be split equally so we can make a firm border to prevent further raids into our homelands.

From Prussian Empire
To Novgorod

Our two nations have much to benefit working together. To our east are massive amounts of nomads threatening to destroy our cultures and peoples. We purpose a joint stance on providing a strong barrier to discourage these tribes.

From: Noricum
To: Prussia

Will you propose a specific boundary?

From: Novgorod
To: Prussia

Well, we intend to expand west anyway, so why not?

And you know Jal, what are the advantages of mobilizing?

-1 economy? Umm, control over industries in order to use them for the military--so you don't have to pay as much for logistics.

Nice update. OOC: map question - is there a purpose to that line in the middle of the pacific ocean on the american side?

Yes. It reflects my deep exhaustion that I failed to see and delete it last night. It will be fixed, eventually.

To Srivijaya
From Funan

What is the purpose of you returning our expedition. It was like a pilgrimage for us, finding our heritage. What offence did it cause you for us to return to our roots? We may not be descendants of the other Buddhists, but we are their brothers in faith, much like you would consider yourselves brothers with Hindus. Please explain yourself before this becomes a wedge between us.

This wasn't specifically ordered. It reflects the fact that at the time, their leadership was fairly paranoid, expecially around non-Hindus.

Oooh, I love screwing things up. So which faction am I in control of?

The one in Briton itself, unless you want a different one.

Why did I get no expansion? Or is it just really tiny?

Nice update otherwise JD!

The latter.

 

[North King]

To the League, Sparta:
while we will stand by our NAP, if the conflict between your two nations is not resolved by the time Our NAP's with you end, we will move to intervine in this conflict and establish peace on our terms. If you do not wish for this to happen, Eather defeat your foes, or establish peace between yourselves.

Do not blame us; we offered peace multiple times.

OOC: But someone decided that they didn't really care about their nation anyway and so had to be a jerk at the negotiations table.

 

[Kal'thzar]

hey, you said TerrisH would betray me I didn't beleive you, and just stopped negotiating until that had been cleared up. It has been.

now we can negotiate if you wish, although I would suggest that I let you keep Crete and that is it.

 

[North King]

You do have a sense of humor. Sparta is a land power, and has little use for the Aegean.

 

[Kal'thzar]

You do have a sense of humor. Sparta is a land power, and has little use for the Aegean

uhmmm well yes.

EDIT: so was that a yes or a no? I've offered you the island of crete, which is all my aegan belongings anyway...

 

[Lord_Iggy]

The latter.

Aww... will it always be that slow?