The History of the World VII . . . .

[Robert]

Balaji first speech to the members of the houses of parliament, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha

Dear members of the parliament.
Today is a great day for India for we have made another huge step into the great future of India.
For millenia our nation has been lead by royals and by chiefs. We owe a lot to them for they have lead our nation in a fair and wise way.

[speech interrupted by applause]

We thank the royal family for having the wisdom to give the power to the people when the people were ready for it.

[speech interrupted by applause]

I thank the citizen of India, and I am a citizen of India, like all people here presented, even our King, for starting this new chapter in Indian history in a peacefull way.

[speech interrupted by applause]

India is not known as one of the largest nations on Terra. Nor are we known for our bright knowledge of science or our many wonders of the world.
India is known though as the homeland of Krishnianity and Hinduism. These religions are an inspiration to many people in India and on Terra. Many of them are believers in Krishna. Many of them admire the stories of old times. Many of them are inspired by these stories. All of them concider our holy books and the city of Krishnai to be one of the most important chapters in the history of Terra.

[speech interrupted by applause]

India is known as a nation of peace. We were able to bring peace between the English and the Incans. Only during the brief period of reign of Asoka India left the paths of wisdom and integrity. We learned a lot from these black chapters in our history and the young republic of India will not forget what happens when our soldiers cross the borders of our territories.

[speech interrupted by applause]

India may be proud of the Church of Nativity and the Great Library, both located in Krishnai. We may be proud on our marble and gold mines. The fishers that go fishing in the freezing waters of the fishing sea, every day again. We may be proud for being able to live in our frozen territories. India may be proud for settling large parts of the new World, for having good relations with all nations on Terra.

[speech interrupted by applause]

We may be proud for the bright future that lays before us.

[speech interrupted by applause]

But even today there are troubling events taking place, not even so far away from our homes. Troubles arise again between our allies, the Egyptians and the Chinese, and our friends, the Bulgarians.
Their emissionaries ask about our insights in these difficult matters. If there is one nation that can help solving these troubles, then it's India.

[speech interrupted by applause]

Unfortunatly there's no simple solution to give, like we could give to the English and the Incans. The Bulgarians, our friends, are right when they claim to be the rightful owners of the old fields of their holy city.
Our allies, the Egyptians, are right as well when they complain about the large Bulgarian presence in territories far away from the Bulgarian capital, close, and maybe even in, an area that is close enough to the Egyptian capital to travel to it by feet in one day.

I understand that the Bulgarians do not want to give up their holy city. And I also understand that the Egyptians do not want to give up such an important city that close to their capital.

There could be a solution, if both nations want to join India under an Indian flag, all speak Indian and forget about their Bulgarian and Egyptian history.

[laughters]

But I'm afraid that our allies and friends will respond to such a possible solution with the same laughter as you just did.

[laughters again]

What if Egypt and Bulgaria declare war on each other over this issue? It is clear that China will join Egypt and Arabia may assist the Bulgarians. What will The New Republic do? May the Choson take the change to invade Arabia when it's not covering it's back? And the English, will they try to expand into Bulgarian territories?

All the possibilities of war I just spoke about will happen when war errupts. There are not many questions about that. But all eyes will be on India as well. What will India do.

My dear members of the Parliament, do you understand that we may have reached the so called civilized era of Terra, and your presence in this room is a great example of that. But do you understand that there's a heavy burden on our shoulders.

The future of India is bright, but the future of Terra may be blackened. I fear a future like that and I hope, dear members of the Parliament, that we will and can do anything, not only to keep the Indian territories save and healty, but that we will also invest in the future of Terra

[interruption by applause]

The history of Terra starts with India, the religions of old, the ancient culture.
Now we are here, near the possible end of our history, and there's a key layed somewhere deep into the grounds of India, and it's up to you to find it and use it in the rightful way.

I think you very much.

[standing ovation]

[KunojiLym]

Foreign Affairs Office
The Republic of China

China feels compelled to refute Bulgerian accusations of unfairness and impoliteness with regards to Lin'an, otherwise known as Veliki Preslav in Bulgerian and international parlace. While China understands to some extent the position that Bulgeria is coming from, we are hurt that the views of ourselves and of our Egyptian friends are not given adaquete consideration.

It is true that Lin'an was founded generations before the founding of Elephantine and Guangzhou. However, it is also true that Lin'an was founded, perhaps deliberatedly, much closer to the capitals of China and Egypt than that of Bulgeria. Bulgeria's own historical records bear this out. The fact that Bulgeria lost control of a wheat field is due to little more than the fact that the field is within the influence of our own capital, Anyang, regardless of whatever cultural pressure that Guangzhou has been exerting. Does Bulgeria wish to conquer the heartland of China herself to 'relieve' the pressure on Lin'an? We must remember that Bulgeria already consists one of the largest, if not the largest, empire known to man.

Also, it is not true that the wine fields west of Lin'an had originally been under Bulgerian control - not all of them, at least. Our records show that the westernmost fields were first cultivated by Egyptian, not Bulgerian workers. If Bulgeria chooses to then accuse China of stealing her wheat, we can similarily accuse Bulgeria of stealing Egyptian wine. This is to say nothing of the fact that the overpopulation in Lin'an is causing starvation in both China and Egypt.

If Bulgeria is fully intent of further developing the culture of Lin'an (already among the 5 greatest cities in the world), then China has no choice but to do likewise with Guangzhou, and to advise Egypt to do the same in Elephantine. China appeals to the international fraternity to likewise view the situation with Lin'an with an enlightened mind, and not to subcumb to fear or bullying.

Zhou Enlai
Foreign Minister

[Robert]

Key post: Political Parties in India


AETH
All of Earth belongs To Him
Orthodox Krishnian Party that believes that India is a Krishnian nation in it's core and that all laws should be based on the revelations of Krishna.


PIF
Party of Inner Freedom
The PIF is a liberal party in it's core that believes that the goal of the community is that the individual can reach peace in his heart.
The rights of the individual shouln't be harmed by the masses.


CHK
Coalition of Hinduists and Krishnians
The CHK is a more liberal religious party that believes that Hinduism and Krishnianity are the ancient religions of old. The morals and doctrines of these faiths aren't supposed to be forced upon the unbelievers, though they think that Hinduism or Krishnianity should be the state religion of the, in their eyes, Holy Indian Nation.


Green Party
The Green Party believes most in the beauty of Terra. The administration of India should focus firstly on saving the planet and the beautiful artic climate in India.
The Green Party believes that the Indians were placed on Terra by Brahman and therefor they should take care of the planet.


Labour Party
The Labour Party believes that all people on Terra are created equally by Brahman and should be treathed equally therefor. The people who work in the factories should get a fair loan. The working hours should be limmited and in cases of permanent disabilities to work someone should be paid by the governament.


IPF
Indian Party of Freedom
The IPF believes that the Indians are a more fair and noble race of people. Created by Brahman himself the holy land was given to them. People from other races shouldn't be allowed to enter India for other purposes then tourism and pilgrimage.


Royal Party
The Royal Party is a conservative party that longs back to the days of the kings. They believe that democracy will not be able to solve difficult issues and a wise monarch is the best for a land. The history has proven it.

[Robert]

Seats in the Indian Houses of Parliament

the Lok Sabha (Lower house)

AETH		23 seats
PIF		20 seats
CHK		17 seats
Green Party		16 seats
Labour Party		11 seats
IPF		8 seats
Royal Party		5 seats

Rajya Sabha (Upper house)

AETH		11 seats
PIF		10 seats
CHK		8 seats
Green Party		6 seats
Labour Party		8 seats
IPF		4 seats
Independant members		4 seats
Royal Party		2 seats

[Robert]

Indian Houses of Parliament pass the law for Freedom of Religion

The Indian houses of Parliament have passed a law to allow freedom of religion to everyone in the Indian Republic.
The law passed only barely through both houses of the Parliament. Both in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha a big minority of the AETH, the CHK and the IPF voted against the law. This coalition of religious and conservatives parties only has 48 of the 100 seats in the Lok Sabha and 24 of the 50 seats in the Rajya Sabha.

From a few independant members it was unknown wheter they would vote against or in favor of the new law. In the end all members supported the law.

After the law passed millions of Indians left their houses to protest in the cities of Rho-Delhi and Krishnai. "Krishna will not accept this insult to him" one of the protesters claimed.
The protestors remained calm and nothing happened but a peaceful parade in both the religious and the political capital of India.

[deity]

The two Celtic Buddhist spies were under a lot of pressure in Koguryo. Certain information had been leaked about the Choson options but only those favouring the interests of a Buddhist nation. Option 2a & 2b were lost. Wang Kon had been quite outspoken about these options and it possible that Wang Yung inteferred with their spy releases and deliberately allowed only certain options to be leaked. Wang Kon was at odds with his father about several matters but this escapade was subtle. They both knew what was going on but couldn't openly admit to the other.

Such is politics within a nation. Wang Kon's Second Kingdom, centered in Koguryo was the military powerhouse of the Choson. Wang Yung continued to concentrate on peaceful strategies and he had the backing still of the First and Third Kingdoms. He was grateful, however that his son was providing a solid measure of security on the border - The Great Wall of Choson.

---

However, Wang Yung continued to control the country's tax rates and research was favoured over taxes. He did indulge Wang Kon though by ensuring military techs were procured as a safety net. But Yung's agenda was elsewhere and he was in close talks with the New Republic. His diplomatic envoy remained in their capital awaiting construction of the United Nations. Important issues would be discussed here.

In the mean time the New Republic is invited to a bilateral meeting to discuss the construction of Wonders. All nations on Terra had supported the New Republic's request to build the UN and the Choson are 100% behind this.

---

Wang Kon was also in secret talks but not with the nations of the West. He had convinced his father to provide military tech support to some of these nations.

However the Choson alliances were such that only the New Republic and the Choson could make true advances in research, whereas they were competing with a strong three-way alliance of Arabia, England and Bulgaria. It may not be possible to stay in touch with their rapid advancements but the Choson's gifting of technologies was an investment in goodwill and security and in some cases certain technologies were owed to the Choson.

---

So the Choson were not really following any one clear agenda but mixing agandas based on the subtle power politic s of father and son...

[OzzyKP]

Ozman's Dream

Ozman, a young prince, was known and praised widely for his devotion to God and desire for learning. Ozman began to visit a holy man, the Sheik Edebali out of respect for his purity and learning. They met at the Itbourouni, which was a village in Syria. After he had one evening accidentally seen his beautiful daughter, Mal Hatun, Ozman's visits became more frequent, which led to a confession of love. However the Sheik Edebali thought that the disparity of positions made a marriage unwise and refused to give his consent.

In the following months the disappointed Ozman sought consolation in his friendships. With a lover's inspiration, he so eloquently described the beauty of Mal Hatun that the listeners fell in love with her. The young chief of Eskişehir also went to Mal Hatun's father and demanded her hand for himself. Edebali refused. However, Edebali feared the vengeance of the chief of Eskişehir, so he moved his residence from the neighborhood of Eskişehir to a very close place called Ertuğrul.

The chief of Eskişehir began to hate Ozman and see him as his rival. One day when Ozman and his brother Gokalp were visiting the castle of their neighbor, the lord of Ineani, an armed force approached the gate, led by the chief of Eskişehir and his ally, Michael of the Peaked Beard. They demanded that Ozman be given up to them, but the lord of Inaeni refused to commit such a breach of hospitality. While the enemy lingered irresolutely around the castle wall, Ozman and his brother seized a moment for a sudden attack. They chased the chief of Eskişehir off the field in disgrace, and took Michael of the Peaked Beard prisoner. The captive and the captors eventually became friends however; later, when Ozman reigned as an independent prince, Michael sided with him against the Greeks, and was thenceforth one of the strongest supporters of the Ottoman power.

By this encounter at Ineani, Ozman had triumphed over his rival and acquired a valuable friend, but he could not gain the maiden of his heart. For two more years he waited, sick with love and anxiety.

One night, when Ozman was resting at Edebali’s house (for the shelter of hospitality could never be denied even to the suitor whose addresses were rejected), the young prince, after long and melancholy musing on her whom he loved, composed his soul in that patient resignation to sorrow, which, according to the Arabs is the key to all happiness. In this mood he fell asleep, and he dreamed a dream:

Ozman saw himself and his host reposing near each other. From the bosom of Edebali rose the crescent moon, and inclining towards the bosom of Ozman it sank upon it, and was lost to sight behind a goodly tree, which grew in beauty and in strength, ever greater and greater. Still did the embracing verdure of its boughs and branches cast an ampler and an ampler shade, until they canopied the extreme horizon of the three parts of the world and blocked out the beautiful shine of the moon.

Under the tree stood four mountains, which he knew to be Caucasus, Atlas, Taurus, and Haemus. These mountains were the four columns that seemed to support the dome of the sky that lay beyond the sacred, suffocating tree. Ozman rose and began to climb. Higher and higher he climbed till he saw four mighty rivers, the Tigris, the Euphrates, the Danube, and the Nile. Tall ships and barks innumerable were on the waters. The fields were heavy with harvest. The mountain sides were clothed with forests. Thence in exulting and fertilizing abundance sprang fountains and rivulets that gurgled through thickets of the cypress and the rose.

Still higher yet he climbed and he climbed.

In the valleys glittered stately cities, with domes and cupolas, with pyramids and obelisks, with minarets and towers. Peaking through the foliage the Crescent moon shone on their summits: from their galleries sounded the Muezzin’s call to prayer. Ozman reached the summit of the mountain, and was free of the interlacing branches of the all-overarching tree, at last he could see the pleasant beauty of the shining crescent moon. Responding to the call below, Ozman knelt down to pray.

The sound of his prayer was mingled with the sweet voices of a thousand nightingales, and with the prattling of countless parrots of every hue. Every kind of singing bird was there. The winged multitude warbled and flitted around beneath Ozman, lifting him upon their backs and carrying him higher and higher.

Suddenly there arose a mighty wind, and turned the points of the sword-leaves towards the various bodies of the sky, but especially towards the moon. That brilliant crescent, placed at the junction of the heavens, seemed like a diamond set inside a valley of coal, to form the most precious stone in a ring of universal empire. Ozman thought that he was in the act of placing that visional ring on his finger, when he awoke.

Ozman told this dream to his host; the vision seemed to Edebali so clearly to indicate honor, power, and glory to the posterity of Ozman and Mal Hatun, that the old Sheik no longer opposed their union. They were married by the saintly Dervise Touroud, a disciple of Edebali.

Ozman promised to give the officiating minister a dwelling-place near a mosque and on the bank of a river. When Ozman became Sultan, he built for the dervis a convent, which he endowed richly with villages and lands, and which remained for centuries in the possession of the family of Touroud.

[OzzyKP]

TWENTY-FIRST SESSION 1585 AD

India(Gandhi) - CyberShy
Egypt(Ramses) - condor223
New Republic(Ragnar Lodbrok) - Rykoffe
China(Qin Shi Huang) - KunojiLym
Choson(Wang Kong) - Deity
Inca(Huayna Capac) - dangime
Kushren(Napoleon Boneparte) - AI
England(Victoria) - Glohithia
Celts(Brennus) - AI
Arabs(Saladin) - OzzyKP
Bulgaria(Cyrus II) - Toni


Session 21 Number of Cities (since session 19)

Vikings - 21 (+3)
Bulgaria - 18 (+1)
Choson - 16
Arabs - 15
China - 15
Egypt - 14
Kushren - 13 (+3)
Celts - 12
India - 11
England - 9
Inca - 8


[/QUOTE] [/QUOTE] [/QUOTE]

[Rykoffe]

United Nations under the North Star

Newscaster: Live, on the Republic News Network, our prestigious leader has this to say to the free world:

We, the Republic, wish to state that people are not a thing to be subjugated under one another as cattle or crop.

Whether you dislike or hate one another, you will acknowledge the rudimentary foundation that we are all sentient homo sapiens, and should be given at least that measure of respect.

People of England, your past treatment of the Incan nation has been appaling. We hope you will listen further to the counsel of your Arabian allies in the future.

Citizens of the Bulgarian province of Veliki Preslav, the structures of Guangzhou were yours to do with as you will. It was worthwhile to contemplate the goodwill you represented by allowing China to continue it's governmental rule there.

National leaders, we are the role models for those who follow in our footsteps, and those who would walk them in the future.

For that reason, I hereby officialize our present union in Bjoergyn and welcome all international visitors and their respective ambassadors.

[deity]

( Damn, I started to watch this brilliant production and got interupted at home - then came back and it said you'd reach your data transfer limit I'll try again later.... You are a superb asset to diplo-gaming Ryke. What would it take to keep you in HOTW8? Capo would love your stuff especially.)

[Robert]

Great work! Gave a good feeling and made the game come (even) more alive.
21 session games are really amazing! I thought yesterday about our first sessions and our first stories. It seemed 5000 years ago

[OzzyKP]

Ryk, I can host your stuff up on my website. Send the files to my e-mail (should be in my profile.) I've got enough bandwidth to share. And your stuff is so awesome it deserves to have a more permanent home online.


edit: Just watched it. More awesome, awesome stuff. You are amazing Ryk.

I second CS, you definitely need to be in on HOTW8. These games are much better when you start off a civ from the beginning and don't have to suffer from your predecessor's mistakes.

[KunojiLym]

The 16th century was a century of much change and turmoil, both in the China and in the world at large.

With the rise of popular culture in Bulgeria, the age of cultural imperialism officially began. Broadway, established in Lin'an (Veliki Preslav), subsequently corrupted the minds of many youths, both in the neighboring Chinese and Egyptian nations, and beyond. The construction of first the Eiffel Tower, and then the creation of popular music in Silvar, though on the other size of the Bulgerian Empire, had massive rammifications on the borders of all her neighbours; again, Egypt and China were among those to suffer.

More was to come. Bulgeria became the first to sucessfully test a nuclear device, a horrible weapon of mass destruction. Her army was fast-growing, and along with the Choson and Arabia, their military might far outstripped the other nations, making them the undisputed superpowers of the world. Indeed, Arabia became the first nation to send a vessel into space. And finally, towards the end of the century, traitorous elements incited a revolt in Guangzhou, cultural capital of China and home to the thriving film industry, and turned it over to Bulgeria. There was no doubt that the Bulgerian cultural imperialism had much to do with the sorry state of affairs. Though Guangzhou was returned after a few years, the damage had already been done. Many precious mounments had been razed to the ground, and the National Museum had been thoroughly looted and destroyed. The Kuomingtang fell from power, after having almost continously ruled China for most of the 16th century; in their place, the Chinese Action Party became the new government.

A few years later, the New Republic proclaimed the establisment of a United Nations. On this agency now lies many of China's hopes.

[Toni]

Ryk I can only say WOW, thank you for investing so much time into something so entertaining. As CS said you made the game come much more alive. Shame now i really wona play, can't wait for session 22. Hey we have been playing this 5 months & thats another big WOW.

[OzzyKP]

After the death of his legendary father, Ozman I, the next in line of the Ozman Dynasty, Sultan Mehmed II calls a meeting of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Mehmed II – My father was a great man, who did many great things for the glory of Arabia. Because of his dream for us, Arabia was the first nation to put a man in space. Arabia was the first nation to put a man on the moon. Arabia was the first nation to split the atom. His many advances in science and technology deserve praise for as long as any of our descendants shall live. However he has left unaddressed a grave threat to our national security. A wicked storm of destruction gathers upon our border that seeks to destroy us and our way of life.

This is a serious threat unlike any we have faced as a people before. Intelligence Director Bin Laden, inform everyone of what you’ve learned.

Bin Laden – The Choson have built a massive army just along our border. For centuries we have maintained military parity with our eternal enemy, the vile Choson, but in recent years their military production has outstripped the entire world. Indeed our spies report that the Choson are in a state of full mobilization. Every major factory has been converted from peacetime pursuits to full war production. Tanks, infantry, and battleships are being produced in massive amounts. Their entire economy is focused on the production of military weaponry.

General Massoud – Tell us more about their current army. Where are they stationed? Have you uncovered any plans?

Bin Laden – Their entire military sits on our border waiting for the order to attack. Their tank corps is within striking distance of Medina. Our agents haven’t intercepted any direct communications between the Choson leadership but the behavior of the troops leaves little doubt as to their intentions. The training of the tank corps is centered exclusively on city assault. Let me be perfectly clear, this is not a defensive force. This is a force trained for one purpose, and one purpose alone – the conquering of Arabian cities.

*A grim cloud passed over the room. The supreme military commanders of Arabia sat in silence as they considered the situation. Their faces were pale and taut. Finally the Sultan spoke*

Mehmed II – Admiral Barbarossa, inform us of matters in the Arabian sea.

Admiral Barbarossa – The Choson navy is strong and numerous. We cannot match their numbers, but our navy is the best trained in the world. I have fanned out our forces to guard us from naval invasion. The Choson have deployed their forces in such a way as to keep an eye on our ships at all times. Our ships follow theirs, their ships follow ours. It is a tinderbox just waiting for a spark.

Mehmed II – Have you seen any indication they are preparing for a naval invasion?

Admiral Barbarossa – Nothing yet. Defending our shores from an invasion by sea is what our forces are training for, but at this point I haven’t seen much indication that they are planning such an invasion.

Ahmad Ismail Ali, Homeland Security Director – Yes, from Director Bin Laden’s report it does seem that most of their strategy centers around an invasion of Media via land. Our new airborne cavalry have been training for just such a possibility. I believe they will perform admirably in the event of a tank attack. However I can make no guarantees about the defense of Medina. The Choson army is simply too massive.

Mehmed II – What are our chances if we strike first? If their invasion force is bred for city assault, perhaps they’d be easier to deal with if they were put on the defensive.

General Massoud – It is an option we have considered, but the defenders in the great wall outside of Koguryo are very well entrenched. It would be a repeat of our great Jihaad against the Choson centuries ago. We simply lack the forces to adequately deal with this threat. There seems to be little standing in the way of the Choson plans to invade.

Mehmed II – Then a diplomatic answer may be our only option. I hope the New Republic is as devoted to peace as they claim, for their new United Nations will be born in fire as we bring this matter to them. I fear this is our only chance to avert war. I shall send Secretary of State, Yasser Arafat.