As you know I am eternally conflicted about my NESing projects, and still plan to breathe some life into my most recent one. However, I was on NESChat talking about DaftNES2 yesterday. Here is the document I have been working on, setting the scene for a theoretical continuation with focus on the major powers in the world. I plan to add blurb for the United Empire and Ceinurissian Aonsaise.
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Last DaftNES2 update & Map
The year is 687 AD, and the world is recovering from a series of droughts, epidemics, earthquakes, failed rebellions and a succession of exceptional freezing winters. Tens of millions have died in Asia alone. But now the thaw has come. The survivors breathe more easily, and turn in greater numbers towards new ideals. Yet the old monolithic power systems refuse to loosen their grip, and as recent events have stirred the bitter embers of social, ethnic and religious strife, much of the world now teeters on the brink of war or civil war. The fate of the world may be decided by the actions of three great powers...
Germanica
Following centuries of relative stability, Germanica emerges as a relatively wealthy and populous state, with some of the world's prime agricultural land and abundant minerals. It is however a microcosm of the greater European continent, with all of the problems found therein...
Germanica is built upon ancient tribal, feudal foundations going back to the murky shadows of pre-history. Ever since the old kingdom of the Saxons expanded and conquered the much more ancient kingdoms of central Europe, a patchwork of different laws and customs has existed across the Empire. The original dynastic morass has been carefully trimmed back over the centuries by successive Emperors, in part by using the Aeonist faith as a tool to increase the power and prestige of holy Imperial authority. Yet feudal economies and conservative attitudes remain entrenched in the rural central lands, with powerful nobles and clerics eager to keep the peace and slow the pace of change to a crawl.
Meanwhile the trading cities of the northern sea increasingly clamour for the kind of economic freedoms enjoyed by their Thulean trading partners. And now, in the aftermath of the bloody Tuscan wars and the arrival of powerful Antalyan armies on the edge of Europe, the intellectual influence of Rationalism spreads from the south-eastern borders; the exotic books of the Asian enlightenment are being read in private by Germanican nobles and merchants alike. Yet the Aeonist Crusaders remain keen to expand Aeonist-Germanic influence deeper into the north-eastern marches and also overseas into Africa, encouraging fiery Aeonist fanaticism and keeping Germanica at the heart of the Aeonist League. They are not afraid to pick a fight with the massive military machine of Antalya, if it comes to keeping Rationalism out of Libria and the Tuscan peninsular.
With Germanica already being split four ways, there is now another source of antagonism - the neighbouring kingdom of Rove, once a powerful ally of the Aeonist Crusaders, has been engulfed in civil war, as the popular King Louis fights to impose centralising and liberal reforms against the conservative Aeonist nobility of that country. All across Aeonist Europe, many of the lower classes criticise the accumulation of wealth by the aristocracy and the Aeonarchy, and look sympathetically upon Louis's cause. Other states are already picking sides; with centuries of unresolved antagonism between Aeonist orthodoxy, heretics and pagans between noble lords, merchants, craftsmen, clergy, knights and peasants - Europe is a powder keg ready to explode.
The recent Tuscan civil wars are still fresh in the memory of Europe. Most would wish to avoid such violence and chaos. But it may be unavoidable. Germanica has all the ingredients for greatness, but that course must be charted around many hazards. The Germanican Emperor and his council must now choose a firm direction, or risk being themselves swept up in the turmoil.
Antalya
Founded upon the fusion of warlike proto-Germanic tribes with the ancient Iron Hoplite cities of Argosia and the mystical Asian peoples of Altyn-Kanalat, followed by a steady influx of steppe culture from the west and the historic import of the Phosist faith and cultural values from Videssos, the lands of Antalya - through successive empires - have long been the crossroads of the Old World. This melting pot has given birth to a rich culture that has in turn spread its influence far and wide, and the empire has recently found new motivation in the form of the Rationalist philosophy and its modernist, enlightening mission - thus far quite happy to yield to the Bazilevs, the benevolent despot of Altyn Sarai. Centuries of flood-control and irrigation works have transformed riverine basins into vast agricultural landscapes, and massive canal projects have connected the Mediterranean and Ak-Dynghez seas with the Golden Lakes, fuelling the growth of massive cities and entrepôts with monumental architecture; indeed, the modern Antalyan state is rapidly becoming a crossroads of the whole world.
Whether by accident or design, Rationalist influence now encircles Antalya's main rival in Asia, the United Empire Rytarria, Sung and Panga all have active Rationalist elements, especially the latter. Intervention in the Tuscan wars has also brought the western periphery of Europe under Antalyan influence, and the recent heroic campaigns in Africa have led to the acquisition of the former Kzame fleet and the establishment of fortified Antalyan colonies all along the western coast of that continent too; as Antalyan-Kzame ships battle with Theosist privateers, a growing volume of Pangan and Thulean trade reaches Antalyan ports, and Antalyan traders with large, well-armed merchant ships increasingly ply the waters of the Euris and Zeyris oceans. This Empire, however, is one of staggering contrasts opulent wealth and crushing poverty, modern industry and ancient subsistence, the brightest enlightenment and the murky depths of urban vice... It is 'a very human empire', to quote a common observation.
Antalya's internal situation is as stable as may be hoped, having fortunately passed the test of recent troubles. And abroad, Antalya's military machine seems unstoppable. Things may be more fragile than they appear, however. Economic and social divides still threaten to erupt into violence with the right trigger. Subversive cults and sprawling crime syndicates persist in the urban underworld - and the Phosist faith has not been forgotten, either. The upper classes are developing a taste for expensive Asian and American luxuries, leading to a trade imbalance; industrial activity is heavily focused on imperial armaments at the expense of private enterprise, and military expenditures are rapidly eroding any budget surplus - especially with a humiliated, but healthy Kaliate of Hadarass inflicting a steady rate of attrition on African garrisons and increasing their demands for supplies, the logistical effort occupying a large portion of merchant shipping. And while Rationalism spreads among the powers of Asia, it has led to some disorder in every case. The European border is also uneasy, as Aeonist crusaders may well take up arms to prevent further Mycenean-Antalyan influence in Tusca and Libria. Meanwhile, as Rytarria lapses into chaos, the loose western border must be guarded against Steppe incursions. And all the while, a careful eye must be kept on the legions of the United Empire...
Antalya's leadership faces many choices risk further military campaigns in Europe, Africa, or even a head-on confrontation in Asia, seeking to fund warfare with plunder - or make peace deals to downsize the military and reap economic dividends? Risk tackling the urban scum at home, or forge an unholy pact with them to keep the peace? Risk pushing forward the enlightening mission of Rationalism at home and abroad, or play it safe to prevent social disturbance? Risk granting full religious freedom, as a statement of confidence in the endurance of Rationalism? Risk expanding ocean trade, even to the point of conflict with the Thuleans and Pangari? Enact trade laws to limit the import of expensive luxuries, or allow free trade? Try to encourage home-grown industrial enterprise, or simply invite the best of Thulean industrialists to Antalya? Push for Rationalism in Asia, or simply exploit the current situation to gain an influx of dissident scholars and mercenaries? The Empire is at a crossroads in every sense and the Bazilevs now decides the fate not just of his own Empire, but also guides the destiny of the wider world.
