Khanate of Irkutsk
Ruler/Player: Daniel Khan
Color: ■■■■■
Government: Monarchy
Culture: Mongol
Religion: Shinto
Capital: Karluk
Treasury/Economy: 0/3
Technology: 4 (Renaissance)
Army:
........Infantry: 106,000
........Cavalry: 6,750
........Artillery: 1,781
Navy:
........Ships-of-the-Line: -
........Frigates: -
Education: 26
Infrastructure: 30
Trade: 23
Defense: 23
Moral: Okay
STORY:
It came as little surprise to observers when the old Khan died of influenza. He had been sickly for years, and his stubborn refusal to abandon the blustery capital in the wintertime had finally caught up to him.
What did come as a surprise was who he conferred the Khanate upon. Rani Khan had many concubines and wives in his long reign, and as a result many sons. 54 to be precise. Yet, only a few were considered in realistic contention for the throne:
- Dontar - A handsome Prince who had spent some time being educated in Shandong. Chances: Fair.
- Ular - A less-than-spectacular intellect who had spent time in the Cavalry. Chances: Fair.
- Quoran - Handsome and intelligent, but he shunned the state religion of Shintoism. Chances: Unlikely.
- Ungar Raff - Ugly and stupid. Almost always drunk and boasting of the wars he would start as Khan. Chances: Poor.
- Daniel - Not much known about him. Rumored to be favored by the Khan. Chances: Poor.
And so, when it was announced to all the Khanate that Daniel would be their next ruler, it was quite a shock to them all, most of all the nobles. They had been vetting the frontrunners for years to do their bidding. But they had paid scant attention to Daniel, feeling him unworthy of their efforts. How wrong they proved to be.
Immediately following the coronation and the ceremony of the three pig bladders, Daniel Khan sent out a Proclamation to the people. In it, he proclaimed "the dawning of a new era in our glorious history", promising to "restore Irkutsk to its rightful place among the powers of the Earth."
This new blood in the Chair of Genghis had an astonishing effect upon the people. It stirred their hearts and warmed their souls to hear talk like this, after centuries of virtual stagnation. This new Khan, it was rumored, could be one of the Greats of old, come back to lead them into greatness once more.
DIPLOMACY:
To: Shandong
From: Irkutsk
Greetings. We are very interested in acquiring a warmwater port to the sea, and we would inquire as to what you would accept in exchange for such a thing.