The expansion eastward had been successful. A border had been set up with Lithuania, and Wilno was established. 25% of Wilno's population was ethnic Lithuanian, while the rest was Polish. The Wilno Lithuanians, however, had already been practicing Slavic Polytheism, in contrast to the other Baltic-oriented Lithuanians. The people of the Lithuanian Chiefdom were very welcoming and cheered the arrival of Polish troops to set up an official border between the two countries.
Meanwhile, in Gdansk, the Great Shipyards were nearing completion. Even as Emperor Charles II was looking at the shipyards from his palace balcony, the first 11 of 30 galleys were under construction, with the rest also being begun. The city had become very popular not only among the Polish Szlachta (aristocracy/nobility) but also among the Lithuanian nobles, who visit regularly every year. Not many remain residents, being nostalgic for their homeland - even though many Lithuanians already feel close to Poland and consider Poland their second home.
Unfortunately, the army was still too small. While there was no competition whatsoever with Poland's western ally and neighbor Germany, the Germany army still outnumbered the Polish troops by 1100! And if there really were more nations other than Germany, Poland, Lithuania, and whomever Germany had come into contact with then Poland must still have been militarily outnumbered compared to them! This would be rectified soon.
In Poznan, a mysterious man, known to many as "The Seer of Poznan" claimed that he saw the future. His two best-known prophecies are:
Code:
"I looked and saw:
A great army from the Burg of Branden
Charge into the south
Across the Sudetenland
To gain vengeance upon a hostile nation
Quickly Praga fell without a chance,
As did the hostile nation
To the great swords of the Burg of Branden.
The Burg of Branden took full control
And the people of that nation accepted the foreigners' ways
And didn't care that their sovereignty was now gone,
Disappeared without a trace"
Code:
"I looked and saw:
A shadow warlord emerge with a lethal sword
Followed by an army of shadows
From an unknown place, without a home.
The army of shadows swept down toward the south
Slashing and thrashing everything in its way,
Seemingly unstoppable, invincible
Until finally they had met their final obstacle.
The shadows eliminated it
And finally settled down
And they built their home,
The throne of emu."
People say that the first prophecy refers to the upcoming German-Bohemian war, while the second may be a reference to the nomadic tribe from the east that is rumored to be at the gates of a city called Kiev. Obviously it is still unknown whether or not these prophecies are true, but if they are, then Poznan may become the center of Slavic Polytheism - which is also the faith of the Seer. If they are untrue then the people will no doubt condemn the Seer and any offspring of disturbing their lives with old wives' tales.
Diplo
From Emperor Charles II of the Polish Imperium
To Germany:
We wish you luck with your campaign against the hostiles. May the Seer of Poznan's prophecy come true.
To Lithuania:
Let's allow people to travel freely across the border to extend the feeling of mutual trust and respect.
Orders
Increase Army by 2000 troops (-2 economies).
Build road between Wilno and Warszawa.
FINISH the Great Shipyards of Gdansk (+3 Navy).
*SECRET* Keep 1000 troops throughout Poland to make sure there are no rebellions and such.
Get 2900 troops to expand north/northeast (to surround Lithuania territorially).
Get 2000 troops to expand towards the south. (these are the troops that are going to be built/hired/whatever right now w/ the 2 economies mentioned in the first line of the Orders)
When the 30 ships are built in the Great Shipyards (completing this turn), get all of them to the Lithuanian coast to prevent any ship from approaching the Lithuanian coast or departing from the Lithuanian coast. Don't shoot Lithuanian ships, just prevent them from leaving. If they ask why, say it's simply for their protection from "rogue pirate ships that are rumored to be treading the Baltic waters".
Send some people across the Lithuanian border (if they don't agree to open the borders for free travel, then SNEAK in) and incite either the people of Kaunas or the army units in Kaunas to start an armed uprising and/or kill the Lithuanian royals. Get a Polish person from Wilno to do it, as the Wilno Poles are somewhat similar in looks and accent to the Lithuanian Lithuanians.*SECRET*
