stJNES: Low Tide

to SaxoniA:

We are of Naaria do not look for wars of expansion at the cost of others. We hope you have the same ideals. We wish to open a trade route between our capital and your kingdom. Only our capital though as we are a closed society.
 
damn I got the bottom of the page for the update.

To Naaria
From Saxonia

While we may not share the same views about expansion, we are very open to trade and welcome Naarian merchants into our markets.
 
TO the peoples of the Eastern Mediterranean
FROM the Aristocrats of Grease

Please assist us in destroying the Mycenaean's. they are a threat to us all.

(OOC i dont know if you'd be able to do this, but i cant tell who the other PCs around me are so if there might be a way to show that more clearly that would be Appreciated
 
To the north of you are the Macedonians, to the southeast is Kypris (on the island of Cypris), to the east is Troy and further east is Racedon.
 
To the Balearic Kingdom
From The Royal Kingdom of Spain

It is reassuring to find another civilized nation such as your own in these troubled nation. As you may know the mainland is ravaged by barbarians ande we are outnumbered. We fear that they may be able to use ships against you and your people. We ask that you assist us in stoping this menacing attack in the north.

We would also like to negotiate a way that we could instate trade between our two nations.
 
To The Royal Kingdom of Spain
From the Balearic Kingdom

Yes, we are aware of the barbarian menace that is counter-acting your expansionist ideals on the mainland. While we do not see the benefit in intervening at this moment, we do believe trade between our nations is of the utmost importance. We suggest a trade route be established between your nation and ours, with Balearic ships patrolling the route to protect against pirates and other menaces.
 
Ah, good update. Though I thought you said it wouldn't have much writing. ;)

I was kind of hoping for some eastwards expansion, but I suppose you can't have everything and Tushratta focusing on the Mersinians is okay too. Besides, things seem to be getting very interesting very quick in my region.

Here's to hoping this one becomes a classic like stJNES 5. :goodjob:

Some of the PMs sent to me included many things that could have been written about on the thread.

Question - are my orders included here? Just wondering.
 
chukchi Husky - of course, make sure you read the rules and i would even read the 5 pages of the thread, and then choose where you would like to be (preferably where there are already some people). If you have any questions, let me know.

das- yah, when I first wrote your part of the update i completely mixed up the kings, and I did it in a way where i would have to rethink the whole invasion sequence, so I just amended a little. didnt think you would mind too much :). and for the PM thing, yes, while most of your orders were fine, the parts about religion and culture could have been in the thread :). No worries though, as I don't think I was clear in what I wanted when I said to send in religion with orders etc.
 
Oh and I should say that I will begin working on expanding the stats of each nation. I want to add a trade stat, perhaps remaking the economy, and a culture/infrastructure stat. Its about time.

If anyone has any ideas, im all ears.
 
To The Royal Kingdom of Spain
From the Balearic Kingdom

Yes, we are aware of the barbarian menace that is counter-acting your expansionist ideals on the mainland. While we do not see the benefit in intervening at this moment, we do believe trade between our nations is of the utmost importance. We suggest a trade route be established between your nation and ours, with Balearic ships patrolling the route to protect against pirates and other menaces.

Although we are not pleased with your military decision we would be happy to establish trade in the manner that you have suggested.
 
From: Shi Huangdi
To: The Choson People


We are pleased that trade networks have been establish trade with your nation. Shi Huangdi invites you to send some of your scholars to Xianyang so that we may learn more about characteristics of your culture. We also ask that you open your lands to Taoist missionaries. I have sent this chest of precious stones as a sign of his goodwill.

From: Shi Huangdi
To: Emperor Tos of Nanchao


We wish to establish trade networks with your nation. We understand your culture is militaristic. We hope you will see the wisdom with existing peacefully with China. Shi Huangdi invites you to send some of your scholars to Xianyang so that we may learn more about characteristics of your culture. We also ask that you open your lands to Taoist missionaries. I have sent this chest of precious stones as a sign of his goodwill.
 
Edited the second paragraph and the quote on slave treatment.

The Academy of the Ways and its impact on Zu politics

In the earliest days of Zu history, the Scholars of the Books have traditionally lived under the Palace of Storms in the capital of the Dominion, performing their ceremonial functions as bureaucrats and scholars. However, there came a time when the Scholars have swelled in number, and the Palace did not prove large enough to provide a home for the Scholars. Instead of expanding the palace, it seemed more fitting to establish a new building almost equal in splendor. This led to the construction of The Academy of the Ways.

Within the walls of the Academy was a great discussion hall where the Scholars could talk of almost anything, though usually it was used for debate on the latest administrative policy. There were smaller discussion rooms, and these were where the fields of astronomy (they charted the curse of the stars on large clay tablets and made notes on bamboo) and other scientific pursuits would be carried out. There were also gardens where Scholars can spend their time thinking. Of course, there were also the bedrooms of the Scholars themselves, though these were not considered of much importance.

The entire building was run by the Magistrate of the Academy who was in charge of the delegation of various tasks—from how much food should be rationed to the slaves to the head of ceremony during meetings between the Scholars. In time, he had come to wield considerable power when it came to decisions of policy; it was against custom for the Lord-Magistrate to preside in a meeting of the Scholars, and the Head Scholars had many personal associations within the Academy.

The physical separation of the Scholars and the Lord-Magistrate led to a less autocratic (maybe more, in the presence of a strong-willed or bull-headed Lord-Magistrate) form of government. The Lord-Magistrate would no longer be able to pressure the decisions of the Scholars by simply being there, and vice versa. Also, the image of the Lord-Magistrate was effectively separated from the image of the Academy, making them distinct political bodies within the Dominion.

In many ways, the Dominion of Zu was run by a representative government, with a "senate" composed of scholar-bureaucrats. However, the head-of-state still held much and very real authority over matters of the state; only time could have told what was to come of this.

The treatment of the conquered

"Violence is never a choice; it is a decision forced upon men after much thought and meditation. It is only used in the most desperate of situations. Never let primal rage take reign of your thoughts and actions, never let your heart acquire jealousy of a neighbor, never drink more than you can be sober with, for these and many other things incite needless violence within society."
—The Book of Intellect, from the First Compilation by the Academy

"The perfect society can only be achieved when the humble are respected and the proud humbled."
—Sui-han Sung the First Conqueror, in rebuttal to Scholar Fei-sheiji

"You do not treat slaves like property; they are people, too. They will serve you like paid servants, to be fed like servants, and be treated with a measure of dignity. However, in that we have accepted them into our city and our superior way of life, we have been generous enough. They will pay for their resistance with servitude, but they will reap the rewards of civilization."
—Unanimous order by the Scholars, condoned by the Lord-Magistrate

"Those who have come are a boon indeed; I met this new man who made the best meals I've ever tasted, and a family who made these excellent fishing nets. But some of the others; I think they are better off as employees or servants of the wealthier."
—An anonymous civilian in discussion with a Scholar

"The city made life so much easier for us. We could sell our crops and meat without hassle, and the protection provided by the Lord-Magistrate makes me feel that my husband no longer needs to take to the spear again."
—An immigrant turned farmer in conversation with a Zu citizen

"You are defeated. Accept our protection and peace. I will see you questioned as to whether you are indeed fit to rule this land. If you are not, your sons and daughters will be. If none of you deserve to govern, then you have done grave misconduct as a ruler. I think it is best if you do not even think of failing."
—Sui-han Sung the First Conqueror, to who would become the first Provincial Magistrate of the Dominion
_____

Diplomacy by gifts

After the inauguration of Feizhi-kao Sung as Lord-Magistrate of the Zu Dominion some time after his aged father's death, his first order of business was to bring good relations between Zu and the other powerful countries. With a boat full of books on philosophy and the arts, a statue of a golden knot (symbolizing friendship), and a diplomat-ambassador with a small escort of Zu soldiers, there was a message saying:

To: The Choson
From: Lord-Magistrate Feizhi-kao Sung


I am the Lord-Magistrate Feizhi-kao Sung, son of the legendary Sui-han Sung the Brave, coming to you with an offer of friendship. It is my sincerest wish that, together, we can bring order and civilization into these barbaric lands.
_____

He also sent such an embassy to Shi Huangdi (ooc: son of the last one?) with the gifts of books of literature and a gem-encrusted spear gilded with gold. Inscribed upon the spear are the words:

"For the lasting friendship between the Zu people and the Chinese, and to honor Shi Huangdi, father of all China."
 
flying chicken, didn't I tell you in the PM that an academy full of books was too early for this time period?

EDIT: actually, I told anonymous, the other China, so its going to have to be the same for you. perhaps an academy can be built later, when civilizations have advanced further past the rudimentary writing that is available now.
 
Oh alright. A few tweaks then. But the Academy as a building will stay, as a function room for the Scholars.

And since books are so rare, the gifts of books will be nice.

edit: It was a good thing that I only put the thing about rooms of books in one paragraph. Also, I retain that they chart the records of the stars in writing. Oh, and changed slave treatment quote a wee (but I think it was vitally important for the sake of my fictional Scholar's sanity) bit.
 
Can I join as...Liguria?

Liguria
?/Flavius Aetius
Capital: Genova
Government: Higly Centralized Mercantile And Seafaring Monarchy
The King holds all power in the nation, but it is adviced from a group made by the chiefs of the twelve powerfulest mercantile family in the kingdom
 
I don't have much in the way of rules ideas, but should we wait for any of the changes before sending orders?
 
Treachery Upon the River

The fires that had blazed in Sevilla did much damage. Homes were burnt down or damaged severely. The Tartessians outnumbered the Spanish and they feared that their new allies would not be enough to fight them back. Many intelligent thinkers worked with the government to decide on a solution.

A man beyond his years approached the royals with a plan. The grain that was being harvested in the south could be used as a trap! Some small shrubs in the area had been found to sicken if not kill livestock. The scholars plan involved placing the poisonous plants among the grain. A tribute would be made to the Tartessians as a sign of humility. Later that night when the sickening effects of the grain took hold in the outposts or camps of the barbarians a nautical based assault would be launched up the Sevillian River.

Many days later the carts were loaded bags of grain filled with the dangerous herb. Soldiers and many farmhands, unarmed, carted the items to the main raiding camp. A couple soldiers stopped them and asked their business. The Spanish said “We come bearing gifts for the Mighty Tartessians lords of Spain and the masters of its people.”

The Tartessian that had confronted them spoke and took a knife to slit open one of the bags. “This looks like mighty fine grain ‘subjects’. Bring it to the food tent we will bake a feast tonight before the grand removal of Spain from this land.”

So the grain was carted into the camp to the food tent to be prepared for all the Tartessians in the camp. The Soldiers and farmhands returned quickly as they could tell their King the good news.
 
Paroh mEhmet stood in front of his architectural wonder. The workers worked day and night on his tomb. The greatest of them all. If before all Paros were tombed within Mastabas he will be buried under the first Pentarmid. (I pyramid shaped like a Pentagram rather than a square from above).

The grand building would be the largest in all of his kingdom, and even than Saxonias buildings. A tomb worthy of a king.

After his death his children and dynasty, the Kuji dynasty continued to produce greater and more sophisticated Pentarmids. They were truly wonders of the world.

ooc: that sucked. Anyway when is update?
 
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