Preview Thread: PerfNES I: [Insert Title Here]

bwahahaha

 

Okay, what do I do?

 

Bend over.

 

Follow the instructions for players posted on the front page. Read the rules and the descriptions of the state(s) you want to apply for and those of your prospective neighbors.

 

... and those of your neighbor's neighbors if and when you have the time.

Hi Panda!

 

I think he's made desultory attempts at NESing before.

 

I'll change my second choice to Swabia and my third choice to Rome.

 

Oh, hell yes. I really hope you end up with Liyun, Panda. It looks like a fun place and you're someone who would probably do it justice. I was thinking of bumping it up on my preferences, but now that will no longer be necessary.

 

Id like to make some last(?) minute substitutions

1: Sweden
2: Brohemia
3: Duke's Lith

 

Does the Roman [Italian] Catholic Church get a full, legal tith from all Italian citizens? To what extent does other countries have these laws and enforce them?

 

Gesundheit

Yeah, I think I'll link them. Stats are long enough as it is.

It's really very little trouble for me. I just have to fill in a couple of places where I was lazy with borders, and then it's just a matter of switching visibilities.

Meant to have this up last night, but a two hour nap turned into a fourteen hour one and there we are. Guess I was sicker than I thought. Sorry

Spoiler who gets what :

Longphort League: Masada
England: spryllino
Denmark: OwenGlyndwr
Sweden: ZeletDude
Liyun: InsanePanda
Al-Isbunah: Kentharu
Saraqusta: Kraznaya
Lotharingia: Bill3000
Gascony: Agent 89
Provence: bombshoo
Italy: LittleBoots
Sicily: Thlayli
Bohemia: Communisto
Hungary: NorthKing
The Order: Ninja Dude
Prince's Lithuania: flyingchicken
Veliky Novgorod: Luckymoose
Nizhny Novgorod: madviking
Rome: Shadowbound
Egypt: Dachs
Chobanids: taillesskangaru
Ardabilids: Lord of Elves
Tokhta Horde: Karalysia
Delhi: das
Mongolia: azale
Nanhai: ChiefDesigner
Haishu: Espoir
Guangzhou: Birdjaguar
Hubaekje: ParkCungHee
Yamato: Adrogans

Thanks everyone for being interested. To yui108, Matt0088, and Toteone: I'm really sorry I wasn't able to give you any of your top three choices. There were a lot of conflicts in western Europe. I'd still love to have you play, though. You don't have to apply for anything any more, just say that you're interested in X. There are several fairly strong powers left that I'd like to fill; Swabia, Georgia, Volynia, Tver and the Pandyans are all quite strong, stable, and important.

murgle

Dyflin: Dublin; the richest, most powerful longphort, and has dominated League affairs for a century. Heavily involved in the Baltic trade and is the chief creditor for Denmark. Is somewhat worried by increasing Danish power in the Baltic, and has been backing off the Danish alliance a bit lately. Harbors vaguely imperial ambitions; Lubeck is probably a decent analogue.
Cork: Mostly unaligned longphort with traditionally strong ties with England. Less internationally minded than most; mostly involved with trade with England and Neustria. Used to be an ally of Dublin, but has backed off recently, leery of Dublin's ambitions, though has not yet committed to Waterford.
Visby: The Visby longphort. Joined the League during the Danish collapse, when the League was the only thing keeping pirates out of the Baltic. Very closely allied to Dublin, and also very heavily involved in the Baltic trade, particularly with Novgorod. Has a small but vocal party in favor of rejoining Denmark.
Vedraford: The Waterford longphort. Is the leading anti-Dublin longphort, and would very much like to take Dublin's place at the head of the league. Strongly tied to Isbunah and heavily involved in the southern trade, and has become quite a lot richer in the last few decades as that trade has increased. Doesn't like League influence being thrown around in the Baltic for Dublin's benefit. Is a center of shipbuilding innovation and has a fleet second only to Dublin.
Hlymreck: Limerick; a small, not particularly influential longphort that mostly does what Waterford says. Perhaps most notable for being the only thing keeping the Greenlanders alive.

Admiralty of the Baleares: The civilian-military governor of the Balearic Islands and Algiers. Is responsible for running the fight against the corsairs when the center doesn't feel like getting directly involved. Can raise a fairly strong fleet and army on its authority, and most of the Sicilian military establishment spent at least some time in the Baleares, especially in the navy. The incumbent since the creation of the office is an uncle of the present Prince, who is tremendously popular in the navy; the strength of the faction will probably decrease when he dies. Tends to support attacking the Muwahhidun, and has a vaguely contemptuous attitude towards the lily-livered merchants and bureaucrats who oppose that course of action.
Admiralty of Tarabulus: The civilian military governor of Tripoli and the Libyan frontier. Is much weaker than it once was, since the Libyan frontier hasn't been really active for a long time. Tends to be somewhat ignored by the center, since it's comparatively poor, and consequently carries on a fairly independent relationship with the Ghaniyan Arabs. Would oppose expansionism in Libya, since that would mean more central oversight and end to cozy dealing with the Ghaniya, and is vaguely anti-Egypt.
Sardigna: The Sardinian merchantry and gentry. Overshadowed by the Sicilians in commerce and government and not that happy about it. Would like more influence in the center, opposes expansionism in the Maghrib, particularly doesn't like the Admiral of the Baleares.
Maghrebi Arabs: A lot of them are descended from refugees from the Muwahhidun. Mostly Rushdite. Are somewhat looked down on and shut out of government offices by the old Norman population in Tunisia, and would appreciate that changing. Can be relied on to pretty much always support war with the Muwahhidun.
Sicilian merchantry: Are the core backers of the state, and are heavily involved in administration, the Church, etc. Support cracking down on Muwahhidun corsairs, for obvious reasons, but don't want to conquer more land in the west, on the grounds that it would be expensive and not very profitable. Tend to feel that the Baleares is too independent, and is trying to force the center to war against its will.
Tunisian gentry: The Norman gentry in Ifriqiya. Tend to monopolize administrative and ecclesiastical offices in Ifriqiya, and would like it to stay that way. Most of them oppose expansionism to the west on the grounds that it would probably dilute their power in Africa,

Catholic Church: The Church organization, headed by the Pope. Is generally firmly under imperial control, but the current Pope is showing vague signs of life. Pro-Imperial and anti-municipality, for obvious reasons, and increasingly anti-Sicily; has been calling for all the Italians to put aside their differences and go kill crypto-Muslims, though most people are cynical enough to see that as an imperial ploy
Imperial Court: The court of the emperor and the administration of the imperial demesne. Pro-Imperial and anti-municipal, obviously. More or less unconditionally supports any imperial initiative, and opposes anything which originated with the municipalities.
Partito Ambrosiano: The loose party of mostly northern municipalities headed by Milan. Roughly speaking it forms the anti-Imperial faction in municipal politics. The municipal councils comprising the party tend to be run by merchants or craft guilds. Not in favour of doing away with the emperor, except for a few raving firebrands, but do want to neuter him even further. Some small-scale but increasing anti-Sicily sentiment, as their merchants are starting to feel pinched by Sicilian supremacy
Partito di Napoli: The loose party of mostly southern municipalities headed by Naples. Roughly speaking it forms the pro-Imperial party in municipal politics, though this is less because of genuine feeling and more because of a desire to screw Milan. The municipal councils comprising the party tend to be run by nobles and non-noble rural landowners, and there's been some tension between these and the urban populations in a couple of cities. Support increasing imperial power over Milan and its lackeys, and are generally in favour of doing whatever it takes to hold the line in Carinthia and the Adriatic.
Carinthia: The military governor of Carinthia and commander of the army opposing the Gaborites. Was formed a couple of decades back when the Imperials reorganized what was left of the Hungarian territory. Has been generally successful at holding back the Gaborites, both militarily and religiously. The upper echelons are mostly Italians appointed by the emprah; Carinthia tends to be a place where the emperor sends people who are too competent to lose but too unpopular with the municipalities to keep in Italy. Are, partially in consequence, very strongly pro-Imperial; has on a couple of occasions nearly sparked civil war by threatening to march on Milan. Supports bringing the municipalities in general and Milan in particular to heel by any means necessary, up to and including military action.

Liyon: The urban population of Lyons. Revolted from Lotharingia a while back and obtained lots of privileges from Provence when they joined up. Opposes losing those privileges, supports keeping a strong front against Lotharingia, and doesn't care all that much about Mediterranean affairs.
Catalunya: What's left of Provence's land in Catalunya, and the exiled nobility who lost land further south when the Saraqustans took over. Bitter about it, and strongly in favor of taking back Catalunya; would like to beat up on the Sicilians too, but would take the former over the latter.
Catholic Church: The Catholic hierarchy. The top rungs are mostly Italians. Is pro-Italian, anti-Sicilian and anti-Saraqustan, and tries not to get too involved in domestic politics.
Merchantry: The merchants, most powerful in the Med ports. Traditionally strong supporters of the Provencal state, but right now are being squeezed by the Sicilians and think the king isn't doing enough to help them. Would support any royal action to support them against Sicily. Are traditionally anti-Italian, but that feeling is being transferred to Sicily at the moment.
Gentry: The gentry, most numerous in the west and north. Don't like merchant influence over the king, tend not care so much about Sicily or Catalunya as anyone else. Have some fairly significant friendly ties with the Gascons.

Divan: The ministers who run the administration. Drawn heavily from Christians. Aren't keen on the askaris, would like to get more customs revenue out of the merchants and Sicilians.
Merchantry: The merchants, concentrated in Barcelona. Heavy ties with the Sicilians, have a fairly cushy position in the Sicilian commercial system, and don't want the state to do anything to jeopardize that.
Christians: The Roman and Sicilian Catholic population. Like not being interfered with. The Sicilians are notably pro-Sicily and more reliably loyal; some of the Romans are still bitter about Provence. All would oppose war with Christians, though the Romans could probably be persuaded to support attacking Sicily.
Askaris: Soldiers, specifically soldiers supported by a sort of iqta/timar system. Originated as a means of rewarding the army that followed Sayf into revolt, and are still mostly the descendants of those men. Specific grants aren't hereditary, but sons tend to follow fathers into the business. Supply most of the army's heavy cavalry. Extremely loyal to the state in general in internal affairs, provided their grants aren't touched. In favour of war with the Muwahhidun if it looks like Saraqusta can get away with it.
Saraqusta: The people of the capital and its immediate surroundings. More conservative than most, and much more pro-Liyun than most. Don't particularly like Barcelonan influence in government.

Dhahabi clergy: The Dhahabi ulema. Very conservative, of course. Can be counted on to support the Muwahhidun government so long as they don't try anything too liberal. Don't like the increasing reliance on mercenaries.
Andalusians: The population of the territories in Andalusia. Mostly Rushdite, if quietly so, and increasingly unhappy with Muwahhidun-enforced conservatism. Strong anti-Muwahhidun sentiment in most areas, but no real corresponding pro-Liyun feeling; tend to think more fondly of Saraqusta. Support loosening of restrictions, lessening of taxations, and don't like having Berbers in Andalusia.
Maghrebi Berbers: The Berbers in the Maghreb. The original core of the Muwahhidun, and still provide most of their military force. Divided into tribes, but with the trans-tribal Berber identity that the Muwahhidun developed is fairly powerful. Presently feel that the leadership in Malaqah is going soft and Rushdite, and are fairly disenchanted with the whole Andalusian experiment; in general feel that the Muwahhidun ought to be concentrating on the Sicilians instead of the Liyunese.
Corsairs: The ghazis who carry on the conflict with the Sicilians at sea. Roughly 50:50 split between hardline ghazis and opportunists in it for the plunder. Based in ports in both Andalusia and the Maghreb. Don't like being forced to fight in the navy, don't like any state attempts to make them stop, don't really care about the war with Liyun except insofar as it means they get less state support, which they don't like.
Mercenaries: The professional soldiers that the Muwahhidun are increasingly relying on to man the Liyunese frontier. Mostly Andalusian origin, and a lot are Rushdite, if quietly so. As long as they get paid they don't really care what the Muwahhidun do, though they don't like having to fight next to Berber levies. Hysterical Dhahabi warnings notwithstanding, have so far been reliably loyal.

Malikate of Tulaytulah: The official in charge of the military frontier with the Muwahhidun; responsible for pay disbursement, maintaining fortifications, feeding garrisons, that sort of thing. Generally, but not always, also the commanding general of the front. Presently feels that the Muwahhidun are one really good kick away from collapsing, and is frustrated that he doesn't have the resources to give that kick.
Mustaribs: The Arabacized Christians of the north. Concentrated around Liyun city and along the northern coast. Traditional supporters of the Liyunese state, and the primary credit sources of the emirs. More or less unconditionally support the emirs in internal disputes, provided their protections and status are maintained. Don't really support the war any more; for one thing, they're worried about the prospect of default.
Divan: The council of ministers that runs the state administration. In favour of prosecuting the war to its conclusion.
Liyunese gentry: The gentry in Liyun proper. Fairly heavily taxed to pay for the military, and not happy about it. Feel that the war is too expensive and doesn't benefit them and would be very happy if it stopped. Also somewhat jealous of mustarib influence.
Rushdite jurists: The Rushdite ulema. They're selected by the state, and are mostly yes-men at the moment. Consequently are very much anti-Muwahhidun and support continuing the war.

Royal bureaucracy: The bureaucrats who run the state. In favor of centralization, since they get more power that way, and tend to dislike the efforts of the inlanders to maintain their prerogatives. Tend to be monastically-educated and pro-England.
Monastic Church: Guess. Doesn't like how cozy the nobility are with the Provencals. Has strong ties with the Liyunese mustaribs.
Inlanders: The nobility and gentry of the interior; tended to be ones who opposed England in the struggle at the end of the Eighty Years War, and consequently have tended to dominate internal affairs. Still generally anti-England and pro-Lotharingia, and have fairly significant ties with their Provencal counterparts. Oppose further royal centralization efforts. Should really have a better name
Maritimers: The gentry, burghers and merchants of the coast; tended to be the pro-English faction at the end of the EYW. Consequently have been fairly marginalized in internal politics. Of late are becoming richer and more influential, as they become more entwined with the Atlantic economy. Don't like inlanders taking all the top jobs. Tend to be pro-League, pro-England, and anti-Liyun, though not to the point of supporting war. Should likewise have a better name

Royal court: The court of the emir at Shantarin. Pretty much irrelevant to the administration of the state and doesn't really care what the merchants of Lisbon do so long as they don't interfere with the court's standard of living. Tend to be pro-Liyun, insofar as they think about things.
Jews: The Jewish population, concentrated in Lisbon. Tend to be financiers and merchants. Don't like being attacked, and are generally less pro-League than their compatriots, since the monastics tend to be a bit anti-Semitic. Consequently tend to favor continued exploration in Africa
Isbunah Merchantry: The guys who make things tick. Very heavily involved in the Atlantic economy, and strongly tied to the League, particularly Waterford. Support continued neutrality between Liyun and the Muwahhidun; if forced to choose, would take Liyun, obviously. Don't like having to pay for mercenaries, don't like Sicilian attempts to keep them out of the Med.
Rural gentry: The gentry of the interior. Tend to be generally in favor of the emir returning to actual government, but as long as the Lisbon types don't do anything drastic they're not willing to press the issue. Provide most of the non-mercenary forces of the emirate.
Urban craftsmen: The craft guilds of Lisbon and the other cities. Don't have much of a say in government, and don't like being dominated by the merchants. Support taking a more active role in Andalusian politics.

 

Okay with that in, thanks for letting me play Yamato, but when you get a chance faction description. No hurry

 

Would also like a breakdown if you get the time, Perfyist. (especially the condition of the broken monarchy)

 

I'd like a breakdown too if possible and for the French factions too.

 

And Poland, I hope.

 

A breakdown for Ardabilid factions, please.

 

It's Ardabilid, as in, of Ardabil.

 

Horde factions or whatever.

 

Faction breakdown for Denmark plox?