Mixed World - a Roman Tale

[Gresharas]

Hi everyone!

As in the best traditions, I'm a long-time lurker delurked. I enjoyed the mods and the pre-made maps, and read some tips here and there for... well, a very long time.

Lately I've started reading the Stories and Tales section and found myself enthralled by the idea of writing something of mine. Since I had already written a couple of reports years ago for an Italian civ4 forum [vanilla], I hope it will - at least - be readable.

I will hopefully post a new update daily, maybe more. Since I liked the idea, used in some other stories, of reader’s iteration in choices, I might sometime give you options - or ask for free advices. Comments are most welcome and criticism as well - but please explain why my move, or writing style, or socks colour sucks



Oh, and please keep in mind that English is not my mother language, so...



Let's start!



SETTINGS:

Legends of Revolution MOD [see mod section for more info]
-- ranged bombardment disabled
-- all civ. start as a minor civ.
-- some minor HUD adjustment

Huge map [see in-tale description]

Civilization of choice: Roman Empire

Difficulty: Prince

30 CIVS
-- civs favour aggression over diplo
-- all civs know eachother from start
-- they are all at war and cannot speak until "Writing"
-- no barbarians

No random events

No Tech brokering

Victory conditions:
-- all but Time
-- LoR special 80% religious victory




Introduction
Something Went Wrong

In the beginning the universe was a mess. Some religions will say that it was chaos, and darkness, but since we do not have [yet] discovered any religion at all, we just say that such hypothetical place was pretty much like a student house after a big party - one with A LOT of strong beverages.

And all of sudden, it happened: in darkness, there was a big commotion. Pretty much like when a god-like being walk on the tail of a cat-like being and somewhere a dog-like being start barking very loud.

So great was the confusion that someone said, with a not-so-much-divine voice but certainly with a lot of exasperation: "Be the Light!"

And - after a while - someone finally turned the damned light on for good.


...


The light was bright, and the god-like owner of this roo... I meant, universe... looked around. For one, there was a cat-like being looking down on a dog-like being from a very tall mensula. Which seemed logical to the god-like being, since he knows that the Great Cat was a too important and too superior being to run AFTER the dog-like undergod, and in the same time too lazy to run FROM it for a long time.

More disturbingly was the Great Cthulhu. He was so ancient that nobody really remembered WHEN or WHO invited him at the party, but he was, in fact, eating Cultist Crisps on the sofa with his new something-like girlfriend. But then again once one become used to the unnatural number of tentacles in unnatural positions, it became somewhat natural and thus normal.

It was then that terror struck him like a thousand hypothetical bells in the head.

His beautiful real-world puzzle-replica [god-like limited edition, with true water] was in shatters. Continents were mixed up. Islands were thrown in all the wrong direction. And there were pieces of both American sub-continents on the sofa. Very few pieces, in fact. Horribly few.

Our god-like owner of the universe took the replica and with a loud "sigh" put it in the closet. And the human struggle to civilization begun.

 

[Gresharas]

Chapter I
City States

4'000 BC - The roman people founded their very first city, but festivities about such happy occasion weren’t to be hosted for a long time, mainly because they had no clue of how to record the fact, where to record the fact, and [more importantly] since his smartest and eminent despot, Augustus Caesar, was only able to count by one, two or "couple", many, more and "an hand". But to demonstrate that he could be despot for a very long time started beating people up, until they mutually agreed to build some simple fishing boats.



The years passed and the roman people thrived. More boats were produced, workers settled the land and band of "armed explorers" started scouting duty. To the West they encountered the Bibractians, and to the north several tribes - the Viennans, Amburgians and Parigians - plus some far-sighting of the distant and fabled Germans. Since they were all hostile no friendly approach was tried and since the land was unworked they failed the "armed exploration" mission as well. They were scouting the north-west when an advisor comes up to Augustus Hut.



Sir! - He shouted - My good and mighty Despot! I come with terrible news! Our patrol near Paris got ambushed! A Parigians horde took them off guard the last night, but they managed to fend the enemy off!

Easy, man - Augustus replied - If victory is ours, let's them rest in the woods and then come back to Rome. The people will honour the victors and we shall promote them. Later. Now rest here, and enjoy the scenic view of my new palace!

But you don't understand - said the advisor, carefully choosing his worlds - There are no survivors! A second Parigians horde attacked them soon thereafter, and passed all the survivors to... err... the stick.

Augustus looked him blankly - No more scouting, then? Ok, sure, we could have used the information, but it's no tragedy. And we might like the burden of console the inconsolable widows. Right? - His eyes were a bit lost, probably still trying to figure how the Parigians managed to eviscerate a man with the sole use of a blunted branch.

The advisor looked him with a bit of frustration - Actually, sir, it get worse.

Worse! - Augustus sprout on his feet - How could get worse? The Parigians are attacking Rome herself? They dare? I will...

No sir, actually, no. - The advisor replied - We aren't in immediate danger. But we might be in a few years. Big Viennans host were sighted in the east marching pointlessly. We just have to hope that they don't dare to aim at us. Or we will be doomed.


---


Augustus took his time for thinking. He got a security problem, so it looked reasonable to make his followers work with dedication to it. He reformed the city, building barracks for the future roman army, and expanded his people influence to the south, founding Reggio. With a bit of luck the Viennans will prove themselves cowardly enough, and the roman people will grow to the point of marching against the enemy.




He was lucky. The Viennans lost themselves in the eastern plains, and he had time to build his secret, bold plan for an astounding victory! To hole himself and all the roman Peninsula under a big wall of stone.


It was only a few years before completion that the Viennans host comes back.



And from some loose deserters he figured what they were doing: A joint force of several tribes all laid siege to some far city, Constantinople, and the ottoman tribes conquered it.




---


The situation was getting worse. The defences were building slowly and new, hostile civilizations were popping out of nowhere. After several days of civilised discussion, days in which Augustus had to beat a lot of Romans down to reason, they came up for a changing of strategy.

First, they will build an army of hillsmen archers ASAP. Then they will wage war against an enemy, using the added tactical information form the mighty [and pretty wasteful] Roman Wall.




As a minor work, they will find a new useful job for the scout's widows. And so fishing boats were confiscated and the glorious CSR Prostitution took sea!

Ah, sea, the final frontier! These bellow are the voyages of the fishing boat Prostitution. Its several-years mission: to explore strange new lands, to seek out new life and new civilizations [friendly if possible, thank you very much] and to boldly go where no women has gone before.

 

[Gresharas]

Chapter II
Welcome to the Jungle

We left our beloved widows of the CSR Prostitution at the shores of Timbuktu, far south after Despair Island. Our heroines approached the beach with the highest hope: peace. But as they approached the land, they saw a wounded man running to the sea, followed by armed javeliners. The hunters catched the man, and killed him, turning the sand red. So unstable was the flame of hope and war reign extended himself far over the desert.

The Prostitution Crew took sails, and headed south, following the coast. They reached a city, named Bombay, under Timbuktese siege, and after some weeks of journey doubled what they called Twin Cape. From here the coast headed north, and they followed it for a long time, until it ended in what looked to be the narrow, swampy delta of a massive river. That was the home of the vast Kmerian confederation of cities, a massive civilization hidden in a lush jungle.

Fearing such strange and mysterious people, the CSR Prostitution followed the coast, until they discovered a very long, very rich series of island, heading east, which exploration they managed to do only partially. Then again after a long time the archipelago ended, and they turned back with the coast at their left.

But as many heroic tales, those of the Prostitution will end in tragedy. As they approached land, in the rich and fabled Meiji Island, pirates set sail from the harbour and, after an epic but vain escape attempt captured our beloved roman widows. So it ends their story, and with it the best and most ancient bloodline of explorers of the Roman people.




---

Back home, in the Roman Peninsula, war horns were blowing. A Bibractian war party entered the peninsula and warships plundered the coasts, but in the end they were stopped by a massive Roman army of hillsmen.





The host followed the Bibractians back home and laid siege to their city, but Augustus judged the number to being not enough to the tasks, and turned north. From now on he roamed the land, draining precious resources from the Roman economy and nothing else, for the land was poor, and most of it unsettled, and all the villages were hosting great armies, warring each other. Paris was well-defended, and Vienna hosted an impressive number of archers and siege weaponry.



But not all was lost. Rome was powerful and respected and this was a good test field for the roman tactics. At last Amsterdam, crippled by continue wars against his neighbours, fell to the roman army.



From such experience an humble lieutenant, Lysandros of Reggio, rised from his ranks and reformed the roman machine of war, introducing advanced tactics and, more important, made the soldier an honourable, full-time profession.

They were now trained in the Poland Tribes custom, the most advanced of the world at this time, equipped with padded or leather armour, a big wooden shield and a short, heavy sword [simply called “Polka” by soldiers].
:
Put in “Legions” of precise number, well drilled and professional the Roman army became, in fact, the most advanced of the known world, soon thereafter replacing the proper Polish Tribesman as a symbol of efficiency and power.




-----------------------





Augustus now had several choices open. Help him making his choice, if you like:

a) To wage wars to the foul Bibractians.

b) To wage war to our old enemy, the Viennans.

c) To avenge our scouting and peace-loving armed explorers! Let's kill some Parigians.

d) Surely Constantinople must be a nice place if so many tribes tried to conquer it. Let's join the party!

f) Duh! War! What's the use of it? We must hide under our bed and act as the little girls we are.

 

[Dumanios]

Why take over Amsterdam when Paris and Bibracte are closer?

 

[Gresharas]

It was not a "logical" choice. It was a bit of roleplaying. All of "europe" is at war [we are still minor tribes] so it is much like the Classical / Bronze age Era: a lot of cities squabbling for war for the sake of war. Amsterdam was undefended [5 warriors and a single archer] while the others were full of archers with promotions [6+ for city].

So... it is the only one that did fall

 

[Gresharas]

Chapter III
Empires Reborn

After the great reformation of Lysandros, Rome’s power grows quickly.

The first legions moved north and joined forces with the old forces. At Vienna they got their trial of fire. Two legions moved into the eastern woods, while the main host battered the walls of the city by the open fields at west. The third day roman plans were complete and the two legions attacked climbing the walls with the favour of the night. They were trained in city warfare and directly engaged the Viennans in a house to house combat. Their warlords agreed on a counterattack, and many archers left the main theatre of battle to reinforce the east.

It was a bloody night. In the end, of eight hundred brave roman recruits none survived. But at the first light of the day the seasoned troops of hillsmen had finally breached the walls: moments after having lost the gate the defenders broke. The fight ended soon thereafter and the King of the Hill, last of a long tradition of Viennese rulers, died by hand of Augustus himself in the main plaza.



Free of the Viennans threat Augustus left for Rome once again, leaving the army in the hands of his new general, Decimo Mario Dumanio. Born of a noble family, he was one of the first advocates of the new training system, a man of rational thought and tactical insight. He escorted the Despot to Rome, where new recruits were gathering, and then immediately marched west, answering to the Bibractian threat, since as the month of the northern wars passed they grow arrogant again, and mustered a new host. Such army was now marching through the roman peninsula. Destination: Rome.



Dumanio meet them at the springs of the Po River. The enemy was holding the high ground with skilled veterans, but D.M.D. lined up his men, shoulder to shoulder, and strong of their large shields advanced. Javelins and arrows rained from above, but only a few Romans died that day. For in the final rush for the Bibractian position Dunmario’s plan took action.

Long before the battle he managed to detach a small number of seasoned hillsmen from the defenders of Rome. Silently and with due haste they ran along the sea, south-west of the enemy, and then north again, hiding in the mountains. And when the decisive moment comes they stroked the enemy rear, spreading confusion. The Bibractians line of defence broke, and they fought separately against a wooden wall of Romans marching from the valley. That day none of them survived, while Dumanio only lost a few men and no legion at all.

After losing the field, the last Bibractians hid in their walls. But they were now outnumbered and fighting against veterans.



Victory was smiling upon Rome, and another city was taken. But as the army returned to Rome in triumph, dire news reached the capital. Russian troops were approaching Vienna, although with no haste. Augustus took once again the command, leaving beyond his trusted general with the hard task of securing the western border against chariot-mounted raiders form the east.



In the east the situation was unusually calm. The Russian menace did not take place, and their host only moved along the borders without engaging in a true war. As more and more Russian troops gathered, however, Augustus answered to the challenge and moved against them, protected by the concealment of the woods. It was only then that the Russian… managed something unexpected. A running boy comes to the camp, speaking in broken and barbarian phrases. He presented gifts and tablets, and invited Augustus himself to a neutral ground… to speak directly with his queen, Catherine, ruler of the steppes, conqueror of the Polish and women of many skills [or so, at least, was written in the tablets].

Augustus feared a trap, but the news was astonishing. Nobody ever tried to speak of peace, before. The occasion was unique and so, after the right preparations, he organized a meeting with this mysterious Russian.


---


Many legends were born that night around the meeting. Most soldiers believed Catherine impressed Augustus with her regality. Some others claimed the solution come from Catherine’s diplomatic, highly trained and prepared, whereas the Romans were as children in such art. A few talked of Catherine as a very skilled woman more than a very skilled diplomat, thus seducing Augustus. His personal advisor was prone into believing him being converted to Catherine’s strange religion.

No matter what, the first agreement between nations born that day and the very first page of history was written. The Romans and Russians were now allied against the barbarian. Which was much like to say all… except Rome and Russia themselves.

 

[Dumanios]

Chapter III
Empires Reborn

After the great reformation of Lysandros, Rome’s power grows quickly.

The first legions moved north and joined forces with the old forces. At Vienna they got their trial of fire. Two legions moved into the eastern woods, while the main host battered the walls of the city by the open fields at west. The third day roman plans were complete and the two legions attacked climbing the walls with the favour of the night. They were trained in city warfare and directly engaged the Viennans in a house to house combat. Their warlords agreed on a counterattack, and many archers left the main theatre of battle to reinforce the east.

It was a bloody night. In the end, of eight hundred brave roman recruits none survived. But at the first light of the day the seasoned troops of hillsmen had finally breached the walls: moments after having lost the gate the defenders broke. The fight ended soon thereafter and the King of the Hill, last of a long tradition of Viennese rulers, died by hand of Augustus himself in the main plaza.



Free of the Viennans threat Augustus left for Rome once again, leaving the army in the hands of his new general, Decimo Mario Dumanio. Born of a noble family, he was one of the first advocates of the new training system, a man of rational thought and tactical insight. He escorted the Despot to Rome, where new recruits were gathering, and then immediately marched west, answering to the Bibractian threat, since as the month of the northern wars passed they grow arrogant again, and mustered a new host. Such army was now marching through the roman peninsula. Destination: Rome.



Dumanio meet them at the springs of the Po River. The enemy was holding the high ground with skilled veterans, but D.M.D. lined up his men, shoulder to shoulder, and strong of their large shields advanced. Javelins and arrows rained from above, but only a few Romans died that day. For in the final rush for the Bibractian position Dunmario’s plan took action.

Long before the battle he managed to detach a small number of seasoned hillsmen from the defenders of Rome. Silently and with due haste they ran along the sea, south-west of the enemy, and then north again, hiding in the mountains. And when the decisive moment comes they stroked the enemy rear, spreading confusion. The Bibractians line of defence broke, and they fought separately against a wooden wall of Romans marching from the valley. That day none of them survived, while Dumanio only lost a few men and no legion at all.

After losing the field, the last Bibractians hid in their walls. But they were now outnumbered and fighting against veterans.



Victory was smiling upon Rome, and another city was taken. But as the army returned to Rome in triumph, dire news reached the capital. Russian troops were approaching Vienna, although with no haste. Augustus took once again the command, leaving beyond his trusted general with the hard task of securing the western border against chariot-mounted raiders form the east.



In the east the situation was unusually calm. The Russian menace did not take place, and their host only moved along the borders without engaging in a true war. As more and more Russian troops gathered, however, Augustus answered to the challenge and moved against them, protected by the concealment of the woods. It was only then that the Russian… managed something unexpected. A running boy comes to the camp, speaking in broken and barbarian phrases. He presented gifts and tablets, and invited Augustus himself to a neutral ground… to speak directly with his queen, Catherine, ruler of the steppes, conqueror of the Polish and women of many skills [or so, at least, was written in the tablets].

Augustus feared a trap, but the news was astonishing. Nobody ever tried to speak of peace, before. The occasion was unique and so, after the right preparations, he organized a meeting with this mysterious Russian.


---


Many legends were born that night around the meeting. Most soldiers believed Catherine impressed Augustus with her regality. Some others claimed the solution come from Catherine’s diplomatic, highly trained and prepared, whereas the Romans were as children in such art. A few talked of Catherine as a very skilled woman more than a very skilled diplomat, thus seducing Augustus. His personal advisor was prone into believing him being converted to Catherine’s strange religion.

No matter what, the first agreement between nations born that day and the very first page of history was written. The Romans and Russians were now allied against the barbarian. Which was much like to say all… except Rome and Russia themselves.

Thanks man!

 

[dune297]

Loving it so far, wish I could write this good ! Can't wait for more.

 

[Cao Mengde]

Why take over Amsterdam when Paris and Bibracte are closer?

http://www.qwantz.com/index.php?comic=563

 

[Gresharas]

Chapter IV
The French Affair

History might be born, but she was still rolling around like a baby, collecting pointy surfaces in the forehead. As the diplomatic skill of the Romans improved so did the world situation. Timbuktian agents were spreading marvellous “free gifts” to most of the known tribes. That way, most of the known world suddenly became a mess of warring nations, with diplomats running up and down in the desperate attempt to form alliances. None of them succeeded, no matter their nationality.

In that time of expansion the Roman people were left behind in the race to knowledge, encumbered by the maintenance of so many undeveloped cities and the big defences needed at borders while Mansa Musa, also known to Augustus as “I’m Mali the Mali of Mali the Mali Mali Mali Malibu” become the most advanced tech gigolo to ever walk the earth. And still refuses to talk.

Back at Rome, the situation was getting worse. Augustus left Dumanio at Bibracte with the hard task to finish the last Bibractians resistance in the north and fend off Lisbona’s raiders from the east. All with only five legions and three hillsmen platoon. Dumanio tried this new “diplomacy” on Lisbonense, but it is hard to speak when someone is charging you in open sight with a war chariot. So he left some hillsmen in Bibracte and sent some bibractian hunters back to Rome. In exchange for freedom they would be enlisted in the Roman army, with the hard task to train new recruits to the art of phalanx formation. But before the first phalanx was ready the Lisbonians took action against Bibracte.

Dumanio was far north with his legions, hard pressed by the situation and split forces. The chariots came in the night, a towering cloud of smoke at their back, and instead of laying siege they attacked Bibracte directly. The hillsmen fought bravely but were overrun. When the day come the roman reinforcements looked in horror at the city, for the gates were closed… and the enemy behind them!



The campaign becomes harder by the moment. The roman legions were required at all borders in the same time. Phalanx warriors joined Dumanio to the east, and with this new weapon he managed to take Bibracte once again. The Lisbonian fight for the city was just nominal: they left only a squadron of chariots inside and retreated home.

Finally Lisbona steep aside and peace was made. The western border was secured by new hillsmen and phalanxes, and Dumanio gathered a new army and marched against the Parigians. Roman singers were still singing the tragedy of the roman first explorers and he was determined to avenge them.

The siege of Paris took four days. D.M.D. makes camp at the other side of the river, and started battering the walls. Then, in the night, moved his troops in the open field, passing the river on small boats. Here he built some fortifications and waited. For another day his troops assaulted the walls, protected by siege engines. The defenders took many losses but still managed to hold the line. He ordered his troops to rest. He planned for a final assault in the day to come, for he was resolute to take the city no matter the price. This would have meant the end of European wars – all other existing nations were now open to speak and were accepting peace.

Once again, fortune was against the Romans. When the day comes, Dumanio looked in awe at Paris. Russian flags were mustered on all walls. A small raiding band of Russian chariots managed to conquer the city in the night, breaching the last defences. Catherine herself was leading the assault.

Dumanio was furious – his prey stolen by that treacherous Russian whore. He and Augustus took council before the situation could worsen. The general was not pleased by what they resolved, and suspected his Despot to be enthralled by the . .. .. .. .. ., but it was the only reasonable solution. Paris was lost to the Russian, and Roman diplomats congratulated with Catherine for the swift and bold action.

In the few years to come, the Roman Empire stagnated. Troops were relocated and more borders secured. Garrisons and looking posts flourished while the last hostile nations were convinced to better terms. Catherine sent missionaries to all bordering Roman cities, and a cultural revolution took place as Augustus declared it State Religion. The roman confederation was still not very well managed. Minor settlement, farms and pastures were built, roads spread commerce all around, but the management was still all in the hands of local powers, and the legal system shattered and localized. Only the army was firmly in the hands of Augustus, Absolute Despot of the confederation.

In the meantime, Catherine last conquest was giving her more and more trouble. Paris was revolting, lead by a young but skilled general, Napoleon, master of guerrilla warfare. The Russian queen moved troops after troops in the city, but for every French they managed to kill, two more joined their army. Madrid, a small city in the south of the Lisbonian peninsula, home to rich silver mines, was suspected to fuel Napoleon with new troops and weapons.



The battle for Paris lasted ten years. Napoleon army grew more and more experienced with each battle, while the Russian were dampened by long supply routes ad the rioting population of the city.

In the end, Paris fell. Catherine managed to escape to Rome, where Augustus offered asylum.
Napoleon entered the city triumphant, as the true owners of the city were restored back to power.

Officially, Rome, Russia and Paris were now at peace. In fact, Rome and Russia were still at war with this small city, and Napoleon’s guerrilla fighters openly pillaged the roman country.




---


Somewhere, in the woods of the Rodan Valley, two small bands of men encountered. One was led by Dumanio, commander general of the Roman army, the other by Napoleon. They approached in silence and then exchanged a brief hug. It was a common move: they were checking each other from hidden weapons.

I must say – started Napoleon – in the beginning I was not trusting you. Rome had not a god reputation around here.

Indeed – replied Dumanio – but those were different times. Most of Europe was fighting pointless. The Russian had shown us our error, and thus it was time for change. Now that they were thrown back we must prosper once again, peacefully I trust.

Napoleon looked thoughtful – Yes. Yes, I think it will be peace. We French are in deep debt with Rome. Without your gold and special training we would probably had a much harder time liberating our land. Your hillsmen are true warriors, indeed. And Catherine still believes the fault being of that Madrid girl, Isabella. Women’s envy, I suppose.

I know someone that might have a fault in that. The small folk believe that the bed is the field of choice for a… political involved woman. But this will be an underestimating of the man, don’t you think? – Dumanio's smile was all but funny.

Ah, mon amis! Your leader must be quite the man, if he managed to XXXX that whore. Pardon my French. – Napoleon was really enjoying the pun.

Then it is – shorted Dumanio – We have an agreement. Paris will fake some attacks for a short time against us, posing no real threat, and in exchange we will make sure that an eventual Russian retaliation will encounter... unpleasant troubles… in roman land.

The two bands separated briefly after, leading to the respective cities. The pen might be sharper than the sword, thought Napoleon, heading home. But Dumanio was of other counsel.


---


Summer become autumn, and autumn left place to winter. A thin cape of snow covered Europe and for a time, war horns fell silent. Catherine took many monts in Augustus court, teaching him the subtle art of government. But the roman did not stand lazy. Where the land was dead, a quiet fire ran along the cities. A new era was being forged, and new ideas spread. Temples were built, and monasteries and many great men of science were instructed. The greatest accomplishment was the formation of a personal secret service, taking order from Augustus himself. And when spring comes once again, Rome was ready for the next step.

As soon as the roads were clean, Catherine returned to Russia. She left with promises of aid to Rome and in exchange Augustus took a solemn oath to punish both the riotous French and their little friends of Madrid.

At summer a small but highly trained host left Bibracte, marching south. They reached Madrid, laid siege, and took the main stronghold in a few weeks. A single Legion was lost in the process. But war was not at end, not yet. From the north comes grave news. Napoleon was murdered in his palace, the only clue: a red-fletched arrow, like those of the Russian archers. Suddenly a great confusion started in the French city. Some warlord accused Rome, and marched against Amsterdam. But I the end the majority started fighting for power, striving to control the palace.

Answering to Amsterdam’s call, Dumanio marched towards Paris. Here a brutal battle was fought, house by house, and in the end the city was taken, the warlords slaughtered. But the price was high, for the roman army was now mostly vanquished - only a few managed to return home.

Alone on the Paris walls, a lone Dumanio looked the desolation of once was a rich city.
In the end, he thought sadly, the sword proved sharper.

---

Peace, at last! Rome borders were now secured so Dumanio headed home. He retired from the life on the field and begun working on a major project – to add another masterpiece to the Roman army: the perfect hybrid between the new, fearsome Lisbonian horsemen and the organized, disciplined Legions.



In the meantime Augustus started a vast reform of the Roman land. He was crowned King of Rome and spiritual leader of Roman Church. The war brings Rome lot of slaves and richness, so he uniformed the law on the slave’s treatment and market, thus authorizing such use of human life everywhere on Roman soil. Although the change was long and difficult, the first Roman Kingdom becomes a reality.

 

[Gresharas]

Chapter V
Shock and Awe

The immediate years after the coronation ceremony of King Augustus, Rome prospered. New trade routes were established with the recently contacted Americans and not a single day passed without an intense exchange of goods took place in Rome. Such flourish couldn’t generate impressive changes in the roman culture. The cities grow over and over, new rich families were born, and a common currency – the Nomo – started replacing all others form of commerce.

On the other hands, peace and richness started to lure enemies. The Great Kingdom of Qin, in the southern land, started claiming more and more coastal cities and imposing heavy taxes on Roman merchant ships. The situation went direr when the city of Lisbona closed her docks to the Roman goods.

Some said that such move was intended to limit the spreading domination of Rome over the sea, while some other claimed it was a religious affair, since religions were starting to affect diplomacy with newfound strength. Whatever the causes were, the consequences became straight simple in a few years. Qin ships, supported by Lisbonians crew, raided the sea, and Rome answered to the threat once again.

The legions were sent in the Lisbonian peninsula, and razed a newfound settlement. Lisbona refused to surrender the ships, and the war continued, with roman troops backed by Russian cavalry.



Soon thereafter the war turned bad for Lisbona. Odd reports were coming from the front. Decimo Mario Dumanio was back, riding horseback at the head of a furious host. And if the general reputation was not enough, dire news come as days passed. Dumanio “Decima” Legio was apparently everywhere at the same time, striking both the Lisbonian defences and their counterattacks, overwhelming all resistance. For they were chosen soldiers, trained horseback, but more importantly they were all Liberti. Ex slaves, freed in exchange for military service. Anyone in the kingdom could apply, but the training was renowned as hard and brutal: only few survived until its end, disciplined and forged anew.



City after city the Lisbonians lose terrain, all cities burning under the Roman machine of war. Protected by the new and improved capped rams the main army was leading assault after assault against the walls, while Dumanio cleared the countryside from any and all attempt of counterattack.



Until the day came, and Lisbona’s troops, exhausted, attempted the last defence of the city. When their futile attempt ended, Dumanio triumph over the secular enemy was completed by an immense pyre: all of the Lisbonian fleet, uncrewed by the war, was caught in the docks and set to flame.



The sea was once again secured as Qin ships, without the skilled support of the Lisbonians, stopped their raids. Augustus declared a great holyday in the entire kingdom and built a 54 feet high statue at Reggio as a symbol of roman triumph over the sea; build from gold obtained through the selling of thousands of Lisbonian slaves. The Roman merchants dominated the sea, the most skilled of the known world.

 

[Gresharas]

Chapter VI
Burn Baby Burn

950 DC – As the Roman Kingdom grow richer and more populous, internal fractures appeared. Conflict took form of religious unrest, with Catholics supporting the King Party, and several other minor religions advocating the Independents Party. In the beginning Augustus new code of law and regional management patched the situation, but in the end massive unrest grow in the Libronian Peninsula. Troops were mobilized, but the King was aware that it was only a minor solution.

After some months he agreed with his advisors to three different solutions. In the northern and French region they will act subtly, opening the King’s pursue to private spending and building new, massive structures. In the meantime the army will be mobilized to the East, in the Greek peninsula, in a joint operation with the Mongolian empire against the independent city of Athens. With a bit of luck the city capitulation will ignite a wave of identification with the roman Virtues, thus gaining more sympathizing to the Crown.

But in Western France and Lisbonian peninsula a more decisive action should be taken. Groups of war veterans, especially those retired in minor monastic orders were trained in the subtle art of city warfare and investigation. The first roman Inquisition was born. Those groups roamed the Kingdom for years, gathering clues, igniting open anti-monarchic revolts and ruining the opposition reputation, thus invalidating their demands to the eyes of the small folks.

Then, when preparations were made and legions moved secretly as trade caravans. Once they were in place, iron gauntlets replaced the velvet masquerade. They stroke in the open, dragging people out of their houses, arresting holy men and burning down places of cult. In a few weeks thousands disappeared, dragged to forced labour camps in the north – their destiny to build the very monuments of the Catholic triumph.



Thus, two of three feats were accomplished. The north was astonished by the giant cathedrals, and the Lisbonians Peninsula scorched to peace. The last task was in the hand of General Dumanio and his “Decima” Legio.

A joint force of Mongolian and Roman troops moved south and laid siege to Athens. After a few weeks of Mongolian bombardment the city fell to Roman troops.



But on the way back, a target of opportunity rose. Catherine, master of the Duchy of Mongolia, broke diplomatic contact with them, thus leaving a once powerful vassal alone in the field. Augustus ran along Adriatic and joined Dumanio forces as soon as possible. He personally led the soldiers east, to Constantinople, and after a single night of ride they stroke.

The Mongolians were caught of surprise. Their whole army was camped in the open fields near the city, completely unprotected. The Roman army managed to slaughter them without losing a single man. That day over four thousand Mongolian knights died against an impassable wall of Roman Pikemen.

Then, without even waiting for the sun to rise, Augustus stroke the city, for she was unmanned and undefended – the Mongolian had conquered her only a few turns before and the rebuilding works were still to begun.



The Khan, leader of the Mongols, was still dazed by the news when someone put a piece of paper on his desk. The Romans were asking a very small war indemnity in exchange of peace. He accepted and then resigned his Sovran rights to Catherine once again.

---

Catherine herself… was not pleased by Augustus manoeuvre.

She was, in fact, enchanted. Such a backstab! Such a political masterpiece! To steal someone’s conquest and then attack him in the night and stole the OTHER conquest as well, whipping out his army in the meaning. And no less, with those conquests Augustus was in fact weakening HER political power with a smiling and friendly face.

She felt a bit ashamed and immediately took action to recover her reputation as Queen of all and any Whores, past and present included. She opened borders to the Qin.



And the Qin managed to attack Rome from north instead of fighting a desperate battle against Constantinople bottleneck.



Emergency dispatch ran across the Kingdom and enormous amount of slaves were liberated in exchange of military service. Fresh Pikemen militia took road headed to Vienna. In the meantime, Dumanio left ten legions in defence of Constantinople and marched with all due hast through Poland.



His army was nothing compared to the Qin, but he hoped in a pinch strike. From the left his siege trebuchets would engage the enemy, softening his defences, and from Vienna several Pikemen legions would attempt a sortie.

Luckily the plan was successful: the Qin army was defeated and the few survivors of the field died of the Russian winter – and Dumanio’s “Decima” attacks - in the following months. Qin himself accepted a peace treaty for the first time in millennia.

---

The internal strife was at end, and no strong enemy faced the Roman Kingdom. It was time for peace and grows: the soldiers headed home once again to their family and the future looked bright for a brief moment. Literacy was spreading to the lesser fortunate, and Augustus financed the first university of the world, named after Antonio Sankore, a Greek-Latin theologist.

It was in the inauguration day that Japanese sails appeared passing by the Bursa channel and an unstoppable, numberless force of foot soldiers landed on Greek shores.

 

[Gresharas]

Chapter VII
Fifteen men and a bottle of Rhum

It was a misty morning at Bibracte port. Most ship’s crews were already awaken and cursing against the bad weather. Two unusual vessels were at anchor in the bay: one was bulky and high, the other long and swift. One was the CKR Marmalade, the other the CKR Fumble.

Apart for the silly names, they were the first two experimental ocean ships, able to resist the strong weaves and proceed with high food reserves and low manning crew, built part by private initiative of a rich Roman merchant, Giovanni de Medici, and part by crown founding. As usual, the men’s of choice were old, seafaring slaves freed in exchange for service.

They took sail two weeks later and headed west, to the Lisbona columns, the western edge of the known sea. From there the CKR Fumble – the swiftest – took sail further west, to the last Lisbonian Islands, and then again in the open sea, direction south-west. The CKR Marmalade headed south to Timbuktu; since she was the bulkiest and best armed the choice looked logical.

Luckily for the Marmalade crew most of the sub-Saharan empires were friendly and their route, similar to the one of the Prostitution of old, was much easier. When they reached the Meiji Islands found them peaceful enough - and united under a single empire. The crew took great pleasure in the exploration of the Archipelagos… and his native women… since most of them were highly inexperienced about “seaman promises”.

The Fumble crew, on the other hand, was mostly happy. Sure, the voyage was boring, with no land at all. Sure, the ocean was scary, but at least the captain was an old slave himself, thus no whip was allowed onboard. But most importantly, the old coot was also an old alcoholist and managed to bring onboard a big reserve of Rhum that, it sorted out, if could be mixed with sugar, lemon, some spices and hot water to produce an excellent beverage. And when the travel ended, and the world proved to be round, it was quite a miracle since for the most time they were very, very, VERY drunk and thus very, very, VERY unable to even man a single sail.



---

Thus, with the epic and quite unpractical demonstration given by the Marmalade and Fumble crews, the world was proven round. Ships could now travel west and took shore east.

But since there was no new land, no new civilization, no lush paradise to settle, conquer or exchange shiny things with, it sorted out to be quite a waste of time.


But at last the roman cartographers could draw some nice maps and sell them to the tourists.


The southern lands



The eastern lands



Home sweet Home


---

Some months later in southern Mediterranean, a large fleet of triremes were gathered; their sail were stripped white and red, their banner a rising sun. On the plank of the admiral ship, Emperor Tokugawa was looking at the enemy city of Athens with his only daughter – and heir.

“At last, my beloved daughter, the Roman Land!”

“Yes, father. And with it, my revenge.” Replied the royal princess fiercely.

“Indeed your honour will be restored! We take their land and find that filthy pig of a Roman captain.”

“Yes, father, but remember. I will have him alive, for I’m not forgiving – he will suffer for his broken oath.”

“To take such a marvellous flower as you and then leave! To betray such fierce woman! Those Romans truly have no sense of duty – or brain. They will be easy prey. Admiral! Took sail and move us ashore! Athens will fall by the morning!”

 

[Gresharas]

Chapter VIII
Mousetrap Athens

Decimo Mario Dumanio was overseeing his small army movement in northern Greece. Two years before Athens fell to Japanese invaders: his small garrison was trained more as city police and fire fighters than true soldiers, and could nothing against such overwhelming force.

The situation was dire. Refugees were reporting that the Japanese emperor had divided his army in two hosts: one, the biggest, had made camp outside the city, near the Corinth isthmus, while the other was sedating revolts in the city.



Since the enemy was able to field a large force, Dumanio was left with a single hope: to take the initiative from the enemy and fight the war at his own terms, using his veterans in what they were more skilled: city assault. Athens proved to be the perfect field of choice. First, the population was harassing the Japanese from within, thus dampening their ability to defend themselves in the city streets; second, the enemy needed to build up supply lines before advancing, but once they were on the move they would have been unstoppable. Time was at the essence.

Dumanio did his siege engines rain stones and fire on the defenders for a whole night, then attacked with his best breach troop, infiltrating the city from the openings that the enemy did for conquering it. Then, after some hours of fight, Dumanio retreated and waited. Now the Japanese had two options: to leave Greece on ships or to reinforce the city garrisons and wait for a new attack.

But most of the fleet had already taken sails to blockade the Adriatic Sea and thus had no true options.



That night, Dumanio attacked Athens once again, strong of new reinforcements from central Europe. This time the city was taken and the whole Japanese Army held for ransom. The emperor himself had to take his time in Roman jails before heading back home – with one less hand.


---


In the years that followed the Japanese invasion the Roman Kingdom prospered once more. No serious thread spread but a new kind of war was fought – a war to trade dominance. Two nations were renowned for their dominance on the sea: the Romans and the Englanders. The seconds were more advanced, but the roman fleet had from his side the best and strongest ship built so far. The CKR Donna Amata, commanded personally by Giovanni de Medici and crewed of the best sailors around.



For thirty years Giovanni plundered the coasts of Mediterranean and Atlantic sea, attacking any non-roman ship, especially the England ones. But in the northern sea, Elizabeth privateers did the same with Vienna Augusta and Amsterdam, thus balancing the war efforts.



But as new, stronger ships went built, piracy disappeared once again… except for the Donna Amata which, constantly upgraded, continued his private war until the age of steam power.

---

And so it is that for two centuries Rome prospered, totally at peace for the first time in history. So great had been the progress that this period was meant to be remembered as the golden age of roman empire – the most extraordinary moment after millennia of darkness. People’s right of thought and speech was granted by Augustus magnanimous Act of Tolerance and two majestic buildings were erected: the Big Onion-like Treasury of Giovanni, in Reggio, and the Triumph Gate of Constantinople, as a warning to all past and future enemies of the roman peoples.

 

[Gresharas]

Chapter IX
Political Husbandry

The XV century – years made of coal and gunpowder. Smoky years.

In this time, the Roman Republic rise and then, once again, lose its momentum. Economy stagnated. No new, staggering discoveries were made. The army fell in the trap of obsolescence and tradition, most soldiers went home and no new greenies were trained.

But as one empire glory dusks, another dawn: the Englanders had risen from their islands and now fast, powerful ships clapped in iron stride the seas. Russia was invaded from them and only his high production saved her from extinction. After two centuries of battle the two nations conquered and lose cities in the once-Viking lands but in the end no real territory was permanently claimed and the borders were restored.

Rome stood aside in this war. Relations with both parts worsened: only slightly with Catherine, but a lot with Elizabeth, Augustus foreign politics being “Catfights. Let the girls have fun on their own, but stay away from it - or you will be scratched to death.”

Once the two warmongering women made peace, Catherine declared war at America, and this time Augustus stood at her side. Fictionally. No single roman troop moved to the front, no roman ship took sail to the far lands, no American troops managed to threaten roman territory. Still Cath managed to conquer a lot of American cities, only to lose them of rebellious sentiment and partisan guerrilla a few years later. Once again a gunpowder war ended in nothing of practical.

Far from learning from this, Russia declared war to a third nation – Mayan Empire. But before a single city could be claimed Rome took action… and bribed both parts to peace. Augustus had a new plan. If the power of weapons was not enough to claim new territories, as the Russian campaigns proved, then diplomacy might prevail. He contacted Catherine… and made her a once-in-a-lifetime offer: marriage.






---

Two days after the wedding, Augustus was wearing black; funereal black. Dumanio had travelled for a night from Rome to Warsaw and now was standing before him.

“Condolences, Prime Despotic Minister Augustus. It saddens me SO much to ear the grave news. I came as fast as possible”.

“Truly you never fail me, my friend. And I see that you come with your Decima as well. You’re quite foreseeing”.

“Indeed. Since the.. interesting and fast development of your wedding I thought they might come at hand. Just in case the grief gets to the people’s head. One never knows, funerals are so dangerous.”

“So true, so true. It is all?”.

“Out of curiosity, have the doctors already established the causes of death?”

“Ah, yes. My beloved Cath had a sudden head failure. Very unpredictable. Probably caused by an excess of small lead fragments in the forehead. They say it is a common death among leaders, nowadays. So I suppose its natural causes. Still I’m in deep grief, I loved her so much.”

“Truly, I had never seen a more dedicated husband before. I suppose that the best you can do in her memory it to rule kindly above Russia. Now, if you would excuse me, I have pressing matters.”

“Of course. Dismissed.”


---


And so it came that the Russian and the Roman people were united under a unique… something; probably best described as a “legally and democratically elected crown”. Rome will be ruled by Augustus as Prime Despotic Minister, kindly elected by a senate of [mostly] military instructors, while Russia would be ruled by the Small Council – a congregation of Russian nobles which were intended to “rule in absence of the king, with the king’s voice”. For simplicity the world would know it as the Roman-Russian Alliance, the second world superpower.

 

[Gresharas]

I'm sorry for the delay but I had some problems with the savegame, I managed to play only a bit further, planning the conquest of the English Islands but then all of sudden the game could no longer load and CTD everytime. It seem to be now corrupted above any possible heal, thus I will consider it "ended", at least by game canon.

I can continue the novellization if you're intrested in the story, else I will prepare another scenario and move on with the next tale. I leave the choice to the [quite silent so far ] readers.

 

[king lundmark]

that is to bad i was hope for it to continue but i have to say that story is great. good job.

 

[phungus420]

Damn, I wish I had noticed this thread earlier. Would have been able to fix the problem, I think it's because the game was played using 0.9.4a or 0.9.4 based on the dates. 0.9.4b fixed a critical bug in the LSystem that could have caused the issue. Always wanted to read a stories and tales thread played with LoR too, it's a bummer it got cut short.

 

[Duke Blackstone]

wow. thankyou for finding this thread. what a wonderful story