1850 : Alternative Divergence [AH][IC][HIATUS]

by **Second Helghan Empire** » Wed Aug 26, 2015 10:21 am

Alexandria Summit, Alexandria Egypt

The Hansa diplomat shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He leaned forward and began to speak. I disagree with Rome recieving Akkadia as a vassal State. Hansa Deserves a crack at it, and would take the eastern portion. Hansa's military is growing by the day and already could easily conquer and control the area. I push that Rome retains a protectorate of Mesopatamia and Assyria north Of Akkad and from Akkad south becomes a Hansa Colony. Hansa will help in both the invasion of the Captain Trammel's lands as well as his capture and execution. And also launch an Invasion of eastern Akkadia via the Syrian Desert in Israeli Jordan. That is if allowed by Israel. I will gladly negotiate with my fellow diplomats as to the exact location our borders should be.
[url=http://ncse.com/files/images/Map%20of%20Mesopotamia.preview.jpg]Here is a map with focus on the Area I wish to take.[/b]

Following this I also would like to inform you all to the successful invasion of Pirate lands by Hanseatic forces in the Gulf of Aden. Two Pirate fleets have been destroyed and at this time three major coastal cities and a Crossroads city further inland are solidly under Hansa control.

Ten Miles East of Fort Bremen, Hanseatic Kongo

Karl and his fellow men had made contact with the local tribe. Their guide, son of a former slave, translated for them. Soon the men had sat down and were discussing the situation. The Hanseatic men informed the Natives of their wish to cooperate with this tribe and make them the allies of Hansa.
After two days of discussion the men had come to an agreement. To cement their alliance Karl and the others would help the Tribe in a raid agains the neighboring tribe. At sundown theyu came within sight of the small village. The people didn't suspect any attack was coming. Children played while women cleaned. some older men spoke around a table others slept in huts.
Loading their rifles the men nodded to their allies and waited. The few men around the table were savagely attacked. Knives simultaneously stabbed into the brains through the soft spot at the back of the head. The silence now coming from the spot caused several women to look up. They began to shriek and many shouts of confusion and alarm echoed back from the huts. Karl fired at one of the screaming women. She dropped now silent. He reloaded, His mind a blank. Soon many men with weapons began to appear in doorways and near the far edge of the village. Guns boomed. men dropped dead and the allied tribe sprinted forth swinging their clubs at any of their victims, women, children, and men.
One ally grabbed karl and another soldier and led them toward a small path and beckoned them to follow. They did and sprinted alongside him, barely able to keep up. They came quickly to a clearing where four men with spears launched an attak at them. The other hansa man fired wounding a tribesman, but he was quickly killed by the other three. Karl stepped back slowly fumbling to reload. The allied tribesman killed one of the three men and sliced another's leg before he too was killed.
Karl raised his now loaded rifle and fired into the advancing final man's chest. The man jerked backwards and fell to the ground. Karl reloaded quickly and raised his rifle again, He scanned the tree line, Certain more would appear and attack. However he was suprised to find only two sounds, his own ragged breathing and the moans of the two dieing men.
he began to lower his gun then he heard them. Crying and whimpering eched from behind where the four men had made a stand. He was like in a trance and slowly moved forward sweeping the brush to the side with the barrel of his gun to reveal four families. Four women, two of which were very pregnant, and nearly seven children in total. Karl stoodfor a moment then truned to his left and vomited. As he stood back up several more Hansa and allied tribesmen ran into the clearing.

Massacre at Mijdahah, Mijdahah Gulf of Aden

The Pirates had swept in from practically nowhere. They had encircled the Hansa combined fleet and opened fire. Cannons roared and ships splintered and exploded. Several ships were nearly lost to the enemy, but as was commanded of them they destroyed their own ships before allowing this. In the case of a frigate however the man tasked with detonating the magazine was killed while climbing into the hold. Severin turned his ships guns on it and tore the smaller vessel apart. The battle raged for hours, the Marines in Mijdahah watched unable to help their brothers in arms.
BY the late evening the few remnants of the third fleet broke through and fled. Leaving behinf the Flagship of the second fleet and two other vessels that covered their retreat. The surviving marines and uneeded sailors aboard these vessels rowed to shore in small boats and linked up with the marines already in Mijdahah. They watched as the ships fought long enough for the third fleet to escape. Then launched a suicidal attack at the core of the Massed Pirate fleet. The men fled Mijdahah in the direction of Saywun.

Battle of Saywun, Saywun, Southern Arabian Peninsula
"We Will Resist and Bite, Bite Hard Because we are all thats left to Fight! We take up arms and Fight, Fight Hard Resist and do whats right!" Commander Joseph Ricker shouted above the pops and snaps of guns.
Johann had seen so much since leaving Bremen. The world was far bigger then he could have imagined. His unit of Long rifles had been put with the Third fleet of the conquest of the Pirate lands. Now he wished he and Dietrich had not joined the long rifles. The enemy had trapped them in Saywun. The men from Mijdahah, Al Ghaydah, and Ash Shihr had been force to withdraw to Saywun. Many civillians had fled with them and now Saywun was bursting at the seams with people. Over 3,000 of which were the Hansa Marines. Of that 100 were the elite Long rifles, positioned at the now ancient keep the long rifles had good sight of much of the town and were parted into 10 squads of 10 men. This allowed them to send a squad to help any position in the event that the town was assaulted.
Four days afer the last Hansa troops arrived the Pirates appeared on the horizon. Many of the civillians in the coastal cities and the nearby villages had been pressed into their force. They numbered no less than 10,000.
Now the battle raged. Johann and Dietrich were on the western side of town. They had been killing anyone that seemed to be a leader amongst the enemy. The outer parts of the town were in ruins. Bullets and roundshot had ripped through them. Defense guns kept the majority of the enemy at bay but there was only s much ammo for the weapons. The enemy seemed endless. Hundreds at a time rushing in and firing wildly, rarely specifically targetting Hansa troops.
A small number of the civillians had begun to take up arms and help the Hansa, as it soon became aparrent everyone in the town would be killed, should the pirates gain victory.
Johann and Dietrich held a small barricade and fired their rifles. After a long while the Pirates discovered the two taking shots launched an attack on their position. A hail of gunfire rippeed into the terrain around them. Jumping to his feet Johann sprinted to the next barricade and turned to cover Dietrich.
As Dietrich began to run toward Johann's position he twisted oddly and screamed in pain, slamming into the ground. He stood back up with blood now covering his right shoulder. Again he was shot and collapsed. Johann leaned out and pulled Dietrich behind the cover and turned to his friend.
Johann's eyes widened at the sight before him. Dietrich clutched at his bloody throat and gurgled with a terrified flash in his eyes. Johann pressed his hands against Dietrich's throat as well and begged god for mercy on his closest friend's soul.
Dietrich's hands slowly slipped away from his own throat and the light slipped from his eyes. Johann slumped against the cover staring at his friend and weeping. As he wept his fellow soldiers reclaimed that area of the town.
The Pirates eventually fell back and both sides licked their wounds in preparation for the next battle.

New Hamburg, East Africa

The remnants of the third fleet limped into the port and informed the governor of the situation. He sent word to Hamburg and aided in the repair and rearming of the Third fleet. Only a month later the fourth and the fifth fleet as well as the Dane Flotilla and Hamburgian Line Flotilla the majority of the Hansa navy now resided in New Hamburg and it would begin sailing for the Aden Gulf.

Off the coast of Christen Africa

Twelve christian pirates and the Hanseatic commander signed the paper allying each of the privateers to the Hanseatic side of the conflict. Together with the christian pirates the Hanseatic not only outnumbered the muslim pirates in the region more than 5-1 the new allies would also allow for easier control of the rgions as the running of the territories would be done by people who had done it before.

Aden, Gulf of Aden

The Hanseatic fourth fleet assaulted the city. It's walls and defenses were formiddable. dozens of soldiers were killed in the assault on the walls. The Pirates were routed, most of their ships fleeing into the east toward the main unified pirate fleet. The Christian Pirates left around 600 men and about 1,000 Hansa troops also remained in Aden. The majority of the fourth fleet remained to defend the city in the event more pirates launched an attack. The Rebuilt third and Fifth fleets sailed directly eastward toward Ash Shihr to send reinforcements to either unite with the marines in Saywun or retake the city if they had been killed. The Dane Flotilla, Hamburgian Line Flotilla, and almost all the pirates (The rest went to Ash Shihr) made for Mijdahah.
A governor of the now created Aden Colony was appointed. The leader of the Pirates under Hansa's flag was Augustus Shumker, a Hansa ex-pat, he now ruled over Aden with an Iron fist. His Aden provincial corps were founded the day he took control and led by his crew. He pressed over seven hundred men and women into his Aden corps and marched them north to properly secure the new province. To the east the Hanseatic forces made contact with more muslim Pirates along the coast near Mijahah and Ash Shihr leading to large naval battles. Hansa had sent all but two of it's seven steam ships, these vessels acted as a terrifying destroyer against the Pirate fleets. Those not destroyed either fled or surrendered. Those that surrendered were given the option of losing their ships and going home or fighting as pirates for the Hansa fleet. Most chose the former but enough men chose the latter to keep four captured vessels fully operational.
At Mijdahah proper another large battle took place. The Pirates held the advantage, their fleet was more massive than thought possible by the Hanseatic sailors. The battle raged for so long that the Third and fifth fleets were able to dep;loy their marines in Ash Shihr and arrive to aid the failing Mijdahah force. the bettle raged for nearly two days, an unprecedented amount of time in naval battles, but as the fight strected along the huge coastline it was made of several small skirmishes between smaller groups of vessels. Slowly and at great cost the Pirates were defeated and trapped in the Mijdahah harbor. There they were massacred, their ships by the second night little more than a flaming amalgamation of driftwood.
Trapped between the two forces the Pirates at Saywun surrendered. Their leaders were hung and the civillians pressed into service attempted to return hoome to rebuild their lives. Johann survived the battle and returned to Hansa Proper with the 20 other surviving long rifles. Soon Aden and Saywun provinces were solidly under Hansa control, Shumker built up his forces much the way his enemy had previously done, by pressing prisoners and civillians into service.
(OOC: I control the eastern large Pirate province in southern Arabia and the second to furthest east one as well, the rest will fall eventually.)

by **Cymrea** » Wed Aug 26, 2015 10:31 am

Alexandria Summit
Alexandria, Christen Egypt

The discussions had proceeded largely as expected. Viscount Lyons, the Legatus Extraterritorialis to the Papal States, was acting as special delegate to the summit for Cambria, and had listened fairly closely to the talks, though little held any relevancy for his nation. The trend of discussion appeared to be veering away from where his perspective would be included, so he chose this moment to speak.

The Hansa delegate had just subsided when he made a motion and was recognised. The viscount stood and cleared his throat before speaking.

"My esteemed colleagues, I beg your pardons and forebearance. I have but a brief statement to make on behalf of the Crown and Government of Cambria, and I would make it before these talks continue beyond the scope of Cambria's involvement here.

"With regard the Cambrian Sinai, it appears that the proposed boundaries have been successfully concluded satisfactorily and recognised by our neighbours, the Imperium and the Papacy.

"As to the annexation of the Benghazi region, Cambria would accept the proposal as submitted as it provides the Imperium with a friendly neighbour to the west and a buffer with our Hansa allies.

"If there are no further issues concerning Cambrian involvement in North Africa, then I submit that our business is satisfactorily concluded, and that we shall continue to attend as observers for the remainder of the summit. Thank you."

With that, Lyons resumed his seat.

by **Benuty** » Wed Aug 26, 2015 6:48 pm

Cymrea wrote:
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[Attention American Commonwealth]

Westminster, Londinium

Sir John Secundus Fiannus Crampton, Legatus Extraterritorialis to the Commonwealth of America, slid the curtain aside with a slight dramatic flair. Out the small window of the greatcarriage, the great Gothic facade of the Palace of Westminster was revealed to John Tyler. On the muddy Thames below, barges and steamships made their ways up and down river.

"And there, you see our destination, Mr Tyler. Well," he waved in a vague gesture, "somewhere in that complex. I certainly hope you've enjoyed our little tour of the capital, but I do look forward to getting down to brass tacks, as it were, at Whitehall. We've a fair bit of discussion ahead of us yet before America and Cambria can reconcile their differences both privately and publicly."

Westminister, Londinium
Guest Villa
The 16th of February, 1852 CE
John Tyler

The winter months had come unbelievably fast, and would soon end, but for now they raged on. By the light Tyler sat at desk writing somewhat wearily while a half full glass of brandy was across from him. During his time in Londinium Tyler had begun to grow somewhat of a beard from what one could describe as either exhaustion or grizzled experience. Tyler informed his assigned servant who couldn't have been more than a young man that certain issues needed to be discussed especially the issue of Piracy in the Caribbean. The piracy grew there as part of the operations through which goods from the Commonwealth were sold to Europe, and other parts of the world. The fate of the island known as Cuba which lay a mere 90 miles from the Commonwealth shore. Also the matters of future attempted colonization within the Americas, a formal peace agreement to a certain war in the past, and dealing with the grievances of the nobility from both sides. Of course it was more like Cambrian nobility, and the descendants of Parliamentarian nobility within the Commonwealth. After all there is no formal system of peerage there at all. Talks could potentially begin again in the morning once the weather warmed up within the city.

by **Eurasian Hegemony** » Wed Aug 26, 2015 10:41 pm

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Catania, Sicily

The Saints now controlled the entirety of Sicily. It had taken many lives from both sides but eventually the last of the Corsairs had been eliminated and Timoteo was made governor of Sicily. Named the Saint of Sicily he was anything but, while not quiet excessively cruel, he felt no compassion for others and took what he wanted whenever he wanted. That is as long as his new Christen masters allowed it. He had sunk out of the limelight recently and distraught over this he heard of the new turn of focus toward Sardinia.
When a small fleet arrived in Palermo he notified his desire to send many Saint's with the group to attempt an annexation of Sardinia via intimidation. His request while met with hesitation was accepted and some of his most veteran Saints would go.

Cagliari, Kingdom of Sardinia

The Christen fleet arrived ahead of schedule and entered Cagliari's Harbor unexpectedly. The commander of the force and his two right hands as well as one of the Saints met with the Sardinian Count Camillo Benso Di Cavour. They informed of Christendom's wish to annex Sardinia and make them a full province in the Kingdom of Christendom. They offered the status of governor to the Count and promised protection and stabilization of the now defunct Kingdom. They also opened a window to look out into the harbor at full battle ready Christen fleet.
The Count ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. He signed and the Island was offically a part of Christendom. the Christen forces remained for quiet some time to ensure the development of a stable province.

Alexandria Summit

Adolfo rose and spoke. Gentlemen we recommend that Hansa retract it's conflicting claim from Mesopotamia for the entirety of the Persian Gulf East Coastline as well as the whole of the southern Arabian Coast.
As for Cambria's honorable diplomat we are very glad for the Cambrian calm and diplomacy and are glad to find our arramgement's are acceptable.
Gentlemen as for arabia Proper I suggest It be left to Israel as the only nation that seems rather attached to the area. If Israel wishes to expand across all of arabia save for what Christendom claims in the west part of the coast and Hansa's south Christendom will not interfere. For Rome Christendom supports it's conquest of Akkadia and will gladly aid in the hunt for Trammel.

by **Of the Quendi** » Thu Aug 27, 2015 4:08 am

Palácio Imperial de Verão
The Imperial City of Petrópolis
The Empire of Brazil

Dom Luís de Araújo e Lima, Viscount of Sousa

1852 AD

A self-satisfied sigh of relief escaped Dom Luís as he received a letter from the Breton government. It seemed the crises had been averted, no doubt the French ambassador in Naoned was owed a bottle of exquisite wine. Quickly the foreign minister wrote an amenable response to the Bretons. For a moment he hesitated to give his assent to the Breton desire to colonize the eastern Caribbean. He disliked it greatly, but as none of the islands in question had achieved statehood independent of colonial powers they where not owed Brazilian assistance, and frankly they where an easy sacrifice to make to keep Haiti and the Dominican Republic outside European hands.

Finishing writing his letter to the Bretons Dom Luís quickly read the Argentine treaty proposal. It was a mouthful to be sure. It took the intents of Dom Luís declaration on American sovereignty and took it quite a few steps further. Yet the minister hesitated only briefly. Then he put his signature on the treaty. But he quickly scribbled down a qualifying memo to the Argentinian president as well. One was a diplomat after all.

Finally the most unexpected letter of all required Dom Luís's attention. The small island nation of Bermuda was not one with which the Empire of Brazil had before had much to do with. But as the letter containing nothing problematic to the Brazilian foreign policy, and as the Empire always delighted in finding new markets for its vast agricultural and wood production, Dom Luís quickly penned a positive reply.

Scarcely had the dandy minister put down his pen, sighed and placed his hands behind his head before one of the servants of the large imperial summer palace arrived and announced; "An Aztek envoy has arrived, My Lord." Dom Luís sighed again. The Azteks. An indigenous people that held much land straddling the border between North and South America. At various times Portuguese conservatives had called for the annihilation of the entire nation which was known to practice human sacrifice before their heathen gods while Portuguese liberals had been less then enthusiastic in opposing such a policy, arguing against it more on practical then moral grounds.

But that was the past. Brazil was not Portugal and Dom Luís believed engagement rather then disengagement, the only real alternative, to be the better policy to dealing with the Azteks. "Send him in." The minister declared.

To: Whom it may concern in Her Majesty Queen Helene of Brittany's government
From: Luís de Araújo e Lima, Marquess of Sousa and Foreign Minister of the Empire of Brazil

Your Excellencies,

The Empire of Brazil is most pleased to learn that Her Majesty's government has decided to concede to the request of His Imperial Majesty's government to not pursue territorial expansion at the expense of the states of the island of Hispaniola. With regards to islands east of the Breton possession of Ynys Cfoetheg it must be the Brazilian position that any such island free and independent of European domination shall remain so but those who are not sovereign states, and that is most, are to the mind of the Empire of Brazil not owed any support from the Empire in resisting the replacement of one colonial government by another and His Imperial Majesty's government wishes the Kingdom of Brittany all the best in its efforts.

May God be with thee,
Luís de Araújo e Lima, Marquess of Sousa, Foreign Minister of the Empire of Brazil
On behalf of;
His Imperial Majesty Dom Pedro II, Emperor of Brazil

To: His Excellency J. J. Urquiza, President of the Republic of Argentine
From: Luís de Araújo e Lima, Marquess of Sousa and Foreign Minister of the Empire of Brazil

Your Excellency,

Hereby the assent of the Empire of Brazil to the proposed treaty of amity and commerce between the Empire of Brazil and the Republic of Argentine. His Imperial Majesty, Dom Pedro II, Emperor of Brazil has instructed me to sign on his behalf and my signature shall be forwarded to Goede Lucht for deposit within the agreed upon time frame. Due to some of the more aggressive clauses of the treaty it is the desire of His Imperial Majesty's government that part of the treaty be contracted in secrecy between the Empire of Brazil and the Republic of Argentine. To the outside world His Imperial Majesty's government wishes only for it to be known that it commits to a defensive military alliance with the Republic of Argentine, and that the Empire of Brazil wows to defend, jointly with the Republic of Argentine, sovereign states of the Americas. That it has also committed itself to the potential of fighting wars of aggression to achieve this His Imperial Majesty's government wishes to be kept between the Empire and the Republic for the time being.

May God be with thee,
Luís de Araújo e Lima, Marquess of Sousa, Foreign Minister of the Empire of Brazil
On behalf of;
His Imperial Majesty Dom Pedro II, Emperor of Brazil

To: Charles Oliver, mayor of Bermuda and member of the city council
From: Luís de Araújo e Lima, Marquess of Sousa and Foreign Minister of the Empire of Brazil

Monsieur,

The Empire of Brazil welcomes the establishment of a Bermuda embassy in Rio de Janeiro and will welcome His Excellency Casper Henrik as first Bermudan ambassador to Brazil. Further the Empire shall gladly export to the Independent City what products of the Empire of Brazil it may desire. Pertaining to the matter of the Bermudan independency it is the policy of the Empire of Brazil to reject the attempts by any power not native to the American continent, of which we believe Bermuda a part however distant from our shores it may lie, to recolonize or subjugate sovereign American state, and we shall not be deterred from standing by this principle, in the case of Bermuda. Should ambassador Henrik wish to discuss any of these matters further he is welcome in Petrópolis.

May God be with thee,
Luís de Araújo e Lima, Marquess of Sousa, Foreign Minister of the Empire of Brazil
On behalf of;
His Imperial Majesty Dom Pedro II, Emperor of Brazil

Osaka Castle
The City of Osaka
The Empire of Japan

Dom Pedro Genji Takayama, Brazilian Ambassador to Japan

1852 AD

As the minister of the right spoke, Dom Pedro nodded slowly, taking the ocassional sip of the tea he had been offered. While the ambassador was momentarily unnerved by the mention of Japanese plans for the Pacific region ultimately most of what minister Ki said conflicted little, if at all, with the wishes of the Brazilian government. Certainly the Empire of Brazil would welcome any roadblock to arrest the advances of the annoyance that was the meddlesome Kingdom of Brittany.

So when minister Ki had finished speaking Dom Pedro was quick to express, in a circumvent diplomatic manner, the Empire of Brazil's support. "Let me start by saying that the Empire of Brazil welcomes the Empire of Japan's desire to achieve recognition as a great power, and wishes it all the best in its disputes with the Kingdom of Brittany." Dom Pedro said. "Regarding the interest of the Empire of Brazil in the Pacific region they are relatively few and confined to the southern parts of the ocean." The ambassador said. "It is the desire of the Empire of Brazil to establish a belt of Brazilian outposts reaching across the Pacific ocean from the island called Rapa Nui and to our possessions in the East Indies. This will serve to fulfill a long held Brazilian dream of establishing an uninterrupted web of trade and outposts spanning around the southern hemisphere, involving all colonies of the Empire. Beyond Rapa Nui itself, which as the easternmost Polynesian island has great import, the Empire is however very flexible about which islands ad archipelago's become part of such a belt." Dom Pedro declared.

Paço da Ribeira Novo
Bairro of Botafogo, City of Rio de Janeiro
Empire of Brazil

Dom Luís de Araújo e Lima, Viscount of Sousa

1852 AD

Dom Luís raised an eyebrow in surprise as the Dutch ambassador practically choked on some bread as Dom Luís brought up the Banda islands. Quickly the minister, in a complete breech of any diplomatic etiquette, delivered a sharp blow to the back of the ambassador between his shoulder blades. As the Dutch ambassador began talking the minister, once again a pinnacle of diplomatic mannerisms, garnered only with a slight bit of dandy behavior, nodded slowly and politely.

But as the Dutch minister seemed quite defensive and unapologetic about the Dutch colonization effort Dom Luís found he could not agree with the man. "Long before the Dutch arrived in the East Indies the Portuguese ruled over the Banda Islands ambassador." Dom Luís gently rebuked the man. "As the heirs to the Portuguese Empire Brazil has a claim on these islands. While we where willing to refrain from pressing such a claim and allow for the riches of the islands to remain available to both our empires we are unwilling to be cut out of the most important market of our East Indies colonies." Dom Luís warned.

Then he poured first the ambassador and then himself some more wine as the consummate host he was. Confident in his own skills as a diplomat Dom Luís did not doubt that he could reach a peaceful solution with the Dutch ambassador and still have time to seduce his little soubrette before the night was over. "But discussing claims is futile in the current situation, I have asked you here to discuss solutions ambassador." Dom Luís declared, taking a healthy gulp of his wine.

Then, as he put down his glass, the minister began to outline his first proposal for a solution. "We both know that the Banda Islands are of little worth beyond their supply of nutmeg and mace. Without these spices the islands would be all but worthless. What I would propose then is that both the Dutch and the Brazilians are to be allowed to export from the islands nutmeg trees for the purpose of attempting to plant them in their respective East Indies possessions beyond the Banda's. This will prevent the establishment of a monopoly by any of the two powers and instead create a duopoly. If the Dutch would agree to this proposal, the Empire of Brazil would agree to delineate with the Dutch the claims of the respective states and would be willing to relinquish to the Dutch all of the Greater Sunda Islands, but for Sulawesi." Dom Luís declared.

by **Cymrea** » Thu Aug 27, 2015 7:09 am

Benuty wrote:
Westminister, Londinium
Guest Villa
The 16th of February, 1852 CE
John Tyler

The winter months had come unbelievably fast, and would soon end, but for now they raged on. By the light Tyler sat at desk writing somewhat wearily while a half full glass of brandy was across from him. During his time in Londinium Tyler had begun to grow somewhat of a beard from what one could describe as either exhaustion or grizzled experience. Tyler informed his assigned servant who couldn't have been more than a young man that certain issues needed to be discussed especially the issue of Piracy in the Caribbean. The piracy grew there as part of the operations through which goods from the Commonwealth were sold to Europe, and other parts of the world. The fate of the island known as Cuba which lay a mere 90 miles from the Commonwealth shore. Also the matters of future attempted colonization within the Americas, a formal peace agreement to a certain war in the past, and dealing with the grievances of the nobility from both sides. Of course it was more like Cambrian nobility, and the descendants of Parliamentarian nobility within the Commonwealth. After all there is no formal system of peerage there at all. Talks could potentially begin again in the morning once the weather warmed up within the city.

Westminster, Londinium
23 Februarius 1852

Sir John Secundus Fiannus Crampton had long ago sailed to Philadelphia to assume his own diplomatic duties abroad. In his place, Roland Quintus Holloway acted as the Vicarius Legatus, liaising with the American Commonwealth ambassador John Tyler. As the months of snow and soot had transformed the Cambrian capital into a study of grey and white, Tyler appeared to become somewhat haggard. Holloway hoped the spring sunshine, only months away, might cheer the old boy up.

The Circles of Archons and Praefects had been reorganising themselves into a legislature, and there was talk of an election for a Consul Primaris - a Prime Minister - to head the Government. In among these political throes, discussions of the American Commonwealth and what stance Cambria should and would take were partaken furiously. The hyperbole had largely settled by this time into a more dignified debate and it seemed that the Queen's initial vision of a friendly relationship with the Commonwealth was much more beneficial than was puffing out chests and standing on injured pride.

Holloway squinted in the gaslight at the letter he addressed to Tyler.

Dearest John,

My sincerest greetings and well wishes, and I hope this letter finds you hale and hearty.

I'm pleased to inform you that the Navy has been rather active in the Caribbean of late,
assisting the French with the prosecution of pirates in the region.It seems to me that
extending and expanding this assistance to Commonwealth ports should prove a
favourable policy by Parliament. This will mean docking and supplying Cambrian ships
of war at ports on the coasts of Florida, Mississippi, and Alabama, in order to respond
effectively to pirate activities. I anticipate this will be found acceptable by your own
Parliament.

Official recognition of the American Commonwealth appears to be a foregone
conclusion at this point. Reports from my colleagues in the Praefects intimates that
Her Majesty the Queen herself has all but decreed it.

I close here with the promise that I shall write again as further information becomes
available.

Ever in service,

R. Quintus Holloway

by **Oscalantine** » Thu Aug 27, 2015 7:44 am

[EVNET #1] of Alternative Divergence:

Last Age of Piracy
Update #1
[EVENT POST – OOC]

“Yes, I do heartly repent.
I repent I had not done more mischief;
and that we did not cut the throats of them that mock took us,
and I am extremely sorry that you aren’t hanged as we are”

[IC YEAR – 1852, first quarter]

As the nations came to take stakes at the anarchy of the pirates, the pirates were still in disarray. Clever tactics by some nations were received extremely well. Meanwhile, other, more direct approach by the nations was met with fierce resistance. Whichever was the case, the nations needed to realize that the pirates were not simple bandits by trade any more, but rather a large international criminal organization with its own structure and disguises.

Nations in respective pirate regions could most likely tell that the pirates had very distinctive characteristics that distinguished each other:

Mediterranean Ocean – Captain Trammel was not necessarily a fighter, but a schemer. The deeper the nations dug through the trace of Trammel, the deeper the den of this notorious pirate went. The criminal ring of dark connections seemed to be Trammel’s biggest asset… but could also be his biggest weakness.
Red Sea – While the European proper was already sick of religious conflicts, there seem to be no end in sight for pirates in the Red Sea. On closer inspection, the division was not only between Christians and Muslims, but between different factions as well. Although Shia-Sunni conflict was not as well-pronounced, the Christian fractures between Orthodox, Catholic, Protestantism, and others seem to be very well defined… and they really cannot seem to get along very well.
Caribbean – The cradle of piracy was certainly something else, with many pirates rising to power in Bloodbeard’s absence. Newcomers like Bloody Mary and Iron Chin seem to be occupying themselves for one goal or another, while many others seem to await their turn in the horizon. Meanwhile, the three executives of the Bloodbeard have been confirmed to have vast control over the area: Teary Eyes, the navigator for the Bloodbeard Pirates; Lemon Coat, the left-hand man of the Bloodbeard Pirates with commanding lead of majority of the Bloodbeard’s men; and a still-unknown “witchdoctor” who have been chief experimentalist for the Bloodbeard’s fleets. With so many pronounced pirates in the region, nations would most likely have to think of something cleverer than frontal assault… or they may come to see the entire piracy filled with such notorious pirates baring fang against them.
Spice Islands – It seems that Laura still has her sway in the pirates, as she came back with the vengeance. Thus far, no other pirates have appeared to challenge her throne, making her undisputed contender for the throne. Squished between cruel ex-queen and the well-communicating and well-equipped nations, the pirates are starting to realize that it will be either win or bust.

The Letters of Marque and Reprisal seemed to be working extremely well. In fact, the pirates cherished the opportunity to make big cash-out all the while putting their enemies permanently in the gallows. Many of the lower-named pirates turned to pirate hunters rather than continue their “honorable” tradition, and thus the pirates could not compete with the advancing French armada which came to take away their hideouts. They were simply too busy killing one another for profit.

One day, however, ridiculous event happened. Richmond “Lemon Coat” Lane, a notorious left-hand man of the Bloodbeard Pirates, came to the governor’s office in Saint Kitts. Lemon Coat and few of his men came with a casket of heads, all of which were dreaded pirates who were rumored to scheme for the “reconquest” of the French-held Caribbean. The value of combined heads were too much for relatively new administration’s coffers, and thus they had no choice but to put Lemon Coat’s request on hold while requested help from the higher authorities. Thankfully, Lemon Coat seemed to be content sitting in the office drinking French wine rather than causing a ruckus.

Another issue with Lemon Coat was much more subtle than lack of gold to pay off his bounty, however. Lemon Coat was one of the three surviving member of the Bloodbeard Pirates who did not disappear with their captain, with the other two being the navigator and the witchdoctor. Of the three, Lemon Coat was the only one who had authority to command Bloodbeard’s armada in Bloodbeard’s absence, making him de-facto ruler of the Caribbean Pirates. For whatever reason, however, the intelligence reports that a mutiny of sort happened in which fractured Bloodbeard Pirates into smaller parts, preventing Lemon Coat from seizing the throne. Piecing together the evidence, it seemed obvious that Lemon Coat was more into taking vengeance on the traitors who controlled pockets of Caribbean rather than to challenge the monarchies who were staking claims in the Bloodbeard’s lands. At the same time, however, Lemon Coat was possibly the only person with the legitimacy and the strength necessary to reunite the pirates together like Bloodbeard has and oust every nation from the Caribbean.

The stakes were higher than ever: Lemon Coat is practically defenseless, with only a few ships that can come to his aid should the French arrest him. At the same time, a healthy relationship with such a powerful pirate could be beneficial not only for lessening the burden on the French navy, but also on the French administration, as surely Lemon Coat’s reputation would placate most small-fries before any resistance can be met.

One thing was certain about Iron Chin Pirates according to intelligence: the reasoning was unknown, but they were sure brining everyone to bear to Chichen Itza. Their boats seemed to be weighed down by massive cargo, be it weapons for a full invasion or actual treasures to be buried. Based on the reports, Iron Chin himself did not get a memo of his outposts being picked off. While the rumors and news of the mysterious destruction of the hideouts were well-known in the Mesoamerica proper, the communication disruption created by Aztecs bore fruit: no ill news of his crew’s cruel fate reached Iron Chin.

Mysterious as it may be, Bloody Mary most likely knew the history of the Iron Chin Pirates and his feud with Bloodbeard Pirates. Despite being a subsidiary pirate to the all-mighty Pirate King of the Caribbean, Iron Chin always hated Bloodbeard and his ambitions. Thus, when the opportunity presented himself, he immediately lashed out against Lemon Coat and unconsolidated Bloodbeard Pirates… and lost. Majority of the pirate strongholds that Iron Chin had in the Caribbean were completely sacked by Lemon Coat, with very few bastions in the Cuba left. Perhaps it was out of this desperation that Iron Chin was making his way into the Aztec lands, for not even Bloodbeard himself would dare venture so deeply into the jungle of the primitives where woods ran thick with “bad air.”

Before the arrival of Iron Chin to Chichen Itza, Bloody Mary received a letter from Lucian. The letter was written in blood, with quick scratches in the parchment ripping into the paper in multiple occasions.

Teary Eye is behind all this.

Teary Eye. It was a nickname of one pirate mistress that all pirates in the Caribbean knew: Xuxa “Teary Eye” Silva, the navigator of the Bloodbeard Pirates. Although she had no command over the fleets in the Bloodbeard, the young lady was known for her brutality in her plans, and earned the respect of the Bloodbeard. Despite her occupation as a “navigator,” she actually served the role of tactician in the Bloodbeard’s aggressive campaigns, formulating the lay of battle and advising the commanders. Teary Eye has recently been reported to turned her back on the Lemon Coat after a dispute on whether to “make chummy” with the French or not, and have since left Lemon Coat’s protection to her remote hideout in Cuban Islands.

Lucian’s scratchy writings did not say that Teary Eye was planning with the Iron Chin. In fact, nothing was certain besides the fact that Teary Eye was involved… whether this letter was actually from a dying Lucian or a cleverly-forged note for Bloody Mary to be terrified by the unknown. Regardless, the connection between Iron Chin and Teary Eye was very much of a certainty, and that Iron Chin… if he really was on board the ship to Chichen Itza… was the only one with real answers.

Tactic was a great success. Roman mastery of Roman Fire was stupendous, allowing little casualty while maximizing Corsair’s losses. Those who did not burn jumped overboard, and still many burned from the boiling water as the Roman Fire spread even to the seas. Corsairs who were captured as the fire exhausted its fuel were burned and devastated, their morale and pride as a pirate completely and thoroughly burned out. What little stragglers were rounded up without much resistance; Corsairs had enough to do with the Romans.

The Corsairs who were captured were escorted immediately to the Cyprus for transporting to Constantinople for questioning. There was much they needed to answer for, including the location of the infamous Captain Trammel who was supposedly behind every pirate attacks. As the pirates were being transported between ships in the port, however, one of the guards put in place to protect the prisoners produced a blunderbuss and unloaded it at point-blank towards the prisoners. As a result of this, seven pirates were critically injured, all of whom were respective ships’ captains or first-mates. The soldiers attempted escape, but was captured, and later found to be not a part of the regiment, but a hired gun who dressed as the guards at the port just for this purpose.

Rest of the prisoners safely reached the capital, but they were of no help. There were wide speculations as to where Captain Trammel was, but no one knew the specifics. The critically injured also died out during treatment, adding to the woes of the Romans. However, not all was lost. Almost every speculative confession of the lesser pirates suggested that Trammel was not in the Akkadian region where he was supposed to have his stronghold, but out at sea causing trouble. Furthermore, just before he died, one of the captains of the captured ship, disgusted at the betrayal of Trammel, whispered from his dying breath that majority of the Trammel’s supplies were focused on the fortified harbors across the coastlines of Neo-Akkadian Empire. If this was correct, the inland forts would be almost bare, ripe for Roman “liberation.”

A problem was still present, however, and it was how the hired gun managed to disguise himself as part of Roman regiment, which was neigh-impossible for extremely well-administered Romans. Questioning the guards managed to narrow the investigation to inside work, where there was a snitch amongst the Roman ranks. This made the situation incredibly difficult, as there was no telling how far down the rabbit hole did Trammel managed to dig. After all, no system was completely clean, and there was a possibility that Trammel already knew about the Roman plan in advance and acted accordingly to see the extent of his information network.

The war was taking a nasty turn: this could well be just a local incident, where a low-ranked officer from Cyprus let the hired gun borrow his uniform and rank. However, should this be from a higher rank officer, no Roman plan from now on could be safe. What is being praised in the news as complete Roman victory was secretly exposing itself as a clandestine war that no one could have suspected from the glorious empire.

With the newfound alliance with the Hansa Federation, the Christian pirates were once more gaining ground against their Islamic counterparts. While the Christian pirates still held very little influence in the area, they managed to secure the joint-procured southern tip of Arabian Peninsula under Hanseatic flag. As the news spread of the Hansa and their alliance with Christian pirates spread, many Christian pirates, be it protestant or catholic, started to flock towards the Hansa-controlled seas, eager to enlist themselves under the Hanseatic protection.

However, schism is rarely mended. As people from many backgrounds could become a pirate, Christian of both Orthodox and Catholic faith were docked in on one port. Naturally, conflicts rose, and it soon became a major gunfight among two factions. Day and night, bars in the area became a hazardous zone for fights, and guns were fired on daily bases as rowdy pirates lashed out against one another. While the local villages at first were grateful to pirates for protecting their towns, they soon became hateful towards the pirates and began to demand the Hansa Federation to do something about this new “pirate menace.”

The situation did not change when Protestant pirates came. They, unlike their brothers and sisters of Catholic faith, were largely excluded when Leona rose to power just as much as she fell from her grace at the plank. Headed by a single leader Captain Luitger “Wiseman” Jollenbeck, the Protestant pirates were far better supplied and armed than Catholic and Orthodox pirates who were getting by day-by-day before Hansa decided to side with the Christian pirates. Of course, Wiseman was not without religious zeal. If anything, he looked down at the Catholic and Orthodox pirates and simply refused to dock his crew in the harbor, favoring to buy supplies and stay away from conflict altogether. Intelligence shows that Wiseman does not take a side until there was sure chance of gain, hence his namesake “wise,” which indicated that he was only here to test the waters of Hanseatic-Christian pirate relations before leaving.

It was almost given that Wiseman took disgust to the Catholic and Orthodox pirates, and the locals were also distrusting of them as well. Despite their rowdy behavior, however, the number of Christian pirates were increasing, with overwhelming majority of them Catholic. Such numbers would eventually resolve the schism in favor of Catholic side… but with possible bloody conflict that will trump all other skirmishes that the two sides had previously. It is almost a given fact that Wiseman would not see wisdom in siding with such “barbaric” pirates and will simply leave if such a conflict rose. Ultimately, the Federation already had the justification: the locals were filing their seventh conflict for the week. But without the coalition of entire Christian pirates, the Muslim pirates would be a tough nut for Hansa to fight alone.

While the initial offensive against Sicily was a success, the travel to the Sardinia was a mistake. Almost as if the pirates knew that the Saints were leaving to the Sardinia, the full force of Trammel’s Corsairs came across the horizon and pillages the harbors. Trammel’s offensive was simple but deadly all because of it: at dead of the night, coastal guards were brutally murdered by quick-fingered assassins and the lighthouse was captured. The Saints still residing in coastal areas had very little notice until the pirates were at the foot of their barracks, and the massacre was complete. Brave as Saints were, the assassins picked apart soldiers who had very little time to arm themselves. Furthermore, as the men came to notify governor Timoteo, he was nowhere to be found in his residence. In the governor’s private office, dead guards’ heads were neatly lined up in a circle with a simple trammel in the middle, indicating that it was Captain Trammel’s handiwork.

As the chaos of the night settled, many brave zealots were dead with seemingly very little pirate bodies. It was uncertain as to whether the pirates picked up their dead when they were retreating or if there was no casualties to begin with. What was further surprising was that the governor’s residence was not at all in the coastlines… or anywhere near the harbors, in fact. One good news from millions of bad was that the governor’s body was nowhere to be found, meaning that likely the governor was held captive for exchange rather than killed, for the pirates would not have dragged entire dead body when just a head would have sufficed. However, the situations at the docks were nothing but good. Major harbors were raided clean, especially void of weapons of every kind. What the pirates could not take, they seemed to have burned, destroying precious supplies and cargos. Entire gold reserves in the banks were completely emptied, and lighthouses were destroyed by an explosion of sort.

There was only one answer to this complete and clean loss: this was an inside job. Although the Saints were a zealous group, not entire population of Christendom were so pious; anyone could have been an informant or even a backer with the right coin. There was also a possibility that many of the Trammel’s pirates were disguised within the population of Sicily, as Trammel had the entire island under a severe lockdown for some time. Whichever was the case, with the governor kidnapped and the harbors ransacked clean, the Saints had a massive cleaning to do… both interior and exterior.

Whether the pirates of the East Indies respected Laura or not, they curtained feared her now. No pirate king or queen in the East Indies had such a backing nor supply that Laura now possessed for now, and the pirates knew when to back out of trouble. While many still did not acknowledge her lost fame as the Queen of Spice Islands, no one was willing to stand up against her, leading to calming of Chuk-Jae-Do proper. The “Korea’s Whore” and “Wrench of a lass” that plagued Laura’s title changed to “cruel mistress” or “Crimson Tyrant” after how she handled the mutiny among her ranks.

Of course, there were also those who joined her once more, pledging allegiance to Laura once more. Their “demands” were simple: a rank among her admiralty and pardon of all their past actions. The varying degree of ranks and pardons ranged between pirates to pirates, which soon became a problem. Korean Military hierarchy, as mentioned, dislike the proposition of Laura owning same rank as their prestigious selves to begin with, but they have made her an exception at the request of the Viceroy. While some low-famed pirates could be enlisted as seamen under the benefit of the navy, some captains who came to Laura were notorious criminals among the Korean Bingo Book, and many requested officer ranks, which disgusted many naval officers. Some of the officers directly came to complain in the Viceroyalty, calling of these pirates’ crimes and demanding that they be hanged for even thinking of joining the noble ranks of the Korean Navy.

Thus far, Viceroy kept peace by silence, but the time of thinking was coming at an end. Laura messaged the Viceroy that she was ready to move out against her enemies once more, and demanded that the Viceroy come to a decision, so she can either deal with the “pirate criminals” or situate her “privateer officers” in their positions. While it was obvious that Laura did not give a damn either way, the situation was very fragile: conflict with all the pirates who came to amnesty will cripple Korean Extermination Fleet organized under Laura as well as Laura’s current fame as cruel, yet accepting ruler of the pirates. However, to give pardon and rank to the pirates would mean severe blow to the Korean Navy, whose officers would surely lash out against the Viceroy and it will ultimately undermine the Viceroy’s authority. With the conquest of the Spice Island so close, the Koreans had to either make peace with which identity to call their own: tradition or convenience.

America for Americans.

Such words have never ringed truer to Caribbean pirates who were born and raised in the sea of the Caribbean. Despicable pirates they may be, many of the lads in the sea had a profound love for the seas that they sailed. Many were proud to call themselves the Caribbean and American. America was the birthplace of piracy, and here was where the first Golden Age of Piracy began. This place was the birthplace of the Bloodbeard, whose inspiring words have given pirates a new definition: a nation.

The lines of succession in the pirate king were never clear. After all, the rule of the sea was that the most capable became a king. The same was truth for the kings and queens: the most capable shall be crowned. For that, a pirate would do anything to achieve their goal, for a crown in the Jolly Roger was the only way that these salty mates can become true nobility… a king. Although the pirates understood this, many started to doubt the means at which the pirate “nobles” were going through to obtain this goal. To a lesser pirate, dream of crown was too far away for reach. However, they could see with their eyes and hear with their ears. They could see that their captains were aligning themselves with Europeans who put bounties on their necks and hung countless of their maties. They could hear the blaze of guns and screams of their maties as they blasted and fought and butchered those who, during the days of Bloodbeard, joked and sung and drunk with.

The rule of the sea also dictates this: a captain unworthy of the ship will be thrown overboard, and the new captain will be chosen to sail her. The captains knew this, and they also knew what inspired them.

America for the Americans.

No captain would dare disrupt the Argentinians or raid her ships. No quartermasters would refuse her call to arms. No hideout or bastion would hide themselves from her diplomats. No navigators would confuse her ships or lead her men astray. Caribbean was America, and America was for the Americans. The crew already know that the end was neigh, and should this be the last glimmer for the pirates, then the Caribbean should belong to the Americans.

by **Cuprum** » Thu Aug 27, 2015 11:33 am

When Urquiza awoke, his jaw ached. Sunlight was streaming through an open window in his bedchamber, warming a spot on the stone floor for the kitten to sprawl out upon. She snored quietly, and the tattered remains of the curtains she destroyed the previous night stirred in a pleasant breeze.

I've fallen asleep in my clothing again, Urquiza noted as he sat up tiredly in the bed and discovered the broken quill that had been jabbing his back while he slept. There were papers scattered across the furs, many crumpled, some torn, and Jozef was beginning to collect them when he spotted the dark black liquid spreading across the blankets, and was suddenly aware of the cold dampness on his tunic from where he had lain in the spilled ink.

Gosh, not again.

He scrambled to his knees quickly, stripped his shirt off, and began dabbing frantically at the stain with the already ruined garment. His efforts were fruitless. The sheets drank the ink greedily and the once fine satin was now marred with dark blotches of obsidian. You’ve gone and ruined something yet again.

The kitten stretched and flexed her claws, nuzzling her fuzzy black head against the warm stone. Her tail swished and flicked, and caught Urquiza's eye as it was reflected in the tall mirror that stood against the wall some distance from the foot of his bed. He had been avoiding the silvered looking glass for weeks, but raised his gaze to it apprehensively now.

He was almost surprised to see his own reflection staring back. Weary looking, a bit slouched, and in need of a haircut, perhaps, but it was him all the same. The mirror was far away, and the oversized bed he knelt on made him appear small. Damon raised a hand to his cheek, where a beard was stubbornly trying to grow despite the blade he put to his face nearly every day.

I'm four and eleven now, he remembered. When did I get so old? He couldn't recall a time when his reflection didn't look so miserable. Smile, Urquiza, his aunt had told him, You used to smile all the time. He thought of the drought she had brought him, and how Lady María promised it held relief from the anxieties she swore she could see plainly on his tired face.

I don’t need more teas. Urquiza sat back on his knees with a sigh and pushed his hair from his face. His neck hurt, his legs were stiff and sore, and he could tell from the pain in his left arm that he had slept on it wrong again, but the ache in his jaw hurt worse than anything. I have to stop grinding my teeth, he knew, but even as he thought it he could feel the tightness creeping in.

An Invasion from Europe, Pirates in the Caribe, liberals blocking the right path, religion and science, Mercenaries setting sail, the mines still closed in the West... Urquiza felt his stomach clench into knots and forced himself to stop. Breathe. But then he remembered his conversation with Eduardo Aristegui and the panic gripped his heart with icy fingers and the air left the room all at once.

Abandoning the ruined shirt, he stumbled from the bed and made it to the privy in time only to realize that he hadn't eaten enough to vomit. His body made the attempt anyways, and Urquiza knelt on the floor shuddering and shaking until the wave of sickness finally subsided, coaxing himself all the while. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.

When he staggered back to the bedchamber, the kitten rolled onto her back and watched him curiously, blinking her eyes slowly in the sunlight that washed over her white belly. Her claw marks scarred the drapes, and Urquiza pulled the ragged things closed to her displeasure.

"You are a wretched creature," he told her, "and you don't deserve happiness any more than I do."

The fire had been allowed to burn low and the water in his bath was disappointingly tepid, but Urquiza knew it wouldn't be the worst part of his day. He entertained the idea of slipping beneath the surface and remaining there forever.

Drowning is better than dragonfire.

Lord Aristegui was outside his apartments when Urquiza finally emerged, which didn't bode well for his day improving. Pablo Cornwell was beside him and Santiago Alsogaray in between them both, and the latter spoke before the door was even fully opened.

"A man from the Central Bank is here to meet with you, Your excellency," he said in his usual unenthusiastic tones, and motioned down the corridor as an invitation. He held papers in his hand, and passed them to the President as he fell into step beside him. "Benjamín Olarticochea, he is called."

"Already? My secretary only sent word a few weeks ago." The President glanced quickly over the missives. "European ships now in the harbor? Gods, this is shaping up to be a marvelous day, is it not?"

"Are you alright, Your Grace?"

Urquiza looked up from the report and followed Alsogaray’s gaze to his own hands, which were trembling as they held the parchment. He hurriedly folded the paper and passed it back to the advisor.

"I'm fine."

"He's in the Small Council chambers," Alsogaray said. "You shouldn't expect very much from this meeting, Your Grace. The Central Bank is as much of a force to be reckoned with as any ruler." He paused and then added, "Though I do expect it will go better than your conversations with the secretary of the treasure."

"Careful not to set the bar too low, Alsogaray, let's get over it." Urquiza frowned and clenched and unclenched his fists at his sides, trying to stop the shaking. Breathe.

The walk felt longer than usual, and the weather was muggy. When Urquiza arrived at the squat stone building that housed the Small Council chambers, he felt so sticky and hot that a cold bath now seemed appealing.

Olarticochea did not appear as intimidating as Damon had expected for a representative of the infamous Central Bank of The Republic, nor was he as colorful as the last coucillor to sit at the table. He was a short man, middle aged, wiry thin and dressed rather simply in blue velvet. He looked uncomfortable in the warmth of the chamber, and pulled at his collar as if it were too small. His beard was not gray but rather black like the hair beneath the brimless hat atop his head, yet Urquiza almost felt disappointed at how ordinary the banker looked overall.

The conversation was equally dull. Urquiza talked at great length about the costs of merchant and military ships and provisions for thousands, about salaries and policies. He spoke of repairs made to gates and walls and roads, of the aged, crumbled, and ruined ones still waiting for aid, of the two miserable years of rain and flooding.

The banker said little. He nodded as Urquiza spoke, his face as plain and unexpressive as the white ones about Aristegui's and Cornwell's shoulders, and every now and then he removed a scarlet handkerchief from his breast pocket and snorted loudly into it. When the President paused expectantly for a comment, noble Olarticochea offered only words of encouragement for him to continue, "Go on" and "I see," and "Do explain."

When Urquiza finished, the banker blinked twice before asking his first question. "Have the mines been reopened?" he said plainly, and the inquiry caught Urquiza off guard. He hadn’t said a word about the Westerlands’ broken mines. Those whispers have reached even the investors? He silently cursed his lack of care. Of course any whispers of gold would have reached the Central Bank of the Republic.

"No," Urquiza answered truthfully, and Benjamín showed no reaction. The banker honked into his handkerchief once more and sniffled.

"The Chilecito," he said as he wiped the moisture from above his upper lip. "An expensive project. Pray tell, where is the silver and gold?"

"On the new railroads we are buillding . The secretary will bring a map soon." One way or another... There followed a long silence as uncomfortable as the temperature in the room, and Urquiza tried in vain to read the man's blank visage.

"I'll think on our conversation, Your Grace." Benjamín stood and bowed politely, tucking the soiled crimson cloth back into his pocket. "I will be in touch."

Urquiza watched him go with a frown. When the Braavosi vanished, he held his hands out above the table and noted with dismay that still they shook. I will try the tea, he resolved. It cannot hurt.

He quickly moved his hands to his lap as lord Cornwell appeared in the threshold, and the advisor glanced down the long hallway where the banker had headed before looking back to his King.

"Did everything go smoothly?" he asked. Urquiza stood and pushed in his chair, gathering stacks of parchment detailing the Republic's finances which had remained untouched throughout the meeting.

"Sickeningly so."

Having now dealt with the ilk of the ancient reserve, it was impossible to imagine it going any other way.

by **Cymrea** » Fri Aug 28, 2015 10:49 am

Western Imperial Union wrote:Sierra, Confederation of California
Shikoba read the reports of the expansion north. Nechako was growing into a sort of boomtown hundreds had flocked north with the promise of riches and wonders as yet untouched. He established the new territory of Nechako. It extended to the Fort and from the arrow lakes to the pacific and included Vancouver Island.

Fort Vancouver, Crow District

When Speaker Shikoba died quickly and suddenly of smallpox two winters past, it had shaken the Confederation to the core. Internecine conflicts to establish a new leader resulted in the balkanisation of the nation, with local leaders controlling small portions of territory and struggling continually to expand, or just to maintain what they had.

Cambrian entrepreneurs in the Hudson's Bay Company wasted no time in capitalising on the opportunity. Fort Nechako was purchased for a handsome price from the Squamish tribe, who had moved south along the great sound with the orca migration path. The site was renamed Fort Vancouver, for the Cambrian explorer George Ionius Vancouver; the captain was best known for his expedition only sixty years past, which explored and charted North America's northwestern Pacific Coast regions.

Fort Vancouver also incorporated the small trapping and fishing settlement of Gastown, which had been expanding of late, reaching to connect with the more recently established Hasting's Mill. The mill town was fast becoming wealthy on the local timber that was both tremendously bountiful and of high quality. With designs on connecting a Pacific stronghold to the main expanse of Rupert's Land, the Hudson's Bay Company had invested heavily in Fort Vancouver. And having convinced the Crown of the value of this vision, were in the process of establishing a permanent naval base at Esquimalt.

The relationship with the local Coast Salish tribes had never been very contentious, a significant anomaly from other colonial endeavours. With the collapse of the Confederation, the indigenas were initially resentful of European settlement. But the canny diplomacy and tireless efforts of the fort's governor, Decimus Henricus Corvida, had kept the tensions to a minimum. These efforts were supported through Corvida's consultation with Salish elders on the establishment of Fort Vancouver's sacred grove. The druidic faith of the Cambrian settlers meshed well with the indigena spirituality, and on these cultural facets, they found common ground. Oak and ash and birch and yew were planted with maple and pine and spruce. Totem poles were carved that included animals of both Salish spirituality and Cambrian heraldry: dragon, salmon, lion, orca, wolf, and raven. In that last especially - and seen as a portentious sign by the Salish that the Cambrian governor's name was also Raven - Cambrians and indigenas shared a veneration, which fostered a kinship.

Back in Cambria, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was busy announcing the colonial efforts in Nechako, now being called Cambrian Columbia.

by **Eurasian Hegemony** » Fri Aug 28, 2015 12:11 pm

Catania, Sicily

Knight commander Petronio Botti circled the top of his wine glass with his finger. He listened to his staff and awaited good ideas. Fifteen men were crowded around his desk and taking turns offereing up their ideas.
Botti sighed each seemed as radical and riddled with failure as the last, Burn out the pirate supporters, bring in many more Christen troops, remove the muslim population, and one adviser even suggested the purposeful sabotage of their own harbors so to lessen the areas that the Christens need defend.
Botti dismissed the men and rubbed his aching head as he contemplated what to do. He imagined what the King would do, only to realize the King had told Botti to find an answer because he didn't know either. A voice from an adviser who seemed to have stayed startled him and caused him to almost spill his wine.
"Commander Botti I have your answer."
The man standing before Botti was tall and thin and his eyes never lingered on anything including Botti for long.
"I know how to find not only the Saint and those that damaged your Island, but perhaps Trammel himself."
The commander hesitated for a second but managed to ask how.
"It would be simple enough." He motioned with his hand and two women stepped around the corner. One in traditional muslim Garb and the other in a christian woman's dress. "I will use a network of informants and spies to speak of lies to people who trust them and know the truth. They will feel obliged to set their close friend's knowledge straight. This method has worked many times before."
Botti took in the whole of the proposal and stood up. "Very Well, Do what must be done and get me success."
"Oh, don't worry I will."
The man and the women left and Botti sat back down at his desk and poured more wine.

The Mountains of southern Sicily

The small cottage had a pleasant view of a stream below. Falicia Basillio strectched. She left the cottage and walked down the road to a small farm house where a man had been seeing her lately. She stepped in and started a fire and began cooking for him.
After a long while the young man entered the house pleasantly surprised by her being there and removed his hat and hung it.
"Falicia, you are here so early, I look awful all covered in dirt you should have waited until I could wash my face to come over."
"Lino I have seen your face dirty many times before, but yes you should wash it now breakfast is almost ready."
He did as she had asked and sat down to the table.
During the meal the two talked about rumors and news, Falicia slipped in the fact of the dissapearance of the Saint and wondered if things would be better with him back.
"I don't think he is coming back soon." Said Lino through a smile.
"What makes you say that?"
"Well lets just say a friend of mine in town is cousins with one of Trammel's corsairs. He says they took him into the mountains and hid him and they are going to wait until they have enoughsupport and use him to get Christendom and the rest of the Saints to leave. It's great in fact maybe I should go join the corsairs. What do you think? Alfredo and I going to join them to free our Island."
"Lino, what would I do without you all alone in these mountains? Perhaps first you should invite Alfredo up for a while so he can assure me you will be safe."
He nodded and went on to the next topic and stood and began to clear the dishes. Once the two of them had cleaned the cabin Falicia left for her home and Lino left for town. She truly cared for Lino and hated manipulating him, but her master owned her. He would just as soon torture Lino until he talked if she wouldn't help. As for her family he kept as leverage, she had no choice but to do as he said.
Two nights later the three of them ate dinner and laughed and joked at stories of their childhoods. Alfredo brought up Falicia's family rather soon as he hadn't seen them in a long time, and Lino played host to a flicker of confusion as he realized it was strange he hadn't seen them in so long.
"They...are in Catania, visiting my aunt, she is sick." The two men nodded and said apologies and wished them all well. They then rambled on about a fight between two town champions a few nights back.
"Alfredo, Lino tells me you and he wish to join the corasirs to fight the saints and the Christens. What exactly will you be doing? Will Lino be safe?"
"So many questions this one." He laughed and swallowed the bit of bread in his mouth. "Yes we want to join, they are accepting non Muslims now and we need to liberate Sicily from the Saints. Lino and I would actually be mostly guarding the armory and prison that the Corsairs set up out here. He won't be in any dangerr which I know is what you are worried about."
"Falicia I'll be fine don't worry about me."
"Could I visit you?"
"Of course in fact you can come with us when we first go up there, they would love to know more people support them,even women."
"I will. Thank you for putting my mind at rest."

A small collection of buildings surrounding a mine, Sicily

The little peasant woman had done exactly as asked. She had gotten into the compound then once home she informed Count Fiorenzo Pergola how to get there. He thanked her and put her in a cell with her family. She would be allowed out once the mountain compound had been secured.
Every thing was going according to plan, well almost everything. Falicia had failed to spot the saint and Fiorenzo was worried he was already gone.
His troops, most of which we're saints themselves, inched up to the periphereal of the compound and took aim. They targeted the guards at the front of the compound and fired. This gave the signal for the 200 men to rush into the compound. It was all over in mere minutes. The majority of the corsair supporters surrendered without a fight.
The count was pulling a bottle of wine from one of the compound's shelves and a sargent ran up to him. The man saluted and awaited the salute's return.
"What is it?"
"My Lord, Saint Timoteo is no longer here however we think he was held here."
The Count sighed and shook his head. He and the Sargent walked out into the yard where the men huddled amongst one another.
"Gentlemen, I hate to do this but you are traitors, and have commited the crimes of Murder, Insurrection, Kidnapping, and Thievery. I find you Guilty and sentence you to death by hanging."
Four men came forward with eight ropes in all and strung them over a sturdy awning. The prisoners entered a fit of weeping and begging. One man pressed out of the others and begged the Count to show mercy.
"Mercy? To be shown Mercy you must repent. Unless you can give me what I need then you must be hung for your crimes." He signalled and eaight men were pulled from the group kicking and screaming.
"Who is your leader here?" The man that asked for mercy stood and owned up to it.
"You can end this. You can save your men." The men had the ropes tightened arounfd their necks.
"Five, Four, Three, Two, O.."
"I'll tell you just don't hang my men."
"Very well." The count, the Sargent and the Prisoner entered the building Fiorenzo had gotten his bottle of wine. He poured three glasses and sat looking coldly into the man's eyes. The questioning began. Evytime he hesitated or was caught in a lie, a man was hung.

Valleta, Malta

The King and queen set in their thrones. They had been holding court all day and the sun was finally setting. He stood and offered his now very pregnant wife a hand. They went back to the study where they now spent most of their time.
Giuseppe worked at his plans for the mediteranean. He had been forced to give the commanders and nobles in Sicily almost complete autonomy in their hunt for Trammel and the Saint. In Egypt his half brother worked at brokering peace with the other powers interested in the region and worked carving out the borders to avoid wars in the colonies.
His Pirates in the Red sea had been fighting and steadily losing to the Moslem pirates. However that would change with is new commander soon to be leading an invasion with both the pirates and his own troops.

Red Sea based invasion of Pirate city of Al Wajh

Baron Icaro Baldacci waved his sword on the beach and screamed at the top of his lungs. While normally he would command only around 7,000 men, for this invasion he commanded a terrifying 25,000 men. He had proven his ability in the Sudanese and Egyptian campaign's and wwas now considered the most capable officer in all of Christendom's vast force.
He sprinted over the ridge with his men and into the breach in the short wall. His men screamed for the enemy's blood or that god willed their victory during the attack. His troops pressed on into the heart of the town, fighting building by building. sweeping over the corsairs in moments. Baldacci himself ran several pirates through with his saber and another man he shot in the throat. His forces had captured most of the city and he climbed to the top of the wall to look out at the naval battle occuring.

Admiral Gustavo Santin was himself an able leader. He out maneuvered the more agile Pirate vessels and trapped them agains the shore line butchering them. No survivors would be recorded in Santin's battle. The two commander's didn't quite see eye to eye. Santin believed that the job of the military was to kill the entirety of their foe. Baldacci believed that to conquer a place you must win the control of the people not kill them. While the two worked together, they couldn't remain in the same room as one another for long.
This mattere little though as the battle was a major success. Few Christen casualties occurred. The city was firmly under control and the capture Pirates were take back to Christen East africa for questioning and imprisonement, or execution.
The foothold would allow for better expansion in the region. As well a place to launch the Christen supported Catholic Pirates to fight the Moslem fleets. Ships bearing defensive weapons such as cannons, mortars, and howitzers began to sail from the Sudanese coast to the now renamed city of Icarus, named partially for Icaro and partially for the greek myth.

Town Square, Mecca

Trammel had seen such success in the Med because of his subterefuge, well if Omar Ress had anything to do with it he wouldn't be the only one. For the last two years hae had been spreading rumors of the Moslem Pirates breaking several Tennants of the Qur'an. He also spread the idea that the Christians and other europeans were working to rescue the true muslims because they believed no one should be dominated by thieves. His rumors began to work and when the Christen's invaded a ways to the North of Mecca. Hundreds celebrated the coming of their devout christian cousins.
Today Omar stood in the streets of Mecca anouncing the Liberators were coming to kill the Pirates and that they could soon practice their religion in peace. As he was leading the town square in a chant thanking god the Pirates descended on them. They killed several people and arrested more including Omar. They tied him to a ramshackle cross in ther center of the square and burned him alive. His last words were Allah Help The Chistens Free my people.
Soon the people of Mecca were in revolt and the Moslem Pirates of the Red Sea now were forced to contend with an Invading force and several insurrections throughout both mecca and the other nearby cities.

by **Lenyo** » Sat Aug 29, 2015 9:29 am

The re-elected Caribbean Governor Matthias Delaplace sat behind his big desk, facing a motley group of subordinates: admiral, colonial officer, and the notorious Richmond “Lemon Coat” Lane. The Ministry of Justice had made it perfectly clear that they wanted Lemon Coat hanged, but Delaplace had other plans. Lemon Coat had already proven himself a very capable armed merchantman, even if he neglected to get his letter of marque and reprisal before the pirate hunt.

"I could have you executed, Lemon Coat," began Governor Matthias Delaplace, "but I'm not going to. We have bigger plans for you. More than anything else, France wants stability in the Caribbean. At the moment you're the only person who can manage such a feat. And so I'm pardoning you. The Second French Republic forgives your past crimes, so that we can work together. You want to be a pirate king? Fine. Better to negotiate with one pirate kingdom than a thousand competing lords in a sea of anarchy."

"I couldn't agree more," replied Lemon Coat.

"In addition to the pirates that rally to your banner, you'll have the full support of the French Navy," said Delaplace. "And if you need it, the Cambrians will also be there to back you. Your job is to cobble together a sovereign kingdom in the Caribbean that can diplomatically end these pirate wars. Crush your enemies, intimidate the small fries into joining you, and bring peace to the Caribbean."

Lemon Coat just smiled. The colonial officer, a veteran of Guiana, chipped in, "Better the bastard you know than the one you don't." Lemon Coat couldn't help but laugh a little.

The Socialist Republicans of Catalonia won a big plurality in the March 1852 elections. With almost 40% of the vote, the Socialist Republicans would form a coalition with other left-wing parties in the autonomous political region of Catalonia. After all the votes were counted, Catalans streamed into Barcelona to celebrate the beginning of a new Catalonia. Andalusian tyranny was over, and Catalonia would decide almost all political questions by itself.

by **Western Imperial Union** » Sat Aug 29, 2015 11:58 am

Nanjing, Cheng China
The Emperor would come to be the most progressive in China's history. He modernized energy opened borders and built a modern administrative and military system both of which were predominantly merit based. Emperor Bai of the Cheng Dynasty first of the dynasty stared at his city. It's puffing smokestacks and bustling roads filled him with a comfortable feeling. He looked out at his people and saw progress.
He went back inside and had his wrote letters to the neighbors of his young yet simultaneously ancient nation.

Mongolian Khanate-Mongolian Province Border

Major Mao Shin watched as the band of Mongol clansmen rode closer and closer. His troops moved into position and levelled their muskets. The men shook slightly, most of them were new and had only fired their weapons a few times in training. Sin didn't want the men to have to fire and normally they didn't have to, the clansmen would normally simply try and bait the Cheng troops into a fight. While this happened occasionally along the border Shin had succeeded in keeping his men from falling for the same trick.
He eyed the band carefully when the ground began to shake and cresting the hill Shin's worst nightmare appeared. Mongols in the hundreds swept down the rise toward his position trailing the smaller force. His voice catching, his orders came out rather unintelligable. However his men seemed to understand what he wanted.
They opened fire and the Mongols dropped in droves. Yet the big group still came. Shin Screamed to his Signalman to call for the artillery to open fire. The men were still loading their cannons and couldn't help. By the time they fired the Mongols were in Musket range. The horde rushed forward taking four volleys from the muskets before their horses leapt over the small barricades. The mongol warrios slashed at the infantrymen with their swords killing many of the troops on the front line. The other line infantry blatantly fired into the mass of fighting men, their rounds found both Mongol and Chengmen. More Mongol troops jumped the barricade and joined in the fight. Forced back the Cheng troops took refuge in a small wall that allowed them to fire into the Mongol forces with ease. This didn't last long as soon a new roar could be heard. Hundreds of Mongol infantry pressed forward. They sprinted toward the broken down first barricade and the piles of dead bodies. The Mongol cavalry had almost been dispatched but the new enemy stole the men's attention as they began to fire.
Many of the Mongol troops had rifles and they used them to astounding effect, but the vast majority had bladed weapons and we're effectively useless at this range. They gre closer and closer, all the while Shin reorganized his men and maintained withering fire on the advancing force. The surviving cavalry fled and the two armies of infantry faced off. The Mongols arrived at the first barricade their rifle men used it as cover to fight the Cheng but the melee troops sprinted across the open area to the wall.
Shin fired his pistol into the face of the nearest attacker then hacked at the head of another with his sword. Soon hand to hand combat was being fought all along his line, while the Mongol gunners fired into the fighting. Shin believed his battle lost and fought with the determination of a man prepared to die. As he fought a large Mongol warrior a sharp pain arced into his leg and he collapsed. He had been shot in the knee.
Bringing his sword up Shin caught the blade of the mongol and deflected it to the ground stabbing it into the man's chest. pressed against the wall he looked left and right and saw the Cheng slowly losing the fight. He loaded his pistol and shot a mongol soldier cornering a Cheng soldier. He loaded again and shot another mongol who was about to finish another one of Shin's men. As he drew out another round a roar sounded and the rest of the Mongols crashed into his force. The men were outnumbered and Shin repeatedly reloaded aimed and fired killing many Mongol's before a soldier with a musket noticed him. He turned and shot Shin in the side. Rolling over and dropping his handgun in pain Shin blacked out.

Two towns south of the border
Mao Shin awoke with a start and scanned the room. Two other soldiers one with a bandaged head and another with a wrapped torso and arm lay in the room. Standing he winced with the pain of the wound on his side and leg. He took a step and collapsed on the floor. Before he could get back up more of his soldiers came into the room and helped him up.
After a while of talking they informed of what happened after he passed out. The Mongols defeated them soundly and killed all but ten men. They then allowed the ten men to take as many wounded as they could with them the rest would be burned. The men cried at the memory of having to choose between men they had fought so hard with. They had watched as the mongols pillaged and torched the village either killing all the civillians or taking them as slaves. They did the same to the next town before returning to the North.
Shin was broken hearted and looked at his men and sighed.
"This is only the beginning."

Nanjing, Cheng Empire
"We will go into these barbarians lands and reap upon them the terrible consequences for their actions. For far too long have we simply allowed the Barbarians to act as they please without threat of Cheng retaliation. I hereby declare the total annihilation of the Khanate of North Mongolia, This will be brought about by the destruction of the Mongol army, the execution of it's leadership, and the massacre and enslavement of the mongol people as the they have done to the Cheng peoples in southern Mongolia. We will destroy the Northern enemy and we will have a victory and peace." -His majesty Bai Cheng

The Battle of the Steppe
The invasionary force had taken nearly three months to assemble but it was fianllly pressing deep into North Mongolia. The Cheng torched villages and took loot, they raped and murdered and copied their enemy's actionsin southern Mongolia. The plan had been to utterly destroy not only the North Mongolian Army but also the idea of a mongol people. Captain Siu Yi rode his horse with the rest of the Cheng Seventh light cavalry brigade through the burning town. Yi had seen figures of the "success rate of the invasion", over 17% of the people of North Mongolia had been killed. No soldiers had been in that figure as the Khanate troops fell back to counterattack once they had united their clans for more power in an attack.
Yi had watched the nearly endless stream of enslaved peoples being led back south to be sold at auction or put to work for officials. Entire towns burned and people could be heard screaming for miles.
After miles and miles of marching they finally confronted an enemy force. The general arrayed his men along a steep ridge and placed his cavalry onto the right flank. His artillery was placed also on the right flank above the cavalry on the ridge angeled inward so to target the Mongol forces. Captain Yi drew his sword and laid it against his shoulder. He watched the slightly larger mongol force position itself. Arrayed just past a small stream they had large amounts of rifles as well as many cavalry behind them. However they lacked artillery completely and once General Tzu gave the command the Cheng artillery ripped their men apart. Round after round impacted and slaughtered Mongol troops. Yet they held fast.
A horn sounded two low notes and three high ones. The infantry began marching forward. They steadily marched under raking fire from the enemy until they were in a perfect distance. They opened fire culling the first rank of mongol soldiers. The front rank of chng moved to the back of the line and the second rank Kneeled aimed and fired. This process repeated itself for some time until the Cheng officer began a charge.
The men sprinted across the stream under fire and clashed with the Mongol troops. Tzu signalled the next line of infantry to move forward.
Opening fire into the mess of hand to hand combat before them the Cheng troops killed both enemy and comrade. The battle appeared to be turning in the Cheng favor. The Mongol cavalry however could be a tide changer and Yi looked to the signaller awaiting the order.
The mongol cavalry crossed the stream to the far left of the battlefield and swept toward the Cheng Infantry line firing into the center of the mongol forces. Yi looked to the signaller again and yet still nothing.
Taking a deep breath Yi turned in his saddle to look at his men. They awaited his command just like their horses chomped at the bit in anticipation.
"Brace yourselves men we are going to participate in this battle whether Tzu thinks we will or not."
The men chuckled, drew thier swords and awaited Yi's command. He raised his sword and sucking in air let out a howl at the top of his lungs. He kicked the sides of his horse sending it soaring into action. The men roared behind him and followed his lead.
As they swept across the open field, between themselves and the mongol cavalry now fighting the Cheng infantry, they spread out into a two layered arrow head. They roared with a bloodthirsty howl the entire way crashing into the battle once they made their distance.
The fight was bloody swinging his sword from left to right Yi combated the mongol cavalry drawing their attention of the bayonets of the infantry allowing for them to finish their mounted barbarians.
Having routed the enemy cavalry Yi yelled to the surviving infantry to make themselves useful and charge. Letting out another shout the Cheng charged into the now dwindling Mongol infantry finishing the fight.

by **Kosovo12345** » Sat Aug 29, 2015 4:50 pm

Cossack warriors marching to Southern Baltic States and South Finland.
General Ivan looked at his men marching and he knew in his heart the Russian Empire would easily conquer the tiny tribes in the Baltics and Finland. He was marching to South Finland, intrusting his friend, General Vladimir, to attack the Baltics. If all went to plan, in a matter of weeks, the 2 armies would meet on a joint invasion of estonia. His army by going by ship from Finland to Baltics and Vladimir going from the south Baltics to north. His thoughts were stopped and he came back to real life when he heard shouts and a few officers around him few from their horses, with arrows in their heart. Figuring out it was an ambush, he quickly jumpped of his horse, a felt an arrow go by where he was a few seconds eariler. Thanking god for his life, he crawled to the nearest living Russians, and asked what was going on and who was the enemy. They replied that they were ambushed by men but they sent some men on the flank and soon enough, the arrows would end. True to their word, just when they said this, arrows stopped flying and they all heard the sounds of swords and men dieing. Ivan dared to look above the rock where he and the men were hiding and saw some men coming down the hill, with the Russian banner. He greeted them and asked them who the men were, only to found out that they were men from Roman Empire due to their tanned skin, unlike the pale Russians. He decided to continue the invasion of Finland, and ordered for 500 men to follow him back to Moscow, where he would to tell the Tsar this new information, knowing Alexander would be disturbed by this. He knew he was.
WIP

by **Old Tyrannia** » Sun Aug 30, 2015 9:56 am

Akita, Tōhoku Shogunate
Empire of Japan

Sakurai-Dainagon's face remained impassive as the Second Seat bowed deeply to him, allowing no trace of surprise to cross his features. Nonetheless, the gesture caught him off guard. The crude discourtesy of the rest of the Korean delegation conformed more closely to his expectations of these barbarians. He made no comment at their refusal to bow, but was unable to refrain from smiling when the Second Seat dismissed them for their misconduct. Sakurai made no comment on the debacle, but simply sat quietly until Second Seat Kim had taken his seat opposite the Senior Councillor and presented the letter.

"I would like to once more relay the message from my Emperor: by his grace and greater plans that we have paid negligence to the military movement in the eastern side of the orient. It is our Ministry’s sincere hopes that my lords have seen this as an intention that the Most Serene Imperial States have no desire to struggle with my lords in the field of combat," said the Korean official. "It is in fact my greatest pleasure to assure my lords that the intention of my Emperor which was ignored by previous administration of Japan is still to establish an alliance of convenience between the two empires of the orient. My Emperor has personally blessed this humble servant with a task of finding what my lords’ current goals are and how best to understand each other in this turbulent world filled with deceiving tongues."

Nodding, Sakurai responded, "it is indeed to the utmost relief of the Imperial Japanese Government that His Majesty the Emperor of Korea does not desire war with our Empire, and I wish to reassure Your Excellency that the Great Japanese Empire reciprocates the Most Serene Imperial States' desire for a peaceful and mutually beneficial relationship. Unfortunately we feel that misunderstandings, influenced by longstanding enmity between our peoples. It has been the perception of the Japanese people that the Most Serene Imperial States have pursued a policy of containment towards Japan, motivated by hostility towards Japanese expansion and misgivings about the Empire's intentions towards Korea. We feel that Korea, for its part, may have received the inaccurate impression that Japan has designs on Korean territory, which could not be further from the truth. True, Japan envies Korea's overseas empire; for who could not? Great is the wealth that flows to Hanyang from the islands of Chuk-Jae-Do. However, this envy drives us only to seek out an equal empire of our own in other lands. We do not wish to take what is rightfully the Emperor of Korea's.

"It is clear, then, that the relations between our peoples can be warm and friendly if only these misunderstandings can be dismissed. Our nations enjoy fraternal blonds going back countless centuries, and indeed His Majesty our current Emperor counts an ancient king of Baekje among his revered imperial ancestors. How, then, can we continue in fear and hatred of one another when our peoples have no closer brethren than one another?"

His opening speech concluded, Sakurai went quiet, awaiting the Korean dignitary's response.

Osaka, Kansai Shogunate
Empire of Japan

"It is the desire of the Empire of Brazil to establish a belt of Brazilian outposts reaching across the Pacific ocean from the island called Rapa Nui and to our possessions in the East Indies. This will serve to fulfill a long held Brazilian dream of establishing an uninterrupted web of trade and outposts spanning around the southern hemisphere, involving all colonies of the Empire. Beyond Rapa Nui itself, which as the easternmost Polynesian island has great import, the Empire is however very flexible about which islands ad archipelago's become part of such a belt," finished Brazil's ambassador. Minister Ki Hikaru did not respond at once, taking a moment to process what Takayama had said. Japan was generally strongly disinclined to allow other powers to colonise the Pacific islands. Nonetheless, Brazil was a potential ally, and one of the few potential allies Japan had. What's more, maintaining Japanese control in the Pacific would be easier with a strong allied power in the region. Brazil's demands were not greatly excessive. An agreement could surely be reached.

"Your Excellency, I do not believe you need fear any conflict of interest between Brazil and Japan. I am sure this belt of Brazilian outposts can be accommodated within Japan's plan for a greater Pacific empire. Rapa Nui itself is of no particular interest to the Great Japanese Empire. In addition, I suggest that the Pitcairn Islands, the Society Islands, the Gilbert Islands and the Ellice Islands could form a suitable belt of islands for Brazil to colonise. If Your Excellency's government has any alternative suggestions then our Empire would be pleased to examine them. Certain islands, however, we are not prepared to allow any other power to claim- notably the islands of Hawai'i, Tonga, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, the Marshall Islands and the rest of Micronesia.

"Unless Your Excellency has any further points to raise on this topic, shall we move on to a new topic of discussion?"

大日本帝国
Dai Nippon Teikoku
The Great Japanese Empire

TO: Her Majesty Queen Helene of the United Celtic Kingdom
RE: Conflict of Interest on New Guinea

Your Majesty,

After careful consideration of Your Majesty's proposal, His Divine Imperial Majesty's Government has concluded that it is basically acceptable to the Great Japanese Empire. However, we wish to make the following amendments to the proposed treaty.

Provided that these amendments are accepted by the United Celtic Kingdom and its allies, the Japanese Empire is content to withdraw all forces from the island of New Guinea and recognise the sovereignty of the United Celtic Kingdom and the Nordic Union over the island.

Blessings of the eight million kami upon you and your nation,
近衛忠熙
Konoe Tadahiro, Nippon-no-kampaku

大日本帝国
Dai Nippon Teikoku
The Great Japanese Empire

TO: His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of the Great Cheng Dynasty
RE: Offer of Friendship

Your Imperial Majesty,

His Majesty the Emperor of the Land of the Rising Sun sends warm regards to His Majesty the Emperor of the Land of the Setting Sun. We are greatly honoured that Your Imperial Majesty would deign to extend an offer of friendship to our Empire, and offer our congratulations on Your Majesty's successful expulsion of the Mongol barbarians from the Middle Kingdom. It is pleasing to us that the birthplace of culture and civilisation is once again under the rule of the Han race. With regards to the specific proposals set out in Your Majesty's previous missive, the Empire of Japan is pleased to acknowledge the territorial claims of the Empire of the Great Cheng. Additionally our Empire gladly accepts Your Majesty's proposed trade agreement and hope that it will bring about a general enrichment of both our great empires. However, begging the Son of Heaven's forgiveness, we must decline Your August Majesty's generous proposal for a military alliance. It is the current view of the Japanese Empire that such an agreement would be premature at this stage in the relationship between the Great Cheng Dynasty and the Empire of Japan, Your August Highness' most humble servants. We extol the wisdom and mercy of the Great Cheng Emperor.

Blessings of the eight million kami upon you and your nation,
近衛忠熙
Konoe Tadahiro, Nippon-no-kampaku

Kamchatka Peninsula
Karafuto Shogunate
Empire of Japan

Even as the Japanese Empire pursued an aggressive policy of expansionism in the Pacific, far to the north of the Japanese home islands the Empire of the Rising Sun continued to expand unopposed. It had been decided by the Imperial Government in Kyoto that the Kamchatka Peninsula would be incorporated into the Karafuto Shogunate, which had its capital on the island of Karafuto- known to westerners by the Russian name Sakhalin- to the immediate south of the peninsula. In order to consolidate Japanese rule over the region, Japan continued to found new colonies and outposts, pushing the frontier of the Empire ever northwards. Many colonists had already been lost to the harsh and cold conditions of the Siberian region, as well as to the predations of wolves and bears. Nonetheless, colonists continued to arrive from the home islands. Dozens of new mining towns had been found in the harsh Kamchatka Peninsula as the Government-supported Karafuto Coal and Steel Company offered extensive land and monetary incentives to move to the peninsula. To the poor peasant farmers and especially to the Burakumin underclass, the prospect of being given large areas of low-rent land and a well-paid position as an agricultural worker or a miner was attractive. Even greater incentives were offered to impoverished former samurai and their families who joined the Shogun's armed police force and helped to maintain order and defend Japanese settlements in Kamchatka.

Gradually, coastal settlements grew into thriving ports as more colonists arrived day by day and coal, gold and other resources began to arrive from the interior mining colonies for export back to the Japanese home islands. In the spring of 1852, the Emperor's government approved plans for the first railway in Kamchatka to make the transport of coal from the mines to the shipping ports more efficient. Work was to begin within the year. At the same time, Japan began stockpiling the large amount of gold that its mines were now producing. The Japanese economy was booming and many merchants became increasingly wealthy. Influenced by Western powers, Japanese businessmen began founding many large companies to invest in the growing economy and take advantage of the many opportunities to make money that this economic boom offered. The largest and most powerful of these companies, such as the Karafuto Coal and Steel Company, Sumimoto Company and Mitsui Company, developed links to the Imperial Government and benefited from the protectionist measures of the Fujiwara Regency. These superconglomerates became known as the Zaibatsu or financial cliques. The rise of these corporations mirrored the rise of Japan to become a major power in the Far East.

[Event Post]

Guam, Mariana Islands
Empire of Japan

"All I'm saying is, there could be a good deal to be had with the Koreans if we hand ourselves over and ask for a pardon. Laura doesn't know that you were one of the ringleaders, Bang-"

"Bloody hell, Pai, think about what you say before you fucking say it. Here we are hiding in a fucking Jap port, under the protection of His Infinite Capriciousness the Kampaku, and you're talking about jumping ship and getting in bed with the Dutch whore and her Kimchi friends? The Japs aren't just gonna let us walk outta here and into the hands of their fucking rivals. Keep your mouth shut if you want to see your favourite whore again," snapped Liu Bang. His patience with some of his subordinates was wearing thin- but then, perhaps they were growing weary of him to boot. Liu Bang had been forced to flee the Philippines with the remnants of his fleet after Laura Angenet had sailed into the islands with a fleet of Korean turtle ships behind her. For months he had quietly been encouraging rebellion against the Pirate Queen, fully intending to knock her off her throne and take her place as King of the Spice Islands with the help of his Japanese sponsors. Unfortunately the rebellion had backfired horribly on Liu Bang, who was now forced to seek shelter in the Marianas. Surely, he thought, even Laura wouldn't be so brash as to sail into Japanese waters flying the flag of Chuk-Jae-Do and trigger a war between Korea and Japan.

For his part, Liu Bang felt that a war between the Most Serene Imperial States of Korea and the Great Japanese Empire would be an encouraging development. The rumours of an improvement in relations between Japan and Korea worried him. The Japanese might well come to see their "secret weapon" in the silent war for control of the Pacific's pirate population as a liability in their negotiations with the Koreans. He took a swig of rum, eyes scanning the tavern suspiciously. A trio of Japanese sailors sat in one corner of the room, laughing and singing an old sea ditty; Liu Bang's pirates gave them a wide birth. Immediately after sailing into Guam's harbour, Liu Bang had found his old "friend" Commander Nara waiting for him, ready to lambast him for the failure of the rebellion against Laura Angenet and for potentially incriminating Japan by sailing straight for the Japanese-controlled Mariana Islands. Humiliating though it had been to be dressed down by a Japanese officer in front of his own men, Liu Bang had suppressed his anger. Above all else the pirate lord loved life, and he knew he'd be rapidly running out of it if he was foolish enough to provoke a confrontation with Nara and the hundred or so marines that were stationed on Guam.

"What do you plan to do, then, captain?" asked one old sea dog who had served under Liu Bang for years. "Set sail for Hawai'i and never look back? Maybe take a commission in the Japanese navy? You could be Nara's bitch for the rest of your life."

"I'm nobody's bitch, you old sea goat. But Nara did give me an awful nice present, and if you don't want me to shove it up your arse you'll shut that trap of yours," retorted the pirate lord, partially unsheathing the katana he'd received from Nara at their first meeting. "And Nara's just a fucking commander, a liaison. If I get a commission, they'll have to offer me the same the Koreans gave Laura, an admiralty. Then I'd have that bastard lick my boots clean for me."

Harsh laughter pierced the silence. "As if the Imperial Japanese Navy would give an admiralty to a bilge rat like you."

Liu Bang leapt to his feet and furiously looked around for the speaker. As it happened, the speaker was one of the three sailors sat across the room. He smirked maliciously at Liu Bang, who promptly marched over to their table and grabbed the young seaman by his collar, practically lifting him up off his feet. The boy couldn't be any more than seventeen or eighteen, a new recruit, filled with patriotic fervour and nonsense about honour and service to the Emperor. His smirk disappeared as Liu Bang prodded him under the chin with his katana.

"You're a fucking big-mouthed toad, you know that? You're a long way from home, Jap. I could slit your throat with a flick of my hand, before your friends here could even reach for their holsters. You should learn some fucking respect."

"Forgive me," the young man stuttered. "I- I- I only meant-"

"I know what you meant," said Liu Bang, dropping him onto the table. "You're damned lucky I'm good friends with the Japanese, or you'd be in a lot of pain right now. I don't take disrespect from anybody, especially brats like you."

It was only then that Liu Bang realised he was being observed from the doorway by a group of Japanese officers. Commander Nara was among them, but so was another officer who by his bearing and uniform likely outranked Liu Bang's contact in the Japanese navy. He inclined his head slightly to Liu Bang, who returned the gesture.

"Liu Bang, I presume. My name is Captain Shimazu Hidemasa, of the HIMS Kazusa."

"Captain," responded Liu Bang. "I'm honoured. Please, sit and drink with me."

Shimazu sat down as Liu Bang's table, to the visible unease of the other pirates. He ordered a cup of sake.

"So then, you are the great pirate lord. A long way from home. Hiding, no doubt, from the Pirate Queen, Laura Angenet, and her turtle ships."

"Alas, I cannot resist turtle ships with wooden vessels. If Japan would allow me to take one of the Empire's ironclads, on the other hand..."

"Impossible. Unlike the treacherous and deceitful Koreans, Japan does not share advanced military technology with pirates- or privateers."

"A shame. Well, then, I suppose that's that. I shall have to sail back to the Spice Islands and throw myself on the tender mercies of Laura and the Korean navy," replied Liu Bang in a matter-of-fact tone.

"That will not be happening. Japan has need of you. The arm of Laura Angenet does not extend as far south as New Guinea; the waters around that island crawl with pirates. Japan plans to colonise the South Pacific. It would be beneficial for us to establish a mutually profitable relationship with the pirates of the region. Following the Breton and Nordic invasions of New Guinea many pirates in the region are in disarray. A well-known pirate such as yourself may be able to bring the pirates of the southern East Indies under their sway. Your assistance in pacifying the region would be greatly appreciated by the Empire's leadership, which is already grateful for your services against the Koreans."

"So you've given up on competing with Korea and now you want me to help you carve out your own little sphere of influence in the south?"

"Essentially, yes. We will provide you with swift new vessels and Japanese advisors."

"I'm being redeployed," Liu Bang observed with amusement. "Why not give me a uniform and a ship flying the rising sun ensign?"

"It serves our purposes better that you remain officially unassociated with the Japanese Empire," responded Shimazu. "For now. However if it is your desire, a commission may not be beyond reach for you and your crew. Indeed, a court title may be within your grasp."

A court title, eh? Official Japanese nobility? Liu Bang had never liked the Japanese; but then, they made nice swords. And what better retirement could an old pirate who outlived the age of piracy hope for than a fancy title and a commission in the Imperial Japanese Navy? He could retire to some pretty tropical island in the Japanese Pacific, spending the rest of his life surrounded by beautiful geishas, paying the occasional visit to the home islands to rub shoulders with shoguns and high court officials. A happy thought.

"Alright, then, Captain Shimazu. You've got me good; I'm on Team Japan now, whether I like it or not. Send me where you like."

Shimazu nodded. "As always, we appreciate your cooperation, Liu-san."

by **Second Helghan Empire** » Sun Aug 30, 2015 11:36 am

[

Aden, Gulf of Aden

The situation had begun to get out of hand. Catholic and orthodox pirates had disturbed the peace far too many times and now the populacewished their liberators gone. Multiple grievances had been forwarded to the General military chief of East africa and Aden. General Heinrich Von Preussen was growing tired of his allies and so needed to remind them for whom they worked for. He had decided that the best course of action was to choose a side, as was customary in Hansa, even when neither side seemed like a good option it is better to make a choice than not to.
His choice had been simple. The catholics outnumbered the orthodox pirates nearly 4 to 1 and had already proven themselves early in the Pirate War. However removing the Orthodox Pirates wouldn't be as easy as asking them politely to leave, and even with the catholic pirates on his side he couldn't waste valuable man power in forcing them to go. His only option was to stab them in the back, literally if necessary.
He signed an edict issuing the arrest decrees for fifteen of the more powerful Orthodox Pirates on the grounds of terrorizing the populace of Aden. Whle this was definitely true there was no real proof of the crime and it was apparent that the only men being arrested were only the orthodox pirates.
A now lieutenant Johann was one of the men in charge of bringing a pirate captain into custody. He led his unit into the docks along with the other troops and spread out each unit stood before the ship of the captain that they were to arrest. A Colnel came forward, He and two majors had lists and a megaphone, with which they brought the attention of the Pirates to them.

"Achtung, Achtung, alle Privateers wird bei der Suche und Beschlagnahme der inakzeptablen Materialien zusammenzuarbeiten. Die Kapitäne der Schiffe suchten in Haft vorübergehend platziert werden und wird an das Büro des Gouverneurs für weitere Erläuterungen entnommen werden. Mit dieser Maßnahme ist es, die Sicherheit der Menschen auf der Suche der Gefäße zu gewährleisten und um den Frieden in der Werft zu gewährleisten. Wir danken Ihnen für Ihre Mitarbeit."

The man repeated it several times until the priates had assembled. His men translated it into several languages one of which was english.

Johann led his Pirate captain to the wagons with the other captains and followed behind it with his troops. Arriving in the courtyard of the governor the captains were led out of the wagon and in front of General Von Preussen.

"I'm sorry to bring you gentlemen here like this....but your actions have left me no choice." He produced papers from his pocket and showed them to the Pirate captains. The pirates suddenly understood what was going on. Many began to fight against their restraints and others began to step out of the line, one being bold enough to crash his head into a Hansa soldier's face. He began to run toward the gate only to be shot in his back as he ran. The pirates had come to the conclusion that it was in their best interest to listen to the General.
"I will pay you to leave. Boys I will pay you all that I promised if you just leave and never come back. If you do come back you will be like him. Shot dead and your crew the same."
The Pirates were released and the soldiers ensured they got their pay and left on their ships. However that was only fifteen of the dozens of the orthodox pirates in Aden. General von Preussen now enacted the second part of his plan. With the fifteen most powerful pirates out of the city he gave the body of the dead captain and his crew to the most prominent of the catholic Pirates. He was given orders tospread rumors of his men killing the fifteen captains and to show the body to anyone that looked for proof.
Using this some more cowardly pirates left but only a few. Many actually requested help from the Hansa army but got "Hansa forces stand behind the Catholic decision to elliminate over zealous pirates" as a response. More left realizing that the Hansa army also had a hand in the elimination of orthodox pirates.
Yet several orthodox pirates under the leadership of Andrei Durchet attacked the Catholic dock yards. A bloody fight broke out as both sides slaughtered one another. The fight culminated in the Hansa forces arriving and eliminating the remaining Orthodox attackers.
By the end of the month Orthodox christians had begun to avoid the Hanseatic-Catholic controlled areas like the plague. While initially this meant a decrease in manpower it was not enough to destabilize the forces already present and together the pirates and Hansa troops swept east. In the Saywun province battles, most of which occurred aroun the coast hansa troops soundly beat back the Moslem advance. In the center and north of the Province the Catholic Pirate force, bolstered with press ganged civilian troops, pressed forward largely unopposed.
By summer only the furthest eastern province of Al Ghaydah remained under the control of Moslem Pirates. Troops built up in Saywun for the final push of the Aden Gulf campaign. Victory in the region was imminent. On June 3rd 1852, an army of 15,000 men marched eastward. Before them was the massed forces of the pirates and their recruits. Crashing into the hastily prepared defenses the Pro Hansa troops dealt blow after blow to the now dwindling pirate forces. While many of the Catholic Pirates died as well most of their were meant to break up enemy lines and allow for the Hansa forces to finish off the enemy where they resisted now encircled in Pockets. After only a short time two of the three pockets of resistance surrendered. Only the CIty of Al Ghaydah remained.
As the aden fleets and the Army pinned them in the city, more and more reinforcements arrived from where the other pirates had capitulated. In the end a frontal assault broke throught the Moslem lines and the pirates were culled one by one.
Following their victory and the celebration, the Army massed at the eastern border of the former Pirate land with that of Oman and the Pirates rebuilt their forces.

Luxembourg

The Hansa first army marched into the city unopposed and the General met with the president of the small nation. Hansa had begun the annexation of Luxembourg early that morning. Over 25,000 troops had peacefully marched into the nation and taken it. The majority of the people actually supported this as they were more german than belgian and in Luxembourg the atmosphere was that of a parade.
By nightfall the Hanseatic state of Luxemburg was founded and most of the troops had set up a massive camp outside the city.
Almost immediately after becoming a part of Hansa Luxembourg was filled with rail companies that began to construct lines to connect the Entirety of Luxembourg with Hansa.

Baltic Sea, off the coast of the Baltic states

The Baltic Fleet sat off the coast of the Baltic region. Laden with enough troops to invade and capture the coastal area the orders at the last minute had been to hold back. The Russian troops had launched an invasion of the Baltic region earlier and so the Fleet stayed and watched.

Fort Bremen, Hanseatic Kong

Karl watched as the captured men from the defeated tribe worked at the construction. Opposite them in the field women and children worked hard. The sun scorched the prisoner's bare backs and occasionally a man or woman would drop from heat exhaustion. The colonel had efffectively brought slavery into the colony. However the man seemed to be working the slaves to death. Giving them nothing and taking everything the colonel had ordered them to only recieve a single piece of bread and some water throughout the day. He even made them work in the nude claiming that savages had no need for clothes.
Karl knew the colonel was a sick bastard but even he had been surprised at the treatment of the slaves. He himself was now on half pay until midsummer for giving some of the children food.
At first nearly all of the company's mercenaries had been disgusted by the treatment of the slaves, but slowly Karl had seen previously kind and honorable men become almost as sadistic as the Colonel. Rape, torture, and murder were common place and often encouraged. Karl himself had tried to help the slaves only to be punished and excluded from the rest of the men. He would have to choose between the Africans or His people.
Volunteering for the next expansion mission his group had been given the task of securing the coastline to the north and to eliminate native villages in the area bringing slaves back to Fort Bremen. He and the men had good success. Most of the tribes had no idea what hit them. Surrounded they were gunned down and the women and children were returned to the fort.
Karl hated himself for what he and the others were doing. But at the rate the Colonel was finishing off the slaves they would be dead before the start of 1853.

by **Oscalantine** » Sun Aug 30, 2015 6:56 pm

Viceroyalty Residence,
Chuk-Jae-Do Proper
[EVENT]
The Viceroy sat with his arms crossed in his advisory board as merchants and representatives from the Ministry of Defense clashed in a power struggle seldom seen in the nation ruled in complete and absolute domination by two individuals. While opinions differed from individual to individuals, the main struggle was between the Ministry from mainland, who believed that pirates had no place in their glorious armada, and the Merchant Board, who trusted especially Laura to keep her side of the bargain. Meanwhile, Dong-Nyuc was torn between the two sides. It was not as if he distrusted his pirate queen to lead, but the war was won with more than one, charismatic leader. Turning one’s back on the navy which supported the very livelihood of merchants were rarely a wise idea.

As the debate raged on, a servant quietly entered the meeting room and walked past the advisory board directly to the Viceroy. Very few apart from Viceroy, who was rather bored from the words of politics, noticed the servant striding past the quarrel at utmost haste. The servant whispered in hushed voices before handing the worn piece of map to the Viceroy before retreating back once he came. Dong-Nyuc expanded the map and examined the contents; at the rustle of old piece of parchment the shouts and roars died down, as all eyes were focused on what disrupted the debate.

Noticing the attention on him, the Viceroy spread the paper in the front table for everyone to see. It was a map of the Persian Gulf, centered around between Saxahvall and Kingdom of Oman. The map was poorly color-coded due to wear, but it was obvious what the map was indicating: the land of the Red Sea Pirates left for the taking.

“I believe this is the answer to all our woes.” Dong-Nyuc announced, to which his confused advisors looked at him demanding further explanation.

“With exception of the Kingdom of Balhae, all colonial efforts and relations are to be headed by the Viceroy, and thus it is within my full rights and authority to send what and who to colonization. Furthermore, it is also my authority to designate who will rule the region.”

“Therefore, I shall charter and authorize Laura Angenant as the Queen of the newly chartered ‘Pirate Kingdom of Persia’ who will abide by their own administrative, economical, and military laws. Pirate Kingdom of Persia will be under the jurisdiction of Chuk-Jae-Do, which maintain tributary relations with this newfound kingdom.”

“I believe that this officially puts everyone at ease. Only Laura Angenant will be under the Ministry of Defense as the chief admiral. Rest of the pirates, while working under her, will be headed by their own military hierarchy, and thus will be subordinate to the new queen and myself, the Viceroy, alone. Is that satisfying to my lords from the Ministry?”

The merchant board immediately clapped several times and gave agreement to the decision, praising the decision of the Viceroy and his wisdom. Men from the Ministry of Defense, however, were very much agitated. While they showed grudging agreement, at the end of the day, the Ministry lost more power than gained. Although the Ministry was spared of pirates among their ranks, this effectively created a new division of military which was not under the jurisdiction of the mainland. While the Ministry could state that this was a violation of the 1599 Agreement, technically Laura’s kingdom would not be under the jurisdiction of the Chuk-Jae-Do in a sense, creating a loophole that the Ministry could not reach. Without any solid reason to challenge the Viceroy, the Minister conceded, agreeing this was the best course of action.

Movement in the Colonies

[EVENT]

The “Pirate Kingdom of Persia” charter was sent to Laura, who immediately used her newfound power as a sanctioned “Queen of Pirates” to establish office and ranks to her retainers. The pirates were ecstatic about the titles of nobility that was fully supported by the Korean government, which raised morale and solidity of the extermination fleet which quickly became a colonization fleet to set for the Persian Gulf. The naval officers were puzzled, but many agreed that it was the best choice to save the faces of both the pirates and themselves. Furthermore, the prolonged delay in the decision has helped a bit. With masterful efforts by Laura and her crew, the pirates were more or less able to intermingle with the naval officers, allowing the navy to see that pirates were not always barbaric mess; rather, they were slightly more intelligently challenged version of themselves who were too drunk majority of the time to care about serious topic.

While the original plan was to attack Sulawesi to reconquer the Spice Islands, there was no need anymore, since Laura was no longer “the queen of the Spice Islands.” Having no need for such validation, Laura decided to steer her fleet to west, where she stopped briefly at the Andaman Sea and its surrounding islands. The pirates stationed in the area were more or less aware of Laura’s new title, and surrendered immediately rather than fighting the massive fleet of combined pirate and Korean navy. Laura took this as an opportunity to dock her fleet and request supplies and provision for the long journey to the Persian Gulf, where she expected a full resistance in the area.

While she was waiting for her cargo to arrive, Laura’s fleet was hailed by several fleets whose home turf was in the Dutch East Indies. These pirates, aware of the buildup of Dutch navy and Laura’s position as a monarch, decided to join her cause to sail for the Promised Land in Persian region rather than facing their fate at the extermination by the hands of the Dutch. While the pirates by the Java Sea and Majapahit region were still holding on to the chance of victory, the minor pirates augmented Laura’s fleet even further, creating an impressive armada to siege the pirates at the Persian Gulf.

Meanwhile, aware of the situation with the pirates in the Red Sea, Laura sent request for sanctioned priests of Cheondoism, who agreed to be on board for the journey to Persian Gulf. Although Cheondoism was not a religion found anywhere else in the world, the religion has variety of Islamic and Catholic beliefs mixed in alongside oriental belief systems. Laura did not expect hardlined pirate zealots to convert, but certainly the Cheondo priests could quell the masses and assure a bit more flexible negotiations in the religious realms that was so hotly clashing between Islam and Christianity.[/EVENT]

Through an exchange of hands, a letter was handed towards Liu Bang from the new Queen of the Pirate Kingdom of Persian Gulf, Laura Angenant. The copy of the Korean charter was attached, which validated her claims of her new kingdom sponsored fully by the Korean government.

Imperial Court, Nanjing
Cheng Empire

It did not take long for Imperial States to send a delegate to Cheng Dynasty. It was only with a begrudging note that Koreans acknowledged the alliance with Mongolians. Now with the Golden Khanate collapsed, the Imperial States could not stop at the opportunity to solidify the relations and send aid to stabilize the region to ensure no further switch of hands were necessary. Bad blood was bad blood, even with nearly a century of time. Mongolians were never to be trusted… but Chinese? A Chinese Emperor is always a powerful ally in need.

As soon as the letter of friendship and extension of alliance were offered, Korea sent its envoy to new Dynasty, honoring the first call to friendship with equal extension of personal reply instead of letters or telegram. The delegation was headed by Minister Kim Guang-nam, a third seat in the Ministry of Rites. Although young, he was very well versed in dealing with foreign relations, and seemed as excellent choice of high-ranking diplomat to send to pay respect to the new Chinese empire. Once in, he requested an audience with the new emperor and his court as a foreign envoy.

“Your Imperial Majesty, your humble servant, Kim Guang-nam, have arrived from the Most Serene Imperial States with blessings from my Emperor, the Most Serene Emperor Lee Sun.”

“My Emperor wished for your humble servant to bring the acknowledgement and appreciation to the alliance and friendship extended by Your Imperial Majesty in person and to give the Most Serene Imperial State’s most thrilled agreement of the accords made by Your Imperial Majesty.”

“My Emperor would also like to establish a more comprehensive agreement between the two empires. In specifics, my Emperor would like to request of Your Imperial Majesty that a railway network is to be built between the Most Serene Imperial States through the Provincial Governance of Balhae towards Your Imperial Majesty’s lands. Should you permit this construction, the two empires will further amplify the trade agreement conceived by Your Imperial Majesty and further strengthen the alliance between the two empires.”

“Furthermore, my Emperor have also requested construction of mutual embassies between the two empires to better benefit from mutual communication between the two empires. Should Your Imperial Majesty agrees with this, your humble servants will be dispatched from Hanyang to Nanjing in the location that Your Imperial Majesty desires. As for Your Imperial Majesty’s extension, my Emperor has been gracious as to allow one of the halls of Palace of Embassies to be opened temporarily for the honored delegates until a more formal building can be constructed to commemorate the union between our two nations.”

Kobota Castle, Akita
Empire of Japan

Kim Chun-chu nodded gently throughout the statement by Sakurai-Dainagon. He agreed that it was high time that the difference between the two nations be settled and grievance be forgiven. While the minister still had difficulty of seeing so-called "Great Japanese Empire" as nothing but a collection of barbaric tribes, Kim could now see the wisdom in the Emperor Lee Sun's words: the Japanese hostility towards Koreans were long gone, and that there was a way to settle the situation in the region diplomatically. This will allow Korean navy to focus more on the colonies and even allowing allied effort of the orient to take the colonies of Asia for Asians. Yes, there was a muse in the speech "Asia for Asians."

“Indeed it is unfortunate that the Most Serene Imperial State’s current stands against our neighbors has been a policy of containment. Throughout our history, this was found to be a comfortable shell from which we could be safe within. Before the ascension of the Most Serene Emperors, the Joseon Dynasty suffered from multiple attacks from both north and south. While we are happy and blessed by my lords remember the bygone friendship of kingdoms, the Imperial Servants of the Most Serene Imperial States seems to only recall the hostilities during the Imjin War, of which none of our current administration took part in.”

“The Viceroy of Chuk-Jae-Do has informed me of the fact that my lords have confirmed: the Great Japanese Empire has no desire in Indochina nor Indonesia. In that, we can agree that the separation will do us good, for the Viceroyalty Board of Merchants responsible for the colonial expansion has no desire to travel so far east. No, our colonial expansion eastward was deemed unreasonable, and that we shall be traveling westward. The Viceroy has assured this Ministry that should a conflict arise in the colonies between Japanese and Koreans, a diplomatic approach will be handled first before Ministry of Defense will be notified.”

“It this old man’s hopes that my lords will see this as a gesture from the Most Serene Imperial States that my Emperor desires bad blood between the two empires to be forgotten. I believe that my Emperor agrees with my lords: the two empires are closest thing to brothers in this turbulent world of gunpowder and deception.”

“Therefore the Ministry of Rites would like to extend the hands of friendship and alliance towards the Great Empire of Japan on behalf of the Most Serene Imperial States of Korea and my Emperor, the Most Serene Emperor Lee Sun. My Emperor has blessed this delegation so that we are able to draft the documentation of friendship and alliance with the Great Empire of Japan.”

“The Ministry of Rites have come with the three broad branches, from which this delegation is able to assist my lords in elaboration: military alliance between the two nations, recognition of each other’s territorial sovereignty between two nations, and trade agreements to reduce tariffs between two nations. Would the following be agreeable with my lords, and is there any objections and specifications that should be made?”

by **Zionatra** » Sun Aug 30, 2015 8:46 pm

Colonel Yosefu Katz's command overlook of the southern Nefoud Desert

The Colonel smiled while watching his forces meet the Muslim troops. The Israeli artillery pounded the enemy positions and the Israeli infantry, which was in no identifiable formation, sprinted from cover to cover taking quick shots at enemy troops. The battle was quick. With a well placed charge the Israeli troops broke through into the muslim line. caving in the flanks the Israeli forces surrounded them and achieved a victory. With the main force between them and the city of Jubbah was gone. Soon the army marched south toward the city and surrounded it. The men prepared to lay siege to it but before they could dig the emplacementfor their artillery the enemy surrendered. Northeast arabia was now under Israel control after only one battle. However there was still the threat from the south and east and so the Army recuperated then marched on.

(00C: sorryfor the quality I had no idea what I shoulddo so I just talked abstractly about the expansion into the arabian peninsula)

by **Lenyo** » Mon Aug 31, 2015 10:11 am

[EVENT]
Lemon Coat felt pirates had an undeserved reputation for brutality. Sure, it was violent work, but pirate politics was just like regular politics. It usually wasn't about sheer firepower. A lot of politics was who you knew and how well you got along with others. That's how Lemon Coat almost got to the top of the pirate world. Not by being the nastiest brute, but by being likable and intelligent. Lemon Coat was just one of those guys who could get people to do things with a smile. Before the pirate world fell into chaos, Bloodbeard had reviewed all his tactics and plans with Lemon Coat, and he regularly used Lemon Coat as a hatchet man, a people person, a fixer. By executing the will of Bloodbeard, Lemon Coat had won a great deal of respect in the Caribbean.

Now it was time to utilize that respect. Lemon Coat had already killed off a half a dozen of his greatest opponents, and he had managed to get France to pay him a small fortune to murder his rivals. Not bad, not bad at all. Now that he had the full support of a great power, Lemon Coat could bankroll the greatest feast the Caribbean had ever seen. Word spread fast between the Caribbean ports: Lemon Coat is hosting a magnificent feast at Port-au-Prince; pirates can pledge loyalty to him or face the consequences.

The surviving Caribbean pirates needed a respite from their fratricidal marque and reprisal conflicts, and joining Lemon Coat's fleet seemed to be the best exit strategy. Alone they could be hunted by Lemon Coat's men, armed merchantmen, governments... basically anyone. But as an official vassal of Lemon Coat, they would have a measure of security. Pirates flocked to Port-au-Prince, intrigued to see Lemon Coat's coronation, and even more eager to find a safe harbor in the war-torn Caribbean.

And among the many pirates who attended was the infamous hermit, the witchdoctor.

by **Western Imperial Union** » Mon Aug 31, 2015 12:10 pm

Nanjing

The emperor found himself very busy, having just adopted a new permanent flag for the cheng, and responding to the Japanese telegram had him filling out papers all day. After the flag business was completed he responded to the Imperial Japanese message. Then he met with the Korean representative.

The emperor was exceedingly pleased and impressed by the young gentleman sent by korea for diplomacy.He welcomed him warmly and invvited him to dinners and other family events he partook in behind the walls of the palace.
"Kim Guang-nam, I happily accept the offer made by your liege. May our nations cooperate for a thousand generations."
He led the young man to a large empty location where four Cheng engineers measured and drew up rough drafts of plans.
"Here is the future site of the Korean embassy. A mere stones through from the palace, and an even shorter one from the Director Concil hall. A perfect position."

Northern Mongolia, Final battle of the Golden Khanate

The ground seemed to be moving, but in actuality it was the massed infantry of the Cheng streaming toward their enemy. Completely surrounded and with no remaining cavalry the Barbarians had fought for days on end. However unlike the the Cheng they did not have the man power to refresh their troops. They steadily lost ground until they had been cornered in a small collection of yurts. The Cheng infantry closed in all the while Cheng artillery smashed the small area. Entire yurts burst into flames, a horrific death was all that awaited the last Mongol Khan.
The Cheng took no prisoners and as the men opened fire the Mongols were cut apart by rifle fire.
Now all of Mongolia was politically under Cheng control. All that remained was to eliminate the few remaining resistors throughout the country. Victory was already achieved.

Southern Mongolia

General Han Tzu had been ordered to reorganize a reunited Mongolia. The general did so gladly. He quashed any resemblance of the old Khanates, and put in place military governors for each region. The emperor selected the Governor of all of mongolia personally. Mongolians were not to get public offices, and their lives were heavily regulated to avoid any king of return to the Khanate.

by **Soviet Chernarus** » Mon Aug 31, 2015 2:03 pm

Republique de la Louisiane

"Nous ne sommes pas français, mais la Louisiane!"

Republique de la Louisiane

Many things had changed in the past few years; first and foremost, the Treaty of Nahiman had managed to resolve several border disputes both nations faced, and a small piece of territory that had been disputed by both sides (comprising of western Montana) had been ceded to Lousiane in exchange for a small sum of money. However, even with this, the representatives from both sides failed to reach a consensus on other matters, such as the settler issue, in which the Lousiane delegate argued that settlers should be able to freely travel to California. While it was, in all aspects, a diplomatic victory, tensions remained between the two nations, although in an effort to improve relations following the election of liberal Edouard Francios, settlement was restricted and unauthorized immigration to the Confederation officially banned. Despite this, these controls were poorly enforced, and given the long border between the two countries, there was only so much a handful of officials and guards could patrol. Francios intended to redirect the settlers to Lousiane's northern territories, to consolidate their hold over it - however, these areas were quickly becoming populated, as the country experienced high birth and immigration rates.

Another thing that has happened was the ambitious naval program started by the Beaulieu administration; directed by Admiral Vincent, several key parts of the program had to be delayed or worse, even scrapped due to budget constraints and financial concerns. Despite this, the program was progressing at a reasonable growth rate, and after a year of naval build-up, the navy of Louisiane has already seen significant improvements. While the initial goal of seizing islands and restoring order in the Caribbean has faded, it has been replaced by a wave of nationalism that has only spurred support for the program. Believing the Americas should be free of European control, these nationalists see that the naval expansion will ultimately cement Lousiane's power and influence on the continent and be able to stand up to some of the bigger European powers. In addition to this, nationalists also claim that it is the nation's destiny to stretch to the Pacific Ocean, in order to continue to grow in power and expand its influence.

While the naval build-up continued with occasional delays and such from the government, the 1851 elections were held; unsurprisingly, Edouard Francios won, having rose up in Liberal politics in the past few years to become a major contender against Beaulieu. However, given the general trend among politics after Ebert's period in office as well as corruption in government, Francios's victory came as no surprise to anyone. In his campaign, Francios promised to largely continue Ebert and some of Beaulieu's policies, as well as try to improve relations with the Californian Confederation following the signing of the Treaty of Nahiman. He promised to increase funding for the army and continue to expansion of the navy, which won over the support of some radicals and nationalists. Along with this, he would try to reduce Lousiane's dependence on French moneylenders and instead try to find other sources of income and revenue to help develop and grow the nation. However, Francios had little desire to fix the general corruption and misrepresentation of the populace in the government, partly because it was this system that had managed to get him elected in office in the first place, and partly because if he tried to make reforms of some sort, the political elite of both parties, given their influence, would immediately try to stop him.

The situation in the Caribbean was also rapidly changing, as European powers sought to push the chaotic pirates out of the sea and claim colonies for themselves, often aligning with or using various famous pirate lords and kings in an attempt to unify all of the islands. Always having been divided, the European claiming of these lands was not received well in Nouvelle-Orléans, given both their interests in the region and growing nationalist sentiments in the country. However, Lousiane had little desire to go against the Great Powers, and still held historical and ancestral ties to France, one of the bigger players in the game, although most Louisianans didn't consider themselves to be French. It seemed like the Golden Age of Piracy, which had lasted for so long, was coming to an end, as the weaker pirate factions were absorbed by stronger ones, some of them who were backed by other powers. Some attempts had been made to bring some of the stronger pirate lords had been made, but they mostly failed, given Lousiane's weak presence in the sea and reliance on foreign navies to protect their trade and shipping lanes from rapid pirates, which still nevertheless continued to harm trade and ultimately hinder the growth of the nation. Due to this various factors, Louisiane remained neutral, taking all things into consideration and not wishing to get in the muck that was the Caribbean without being sufficiently prepared for it.

Another thing that had happened was the movement of settlers, often seeking more land to settle and make their living off of, into territories not controlled by the government's jurisdiction; this certainly posed a problem, especially regarding relations with neighboring nations, but given the nation's long border, any restrictions were near impossible to enforce without substantial numbers of men, money, and resources being invested, a move that would surely be politically suicidal given the nationalism in the country and the number of settlers who would oppose such a move. Some territories already had a growing Louisiane minority.

Map of border changes of Louisiane from 1850-1852
Key:
Dark blue: Territory gained in the Treaty of Nahiman.
Light blue: Territory settled but not under government jurisdiction.

by **Cuprum** » Mon Aug 31, 2015 8:10 pm

“No higher!”

“Of course my lady.”

The painting of the new House of Urquiza had been finished, the hours it had taken just standing there getting the poses right could be seen with each brush stroke on the canvas. Each faced almost carved with the paint into the canvas. The framing was beautiful and delicate, unlike half the faces it framed. Urquiza stood next to her wife who sat, hands on her stomach signifying the upcoming baby of House Urquiza. Their faces betrayed no emotion, no love was lost between them. The woods surrounding them almost told the viewer how secluded they were from each other in reality.

Urquiza's wife had been busy meeting with fabric designers and artists in order to create a house she could stand to live in. After the Slaughter initiation she had strayed away from Urquiza’s side, wanting to keep the distance between her and the man she saw that day.

She wasn’t afraid of him, but she saw a side of him that at the very least made her uneasy. How could Jozef have fallen for his charms and words and let her go with him. Had he not known the man she saw before her? Or did her brother truly not care for his siblings. Her brother was a Kinslayer after all, but Wilhem was a bully, the consensus of the people that were there was that he deserved his fate, but now. Now María Cándida got to thinking, how sure could she be that the whole event wasn’t orchestrated by Urquiza and Thadeus. The pair of them conspiring to give Thadeus the nation, giving the presidential seat, the power over the Republic it so desired

“My Lady?”

“What?” María Cándidasaid, startled from her thoughts.

“I asked if this was a better position.”

“Oh yes, Thank you. I think I wish to be alone now. All this work has taken a toll on me and the baby.”

“Of course my lady, shall I send someone up with food and drinks?”

“Yes, but later.. I do not find myself searching for food at the moment.” María Cándida said with a smile.

For all its faults, the palace life wasn’t that bad. Those that worked at Tussen de Rivieren knew their place. They knew she was the Lady of the House and knew how to treat her. But it was isolating. Lonely. When her and Jozef did do things together his mind was elsewhere, she had no handmaidens to speak of, no one to truly talk to. She had asked Urquiza about the lack of handmaidens, he had said he would look into it. But nothing had changed as of yet, and it was becoming abundantly clear that nothing ever would.

This Palace couldn’t be called ‘Home’.

Urquiza sat in his solar. Papers and more papers about the ocupation of Chile and their valuable copper, a muddled mess that some insane member of society might consider to be art. In a way Urquiza agreed. It was poetic how he held the lives of so many in his hands, lives that pleaded for help in just a few short words on a page carried in by a n owl, or some mudded man. He groaned and wiped at his face hoping in some false way that this act would wake him up.

The life of a politician had always looked so dramatic and, almost romantic in a way when he was younger. He was never prepared to become a member of the political class himself, instead he was sent to learn more about the way the lands were used, information that would be useful for him to give to his brother Aexander Caecilius Urquiza. Now it seems the information is only useful to him, though he has other worries to think about, other things on his mind that needed to take up the space inside his head. He needed someone to aid him. He had no council, no advisors. Nothing. He had a band of men that were willing to die to have a chance of serving him and his family, but really what was that? What did that really mean? Having people willing to die for you meant nothing. Perhaps he was safer with them, without the fear of their hesitation should it come down to it. But, what about help when it came to the duties of a Lord. Who should he call on? A bannerman of the conservative faction? A bannerman's son? Perhaps even someone who would fill the role but also provide some sort of alliance to the house. That option might be more stressful, but at least thepolitical alliance would prove useful.

So many thoughts ran through Urquiza’s head, so many projects half looked at. One thing was certain, his home was his, and it had finally been taken care of. The requests that he had been given by the people he lorded over were, slowly, being seen to. It would take time, but Olyvar was confident things were on track.

He just wished things could be easier. Wished he had someone he trusted that he could turn to and ask for advice. Someone who could update him on the lands down south, of even the other Estancias of the North. The other houses of the North. the threat from Europe. Chile. Urquiza needed a way to make sure any threat from down there could be quelled quickly and quietly.

So far in his term as Lord Urquiza had focused on the people. A few extra coins here and there, the expenditures of the nation were high, but the people needed to know that they were going to be looked after. Roads and rails safety would need to be looked at. There would be no such thing as a bandit on the road in any Argentinean lands. His father had held that belief and Urquiza believed that a peaceful land; a quiet people. That is what mattered the most.

The halls of the Great Palace were silent, silent like the dead. The eerie feel of this enormous residential complex was just enough to send a shiver down his spine. Oh how he hated the castles and keeps of Europe.

The musician stood still, straight, and tall on the right side of the solar door while Harold stood on the left, both of them were dressed in their make-shift, miss-matched uniforms of black armor and mail. The weight and feel was strange to him, a new sensation that he needed to get used to.

Just like everything else around here.

This place was far from the simple home of the wilderness that he was used to and this will be the place where he'll spend the rest of his life. He still felt a never ending guilt for what he had done at the ceremony, his graduation into the blades. This was his life now something he wished that he'll never accept.

Just on the other side of the wooden solar door, Theo knew that the Lord Urquiza was busy full filling his presidential duties. He couldn't help but to detest the man whom he was sworn to protect and love, he was the man who forced him to accept an annoying destiny as a member of the rotten political class.

It was quiet, not a peep was uttered as he waited.

by **Cymrea** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 6:34 am

South of Fort Said, Cambrian Sinai

The Great Canal was first proposed to follow a roundabout route, making two sides of a triangle, with the existing line for the third. One portion of the waterway, from Damietta to Cairo, was supplied by the Nile itself, so there remained a distance of twenty miles to be dealt with. But the Nile was in itself a difficulty - the irrigation and other works would be all interfered with, and there were enormous problems as to levels, et cetera. The direct course was therefore adopted.

A curious scientific party, known as La Commission Melanger, formed of engineers from all the leading nations, proceeded, at the close of 1851, to make a close examination of the question on the spot; and nothing is more creditable to science than the masterly style in which every point was investigated. The result was satisfactory, and it was determined to commence the work. The route chosen was favored by many advantages; the distance, though ninety miles in length, was already canalised by various lakes, great and small, to the extent of about thirty miles or more. Roughly, the course was as follows: starting from the Mediterranean, the entrance is found in a strip of sand, from four to five hundred feet wide, and which forms the rim, as it were, of the bowl that holds Lake Menzaleh. Here is Port Said on the west bank and Fort Said on the east, the gates or doorway of the canal; then, for about thirty miles, is found the great lake just named, where there rises a slight hill, about twenty-five feet high; then a small lake, and then, for about thirty miles, a series of gradually rising hills, culminating in a rather stiff plateau. Beyond the plateau is Lake Timseh, about five miles long, where there is the halfway port, Ismailia. Then succeeds another plateau, large basins, known as the Bitter Lakes, extending about twenty miles, while the rest is land up to the Red Sea. These lakes were in some places dry. There were to be no sluices or locks, though these lakes would be greatly enlarged by the admission of the waters.

The indomitable Fennewick Justinian de Lesseps was now a force in Europe, and many eyes were following his proceedings with curiosity and sympathy. A man who had done so much against so much was not likely to be denied this triumph of engineering. He appealed to the Emperor Julius II Palaeologus; and here we see, again, the good fortune that attended the brave adventurer. He was a connection of the Empress - indeed, it has been stated that he was grandson of one of the Scottish Kirkpatricks (an ancient line descended of the first governors of the Britannian province); and this influence stood him in good stead. Further, he had wisely made the shares of his company small enough to attract the humble investor from Hansa and the Golden Khanate, among others, and, as they were held largely over the United Kingdom and Imperium, the whole of each country was interested in the scheme. The Emperor dared not disregard such pressure, and made an equitable decision that satisfied: to the effect that the Imperium was to supply as much labour as was necessary. On this, the enterprise was pursued with fresh energy. The little canal, which was to convey fresh water for the workmen, had been completed. A few years more, and it would be deep enough to carry a vessel of thirty or forty tons. It seems incredible, but this progress only excited the derision of the leading Akkadian newspapers, who talked of "cockle-shells," and who were dull enough not to see that the problem was already solved.

by **Cymrea** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 7:42 am

Jasper House, Alberta District
Rupert's Land

By 1810, the fur trade had expanded west across the continental divide. Competition was mounting to reach further into unexplored lands. David Thompson of the Cambrian North West Company had already set up posts throughout the upper and middle Columbia River valley.

Urgency arose to reach the mouth of the Columbia River when American Commonwealth-based fur trader, John Jacob Astor, entered the race. Planning to reach the mouth of the Columbia River by ship around Cape Horn, Astor's goal was to negotiate and establish a port and inland fur-trading posts in the northwestern marches of the Confederation of California. If he succeeded, the North West Company would face serious competition.

David Thompson was dispatched overland to lay claim to the fur-rich region before Astor. His first route across the continental divide, Howse Pass, was blocked by Peigan Indigenas, forcing Thompson to find a new route. In Januarius of 1811, he and his men, guided by Thomas the Iroquois, reached the summit of Athabasca Pass. Once over the pass, they wintered at Boat Encampment on the Columbia River, reaching the Pacific Ocean the following spring, only two weeks after Astor. Thompson's route to the Pacific over the Athabasca Pass would become one of the most important East-West transportation links of the Cambrian fur trade.

As the fur trade expanded west, Thompson's route over Athabasca Pass to the Pacific Ocean became even more important. Support was needed for the bi-annual fur brigades that exchanged mail, supplies and furs via the pass. In 1813 the North West Company built Rocky Mountain House on Brûlé Lake as a provision depot for brigades crossing the Athabasca Pass to the Pacific. Described as "a miserable concern of rough logs, with only three apartments, but scrupulously clean inside", the post would serve fur traders for sixteen years. When Jasper Hawes took command of the post in 1817 it became known as "Jasper's House" to avoid confusion with Rocky Mountain House on the Saskatchewan River. The Hudson's Bay Company moved Jasper House upriver to its current site in 1829, and made it a fur trade outpost on the York Factory Express trade route to New Caledonia (often called Cambrian Columbia), and Fort Vancouver in Crow District on the lower Fraser River. The gateway to and through the mighty Rockies, Jasper House attracted suppliers and merchants trading in produce to trappers and miners. While the new site was more useful, the buildings were crude. It was located at a strategic trail junction, there were places to winter horses nearby, but the factor had trouble finding steady supplies of fish and game.

A Jesuit missionary, Father Pierre-Jean De Smet, had recorded the name La Riviere Maligne or "wicked river" for the nearby waterway. The river was now known simply as Maligne River. For almost half a century Jasper House served as the main stopping place for all fur traders using the Athabasca, Bess, and Yellowhead passes; and as an important meeting place for travels, adventurers, and explorers. Now it appeared to be perched on the extent of Cambrian claims to western Rupert's Land.

by **Lenyo** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 10:23 am

To Right Honourable Meredith Aurelia Rhys-Jones, Praetor Extraterritorialis of the Royal Cymrean Senate and
Right Honourable Olivia Tertia Wellesley, 1st Countess Cowley as the Legatus Extraterritorialis

Paris is extremely interested in the ambitious engineering project the Suez Canal Company is undertaking in Egypt. So far Cambria and Byzantium have been the primary financial backers of the canal, which has employed technicians from across the world, including Parisian engineers. The Second French Republic wishes to support the Suez Canal Company's noble endeavor by purchasing as many shares as are available. As a military ally and France's greatest trade partner, we hope Cambria can help execute the financial contract.

Awaiting the union of the Mediterranean and Red Seas,
Dirigiste Minister François Arago

by **Old Tyrannia** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 10:27 am

Akita, Tōhoku Shogunate
Empire of Japan

"It is to the great sorrow of the Emperor and Government of the Japanese Empire that Toyotomi Hideyoshi's invasion of the Korean peninsula still weighs heavily in the minds of the Korean people and their Most Serene Emperor," Sakurai responded as Second Seat Kim concluded his speech. "Truly, if there is anything that the Japanese people learnt from that experience, it is that Toyotomi's dream of Japanese rule over Korea and China was and is folly. Long has it been the case that every Korean considers his nation and culture the superior of Japan, this barbarian nation across the Eastern Sea; and likewise no Japanese will ever concede that any nation could be the equal, let alone superior, of the Empire of the Rising Sun. Should we, then, continue, to look upon one another as inferiors and despised barbarians? I think it would be more productive to emphasise instead the common heritage of our nations, and the common interests we share proceeding into the future.

"We are greatly humbled by the wisdom of the Most Serene Emperor of Korea; his desire for friendship with Japan and forgiveness of past incidents is a blessing upon we who also seek harmonious relations between Korea and our Empire. Indeed it is distressing that the previous administration of Japan ignored His Most Serene Majesty's first letter to our court, choosing instead to join with Western and Mongol barbarians in an unfortunate campaign against Shai. If our most holy Emperor had been better advised at that time then Japan would have proudly stood by Korea in that conflict, but alas fate had other plans for the Khanate of Shai; so it came to be that the Empire possessed territory on the mainland that we desire continued sovereignty over only to honour the sacrifice of those Japanese who died in the war against Shai. It goes without saying that recognition of the status quo in Manchuria should be a priority for the establishment of good and friendly relations between our peoples.

"In general it is not the opinion of the Japanese Empire that there will be any great difficulty in reconciling the territorial ambitions of our two empires. The Great Japanese Empire is fully prepared to recognise Korean sovereignty over the Philippines, Borneo, Java and the Malay states, as well as the current territory of Balhae. In return we beseech the Most Serene Imperial States to acknowledge Japanese sovereignty over our current possessions in Outer Manchuria, and refrain from interference in Japanese expansion into Siberia to the north and the Pacific islands to the east and south-east. Likewise we are prepared to guarantee that Japan will refrain from westwards expansion, once the islands of Taiwan and Hainan which we are currently negotiating for the acquisition of from the United Celtic Kingdom have been incorporated into the Empire. The mutual lowering of tariffs is acceptable to Japan. We are, furthermore, amenable to the idea of a mutual defence pact between our nations, and potentially greater cooperation towards the achievement of each other's colonial aspirations.

"To conclude, the Japanese Empire is fully on board with the proposals of the Most Serene Imperial States' proposals, providing that Korea offers no objections to our general ambitions in Siberia and the Pacific; in particular, it is of great concern to Japan that Korea does not interfere in Japanese colonisation of the eastern Siberian seaboard, envisioning as we do a continuous Japanese empire extending from Manchuria to the tip of Kamchatka, and possibly across the Bering Strait into North America."

Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands
South Pacific

Having consolidated their control of the newly renamed Kappa Islands to the north, the Japanese Empire had already began to expand its territory southwards, rapidly gobbling up small islands in order to achieve its goal of hegemony over the Pacific. It had been agreed by the Imperial Government that the Solomon Islands would become part of the newly formed Kappashima Shogunate together with Kappashima-jima to the north. The islands of the Solomon archipelago were home to various native tribes and a few pirate colonies which had, along with many of the region's pirates, readily submitted to the authority of the new Pirate King of the Spice Islands, Liu Bang, upon his arrival in the region and establishment of his new "court" on Manus Island to the north. The Admiralty Islands were nominally part of the Bismarck Archipelago claimed by the Japanese, but remained uncolonised by Japan, making them an ideal base of operations for Liu Bang and his pirates.

Needless to say, those pirates under Liu Bang's influence made no effort to resist the colonisation of the region by Japan; indeed, many opted to accept Japanese citizenship and keep their homesteads on the islands along with generous payouts from the Shogunate. They were quickly joined by several hundred Japanese colonists from the mainland. Those pirates and indigenous tribesmen who did offer resistance to the colonists were dealt with either by Liu Bang's pirate fleet which ruthlessly wiped out any dissenters or by the Imperial Japanese Navy. Japan still had thousands of troops in the area, initially deployed in preparation for a potential war against Brittany and the Nordic Union over New Guinea; with tensions over New Guinea cooling, Fuyuki Sokaku, Shogun of Kappashima-jima, decided to make good use of the troops placed under his administration to clear the islands of rebels. Every effort was made to establish good relations with the indigenous tribes, in accordance with the Imperial Court's Imperial General Order Regarding The Treatment Of Native Peoples, but where hostilities could not be avoided Japan did not hesitate to suppress rebellion with brutal force.

The former pirate port of Honiara ("place of the east wind" in the language of the local savages) on Guadalcanal Island became the de facto capital of the islands once incorporated into the Japanese Empire and flooded with settlers from Nishikappashima, who soon outnumbered both the pirates and the natives. The city had readily surrendered when faced with a fleet of ten Japanese warships and some 3,000 soldiers. Now the fortification of the city was underway, as Japan began a grand project of development in its new territories.

1850 : Alternative Divergence [AH][IC][HIATUS]

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