The Rise of Erizo, a Rhye's of Civilization China Log

[Tani Coyote]

Neo-Mobius Returns... New Campaign


I understand if you are concerned right now. I seem to have developed a fetish for starting new stories, yes? I'm still working on German and American AoI stories, have plans to do a British one on a modified map, and I'm even working on a Brandenburg AAR in the All Other Games forum. However, since nobody cares for the AARs I do in All Other Games for the most part, that won't be a problem.

After modifying Rhye's awesome map, I have chosen to start up this story again. I have tweaked it so it fits me perfectly. Everything will fall into place.

Given how stagnant the last game was in the beginning due to effing flood plains, I have chosen a far more potent civ to start as... China.

Before we begin, six Civs besides myself have been chosen as the "Great Powers." These countries will be randomly selected, and I will not know who they are until I play. Great Powers are endowed by the Gods, and thus all of them have one of six extra techs to start... the techs being: Writing, Mathematics, Iron Working, Sailing, Currency, and Construction. They also each get an extra worker.

China itself is marked as a great power because it's controlled by the human. My benefit is not techs. Instead, I get 3 workers to start, rather than 1 or 2. I also get an extra warrior. I will have to work for the Great Power technologies.

A little disadvantageous to my position is that I've added more roads to Europe along historic trade routes. This makes Europeans more mobile and more lethal in their quest for land. Furthermore, alongside the Great Power variant, there will also be the fact Europeans start with their capital already settled, allowing for two cities very early. The Americans share in this in that, being a European-descended country and frontier country to boot, they get their capital settled at the start and 1 extra settlers, allowing them to have THREE cities within the first few turns. Finally, the historical Great Powers(Portugal, Spain, France, England and Holland) all get Astronomy as a free tech.

The time for worker jobs have been halved; I do not want it taking forever to develop an economy.

I have no choice but to complete this story for personal reasons.




---

Chapter I: The Dawn of Erizo

Thousands of years ago, the great city of Shadking was little more than a collection of huts distributed across a vast region. They traded with eachother, and even fought eachother. But nothing came of this for a while.

Until of course, the Legendary Chieftan Marius came into the picture. Spreading the word of his god, Shadou, he rallied an army of followers and gradually swallowed up the whole region. A small monument to Shadou until a better, proper temple could be constructed. Until then, Marius now was King of a united capital province, and he intended to expand to every corner of the world.

Shadou granted Marius a gift as part of his success, a powerful, green gem called a Chaos Emerald. With the powers of the gem, Marius' citizens were infused with skills and strength, swelling the ranks of his soldiers and hard laborers. Shadou was quick to withdraw from the scene after this, saying he would return to check on Marius' progress.

On a side note, the Chaos Emerald also granted it's holder immortality, as it was crafted from the divine essence of the gods.

---

Spoiler :

Behold Shadking, the first city of Marius' new state, which he calls "Erizo." Shadou sighs at his subordinate's pun.

Marius' first order is for his workers to move out and build a road in the north; that is where our lone laborer now works the fields. Our spare warrior band of 500 soldiers is sent west along a strange route we've discovered. Shadou mentions this will become a prominent link for Erizo's greatness in the future.

Shadking builds a second warrior in 3850 BC. Our old warrior band moving West is now more expendable. As well, we can protect our workers better in the fields should any less-than-savory neighbors come knocking.

Spoiler :

3850 BC also marks the year where a source of silks is linked up to Shadking, making the populace far more obedient. Marius divides his workers at Shadou's urging; one band heads to connect the second source of Silks, while another heads further west - accompanied by a guard - to irrigate and bring water to the city limits of Shadking.


3700 BC, our warrior band arrived at a strange land in the South, as we could see border outposts. This was done while evading a horde of men riding horses further West.


3650 BC, contact is established; this new neighbor is India. They are relatively benign, not having much of an armed force to threaten us. However, they are one tech ahead.

Spoiler :

3500 BC, our culture expands! The glory of Shadou spreads to more lands, and as a result our line-of-sight and security is greatly increased.


We meet the Koreans in 3450 BC. Marius sees both have technologies we lack, but with the proper maneuvers, we can nab one and use it as leeway to nab the other.

The Yayoi Tribe southwest of India gives us map information, showing us the borders of another country nearby.


In 3350 BC, with gold stockpiled, Marius goes to India to learn the secrets of their Mystic Arts.

Spoiler :

...He accepts! With this deal sealed, Marius can now plan to seize the art of Pottery from Korea.


In 3250 BC, we meet the Persians, who's leader is an ass to us from the start. Good thing he's on the other side of the continent...


In 3050 BC, the Mongols in the North are finally met by us. They lag a bit behind, not possessing Mysticism, yet our advisor mentions they are technologically advanced... could they be one of the Six Great Powers?

Spoiler :

With 2950 BC, a St. Augustine publishes a list of the wealthiest countries in the world:

With the population of Shadking now at level 3, Marius authorises the first wave of expansionism to the Southeast. He has already crafted a road to his intended colony, as can be seen in the above picture.

Knowing Korea cannot expand without a navy if their peninsula is blocked, Marius also dispatches three warriors to manipulate the terrain so that the Koreans cannot expand until they have shipping lanes.


2850 BC, our warrior in the West is surrounded by barbarians shortly after discovering Babylon. Feeling our explorations are sufficient for now, Marius cuts off supplies to the group and says they will need to fall back to Erizo proper if they want any supplies.


2600 BC, we negotiate with the Mongols for some money in exchange for Mysticism:

Spoiler :

2500 BC, our first Settler band is trained, and sent to the Southeast. Erizo will soon wield two cities.

Spoiler :

2450 BC, we found Sondao. This is in honor of the newly-introduced God of the Air, Sonikku. The city will be important, as it is closer to Korea and also serves as another harbor. It is ordered to build a temple so as to strengthen Erizoan influence in the city.


2350 BC, with only 8 turns remaining before we discover Warrior Code, we outright go to Gandhi and ask him for it:

Spoiler :

With our new city, research times can be cut from 40 turns to 21 while still making a profit.


2200 BC, Shadou smiles upon us:

Spoiler :

Marius does, however, growl at his master for deliberately placing the aptly-named tribe near him; Marius himself is distinguished by having blonde hair and blue eyes. Of course, only Marius and Shadou get the joke.


2150 BC, we erect the first Temple to Shadou:

Spoiler :

2100 BC, we erect the first Erizo Barracks in Shadking. We convert to producing another Settler.

Spoiler :

2050 BC, we go to Babylon and negotiate a transfer of the art of Masonry to Erizo.


1975 BC, we trade with Korea:

Spoiler :

Now with 2 more technologies under our belt, Erizo is well on it's way to greatness.

Spoiler :

1800 BC, we found Sukajuria after another recently-arrived deity, Sukaju, known in English as "Scourge." We now have another source of silks as a bonus.


1775 BC, one of our scouts to the far south is massacred by the barbarians. Alas, we at least discovered all of our coastline.


With 1700 BC, another temple has been raised in Sondao, while we also discover...

Bronze working! We can now move on to Iron Working, which will yield swordsmen. From there, we can launch a massive assault against the Koreans.

...We soon learn our own northern neighbor is one of the "Great" Powers:

Spoiler :

No wonder they were running around with Swordsmen, even though they don't have any of the prerequisite techs! It seems they have the powerful iron resource, which we can now indulge in. This is thanks to their stupidity in sharing it with us; we will return to Mongolia in due time not to negotiate, but to demand.

Sure enough, Shadou smiles on us:

Spoiler :

There are sources of iron and horses just west of Shadking! We will hack down the forests in the area and build a grand new settlement to exploit these resources. Once under our control, they can be used to equip hordes of soldiers, who will then march on Seoul.

With that, Chapter I ends.

 

[Tani Coyote]

Chapter II: The Birth of the Erizoan Empire

1650 BC, it becomes apparent that we can construct Sun Tzu's Art of War, the codename for a massive militarisation program, in Shadking after we finish it's granary. We decide to build an archer to protect our workers in the West, then begin enacting the military reforms. Once those are finished, we can expand again. Meanwhile, the forest on top of our future city will be cleared.

1625 BC, The Mongols demand Masonry from us; they're obviously concerned about our signs of expansionism. But we refuse to give it. Perhaps we can sell it instead?

1625 BC, the cultural influence of Sondao becomes apparent and spreads.

1550 BC, the influence of Korea expands, and we are forced to withdraw our temporary blockade. However, there is a benefit: Korea's expansion takes our small claim on Southwestern Korea away from us, giving us a casus belli.

1400 BC, the forest is finally cleared! Our imperial ambitions will be realised within a century.

1250 BC, Nakking is founded, named after the new deity Nakkuruzu, known to some as Knuckles:

Spoiler :

Notice the Mongol Horde moving South. We are doing our best to hinder it's advance into rightfully Erizoan territory.

1225 BC, we purchase Literature from the Babylonians.

1075 BC, a city called Paris, under the "French", completes the Great Library.

1000 BC, we complete the Colossus:

Spoiler :

The Great Statue increases our income significantly by attracting many merchants from around the Eastern seas. These include merchants from recently-discovered Japan.




----





975 BC, the advent of Code of Laws allows us to establish embassies in foreign capitals. We do this with Japan and Mongolia, who could be key partners in the regional picture.

850 BC, we found Mailuzian, named after the deity Mairusu, also called Miles or Tails:

Spoiler :

Notice the city's central strategic location, and the fact that once it and Nakking's borders expand, a fair share of the Silk Road will fall under Erizoan influence.

700 BC, the power of Mathematics is harnessed by our scientists. We will now pursue Marius' greatest idea: a common currency.

690 BC, a loosely-organised municipality comes to exist in the mountains along the Silk Road. When our men demolish a vein of the silk road outside the city, it becomes necessary for travellers to come through this group of villages in order to reach Erizo, and the municipality is hence called...

Spoiler :

The Gates of Erizo.

690 BC is also the year where Mailuzian is connected with Erizo proper, and a flow of dyes from the region hits markets countrywide. With another resource under our belt, Erizo's power and influence is swelling.

680 BC heralds the announcement of the world's most advanced countries:

Spoiler :

Babylon, which is more advanced than us, is all the way at the bottom. We can only imagine what the other, mysterious countries are like.

610 BC, a scouting party discovers the Israelis, who have set up a colony northeast of Persia.

590 BC, our troops enter Persia, which is far more developed than the last time we had men there. However, we take note at the Babylonians, who somehow have stockpiled FIVE THOUSAND gold bars, while at the same time, they have reached the Middle Ages!

---



First Erizo-Korean War(550 BC - 380 BC)

550 BC, with a large amount of troops ready, Marius orders an all-out attack on Korea. We do not desire to destroy the Koreans, but we do desire to take their capital, Seoul, and thus banish them to the history books in terms of significance.

510 BC, Seoul falls:

Spoiler :

No losses were incurred, amazingly. The locals choose to embrace the rule of Erizo, and mass conversions to the faith of Shadou commence; many people had already converted before the invasion, in terms of religion, Erizo and Korea were borderline one country.

Seoul is rechristened Douseoul. Our troops that are leftover move West, catching up to a Korean settler band. We will exterminate them so as to hasten the decline of Korea.

Speaking of the West, we also meet the Ottomans, and the land of "Europe" slowly begins to be drawn by cartographers.

490 BC, a band of Korean spearmen is slain. If we can kill another spearmen and a swordsmen, we will capture a band of Korean settlers.

Sure enough, the Settler band fell with no losses, and two new bands of slaves emerged. They were sent south to oversee the clearing of a new forest. The lumber from said forest would be used to build another port city.

490 BC also heralds the meeting of the Byzantines, who while hostile towards the Turks, still are in the Ancient Age with us. We can probably use them as a launchpad... That in mind, we negotiate to learn the art of Sailing.

480 BC, we implement a new currency policy. By being able to construct more advanced, more efficient marketplaces, the commerce of the empire is expected to skyrocket.

470 BC, we discover the Greeks, relatives of the Byzantines who live further South. Using our Silk Empire once again as a bludgeon, we convince them to part with the secrets of Mounted Combat.

450 BC, it is revealed the Greeks and Byzantines are at war. Marius deems it the "Greek Civil War."

440 BC, Barbarians pillage a segment of the Silk Road in Turkey. This causes the three civilisations there to no longer trust us. Ah well, we acquired technology!

380 BC, the war with Korea finally ends with their submission:

Spoiler :

---





350 BC, we complete the Great Lighthouse, adding a third architectural masterpiece to the streets of Shadking:

Spoiler :

Now, even more merchants can find Shadking's guiding light. As well, more shipping architects move to Erizo with our growing naval assets, allowing any ships we construct to be stronger and faster, especially the latter.

350 BC also has us acquire another technology from the Babylonians. Once we have Construction in 6 turns, we can enter the Middle Ages.

---

This chapter closes with Erizo well on it's way to prominence. With vast economic resources and a steadily accelerating network of technologies, economic growth will not be difficult.

Below you can see the Empire as of 350 BC, with the two future port cities circled:

Spoiler :

In terms of statistics, we control 1% of the world and 6% of it's population. So far, our greatest rival is Mongolia, with 1% of the world and 3% of it's population...

To give an idea of how things are, here's the Power Bar:

Spoiler :

Until next time, my readers! May Shadou watch over you all!

 

[IronMan2055]

However, since nobody cares for the AARs I do in All Other Games for the most part

Hardly...

What is Scourge god of anyway? Mirrors or somesuch perhaps?...

 

[Tani Coyote]

Hardly...

What is Scourge god of anyway? Mirrors or somesuch perhaps?...

Point taken, I'll start putting a disclaimer saying "except IronMan2055" after every time I say that.

I may as well list all the Gods and their qualities while I'm here.


Shadow: God of Spirit/Soul; he is also considered the master of the Sun, Night, Day, and Time usually. Patron of bureucrats and nobles. Pretty much the patron of all forms of authority and power. Adding onto that, he is usually considered the head of the Erizoan Pantheon.

Sonic: God of Water. Patron of travelers and merchants. Also the God of individuality, kindness(mercy, charity, etc.), and freedom.

Scourge: God of Fire and War. Patron of soldiers. Also the God of Death and all kinds of destruction. True to his firey, energetic nature however, he also represents parties and living on the wild - and dangerous - side. A god of destruction and chaos, while also the god of celebration and fun(usually dirty rather than clean). Go figure.

Miles/Tails: God of Air. Patron of scientists and skilled workers. God of invention and knowledge.

Knuckles: God of Earth. Patron of laborers, farmers and the poor. Also the lord of physical strength, agriculture and weapons.

 

[Tani Coyote]

Chapter III: A Medi-Evil Empire

350 BC, word reaches us that the "French" have constructed a massive structure called the Hanging Gardens. The Babylonians then start work on the Great Wall; this is only possible because we are trading them our Silks.

290 BC, we found Shonghai:

Spoiler :

250 BC, an Oracle awakens in Shadking:

Spoiler :

230 BC, with our mastery of construction...

Spoiler :

We have entered the Middle Ages!

210 BC, the Arabs are encountered. Their scholars have mastered the ideals of Republicanism and Theocracy, but Marius does not care for these secondary technologies.

190 BC, Greece and a "Spain" sign a peace treaty; it seems the Greeks are at war with quite a few people! Then a "Germany" does as well!

170 BC, we make contact with the Egyptians!

130 BC, we receive word the "Germans" have been destroyed. It would appear the continent of Europa is rife with conflict if it's residents are being slaughtered!

70 BC, Marius' laborers finish a mass fortification effort in the northern borders of the Empire, meant to keep the Mongols out:

Spoiler :

---

30 BC, the "Dutch" city of "Rotterdam" completes Magellan's Voyage. 30 BC is also the year where we meet the Portuguese, who seem to be the little man surrounded by advanced powers.

Most notably about 30 BC...

Spoiler :

Our ships have careened off course while travelling north, and have uncovered a previously-unknown landmass! What few men managed to return from the voyage told Marius of it's riches, but as of 30 BC, only tundra and ice had been discovered.

Glorifying 30 BC even further is the foundation of Tailzhou further south:

Spoiler :

0 AD, a man named Jesus is born in Judea/Palestine, and will soon found a religion impacting all Europe.




---

10 AD, we encounter the Carthaginians to the West of Egypt.

30 AD, Shonghai completes a Temple. This will trigger another cultural expansion in a few decades, bringing more territory under Imperial Rule.

50 AD, the Turks go to war with the Byzantines.

70 AD, the Romans are contacted thanks to a colony of theirs in Asia, located just East of a Mountain Range called the Urals.

130 AD, we met the Russians. Given their position, it was important to set up an embassy and diplomatic relations.

Most notable is contact with the Americans. Sitting on a throne of gold bars, their leader is contacted by us to negotiate a few trades:

Spoiler :

We then move to Portugal, seizing Monarchy:

Spoiler :

After that, the ruler of Greece is contacted, and sells us the secrets of Fortification.

150 AD, we meet the Iroquois, who are competing with the Americans for land on the West Coast of their landmass.

170 AD, Naknan, near the island of Hainan, is founded:

Spoiler :

You can clearly notice the Barbarian hordes to the West, not to mention the borders of an Indian settlement. Luckily, the barbarians, jungles, and our eventual defensive barrier should prevent India from entering Erizo's rightful territory. With Naknan's founding, we have colonised nearly the entire rich land west of the Himalayas.




---

170 AD also heralds our first contact with the Aztecs.

190 AD, a negotiation with the Americans brings them into the Middle Ages. We fear for their Aztec and Iroquois neighbors.

230 AD, we finally meet the fabled Austrians. They are extremely advanced, having every tech we can research.

250 AD, we make contact with the Dutch. For 260 gold, they give us a detailed paper inscription of all Europe... or a map of it. From this new map, we determine the Austrians to be the supreme hegemon of Europa, controlling 9 cities. Russia and France are close seconds for the position... it seems Europe is a powder keg ready to go off. We can abuse this in the future.

270 AD, we make contact with the Mayans of Central America.

290 AD, we meet the French ruler. With the French encountered, our link of contacts is Europe is quite solid.

290 AD, we also encounter the Inca of South America.

350 AD, we encounter the English.



--- The Golden Decades: 360-380(370) AD ---

370 AD, the French occupy Madrid, destroying the Kingdom of Castile/Spain. The Portuguese claim the crowns of Grenada and Aragon.

We also discover Feudalism, ending our 2-settler rampage. We now must use 3-citizen settlers.

Spoiler :

In Shadking, architects from Roman Pisa complete the Leaning Tower in Shadking. The fact these defectors bestowed a monument upon Erizo convinces the Romans to open up their hearts and mind, and, rallying national sentiment, they re-style themselves the Italian Empire.

A whopping 3 cities are settled in one turn. Sukanming is settled in the far South, and once it's borders expand, will give us the long border necessary to block rivals from entering inner Erizo. Shaddong is settled in central Erizo. Sonfeng is settled a little further northwest of that.

Now with so many accomplishments, Marius sets to make more. He goes to the Dutch, seizing the tech of Invention by trading them the techniques of fighting sieges.

Parting with 1, 425 units of gold, we acquire Chivalry and the secrets of a public education system from the Greeks.

855 gold makes the Romans grant us the secrets of Alchemy.

...A quick check with Austria reveals they have no more technologies to trade! We have officially caught up with the Europeans, and hopefully, this progress can be maintained.

Marius deems the years from 360 AD to 380 AD the "Golden Decades", due to the vast number of accomplishments, discoveries, and expansions achieved.

This chapter ends with a vastly expanded Erizoan Empire:

Spoiler :

 

[Auralia]

Ooooo, settle Sweet Potato Island! (Taiwan)

 

[Tani Coyote]

@ Auralia: You'll notice I have a settler outside Tailzhou. Once I get a navy established down there, I will move on Taiwan. And I need a navy, believe me. There's effing pirates to the South.

 

[DJ Bonebraker]

....So when are you going to come up with one of your excellent world maps?

 

[Civ2player]

Ooooo, settle Sweet Potato Island! (Taiwan)

Hahahahahaha, I wonder where you got that from!

 

[Tani Coyote]

@ Hikaro: Soon enough, Hikaro, soon enough!

 

[Tani Coyote]

Chapter IV: The Boring Centuries

390 AD is the end of an era; the Ottomans capture Constantinople. Europeans begin to cast a weary on the Turks, who now have control of much of the Black Sea and are ready to push into Europe; it doesn't help they are training schools for Islamic religious fanatics.

390 AD, a great military reform causes all Archers to become Firelancers, and all Spearmen to become Pikemen. Our military potency is greatly increased, and Marius plans to unleash it upon the Mongols.

450 AD, we complete our Intelligence Agency. Marius has troops moved to defend Sonfeng, which Mongol Mungadai are drawing closer to. He fears they may press an attack. Though he also knows that when push comes to shove, it is likely Erizo's capabilities far outweigh Mongolia's.

470 AD, the Mongols move deeper into our territory rather than attacking. What could they be up to?

510 AD, our explorers finally manage to sail around the southern tip of South America. America is named after the foreign-born explorer who worked for the Erizoans, Amerigo Vespucci.

510 AD is also the year where we teach the secrets of Republicanism to the United States(they promptly go into anarchy) for a hefty fee, and then we use that money to purchase the secrets of Magnetism from the Italians. With that, we are free to buy Astronomy for the lowest price from Europe's colonial powers. For 390 gold and Siegecraft, the Portuguese part with the secrets of Astronomy. They are also the weakest of the Colonial Powers besides England.

With those secrets, we purchase the maps of India, Arabia and America, not to mention the Inca and Egyptians. Much of Africa, the Americas and even our home continent of Asia is revealed.

550 AD, Tailzhou completes a temple district, and soon, the town's borders will expand, securing our hold on the coastline.

610 AD, the Turks simulatenously finish the Black Stone and Holy War. They claim the title of the Islamic Caliphate following the arrival of Muhammad of Arabia to lead them. (Coincidentally, the real Muhammad received his first revelations in about 610!)

610 AD is also the year where we deposit a band of settlers on Formosa/Taiwan. Within a few decades, the island will be solidly Erizoan. Speaking of the area, two of our galleasses then turn their attention to the local pirates, and two pirate junks are sunk. Thanks to the battles, we discover an island southeast of Erizo proper, east of Southeast Asia. Marius marks this on his list of potential colonies.

630 AD, we found Tailpei:

Spoiler :

710 AD, the borders of our southern towns fully expand, creating a solid border to help keep foreigners out of inner Erizo.

730 AD, in the face of a decling technological rate with the European leaders, Marius opens his reserves and takes out a potent weapon: his world map. With it, we manage to acquire Firearms, Metallurgy, and Mercantilism. This is also a byproduct of using gold proceeds from selling the map abroad.

As a consequence of the above transactions, the Great Wall is rendered obsolete and walls vanish across the empire. But now, we have powerful artillery and gunpowder, minimising the usefulness of fortifications.

790, two new cities are founded:

Spoiler :

Nakksa in Tibet. The Tibetans have formed a guerilla camp that can be noticed not too far from the city. However, most Tibetans welcome the new Erizoan occupiers. Once Nakksa's borders expand, there will a be great surge in Erizoan territory; we will even cut into the Babylonian territory to the West.

Further east, the city of Hejjihoggu, founded by emigrants of diverse backgrounds and cultures, is founded:

Spoiler :

Hejjihoggu is the first city in the Americas founded by the empire, and by the Old World countries. Marius already has plans, however, for an Operation: New World Order.

830 AD, Marius manages to monopolise the African slave trade:

Spoiler :

While he views slavery as being somewhat unfavorable(i.e. immoral), he views it as strategically necessary. Slaves will help fill Erizo's slight labor shortage. As well, they are generally taken on the condition they are not worshippers of the Erizoan faith. This means that to escape slavery - which is primarily an Erizoan trade at the moment - one merely need convert to the faith. This will help to spread the faith throughout Africa, expanding Erizoan influence.

 

[Tani Coyote]

Chapter V: Operation: New World Order

Marius saw plenty of virgin, untamed land and resources in the New World. With the exception of the Americans - who the Erizoans had pulled out of the dark ages - all the countries there were savages. They were primitive and weak. And now with a growing navy and growing army, Marius came to one conclusion: he had to conquer the New World and tap into it's resources. His first target would be the Aztecs, a country declining and at risk of being gobbled up by the Americans.

910 AD, we discover Military Tradition. By selling this across the board, we gain thousands of units of gold from our European rivals. To give an idea, the treasury jumps from a few hundred gold to nearly 6,000 gold.

930 AD:

Spoiler :

More Italian defectors have come to work in glorious Shadking, and Leonardo da Vinci forms his workshop there.

950 AD, as a consequence of the constant warfare tearing Europe and Central Asia apart, the Mongols finally conquer the Koreans. Our old enemy has been finished off by an old rival.

970, we encounter the Ethiopians, who are small and backwards.

990, we found Dou Viet in Vietnam:

Spoiler :

1000 AD, the Zulu are encountered. It can be safely said that all the major powers of the world now have contact with Erizo.

1010 AD, Marius launches Operation: New World Order. The Aztec army numbers about only 18 units, and 17 Erizoan units are deployed outside one of the Aztec cities. Marius decrees that the war will not end until the Aztecs have been banished from the face of the Earth.

After deploying our soldiers, our naval vessels return to Erizo proper, where they will load up with more reinforcements to fight the Aztec menace.

1020 AD, our philosophers develop the idea of Absolute Monarchy. While it sounds nice, Marius does not want anarchy when at war, and any change in governance will have to wait until the Aztecs are purged. This secret is sold to France, the Turks and Italy for over 8,000 units of gold.

With no losses, we capture Tlaxcala:

Spoiler :

We do however, kill one of our redlined units and all captured workers so as to hurry the construction of a Harbor. Once a harbor and therefore a connection with the motherland is established, we will be able to easily crush the Aztecs by using their own cities as training centers for our feared firelancers and lancers. We move our entire army into the city, though 2 redlined units stay behind. Given the AI tactic of cheap shots, we expect them to die the coming decade.

Sure enough, the Aztecs attack our wounded Swordsmen, killing both units and enslaving one of them.

1030 AD, we avenge the losses of our comrades by slaying both transgressing forces with no losses. We may now march on Tenochtitlan.

With no losses, 2 Aztec units in the capital are slain, and we enter a Golden Age! We then kill 4 or so more Aztec units with no losses. Unfortunately, the Aztecs still have enough units to repel us.

1040 AD, we lose one unit to kill an Aztec unit. We then begin to kill off the Aztec defenders, until...

Spoiler :

Tenochtitlan is ours! We capture several nobles and the Aztec Emperor, and Marius orders the execution of them all for resisting the Erizoan invasion. A few nobles do escape, and manage to install a transitional emperor in Texcoco to the North. Marius responds by finding the infant son of the Emperor, putting him on the throne to assert the Erizoans' legitimacy; Marius naturally has himself named regent.

1060 AD, while we lose one or two units, we capture Tlatelolco:

Spoiler :

1070 AD, the Portuguese are defeated in their war after centuries of holding back nearly the entire weight of Europe and Africa. The Italians claim Portugal proper, while the French claim Grenada, and merge all of their Iberian territories into Spain. Spain itself is ruled in personal union with France.

1070 AD is also a year where somehow, several of the European powers jump into the Industrial Age! How do they keep getting so high in technology?!

1070 AD, we capture a recently-formed Aztec settlement, burning it to the ground. Leftover troops load into galleons bound for the new Aztec capital.

1080 AD...

Spoiler :

We enter the Industrial Age! Marius imprisons the new intellectuals that start to question the power of the Erizoan Gods.

1090 AD, we capture Teotihuacan:

Spoiler :

This leaves the Aztecs with only one city, Texcoco. Once that falls, we can begin the absorption of the Aztecs into the empire.

We take Texococo:

Spoiler :

But the Aztecs live! The Emperor, a personal guard, and a selection of citizens have all fled north, and can be seen in the picture. But Marius has plenty of men left, and orders them to pursue the Emperor and slay him.

We have confirmation! We finish the goal with no losses:

Spoiler :

With this turn, this chapter ends. After 80 years, the Erizoan Empire has defeated the Aztecs, and programs of assimilation are undertook. Mandarin is taught within the confines of the growing Aztec education system, while temples to the Erizoan pantheon also begin to be erected. The whole territory is re-organised into the Viceroyalty of Mexico(after Marius, as regent of the Aztec Emperor, approves the treaty of annexation), named after what the Aztecs called themselves; the Mexica. Settlers begin to move to the vastly-depopulated region, mating with the locals and creating a mixed-blood population mostly loyal to Shadking.

With the absorption of the Aztecs, we rule 5% of the world's area and 10% of it's population. America, our largest competitor, has 3% of the land and 7% of it's population.

The power bar with the fall of the Aztec Empire:

Spoiler :

And of course, the millenia-awaited world map:

Spoiler :

 

[Civ2player]

You wrote that fast O.o

 

[Tani Coyote]

You wrote that fast O.o

I record all my logs on a separate document and then copy/paste here with pictures. I WISH I could type that fast!

 

[Tani Coyote]

Chapter VI: The Enlightened Despot of the East

Marius decides it's time to reform the government so as to be a match for Europe and the world. Marius knows that the more bureaucracy there is, the less efficient and profitable things tend to get. As such, he agrees to slowly let go of his hold on power.

Spoiler :

1120 AD, the Reform is complete! While a strong police presence remains evident, and political freedoms are few and far between, economic freedom explodes, with more loans being given to entrepeneurs while the power of the elite is hacked into(this also has the benefit of allowing Marius to become more powerful himself; he empowers the little man while also destroying the rich man). Taxes are simplified and lowered, allowing more money to flow throughout the hands of the common people while also cutting down on government bureaucracy(and therefore the costs needed to maintain that bureaucracy, and therefore taxes, and more bureaucracy, etc. A vicious cycle). The greatest reform is allowing more and more private businesses to start and take over most economic tasks, and thanks to competition, production surges.

Now as an Enlightened Despot, Marius wields absolute authority, but claims the mandate to power not only because of the Gods, but also because of the fact he rules with the peoples' interests at heart. And with that, he claims the interest of both the people and the state - land and wealth - is in Central America, ruled by the Mayans. Already, Marius' hordes are gathering to take the entire region, therefore establishing another bastion of Erizoan power.

In the same region, Marius finally officially renames all the cities of Mexico.

1130 AD, we buy Steam Power from Russia even though we're 2 turns away. This is because Marius wants to harnass the power of mass transport immediately.

1140 AD sees the Italians conquer Adrianople and much of the central Balkans from the Greek Empire.

1150 AD, a source of coal is finally linked up with the empire. We can now proceed with the construction of a national railway system. Before a decade has even passed, 4 tiles have railroads, and Mailuzian and Sonfeng have the honor of being the first Erizoan cities linked by rail.

1160 AD, Spanish refugees - who have defected to Erizo, of course - found the city of Isla del Norte de Shado - or "Northern Island of Shadow" southeast of Tailswan:

Spoiler :

Naturally, these refugees have forsaken Catholicism and have converted to our faith, so as to facilitate this imperial grant of territory. Their first order of business is of course a harbor to link up with their benefactor's homeland; the Emperor(Marius of course) threatened to send the army if they did not get back into contact within 10 years.

1160 AD is also the year where the railway is extended all the way to Shadking. Our goal is to extend it to the frontier city of Nakking, and then back East along the coastline.

Spoiler :

1170 AD, we found Isla del Sur de Shadow - or "Southern Island of Shadow" - in the south of the island chain that the Isla del Norte de Shadow is located in. Some crazy Spaniards wanted to name this chain the "Philippines" after their last King, Philip, but they were quickly "silenced" by their fellow Spaniards lest they offend the Emperor.

Also, Nakking and Sondao join the railway network. And the refugees on Isla del Norte sure enough barely manage to meet their deadline; they construct a harbor and immediately go about erecting shrines in honor of their new gods.

1180 AD, Shonghai is added to the railway. The same goes for Douseoul and Sukajuria. Other than that, a quiet turn.

1190 AD, Egypt and France sign a pact of mutual protection. This is the first true alliance of the Industrial Age.

Spoiler :

We also discover Industrialisation, giving us more technological opportunities. As well, the flow of so much wealth into the hands of the common laborers opens up the possibility of giving them some power... Marius decides to embark on a campaign of Universal Suffrage. Said suffrage, however, will be really limited it's power; voters will be able to elect local and municipal administrators(though candidacy has to be approved by the Emperor himself!) as well as the power to elect representatives to the Advisory Council, a symbolic organ of government tasked with carrying the people and interest groups' concerns to the Emperor.

Most notably about 1190 AD, we FINISH the coastal railway! Every city along the Erizoan coast now is connected, and the Emperor prepares the epic task of creating railways that wind through the hills and mountains of inner Erizo. Shortly after he begins, Shaddong is connected to the network.

1200 AD, in Mexico, a railway extends all the way from the northwest to the southeast, connecting three cities. The two other cities will be built into it in the future, but the "Spine of Mexico" will help to carry regional reinforcements to the front against the Maya when war comes.

1210 AD, Nakksa in Tibet is linked with Erizo. The only homeland city no longer connected is the Gates of Erizo.

 

[IronMan2055]

To Sonistralia!

 

[Tani Coyote]

Chapter VII: "Operation: Without a Trace..." and (the Captivity of) the Babylonians...

At the end of 1210 AD, Erizo's vast New World army - some 32 units, mostly offensive mixed with defense, mostly veterans mixed with elites - were given the order to invade the Mayan Realm as part of a military campaign called "Operation: Without a Trace." The Mayans themselves only had an army of some 50 units, most of which were horribly trained and equipped compared to the Imperial forces.

1220 AD, the foolish Mayans lose 2 units trying to kill our invasion force; we suffer no losses. They also send the massive bulk of their army towards our southermost Mexican settlement.

1220 AD also brings the completion of the transition to universal suffrage:

Spoiler :

With this new program, the people's loyalty can be bought more easily. Meaning, they won't be as anti-war in particular.

Now, for the action!

The first move is to attack Chichen Itza, the capital and epicenter of the Mayan Empire. In the first battles, Lancers kill 2 Slingers without being injured.

Shortly after, 4 Lancers kill 3 Javelin Throwers, while one is forced to retreat after damaging a Javelin Thrower.

Then, a third battle for the city begins. 3 Lancers kill 2 Javelin Throwers; we lose one Lancer, the first loss in the battle for the city.

The next set of battles, 2 Lancers kill 1 Javelin Thrower; 1 of the Lancers is slain. The end result of these battles is that Slingers take up the defense!

In another round, 4 Lancers kill 1 Slinger and 3 Javelin Throwers. SWORDSMEN take up the defense.

One last Rider unit goes into combat, slaying the final Swordsmen:

Spoiler :

The city is ours! Just like his Aztec cousins, the ruler of the Mayan Empire is executed, as are all members of the nobility who have ties to the monarch or who participated in the defense of Chichen Itza. The remaining nobles are integrated into Erizoan society, and some even choose to join our forces in battle as commanders.

Having lost what must have been at least 1/4 of it's army, the Mayan Empire has another 25 units or so are within striking distance of our border regions. Once these pests are slain, conquest of the Mayan realm should not be difficult.

A spy planted in the new Mayan capital - Copan, set up by nobles and royal family members in the area - reveals the currently-remaining Mayan troops to number 50. This means that we just eliminated only 1/5 of their pre-war force.

At no losses, 4 of the invading Mayan units are slain, clearing a path back into Mexico. This means the Mayans have lost 19 out of 65 military units. With that done, Marius boldly orders an assault on the Mayan army in the hills. With no losses, we kill 10 units. The Mayans now have lost 29 out of 65 units, nearly half their forces! To put it into perspective, the Erizoan Army has only lost a mere 2 units.

Topping the triumph in Latin America is the fact the Gates of Erizo are linked up to the railway! All of mainland Erizo now is linked by rail.

1230 AD, America signs a protection pact with France, probably scared about Marius one day getting hungry for some more land to the north.

10 units from the Mayan Empire now lay within our borders. Marius plans to kill every last one; a group has even burrowed into the jungle.

The Elite leader of the band is slain; he is revealed to be one of the highest nobles of the Mayan Empire. His unit is the first loss.

The enemy has lost 1 of it's 10 unit invasion force. That soon becomes 2. Then 3. And while we redline another unit, we do lose one Rider. But a small defeat yields a greater victory; we resume killing another with no losses. We then lose another of course, but we redline a Slinger. But then the Mayans lose 2, while we lose none. Then we kill 2 more, while freeing enslaved soldiers. 8 of the 10 Mayan units now lie dead.

Our data reports indicate that the Mayans still employ 30 units. With no losses, that drops to 28.

In infrastructure news, Chichen Itza is linked up the Mexican railway system. As well, a recent cultural expansion closes the last pocket of non-Erizo territory within the mainland, solidifying our rule after 5,000 years of struggle.



---

1240 AD, the Golden Age of Erizo finally ends. Alas, it was a good time.

1240 AD also brings another expansion of the empire.

People of European descent - primarily northern, and primary English - established two towns on a new island far to the South. Many Europeans had migrated to Erizo to escape ethnic/religious(Scandinavians, Spaniards, and Portuguese in particular) persecution, but many people of English descent came for a different reason: war. England had been fighting wars with continental Europe for so many centuries it had lost count, and while Britannia maintained it's independence, much of it had been pillaged and ravaged by enemy armies every few years. The carnage was so great in fact, that continental forces actually took over Ireland and burned the English settlement there. And so, many Anglos looked for a way out... most of Europe hated them just because of their origin, most of the world outside Europe was backwards... so that left only one area where they could still get a touch of European-esque civilisation: Erizo. The land of the East was a land of mystery, wealth and opportunity. It was an America(the Americans, after seeing how successful Erizo was with using immigrants to build up it's glory and strength, had copied the tactic) of the East.

Led by an English captain, the settlers finally arrived at a new land. It was uncharted by nearly every power, and the closest enemy settlement was a crappy Indian town far to the north, near the Straits of Malacca. Seeing the barren, horrid conditions of much of the inner continent, the colonists deduced this land must have been the domain of Scourge, who's primary domain was suffering, death, destruction, etc. Plus, the burning heat helped make them think of the Green Devil. Settling near the coastline(the coast of the continent seemed to be the ONLY area hospitable to life), they decreed the entire continent Scourgestralia, and claimed it for Erizo.

Two towns were founded: The first was called Hopetown, as the mostly-Anglophone migrants HOPED that they would have a better life, free from the carnage of England, half a world away. The second was called Scourgemouth, named after the deity in question. The -mouth, while being a normal ending for a town name, also was a pun: the desert of the Green Devil could easily swallow the settlers if they did not respect it, live within their means, and above all, respect Scourge himself.

Spoiler :

--

On to the battles!

Losing 2 units, we kill 3 Mayans. The most devestating battle of the war!

The Mayans are left with a mere 26 units. We boldly invade the Mayans' own territory afterwards and kill 1 more unit, bringing total enemy armed forces to 25.

After registering the enemy only has 9 units in Copan, we decide to attack the city.

We kill 3 units with no losses. Then we lose a cavalry, but he does manage to do some damage before going down. Then, another Mayan dies. Then another, bringing total enemy losses to 5. Then to 6. 7..8..9!

Copan is ours:

Spoiler :

However, the new Mayan ruler is far more wise than the last, and he managed to retreat south just in time to avoid capture and execution.

Strangely, despite having 16 units, only 3 are discovered in Copan! Since it would take only 1 movement point to attack, Marius orders an assault.

Sure enough, the city of Palenque falls:

Spoiler :

For some reason, the idiots chose to station all their men in forts further south. With the fall of their last settlement, the groups disband into guerillas, who are taken care of within a decade.

But alas, the Mayans have been defeated; their leaders and their independence have all been sent to the depths of Scourge's belly!

With the Mayans fully defeated, Marius makes plans to disband Palenque as a political unit, and replace it with two new settlements; one further northwest, and one further south that will function as a canal. Once accomplished, full renaming of cities will begin.

----

In a short campaign of 30 years, the Erizoan Empire's American dominions have extended all the way to the thin isthmus connecting the two Western continents. All these territories are added to the Viceroyalty of Mexico.

A map of the post-Mayan world:

Spoiler :

As well, we now control 7% of the world's land and 11% of it's population. The Americans have 4% of the land, while the Austrians have 8% of it's population.

---

However, the turns passed have been too short to end here. We must pursue action elsewhere... can you say... the Babylon Club?

With some of the best units and an expensive railway network, we can begin to absorb our neighbors. Babylon is an excellent candidate; it is an empire fragmented all over the map with two small cities bordering Western Erizo. Since we first met, Marius has always had his eyes set on taking parts of Babylon; they have occupied the historic Silk Road for millenia.

But first, we must build up our homeland forces before we even consider any invasions. Galleons are sent East to pick up as many troops as possible, while we also begin mass construction of new military units.

1250 AD, Babylon goes to war with Italy. This may pull troops away in due time, and thus leave the flanks exposed to a hungry neighbor.

1250 brings bad news:

Spoiler :

Marius' only words are: "Oh god, not again..."

1250, we discover that Forest Hills, if chopped down, create grasslands. Ohhhhh the exploits to be had in Siberia!

We drain some marshland to the north, and the exhausted laborers there honor their patron by settling the area and calling it Nakkaruzu:

Spoiler :

With Nakkaruzu settled, plans are made to expand further northwest into the northern wastes. Most importantly, expansion will acquire gold and furs for our empire.

Knowing chances are Hopetown will soon be ravaged by a massive barbarian horde(therefore costing us much of our treasury), Marius decides he must purchase what he can from the European powers.

Parting with 1150, we gain Enlightenment from the Italians. 2,760 gains us Nationalism from the French. 1,350 nabs Chemistry from the Russians. 2,507 also gains Democracy from the Russians.

The amount of gold in the treasury plummets from 11,000+ to a mere 3,300+. However, Erizo now has gained all the technologies it needed from Europe. It will also minimise losses from the coming barbarian invasion.

1260 AD, the Ottomans go to war with Greece. This will be a pretty war.

Sure enough, the savages manage to pillage Hopetown. We lose over 1,000 gold. Oh well, that's better than a projected 6,000+ loss.

---

1270 brings a war between the Arabs and Babylon. While Babylon occupies itself with it's southern neighbors, we should press our attacks.

Marius knows the country's becoming tight on finances, and negotiates with France to raise the 17 gpt for Silks and Dyes to 31 gpt.

1270 also brings the completion of a massive financial district(Wall Street) in Shadking. This gives us an addition 50 gpt. In just one turn, financial prosperity has returned to Erizo.

A quick search of Babylonian territory reveals about 40+ units are scattered throughout their Asiatic possessions. There's also about 10 more units running amock in Siberia.

1280 AD has Marius proclaim a Constitution of sorts in Shadking. This makes citizens happier, of course, to know that Marius is willing to guarantee the rights and priveleges of the citizenry on paper as well as in practice.

1280 AD, the Black Death hits Sukajuria.




--- The Babylonian Captivity ---

As well, Marius deduces it's time to attack. He has several companies of powerful riflemen to escort his units into the mountains of the west, and a large army of cavalry to do the talking. War is declared on the Babylonian Confederacy.

1290 AD, the Babylonians get the _Zulu_ to declare war on us. What fools. They want to play the military alliance game, mm? In response, we get the Mongols as allies.

As well, the Italians take Sparta in southern Greece.

1290 AD is also the year we receive the technology of Steel. While this gives us the power to create the Eiffel Tower and therefore have all commercial improvements automatically paid for, it renders Sun Tzu's Art of War obsolete.

...The Black Death spreads to Mailuzian. @#$%!

Marius orders the construction of barracks in several of the cities; the dumb obsoletion has rendered all but Douseoul and Shadking naked in terms of barracks.

---

We attack Ashur. We kill 1 enemy unit with no losses; the next battle has us lose a unit while damaging the enemy. Then another of our cavalry dies, after several enemies have been injured. But then the joke is on the Babs, we kill 1 of their men. Then we lose a 3rd unit of ours. And in a classic tug-of-war, we kill the next Bab without loss.

After the back-and-forth continues, we finally capture Ashur:

Spoiler :

Estimated losses are 5 units or so. But the losses were worth it; Babylon now has one less base from which to harass us.

Marius dispatches laborers to extend the railway at Nakksa to Ashur, so as to integrate it into our defense strategy as well as our economy.

Having enough spare troops, Marius orders all free cavalry and a few bands of riflemen to the borders of Nineveh.

Before ending this turn, Marius is sure to get the Egyptians as allies by bribing them with some Silks. This also serves to cut off the Babylonian iron colonies. We also get the Indians, so as to attack the Babylonian colony to the south of the Indian Empire. Babylonia's forces should be distracted now, allowing us to focus on taking their colonies. Even the Turks and Israelis agree to pitch in, causing the whole of the Babylonian Confederacy to be under threat. We would bribe Persia, but we don't want them getting ambitious and going after Nineveh.

---

1300 AD, France's pact with Egypt activates, and the French declare war on Babylon. The Egyptians, meanwhile, torch the Babylonian iron colony.

...The Black Death hits Mailuzian.

We start by using our new lethal artillery barrages. We destroy the walls of Nineveh, thanks to the artillery's two-tile striking range.

While we lose two cavalry, Nineveh falls, taking Babylon's source of camels with it:

Spoiler :

Thanks to the massive population/production booms east, and the conquest of the city, we now control 8% of the world and 13% of the population. Our closest competitor in population is Austria, with 8%.

Our workers move fast, building a railway all the way from Ashur to Nineveh. Troops can directly access the front lines.

---

We lose a Rider and a Cavalry, but we manage to eliminate the two Babylonian Pikemen blocking the way to Babylon.

Marius, after seeing a massive Babylonian Army heading through Persia, decides to get the Persians as allies.

1310 AD:

Spoiler :

French immigrants complete the Eiffel Tower! The Europeans surely must by now know the price of constant warfare; the greatest minds all immigrate to Erizo to apply their skills there, rather than risk being drafted or having their livelihood destroyed by war. The tower's completion also attracts many businessmen, who begin to take over(i.e. this wonder pays for them) our banks and financial assets(harbors especially), running them far more efficiently than the government. The result is a decreased strain on the imperial budget, and a sharp increase in tax revenue(about 70 gpt).

We plant a spy in Babylon. We learn they have about 66 units total in their employ. We guess about 10 of these are wandering around near Siberia, so the Mongols should make short work of those.

As we go about building a railway through Persia so as to have easy access to Babylon, we discover about 18 Babylonian units are on the outskirts of Persia. Feeling we should lend our allies a hand, we order all free cavalry to the desert to kill some Mesopotamian fools.

We lose a cavalry, but kill off 2 Bab spearmen.

Before we proceed to attack the others, we build a fortress, and then a barricade, on the outskirts of Persia to protect workers building a railway there. It is garrisoned with 5 Riflemen, and we hope the Babs take the bait. For interest, we send some Riders and Fusiliers; the Riders kill off the remaining 3 Babylonian units in that tile and retreat to the fortress.

1320 AD, the Zulus align with France against Babylon, shattering the once-unified alliance.

We begin this turn by slaying two Babylonian units with no losses. They have been reduced to 44 units. This soon drops to 41 with no losses. Then to 39, with the loss of one cavalry.

With the way to the city cleared, 23 units enter Babylonia Proper's territory. If it falls, the Confederacy is sure to dissolve. It is composed of 4 riflemen, 1 fusilier, 1 Rider, and the rest are all Cavalry. Babylon itself is defended by 12 units, 2 of which are swordsmen. Within reinforcement distance are 5 units, 1 of which is redlined. It is hoped that the Babylonians will massacre several of their troops against our powerful riflemen.


---


1330 AD, the Egyptians come to us for a mutual protection pact. As nice as that would be, we do not want an entangling alliance that could harm our trade status. We reject their offer.

1330, RUSSIA joins the anti-Babylon dogpile. France seizes Athens, evicting Greece from Eurasia. They even take Knossos in South America. The last Greek-controlled city on Earth is Thermopylae in Cape Verde.

Once more, the Black Death hits. It strikes Dou Viet and Scoxcoco.

The Assault on Babylon begins!

The first unit in softens up the Babylonians, while being killed themselves. Then we lose another, softening them up again. The next unit retreats after halving an enemy unit's strength. The next one retreats... The next unit brings the first kill! Another unit retreats after redlining the enemy.

Babylonian Pikemen now take up the defense. 1 Pikeman is gunned down. Another cavalry dies after weakening the enemy. Then we kill another without loss...

Now, all enemy units showing up are damaged. The first unit to try and defend against us is killed. Then 4 more enemies die. Then we lose another cavalry...

After numerous simulations with suicidal teenage volunteers, Marius decides that the attack should not be pursued anymore. We can try it again in 10 years when we have more men, but until now, Babylon remains independent. We expect our allies to be vile bastards and take the 3- or 4-unit defended city, profiting of our sweat and blood.

1330 AD is also the year where the Russians and French compete to host a new international event: the Olympic games. Wanting in on the pie, Marius buys the prerequisite techs and prepares to host the games in Shadking, even while at war with the Babylonians.

Russia parts with the secrets of radio communication for 1300+ gold. With this new technology, we can host the Olympics. Good, considering the Greeks are in no position to do it themselves.




1340 AD, we discover Combustion! A new resource known as oil now appears to us, and we can build advanced troop transports now, not to mention DREADNOUGHTS. We also gain a scientific leader.

Somehow, Babylon does not fall; one unit is left breathing.

...2 more cities are hit by the Black Death.



The battle of Babylon resumes. We kill their new crossbowmen unit with no losses.

The last unit dies without loss:

Spoiler :

Babylon is ours! Observe the hordes of allied units around the city. ...Also observe the fudgingg Black Death has spread there as well.

The Confederacy collapses, with Ellipi and Akkad, in south India and West Africa respectively, becoming even more autonomous than before. They agree to form the Ellipi-Akkad Confederacy instead.

Marius personally visits Babylon to try and win the locals over. He comments how the city feels "familiar", and shortly renames it Shadolon. He also notices Babylon's wines; we are now freed from another imported good.


With an appetite for oil, Marius has workers dispatched to link up two new sources of it with the empire.

The scientific leader in Shadking, codenamed "Confucius", initiates an Age of Science.

Plans are made to invade Ellipi. The total combined enemy forces are.... TEN units. This battle should be easy.



---

1350 AD, the Persians - knowing Marius has his eyes on Persia's oil supplies - try to get us to sign a pact of mutual protection. We politely decline.

The Olympic games are hosted for the first time in 1350 AD:

Spoiler :

Marius decrees the Olympic games shall be held every 4 years...

.... ALWAYS in Erizo. He is not a fan of "sharing" such an event with his rivals. They will come to Erizo and acknowledge it's superiority!

Our first Dreadnought is launched! It is christened the EIS(Erizo Imperial Ship) Shadou.

...Empire wide, the plague abates! We attribute this to Shadou pulling the necessary divine strings as thanks for conquering Babylon and naming it after his greatness.

Ancient Palenque in central America meets it's end. It is time to settle elsewhere.

The Mayans who were forced to leave Copan and Palenque honor Sonikku by naming the city Sonikpan:

Spoiler :

Intel reports say that the Akkadians and Ellipians have been reduced to a total force of 6 units. We reduce that to 5.

1360 AD, India and Russia align themselves in a mutual protection pact.

As if to signal the end of their existence, Austria declares war on Akkad-Ellipi.

We recieve word that Akkad in the west has fallen. Ellipi stands alone.

No losses are sustained, and...

Spoiler :

Ellipi falls! The last vestige of the Babylonian Confederacy is ours, and we proceed to rename cities.

Ellipi becomes Talipi, Ashur becomes Askur, and Nineveh becomes Nakaveh.


...The foolish Zulus refuse to accept our diplomats, despite the fact their ally just got WTFPWN'ed.

---

With the conquest of the Babylonians, this chapter ends.

The state of the Great Five Furs now rules over 9% of the land and 13% of the population. Settler bands are already being prepared for a voyage to Scourgestralia, where the Romans and other interlopers are starting to show up. We intend to colonise the Spice Islands as well. And after that, Siberia.

But our next expansion won't be wholly peaceful, in fact, word is that Marius has planned something called "Operation: Zion."

 

[Tani Coyote]

The map of the world, children. I had to post it separately because of that darn no more than 15 pictures per post limit... This is the world after the Babs got WTFpwned by us.

 

[Tani Coyote]

Chapter VIII: "Operation: Zion" ... or Not. More like World War I.

1370 AD...

Russia and Ethiopia sign a MPP. WTH.

1380 AD...

Irony aside, Egypt and Israel sign a mutual protection pact. This means Operation: Zion CANNOT commence. We'll have to pick somebody else.

Marius sighs, but decides we should attack the savages that block our expansion into Indochina instead. Once defeated, we can settle their land.

The total size of the Barbarian force Marius orders his troops to engage is 19 units.

Without a single loss - and in most cases, without losing a single hitpoint - all 19 Barbarians are slaughtered and their camp disbanded. A settler is rushed; they will be deployed to the region to colonise it. Colonising south Indochina will end the constant galley piracy from there that has harassed our shipping and transports to Scourgestralia for millenia.

In Scourgestralia, we finally get a source of gems. Besides furs and wines, we have every luxury within our territory.

1390 AD, Russia declares war on the Italians! This is sure to be an interesting fight, as alliances and mutual protection pacts work their magic...

Though the Mongol Keshiks block our route to the new city site in Indochina, we manage to use a transport to get a Settler there. Take that, cheap bastards.

We have the fortune of killing the last band of barbarians in all Indochina! We claim their hilltop village as our own, preventing the Indians from reaching the new territory via land routes.

As settlers begin to penetrate Indochina, three bands are landing in and around Australia.

Spoiler :

The massive Australian expedition is financed by the more wealthy aspects of society, eager to expand their financial assets. As such, they are close followers of Shadou, patron of the elite. Their first city on the continent is named "Dohai." This is derived from the second syllable for Shadou's name, and the word Hai, or "Sea", in reference to it's coastal location.

Marius finally makes peace with the Zulu savages.


1400 AD, we discover Mass Production! Since the productivity per capita for our workers has greatly increased, Marius outlaws the Slave Trade at last(obsoletion).

The Champa barbarians to the south of Dou Viet accept our hegemony, renaming themselves the Sonichampa, and federating into the Empire:

Spoiler :

1408 AD, Marius begins to hatch plans for his next expansionist rampage. He notes our treaty of access in India expires in 5 turns. Once it expires, we can invade India. This will trigger a war with Russia; Marius can then use his money and resources to pull all major powers into a war with Russia. The end result? A conquered/reduced India, and a reduced Russia, leading to a much-weaker technological rival.

A new report reveals we now control 10% of the world's land! Not to mention 13% of it's population.

With our goals set, we set up a spy network in Delhi. Estimated forces of India as of 1408: 41 units.

Spoiler :

In Scourgestralia, an Italian-dominated group founds Terra di Venezia("Land of Venice"); this is named after a minor god they worship, a silver hedgehog called Venice/Silver depending on who's asked. These Italians are primarily immigrant laborers employed at rock-bottom wages by the rich businessmen in Dohai.

Further south, in an area that some Anglos call "New Zealand", we found Songdu:

Spoiler :

1416 AD, Japanese immigrants found Sonzai in Siberia:

Spoiler :

In particular, the city is named after Sonikku; the Japanese had traveled quite a long way, and thus wanted to thank him for the safe journey.

1416 is also the year we get our first bit of pollution. Wheeee.

Our share of the world's population rises to 14% in 1416 AD.

1440 AD, we found Scurjin north of Mongolia:

Spoiler :

This new city, once expanded and developed, shall yield gold, game and furs.

Our share of the world's land increases to 11%. We notice India's army increases about 1 unit a turn; they now possess 47 units.

1448 AD, we cancel our right of passage with India. We will be free to attack them next turn; as usual, the Mongols have blocked our attack route to Delhi.

 

[Tani Coyote]

Chapter VIII Part 2: This Is the Picture Limit's Fault!

--- Operation: Rio de Sangre(River of Blood) ---

1456 AD, we launch our assault. The Indian Army has swollen to 56 units! We must attack now or never.




Citing India's refusal to turn over all railways in their territory - those dating back to the Babylonian War - Marius invades India.

The first targets are Delhi and Lahore, both of which are the gateways to India's realm and each with only 5 defenders.

Sure enough, the Russians declare war on us when we attack their little satellite. They're all damned fools.

Our army against Lahore is led by several commanders of Spanish descent; many of the military types from the former Spain have come to Erizo every decade. These "conquistadores" boldly proclaim this about the Indians: "¡Beberémos su sangre!" or, "We will drink their blood!"

Spoiler :

Lahore falls with only one unit lost. The city's people welcome us as liberators; Lahore's isolation and it's economy being dependent on Erizo can be tied to this.

Mesopotamian Commanders lead the assault on Delhi.

We lose 1 unit, but we manage to kill 1 enemy Pikemen while also redlining another. We then lose 2 more cavalry while weakening 2 enemy pikemen. For this failure, he executes the Babylonian commanders and replaces them with Spanish ones.

We then kill 1 of their Elephants. Then 1 more unit. Then the Pikemen.

A brave group of Riders then move in, massacring the remaining Crossbowmen:

Spoiler :

Half of Delhi's citizenry protest the Marian administration; Marius unfortunately executes the most vocal of these rebels.

With Delhi's fall, the capital and 2nd largest city of India is now ours. However, the Indian ruler quickly flees to Bombay, the largest city.

Marius then decides to commit blasphemy: we shall invade Calcutta, home to the Dalai Lama living in Potala Palace. The city itself has only 3 guards, and should be easy pickings.

After losing 1 unit, we kill 1 enemy. ...We then lose 2 cavalry before killing another enemy. After that, however, luck runs out for the Calculttans.

The city is ours:

Spoiler :

The Dalai Lama is shipped into the center of Erizo, where he shall be a valuable pawn for controlling Buddhist segments of society. The Indian ruler has fled to Madras in the south.

With Calcutta's fall, we now control 12% of the world's land and 16% of the world's population.

Reports show Bombay has 7 defenders. If it falls, India's chances of survival essentially are gone. But first, of course, we deal with an enemy Knight blocking one of the ways into India.

We assault Bombay, killing the resident Elephant Archers with ease. Then we lose 1 unit, only to all remaining units afterwards without loss.

Bombay is ours:

Spoiler :

3/4 of the citizens rebel! This will be fun. The fall of Bombay causes us to now possess 17% of the world's population.

Bombay is linked up with the national railway network; Delhi had been already thanks to rails built during the Babylonian War.

The total Indian forces have been reduced to 33. Several of these units are outside India itself and can be picked off by our Homeland Defense forces.

Marius orders an attack on Madras; it has only TWO defenders.

Madras falls without any losses:

Spoiler :

The city falls; 2/3 of the citizenry resist our rule. The Indian Ruler flees west to Bangalore now.

With Madras linked up to the railway system, plans are made to attack Bangalore and evict the Indian government from India proper.

Sure enough, Bangalore only has 3 defenders. Troops enter the territory.

With the loss of only 1 unit, we take Bangalore:

Spoiler :

The Indian King can't escape this time, and he is executed, along with many of his nobles. Anarchy reigns in his eastern possessions without the iron grip of Delhi to maintain order.

---

Germans in Europe and Erizo alike are awed at the military prowess of Erizo. India was conquered with such speed and force the Germans dub the tactics the blitzkrieg, or "lightning war." India now resides in it's 3 colony cities further east, and those are likely to fall one by one.

Intel reports there are 27 units remaining. Half their army is now gone.

That soon drops to 25 when we eliminate two of them hanging around our border.

---

With our war effort successful and our forces needing some time to attack the remaining Indian territories, we shift to other news.

In Scourgestralia, a road is completed linking the Western colonies with Terra di Venezia.

Shifting back to military news, Marius began to go around looking for allies.

Most important was the neutralisation of Russia. This would be accomplished by rallying Austria, France, and Mongolia against them.

The Austrians are quick to join; they require only Rubber and Spices to declare war on our two foes. The French are no different. The Mongols, once more, are the same. They are just a bit more tight-assed; they apparently wanted more luxuries.

A benefit of this massive war is it will divert attention away from the Italians, who have been getting hammered by all Europe.

We then get the Ottomans, Egyptians, Americans and Incans on our side...

1464 AD, a diplomatic crisis occurs: Ethiopia declares war on India! Now if only they'd attack eachother, Russia's alliance would fall apart.

As well, alliances spring up all over the place as predicted, total chaos ensues.

What's even more delicious is... France declares war on AUSTRIA. All three powers of Europe are now engaged in a battle royale for the title of hegemon.


Our first move is using our Colonial Infantry units to capture Jaipur from the sea itself. We were forced to burn it due to the minimal population inside:

Spoiler :

Seeing the effectiveness of this assault, Marius orders the training of more Colonial Infantry. With enough numbers, we should be able to conquer all of India next turn.

---

Spoiler :

A penal colony is formed in Scourgestralia; Marius took British suggestions that he turn Scourgestralia into a giant labor camp for all the world's exiles and prisoners. The elite of Dohai are all in favor of free labor for obvious reasons. The primary groups of prisoners are English exiles and Erizoan intellectuals(mainly those who tried to disprove the Gods or Marius' divine right of rule), and the city is named "Prisonbane", because it is the BANE of anybody in PRISON.

1472, we attack Kolhapur from the sea. We lose only one unit, but we capture the city!

We then attack Karachi by using a former Indian port against it. We manage to weaken the defenders, though 3 units are lost. It would look like the Indians could survive, but we have plenty of backup for a second wave.

We take Karachi in a second wave with no losses, destroying the Indians:

Spoiler :

Operation: Rio De Sangre is a smashing success! Another country has been absorbed into Erizo.

---

With the war against India over, and Russia far away, Marius is content to sit out the war and let the Euros destroy eachother. He orders mass construction of airports around the empire to facilitate transportation worldwide.


1480, the Turks and Dutch know that anarchy is gripping Europe, and sign a mutual protection pact.

Persia's right of passage with us is cancelled; they're next.

Mongolia goes to war with Austria! Same with Arabia and the Ottomans. Europeans are all over the place now in terms of relations; their scientific rate is likely to plunge in the face of massive pillaging and destruction.

Furthermore, given the involvement of countries on every continent, and the massive empires of several of these countries, what began as a simple Erizoan invasion of India can be classed as the First World War.

With airports constructed en masse, Marius orders the construction of a new air fleet for the Empire. Though composed of biplanes, this will be the foundation for control of the skies in later years. As well, anti-air divisions start to be commissioned.

1480, we attack a Russian port, causing the Ethiopians to declare war. Luckily, they don't have much to offer others to go to war with us.