1850: Alternative Divergence [AH][OOC-OPEN]

[Axis Asteroid]

Here is my WiP. I'll finish the rest soon.

See the top of page 27 for the full app.

#AltDiv (do not delete this, it's for keeping track of the apps)

[Shogunate of the Uzumaki Empire]

Um......Tracian why didn't you accept my Reservation?

[Remnants of Exilvania]

Yes...yes...embrace the multi-ethnic state! Embrace the problems with Lithuanian, Belorussian and Ukrainian minorities!

The Lithuanian population could be placated with something like the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.

As for ethnic tensions, the Teutons will face similar problems in the Baltics. Prussia was built on the bodies of Old Prussians who did not take kindly to German rule after all.

The Prussians are my smallest worry as they virtually don't exist anymore.

Speaking of the pot of minorities within the Livonian territory though... and the Polish minority...

[Zelent]

Reservation

Nation Name: Imperial Republic of The Franconians
Territory: France, Geneva, Catalonia,
#AltDiv (do not delete this, it's for keeping track of the apps)
*Note: Reservations will last for 48 hours. The OP board reserves the right to be subjective in regards to accepting reservations.

[The Ik Ka Ek Akai]

Full Nation Name : Western Roman Empire [official]
Latin Empire
Holy Roman Empire
L'impero romano d'Occidente (Italian; "Western Roman Empire") [official]
Il Senato e il popolo romano (Italian; "Senate and people of Rome")
Saran e Suant (Dalmatian; "Serene and Holy")
I depotuti e el poplo veste (Dalmatian; "The delegates and the people of the West") [official]
Juan Raigno (Dalmatian; "Young Kingdom"- contrasted with the "Old" Greek empire- "Vicla Raigno")

Majority/Official Culture : Italo-Dalmatian
Territorial Core : Here
Territorial Claim : [[OPTIONAL]] Technically the rest of the Western Empire, but for all intents and purposes let's say Sicily, Malta, Sardinia, Corsica, and the Baleares
Capital City : Rome
Population : ~25,000,000

• Italy ~ 20,000,000
• West Balkans ~ 2-3 mil, but boosted due to diverged history

Government Type : Exarchate
Government Ideology/Policies : Nationalism, Commercialism, Mercantilism
Government Focus : Culture and wealth are the main focuses of the Italian Caesardom. With a long tradition of craftsmanship and trade, with autonomous polities feuding back and forth over who had better paintings and architecture being but one example of this tradition continued throughout time. Despite being, under its foundation, a military governorship granted by the crown in Constantinople, it has been long since any expansion has occurred, the resources instead devoted to the aforementioned culture and wealth.
Head of State : Alessandra Udaina
Head of Government : above
Government Description : An exarchate, the government was initially a military governorship bestowed by the crown in Constantinople. Since that point, it has fallen under various relations and military uprisings and varying influencing factions until everyone forgot what it started as and it became de facto hereditary. At the moment, it is run much like the proper Eastern empire- a highly administrative absolute monarchy with a couple of autonomous regions.

Majority/State Religion : Latin-Rite Christianity, but with freedom of worship
Religious Description : Under the watchful eyes of the Patriarch of Rome, this is a Chalcedonian creed that never went extinct- within the borders of the exarchate it had instead managed to prevent its drift from the Greek Rite to a schismatic degree. It still bears resemblance to run-of-the-mill Catholicism, but remains more tolerant of imperial authority and Hellenic idolatry.

Economic Ideologies : State Capitalism, with some regulation applying to all parties (including the state)
Major Production : Dyes, luxury items, processed/precision goods
Economic Description : A specialized economy for turning raw goods into expensive things other people show off with, and turning water into fine, the Italian economic situation is generally prosperous and competitive- albeit, for how prosperous it is, it is also niche and specialized. It does what it does very well, but doesn't do other things very well at all. The army will sure look sharp in those silk uniforms with carefully hand-etched brass!


Tech Group : European

Army Description : The army is a carry-over from the Eastern themata, with military subdivisions and land grants ensuring a localized and battle-ready force is always prepared to be drawn up on the borders. Unlike the Eastern Empire, however, the themata follow regional powers and centers of conflict, conforming to what was, at times, only nominally subject city-based powers. Each city, thus, carries its own military legacy and rivalries. The military is largely modernized, perhaps moreso than the Eastern soldiers, due to proximity to the West and even the legacy of the Latins upon it. Being a frontier region, an exarchate, also gave an early emphasis on military development within it to the court at Constantinople. As a result of the localized military, the army as a whole is generally decentralized and grouped by place of origin, rather than forming large and diverse regiments. The discipline, however, suffers not.
Army Weakness : The army is highly decentralized and localized, leading to smaller units with less diversity. To some degree, this bears closer similarity to a series of alliances rather than a proper and unified standing army. Thus, what it has in discipline and modern technology, it lacks in structure and comprehensiveness.
Naval Description : The navy originated as an anti-pirate measure, but grew with ideals of trade. Somewhat limited in number due to the naval focus of the Eastern emperors traditionally, it consists of much of the same types of ships and structure. Its primary goal in existing is to ward off the Vandals and to protect trade in the Mediterranean, and can conscript civilian ships when necessary.
Naval Weakness : Similar to the army, the navy is localized and, as a result, disorganized. Each "theme" can harbor a treasure fleet of its own, and historically the power of naval projection was emphasized, but over the past couple of centuries the navy has generally been in decline. While still functional and capable of doing its base duties, it relies on the East in times of war to provide the bulk of its strength. Due to the mercantile origins of much of the navy, it consists largely of high-cargo light ships retrofitted to be military vessels, rather than having started with military use in mind.
Further Military Description :[urlhttps://pics.me.me/italian-landmine-moments-after-detonation-colorized-1944-war-is-so-12805252.png]experimental technology[/url]

National Goals : Ascendancy to Co-Emperorship, glory, and wealth
National Issues : Being a lot weaker than the Eastern empire by a large, large margin in most regards, and certainly being far from the most industrial and populous of European nations
National Figures of Interest : Tuone di Ragusa, Giorgio da Firenze, Leo d'Arezzo, Leo Farantouri
National Ambition/Aspirations : Gloria in excelsis populo
Rival: A bit too early to be declaring this, there's barely even anyone nearby!

History : The Greek general Belisarius was said to have been offered by the Ostrogoths the position of the Western Emperor when he laid siege to them. He accepted, only to turn against his Goths and betray them in the name of the court in Constantinople. For this, he was awarded the title Caesar of the West, reflecting his great accomplishment in battle and his everlasting loyalty to the Empire. He had been made the Exarch of Italy appropriately, and when he could no longer conquer and age beset his old bones, he settled in old Rome with his family. The great city had long since lost its importance, replaced by Ravenna and Mediolanum and other sites, but as the glory of all he knew originated with the city of Rome, it only seemed fitting that perhaps, just perhaps, it be given one more chance. Thus, it was born. Belisarius would live only so long to see the Lombards invade, and to personally drive them away with his son by his side.

Under the rule of the son of Belisarius, Nicephorus, there was conflict with the Patriarch of Rome. Nicephorus Belisarion had known the Greek Rite for much of his life. Furthermore, raised by the greatest general of the empire and mothered by the confidant of the empress, Nicephorus had of himself an ego rivaled only by the breadth of the imperial domain. The Roman Patriarch, who demanded submission and humility in accordance with the Latin tradition, grew to despise the decadent Nicephorus, but never dared to challenge him openly until the year 600, upon which a duel was held between the two. Nicephorus won, and the Patriarch was maimed. In but a few short weeks, he passed- and Nicephorus gained the epithet "Slayer of the Latins", known for his disrespect of the Latin ways. What had began initially as a glorious salvation from the hands of the Goths by a great general had quickly turned sour as the struggles between the Latins and Hellenes were emphasized once more. Rejected by his court, one by one, the Exarch grew anxious. Nicephorus, seeing his peril, married with a Latin woman and had five children with her- this gesture a symbol of the unity he had hoped to bring. Although he continued with the Greek Rite for his life, he took special precaution to help mend the wounds between Latins and Greeks. Naming his children in the local Latin, he passed his throne to his eldest Severius.

Verus, the first "Latin" emperor from his Greek brood, and the first since the collapse of the West near 150 years prior, grew in his life as a proper Latin. He spoke Latin, he dressed Latin, and he celebrated Latin holidays with his Latin court- the Italians had regained their position in the world, it had seemed, until all remembered the true power lay at Constantinople. It was by their grace alone that the breed of Belisarius continued to hold the throne, and by their favor towards his grandfather that Verus was allowed to govern the land. He took measure to ensure his fitness in the eyes of Constantinople- reinstating the old legions and fortifying the Alps being his major accomplishments. The fortification he had built on the Alps became known as the Veran Wall, and would be the first of many, many additions in the area.

Drawing from his predecessor, Honorius celebrated his ascension by adding to the Veran Wall. His additions were few, consisting primarily of nearby barracks to help garrison the wall- it was a gesture of support for the defense of the border, but furthermore connected him to his predecessor. This connection would become important, and the next few kings would all follow suit in making some additions to the Veran Wall, be they towers, extra layers, or even an extension entirely. The original, facing only against the lands of the Bavarii and incorporating the mountains of the Alps to fill gaps, would soon become a wonder in itself.

Several generations came and went, but in the year 812, the during the Ides of March, the Exarch Caesar Belisarion Severius dies in Venice after succumbing to his wounds by a Germanic blade. He has yet to proclaim a proper heir, and the unity of Italy begins to fall. His twin sons, Antonius and Nero, each take command of a section of the land. Nero, a brave general by heart, takes station in Venice by his father's bedside- here he garrisons the Wall alongside his men. Antonius, meanwhile, moves to Rome as the first properly administrative, non-military, ruler of the land. The court in Constantinople watches eagerly, as if an experiment, to see which of the brothers takes charge over the other, but neither does. It is in this divided reign that the Illyrian Betrayal happens, and many cities of Illyricum simultaneously declare a league of their own separate from the Italian influence. Nero moves quickly with his army, and warns of the precedent should Antonius let such events pass idly. Although Nero secures the loyalties of the Illyrians once more through 6 years of campaigning, the previous state is never recovered and they retain autonomy. It is in this new autonomy that the Dalmatian language, and its regional identity, begins to develop- as well as acting for a breeding ground for the mercantile city-republics that would come to dominate. A small town, Ragusa, begins to dominate by the end of the decade.

Antonius appeared to have won the battle of the brothers, but in his age his council turned against him. Slain by conspirators and with only a single daughter to claim the throne, the Italian cities followed the example of the Illyrians. The rule of Agrippa was rough, and only through the most cunning diplomacy and the most ruthless military action in conjunction with the elderly Nero was she able to, similarly to Nero, regain the allegiance of the Italians under different conditions. Unlike Illyria, however, the Italians failed to produce a single strong city to overcome and dominate the others- remaining divided instead. This played to Agrippa's favor, and she learned a "Divide and Conquer" tactic that she would later write about in her Codex Italicum. She would marry off her children to the local mercantile nobility, the lesser patricians, of her vassal cities and those of Nero to secure a general allegiance, but this would only serve to strengthen the autonomy of the cities as the old Roman way of splitting patricians apart from civilians began to blur.

Throughout much of the Middle Ages, the story is the same. A ruler claims the Italian throne, related to Belisarius through some distant marriage long ago, and the others would swear their fealty whilst retaining their autonomous republics. The greatest conflict stood between Dalmatia and Italy, whose respective components hired mercenary armies to compete with one another. Within the Roman art and science scene, the two constantly were competing. New developments out of Florence and Venice during the 14th century, however, began to turn the tide in favor of the Italians. By the turn of the 15th century, the leading powers were Ragusa, Vicla, Florence, Venice, Genoa, Naples, and Amalfi. It was these cities that led the way for the Rinascimento, the "Rebirth", as they began to consolidate power for the first time since the days of Severius by exerting their influence more aggressively.

Over the course of the century, the exploratory nature of the Italo-Dalmatians in their previous capital ventures to other lands brought them further and further. By 1492, the first Italian had set foot in the New World. It was under this prospering that the Italians finally began to eclipse the Dalmatians, gaining a factor of exponential growth. However, the line of Belisarius was running thin- the Republican politics had all but killed the Italian half of his line- leaving behind the Viclasun line to take charge. Stemming from Vicla, also called Veglia and, in Latin, Curicum, this unlikely progeny of the great Belisarius through no less than 4 cadet branches had managed to survive purely because their republic had long ago been eclipsed by the nearby Ragusa. Rising to the throne due to their well-recorded, if distant, lineage, the first Dalmatian Exarch went by Domagna.

Domagna Udaina was a ruthless and cunning man. Long suppressed by his neighboring Venice and Ragusa, he gained an enmity for the free republics of the exarchate. Cooperating with the Medici of Firenze, Domagna established a power base in Central Italy, a strong alliance across the land. He first chose to reign in Genoa, who stood distant from the others and with a distrust for their own duxe, the citizens of Genoa sold their city out to Domagna. Using this power base, he reaffirmed the loyalty of the traditionally monarchical Napoli to move on Amalfi. Half of Amalfi's patricians were of Greek origin, and despite a notable military presence, none was needed for Domagna to seize power. His ties to the Greek emperor, as well as his relatively nonpartisan origin, meant a nonviolent swearing of fealty. As Venice made its move against Ragusa, historically held back by the limited influence of the exarch but now with a doge reckless enough to ignore it, their city was invaded under the cover of night. In the year 1543, the "Night of Tears" occurred- Domagna infiltrated Venice with his combined Italian army and wrecked havoc upon the streets. Many of the town guard were slaughtered, and their bodies thrown into the canals. The island flowed in red for 3 days after the fatal event, and the doge was forced to surrender. As he had captured Ragusa and even appointed a new Rector, that republic had been cleared out of the way as well.

Domagna, in his violent reign lasting from 1516-1552, became known as "the Slayer". His son, Jugno, tried initially to rule with a soft hand, but in the second month of his reign realized the error of this. He chose instead, to invite all the dukes of his realm- the duxe, the doge, the rettore, to watch him compete in games. He raced for Blue in chariots, and won a tzykanisterion tournament. The games, lasting a full month on their own, ended with Jugno inviting any patricians who wished to assert their independence a duel to the death for the opportunity. He went so far as to promise his crown to any who would fight him. After the demonstration of his abilities in the games, however, none stood forward. All throughout his life, Jugno would insist the offer was always on the table, and made it to each newly elected duke of his realm. Through such shows of force and fearlessness, as well as his well-meaning heart and his administrative excellence in improving the unity and strength of his realm, the Italians and Dalmatians alike took to calling him agosto, the first Exarch since Belisarius to ever be called by such a title in any capacity.

A few more centuries would pass, and though all the cities would look to their dukedoms with regional pride, all increasingly came to realize their unity and the benefit they gained from the exarchate. This increasing unity brings us up to now, with the Veran wall crossing the whole Alps and being considered a great wonder of military engineering, a Dalmatian woman on the Italian throne, a Western empire subordinate to Constantinople, and some very pretty brass buttons on the uniforms.

RP Sample: past AD threads

#AltDiv

Done. Only in this, though. The original app is unedited. Just open the spoiler through the quote. The history is kind of a shell but that's primarily because it's just so damn long that going too much into detail (like I do in some cases, IE: 400 years or less I have previously done a king-by-king history with each king having no less than a large paragraph) would kill me.

[Tracian Empire]

Um......Tracian why didn't you accept my Reservation?

Because I had no time to go through the reservations. New Year and all of that.

[Tracian Empire]

Reservation

Nation Name: Imperial Republic of The Franks
Territory: France, Geneva, Catalonia,
#AltDiv (do not delete this, it's for keeping track of the apps)
*Note: Reservations will last for 48 hours. The OP board reserves the right to be subjective in regards to accepting reservations.

Catalonia is currently kinda occupied by a previous reservation, I'm waiting on input from that player before declaring that reservation valid or not.

France and Geneva are alright, but out of curiosity, what do you mean by an Imperial Republic?

[Zelent]

Reservation

Nation Name: Imperial Republic of The Franks
Territory: France, Geneva, Catalonia,
#AltDiv (do not delete this, it's for keeping track of the apps)
*Note: Reservations will last for 48 hours. The OP board reserves the right to be subjective in regards to accepting reservations.

Catalonia is currently kinda occupied by a previous reservation, I'm waiting on input from that player before declaring that reservation valid or not.

France and Geneva are alright, but out of curiosity, what do you mean by an Imperial Republic?

At the moment, its just to sound better as a title for a nation then "Republic" or "Empire" my nations name will probably be different and more reflective of its position.

[Tracian Empire]

Catalonia is currently kinda occupied by a previous reservation, I'm waiting on input from that player before declaring that reservation valid or not.

France and Geneva are alright, but out of curiosity, what do you mean by an Imperial Republic?

At the moment, its just to sound better as a title for a nation then "Republic" or "Empire" my nations name will probably be different and more reflective of its position.

Well, a different name would probably make more sense.

Are you alright with me accepting your reservation for France and Geneva for now? Or do you wish to wait for the Iberian reservation to be solved first?

[Tracian Empire]

Reservation

Nation Name: Kazakh Khanate
Territory: Kazakhstan
#AltDiv (do not delete this, it's for keeping track of the apps)
*Note: Reservations will last for 48 hours. The OP board reserves the right to be subjective in regards to accepting reservations.

Accepted

[Tracian Empire]

Also, Happy New Year, everyone!

[Zelent]

At the moment, its just to sound better as a title for a nation then "Republic" or "Empire" my nations name will probably be different and more reflective of its position.

Well, a different name would probably make more sense.

Are you alright with me accepting your reservation for France and Geneva for now? Or do you wish to wait for the Iberian reservation to be solved first?

Yes please, its quite fine with just France and Geneva, if Catalonia does open up may I add it, perhaps along with the northern coast of Iberia to Gallicia?

Edit: Is anyone currently claimant to Germany west of the Rhine? if so I'd like to prehaps add that to my claim. In interest of avoiding becoming OP, I'd relinquish any claims to Catalonia.

[Remnants of Exilvania]

Also, Happy New Year, everyone!

You too!

[Axis Asteroid]

Also, Happy New Year, everyone!

You too!

Likewise! Happy New Year!

I still have eight hours to go until I see the ball drop on my end though.

[Heidi Girl of the Alps]

Reservation

Nation Name: Iberian Confederation
Territory: All of Iberia+ Balearic Islands, Azores, Canary Islands, Madeira Islands, Cape Verde Islands, Cuba, Hispanola, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Coast of Mozambique, Coast of Angola
#AltDiv (do not delete this, it's for keeping track of the apps)
*Note: Reservations will last for 48 hours. The OP board reserves the right to be subjective in regards to accepting reservations.

The Balearic Islands, the Cape Verde Islands and the Canary Islands belong to the Vandals, Cuba, Hispaniola and Puerto Rico belong to the Aztecs.

Reservation

Nation Name: Iberian Confederation
Territory: All of Iberia, Madeira Islands, Azores, Coast of Angola, st helena, ascension islands, Falklands Islands, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay.
#AltDiv (do not delete this, it's for keeping track of the apps)
*Note: Reservations will last for 48 hours. The OP board reserves the right to be subjective in regards to accepting reservations.

[Tracian Empire]

The Balearic Islands, the Cape Verde Islands and the Canary Islands belong to the Vandals, Cuba, Hispaniola and Puerto Rico belong to the Aztecs.

Reservation

Nation Name: Iberian Confederation
Territory: All of Iberia, Madeira Islands, Azores, Coast of Angola, Guyana, grenada, trinidad and tobago, virgin islands, st helena, ascension islands, Falklands Islands, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay.
#AltDiv (do not delete this, it's for keeping track of the apps)
*Note: Reservations will last for 48 hours. The OP board reserves the right to be subjective in regards to accepting reservations.

The entire Caribbean Sea belongs to the Aztecs.

And that colonial empire might be a little too large considering what we have so far, I'd recommend dropping Uruguay and Paraguay.

[Tracian Empire]

Well, a different name would probably make more sense.

Are you alright with me accepting your reservation for France and Geneva for now? Or do you wish to wait for the Iberian reservation to be solved first?

Yes please, its quite fine with just France and Geneva, if Catalonia does open up may I add it, perhaps along with the northern coast of Iberia to Gallicia?

Edit: Is anyone currently claimant to Germany west of the Rhine? if so I'd like to prehaps add that to my claim. In interest of avoiding becoming OP, I'd relinquish any claims to Catalonia.

No one so far.

[Heidi Girl of the Alps]

Reservation

Nation Name: Iberian Confederation
Territory: All of Iberia, Madeira Islands, Azores, Coast of Angola, st helena, ascension islands, Falklands Islands, Sandwich Islands, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay.
#AltDiv (do not delete this, it's for keeping track of the apps)
*Note: Reservations will last for 48 hours. The OP board reserves the right to be subjective in regards to accepting reservations.

[The Empire of Tau]

Reservation

Nation Name: Nova Balreska (Not a real life nation but a whole new nation that I made in my mind)
Territory: https://imgur.com/a/XA5Na (Excuse me for my poor line drawing)
#AltDiv (do not delete this, it's for keeping track of the apps)
*Note: Reservations will last for 48 hours. The OP board reserves the right to be subjective in regards to accepting reservations.

[Tracian Empire]

Reservation

Nation Name: Nova Balreska (Not a real life nation but a whole new nation that I made in my mind)
Territory: https://imgur.com/a/XA5Na (Excuse me for my poor line drawing)
#AltDiv (do not delete this, it's for keeping track of the apps)
*Note: Reservations will last for 48 hours. The OP board reserves the right to be subjective in regards to accepting reservations.

Not only does your claim clash with the reserved Kazakhstan, but while we are indeed an alternate history roleplay, we require all nations to have a root in the real history of the world.

[Remnants of Exilvania]

I am of finished

[Axis Asteroid]

Reservation

Nation Name: Nova Balreska (Not a real life nation but a whole new nation that I made in my mind)
Territory: https://imgur.com/a/XA5Na (Excuse me for my poor line drawing)
#AltDiv (do not delete this, it's for keeping track of the apps)
*Note: Reservations will last for 48 hours. The OP board reserves the right to be subjective in regards to accepting reservations.

Not only does your claim clash with the reserved Kazakhstan, but while we are indeed an alternate history roleplay, we require all nations to have a root in the real history of the world.

Wouldn't want a repeat of Zhur right?

Tbh, dino quest was amusing at least.

[The Empire of Tau]

Is France still open than?

[Axis Asteroid]

Is France still open than?

Zelent reserved France a few posts up.

[The Empire of Tau]

Zimbabwe, it is than.