The Heir of Rome

[Radio Noer]

The night that James and Basil ran into each other was gloomy. Storclouds moved in overhead and the usually refreshing Mediterranean air felt muggy and opressive. The two were heading to their respective homes, not paying much attention to their surroundings. Naturally, when the two ran into each other it was a surprise.

"Hey, watch where you're going!" Basil shouted

"Do you realize that you are talking to the king's former prime minister!" James shouted

"I have no love for the king, why would I care about your 'former position'?"

"You shouldn't, he exercised complete control. I fear for our nation if he stays in power"

"Well it appears we are on the same page then, please come to my house, there is a meeting tonight."

The two went back to Basil's house. Basil kindled a small fire in his humble fireplace and soon people began to come in. They all sat down and had a small but very nice meal and began to talk.

Basil said "So listen, I have this idea but I'll need your help..."

Elsewhere in the empire trouble was brewing. Matthais was building up a formidable army, intent on crushing as much of the world as possible under its feet. However, he feared the Persians to the east most of all, their empire sprawled over vast tracks of land and looked as though it would soon become a dominant world power, for good. However, Matthais realized their cities would not go down without a brutal fight, and began to scheme, hoping to soon get seige engines rolling towards the Persian lands to ensure his armies' victories.

It was about this time that Matthais became very close to Cyrus, hoping to find a weak spot somewhere to exploit, it would be a long and bloody war if he didn't.

"Ah, Cyrus, it is good to see you" Matthais said

"What brings you to my glorious nation?" Cyrus said

"I merely wonder what technologies you may have available to trade, I would love to have our countries be ever closer together"

"Well, I could teach you of my monarchy, if you will give us the machines to make your currency."

"Of course, of course. That would be most wonderful."

Shortly thereafter Matthais' plan began to fall in place. He had tasked his greatest minds to create better methods of Construction, and eventually they did, in the process discovering how to build many other great things including catapults. Matthais immediately ordered the construction of several of these machines and began to assemble forces on the Persian border.

Then, a great scientist was discovered in Thessalonica. This man devoted his entire life to Philosophy and upon his early death his works were published, giving all of Byzantium a powerful bargaining chip.

Then, as Byzantine explorers spread and met others, news was heard of two civilizations, one of the Far East, calling their land China. These were industrious and proud people. They were a harsh comparison to the "Scandanavians" who, it was thought, drank nothing but mead and spent their time plundering and looting innocent villages.

Spoiler :

As the millenium ended, Matthais made one final trade before he warred because he planned on never stopping, one day he would rule the world or be killed trying. He made his trade with Egypt, exploiting favorable relations to gain Monotheism and an excess of gold.

Thus ends part 9.

 

[Radio Noer]

It was as any other day in the Byzantine Empire, there was a certain status quo that was expected and fulfilled. It was calm, but everybody had a sense of purpose, people were working, children were playing. In the central square of Constantinople the clouds rolled languidly overhead as merchants hawked their wares. The buildings on the perimeter were sunbaked, it was like something out of a great painting.

Then it changed. A horn sounded, it was unmistakable. The drills had been practiced for years now. The horn-blower rode on his black steed into the square, sounding the three low, ominous tones repeatedly. The poeple in the square didn't panic, the signs had been evident for months, yet it all felt so surreal.

The country was at war.

It didn't matter with which country they were at war, the craftsmen began working on weapons and catapults.

Spoiler :

And so it began...

Thus ends update 9.5

 

[MaxWar]

War!
I think Cyrus' eyebrow can reach a pretty high amplitude

 

[j_mie6]

Subbed!

 

[Radio Noer]

The war was now in full swing, and already others began to look towards the Byzantine Empire as a potential land to ravage and plunder to bring honor to their civilization. In this case the Vikings were thirsty for war and only looking for a causus belli, which they found when their loose ally Persia was attacked.

However, the Byzantine Empire would survive a two front war quite easily, especially with the Vikings so far away. No, all Matthais had to worry about was Persia and fianancing the war. He went to Rome for a large sum of gold in exchange for Currency, the transaction would keep the Byzantine Empire functioning for a while at maximum efficiency but would soon dry up.

The financial burdens of war weren't helped when Matthais went to Mansa Musa to get Metal Casting in exchange for gold and Construction. Once again the Byzantine Empire seemed to be inching towards disaster by spending so much on a war that had thus far been fruitless.

However, in the year 100 AD a great victory was achieved as Pasargadae crumbled to the might of Byzantine catapults and a brave chariot regiment that rushed inside the city walls and killed the few remaining defenders. The victory and spoils that followed helped keep the Empire afloat even longer and the floodplains that were inherited would be put to use soon enough.

Then, in an attempt to achieve an early and permanent peace, Matthais drafted the basic tennants of Feudalism, including the vassal system, hoping that Cyrus would capitulate without further losses. However, this was but a dream as the Persians fought hard to keep their land and cities, resisting the Byzantine conquerors the entire way.

Matthais used his new technology of Feudalism to gain more money from the Egyptians and it looked as though Byzantium would be able to pull through the war fairly easily, financially at least.

Thus ends part 10

 

[Jwitti]

Dude use Longbows offensively while it's still feasible!

 

[Radio Noer]

"The time is now, come now, let's hurry before our window is closed" Basil whispered

"Are you sure? At this point it seems he would be a martyr" James responded

"Yes, let's not waste our opportunity, are you ready?"

"I suppose I'm as ready as I'll ever be"

The two, alond with three others slowly moved towards the imperial palace...

"Ah, Mansa Musa, it is such a pleasure to see you!" Matthais bellowed, surprisingly happy.

"The pleasure is mine, I understand you would like my Civil Service system?" Mansa responded

"Yes indeed, I am willing to pay a hefty sum too"

"Good because I would like a hefty sum"

Matthais' stomach dropped, Mansa Musa's idea of hefty would surely be much greater than his, with his sagging war economy.

"How hefty, good sir?"

"I simply request Feudalism-"

"That's great, let me get my scribes to give you what you need"

"I'm not done, I'd also like a sum of 260 gold from your treasury"

Matthais gulped, sweat was running down his spine in a cold, terrible trickle. He looked as if he was pondering his own demise.

"I suppose...well, no, I suppose that will do."

Quickly looking for another trade partner, Matthais sold the basic tennants of Monotheism to Joao of Portugal to keep the treasury somewhat full.

Then, as Byzantine armies rolled through the Persian lands, a scouting party from another nation, Mongolia, was discovered. The two nations met and agreed to peace, a precarious neutrality given the Mongolian preference to war.

...The men entered the palace slowly, quietly. There could be no mistakes on this mission. Now was the time for a glorious revolution for the sake of Byzantium. The men snuck into Matthais' room after killing the guards surrounding his inner sanctum. James and Basil stood in the room, sweating profusely, hoping Matthais would soon walk through the door.
Matthais did, he walked into his room without looking, he assumed the guards were occupied elsewhere, it was a common enough occurence. What he didn't see was a faint spot of blood on the bricks outside his room, failed to notice his door was open just a hair. The assassins jumped on him, Basil covered Matthais' mouth while James slit his throat. The two were careful to stage the event as a suicide. They slipped out and became one with the night.

The next day, Matthais was found in his bed, a bloody dagger in his hand, a suicide not stained with blood at his bedside. For the country, the news was bellied with news of victory at Persepolis and Matthais died a martyr. James then announced that he would take the throne as the true ruler of Byzantium and the Era of the Livid Scar began.

Thus ends Part 11.

 

[Radio Noer]

The Era of the Livid Scar began with a series of demands aimed at testing James' skill as ruler. The first demand came from Russia, who tried to get Byzantium to convert to Judaism. James declined, citing that his people were not majorly Jewish and that converting would anger many in the empire.

On the eastern front, the Byzantine forces captured the hilly city of Ecbatana in a brilliant charge by the spear divisions in the Byzantine army, taking the defenders completely by surprise.

Then, the Vikings opted for peace instead of a war that was going nowhere. Paying the Byzantines for the harassment the Viking soldiers participated in.

Soon enough the empire was buzzing with a new technology, Machinery, which promised to make rivers more productive than ever, James smiled and began to tear down the riverside workshops in favor of the new watermills.

Thus ends part 12

EDIT: I feel like this story is dying, I may abandon it for a while in favor of A) an American Mod story or B) to have more time to mod.

 

[j_mie6]

Don't kill the story!

 

[Radio Noer]

I'll hiatus-fy it, maybe I'm just not feeling it today, and besides I have quite a few screenshots I would hate to not use. It'll get finished, just a bit slower I think.

 

[MaxWar]

Yeah, im still reading you updates Radio.

 

[Radio Noer]

The Era of the Jagged Scar is named due to the presence of a grotesque scar on the Byzantine leader, James', face. James uses his scar to his advantage, scaring off foes as well as potential allies during his political career. Thus far it has yet to be determined whether or not this era has been beneficial to the Byzantine people after the untimely death of Matthais.

Julius Caesar strode up and down on the lush carpet in front of James, requesting a complete adoption of Buddhism as a state religion to bring their people ever closer together, or risk pushing them apart. James stopped his pacing.

"I see no reason why my people should have to accept your faith" James said.

"Well, as far as we know, it is a major faith in your empire and this decision would make a great deal of your people happy" Caesar responded.

"Yes, but I would rather maintain neutral relations with other countries, religion tends to be a touchy topic you know"

"True enough, but I sincerely hope-"

"Silence!" James shouted, his scar livid and pulsing. "I told you that we would not convert, what is so hard to understand about that?"

Clearly flustered, Caesar left without further word, scoffing at James' apparent lack of political skill in such an uncertain time.

March 12th, 600 AD
The Roman incident has been the first truly effective use of the scar that I can recall, I sure do hope that James learns to control his temper though. I have a feeling it may all be just a ruse to get his way. All I can say is that I hope his descisions remain wise in the future.
Basil

Soon after, Zara Yaqob came to James, asking for a trade, Aesthetics for Code of Laws. Once again the scar was put to good use. After many hours of negotiating for a reasonable price, James overturned the negotiating table, scar once again pulsating vigorously and demanded a sum of 15 gold in addition to Aesthetics from Yaqob, or, James said, he would sever ties with the Ethiopian Empire. Yaqob quickly agreed, wondering what has caused such a tantrum after such a civil negotiation process.

Word soon came in from abroad that a new land was discovered, a fairly primitive land led by a warlord named Shaka. James formally extended the olive branch and managed not to upset the fragile social stomachs of those present at the time.

James' greatest refusal of all was when the Mongolians demanded a sum of 280 gold from the Byzantine treasury, sparking a national outrage at the audacity of the Mongolians. James confronted Genghis Khan personally and yelled and pounded on the negotiation table and finally walked away without giving in to the Mongolian demands. When he returned home, James was celebrated as a national hero, for refusing to pay tribute to far away barbarians.

Thus ends part 13 (and I'm a lot happier with my writing this time, don't worry, this story is still around to stay )

 

[Radio Noer]

"Genghis Khan, I regret not giving you the gold you wanted earlier, but I hope this will make up for it" James said

"What is it?" Genghis Khan asked?

"It is all my knowledge of Organized Religion, please, take it as a gift."

Elsewhere, Byzantine presence was being felt as Susa was captured, as Persia began to crumble the Byzantine Empire got a window into the Indian Ocean.

Zara Yaqob then came to the royal palace and demanded Civil Service from James' repitoire of knowledge.

"I don't think you know what you're asking for..." James said ominously

"Indeed I do know what I'm asking for, is it not your duty as a world power to help those in need?" Zara asked

"No, it is not, I am not the world's babysitter and refuse to be treated as such!"

Once again the scar writhed and grew livid as Zara backed out of the room slowly, fearful of James' rage.

Soon after, news of a new material, paper, began to be circulated on paper made of wood pulp. Before this time papyrus had made rudimentary scrolls for more important documents and clay tablets were used for more mundane transcriptions. However, the advent of a new paper making method made paper available to all, an important step in cartography and knowledge.

Then, on the new paper medium, came news of a great victory at Gordium, as the heroic axemen of the Byzantine army charged up a well defended fort on a hill and from there, took the entire city.

Thus ends part 14

 

[Radio Noer]

What should I do? James wondered to himself The Persians are willing to negotiate for peace, but if I do negotiate, what will my legacy be? I will have captured three cities, yes, but I haven't destroyed the Persians, our one true enemy thus far. Oh had only Matthais been here to take the fall instead of me. Woe to those with this job, woe to me! I cannot have this war any longer, my legacy will be great, but hopefully not stained with blood. For with the blood of rivals flows the blood of comrades...

James sent a courier under a white flag to the crushed Persian leader Cyrus, asking for peace. The terms were simple, Literature, Horseback Riding, gold, and an annual tribute or continual war would follow. The Persians, seeing no other options, accepted the terms and began the laborious process of rebuilding.

Very shortly thereafter came an astounding event. Guilds began to form in the empire, horseback riding improved and soon enough "Cataphracts" began to be trained.

It seems my plans have changed James thought I do believe that the turbid sea of peace must at times be disturbed by the thundering drums of war...

Thus ends part 15

 

[Sonereal]

I like this story. The rulers of the nation each have a distinct personality which makes reading enjoyable.

 

[MaxWar]

Yes good story!

 

[Radio Noer]

James was growing impetuous, it certainly would be great if he could break out, expand and become a world power. But it would take time and resources. He had trhe resources he wanted, now it was only a matter of time before he launched a full on assault on whichever nation first offended him. But first he had to deal with the city of Damascus, engulfed in Arabian culture and never really part of the realm. He decided to reverse Matthais' conquests of Arabia and give back the unproductive city. This made him quite unpopular with the Byzantine people, it had been so long they had viewed Damascus as part of the empire, yet James knew this was not the case.

Then, the savage Zulus from the southern portion of the African continent came to James for help.

"James, we request your help in our war against the Germans" Shaka said

"Why?" James asked "Why should we use our resources to fight your war?"

"Wouldn't you enjoy the conquests? wouldn't your people glorify you?" Shaka tried playnig to James' ego and political skill

"No, as of right now I am a pariah for ceding Damascus to the Arabians, I cannot afford another drop in approval. My final answer is no"

As Shaka was walking out, quite disappointed, James stopped him.

"This doesn't mean our dealings are done" he said

"What are you talking about?"

"I'd like to make a trade, I'll give you some of our finest furs if you give as an annual sum of gold" James said "Don't forget your people will be greatly pleased with these furs, and will be much happier with them"

"Fine, I believe this deal will work quite well for the both of us."

Thus ends part 16

EDIT: I'm kind of curious as to how you guys would rank the leaders thus far, tell me what you think of each of them.

 

[Radio Noer]

The city was in an uproar. One man stopped on the street to pick up a stone to throw at the statue of James. The statue, even though just erected looked as though it had weathered countless storms. Instead, it was the full anger of the people directed towards it that seemed to cause it to crumble so easily. The people in the city wanted to rejoin their empire under Cyrus. The stonethrower grabbed more stones still and threw them. Now the whole crowd was a seething mass of people, scrambling for anything to throw to show their displeasure towards James' rule. Indeed, Ecbatana was trying to throw of the yoke of percieved Byzantine oppression.

"Ready the troops" James said "If the people do not desire my rule, they will have it forced upon them"

The troops assembled in the central square, helmets gleaming in the noonday sun, swords and shields at the ready, those in front carried simple wooden clubs, James didn't want too much bloodshed.

The crowds started to harass the standing soldiers, throwing rocks now at them, taunting them with jeers. The soldiers shuffled nervously, they were told to hold their ground, but only to attack if absolutely necessary. Then, the crowds moved ever closer, it appeared to the soldiers as though a dark wave was rushing towards them, ready to crash over them and engulf them in chaos.

The captain of the regiment gripped his sword tightly, he lifted his helmet off his head to survey the scene more clearly. He pulled it back down and passed an order.

"Tell the men to ready their shields" he said

"Basil, are you sure?" asked his second in command

"Yes, the crowd is growing hostile and we cannot afford to lose any men." Basil replied

The order was passed, the men crouched, almost imperceptibly, their tall shields swung to their fronts, covering them from the worst stones.

Yet the crowd creeped ever closer, to them, the regiment was an extention of James' rule, and consequently must be done away with.

Basil could accept their relentless advance no further.

"Tell the men to push forward and contain the crowd around the statue" he said.

Basil prayed a small prayer, he hoped that this would not end in bloodshed. The men began to march forward, the edges sweeping in to contain the crowd. Somebody, undoubtedly a foolish man, cried out as a soldier's shield smashed into him when he refused to move out of the way. Soon the crowd was pushed in, nearing the statue, some had fallen when they stayed too closely to the soldiers and were pushed, but the soldiers' march was calculated and swift, soon the crowd was pacified after the worst rabble-rousers were arrested.

James soon heard news of the event and breathed a sign of relief. He had avoided bloodshed and kept Ecbatana in the empire. Soon after he promoted Basil to High Commander of the Byzantine Army for his peaceful reconquest of the town square.

Basil, already good friends with James, was promised the throne, so long as no heir would appear and he smiled a little bit wider and carried his head a bit higher that day.

Spoiler :

 

[Radio Noer]

James strode towards Hatshepsut's palace to make a trade, hopefully a mutually beneficial one. He offered her Guilds for Engineering, which she gratefully accepted.

Then, the Mongol leader came to James and asked for Metal Casting for 35 gold. James smiled at the strange, backwards man and accepted the deal, more out of pity than anything else.

Then, James severed diplomatic ties with Persia as he declared war yet again...

 

[hoplitejoe]

I missed a lot of this story But never fear! I have read all you have done so far and I like it, even if you are playing as Byzantium