Dark Ages NES

[Micha]

Hm, I´m still around and willing to play, though I won´t be able to for a couple of days... Ciders, lol, now you got Cologne totally off its spot! You put it on the Elbe river, while it should be on the Rhine... Also, please rename it to Köln or Koeln. A second thing, please put Bremen farther north on the coast, it´s an important harbour...

Thanks, and expect some Saxon action soon!

[foolish_icarus]

You think that's bad? I blame this whole Bavarian/Frank fiasco on ciders: The Bavarians couldn't very well invade me with an army of Lyon if Lyon was in its proper place in France instead of in Switzerland, now could they?

[appleciders]

Indeed, my knowledge of the positioning of European cities is woefully lacking. If I felt like passing the buck, I'd probably blame the lamentable American public school system, as even my rudimentary knowledge of the topic is self-learned. And last spring, I convinced my sister that the Pope is actually just another word for the Dalai Lama. She's 16. I was, however, unable to convince her that he rides around in a Popemobile. Stupid school system. Only thing it does teach is skepticism, and not very well at that.

On a serious note, I will take a more critical look at which river I place things on.

[foolish_icarus]

Declare your intent to play or not. I'll push against the barbarian hordes if I know there will be someone there pushing back.

[appleciders]

I'm just waiting for orders. I'm very much willing to keep modding this.

[foolish_icarus]

Well, you brigands??? What's it going to be?? Don't make me unilaterally declare total victory again (I have had such a last post in far too many games abandoned before their time )

[Tassadar500]

I shall submit orders soon to preserve the game.

[Cyclotron]

I've been informed in the other thread here that people commonly "jump in" to these games. Do you have any free spaces?

[foolish_icarus]

The Byzantine empire is the most notable currently unplayed country. There are also the Franks, maybe the Italians (if the player for Italy continues to not show up). If you have a particular hankering to be some minor barbarian tribe, that is also possible.

[Cyclotron]

I will, then, take the Byzantines, one of my favorites for casual reading.

I know the Empire has taken some casualties since the start post, is there a modified list of troop numbers and positions I could get?

I suppose I should wait for orders, etc. until you've established that all players still playing are accounted for?

[foolish_icarus]

The start post contains the updated information, the map is also current as of the latest update.
No need to wait. If you don't want to commit energy to making orders before it is certain this is still rolling, that's fine, but it looks like this will continue, so you can plunge in or not, completely up to you.

My orders, then, are coming too.

[Cyclotron]

The (New) Byzantine Empire




The Baslieus Leo IV, Imperator Romanorum, denounces the vile and treacherous attacks of the uncultured and barbarous Arabs, who have shown themselves already to be more proficient in the art of killing helpless civilians than in actual battle, as witnessed by the victory of Christ’s soldiers at Ordu. He calls for all the citizens of the Christian Empire, from all its provinces, to come quickly to the aid of their homes - pointing to the recent sack of Kayseri, in which the murderous Arabs left no citizens alive. Neither life nor faith is safe from these perfidious heathens, who are no doubt cannibals as well – what else could explain their desire for such slaughter?

As for the declarations of the Muslims for good Christians to join their armies for the sole purpose of removing taxes - taxes that were placed upon Christians by the Muslims in the first place - The Emperor and Patriarch of Constantinople together state that to side with the heathen for mere money is to betray Christ in the same way as Judas. The dirty coin of the heathen will do you little good when you are cast into the lake of fire upon your death, condemned for being a mercenary of Satan! Much better to join the Armies of Christ in service to the Emperor of Christians, and fight for the Lord God and your Christian people.

The Emperor, mindful of all his subjects, has also announced a Synod at the city of Ancyra, which he will personally attend – along with the Patriarch of Constantinople and other notable priests – and invites the clergy of the breakaway Armenian church to attend. He has made it known that he wishes to take steps of reconciliation towards his Armenian subjects, and discuss matters of faith. He furthermore urges the Armenian people and their local rulers, many of whom are in Muslim controlled lands, to rise up against the heathen – though the Orthodox church and the Armenian church have become estranged, surely we can find common ground against those who (as has been demonstrated) will murder Christians of any kind.

In the port cities, the Emperor has decided to undertake a massive buildup of the Empire’s naval forces, and seeks to hire experienced sailors from the chaotic cities of Italy to replace some of those lost to recent naval actions. He promises them adventure, wealth from their future victories, and the comforting knowledge that they will be pillaging the infidel. On land, he attempts to bring some order to the new flood of recruits, concentrating training and equipping in Ancrya – and on the way to the Synod in Ancyra, makes time for ceremonial armed parades through the cities of western Asia Minor to encourage volunteers.

Diplomacy:

To the Arabians:
The Emperor refuses to receive the Caliph’s ambassador, and instead sends a chamber-pot boy to convey to him this message: “The Pious Christian Emperor Leo IV, Emperor of all the Romans, sees no reason to engage in diplomacy with ‘men’ who have no honor. It is most unfortunate that the policy of tolerance shown to the Christians living under your more noble predecessors has come to an end under your onerous rule. Your aggression will be punished.”

To the Iberians (secret):
We point out to you the completely undeclared attack on our peaceable people by your rival, the Arabian Caliph. As your cordial friends, we think it would be wise for you to learn a valuable lesson from this – your co-religionist, the Caliph of Arabia, thinks nothing of cowardly sneak attacks, and we both know that he envies your power and ability. It would be prudent of you to be on your guard – but you have the assurance that, should you too be subjected to their atrocities, the Byzantine navy is ready to assist.

To the UMK:
The Emperor gives you his assurance that the liberal trade policies between your realm and the Empire have his full support, but reminds you that, as stated in previous edicts, all vessels of the Mediterranean must be licensed with Imperial authorities or be subject to taxes, in the interest of safe shipping. As long as these regulations are faithfully followed, we look forward to your continuing business.

To Edessa:
We assure you of our good intentions and have no interest in threatening your territory.

Other:
The Emperor declares his well meaning and friendly nature towards the Jews of the Empire, and points out that the more oppressive policies of Leo III are no longer Imperial policy. As reparations for past mistakes, he graciously has given land within Constantinople for a new synagogue, if the Jewish population wishes it. The construction of it shall be out of the Emperor’s own pocket.

He reminds the Jewish people living abroad that the Arabs slaughtered all who would not convert in Kayseri, and they would be much safer in the Empire where their religion is tolerated, and where the Emperor personally donates his largesse to the fine Jewish people.

The Emperor also instructs his garrisons to construct Walls at Ordu and Adana, posthaste.

(Military orders will be by PMs, I guess. Right?)

[Cyclotron]

By the way, I see a fleet on the map just off Galita (in the Crimea) that isn't apparently mentioned on the updated troop list. Before I move units, what is the deal with this fleet?

EDIT: And there's an Arabic fleet off Egypt that is also unaccounted for on the writeup.

[appleciders]

Military orders are PMs, and usually subterfuge orders like the order to send spies among the ranks of the Jews. Gee, those Jews just seem to get overloaded with enemy agents around here, don't they? (For Cyclotron's benefit: In a previous NES, Lord Nuclear infiltrated Bipolarbear's Jews and made them revolt)

Those two fleets have been added to the stats page. Cyclotron: Welcome! You're in, and just in time, because I was getting sick of writing orders for Byzantium.

[Cyclotron]

Well, that was really more of a declaration than spy work, so I changed it to just that. Thanks, though.