History of the World III - The Story Begins

[Frank Johnson]

Lord Dangime pondered the future of the world and of his Chinese Empire. While China has nothing as serious as a border despute with another civilization to consider, it still had issues to deal with.

By the direction of the House of Dangime the Great Canal was completed linking interior portions of China to the port city of Shanghai. It was deitcated and offically opened with a ceremony and the unveiling of a huge bronze statue of the first emperor of China, Dangime I. Trade in the port city boomed.

Meanwhile advisors bickered over what was the path China should take in the future. Our first naval expeditions had just ended, with the discovery the islands of Japan and the settlement of 2 new cities. The expansion minister says this is just the first step, and more expeditions should be setout.

New ideas have been evolving in China, one such idea is Trade. Many people support the idea of going to foreign lands to offer and exchange goods and return with them to China.

But Lord Dangime had more immediate concearns, barbarian raiders threatened his latest settlement in the hills of western China. A militia was hastily prepared, and a battle is sure to insue soon. It is too bad any Zhuang Shi are too far to respond, as they could easily handle the situation.

[OzzyKP]

Baghdad Post

"Al-Arab Al-the time"

675 BC
.25 Gold


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ll TOP STORY ll
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Royal Lineage Continues After Sudden Death

King Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa has died suddenly in the royal palace in Mecca. His son, Prince Ahmed bin Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa has taken official control over the Kingdom of Arabia and will preside over his father's funeral Tuesday.

While old, Isa Al-Khalifa was in good health sources say. His death so far is a mystery; Prince Ahmed vows a full investigation to determine foul play.

"My father has presided over a time of glorious expansion and acheivement for our people, I find it hard to believe anyone would have a reason to assasinate him but I am not ruling anything out," commented Prince Ahmed.

"All my father's projects will continue on unabated."

Prince Ahmed will be crowned in the royal palace on Wednesday, there is no other successor.

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ll INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS ll
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Zulus Violate Sinai Treaty, Make Amends, Violate More

It was revealed to King Isa that the Amazulu have established two cities on the Northern African coast in direct violation of the ancient land agreement between the Arab and Zulu peoples. After confrontation the Zulu handed over both cities to Arab control, but demanded something in return. Government sources have been quiet as to what the deal entailed.

After securing this resolution to the Zulu's transgression it was further revealed that yet again the Zulu had broken the Sinai Treaty. Building more cities north of the agreed upon Bapedi border. The Zulu King claims to have "forgotten" about the treaty altogether. Instead of handing over the infringing territory as has been done in the past the Zulu government demanded the territory remain under their control.

Border Debacle Results In Flogging

Chinese explorers attempting to cross the Caucus Mountains to enter Russia were held up by excessive buerocracy in the Bedowin checkpoint. All transportation across the Bedowin checkpoints require a 15 Gold toll, the Chinese explorers paid the toll but were held up during an extensive background check at the regional Caucus office of the Bedowin Border Patrol. Wishing to make good with the Chinese travelers King Isa Al-Khalifa refunded 10 gold to the Chinese deligation and personally ordered the Bedowin comanding officer flogged for his delay.

Territory Expands Greatly

Colonization and expansion plans have gone ahead as planned to much success. Persia, Asia Minor and the Mideast have been settled and beautiful cities errected. Gains have been made in Egypt and far in Northwest Africa. Currently the Kingdom of Arabia includes 4 cities in Africa with the construction of 2 others underway. One more is planned in coming years.

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ll DOMESTIC AFFAIRS ll
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Pyramids Built In Mecca

A massive tomb to house the body of Emporer Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa and the royal family has finally been completed. This contruct is widely regarded as the largest construct of human hands on the entire planet and has earned acclaim from the leaders of all the great nations. Drawing inspiration from Arab neighbors in the region of Egypt the grand project was undertaken. All the world turned toward Mecca in awe of the power of Arabian engineering.

On a sidenote since pyramid construction was completed population levels have begun to increase at a faster rate. Many experts are baffled but local priests claim the power of the pyramids has something to do with it.

Road Project Carries On

The great Arab highway project continues. The cities of Antioch & Jerusalem, Baghdad & Tehran, and Kuiwait & Pura have all been connected by great roads. The roads are proclaimed to speed travel by up to 3 times. The Royal Engineering Corps vows to continue to link up cities and stretch the project into the new African lands.

[OzzyKP]

Cheif Engineer on the project, Mehareb Hohsen, stands by his creation.

[OzzyKP]

Salah bin Aziz bin Omar bin Hamad Al-Khalifa burst into the palace dining room waving a scroll and yelling angrily. "Look! Look what they are doing to us!"

Prince Ahmed bin Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa looked up from his meal to see what his passionate and excitable cousin was yammering on about now.

"The Zulu! For the third time they have violated the Sinai Treaty! Have they no shame!"

"Yes cousin, they are greedy Africans, but honorable people. Once they realize the treaty has been violated they will respect the terms of the agreement and make a deal for the violating territory. As it has been in the past."

"No! They refuse! The Zulu say they have made too many concessions for the treaty and will not honor it. They pledge to expand no further north but if they are breaking their word now, what reason do we have to believe them further?"

Turning to Foreign Minister Fahed Al-Taleb Prince Ahmed asks, "Is this true?"

"Yes sire, the Zulu are indignant. They are upset with the cities they've had to turn over to use because of the Sinai treaty. They refuse to turn over anymore."

"We don't ask for the cities, we just ask that they leave. The treaty was spelled out centuries ago, they have no excuse for breaking it regardless of their past genorisity," chimed in Salah.

After a long pause Prince Ahmed speaks up, "Hmmm, this is troubling news indeed. I trust our Zulu friends have our best interests in mind however. They have always been by our side to offer help, even when not asked. We are forever in their debt, perhaps a small fudging of the treaty can be overlooked."

"I respectfully and adamantly disagree. They have admitted to one city over the border, but there are reports that they may have as many as two or three cities north of the Bapedi line." While talking Salah gets up and grabs a Russian made map to show the Prince.

"Here is the location of the one city we have confirmed by the Zulu. It is very near the Arab city going up....here." pointing to another spot on the map, "they are so close it is very likely farmers in the area will be in dispute over resources. Word comes from the Russians that a similar dispute wages between them and the Indians in the far north. This border will be a spot of contention for years to come, and all because they have violated the long standing Sinai Treaty. They must be made to follow the treaty!" With this Salah drops down on a soft coushin in the room.

Prince Ahmed responds, "I appreciate your concern, and I am myself very concerned about this violation of the treaty. But they have promised to go no further, that is good enough for me, and it would have been good enough for my father."

"Your father was a weak man. And so are you. My grandfather was right about all of you." With this Salah stormed out of the room.

[Chris 62]

Germany awakens.

As the years past. the Goths grew in strength and numbers, spreading their culture throughout Europe.

At first, the Goths were slow to develop and grow, wandering the land aimlessly. they only vaguley remembered their great warlords like Alaric, and became aimless and sedate.

The people forgot the old ways, and the spirt of adventure and wonder, till a new leader arose to take over the tribes of Germania.
Prophesy long told of a new dynamic leader would arise, and he came, and did call himself Gaiseric the bold.

Like all Goths, he was gruff and illiterate, a bully and overbaring greedy swine, but he had one redeeming feature:
He wished to see he people as the greatest in the world.

To that end, he hounded hid subbordinates, tortured men of learning if they failed to solve problems, persecuted weak military officers, but his tyranny bore fruit.

Northmen, tired of his bullying, took forth in longships and reached a new world, where they settled in a place they called New York, and quickly built another outpost called Quebec.
The natives were friendly enough, but nobody knew who long it would last.

Gaseric shared one other quality with his ancestor Aleric, a vision:
The world burning under a Gothic storm....

[OzzyKP]

"Bring him in, Dhaher"

"Greetings my liege, there is trouble in Egypt. The likes of which I have never seen before."

"What is going on?"

"An upstart by the name of Moses, sir. He is an Israelite who was raised in the governor's household. For the past several days he has been making demands of the governor, demanding we let his people go."

King Ahmed threw his head back in laughter. "HA! The Hebrews provide good labor in Cairo, why should we let them go? There is much work to be done."

"Its not so easy sir. This man, Moses, claims to speak to his god. He and his brother Aaron made frogs appear all over Egypt. They have covered the land, it is quite frightening."

"Frogs? How bizzare, how has the Pharaoh handled the situation?"

"He made a deal with Moses sir, he said if he could destroy the frogs he would let the Israelites go. The next day the frogs were dead, and with the problem solved, Pharaoh refused to let the people go."

"ha ha, smart man. I'm glad I appointed him. What became of Moses?"

"He didn't stop sir. He kept going, more plagues. Next he sent lice, then flies, then a disease that struck Egypt's livestock, then boils, then a hailstorm, then locusts. Each time the Pharaoh promises to let the Israelites go and then changes his mind when the disaster is removed."

"What a fool! I change my mind about him, half a dozen terrible things happen and he doesn't figure out to let these people go already? Sheesh, what a thick skull. Quick, go to Egypt, tell the Pharaoh to let the Hebrews go. His stubborness is going to destroy Egypt, have the Pharaoh executed for his stupidity and put the deputy Pharaoh in charge. And hurry up before more stuff happens."

"Yes sir, right away sir."

[OzzyKP]

A Few Days Later

Panting, the messenger from before bursts into King Ahmed's Palace in Mecca. King Ahmed rushes to him, "Do you have news from Egypt? What has happened?"

"It is terrible sir.... terrible..."

"Oh no, what happened?"

"I got there too late... it was already over by the time I arrived."

"What was over? What happened?!"

"Moses returned again to the Pharaoh, and once again said 'Let my people go!' He always says that. Once again the Pharaoh refused, and so the worst disaster of them all occured that night. The oldest son in every household in Egypt died that night. Including the Pharaoh's own son!"

"Oh my heavens! Thats insane, what a bloodthirsty god of theirs. What of the Hebrews?"

"Apparently their god passed over them, not a single one was injured that night, but all the eldest Egyptian sons were. Finally Pharaoh told Moses and Aaron to get the heck out of Cairo."

"Whew, good, it is settled then. Those damn people are finally gone."

"Not quite yet sir. After hearing the Israelites were camping on the side of the sea the Pharaoh sent his army after them, figuring he could trap them between the desert and water and end them there."

"What happened?"

"Well... the sea opened up and the Israelites ran away along the sea bed. Pharaoh sent his troops into the sea to chase them, and once the Hebrews emerged on the other side the sea closed upon Pharaoh's troops, drowning them all."

"Arrgghh, that fool. I sure hope that bastard drowned with his troops, cause he'd experience his own set of disasters at my hands for his stupidity. Please tell me that is the end."

"It appears so sir. The Israelites are rumored to be wandering the desert on the Sinai Pennisula right now. While their god can kick some royal ass when he needs to, he doesn't seem to be the best on directions. They are making their way to Jerusalem, but with the way they are going its going to take them 40 years to make it there! Hehe."

"Ha ha, those fools. Well I'll see to it that they don't have any problems in Jerusalem. They can have the friggin place, these people are more trouble than they are worth."

"Yes sir."

(OCC - Happy Passover to all you Jews out there.)

[Dank]

A great shadow has drifted over the Mighty Indian empire. The death of GandhiDank is a sad event for the people. The eldest son of 29, Mohammed Dank rises to the seat of power that his fathers death has left vacant. The very first day of his reign his Defense Minister comes into his presence.

“O Great and Mighty one. I bring dire news from our northern borders. It seems that now we have a problem with Russians coming over our border to reap the rich harvest of the Indian lands.”

“How can this be?” Ask Mohammed, “ My father before his death brought back our own people from doing this. Do the Russians feel that they must get even?”

“Great leader I do not know the answer to your questions. But I do have some suggestions. First send a messager to the Russian leader asking him to pull back all of his people from the border. Second send out riders along the border to make sure that this is done. You might also want to start heavliy defending the border towns. They might be up to a sneak attack. People are jealous of our Hemp fields. They could start land grabbing”

“Make it so. People think the Indian nation is weak. Let us hope they do not make a mistake and truly believe this.”

As the minister leaves the King to his own musings he thinks to himself. “This Mohammed is not as weak as his father. The other nations laugh at us. That will be their mistake. With this new leader I shall have a chance to prove that we are truly a great and mighty nation. One to be respected or one to be feared!”

[OzzyKP]

Short session but was a boom period for the Arabs. Started the game near the bottom. Worked up to middle of the pack, now am doing quite well for myself. Here are some nice stats for everyone. Also the powergraph and demographics screen.

FOURTH SESSION

Native Tribes (AI) 16 Cities 49 Units
Indians (DankMaster) 11 Cities 20 Units
Russians (Prometheus) 11 Cities 17 Units
Arabs (OzzyKP) 16 Cites 19 Units
Chinese (Dangime) 14 Cities 17 Units
Germans (Chris) 15 Cities 22 Units
Amazulu (Kuja) 21 Cities 63 Units

[OzzyKP]

King Ahmed has grown very old (He is still on Old Testiment time, hasn't switched over yet. i.e. Genesis 9:28-29). He has turned into a bitter and cruel ruler. Wary of the Jewish people after many years of conflict over Jerusalem he has grown highly suspicious. The Jews have prospered in Jerusalem (once they finally got there). After many years of conflict between the Arab empire and the Israelites things have settled down to a degree. Currently Jerusalem is under the power of the Arabs, and the Jews exist as Arab citizens. While there is an uneasy truce the Jewish people look forward to the coming of a Messiah. Many prophets have foretold his coming.

Finally the day came when King Ahmed received a visit from three astronomers from far east. They asked him where was the King of the Jews, they have followed a star from far east leading them to the new born King of the Jews. King Ahmed, fearing this was the Messiah, and fearing his power may be challenged ordered all babies under 2 to be put to death in the villiage of Bethlehem. It pissed off a bunch of people, but these weren't the most liberal times, they got over it.

King Ahmed's murderous ways did not succeed. The newborn's parents fled Bethlehem to escape the attention of the King. An angel came to them advising them to flee to Egypt and wait until King Ahmed's death. After a few years King Ahmed finally passed away and the family returned to Israel, settling in the town of Nazereth along the sea of Galilee.

[Prometheus]

“All Hail Czar Ivan II, Ruler of Russia”

“Hurrah”

Prince Ivan II never wanted to be King; his mother Catherine was doing just fine changing the country’s infrastructure. She was a great leader and had died before her time. The Germans, Russia’s old and trustful allies were the first to wish him well.
He just wanted peaceful coexistence on part of all his neighbors, unfortunately that was going to be tough. On the eve of his coronation he had received a letter from the Indian Leader. The Central Plains were erupting with trouble. The border along was suppose to be neutral territory, and already the Indians had settled on it, on the border, the exact border, not to mention fortifying on, not south, but on the border the neutral territory separating our nations from each other. Then, to top it all off now they were claiming rights to the land on the border. This troubled Ivan II, this troubled him deeply he sat down and wrote two letters.

To: GandhiDank

To the Great Leader of the Great Indian Empire, I question your motives, what kind of man, claims the border territories for your own. Your ancestors settled on the neutral territory and we gave you no trouble, your armies fortified them, and we did not act with the same hostility. We do not believe you wish war between our two nations, but your nations increasingly hostility puts doubts in our minds.

Now to the issue of the territory you speak of, the border, the line that divides our two nations, it is not yours. We arrived first in these fields and we shall continue to harvest them, like you arrived first and settled on the neutral border a few hundred miles off. This is not your land, by treaty or any other way. Do not believe the Russians weak, we are not, nor shall we be intimidated by your forces that you keep near the border. The wheat is Russian, it has been, and if you call for our removal from it then we demand you abandon your forces positions and your city.

We hope for peace between our two nations but we must work for a greater understanding, instead of saber rattling.

Signed,

Czar Ivan II

To: General Yaroslav,
Prepare for the conscription of a number of forces to match the Indian’s forces in kind and to protect the border territories. The Indians may be preparing for an invasion. Note: you will not be called on to invade India proper, only defend against and repulse the forthcoming Indian Assault.

[OzzyKP]

30 some years go by.

Oldest son of King Ahmed, Raslan bin Ahmed bin Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, has assumed Kingship after his father's death. After several years of quiet in the world King Raslan has calmed down a bit. His new concubines have helped with that some. He appointed Pontius Al-Pilate to be governor of the Israel province. One day a memo arrives for him by courrier.

M E M O
TO: King Raslan
FROM: Pontius Al-Pilate, Governor of Israel
RE: Local Holy Man

For several years a Jew named Jesus has been traveling around Israel healing the sick, doing miracles and challenging authorities. Some of the Jews consider him to be the Son of God, the religous leaders call him a no-good trouble maker.

In his frequent preaching Jesus has gathered quite a following. Twelve Apostles who go with him everywhere and numerous others who consider themselves followers.

The other day the council of Jewish leaders from the Temple came by my palace. They brought with them Jesus and asked me to crucify him. He has been making a big stink, but as far as I knew he hadn't done anything wrong, so I asked what crime he committed. The religous leaders said he claimed to be the King of the Jews.

Now I know how you feel about other people claiming to be King, so I agreed to have him whipped. He never affirmed or denied the charges, just spoke peacefully in riddles. Go figure. He sure didn't seem like such an upstart so I went back to the people. Since it was their holiday of Passover I offered to release a criminal to them, I figured Jesus would be their pick since he was their "King". They said no! Go figure, they wanted this lowdown theif instead. They kept shouting "Crucify him! Crucify him!"

So I figured, 'what the hell', and I went ahead with it. I didn't want a scene on my hands, so we strung him up on a cross up on a hill. He didn't last too long before he was dead.

I figured that was the end of it. Everyone happy. But noooo. Now people keep telling me that this Jesus guy is back! Now, I trust my men, and I'm pretty sure that cross took care of him. We took lots of precautions, put him in a tomb and even guarded it to make sure no one stole his body.

Everyone keeps saying they've seen him, and that he has been raised from the dead. Screwy stuff, eh boss?

I'm not sure what to do now. Things are getting real big, all of his followers are calling themselves Christians and are spreading this around to everyone. It seems a new religion is catching on big time. Any advice on what to do?


(OOC - Happy Easter to all you Christians out there! )

[OzzyKP]

World Map

I am sensitive to desires to keep secrecy, so because Colonization is just getting underway I decided not to jepordize anyone's overseas positions and reveal anything other than the old world. Things look good, some empires are more compacted than others. Some have far flung colonies. Enjoy.

[Berzerker]

Newsflash: Great Zimbabwe -

The Mighty King Kuja, after years of reigning supreme over Sub-Saharan Africa, has made clear his intentions to retire the throne to his trusted aide and advisor from the far north - Berzerker!

For the first time in Zulu history, a bearded white man of mysterious origin, who brought to the Zulu the knowledge of seafaring, will assume the throne. We the people of Great Zimbabwe look forward to sailing uncharted seas with our new leader at the helm.

King Berzerker has already dispatched envoys to the world's great civilizations to assure those who rule by divine decree all treaties and alliances entered into by the Mighty Kuja will be honored. "We seek no hostilities, but only trade" is the motto of the new leader. "Let us live in peace in accord with the Creator's wishes..."

[OzzyKP]

Tarik's Address to His Soldiers, 60 A.D.

(Tarik was the Muslim leader who lead the conquest of Spain.)

When Tarik had been informed of the approach of the enemy, he rose in the midst of his companions and, after having glorified God in the highest, he spoke to his soldiers thus:

"Oh my warriors, whither would you flee? Behind you is the sea, before you, the enemy. You have left now only the hope of your courage and your constancy. Remember that in this country you are more unfortunate than the orphan seated at the table of the avaricious master. Your enemy is before you, protected by an innumerable army; he has men in abundance, but vou, as your only aid, have your own swords, and, as your only chance for life, such chance as you can snatch from the hands of your enemy. If the absolute want to which you are reduced is prolonged ever so little, if you delay to seize immediate success, your good fortune will vanish, and your enemies, whom your very presence has filled with fear, will take courage. Put far from you the disgrace from which you flee in dreams, and attack this monarch who has left his strongly fortified city to meet you. Here is a splendid opportunity to defeat him, if you will consent to expose yourselves freelv to death. Do not believe that I desire to incite you to face dangers which I shall refuse to share with you. In the attack I myself will be in the fore, where the chance of life is always least.

"Remember that if you suffer a few moments in patience, you will afterward enjoy supreme delight. Do not imagine that your fate can be separated from mine, and rest assured that if you fall, I shall perish with you, or avenge you. You have heard that in this country there are a large number of ravishingly beautiful German maidens, their graceful forms are draped in sumptuous gowns on which gleam pearls, coral, and purest gold, and they live in the palaces of royal kings. The Commander of True Believers, Alwalid, son of Abdalmelik, has chosen you for this attack from among all his Arab warriors; and he promises that you shall become his comrades and shall hold the rank of kings in this country. Such is his confidence in your intrepidity. The one fruit which he desires to obtain from your bravery is that the word of God shall be exalted in this country, and that the true religion shall be established here. The spoils will belong to yourselves.

"Remember that I place myself in the front of this glorious charge which I exhort you to make. At the moment when the two armies meet hand to hand, you will see me, never doubt it, seeking out this Alaric, tyrant of his people, challenging him to combat, if God is willing. If I perish after this, I will have had at least the satisfaction of delivering you, and you will easily find among you an experienced hero, to whom you can confidently give the task of directing you. But should I fall before I reach to Alaric, redouble your ardor, force yourselves to the attack and achieve the conquest of this country."