stJNES: Low Tide

Thanks (though IMHO the ending could've been done better; but what I have should generally suffice). I do wish Jason would update soon, because I have some more story ideas which might require some specific update information.
 
Update III
1800bc-1700bc

HEADSUP: this is how the updates were promised and how they will be for most of the time. Little snipits with little description. The responsibility for story telling is up to you.

Liguria is founded by the establishment of Genova and the rise of a powerful Celtic king. The seafaring people challenge the trade hegemony established earlier by the Balearic Kingdom over the Latin and Etruscan city-states.

Meanwhile to the southwest, the Spanish continue to fight for their very existence against the Tartessians. A devilish plan including the first use of biological weaponry in the world leaves an entire band of Tartessians sick, and ultimately is slaughtered by the Spanish. But that is just one band of dozens that threaten the Spanish. With the victory at hand, most of the Spanish troops head south to continue to conquer Fez and Bantu tribes in Africa, while in the north two more bands of thousands of Tartessians attack the Spanish frontier and head yet again for Seville. All looks lost for the Spanish before another army appears on the horizon. The Balearic Kingdom, after establishing a colony on the mainland, destroys the surprised Tartessian hordes.

Despite rewarding allies and glorifying heroes, the Éire are still attacking the barbaric Irish the same way – and in the same way losing. Meanwhile, contact is made with the British on the mainland, though because so many resources are committed to wars against the Irish, little is done in the way of trade.

The British prove to be merciless fighters when it comes to expansion – campaigning into the Island’s midlands have proven very successful, fighting off the sparsely inhabitant tribes and settling the land with their own families.

Naaria hits a wall in the terms of expansion. Most of the land surrounding the closed kingdom are now inhabited by other tribes, and by law, the Naarians are not allowed to attack or settle pre-settled land. Caravans also begin arriving in the capital from Saxonia, causing unrest and fear among most of the citizens who are not used to any non-Naarians. Meanwhile the Pentarids for the Paros being built across the land are among the most beautiful structures in the world, let alone the most mathematically-challenging, proving to the world Naaria’s cultural and mathematical superiority. Also, in the low hills dotting the land, iron is beginning to be dug for as the Naarians begin forging building materials and farm equipment with iron.

The Greeks complete a serious expansion with their army and launch an attack onto the Minoan island of Crete, where they conquer the natives and establish small Greek settlements. Trade with Kypris has begun from this small island outpost.

Egypt prospers under Kesh VI as a new age of temple-building has begun in Egypt. Every town, whether it have ten people or thousands of people, enjoy the luxury of a temple to Thoth, where they may worship and in turn, be educated. A militaristic arm pushes south, but stops at the borders of the new Kingdom of Kush.

And now we come to Yamkhad, perhaps the most active state in the world. As the reign of Saustatar II begins Yamkhad looks again south at the Judeans, where a new campaign is launched. Unfortunately for Saustatar the Judeans win the crucial battle of Tekoah, just south of Jerusalem, forcing Saustatar to retreat his army. Another attempt at Judea will not be made this century. Instead, Saustatar takes his army north, across the Syrian desert, and into the feuding city-states of Mesopotamia. A couple northern states fall victim to Saustatar, but upon his death, expansion is halted. The next decades see the decline of the King’s power and the rise of the Charioteers, who dislike wars lead by the King, and instead of expanding the kingdom stagnates, even some land in the north is lost against persistent Mersinian attacks. As Saustatar III takes power, the country is in a state of static, and it will take more than an ambitious king to drag it out of it.

The Racedonians to the north, after centuries of warfare and struggle to remain civilized, have finally had a break. A lone tribe from the north is welcomed into the borders of Racedonia, and with them they bring technology to forge iron into weapons. With a new army equipped with iron swords, the Racedonians fall upon the Mersinians and conquer huge swaths of land.

The Zu in China have actually begun extensive trading with the Gai Nal in the south after having revamped their boats to make them bigger, allowing for larger hulls and thus a profit is achievable for such a long journey. However, an attempt to explore north is met without success, as large storms force three expeditions to turn back before the venture was abandoned. Expansion along the Yangtze however has brought more land into the kingdom.

The Chinese have entered a phase of expansion, conquering a large track of land up north along the river, almost making it to the coast. Peaceful trading missions to surrounding nations are also successful with the introduction of silk into the market. However, China is quickly loosing customers in Gai Nal as the Zu intensify their trade missions.

Meanwhile in Gai Nal expansion to the south goes well, except for when a Khmer diplomat arrives in the capital, demanding that the Gai Nal relinquish the land just conquered, as it is rightfully Khmer land. Trade continues to boom in all areas of the kingdom, especially from increased Chinese and Zu traffic.

NOTES:

Das- you make it hard to only write small bits in the update! Lol.

Send quick orders please, I want to update by Monday, and then I will be gone on a European romp from Thursday to next Thursday, so hopefully an update Monday and an update Wednesday? Maybe I can do this next update on Sunday?

And there will be a NPC explosion next turn hopefully.
 
spring time for
 

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Next update can be maybe for the next 500 years? what do you guys think? Sunday I am completely free so I can do a good update. Not a BT, so to speak, just a 500 year update.
 
i don't mind. we will have iron by the end of it after all :)... sadly were not wariar people :(
 
Das- you make it hard to only write small bits in the update! Lol.
Click to expand...

I'll take that as praise. ;) Can I assume that I still had the assorted civil wars and power struggles, plus military settlements?

Judea surviving really does put a cramp on my original plan... ah well, it's really more interesting this way.

Next update can be maybe for the next 500 years? what do you guys think? Sunday I am completely free so I can do a good update. Not a BT, so to speak, just a 500 year update.
Click to expand...

I think it would be prefferable to do that at some later point, if at all; things are happening fast enough at the moment, and I at least do have some radical plans for the near future.

EDIT: That said, perhaps that could work out just as well if not better for said plans... So I suppose it's okay too.
 
lol, well I'll do what the majority wants. I can also just do a "double update" for 200 years, or what have you, on Sunday. Since I'll be gone for a good week, I wanted to do a good update before I left. And yes, das, you can assume you had those power struggles, as if they were in a story :).

A longer update would also make it possible to add more NPCs.
 
There is a problem with the stats. Ligueria says I control it but thats not true. Just pointing it out so it doesent cause more confusion.
 
If 1 turn is equal to 2-3 days (at least officially), averaging 2.5 days each, then one week (or 7 days) should merit 2.8 (7 divided by 2.5) turns worth of updates.

If the choice is between 2 and 5 turns worth of updates, I vote for 5.
 
Well, as said, I don't much mind that neither.

EDIT: Just to make sure we're all on the same page here:

To make such an update trully worthwile, a whole lot of changes will have to occur - nations expanded and developed, some empires partially broken up and lots of NPCs created. Note that it's a good thing inasmuch as it should get things going; I am merely saying that it shouldn't be like an ordinary update except covering more time. Are we in agreement here?
 
Orders, sent. If you want spending, or something about my format is bad, please tell me so that I can respend.
 
sorry i'll have missed this update, I had to go out of town for a few days last minute. I'll send spending orders if its ok?
 
Some Experts from a geographical survey conducted by an unknown priest during the reign of the Third Emperor.

Physical Geography
East to west China stretches from the Taihang Mountains in the east along the Yellow River almost to the Yellow Sea. North to south China stretches from the Yellow river almost to the Yangzi River and the border of Nanchao. Most of China lies on the North China Plain and is dissected by numerous rivers. China is troubled by frequent floods but the government is building dikes and levees to reduce the impact of flooding. This should greatly reduce the lost of life every spring.

People
The people of China are mostly ethnic Chinese. The only exception being the families of foreign traders or scholars. Most Chinese are farmers living along the Yellow and the vast North China Plain. Many of the peoples living along the border of China are also ethic Chinese that makes the expansion of China easier, as it can continuously expand while staying culturally unified.

The three major characteristics of the Chinese are industriousness, intelligence, and obedience. Proof of their industriousness is seen all over the country. They have built many roads and canals to improve transportation and their economy. They have built three major cities and several smaller cities. The Capital of Xianyang has over 100,000 people. Their intelligence is seen the government bureaucracy that wisely governs China. It is also seen their knowledge of foreign cultures. Foreign scholars are invited to the Capital and encouraged describe all aspects of their culture. Their obedience is seen in their loyalty to the emperor. Every peasant spends two years of his or her life working on Public Works project. All males receive mandatory military training. They willing fight for their Emperor when called to duty. These three characteristics allowed China to develop into an advanced nation while the other people around them continue to live at a subsistence level.

History
It is not known from where the Chinese people originated. Most likely they have always been in their present location. The history of China begins with Shi Huangdi or the First Emperor of China. Shi Huangdi was great leader who used a variety of means, treachery, bribery, and warfare to unify the people along the south bank of the Yellow River. Here he found the city of Xianyang. Shortly after the founding the city of Xianyang, Shi Huangdi embraced Taoism. He built the great Taoist temple here, so the priest would have a proper place to worship. This had an unintended consequence. Many of the surrounding people were Taoist and were eager to join a nation that eagerly promoted Taoism. After the death of the First Emperor, the Second Emperor rose to power. He continued the policy of expansion along the yellow river and south cross the North China Plain. At the current rate of expansion it will not belong before the entire North China Plain is incorporated into China.

Religion
Taoism is the state religion of China. The central belief of Taoism is the concept of “Without Action.” Meaning one must live in harmony with the universe. Spiritual and mental health is improved by becoming one with the universe. There are three main rules for living one’s life “Without Action” 1.) Shown compassion, love, mercy and kindness towards your fellow man. 2.) Respect nature and do not waste anything, live simply. 3.)Do not seek to be at the world’s front. This exposes you to the dangers of the world. Being humble allows one to fully develop themselves.

The Chinese government supports Taoism because it keeps people happy. The Chinese peasants live simple lives and do not strive for excess wealth or material goods. Thus, they are content being simple farmers or artisans. The ruling class and merchant class are not devout Taoists. They practice the religion but tend to look for loopholes that allow them to amass excessive wealth and abuse their fellow man.

Government
There are two parts to the China’s government. The first being the Emperor and Lords. Emperor is the supreme ruler of the land. He is respected by all the people of his land and demands absolute obedience from his subjects. Before an Emperor dies, he wills a replacement. Usually a son, Major Lord, or high-ranking administrator. Beneath the emperor are various levels of Lords. Major Lords control entire provinces while minor Lords control a district. All Lords rule at the pleasure of the Emperor. If they displease the Emperor, they are removed through execution. Most Lord Titles were created during expansion when local leaders were allowed to remain in power. They are also given to men who have provided great services for China.

The Second part of the government is the Bureaucracy. Emperors realize that they cannot rule vast empire by themselves. They cannot trust the Lords, because most Lords offer advice tainted self-interest. So the Emperor searches the land for the most intelligent and scholarly men and assigns them lifetime positions in the government. Through the Bureaucracy, the Emperor seeks advice and discusses new laws. The Bureaucracy has been instrumental in unifying the country through standardizing legal codes and regulations. Many Lords have there own smaller bureaucracies

The most educated people tend to be Taoist Priest. Therefore, the Bureaucracy contains many Taoist Priest within its ranks. The government is strongly influenced by Taoism. This is reflected in the fact that slavery is banned in China. Although, at the Emperors insentience, peasants are conscripted for Public Works projects. It is also seen in foreign policy. China prefers to expand slowly and peacefully. However, the Emperor is not afraid to use the army when necessary.

Economy
The biggest economic force in China is farming. China’s farmers produce millet, rice, and wheat that are used to feed the cities and military units. China’s farmers are so efficient that there is enough left over to trade with neighboring people. Silk farming is starting to expand, as there is large demand for silk trade goods.

With growth of cities an artisan class has developed. They create many objects out of bronze, clay and other natural material. Naturally, artisans produce too many things to be sold locally. Therefore, a merchant class has also developed to take these goods to local tribes as well as far away lands such as Choson. Merchants successful with making long ocean voyages have become very rich. With this wealth, they are demanding more power. This is causing conflict with some of the Lords

Conclusion
China is a land of hard working people that have developed a strong prosperous empire. Through the leadership of their Emperors, China should continue to expand and become more prosperous.
 
Street theater

"I am invincible!" screamed a masked man at the crowd of people around a large clearing around him. The mask was bursting with anger, with its mouth in a permanent snarl and its forehead furrowed into several, unsightly folds. "I am the lord and master of all that is in Zu! I am the Lord-Magistrate, undisputed ruler of this Dominion!"

From the watching crowd came a trio of masked men, circling the first one with heads bowed in acquiescence. Their mock faces marked with eternal boredom, mouths gaping and eyes sad and wide. They all carried thick wooden sticks, imitations of the ceremonial gilded staves that high-ranking civil servants carry to symbolize their power and authority.

"You, cousin of my cousin's second wife's sister! Welcome to the fold!" the angry Lord-Magistrate greeted the first of the stick-bearers. "You are to be the Minister of Grass-tending, to keep the landscape green in my name!"

The now-Minister of Grass-tending suddenly stood bolt upright, taking him away from bowing and circling, forcing him to stop abruptly at where he stood. Unfortunate for the three, the other two men were not looking and bumped unwittingly against the newly proclaimed Minister of Grass-tending. This caused them to fall to the ground, to the displeasure of the Lord-Magistrate.

"What idiocy is this at my feet, that you, my new Minister of Grass-tending, are to fall like so?" shouted the angry Lord-Magistrate, shaking his fists at the air with rage. He stomped wildly, and kicked the lump of three men on the ground. The three did not move, which only served to fuel the Lord-Magistrate's anger.

"Off with their ears, off with their fingers, off their hands and feet...and then OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!" screamed the Lord-Magistrate, raising a finger to the sky with his feet raising him beyond his normal height. From the crowd came three more masked men, this time with deathly serious faces, armed with wooden spears and wooden shields. They marched in a straight line, with feet perfectly synchronized in marching.

"What crimes have they committed, my Lord-Magistrate?" said one of the armed men, his spear pointed at the lump of men on the ground. His associates were still as stone, their spears pointing upwards and shields planted firmly to the ground.

"They have dared to show incompetence before my people! That is a crime unforgivable," said the Lord-Magistrate, crossing his arms and standing straight and firm. "Send him to the torture chambers, to the boiling pots of oil, to the quarries in Yush...wherever it may be that they are duly punished for their crimes!"

Suddenly, another trio of masked men entered the scene, waving bamboo sticks and old animal hides. They had masks with neutral expressions, but were marked with large, curly beards. They had a frantic air about them; some would call it savage civility or civil savagery, but it was, in many ways, inhuman.

Upon reaching the Lord-Magistrate and the armed men, they stood hunched and looked at one another repeatedly. They looked as though they whispering to one another, sharing with each other everything from ancient knowledge to what their servants have been eating for breakfast. They moved about their places in an unsettled fashion, but in the end they all stood up dignified and addressed the Lord-Magistrate.

"You cannot possibly have them killed," said one of the half-savage men. He was shaking his bamboo stick at the Lord-Magistrate, at the same time pointing at the piece of wood. His head was facing the Lord-Magistrate directly, unmoving like the armed men's.

"Nor can you have them sent to the quarries of Yush," said another, pointing an accusing finger at the Lord-Magistrate. He too faced the Lord-Magistrate, as though staring intensely with the mask's blank eyes.

"And, definitely, you cannot have them cut up and dismembered in such a barbaric fashion," said the last one, as though reading from a large piece of animal hide. However, in the end, he, too, faced the Lord-Magistrate with a stiff head with empty eyes staring intensely.

"Nonsense!" retorted the Lord-Magistrate, moving to place the three bearded men directly in front of him. He then proceeded to slap the bearded faces with one strike and push their arms down with another. "I can do whatever I want!"

"Nonsense!" the three retorted in turn as they all resumed staring down the Lord-Magistrate. They all kicked him back then stepped forward, asserting their positions. "We are the Scholars of the Academy, and we say you can't."

"How come?" the Lord-Magistrate said as he stood up. His mask was lopsided, and his clothes were smeared with dirt where the Scholars had kicked him. "Is it not lawful and right, by custom and general consensus, that I, the Lord-Magistrate, hold the power to kill, maim, spill the blood of, twist, torture, boil, drown, feed to large cats, send to do inhumanly cruel labor, feed rotting fishes to, draw graffiti on, humiliate publicly, or in any other way destroy those who have offended me or the people of Zu?"

"It is clear in our memories that anyone appointed to the position of Minister of Grass-tending is to serve a full year before being fully judged, by the Scholar-bureaucrats, for any flaws he or she may have," said the one with the bamboo stick.

"It is clear in our memories that the Lord-Magistrate may only burn in splintered firewood or pin with a hundred needles at medically prescribed points those who have stumbled down in front of both the people and the Lord-Magistrate, therefore ending up humiliating themselves in front of the said people," said the one who was holding nothing.

"It is clear in our memories that the one with the full authority, power, discretion, and such to find a public servant guilty of misdemeanor or disservice..." said the one with the animal hide, leaving his sentence hanging. He faced the Scholar next to him.

"...could only be the only Council with enough wisdom and knowledge to do such important things..." said the Scholar who held nothing. He turned his mask to face the last Scholar.

"...are the wise, venerated, respectable Scholars of the Academy," the Scholar with the bamboo finished. "You see, it is not you who has the power around here. It is us." With that, the bearded-mask men did a wild, screaming dance around the speechless and slumped Lord-Magistrate, celebrating their apparent victory of words.

One of the armed men suddenly stepped up and respectfully bowed to his superiors, the Lord-Magistrate and the Scholars. The four bureaucrats suddenly stopped in whatever they were doing and faced the soldier, this time sporting an air of strong respectability. When facing their subjects, they never let their guards down.

"Speak," commanded the four all at once.

"Do you wish for us to send these men to the torture chambers, to be dipped in boiling pots of oil, to be sent to work in the quarries in Yush, to be killed, to be maimed, to have their blood spilled, to be twisted horrendously, to be tortured inhumanly, to be boiled, to be drowned, to be fed to large cats, to be sent to do inhumanly cruel labor elsewhere, to be fed rotting fishes, to be drawn graffiti on, to be humiliated publicly, to be burned in a pile of splintered firewood, or to be pinned with a hundred needles at medically prescribed points?" said the soldier slowly as to not lose his breath. "We are badly needed at the borders and at the sea."

"Stay and wait!" said the three Scholars. At the same time, the Lord-Magistrate had said "Go and fight!" Soon enough, they tried staring each other down once again. The soldier simply stepped back to his comrades, waiting for the decision of the leaders. In the background, more masked men entered the scene. Three men with beastly, fanged masks and wooden axes were beating down three men who had the look of peasant-farmers, each of whom had hoes for self-defense.

In a few minutes time spent in argument and mutual frustration between the Scholars and the Lord-Magistrate, the peasant-fighters were beaten badly. In the end, the beastly men were pushed back into the crowd by the soldiers. When the final blow was struck upon the last of the beastly men, all the masked actors froze as was proper.

"Thank you for watching," shouted the man who played the part of the angry Lord-Magistrate cheerily, stepping out of his frozen pose. All of the actors soon followed, unfreezing in order of appearance. Finally, they all assembled in a circle in the middle of the crowd, giving a great bow to their delighted, coin-throwing audience.
_____

ooc: Kind of rushed, yes...
 
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