The Saunderian Chronicles

[Kelvyquayo]

Only about 200 more years until I can finally play again; once this catches up to my actual game in 1876.
I'm pondering if/when I should change it to story format rather than boring history book format. I still have reservations about mixing the two.. as I would inevitably want to switch back and forth... but if I did everything in a story format this (at my rate) this could go on for another few decades

 

[Kelvyquayo]

Celts
The Celtic Kingdom

The Keltoi Peninsula kept the Celtic Kingdom isolated from influence for thousands of years. The natural borders of the Congo were made up of dense jungles and leagues of desert wilderness which only the bravest of Celtic warriors dared to cross into the strange lands of the dark peoples. The Celts, along with their neighbors the Spanish to the North, are thought to be offshoots of the ancient wondering tribes of the Stone-Aged Russo-Franco nomads who followed the Mississippi northwards and settled the North-Western most area of the Continent sometime around 6000BC. The Celtic peoples of the 17th century were ruled by an elite Warrior-Aristocracy. Succession of Kingship was decided in 3 phases: The Heir appointed, the Heir challenged, and the Heir fights to death all challengers in single combat. It was this tradition which was put in place by the Celtic priests in ancient times that came to keep the once nomadic tribes united under one king; known as the Ard Ri.

The Celts have their own religion, called Hinduism. The priests of the Celts, known as Druids, proclaim Hinduism to be the most ancient and pure religion in the world; involving the reverence of a countless pantheon of otherworldly beings. Due to the isolated nature of the Celts no other religion had ever spread to any Celtic area and for that matter few had ever stepped foot on Celtic soil, save for Spanish traders and Ethiopian scholars. To the rest of the 17th century world, the Celts were an enigma. Fierce in combat and famous for their swordsmanship. The main export of the Celts was their artwork; intricately woven golden figures and decor, often containing anthropomorphic Hindu imagery which became highly valued through the known world.

The lands of the Celts at this time has become horribly plagued by drought. Due to centuries of poor farming practices, miles of ancient farmlands had become ,at certain times of the year, a roaring dust bowl. More and more rural people began to abandon their farms and migrate into the urban centers of the region. This resulted in a great deal of overpopulation in the cities and disease was rife. Eventually this would lead to stories of boatloads of Celts migrating throughout the world. As a result many lands have heard some of the music and the tales of this ancient race and Hinduism spread by migrant Druids who spread out to the tribes of America, and the major capitol cities of the Western World. The Celts however viewed all outsiders with suspicion. Not the least of these were their neighbors to the East the Ethiopians and the Zulu people, and by ancient mutual agreement, the boundaries of the Congo were seldom traversed.


Map of the Keltoi Peninsula

 

[Kelvyquayo]

Spanish
Kingdom of Spain

The two main peoples of the Northwestern Continent of the pre-historic Ruso-Franco tribes which migrated from Russian Valley between 8000-4000BC were the Celts and the Spanish , the former inhabiting the Keltoi Peninsula , the latter splitting off around 5000BC and inhabiting the the north and northwest coast of the Iberian Ocean. In the inner part of the region, where both groups were in contact, a mixed, distinctive, culture was present, known as Camulodanmuns. In addition, Ethiopians occupied the Eastern regions and the entirety of the Northern Mississippi valley. Other ethnic groups existed along the Aragon River Valley of present day Seville. Among these groups there grew the earliest urban culture in the coastal region, that of the semi-mythical city of Madroño (perhaps pre-4100 BC) near the present day Madrid.. The flourishing trade in gold and silver between the people of Madroño and Carthaginians and Greeks is documented in the history of the ancient Greek historian Strabo and is remarkably mentioned in Judaic Scripture. Between about 500 BC and 300 BC, the Celtic Empire briefly took control of much of the Iberian Coast and established an unstable Hindu Empire.

It is marked by historians that in 250BC the Ethiopian Empire under it's newly formed Confucian Unity government intervened and demanded that the Celts relinquish control of Spanish lands. The Hindu Celts were driven out of the Aragon valley and the Confucians moved in. By the foundation of Christianity (660AD), nearly all of the Iberian Coast was subjugated by Confucian warlords. These conquests were part of the expansion of the Confucianist Empire of Ethiopia. Only a number of areas in the mountains and deserts to the north of the Keltoi Peninsula managed to cling to their independence, occupying the areas roughly corresponding to modern Barcelona Seville, and Camulodanum. Madrid remained completely free of Confucianists. Under Confucianism, Hindus were recognized as "peoples of the old ways", and were free to practice their religion, but faced a number of mandatory discriminations and penalties. Conversion to Confucianism proceeded at a steadily increasing pace. Following the mass conversions in the 3rd and 4th centuries Confucians came to outnumber Hindus in the Confucianist controlled areas.

By the 7th Century Spain was rife with rebellion as the Ethiopian Empire increased their oppression of the Spanish people, thus out of rebellion was a new religion formed. The first Christians were essentially all ethnically Spanish Hindus or Confucian Proselytes. In other words, Jesus preached to the Hindu people and called from them his first disciples, though the earliest documented "group" of appointed evangelists, called the Seventy Disciples, was not specifically ethnically Spanish. An early difficulty arose concerning the matter of non-Hindu converts as to whether they had to "become Spanish" (usually referring to a literal belief in the Hindu Pantheon) as part of becoming Christian.The doctrines of the Jesus brought the Early Church into conflict with some Hindu religious authorities, and this eventually led to the martyrdom of Jesus. and the view that he was actually the human incarnation of a Hindu god who's father was believed to be the Father of the Universe. Thus, Christianity acquired an identity distinct from Celtic Hinduism. As the official institutions of Christianity were being conducted by the first Church leaders of Madrid, so the Spanish finally drove out their Confucian Overlords, known in Spanish History as The Crusade (710AD). In the ensuing centuries to pass, the Spanish people and the Ethiopians maintained an uneasy truce at best, however the majority of the Spanish people remained Confucian, even as Christianity spread. It wouldn't be until the late 17th Century, under the rule of Isabella the 1st, that the Spanish Nation would finally embrace Christianity as it's state religion, much to the dismay of the Ethiopian Empire.


Map of Iberian Coast

 

[Kelvyquayo]

Harrapanois
Independent City State of Harrapan

Early in the third millennium BC, several waves of Franco Tribes (prehistoric proto-French) settled beyond the American Wildlands from the Central Russian Plains and intermarried with the local populations, forming the Harrapan ethnic group. They had brought with them to the Western Continent the ancient Judaic religion and lived in relative peace and isolation from their Ethiopian neighbors. The modern Harrapan language still contains traces of the ancient Proto-French, spoken in the first millennium BC France.

The Kingdom of Harrapan became an independent kingdom situated in the northeast region of the Western Continentia. Ancient Harrapan civilization was mainly an urban culture sustained by surplus agricultural production and commerce, the latter including trade with Ethiopia in to the West. The ancient city of Harrapan (built perhaps 3000BC) was built according to similar plans of well-laid-out streets, "differentiated living quarters, flat-roofed brick houses, and fortified administrative and religious centers. Weights and measures were standardized throughout the area and distinctive seals were used for identification of property and shipment of goods.

Harrapan's land-based boundaries have been notably stable in history. The border with Ethiopia has remained almost unchanged since the 13th century. The Treaty of Orleans (1386) created an alliance between Harrapan and France that remains in effect to this day. Since early times, fishing and overseas commerce have been the main economic activities. By the 17th century Harrapan is ruled by a royal family which has been formally enstated by the Apostolic Palace as having divine lineage. Therefore Harrapan may also be considered a part of the Judaic Commonwealth, yet the Royal family chose to keep their sovereign status, at the backing of France. This has caused much contention in the Commonwealth as now Harrapan is viewed by the Palace as a puppet state of France by which that nation can maintain policies beyond the jurisdiction of the Judaic Commonwealth.


Map of Harrapan Nation

 

[Kelvyquayo]

Ciudad del Cristo
Cordoba

Prior to the 17th century in the East, the Christian community had been subjected to enormous prejudices; usually by Confucian overlords. Beginning in the 12th century Christian refuges were formed in various places around the coasts of Ethiopia and the North American Islands. In the following generations many of these were overtaken by disease or slaughtered by natives. The Christian refuge of Cordoba was one success story. Populated by Spanish, Celtic, and Ethiopian colonists seeking to establish a pure Christian Kingdom; The sea port was founded by Padraig Hernández de Córdoba , who first landed there in 1429 at the start of his holy mission to convert the natives of the American Islands for Christ. The conversion of the Americans went relatively well until the death of Padraig Hernández; who alone of the foreigners held the trust of the American leaders. Soon enough massacres and forced conversions were rampant until the Saunderians began it's hostilities towards the Americans, thus causing them to ally with the Cordobans in desperation.

The port colony was constantly harassed by hostile tribes and by pirates, who nearly succeeded in sacking the city throughout the 16th century. In response to such dangers the the local government began fortifying the city and by the 17th century Cordoba was as well defended as any other city in the modern world. It became Spain's main port, where wares from islands and even from the nations of the East were transported to the far West land. In the 1700s Cordoba has developed a unique culture as a fusion of Iberian, Ethiopian and American culture. It's music and dance became well known throughout the world for it's rhythm and energy. As trade began to boom; many non-Christian merchants also moved in resulting in a brief secularization of the nation. It then became a popular vacationing destination for the wealthy; offering a taste of the primitive wild in the dense jungles surrounding it. Cordoban-American girls were famous around the world for their beauty.

Late in the 17th century Cordoba was hit by a killer hurricane which caused cataclysmic destruction to the people and the land. The population of the city was reduced to a few thousand as natives began to move in closer and harass the survivors. Cordoba's mother country of Spain was suffering from plague and poverty of it's own so could offer no aid. It became a small struggling nation with a weak military. However do to it's utter neutrality on the world stage it has been left alone by the Judaic states. This may also be due to it's posing no threat to anyone as well as being a lighting rod for the American tribes while the Saunderians began colonizing the islands themselves. Native Cordobans these days are a humble but vibrant people. Since the disaster they do not see the traffic from peoples from all over the world and no longer speak the languages. Their language now as a result is nearly incomprehensible to their Iberian counterparts. Those in the process of rebuilding still maintain great hopes for their tiny blossoming nation; especially now that the Saunderians have all but totally conquered the Americans and have began to garrison troops there for their "protection".


Map of Cordoba and surrounding jungles

 

[TheJopa]

When are we to see some world wars? I like reading about day-to-day lives and such. Great job!

 

[Kelvyquayo]

Things are still working their way up to being global. Good feedback though. There is indeed some war shortly coming up. This is just finishing up on catching up on the rest of the world before we get back to the main course.
Your comment does make me wonder about how I should preSent said coming strife. I already have some of it written. Just have a few more civs here to get through.

 

[-Ilu-]

Great way of telling the story, I didn't have time to read the whole story but the pictures and all are just great. It really feels like reading some history book and you have well hidden the actual game behind the story. It is also nice to see there are lots of civs still in the game so late, makes it more interesting.

 

[Draknith]

This is quite honestly one of the best stories I have read on these forums. I have enjoyed some of the better narrative stories here, but they lack that historical context that I enjoy reading about. I think it's great how you started the story as a look back upon the world. For me at least, I believe I would not enjoy a narrative/dialogue story as much as what you have already done. I wrote a small excerpt about a certain period from one of my games in somewhat the same style as this. If you would like to check it out, it's "The Rise of the First Empire" Keep up the great work!

 

[Kelvyquayo]

Wow. Thanks much! I'm glad that this is being so enjoyed and your words of appreciation are much appreciated

In return I must wholeheartedly apologize for the huge time gaps that I keep having in these. I have feeling that once I get past these civ descriptions and closer to the "present" that my proverbial ball will get to rolling again.

And Draknith, I'll definitely check it out.

 

[Kelvyquayo]

The American People

American culture refers to the aboriginal culture of the American-speaking peoples of the Mississipi Valley and those of the North Atlantic Islands. The name in fact describes the root American language of these people rather than their ethnic group. Linguists separate the Americans into 2 general sub-groups. The Native Americans and the North Americans. There are also some vast differences in the cultures of these 2 groups; mostly due to environment and climate. The American tribes are made up of independent patriarchal social units, each with their own legends and their own traditions. Only in the times of the greatest threat will the tribes unite under a single ruler. In early days the American lands were still a wilderness and the tribal societies within seldom came into contact with those beyond. As time went on and various tribes came into contact with other nations gave way to a tangle of tribal alliances and treaties as one leader would accuse each other of crimes in hopes that the more powerful nations would destroy their rivals allowing them to acquire their land. The Americans had no notion of colonization as the only armies were the private armies which were mostly made of of a particular tribes family members. Each tribe or island group's culture developed in isolation. There was no widespread inter-tribal group communication, nor is there much indication during this period of any interest in such communications, at least not for economic reasons. This fact makes all the more astounding the limited linguistic entropy of the American languages.

Native Americans Tribes of the Mississippi

The Native Americans are the indigenous people of the Mississippi Valley and have, to this day, managed to hold on to their traditions despite the ever growing influence of Carthage, Ethiopia, and Saunderia. Their view of the rhythms and spirit of nature is widespread throughout all of the tribes. As the major religions spread to the American lands it became mixed with the native traditions and spread from there. As the outside world came to encroach upon the ways of these people; inevitably they were forced to give in and participate on the world stage. As time led up to 15th and 16th centuries, under the influence of their more imperial neighbors, developed formal tribal centers, which rapidly grew into cities; as well as all of the trouble that comes with cities. With the growth of the tribal urban centers the common tribeland began to get absorbed into the influence of the neighboring nations. The urban center of Cahokia soon came to be a well traversed crossroad for trade throughout the entire continent. The Natives have still held on to their own traditions, however the ruling Tribal Council of Chiefs are well aware that they are powerless against the rising foreign tide that had risen around their people. For the time being they do all that they can on the political scene to keep their lands free.

The urban center of Cahokia becomes a major crossroads of cultures and religions. For protection from Zulu invaders the tribal leaders of the Americans allied with the Saunderians. The only price was for the leaders to publicly sponsor Judaism.

North American tribes of the Atlantic

The North Americans are a people who between about 4000 and 2000 BC speakers of a separate branch of American languages spread around the western shore of the Atlantic Sea– almost certainly starting out from Mississippi valley – into the edges of eastern Ethiopia and on to the North Atlantic islands. They colonized previously-unsettled islands by making very long canoe voyages, in some cases against the prevailing winds and tides. These people are recognized by their large permanent villages on beach terraces along the coasts. Particularly characteristic of the Atlantic culture is the making of pottery, including a great many vessels of varied shapes, some distinguished by fine patterns and motifs. These peoples way of life remained relatively undisturbed until 1410 when the Saunderian pilgrims began settling the lands at the foot of their holy Mt. Josiah, right in the middle of the North American tribelands. In the 1580s-90s Saunderian Janissaries embarked on a campaign of expansion at the expense of the North Americans. The next 150 years would see the North American culture all but wiped out, with the exception of a few isolated tribes in the far North Atlantic.

With no unity or allies, the North Americans of the mainland could make little resistance against the might of the East

As Saunderian interest looked to establishing dominance in the Atlantic sea, it was little time until the island jungle tribes were subdued.

Spurned on by national fervor the Saunderians would continue hostilities toward the North American tribes throughout the century.


Maps of Native American and North American lands in the 17th Century

 

[Zizon]

Read all of this and am really enjoying it so far! Will the story be more of a narrative when it hits present day? Either way, great job, looking forward to more.

 

[Kelvyquayo]

Yeah, right after these descriptions (2 more to go) I'm going to experiment with a "soldier journal" type of narrative which I am going to use for the next big conflict.

I keep considering making it an actual story-type narrative.. but I don't want to bite off more than I'm willing to chew.
I'm figuring when we get closer to "modern day" and there is such media around as radio and TV I'll probably format stuff as faux new casts and TV reports.. come up with a kinda CNN or something.
I may pop a story-narrative in if I'm feeling bold and can translate something into a subject matter that is easy to work with.

and thanks again for the compliments. I know these civ descriptions can get just as dry as an actual history book.

 

[Kelvyquayo]

The Japanese People

The Japanese people had lived a mostly pastoral way of life for many of it's early ages. Japanese culture had evolved greatly over the years, from the country's original Kyo culture to its contemporary empire which spans a large area of the eastern Atlantic Islands. Traditional Japanese arts include crafts (ikebana, origami, ukiyo-e, dolls, lacquer, pottery), performances (bunraku, dance, kabuki, noh, rakugo), traditions (games, tea ceremony, Budō, architecture, gardens, swords) and cuisine. Buddhism was first introduced to Japan from the Indians around the 10th and 11th centuries BC, but the subsequent visits from Judaic and Taoist missionaries had a dividing effect on the various tribal groups of the land. Influence from the outside world followed by long periods of isolation has characterized Japan's history. While Japan had no threat from it's neighbors, internal strife was constantly in the forefront of Japanese politics. For centuries the people had been ruled by a series of their districts local Emperors which often warred on one another; preventing of the development of any stable nation state.

The peace of the Japanese people finally came under threat in 1040, after the formation of the Judaic Apostolic Order, Japan was condemned as a nation of infidels. Ironically this forced the Japanese to develop a more cohesive national structure as a matter of self preservation. This was followed by a brief feudal period in Japan as its leaders were forced to break their isolation once again and seek the diplomatic aid of their neighbors. They were spared the war but subsequently the military order of the samurai, who were initially raised by local emperors to protect their borders under threat from the Palace, had began to take control the Japanese lands themselves as the emperors were left powerless. The resulting series of civil wars between the Samurai lords will continue to rock Japan for nearly the next 700 years. In the 17th century nations of the world pay little attention to the affairs of these people and it is very seldom that any foreigner will set foot on Japanese soil, save for the merchants. As a result of this latest phase of isolation Japanese goods are highly valued worldwide.

Map of Japanese lands

 

[Kelvyquayo]

The Zulu People

The Zulu began as one of the many tribes of the people on the shores of the African Ocean. As they grew in numbers and power the Zulu came to be the most dominant tribe of the region. Any remaining tribes fled to the Northern Mississippi valley and were the ancestors of the Ethiopians. Much of the lands beyond the coast were vast stretching deserts. As a result the growing coastal tribal centers would often see great boosts in population. It is said that the Congo was once a great jungle in prehistoric days before it became the wasteland that it is today. The common Zulu people live in much of the same manner as they had since the earliest of days. The singing styles of the Zulu worthy of special mention. Music is highly regarded, enabling the communication of emotions and situations which could not be explained by talking. Zulu music incorporates rhythm, melody and harmony — the latter is usually dominant and known as "isigubudu". Those more traditional family units who do not dwell in the city-centers maintain a nomadic existence and are essentially independent. The city centers are commonly held under the rule of local warlords who often have seized power through force. History had seen a the majority of war chiefs succeed in saturating the surrounding tribelands with their own warriors in order to establish authority and tax the common folk.

As the neighboring nations came to expand these Zulu warlords would struggle for domination and control of their own people with no capacity for any organized government.

Most of the Zulu warriors across the lands now will often swear allegiance to whatever warlord happens to be in power in the main Zulu urban center of Ulundi. Most of these "war chiefs" never set foot beyond the city walls and merely fund the armies throughout the tribelands. Throughout the 1500s Zulu warlords had began a reign of terror upon the Americans to the East. The Americans tribes became vassals to the Zulu who oppressed the them for generations. As Zulu aggression grew and their warriors continued unabated through the lands the warlords back in the city center were oblivious to the powers that lay beyond their borders. In 1612 the Saunderians, recognizing the threat from these savages, sent their Janissary diplomats to the Native Americans. On return for an alliance with the Saunderians the Native American Elder Chief agreed to accept Judaism for his people (though this lasted only a short time). The well armed Saunderian troops marched straight across the Mississippi and ravaged the tribes of the Congo. These events were to mark a new rise to the militarization of the Judaic Commonwealth, as the Zulu were viewed in the East as complete savages. Due to this rampant racism then majority of the Saunderian public had no problems with the subjugation of the Zulu people.

Under the pretext of defending the Native Americans, the Saunderians launched a massive invasion into the desert heartland of Zululand, pillaging the lands, raising hundreds of settlements and the mass extermination of the kwaDukuza. By the 1700s the Saunderians will have established the colonies in Nobamba and Ulundi in the midst of the Saharo which bacame their base for the wars that lasted well into the next century.

Map of Zulu territory
after the invasion of the
Saharo by the Saunderians.
The Zulu urban center of Nobamba
is captured in 1629 and the Zulu
tribal capitol of Ulundi is finally
captured by 1690.

 

[Kelvyquayo]

1605 - Destruction of kwaDukuza and beginning of the Saunderian occupation of the the Saharo desert.

1612- Final takeover of Saunderian government by Military Parliament

1625 - Judaic Commonwealth Annexes Carthaginian held Philadelphia, solidifying their control of the Atlantic Sea.

1627 - North American tribes of Seattle are subdued by the Janissary. Plantations are built throughout the jungles utilizing forced labour.

1629 - Zulu city of Nobamba captured by Janissaries.

1630s - Byzantine stained glass becomes valued throughout the East.

1635- Development of Rifling in Saunderia. Early artillery also in use.

1640s- Age of the Great Frigates. Maritime traffic increases greatly.
Widespread black market dissemination of older smooth bore muskets throughout the continent.

1649- Carthage invades Native American lands. Political marriages and other economic treaties prevent the Judaic Commonwealth from interfering.

1665- Feud breaks out between noble Carthginian family of the Didos and the noble Saunderian family of the Samarics. Rumours spread that feud broke out over a Judaic wedding that took place against the wishes of the Didos family. The Samarics family is poisoned in their palace in Moscow causing the Saunderian public to cry out for Carthaginian blood.
Cold war between Carthage and Saunderia begins.

 

[Kelvyquayo]

Corporal Saun Ankari Shankaars II
1st Rifleman (Duralia) Regiment
Saunderian Peacekeeper Barracks 12
Cahokia, Native American Tribal Center

Sep 9th 1678
It has been nearly a year to the day that my regiment arrived in the urban-center of Cahokia so I have decided to keep a journal. My friends and I have only gotten too comfortable in this poor city. The American people usually keep to themselves but in the neighborhood of SPkB 12 the natives have long since warmed up to us. The barracks has been in operation here for at least 100 years, though I hear there are some that are older. Most of the natives here speak our language and seem to be aware of many of our customs. This is no doubt the result of generations of forced interaction. I have been spending the majority of my time lately at some of the gaming facilities. The locals seem to love us.

Sep 19th 1678
Nothing really new happening lately. More drilling as usual. Once in awhile we are asked to march in formation down the native residential areas; probably to quell any ideas of the locals to start any trouble. I for one have never seen much trouble from the locals other than retribution from something that one of our own soldiers have done. For the most part the people keep to themselves. It is well known however for one of us not to wander around during the native holidays.

Oct 18th 1678
A few skirmishes with the Zulu broke out over on the Western front this morning. Our unit was sent beyond the walls as support for an American guard unit that was doing recon near Mound City. As usual we did nothing but sat back with out rifles drawn, waiting for the Zulu to come in range and watch our canons pound on them from afar until, as usual, they would retreat. They knew better than to come up against our firepower. I had to wake up Private Andar before we were dismissed back to the barracks. It has been near 6 months since I have fired my rifle in combat.

Nov 4th 1678
Zulu occupied Mound City, to the west, must have been a beautiful place at one time. Even from within the walls of Cahokia one can see it perched miles away on the horizon. It is said that the Americans once had a vast communications of smoke signals throughout the entire valley. Just a glance at the surrounding landscape one could see how it would work. Mound City was taken over by the Zulus way back when. Ever since then Saunderia has done all that it can for these people to see that they are not completely wiped out; probably for economic reasons. My grandfather was in the invasion force of the Nobomba desert in 1645. His Janissary unit pressed straight through the desert into the midst of Zulu tribeland and even to the edge of the Congo. Even since then Saunderian military presence had always been a way of life for the Zulu. Somehow they have managed to hold on to Mound City for a few hundred years; even though it is their only urban-center for hundreds of miles and across harsh desert.

Nov 29th 1678
Today I was sent with a squad to intercept a group of about 10,000-American refugees. Every few weeks we get hit with them, coming in from the South, fleeing from Carthaginian oppression. Some time ago the Carthaginian farmers on the edge of their territories had embarked on a cruel campaign of cleansing, claiming that the Americans were attacking their farms. The reality is no doubt that Carthaginian government giving their farmers orders to commit genocide on the native people. There has never been any proof of this however, and our Saunderian government officially stated that they cannot commit resources to police the actions of a few farmers in Carthage. Despite the declaration of hostilities that were made between our two nations, there have been no real hostilities. Indeed it is well know about all of the economic deals and tangle of politics that keeps our people from doing anything. As long as they do not threaten out economic hold over the main American urban-centers we are fine with Carthage. Still, 10,000 people is the most that we have ever seen. The commander and the captain are, as I write this, arguing over where to locate them all.

Dec 4th 1678
Our orders have come in today. My unit is to be dispatched to the city of Nobamba. The very city that my grandfather captured 40 years ago! Out of the total of our colonies spread across the continent Nobamba is the most remote. We will essentially be in the middle of nowhere, with the desolation of the Saharo to the West and the hostile Zulu city-states in every other direction. I suppose that after all of this idle time spent here in Cahokia has caused me to grow roots. Either way I shall not complain as we may spent as many as 10 years in Nobamba. The dispatch date is in 2 months, after which time it seems that we will be traveling as escorts for a number of artillery regiments. Still I cannot help but feel like a child to think that I may be traveling the same route that my grandfathers Janissary regiment took those many years ago.

Dec 21st 1678
Many more artillery units have arrived. I have spent much time talking to many soldiers who were stationed in New York and Washington. Many of the soldiers from these areas seemed to have developed a great deal of animosity towards the American people. I attempted to explain to one Cavalry Officer some of the distinct differences between the North Americans that he was familiar with and these Natives. As far as he was concerned they were all the same heathen folk and needed to be controlled. When he began to question the wisdom of our commanding officers of Cahokia of even allowing the Natives to have their own government I quickly excused myself. I can understand the mans viewpoint. The little news that comes to us from the northern American colonies is usually one suppressed rebellion after another.. however most of these are from across the sea, and the city of Josiah, may it remain blessed.

Jan 1st 1679
Tonight I broke up a potential tavern slaughter of some local Natives by a group of drunk cavalry officers. These soldiers from the north do seem to be lacking in discipline. I suppose pacifying a hostile population will cause an army to become accustomed to some more hardened viewpoints and tactics, but being under the jurisdiction of the noble 1st Regiment Rifleman brigade, I could not allow such behavior to stand.
I was sitting with a few of my brothers in arms in a local establishment with some officers from the 4th Cavalry New York division. This particular establishment was known by our men as Buffalo Hall (we can't pronounce the local name). It is ran by the Natives and offers every taste of the Native tradition: food, music, dance.. and ironically had become a popular location for our Saunderian servicemen. So a very obnoxious member of 4th Cavalry began to manhandle one of the local barmaids. One of the men began to confront the officer who then became extremely violent. His fellow officers began drew their blades. From behind the bar the barmaids father, a very weathered Native man draws up a 300 year old musket and begin shouting in American. The officers were not used to having American pointing firearms on them. Before any more mayhem could ensue I threw myself in the middle of the foray with my arms up and erupted into a half drunken speech about some ridiculous notion of equality between man and after a brief moment both parties began bursting in laughter at my drunken tirade. I then led the Calvary officers away and saw them to another establishment.

Jan 3rd 1679
Wonderful news. I was visited by my battalion leader today. Apparently he was made aware of the incident at Buffalo Hall and had come to commend my actions. He told me there had been troubles in the relations with the local populous ever since the New York and Washington troops arrived. He said that he wished that he had more soldiers like me who were willing to go above and beyond to keep the order. He walked with me to the training ground and we spoke about the mission to Nobamba. He did not seem concerned. He said that nothing new is happening there but that the generals simply wish to fortify the city with more artillery and since the mainland North American cities have quieted down we have these extra forces available. He seemed disappointed that we weren't being sent in to finally break the back of the Zulu warlords. I didn't quite know how to feel about it. I am just happy that we are moving somewhere. I told him that my fellow soldiers were growing fat from fraternizing with these locals. He laughed and slapped me hard on the back.

Jan 26th 1679
We have spent the last week training for desert travel. We are learning to handle camels, how to find water, handle our rifles in the sand, as well as some info on the desert tribes that we may come in contact with and how to handle them. It seems that not every Zulu is a blood crazed killer that want to impale every Judaic that they meet. In fact most Zulu are herders and farmers and could care less about the wishes of any warlord in some far off city that they never have heard of. They reminded me of the Americans in a bizarre way.

Feb 16th 1679
One thing that I have noticed about people who are stuck in the monotony of military life; any bit of news from outside of your environment becomes the central topic of interest and all subjects from religion to sex to politics are up for grabs. That latest buzz making its way around the barracks is about the situation with Carthage. The daughter of some rich Carthaginian family that had been married into a Saunderian family. Both of these families are important enough on both sides to influence a lot of trade and political relations. Apparently the girl was being courted by the son of a Saunderian noble living in Moscow and they were married under the Judaic tradition immediately after the girl turned up pregnant. All of this social upheaval due to the activities of a couple of promiscuous teenagers. It doesn't help that they family was found slaughtered in their house, but in my opinion that is no reason to go to war. There are others who think otherwise. The fact that we had declared ourselves hostile toward Carthage and yet have not attempted to invade them greatly upsets some of the men. I do see their point. Carthage's defiance of the Commonwealth could be a threat to world order; especially if we are seen as weak in the worlds eyes.

Mar 2nd 1679
As I was on patrol this morning my thoughts turned to my grandfather and his day. He was about the age that I am now when he was a member of the old Janissary corps. The first gun that I ever shot was his old musket. All that I remember it was the wall of smoke that the thing emitted as my grandfather smiled. Back at home there is a portrait of him in full Janissary regalia. I find the old Janissary uniforms much more attractive than today's plain uniforms. The old uniforms were made to be eye catching to the point of gaudy. Back in those days the Palace ruled everything and everything had to represent the might and splendour of the Judaic world. It must have worked wonders in recruiting new troops from the poor Buddhist and Taoist families, to have their sons go from wearing rags to wearing some of the most eye-catching clothing in the known world. Many of the armies in the Northern Atlantic still use the old Janissary style; and once again this is to attract the local American youth to the armed forces.
The world of today is so much different than in my grandfathers time.
People don't really have the religious fervour that they used to. I joined the army out of National pride, rather than to force some philosophical idea on some savages.

Apr 4th 1679
I have been spending more time with the officers in my regiment. Several of the officers have seemed to greatly value some of of my ideas about various strategies and ways of dealing with local populations. I got into a deep debate with an Lt. from the 1st Grenadiers of Bombay concerning the training of locals. It was a good discussion and afterward the man bought me and my brothers a round of drinks. Many of my fellow soldiers have begun to look up to me a lot. Even my commanding officers have been seeking my council concerning the upcoming mission. My thoughts keep turning to my grandfather in his old Janissary uniform. I wondered what he would think of all of this.

May 16th 1679
More unexpected news from the Commander! The units that have been training for months to travel through the deserts of the Saharo have had their orders change. We have all been granted 1 month leave! This is totally out of the ordinary! I expected the men to be disappointed but everyone is brimming with joy at the notion of being back home. I look forward to being back home in Duralia again with my family. I can't help but be curious about why our units have been taken off of the mission in Zululand, but the thoughts of bring back in Saunderia is so wonderful!

June 1st 1679
My unit is heading out today. The 1st Rifleman Regiment of Duralia is heading home. The leave will not start until we get there. I do worry about the fact that the New York and Washington units will be taking over SPkB 12 after us. Those men are the ones that need leave.
After speaking with many of the officers, whom I have become great friends with, there are some rumours that we will be participating in more posturing with Carthage soon. Other people are saying that we are preparing to invade/ I really try to laugh off such notions. Despite the tragic event that took place in Moscow and the diplomatic mess that we are in at the moment, the people of Saunderia have always had a respect to the exotic culture of Carthage, for centuries. Though I have only met few Carthaginians myself, all of the literature and art that I have seen of the place seem to depict a very proud and stern people; though they are known worldwide for their shrewd business sense. Then again, when I think about those 10,000 starving American refugees flooding through the gates of Cahokia, all of those pretty sailboat paintings don't seem so noble.
There is not yet any news of where 1st Regiment will be going after our leave is up.

 

[Zizon]

Wow, I loved reading that journal. Keep up the good work man! Can't wait to see what happens next...

 

[Kelvyquayo]

November 22nd, 1681
P.K. Barracks #359
Thapsus, Utica District


Dearest Indira,

I can only count down the months until I will see you again. This years tour has been has been excruciating knowing that you will be giving birth to our 4th child without me at your side. Can you believe that a hundred years ago that soldiers were not allowed wives? Please give my love to the girls and little Bhadanta for me! Tell them I will have many more marvelous gifts to bring them from Carthage Land! It delighted me to see their faces when I brought them home those talking Tunisian parrots last year. I do hope that they understand my military career and do not come to resent it when they get older; however, rest assured my love I would never encourage our little 'Danta into the path of his father. Things these days are becoming so unpredictable. I do not mean these poor lands but our own. These new politicians all seem to want to toss tradition to the wind. Each year that goes by more of the soldiers who helped build our great institution die off and for each that goes three more impetuous fools are put to lead in their place. I tell you the more I hear of some lower-class bread eater from Novgorod or some other backwards backwoods village I wonder what our Holy Teacher in Anthonia is thinking. Do those in the Palace not notice the grubby hands of the working class slithering their way through the grass? There was a time, not long ago, when it meant something much more to be of the military. Those of us of the most noblest families knew their places as did the civilian classes. Now the power is squandered day by day as these civilians try to dictate laws to those who have been protecting them for centuries. Perhaps in years to come times will get back to the way they were and people knew that they could always look to the Palace and to the great Saunderian military for all of their needs. Do not worry my love, I shall not be much longer for the soldiers life. These years of this "friendly occupation" of Carthage are getting dull and I have no intention in joining the troops in the far West for the skirmishes against the Zulu. All I hear from my men are complaints about being soldiers, not police squads. They love to have a flare for drama. These Carthaginians are quite pacified. They were quite pacified when we first took over the place; the rural areas that is. I must admit that in all of my years of being stationed around the vicinity of Utica, I nor any of my men have stepped foot into the city. They government of Carthage at least has that much dignity. It is certainly pitiful enough that we are controlling all land routes in the entire Northeastern part of their lands. Most of our supplies and trade are from the nomadic tribes that wander from city to city. I have found some of the most astonishing gifts for you from all over the exotic West. The Carthaginians still pay us no mind. They treat us no differently than they would any other trader who has set up a tent on their street. The only difference is that we have set up barracks and the only thing that we are trading is peace for obedience; the way it should be. I would imagine that in the big cities that it would be a different story. In all my time here I have yet to see a single uniformed Carthaginian. These are a simple people and they are kept such by the rulers in the cities. The more my men stay here the more they are disgusted by this entire country. Beside the urban centers, I believe that our Saunderian forts are the most civilized settlements for thousands of miles into West and the North. I can see the walled city of Utica on the most distant horizon. You may also be interested to know that we have been moved very close to the Great Wall. I often visit it and smile when I think about the times we spent in the shadow of the Eastern side of The Wall and that here I am so far and yet still so close. Rest assured I am in the safest place that I can be in this world whilst I am away from all that I love in Duralia.

Write soon,
Your loving husband,
Cavalry Sergeant Saun A. Shankaars II

 

[Kelvyquayo]

March 19th, 1686
P.K. Barracks #359
Thapsus, Utica District

Dearest Indira,

I am delighted to hear about your dance being a great success at the Purim festival. It seems like forever since I have witnessed the parade of Purim nor anything like it for that matter. The closest thing that we have here to decent music is often the wailing of these rustic farmers that dwell outside of our camps. Then every nine days the forts are visited by processions of traders from the main cities. I am told that these visits have been outlawed by the rulers of Carthage but I have yet to see any kind of enforcement of any law here from the government. In the 5 years of this post the only law that happens either inside of our gates or outside in those desolate slums, our forces are the only form of law that I can find. I send my men out daily and nightly so as to never let them off their guard, no matter how friendly these locals may seem I don't care if every one of the Carthaginians sends us their first born children for hostages and line up to wash our feet, my troops shall always uphold our borders as recognized by the terms of our occupational duties and shall never cast anything but hard eyes on these people. There is something very changeable about the lot of them as of late. As "wars" go, I am afraid this one in which I am a commander has been most dull. The only action we really have is our troops have started to conduct formal escorts of the merchant trains. We are told that this has angered the local business classes greatly. None the less the most exiting moments lately was some local farmer tried to sell his daughter to one of my corporals as a reward for saving his farmhouse. This started due to some Buddhist raiders coming though and lighting fires to the houses of those who do not help them. This particular I had sent out a squad of men to wait for them in a barn. Needless to say we put a stop to that with only one shot fired. Most of them were kids under orders of some rebel miscreant or another. This corporal happened to be the one ordered to report to the local farmer that all was safe and as a reward the farmer offered his daughter to the confused soldier. Now keep in mind, my dear, that the General had put a strict ban on all fraternizing with the native folk. Well, this farmer was horrified to have his beautiful daughter refused by my young strapping corporal so every few days began sending her to the doors of our fort in more and more extravagantly ridiculous outfits. After a few weeks of this the men came to expect at least a weekly dose of this farmers exhibitionist treatment of his daughter. Apparently the men began making a habit of showering her with gifts and naming her little Dido, which is a name of some Carthaginian hero. I actually ordered that corporal away to another fort. It is only a matter of time before the General gets wind of these activities so I'm afraid that I must think of some way to put a stop to it. I do not want the men to get too soft with merriment either. Such times we live in.
Give my love to the children and in case I do not get a chance to write soon, please wish everyone to have a joyous Passover.

Write back soon.
Your loving husband,
Major Saun A. Shankaars II