Izipo
Hardcore casual gamer
Just a quickie to say thank you.
Sisiutil, you're still CFC's own Great Artist (a settled one, don't worry).
Sisiutil, you're still CFC's own Great Artist (a settled one, don't worry).
Princes of the Universe, Part I
- Thread starter Sisiutil
- Start date
- Status
Uncle Istvan
Chieftain
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2007
- Messages
- 61
Hmm, if we get a great scientist, we should pop him for Civ V
Premier Valle
FF: Babylon 5 Mod Team
Uncle Istvan
Chieftain
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2007
- Messages
- 61
Umhhh, I wonder how a person "pops"
I'm going to ignore the potential for a dirty joke here, and guess that there are some overworked people on the Civ. Dev. Squad who could tell you that one must sacrifice one's self for civ... though they may be victims of
at the hands of Sid.
rabidveggie
King
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2007
- Messages
- 697
I'm guessing Sid only whips when everyone starts to get crowded by more and more workers, or as they reach a deadline.
![[pimp]](/images/smilies/pimp.gif "Pimp [pimp]")
![[party]](/images/smilies/partytime.gif "Party [party]")
Sisiutil
All Leader Challenger
Of course there will be more war. The only available victory condition is conquest, after all. 
No comment other than...
No comment other than...
demokratickid
King
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2007
- Messages
- 753
Wonderful! I have always loved playing in the gunpowder age! Matter of fact, that's where my own story begins! Well, no matter, excellent update!
e350tb
Stupendously Illogical Englishman
Roman Legionaries with rifles and Redcoats fighting side by side!
carmen510
Deity
Thou Sisuitil is great,
but now he must make more updates.
Excellent update BTW.
but now he must make more updates.
Excellent update BTW.Izipo
Hardcore casual gamer
Now how long will it be till everyone starts moaning again
Look, it's begun already!
sorry, couldn't resist
Sisiutil
All Leader Challenger
Princes 14 Childs Play
Part 2: Family Honour
But Li Sheng never did send word to Rome regarding his progress, because he felt as though hed failed. In actual fact, hed made significant progress. His greatest innovation was the cartridge, a development which saw the gunpowder and lead ball required for a single shot packed together in a paper envelope. This did away with the necessity of having the musketmen carefully measuring the gunpowder into the musket themselves, and it increased the rate of fire significantly, from one shot per minute to as much as three or four from a skilled musketman.
The bayonet was another successful innovation, though Li Sheng had to give credit for the idea to the General who shared the weapons name. A 24-inch long, wickedly sharp blade hung from the musketmans belt and could be attacked to the end of the muskets barrel by quickly and easily sliding the collar of the bayonet onto the muzzle, then twisting it to lock it in place. It made the musket equally deadly in close quarters when there was no time to load the weapon. Caesar himself adapted the old legions tortoise formation into a similar defensive square that could ward off cavalry.
Despite these successes, Li Sheng despaired. He never solved the other shortcomings of the musket in his lifetime, and for that, he felt he was a failure. His attempts to create a breech-loading gun ended in miserable disappointment, weakening the barrel so that the musket became more deadly to its wielder than to the enemy. And although his cartridges increased the rate of fire, the musket remained woefully inaccurate at distances in excess of one hundred yards.
You must solve these problems, a much older Li Sheng told his son, Li Jin. Not just for my sake. For your familys sake. The aging Sheng shook his head of prematurely grey hair sadly. I fear their solutions are beyond me. You must rectify my shame, my son. It is a heavy burden I lay upon you, I know, but
Li Jin nodded dutifully. I will do it, father. I will find a way.
Li Jin was Roman, ethnic Chinese, and a devout Confucian as well; filial duty came naturally to him. He had applied himself at the university in Ravenna, finishing at the top of his class. Immediately after graduation, he had obtained a research position at the new military academy in Pisae. There, he applied himself to making the weapon his father had invented, the musket, even better.
Everything else in his life came second to this task. His father passed away at the relatively young age of fifty-seven. Jin shed his tears in private, but thought that his fathers death was a sign of his confidence in his son, that he would succeed where the older man had failed. This hardened his resolve even further. His mother had arranged a marriage for him, and though Jin was fond of his wife, he was glad it was not a romantic match. A lover would have expected more time with him and would not have understood why he needed to spend so much time away from home, spending more time in his lab and on the military testing grounds than he did in his house in Pisae.
The one joy in his life that took him away from his struggles to improve Romes weaponry came along a year after his marriage: his son, Wei. Even the dedicated military engineer was surprised at what a devoted father he could be. As the boy grew, Jin increasingly ensured that his schedule allowed him to spend time with his sonto be present as the boy took his first steps, kicked his first ball, lost his baby teeth, and eventually welcomed two younger sisters into the world. As much as Jin loved his daughters, however, his son was his pride and joy and the only true rival to his lifes work when it came to his time and attention.
Jin fervently hoped that Wei would follow in the footsteps of himself and his grandfather by going first to university, and then pursuing the family trade of weapons engineering. As Jin despaired of ever improving the musket, he hoped that Wei would redeem the family honour if he could not. But Wei had little interest in science; he grew tall and strong and seemed only interested in the physical. He became an accomplished athlete, and was winning several athletic honours by his mid-teens.
My son, Jin told him after dinner one night, Your mother and I are proud of your athletic accomplishments. You have brought honour to your family with your physical prowess. His face shone with pride as he said the words.
Thank you, father, Wei replied with a smile.
The fifteen-year-old had come first in both the 100-yard and 200-yard races against the other schools in Pisae that day. The sound of the crowds cheers were still ringing in his ears. Wei had impressed everyone, including one particular girl, the niece of a prosperous merchant in Brundisium. His smile broadened as he remembered how shed blushed when hed winked at her from the winners platform.
Jin took a deep breath and paused, as he always did before broaching the one painful topic that lay between he and his adored son.
If only, my son, you would apply yourself at your academic studies the way you do at athletics, Jin said in a gentle voice, accompanied by a teasing grin that belied the serious intent of his message.
Wei suppressed a sigh. It was an old argument, and custom forbade him from being openly defiant of his father. Even so, his fathers message was plain, and it rankled. He could not let it lie.
The master said, There are several paths to honour, Wei said quietly.
Jin blinked and stared at his son in surprised silence for a moment. Then he smiled.
So you have been paying attention to some of your lessons, I see, Jin said. The master also said, When your father is alive, observe his will, he added.
This time Wei could not suppress his sigh. Father, I do not want to toil for years on a fruitless task! I want to bring honour to our family, but in other ways!
Jin suppressed his anger at this decidedly un-filial outburst. He knew he should be stern with the boy, but hed never been able to bring himself to do it. His wife had always been the disciplinarian, Jin the trusted confidante.
Very well, Jin responded patiently. What is it you wish to do with your life, my son?
Wei swallowed hard. Hed resolved to tell his father the truth for months now, and this was his best opportunity. Even so, he hesitatednot because he feared his fathers wrath, but because he loved him and knew his next words would disappoint the man hed looked up to for all his life.
When my schooling is done, Wei said quietly, I want to I want to join the army. I want to become a soldier.
Jin could not help himself. His lips parted in a grimace and he drew breath in sharply and loudly over his teeth.
A soldier? Jin said, then shook his head. No. You cannot.
Father, please
I forbid it! Jin snapped, raising his voice with his son for the first time in his life.
Normally Wei would have backed down, but now that the subject was broached, he knew he could not do so. He had to see it through.
Dont you understand, father? he said. I dont just want to gain honour for our family. I want to attain glory!
Jin shook his head and laughed bitterly. You poor young fool. Glory against whom? Rome is at peace!
Wei crossed his arms and gazed steadily back into his fathers eyes. For now. It wont last. England needs our help.
If they needed our help, they would have asked for it.
Necessity will overcome pride. It always does, Wei replied.
Will it now? Jin asked. Youve talked to Queen Elizabeth herself, have you? He didnt like mocking his son, but he couldnt help himself. The boy was talking nonsense.
Wei shrugged. I have paid enough attention in history class to know that peace and war follow one another, inevitably, like the seasons.
Jin shook his head. Ah, to be young and filled with the illusion that one knows everything! he said with a smile. He leaned back in his chair and forced himself to relax. You may go now, Wei. We will discuss your future plans some other time. You are young. I know a soldiers life seems adventurous and attractive. I toyed with the notion myself when I was your age. But Jin sighed. At least promise me you will consider alternatives.
Father, I Wei was about to become argumentative again, but a pained, pleading expression had appeared on his fathers face, and he could not summon the anger needed to make his point. Yes, father, he said quietly.
Part 2: Family Honour
But Li Sheng never did send word to Rome regarding his progress, because he felt as though hed failed. In actual fact, hed made significant progress. His greatest innovation was the cartridge, a development which saw the gunpowder and lead ball required for a single shot packed together in a paper envelope. This did away with the necessity of having the musketmen carefully measuring the gunpowder into the musket themselves, and it increased the rate of fire significantly, from one shot per minute to as much as three or four from a skilled musketman.
The bayonet was another successful innovation, though Li Sheng had to give credit for the idea to the General who shared the weapons name. A 24-inch long, wickedly sharp blade hung from the musketmans belt and could be attacked to the end of the muskets barrel by quickly and easily sliding the collar of the bayonet onto the muzzle, then twisting it to lock it in place. It made the musket equally deadly in close quarters when there was no time to load the weapon. Caesar himself adapted the old legions tortoise formation into a similar defensive square that could ward off cavalry.
Despite these successes, Li Sheng despaired. He never solved the other shortcomings of the musket in his lifetime, and for that, he felt he was a failure. His attempts to create a breech-loading gun ended in miserable disappointment, weakening the barrel so that the musket became more deadly to its wielder than to the enemy. And although his cartridges increased the rate of fire, the musket remained woefully inaccurate at distances in excess of one hundred yards.
You must solve these problems, a much older Li Sheng told his son, Li Jin. Not just for my sake. For your familys sake. The aging Sheng shook his head of prematurely grey hair sadly. I fear their solutions are beyond me. You must rectify my shame, my son. It is a heavy burden I lay upon you, I know, but
Li Jin nodded dutifully. I will do it, father. I will find a way.
Li Jin was Roman, ethnic Chinese, and a devout Confucian as well; filial duty came naturally to him. He had applied himself at the university in Ravenna, finishing at the top of his class. Immediately after graduation, he had obtained a research position at the new military academy in Pisae. There, he applied himself to making the weapon his father had invented, the musket, even better.
Everything else in his life came second to this task. His father passed away at the relatively young age of fifty-seven. Jin shed his tears in private, but thought that his fathers death was a sign of his confidence in his son, that he would succeed where the older man had failed. This hardened his resolve even further. His mother had arranged a marriage for him, and though Jin was fond of his wife, he was glad it was not a romantic match. A lover would have expected more time with him and would not have understood why he needed to spend so much time away from home, spending more time in his lab and on the military testing grounds than he did in his house in Pisae.
The one joy in his life that took him away from his struggles to improve Romes weaponry came along a year after his marriage: his son, Wei. Even the dedicated military engineer was surprised at what a devoted father he could be. As the boy grew, Jin increasingly ensured that his schedule allowed him to spend time with his sonto be present as the boy took his first steps, kicked his first ball, lost his baby teeth, and eventually welcomed two younger sisters into the world. As much as Jin loved his daughters, however, his son was his pride and joy and the only true rival to his lifes work when it came to his time and attention.
Jin fervently hoped that Wei would follow in the footsteps of himself and his grandfather by going first to university, and then pursuing the family trade of weapons engineering. As Jin despaired of ever improving the musket, he hoped that Wei would redeem the family honour if he could not. But Wei had little interest in science; he grew tall and strong and seemed only interested in the physical. He became an accomplished athlete, and was winning several athletic honours by his mid-teens.
My son, Jin told him after dinner one night, Your mother and I are proud of your athletic accomplishments. You have brought honour to your family with your physical prowess. His face shone with pride as he said the words.
Thank you, father, Wei replied with a smile.
The fifteen-year-old had come first in both the 100-yard and 200-yard races against the other schools in Pisae that day. The sound of the crowds cheers were still ringing in his ears. Wei had impressed everyone, including one particular girl, the niece of a prosperous merchant in Brundisium. His smile broadened as he remembered how shed blushed when hed winked at her from the winners platform.
Jin took a deep breath and paused, as he always did before broaching the one painful topic that lay between he and his adored son.
If only, my son, you would apply yourself at your academic studies the way you do at athletics, Jin said in a gentle voice, accompanied by a teasing grin that belied the serious intent of his message.
Wei suppressed a sigh. It was an old argument, and custom forbade him from being openly defiant of his father. Even so, his fathers message was plain, and it rankled. He could not let it lie.
The master said, There are several paths to honour, Wei said quietly.
Jin blinked and stared at his son in surprised silence for a moment. Then he smiled.
So you have been paying attention to some of your lessons, I see, Jin said. The master also said, When your father is alive, observe his will, he added.
This time Wei could not suppress his sigh. Father, I do not want to toil for years on a fruitless task! I want to bring honour to our family, but in other ways!
Jin suppressed his anger at this decidedly un-filial outburst. He knew he should be stern with the boy, but hed never been able to bring himself to do it. His wife had always been the disciplinarian, Jin the trusted confidante.
Very well, Jin responded patiently. What is it you wish to do with your life, my son?
Wei swallowed hard. Hed resolved to tell his father the truth for months now, and this was his best opportunity. Even so, he hesitatednot because he feared his fathers wrath, but because he loved him and knew his next words would disappoint the man hed looked up to for all his life.
When my schooling is done, Wei said quietly, I want to I want to join the army. I want to become a soldier.
Jin could not help himself. His lips parted in a grimace and he drew breath in sharply and loudly over his teeth.
A soldier? Jin said, then shook his head. No. You cannot.
Father, please
I forbid it! Jin snapped, raising his voice with his son for the first time in his life.
Normally Wei would have backed down, but now that the subject was broached, he knew he could not do so. He had to see it through.
Dont you understand, father? he said. I dont just want to gain honour for our family. I want to attain glory!
Jin shook his head and laughed bitterly. You poor young fool. Glory against whom? Rome is at peace!
Wei crossed his arms and gazed steadily back into his fathers eyes. For now. It wont last. England needs our help.
If they needed our help, they would have asked for it.
Necessity will overcome pride. It always does, Wei replied.
Will it now? Jin asked. Youve talked to Queen Elizabeth herself, have you? He didnt like mocking his son, but he couldnt help himself. The boy was talking nonsense.
Wei shrugged. I have paid enough attention in history class to know that peace and war follow one another, inevitably, like the seasons.
Jin shook his head. Ah, to be young and filled with the illusion that one knows everything! he said with a smile. He leaned back in his chair and forced himself to relax. You may go now, Wei. We will discuss your future plans some other time. You are young. I know a soldiers life seems adventurous and attractive. I toyed with the notion myself when I was your age. But Jin sighed. At least promise me you will consider alternatives.
Father, I Wei was about to become argumentative again, but a pained, pleading expression had appeared on his fathers face, and he could not summon the anger needed to make his point. Yes, father, he said quietly.
Ultimate_Waffle
The soul devourer.
When this story is finished, are you going to make a new one with Beyond the Sword?
Sisiutil
All Leader Challenger
I'm afraid not. Both my wife and I write and have been posting our stuff on-line for some time. We're now telling each other it's high time we tried to get paid for doing all this work. So my future writing efforts will be going into what I hope will be publication-worth fiction.
I'll finish Princes first though, don't worry.
rabidveggie
King
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2007
- Messages
- 697
Woo! Thanks a lot keep up the awesome work.
FourthThunder
Chieftain
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2007
- Messages
- 22
Woh Woh Woh! I can't read this fast! Please, slow down on the updates so I can get my bearings!
e350tb
Stupendously Illogical Englishman
Good luck, gott speed in updates, and Happy Guy Fawkes Day!
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