French Succession Game Play/Read/Enjoy

[Hurricane]

12 Norwich is destroyed, but from the ruins a Great Leader arises. The old one who had been hanging around St Ralph is sent to Minas-Morgul to help finish off the Hanging Gardens. He’d been making a nuisance of himself down the pub anyway.

Sorry for interrupting your game, but I have a small favour to ask for.

Gillskill: there is a hot debate in the strategy section about the possibility of having two leaders at once. Did you actually have the two leaders at once, or did you first ruch the Hanging Gardens before the new one emerged? Could you be so very kind to post the savegame or a screenshot?

Again, I´m sorry for interrupting your thread (seems you guys have a great game going on here), but this would prove the matter once and for all.

[FNBrown]

I've had two leaders at once (not in this game, at least not during my turn). Don't have a saved game to prove it, though.

I've been playing as the war-mongering Americans using the Marla's Map scenario (very cool - I highly recommend it), and was at war with 12 other Civ's at one point. I have the Military Academy to build armies now, if I care to use them, so whenever I've earned a Great Leader, I ship him home to finish off a Wonder (this, as you may imagine, has increased my advantage significantly).

Being able to rush "Theory of Evolution" when I was already ahead of the rest of the pack by at least two scientific advances has placed me squarely at the top of the world. I've actually been hobbling myself a bit by doing some governmental experiments.

Let me dispel the notion that Communism is an effective government for sprawling empires. All it did for me was increase corruption at home, and did little to reduce it on the few cities I had abroad. I spent a few decades with it, and have now descended back into Anarchy so I can switch to Democracy (I had previously spent most of the game as a Republic; the "whip" of Despotism was helpful early on when I wanted to conquer the Aztecs and Iroquois and fulfill my "Manifest Destiny").

We now return to our regularly scheduled program...

[Harovan]

After the death of the great Yanni Ioannes another French nobleman with a long line of ancestors was called by The Council of the Wise to be the next leader of mighty France: the Chevalier d'Ralph.

1 - 830 AD
D'Ralph looked up all cities and sees happy people and lots of entertainers. "What are you enjoying?", he asked, "we have war! Time for the entertainers to do some productive work." In Minas-Morgul the construction of the Cathedral was interrupted for a greater project: The Sistine Chapel. After 4 entertainers were sent to the mines and in the forests, the city had enough production to complete the work in 33 turns. Workers were ordered to mine 3 nearby hills, to speed the construction of the great project still more.
At the front, a Russian Archer unit was destroyed and a worker captured.
The production in Markopolis was switched to settlers.

2 - 840 AD
Smolensk deposed our governor and pledged allegiance to the treacherous Russians. One swordsman unit was lost. D'Ralph orders to retake the city immediately and to punish the citizens for their insolence. A french unit of swordmen took the city back without losses. Meanwhile, other units of our mighty army took Tbilisi.
Founded Port Baguette at the Isula non Inhabitat.
Our trade agreement with the puny Greeks expired and was re-negotiated. The price for selling them gems has been doubled from 3 to 6 gold per turn. The ivory trade has been prolongued for the same price, 5 gold per turn.
D'Ralph orders to raise the science rate to 70%. This speeds up our research pretty much.
Liverpool and Brighton were ordered to produce settlers, their present production has been cancelled.
Coventry and Oxford were noticed to be undefended, their temple production was changed to Pikemen. Chevalier d'Ralph spent lots of gold out of the treasury to finish their production in just one turn.

3 - 850 AD
Minsk was caught to be in civil disorder. 2 of our glorious horsemen captured the city without own losses.
3 swordsman divisions got order to attack St.Petersburg.

4 - 860 AD
Our army was ambushed in the North of Minsk by the Russian archery. They lost 2 archers, we 1 horseman in the battle.
Port Madeleine founded south of the Glittering Mountains, at the ruins of a destroyed Russian city.
2 swordsmen units were sent to besiege Moscow.

5 - 870 AD
Americans found Denver in the southern city site of the Isula non Inhabitat. The galley with our settlers, being half-way to the lost city site was redirected to the Norwhich Island.
Smolensk again deposed our governor and pledged allegiance to the evil Russians. Another swordsman unit was lost. Two units of swordsmen were called back to retake the city.
Liverpool finishes settlers. They are sent to the russian front to eventually refound a city in case one is destroyed.
Riots occured in Minsk and Tbilisi. D'Ralph decided not to send the supply of cow tongue to both cities and let all citizens collect taxes for the next couple of turns. This will hopefully starve the riots out.
Founded Saint Croissant halfway between Ivory Coast and Nottingham, to fill another gap in our empire.

6 - 880 AD
Our victorous armies at the Russian front need reinforcements. Too many units were lost in the city flips and to garrison the captured towns. Napoleons army and a few swordsmen, hanging around in the former England were sent north-east, but it will take long till they arrive.

7 - 890 AD
Our alchimists invented invention and were told to work on a dangerous substance called gun powder.
Smolensk was taken back without French losses and also flooded with taxmen, to punish the citizens for their insolence.
Our assault force near St.Petersburg was ambushed by the Russian archery and won the battle without own victims. A counter-attack killed 2 spearman units, defending the city. There's still one archer left. The city will be ours in 10 years, no doubt.

8 - 900 AD
As expected, St.Petersburg has fallen. The Russian Front badly needs reinforcements. A few city governors were ordered to switch from useless libraries and temples to military units.
Founded Chateau d'If at Norwhich Island.
Civil disorder in Gillham and Kiev. Chevalier d'Ralph decides to allow the city governors to hire some entertainers. He looks for the old cultural advisor, Elvis d'Presley, and can't find him anywhere. He orders his heralds to seek for him in the whole empire. For a long time there was no response. Finally, the happy news reached the Palace:

ELVIS IS ALIVE!

9 - 910 AD
Riots in Markopolis and Edaron give Elvis lots of work. The building of the Cathedral in Gillham was rushed with gold in order to have another productive and reliable city to train military units for our glorious Russian front.
In Minsk an assault force is formed, to attack Moscow soon. Due to some heavily injured units d'Ralph orders to give them 2 turns break.
Russia tried to sue for peace, but we refused to acknowledge their envoy. It's not yet worth to break our alliance with Germany. It lasts 2 more turns, and hopefully we will have taken Moscow in a couple of turns, to weaken Russia still more. But d'Ralph is aware, that France needs peace.

10 - 920 AD
A Longbowman unit was trained in Jaipur and sent toward the Russian front. It will, no doubt, show the puny Russian archers the might of the French archery.
The Germans found New Berlin at the Isula non Inhabitat, north of Port Baguette and quite close to this city and the Aztec city Tepetlaoxtoc. We have now 4 countries having hold of this island. Someday, only one will be left. In due time!

---

So far about the first half of Chevalier d'Ralph's reign. The 2nd half will follow either tomorrow, or the day after. Hopefully I'll get the time.

[Giovanni August]

Uhm!
It looks like the Russian are about to give up!
Good Job Good Job! Keep it up buddy!

Saluti

[Harovan]

11 - 930 AD
One horseman unit lost during an attack of 3 archers at our Russian front army. 2 Archer units killed in the counter-attack.
The alliance with Germany against Russia has expired and was cancelled by France's request. We may now make peace if we wish.

12 - 940 AD
Another horseman retreated injured by an ambush of the Russian archery. He was taken back to Minsk to heal. 4 swordsman units are approaching Moscow. It is in civil disorder.

13 - 950 AD
The assault force is approaching Moscow.

14 - 960 AD
Our glorious armies captured Moscow without own losses. Russia is defeated. Chevalier d'Ralph meets Czarina Catherine for peace negotiations. The Russians beg desperately for peace. D'Ralph remains merciless and demands Odessa, Yakutsk, Vladivostok, the Russian world map and all their gold (only 11 coins) for a Peace agreement. Catherine has no other choice and agrees. FRANCE IS VICTORIOUS! (Did anyone expect something else? )
Our mystics discover gunpowder. This will give us the opportunity to train Musketeers with deadly weapons. A strange white powder was found in our deserts, plains and mountains. The scientists call it saltpeter. France is very rich of it, we have 2 deposits already connected to our road network, and at least 6 unconnected deposits. Because the war is over, Ralph orders to discover Education next, as a base for buildings and wonders of science and arts, that will bring the enlightened people of France to a prosper and peaceful future.

15 - 970 AD
Measures were taken, to bring the French economy back to peace production and infrastructural improvements.

16 - 980 AD
Disorder in Liverpool. Elvis was called to entertain the citizens. Ralph wonders, why the people are still revolting. The war is over and France is on the way to an enlightened future.
A cathedral is built in Edaron. And the people rejoyced.

17 - 990 AD
Workers around Minas-Morgul finished mining and road building. We expect the completion of the Sistine Chapel in only 11 turns. Because most of the citizens work in the mines and forests, the city produces not enough food, but the granary prevents starvation.
Ralph spends a few coins to finish the cathedral in Markopolis.

18 - 1000 AD
The Americans and the Aztecs were reported to compete with us in building of the Sistine chapel. But their chances to complete it before us are rather low.
The millennium starts with another great project. In Markopolis a famous inventor named Leonardo started to build his workshop.

19 - 1010 AD
The German-Russian war is still not over. A russian archer has been sighted ambushing our former ally Bismarck, but he was crushed utterly.

20 - 1020 AD
Civil disorder in Rusty city, but nothing serious. In the western part of our empire still 2 German archers are slowly going north. Ralph thinks about granting them right of passage again, but decides to leave this to the will of his successor. In Karachi a galley is started to build, maybe it will be finished as caravel, as our sages just discovered Education and were ordered to research the science of sun, moon and stars. Near Calcutta, settlers and pikemen are waiting for the new ship, to sail far far in the wild sea.

Chevalier d'Ralph retires after 200 years, leaving a peaceful, rich and prosper France to his successor. We are technical leaders, will discover Astronomy in 6 turns, probably win the race for the Sistine chapel, own 763 gold coins, while making 33 per turn.

[Giovanni August]

Good work Chavelier d'Ralph
Soooo
Now it is the turn of Fredric Drum..... but if I remember right he said that he is not able to play....
It should be Fredric Drum or FNBrown turn!

Saluti

[FNBrown]

Nicely done, Sir Ralph... We've effectively spanked all of our aggressive neighbors into polite submission.

If Fredric has not changed his mind, I'll try to take my turn this evening sometime.

[Giovanni August]

Ehi!
I just saw that I'm a Chieftian and no more a Settler !!!!!!!!!
(see belowe my name on the left)

What happend????

Did I do something nobile to be upgraded from Settler to Chieftan???
Boh???

Saluti

[Harovan]

Originally posted by Giovanni August
Did I do something nobile to be upgraded from Settler to Chieftan???

Guess you sent your 30th posting, that did it. I think this whole "Get credits for trolling. Get more credits for more trolling. Etc." system can be safely ignored .

[Giovanni August]

Originally posted by Sir Ralph


Guess you sent your 30th posting, that did it. I think this whole "Get credits for trolling. Get more credits for more trolling. Etc." system can be safely ignored .

Oh...... I see!
I will not be able to post/play today and tomorrow, I can only on Sunday!
I just wanted to tell you in case FNBrown is done with his turn on one of those day!

saluti

[FNBrown]

I've been having trouble with my ISP recently - but I should be back online now, and able to download the game when I get home from work. Sorry for the delay - but I hope to take my turn sometime Saturday.

- Franklin

[FNBrown]

The Reign of Emperor Franklin the Second

Introduction - Part One

It is late in the year 1030 A.D. Following the triumphant and prosperous reign of Chevalier d’Ralph, the mighty French Empire cries for new leadership.

Pepe Merlot sat at the conference table in the great hall of the palace at Markopolis, anxiously awaiting the arrival of the rest of the council. The Empire was without a clearly defined successor again, and it was time to find a new leader. As General Bonaparte finally arrived, Pepe called the meeting to order.

“Once again, we are left without an heir to the throne. Didn’t you get that memo about finding a companion for Chevalier d’Ralph?” Pepe glared across the table at the cultural advisor.

Elvis sheepishly cleared his throat, “Uhh… yeah, that memo. Well, you see, Pepe, there were all these nice girls that responded to that personal ad and all, and well, you know, they could have been spies or something, so I’ve been busy, umm… testing their loyalty to France. Uhh-huh… that’s it.”

Pepe rolled his eyes and acknowledged Charles de Gaulle, chief Foreign Advisor. “Yes, Chuck? What is it?”

De Gaulle stood up. “Why are we even worrying about this? I thought we were going to have an elected leader? Aren’t we supposed to be a republic now?”

Pepe exchanged a serious glance with de Gaulle, then with Bonaparte, d’Presley, and the rest of the council. De Gaulle was a little new.

The table erupted with laughter.

De Gaulle was not amused. “What’s so funny about that?”

Pepe waved his hand, suppressing the lingering snickers around the table. “My dear Charles, the good people of France rather enjoy the notion of self-government. We let them cast their cute little ballots for all manner of referendum and choose from a select few who will be their representatives here in Markopolis, but do you really think these elections mean anything? France has always been a dictatorial empire, and always will be. Every election is window-dressing. Every member of the senate is hand-picked by the emperor and the members of this council. Our next leader will likely emerge from the same bloodline as any one of our previous emperors, just as it has always been. Sure, we’ll ‘elect’ him. But all those fools running around London and Minas Morgul and Edaron and Saint Ralph getting signatures to appear on the ballot for the primaries are wasting their time. The emperors of France are chosen by a divine power that even we don’t understand, and it’s time we got down to the business of making sure that we haven’t overlooked any possible heir so far.”

De Gaulle sunk into his chair, a bit chastened, but wiser still. The council meeting continued, with its members unaware that forces deep within the palace were already at work to resolve their dilemma.

***

Neville Chamberlain had no idea what day of the week it was. If you asked him, he couldn’t tell you his age, or how long he’d been living in the dungeons of the palace at Markopolis. All he knew was that he was Neville Chamberlain; an Englishman. He knew this, because the ghost reminded him of it every day.

The tormented soul of Emperor Franklin the Merciless lurked deep within the dark recesses of the palace, until now content with his daily torture of the English prisoner. That morning, as the council met several stories above him, he was stricken with a new sense of purpose. He appeared in Chamberlain’s cell, as usual. “Good morning, Neville.”

Chamberlain had grown accustomed to the apparition. He had grown used to the fact that he would never have more than a moment’s peace before it would appear to disturb him from it. He had really done nothing to deserve it, save being born English, and being taken prisoner while he was a diplomatic envoy during their war with France. Still, this morning, he had been caught a bit off-guard. The ghost never bothered with many pleasantries before. “What do you want? I wasn’t even sleeping.”

Emperor Franklin assumed a more clear and natural form. Usually, he appeared to Neville as a ghastly and rotted corpse, complete with the accompanying smells. This day, he looked like a tired old man. “Neville, I’ve decided that I’m done tormenting you.”

Chamberlain only chuckled. “You don’t expect me to fall for that, do you? You’ll sell me on this ‘nice guy’ routine only to relax me, so you can simply jar me from it later. Why don’t you stick to the regular gig? You know; the moaning, screaming, blood-from-the-walls routine? That one is pretty effective.”

Franklin’s ghost merely shook his head. “No, I mean it, Neville. I’ve discovered why I have no peace in this place. I went to my grave angry at the English, and I swore to torment them for all eternity. When France began to conquer England, I grew more and more powerful, and I was sure that was a sign of my redemption. But there hasn’t been an England for many, many years. And I’m still here. I think there’s another reason why.”

Neville indulged the spirit. “Alright, then. Why do you think you’re still here?”

“History recorded me as Emperor Franklin the Merciless. It was for good reason. I waged the first of many great wars for France, starting with the Indians, and then later, the English and Russians. Two whole civilizations are now completely gone from the Earth as a result, and there’s not much left of Russia anymore. But, what’s worse is I caused so much of my own countrymen’s blood to be spilt as a consequence of my campaigns.”

Neville remembered it well. His own Queen Elizabeth was reluctant to employ the cruel forced labor that France had used to conquer England and India, and that had probably led to their downfall. “Good. So, what? You’ll leave me alone now?”

The dead emperor grinned. “Don’t be a fool. I haven’t gone soft or anything. I need your help, and you’re going to give it to me.”

“Why should I?”

“Do you want to be free?”

“That’s a stupid question… oh, wait… there are no stupid questions, only stupid people.”

The ghost glared, “Mind your tongue, Englishman. I am offering you my word that you will be granted freedom if you perform a task for me. I suggest you take it seriously.”

“Fine. What is it?” Neville still didn’t believe him, but this discussion beat having the cell flooded with rats or locusts or whatever else the spirit chose to summon.

“I have to make amends for what I have done to France. I can do this by giving them an heir.”

Neville had to laugh. “With all due respect, your Excellency, I don’t think you’ve got the equipment to do that anymore.”

“Just because you’re a fool doesn’t mean you have to always open your mouth and make it obvious, Neville. Now, listen. I came from a nomadic tribe in the Glittering Mountains many years ago to seize the throne and rule France with an iron fist. I had a younger brother then, and he has since carried on my family line. None of the council knows this, and, frankly, they won’t believe you if you tell them. I cannot speak to anyone but the English, and those of my family. I also cannot leave this palace. Therefore, you are my only earthly agent. Take these.” The ghost handed Neville a sealed scroll, and a ring bearing his family crest.

“What’s this?” Neville asked.

“The scroll contains a letter with maps and instructions for my heir. His name is Marcus Ferus, and he leads my tribe somewhere in the mountains Northwest of Ferusopolis. They cannot be found unless they wish to be. The ring will have to lead you to them. Put it on.”

Neville put the ring on. It was lodged firmly on his right index finger. “Hey… it won’t come off.”

The Emperor grinned again. “None may remove it, except for my heir, and so long as you wear it, I will know your whereabouts and be able to torment your dreams. I hope this will prove a sufficient incentive to complete my errand. When you have delivered the ring and the scroll to Marcus, you are free to go.”

Neville replied, “That’s all well and good, but how am I supposed to get out of here to begin with?”

With a loud concussive blast, the wall at the back of Neville’s cell exploded outwards, exposing a tunnel behind. “Follow that tunnel to the left. It’s the sewage drain for the palace.”

“That would explain the odor.”

“Do not delay. The guards are on the way, and will surely behead you for attempted escape.”

Neville clutched the scroll and hurried down the tunnel, unsure of where he was going or how he would manage to get there.

***

Neville emerged from the sewage tunnel beneath the palace and into the twilight. It had been more years than he could remember since he had been outdoors. His reverie was interrupted by a woman’s voice coming from the bank of the Edaron River which he was now standing in.

“Are you Neville Chamberlain?”

Neville looked around. “I don’t suppose there are any other Chamberlain’s about anymore. Who are you? And how could you possibly know my name?”

The woman spoke in hushed tones as Neville waded towards her. “A ghost appeared before me yesterday and told me to meet you here. I thought for sure I was out of my mind, but I was too scared to disobey. This is for you.” She handed him a knapsack.

“What’s this?”

“There are clothes, food, and some money in there. For your trip, he said.” She looked confused, yet relieved to be done with her task.

“I don’t understand. He just told me that he could only speak to his family, and to the English…”
The woman replied. “My mother was sold into slavery to the mayor of Edaron after the French-English war. He is my father. I was only here in town to study at the library when the ghost of the Emperor appeared to me last night.”

“But he cannot leave the palace…” Neville replied.

“I am staying at the palace. Accommodations were provided to me as a courtesy because of my father’s station. You had better get going. The guards will be looking for you. Take the road east from town to Port Madeline, then head north into the mountains. He says the ring will guide you from there.”

The woman hurried off before Neville could ask any further questions. He quickly changed into the clothes he had been given, and started for the road to Port Madeline.

***

It was nearly a month later when Neville finally reached the encampment of the Ferus clan in the Glittering Mountains. He was captured by a burly and bearded sentry before he actually saw the small village of tents and lean-to’s. Were it not for the ring on his finger, he would have likely been slain immediately. Instead, he was brought before the chieftain.

Marcus Ferus was much younger than Chamberlain had expected. He could not have been older than 20, and he was unusually clean-shaven for his tribe. He bore the stature of his proud bloodline, but there was more than just fierce strength to the man. Neville stood on the small carpet that served as the floor to the Chieftain’s tent. Marcus sat at a wooden desk amidst a stack of scrolls and books. He was looking at the contents of the scroll that Chamberlain had brought him. He finally spoke.

“This is incredible. My great-great-great-great-great-great grand-uncle, the former Emperor of France, leaves instructions for an heir that remain undelivered for generations until a decrepit English prisoner finds his way to my camp and hands them over to me, claiming to be operating under instructions from a ghost. You’ll pardon me, Mr. Chamberlain, but contrary to what my chosen surroundings may suggest, I’m a tad more educated than one who might fall for such a ruse.”

Chamberlain replied. “What ruse? What have I to gain from this? What do I care if you ride into Markopolis and proclaim yourself Emperor or not? Why else would I go on this infernal journey? I could have run back to London to look up old relatives upon my escape; instead, I’ve gone in the exact opposite direction and found my way to a hidden tribe of people that most say only exists in legend and have risked death from starvation, exposure, and wild animals to deliver that scroll to you. Personally, I don’t give a rat’s ass what you think. All I want is for you to take this ring off my finger so that your dear uncle will let me sleep at night.”

Marcus gave Neville a wry grin. “What if your years of captivity have merely made you insane? Am I to abandon my people to see if your story is true? When my father was still alive, I was free to wander a bit; to see the world. He thought it would make me a better leader when my time came to assume command of my people. But now I do not have that luxury. Winter is upon us, and I am not about to leave here on your word alone.”

“I don’t care what you do. Please, just take this damned ring from me so I can go in peace.” Neville extended his hand towards Marcus.

“Very well. It bears my family crest, anyway.” Marcus took the ring from Neville’s hand, and a sudden gust of wind blew through the camp, shaking the tent, and giving off an eerie howl. Marcus heard a voice whisper to him as he placed the ring on his own finger:

“You are to be Emperor. Do as the scroll instructs. Return to Markopolis, and I will speak with you further.”

Marcus slumped in his chair, stunned at the revelation. “Mr. Chamberlain, you are free to go as you wish. If you require provisions, my people will provide them. I will be heading to Markopolis in the morning. You are welcome to accompany me. I imagine you’ll have no trouble continuing to London from there.”

Chamberlain gave his thanks and followed a guard out the door. Marcus returned to the scroll on his desk and studied it more closely. He would not sleep much that night.

***

[FNBrown]

The Reign of Emperor Franklin the Second

Introduction - Part Two


Neville noticed that the return trip to Markopolis was much faster when taken without the burden of traveling as a fugitive only at night, not to mention on the back of a sturdy horse. Marcus’s party arrived at the steps of the palace in the midmorning just four days later. He demanded an immediate audience with the Secretary of State. The guard at the door was not accommodating. “You’ll have to wait. Secretary Merlot is with the council in main hall right now, and cannot be disturbed.”

“The council? Even better. Please stand aside.” Marcus pushed his way past the guard and strode towards the main hall. The guard’s attempts to stop him were discouraged by the tip of the sword of one of Marcus’s sentries.

Marcus threw open the doors to the main hall and strode towards the conference table and the dumbfounded council members. Only Bonaparte rose and objected, “Who do you think you are, barging in here like this? I will have your head on a pole!”

Marcus ignored Napoleon and took the vacant seat at the head of the table. “I am Marcus Ferus, heir to the crown of Emperor Franklin the Merciless. I am here to claim my birthright.”
Pepe cleared his throat. By now, an entire company of pikemen had entered the room, and was awaiting orders. Bonaparte was fuming, and likely to have the man skewered if he didn’t defuse the situation quickly. “Well, Mr. Ferus; as you may imagine, our council would like to have some sort of evidence to substantiate your story. You wouldn’t believe how many people approach the palace with claims of royal ancestry.”

Nobody seemed to find any humor in Merlot’s remark. Instead, Marcus leaned forward and spoke. “I have come with great haste from my tribe in the Glittering Mountains to fulfill this mission. The ghost of my ancestor has summoned me to this, and I will not be deterred. Besides, you have no other heir, and I know you have no intention of holding a legitimate election.”

“Now, hold on just a moment. What makes you think the French elections are anything but legitimate?”

“The walls of this palace have ears, Mr. Merlot. I know a great deal of what is discussed in this very chamber. I have spent the last four nights hearing the history of the Empire in my dreams as it has been observed by my uncle from every room in this palace since his death. I know of General Bonaparte’s failure at Delhi. I know of Doctor Pasteur’s scientific research, including his present studies in astronomy, and some bizarre process he’s working on to make milk safer to drink. I know of Mr. d’Presley’s penchant for fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Shall I continue?”

The council sat stunned. Bonaparte finally spoke. “Clearly, you have very good spies here within the palace. I will have you taken into custody and tortured until you have divulged your agents’ identities.”

Just then, that familiar, yet eerie wind blew through the great hall. Marcus’s eyes began to glow, as if possessed, and he spoke with the voice of his ancestor. “I have had enough of this insolence!”

The wind blew stronger still, and the council trembled. Marcus drew his sword, and bore down upon Bonaparte. “You failed me all too often before, and now you disgrace my heir with your infernal impertinence! You will pay with your blood!” Marcus had Bonaparte pinned to the chair, his sword pointed at his throat. Just then, Chamberlain screamed.

“No!”

Suddenly, Marcus seemed to snap out of his trance. The wind died down, and he dropped his sword and released Bonaparte, who was now sitting in a puddle of his own urine.

Chamberlain advanced toward the table. “Emperor Franklin the First said that he had summoned his heir to make amends for all the blood he had shed. Your reign should not begin with the same kind of cruelty his was known for.”

Marcus stepped back to his place at the table and spread his hands before the council. “The Englishman is right. I did not come here to seize the throne with bloodshed. If I have not proven my claim, and if you truly have a better leader in mind, then so be it. I will gladly return to my people in the mountains.”

Pepe spoke. “Will you excuse us for a moment? We need to discuss this recent, umm, development.” Marcus nodded, and was escorted from the room.

***

Marcus and his party left the palace and headed for The Rusty Guillotine, a popular inn and pub often frequented by members of the senate and other government officials. Neville joined them for lunch.

“You should try the french fries, Mr. Chamberlain. I hear they’re fantastic.”

“French fries indeed. Hah! In London, they’re served with cod, and we call it fish ‘n chips.”

Marcus smiled. “Fair enough. Waitress, bring us two orders of fries and, do you have any codfish?”

The waitress was happy to accommodate them. Marcus turned to Neville. “So I suppose you’ll be off to see what’s left of England?”

“Yes. I think I’ve had my fill of this part of the country for now.” Just then, a palace guard entered the dining room and approached the table.

“Secretary Merlot requests your presence at the palace.”

Marcus replied. “Of course. We’re just about to have lunch. Care to join us?”

“No, thank you. I’ll be waiting outside.”

Marcus and Neville finished lunch and said their goodbyes. Marcus joined the guard and walked back to the palace, where he was escorted to Pepe’s office.

“The council has considered your claim, and it has been decided. You will be ‘elected’ Emperor of France next month. You may, however, begin moving into the palace and organizing your cabinet.”

Marcus replied. “I’m quite happy with the council that we have now. I don’t expect to make any changes.”

“Well, Napoleon has resigned. Job related stress, he says. Besides, his brother’s been trying to get him to open a saltpeter business near Saint Ralph for months now, and the money should be really good. You’ll need a new defense secretary.”

“I’d appreciate it if you would assemble a list of candidates. Anything else?”

“We’ll need to know your title.”

“I should like to be named Emperor Franklin the Second. It is my wish to renew the legacy of my predecessor.”

Pepe nodded. “Very well. We’ll meet with the council again next week. Good luck, your Excellency.”

[FNBrown]

And so begins the reign of Emperor Franklin the Second. This is his history:

1 1030 AD – The ghost of Emperor Franklin the First looks at the map of France over Marcus’s shoulder and says, “Man, things have changed an awful lot since I was in charge.” He looks at the German cities of Dortmund and Brandenburg right smack in the middle of our territory and remarks, “Just one little war? Pretty please?” Marcus declines… he wishes his to be an era of peace and prosperity. Workers are assigned to keep, well, working. Horsemen are directed towards our border near Leipzig. Just in case. Saint Ralph completes its aqueduct and is ordered to begin work on a cathedral. The resistance in Dover ends.

2 1040 AD – Franklin II sends out his diplomatic envoys to greet the rest of the world leaders. He arranges to sell excess spices to Russia for 2 gold per turn, and gems for 1 gold per turn. They’re still not happy with us.

3 1050 AD – Gems are sold to America at 7 per turn. The Aztecs have Chivalry – we acquire it for Education. Since they’ll just sell it to everyone anyway, we sell Education to Germany for 4 per turn and 13 lump, Russia for 4 per turn and 11 lump and world map, America for 26 per turn and 17 lump, and Greece for 14 per turn and 60 lump. France is now enjoying an income of 90 gold per turn. The temples at Port Madeline and Fauteuil are rushed.

4 1060 AD – A horseman arrives at Delhi. The confused animal is decked out in shiny plate armor, as is its rider, who is given a quick course in swordsmanship and trades in his spear. The cathedral at Saint Ralph is rushed, with hopes that this will compel the nearby German cities to embrace our culture.

5 1070 AD – An uneventful turn. Roads are built, land is irrigated. The ghost of Franklin I yawns and says, “You know, when we were at war, it was always interesting.” Astronomy is discovered, and Dr. Pasteur is instructed to study Navigation, as there is much of the world left unknown and unreachable by our current naval vessels.

6 1080 AD – Swordsmen are sent towards London, in case those “cheeky Greeks” get out of line over in Troy. Another horseman is upgraded at Delhi. The damned Babylonians have finished the Sistine Chapel just one turn before us! Production at Markopolis is switched to Copernicus’s Observatory, and production at Minas-Morgul is switched to Leonardo’s Workshop (makes me wish I’d waited on those horseman upgrades now).

7 1090 AD – More uneventfulness. Looking forward to the discovery of navigation, and the completion of a caravel at Karachi, where a settler and pikeman await deployment. Leonardo’s Workshop is completed at Minas-Morgul.

8 1100 AD – Cultural expansion is enjoyed in several cities. The reign of a pacifist is seldom exciting…

9 1110 AD – Franklin the Second begins to practice needlepoint as a hobby to pass the time during uneventful cabinet meetings.

10 1120 AD – Swordsmen arrive west of London near the border of Troy. The Emperor wrestles with the moral issue of going to war out of sheer boredom…

11 1130 AD – A German swordsman is moving north towards Edaron from Brandenburg. Franklin II is heard muttering… “Go ahead… I dare you… I double-dog dare you…”

12 1140 AD – Navigation is discovered. This should prove fruitful. Pasteur gets to work on Chemistry.

13 1150 AD – Income is holding steady at around 90-95 per turn, so the science rate is bumped up a notch to improve our research rate. Our first caravel is launched from Karachi, headed due east for fame and fortune. An author by the name of Tom Clancy in Montaigne completes an international bestseller entitled “Heroic Epic.”

14 1160 AD – Franklin II finishes reading Clancy’s “Heroic Epic.” He unsuccessfully tries to sell the movie rights to America in the diplomacy screen.

15 1170 AD – France has a galley exploring uncharted seas to the west, and a caravel to the east. The Emperor hopes that the discovery of new land will occur in time to secure something for his legacy.

16 1180 AD – Franklin II orders the throne room re-painted. When asked why, he replies, “So I can watch it dry.”

17 1190 AD – Germany has eradicated Russia. We never liked them much anyway.

18 1200 AD – You’d think those boats would have hit something by now… Pasteur completes his study of Chemistry, and starts working on Physics. We’re well ahead of the rest of the pack, scientifically speaking.

19 1210 AD – Still no sign of new land. Maybe the world is flat after all…

20 1220 AD – Our Caravel to the east sights a new, unknown cultural border, but cannot reach it before Emperor Franklin II decides that two hundred years is a long enough reign for anybody, and announces his retirement.

France has enjoyed what will be remembered as the most uneventful era of its history. There were no wars, no new cities founded, and only a few wonders completed that were started by previous leaders. Franklin the Second shed no blood, and instead spent more money on science and cultural improvements than any other Emperor in history, to date. The French treasury stands at 964 gold, with and income of 17 per turn, and supports a scientific research budget of a whopping 80%. A new civilization lurks right on the horizon for our next great leader, and with that, new diplomatic contacts, and, hopefully, lucrative new markets. Germany, America, and the Aztecs all lurk to the north as strong adversaries, but are likely no match for France. Greece has very little continental presence, and the Iroquois are insignificant.

Franklin the Second is said to have returned to his tribe in the Glittering Mountains, where he enjoyed a quiet retirement. History will remember him as Franklin the Wise, for his commitment to French culture and learning.

[FNBrown]

Alright... was that lengthy enough for everybody?

After re-reading all that, I'm struck with one thought:

That's an awful lot of b.s. for a turn where basically nothing happened.

Anyhow, here's the saved game file. Good luck to the next great leader of France!