Destiny of Empires II [Story Thread]

[Calanthian]

Chen Dao has been promoted to general for his outstanding performance and the excellent tactics he planned.
The elite infantry unit which secured Karakorum will from now on be known as the White Ear Infantry.

[DNK]

Prelude to an Empire, Pt. 6

In this situation, Ary now felt a sort of hopelessness. With Sambor falling, next it would almost certainly be their turn. It was not long before the Phirun across the lake fell, though they were never very strong. With all the soft targets taken out, Roluos now stood poking out at the Viet along the valuable farmlands of the Tonle Sap.

One day, word came through that Vat Phu had developed an agreement with the Viet, something alike to being a client state. There was no doubt then that Roluos was soon to fall. Within the week, people from her own kingdom began migrating through her lands, stopping at her feasts. The end had arrived.

Then there was last night. In the middle of it she was awoken by screams outside. Waking in the dark, she at first worried that another incident had occured with a migrant and a local house. But a commotion commenced that included further shouts and screams, crying, and cursing. It was more than that which her ears picked up as she sat, frightened, paralyzed on her mat. It was not only the noise of people, but of things. Dozens of things clanging and breaking, being dropped and shifted around. It was as though every house had come alive, with all the items inside shuffling about in a mad panic. That was when Ary noticed that the night was brighter than it should have been, and the hue was not that of an early dawn, but rather a late sunset.

She finally walked out of her door and saw the scene. Across the horizon to the south, the sky blazed an orange and red color, as deep clouds settled and rose from the land behind the marshes. Throughout her village, families were packing, some already having done so were leaving. Still not quite awake, Ary considered it a wildfire, for it was the dry season still, but it slowly dawned on her that this was not an act of the gods but of men. Chang Palak was on fire.

Ary waited a while and watched the scene unfold, or continue to unravel in a chaotic manner. As she fully woke, she began to consider her choices. After a few minutes, once the panic had subsided, she decided to wait for the morning. It was clear from the moon that the night was ending soon, and whatever calamity had befallen Chang Palak would not likely cross the marshes in this darkness, nor would it likely strike her village within the same day. She had time, therefore, to pack carefully, and to rest. It seemed clear, however, that her village would not be one of the fortunate ones...

[OzzyKP]

btw, the hspace attribute will move the text off from the edge of the pictures. So, inside the img tag put in hspace="10".

[DNK]

I know. I like it that way, though.

[OzzyKP]

ok then

[DNK]

So, how's the West doing? To us Asians it seems a quiet, relaxing sort of place one goes to on vacation, where nothing happens and nothing changes. Swaying palm trees and long beaches and all that... must be a pleasant world to live in, free of war and strife and conflict and deception and grand diplomacy and such

[Calanthian]

Open letter to warlord Kenshin Takeda, leader of the Western Army of Japan:

Kenshin Takeda,

we understand that you threatened Qu Juan, the governor of Karakorum to surrender the city to your samurai troops.

May we respectfully remind you that samurai perform not so well against fortified, elite units like the musketarmed White Ear Infantry and the Cho-ku-nu's under command of Cao Cao himself.

Perhaps your words were spoken too soon and too harsh. We can understand that. The unwise man continues on the ill chosen path, even though he knows his pride leads him astray. The wise man returns to the path of peace and wisdom.

We are prepared to oversee this indiscretion. We are confident that we can still live in peace side-by-side.

If not, know that you will be fighting a lot more of these well-trained, advanced units.
Recently the Chinese army has learned to rely on units which can strike hard from a distance, whereas your troops are still masters of melee. Your precious samurai can't defend themselved against gunfire.

Zhengzong


***

[LzPrst]

The Kingsmoot

In the glorious battle of Jutland, French Knights led by Louis VII broke the Viking defenders of Ribe, ensuring the safety of the north German Kingdoms from the threat of Viking raids. Shortly after King Louis and Henry feasted together. The celebration of the grand victory over the savage barbarians of the northlands lasted for many days and nights. The French King then reiterated his suggestion of an alliance between the nations of the old Roman empire. After careful consideration, King Henry of of the Holy German Empire agreed to commence discussions regarding the format of such a treaty.

The following year, the King of Spain, France and Germany would meet in Rome to discuss the revival of the western Roman Empire under the cross.

[Carthage (DoF)]

wrong thread again..

[Calanthian]

An intrepid traveller, named Marco Polo...

From the lands far in the west a traveller has arrived at the Chinese court.

He tells us that in these lands many wonders are being built..

[DNK]

The Middle-Classical History of the Viet

A History of the Viet, by Le Minh Khai, 1952
After their successful bid for independence from the Chinese in the late 10th century, led by general Le Loi, the Viet rapidly expanded into the rest of Southeast Asia. The Viet first expanded south along the coast, no longer blocked by the Champs in the central highlands. Once there, however, the colonists founded their own, separate kingdom, centered around Prey Nokor - the name for modern Saigon. Within a generation, they had conquered the remnants of the Khmer Empire, at the time little more than a federation of minor kingdoms, perhaps not even that.

Upon this success, they first expanded throughout the rest of the southern portion of the subcontinent. Once they secured this area, they turned their gaze back towards their ancestral homelands to the North. By now, a distinct Southern culture had emerged, and attempts by the great Northern city of Thang Long ("Rising Dragon", modern Ha Noi) to bring the South under its control proved fatal to its interests. The leader of the Northerners, Trinh Trang, finally issued an ultimatum to the South to rejoin the empire and accept submission to the Trinh dynasty. Around 1015AD, the massive Southern armies, their ranks swelled by Khmer fighters and elephants, invaded the North as so many purely Khmer and Champ armies had done before. This time, however, they were successful for a variety of reasons, most notably due to their general, Nguyen Kim.

Soon after, a revolt broke out among the newly conquered northerners, and in the aftermath a new dynasty was formed under Nguyen Hue (unrelated to Kim). This dynasty would last for centuries.

Then the Viet, now with the capital in Prey Nokor, continued their push into the northwest, facing down the incipient Pagan Empire, and readily defeating its forces at the Battle of Pagan. There, the Viet suffered only minor casualties -though high numbers were prepared for- after general Le Thanh Tong made several key tactical decisions, including the most important one: to cross the Irrawaddy River to the north. The Pagan expected an attack from the river, but instead found themselves surprised and overwhelmed when the vast Viet armies emerged from the thick jungles to the north of the city, unseen by Pagan scouts. Somehow, 3000 elephants had gone unnoticed.



At this point, the Viet armies returned to their home provinces mostly, save a large garrison force kept in Pagan. Soon, however, war called them again to the North, but this time to the far north, though the armies were never to arrive at their destinations, the Mongols having been defeated before they could take part in the fighting. Soon after, the Viet returned home and settled down for a long period which saw the population continue to expand, though it remained highly agrarian. Life still centered on subsistence production of basic resources and fishing. Though the empire as a whole expanded greatly into new landmasses throughout the East Sea and beyond, the old centers remained fairly unpopulated by the contemporary standards, especially those of China and Japan. A traditional, feudal, politically fragmented style of life settled down across the empire, and it would be generations before the empire saw the explosive population growth that would define its Renaissance Period.

[1889]

Victorious India

Nobody could recall the specific event that triggered the war; nobody could recall the first attack or the initial provocation. It was a mystery weather an official declaration had ever been issued but while the details were vague nobody could argue its righteousness. Cultural, religious, and political differences made strife between the two neighbors inevitable but tiny India had never wanted an actual war with its giant neighbor. For centuries the Gupta Dynasty had tried to preserve peace but to no avail, the Arabs were committed to their intolerance. In desperation the emperor risked all and sent his entire army over the passes into Arabia.

The timing was fortuitous. Reeling from Christian onslaught in the North and West the feeble forces the Arab could muster meet defeat in battle after battle. To their surprise the Indians found victory to be a drug more addictive than opium and the advanced further and further in to distant and largely worthless territory. Overextended they finally deigned to offer peace terms to their ancient but crippled foe. Defeated and desperate the Arabs accepted and at last the war was over.

India’s victorious monarchs could now concentrate on development as they always claimed to prefer, promises which triggered a veritable golden age as diversity lead to new ways of looking at problems, an open passage to the west triggered, brought new products in trade, exposed the formerly isolated peninsula to new industry and allowed technology to expand rapidly. Victory was not the same as peace. India was now an Empire, and cultural, religious and political differences still existed between East and West these were now internal problems. The new strength would be needed to prepare for the challenges ahead.

[MNGoldenEagle]

Taejo's visit to Wonsan, he concluded, had been most edifying. It was relieving to see the small village burgeoning with activity, and while it was still somewhat lacking compared to the more magnificent cities of Pyongyang and Seoul, it at least still was proudly bearing its challenges as all Koreans should. They had been most hospital and welcoming, he noted, and while they were unable to offer much, it did not stop them from overextending themselves to see him most comfortable. While he did not personally like such recklessness, he nevertheless was glad to see such loyalty in their hearts. It was a welcoming change from the constantly shifting politics and tensions in his own council.

Wonsan also represented the first step of fulfillment in his promise to the people, an expansion of the Korean Empire. For now he was able to keep his generals content with the prospect of northern expansion; there was plenty of land and quite a few key resources to be had, which made the idea all the more appealing. What was more important, to Taejo at least, was the lack of any blood being shed. So many of the younger generals, lords, and soldiers were pushing for war against virtually every nation, but despite what progress they had made militarily Taejo was no fool. Their power was hardly strong enough to contend with the full might of the Chinese or Japanese, and they were both useful allies in their own right. The only danger those nations posed was their tensions with each other. That kept him far more on edge.

The trip back to Seoul so far had been uneventful and unpleasant. It was the dead of summer, and the sweat of men and pilgrims brought flies upon them. Not one night passed where he was able to sleep for a decent amount. If he wasn't busy swatting away insects, his thoughts were troubled by the unrest among his people and neighbors. What if the Japanese finally declared war? What if the Chinese became sick of the posturing? What if either of them called upon the Koreans for support? More likely it would be both; and that would be most bothersome.

No, what Taejo saw was far more likely was some reckless fool lord with fanciful ambitions in his head rousing up his armies and leading a strike against the Chinese. It would be utterly hopeless and foolish, and the damage they would do could end up being catastrophic. Despite the distractions of the battling grounds, sooner or later something would happen.

Taejo simply had to make sure that whatever happened didn't spell doom upon his people. Otherwise the promise of Wonsan would turn out to be a short-lived one.

[LzPrst]

In France, the old King Louis VII is dead. He is succeeded by his son, Louis VIII.

And there was much celebration. Many figs were thrown.

[1889]

Great Magician Increases Speed of Indian Ships!

The skinny young man was escorted into the voluptuously decorated throne room. He walked unsteadily, bouncing with each step as though he expected the ground to roll away beneath him. Every surface in the ornate room gleamed as though it had just been swabbed, yet his eyes kept glancing warily at the ceiling. He found it hard to think with so much stone perched above his head and hard to breath in the enclosed space.

“You’re most benevolent majesty, ruler of heaven on earth, sovereign over all the world! I present you India’s greatest hero, the mariner Cristo Colombo!” said the royal page as he reminded the slightly bewildered young man to knee.

“Yes, yes, quite a remarkable journey you have made on behalf of my kingdom young man, you have my gratitude. Now my advisors have been trying to explain to me some of the amazing discoveries you have made.”

“Oh yes your majesty, it was an amazing voyage,” Cristo related, visibly nervous in the midst’s of his king. “Every day of it filled with wondrous discoveries.” He continued wishing now that he had combed his hair that morning. He decided to make use of each pause to surreptitiously licking his hand and to smooth down the thick tangled matt before anyone noticed. “I can not think of where to begin,” he admitted, finishing with a nervous laugh.

“Well my advisors tell me you have found a new land, I would be interested to hear more.”

“Yes great king, an entire continent larger than this entire kingdom inhabited entirely by wild savages and I know it sounds impossible but even entire civilizations of savages.” When he got excitable he tended to use his hands, so he really wished he had taken a moment to buy suspenders before his interview with the king today. So next time he snuck his spit moistened hand through his tangled locks he slipped of his eye patch so he could tie it around his waits and hold up his knickers. I planted your flag on the shore thereby claiming the entire continent for you, then I myself acted as your envoy, to lay the foundations for trade and cooperation with the savages.”

“Good, good.” The king replied insincerely. His pursed lips began to frown and he shot a glance at his science advisor slash court magician.

“Even small islands must look big when you have been at sea in a tiny boat your entire life, would you not agree Cristo Colombo? Surly the port of the “savage civilizations” did not seem grander than that of your own king?” The chief magician queried.

“Er..no, excellency.” the young man replied sensing that he had said something wrong. Perhaps there was food on his teeth, why had he not brushed. From now on when he spoke he tried to remember to keep his lips tight over his lips to avoid any further problems before he revealed his big discovery.

“Yes, your voyage was amazing enough to bring great fame to my reign, no need to embellish it young man.” Said the king, seemingly in better spirits now that he had heard what he wanted. “Tell me of this other discovery that you say will “revolutionize” navigation.”

Cristo Colombo’s face lit up, this was the best part, vindication of his father’s life’s work! “The world is round!” he blurted out unable to contain his excitement and forgetting to hide his teeth behind his lips.

“Now, now,” the king said to his assembled advisors and courtiers. He motioned with his hand to silence the giggles and smirks trickling from them. “Go on young man.”

Considerably less excited now Cristo Colombo continued more carefully. “Your majesty, my father sailed always with the morning sun at our backs, that is how he left your glorious shores before I was born, and once I had grown old enough to take command I too sailed always with the morning sun on my back, and I find myself back on your glorious shores. We have sailed around the world your highness!” Cristo hurried to finish the belt now. “It makes you the beneficiary of knowledge that will create a revolution in navigation!” He exclaimed triumphantly hands held wide, pants held up securely.

But his audience was the opposite of impressed. A loud gasp emanated from them all at once, most of them put nervous hands to mouths and looked in shock to the kin for some clue as to how to react. The king jumped from his seat spluttering in disbelief, “A revolution!” he shouted.

The science advisor rushed to the king’s side, and eased him back onto his throne. “Your majesty, it is as I have already told you, the child is mistaken. Before they could sail west off the face of the earth I teleported then to safety in the east. That is how they found their way home.”

“What?! That’s not what happened!” Cristo blurted out, making another great discovery, this time about the character of the king’s chief magician. “You can not fall off the earth it is round! At sea you can see the starts make their revolutions!”

“Aah!” shouted the king again at the hated word. “Guards, get this rebel out of my court!”

In the ensuing commotion the Royal magician added, just for the boys benefit that “It was before you were born. That fool of a father thought to challenge me in front of the king with his mad scheme. I swore he would never succeed in undermining me, no matter what! Why your mother followed him to sea, especially in her state is beyond me.”

Reminded of his deceased parents the boy could do nothing but cry. Tears rolled down his cheeks. He didn’t even regret not washing his dirty face as two burly guards clad in mail armor clanked toward the boy and lifted him by the scruff of his neck and the back of his pants and tossed him roughly out of the palace doors and into a convenient mud puddle maintained nearby just for this sort of occasion.

Captain Colombo looked up from the mud into the clear blue sky with light puffy clouds floating above and at last he could breathe again. He got up and bounced back to the docks with his awkward steps eager to rejoin his ship and his crew and return to sea with the only family and the only home he had ever know.