Destiny of Empires [Diplo Game] [Story Thread 4 - January 2011]

[Russia (DoE)]

Oh, NOOooo!!!

Genevieve...the only other female royal person .... Oh, my dear...

[Inca (DoE)]

Head of Tupac Family = Talchu Capac Tupac

The Tupac family is a far less important family than the others, but still holds a high place in Inca society due to its historic deeds and accomplishments, and its current control over the affairs of Caczcoyna. The Tupac were originally religious explorers, set on finding the Limits of the land. They largely succeeded, actually, yet found themselves somewhat lost and completely disconnected with the Empire for over a thousand years. In that time, they sowed their seeds of mini-empires and fiefdoms throughout the relatively uninhabited plains and lowlands of the SE of Incaco. In time, they reconnected with the Empire, and later came to mount a settlement of their old lands in the now-Caczcoyna Hazco area. Although their political base remains in Mancho, and they are on very good terms with Mancha families and are strong in Mancha politics (in part due to control of Mancha trade with the SE of the empire, the goods of which mostly flow through the one highway connecting them to the west of the empire that goes bewteen Caczcoyna and Mancho), they have near-complete control within the SE of the Empire, in Caczcoyna and Cuzaca (an unimportant backwater for the time being). Their spiritual roots of discovery and exploration have stayed with them, in stark contrast to the fairly materialistic and hard-working Mancha, and as such they look to be the cultural and innovative center of the Empire, despite the SE's general lack of wealth and power (due in part to its agrarian nature and in part due to its utter seclusion from the centers of power).



Head of Yupanqui Family = Talchu Capac Yupanqui

The Yupanqui family is another major player in central bureaucracy politics. Newer than some of the more established families, the Yupanqui have still managed to ascend to the highest positions in government, at times even holding the throne. The family is fairly small, but is branching out, albeit at a slow pace. They made their name executing gold-silver arbitrage, making very rapid gains in wealth in an otherwise fairly static society where wealth accumulation is measured in centuries rather than decades. Somewhere around 220AD, the Yupanqui rose past the ranks of simple traders and into the ranks of the elite, and within another 25 years and risen to the top of that heap as well. Their small numbers have been their limiting factor, although perhaps this relative lack of size has been an asset as it would have certainly reduced the fear other established families and groups had of the Yupanqui during their rise (nothing a few gold tons couldn't fix, at least). Due to their extreme wealth, concentrated in only a few hands, the Yupanqui family members hold an unusual number of high positions for their size, with individual members vying with the other great players for the title of "richest men in the Empire".

[Mongolia (DoE)]

Once again a large invading stack moves into Mongolia. It moves its forces into a Mongolian city, but immediately finds itself driven out. Once again a vengeful, barbaric empire then moves and burns a city to the ground, committing massive genocide killing women and babies and children. First time it was Russia, this time it is China. They cannot stand up to and fight our armies, so instead they fight and kill our babies. This is a sick, vengeful world, but Mongolia will continue to fight the enemies armies, not take the easy way out, the cowards way out and fight babies and unarmed women and kill them. This stack of barbaric soldiers has now been exterminated to the last man. Mongolia will continue to fight this barbarism.

[France (DoE)]

After the cowardly ambush on our beloved Queen Genevieve, to keep law and order in the kingdom, the military has assumed power in France. I am General Maray and shall be adressed on all matters of foreign policy. The military will stay in power during the current crisis. Genevieve is alive, but severely wounded and unconcious. Her life is seriously at stake. God only knows how this ordeal of the French people will end.

An inquiry commission is investigating the circumstances of the assassination attempt, and especially if the assassin got his orders from abroad. Rumors have it, that the Damnanglais are behind this heinous crime, but there is no evidence. So until the end of investigation we will abstain from blaming anyone.

[England (DoE)]

To: General Maray
Subject: The Attack on the Queen

England is shocked to hear about the terrible attack on Queen Genevieve. The Queen is a highly respected leader here in England and all our people hope for a quick and full recovery. I put my royal doctors at your disposal, just say the word and the best medical minds in England will come to Paris and help the Queen recover. We wish only for her health and safety, and the safety of France.

It seems that a Hindu zealot is to blame for this terrible crime. We will watch our borders if this villain escapes into our waters he will be caught and handed over to French authorities. We pledge the full cooperation of England in finding this attempted assassin.

We understand that certain anti-English forces in France are stirring up rumors about our possible involvement and we assure you that couldn't be further from the truth. We have lived peacefully alongside France for generations and wish only to continue to co-exist in peace. England has no interest in interfering with French affairs. We shall help in tracking down this criminal and hope no one falsely places the blame upon us for political purposes...

-King Henry III

[England (DoE)]

The Birth of the English Empire the Death of her King

The conquest of the new world was going splendidly. After discovery of the new world by Admiral Columbus, King Richard moved swiftly to take advantage of this new land. Columbus was sent back, to the north, to subdue the American natives and rule them for the glory of England. Henry Hudson was sent south, with Captain John Smith to explore the southern continent. Muslims from York emigrated to the northern coast of the southern continent to establish a colony they named Plymouth, there they would find religious freedom. Businessman and adventurer, Sir Walter Raleigh persuaded King Richard that there was great money to be made in this land and that all haste must be made to exploit its riches. He further persuaded the King that the English attempts to settle in Africa were folly. Carthage and Arthurton were sinkholes that have claimed many lives and much investment. They would never be as profitable or useful as lands in the new world. Furthermore, they only provoke England's neighbors, the French and Neandor.

King Richard decided that England's African adventure was over. He signed a treaty with the Ottoman Turks to hand over control of England's north African lands to finally wash his hands of that dry, useless continent. English citizens from Carthage and Arthurton had little desire to live as part of the Ottoman Empire and be ruled by Jewish masters. They readily joined Sir Walter Raleigh in his South American venture. They founded colonies east of Plymouth, Georgetown, named after St. George the patron saint of England, and Williamsburg, named after King William, the Conqueror who had first won England for Christ. These were the first Christian communities in the Americas.

Not all expansion in the new world was peaceful. Admiral Columbus, through guile and trickery was able to capture the chief of the Americans. In their crude tongue he was known only as "The Man". He was left to rot, alone in a cell, for the rest of his days. Without a head, the body of America soon fell in line. King Richard appointed Charles Cornwallis Viceroy over the Americans. Born into a prominent noble family, Cornwallis had an accomplished military career in England before being given this assignment. He approached it with an exacting professionalism, as the King surely expected of him. Resistance to English rule was sporadic and unorganized. Viceroy Cornwallis crushed any dissent with brutal efficiency. With their advanced weaponry the Americans were powerless to resist. England was officially an empire.

Resistance was dealt with sternly, but otherwise England looked upon America as backwards children in need of proper education and guidance. The slaves, mistresses and resources taken from the land were merely just payment for the civilizing influence England brought. Viceroy Cornwallis worked to stamp out the backwards native language, culture and religion. Children were instructed exclusively in English and speaking the native American tongue was outlawed. Viceroy Cornwallis expected their primitive tongue would soon go extinct. English styles of dress, poetry, music and literature were spread as well. Cornwallis also brought with him superior English farming techniques and other advanced technology to improve the lives of the natives. Through proper education and discipline, he was confident the American natives could be properly civilized.

King Richard was pleased to hear of English successes in both North and South America. Yet his heart still longed for the answer to the question that began this entire quest to push beyond the seas. What has become of John Cabot?

He heard from Admiral Columbus that the Aztec had heard rumors that seemed to match up with John Cabot and that a party was dispatched amongst the Aztec to track down the truth. Time passed slowly as he waited for word. One day, while inspecting the London defenses, he was struck, quite accidentally by a crossbow bolt. The bolt pierced his shoulder, and while a non-fatal blow, he soon became ill. The wound was festering. It appeared the king would die.

In his final hours, the King received two visitors. The first, the boy who shot him, was a terrified lad of 12. He fell at the King's bed, sobbing and begged his forgiveness. His crossbow misfired and struck him by mistake. The King, known as the Lionhearted both for his bravery and his compassion, forgave the boy of his crime, saying, "Live on, and by my bounty behold the light of day," before ordering the boy to be freed and sent away with 100 shillings.

His second visitor - and last visitor - was a messenger. He brought word from the Americas, "John Cabot lives, sire! He traveled east beyond China and discovered many uncharted lands and waters before finding the Inca. He lives still, in the Incan capitol, as a very old man. Your quest has ended, John Cabot has been found!"

With that, Richard smiled and, on April 6, collapsed into the arms of his mother. The lion was slain by the ant. The King was dead. He had no heir.





(OOC: Once again, this is getting caught up on an old post. The previous post, from Henry III is from the current ruler. This, about Richard, is from a while back. I have a lot to get caught up on!)

[Robert]

Story Thread 5