1900: Alternative Divergence [AH][OOC-OPEN]

[Tracian Empire]

*feels the need to make Persia useful* It's true, everyone needs the Suez so relations with the ERE are important to all. The Gulf hasn't yet developed into what it is today, because of oil I suppose.

Btw, is the Russia player active?

We're just pawns to them, Persia. Pawns in their global war for dominance.

Which is why both Persia and Ethiopia would be better as protectorates of the Roman Emperor xD

[Raetia Secunda]

We're just pawns to them, Persia. Pawns in their global war for dominance.

Which is why both Persia and Ethiopia would be better as protectorates of the Roman Emperor xD

*invades Mesopotamia*

Ethiopia gets Sudan, Norden gets Egypt, Arabia gets the Levant, and Persia BABYLON!

[Tracian Empire]

Which is why both Persia and Ethiopia would be better as protectorates of the Roman Emperor xD

*invades Mesopotamia*

Ethiopia gets Sudan, Norden gets Egypt, Arabia gets the Levant, and Persia BABYLON!

Didn't we have like, twenty or so different Roman-Persian Wars just for Mesopotamia? None of them ended too well for the nations involved xD

And the Roman legions will always be ready to defend their lands, from the deserts of Africa and Mesopotamia to the churches and domes of Jerusalem and Constantinople

[Pasong Tirad]

We're just pawns to them, Persia. Pawns in their global war for dominance.

Which is why both Persia and Ethiopia would be better as protectorates of the Roman Emperor xD

You know I'm honestly seriously considering going that route, if my current storyline develops a certain way. Either a buffer state, a protectorate, a weak and decentralized state with a figurehead, or a weak-but-slowly-developing centralized state with an absolute monarch.

Or, the fifth option: a Nordic province.

[Plzen]

-snip-

Both its underdeveloped outer provinces and its archaic political structure contribute to the public impression that Rome is an impoverished country.

Of course, in the Nordic mindset anything southeast of Krakow is poor.

---

*invades Mesopotamia*

Ethiopia gets Sudan, Norden gets Egypt, Arabia gets the Levant, and Persia BABYLON!

considers number of colonial police it will take to keep order in Egypt...

looks at Commonwealth military budget

...we'll pass, no thanks.

[Raetia Secunda]

Which is why both Persia and Ethiopia would be better as protectorates of the Roman Emperor xD

You know I'm honestly seriously considering going that route, if my current storyline develops a certain way. Either a buffer state, a protectorate, a weak and decentralized state with a figurehead, or a weak-but-slowly-developing centralized state with an absolute monarch.

Or, the fifth option: a Nordic province.

Not sure what would be worse for the region - greater Roman power or greater Nordic power. Overall the Romans are closer so probably more dangerous. Though Persia is currently in no capacity to get significantly involved in Ethiopia. We will be keenly following nevertheless.

On second thoughts we'll just arm both sides so whatever's left at the end will not help Rome or Norden

*cuddles Arabia*

[Terminus Pheonix]

Still here, and still looking for allies against the Nordic influence in the Persian Gulf.

I do want to get involved in the region, hence the naval buildup in Orkoe (Uruk), though I'm not sure how or even on which side. What is the situation like there, you're preparing to retake the Nordic Concession?

Retaking the concession is a goal, but Arabia can't do it alone without some major backing and build-up of both military and economy.

[Plzen]

Or, the fifth option: a Nordic province.

Hope you like casual racism social darwinism and cultural assimilation.

lazy natives need to learn to adapt!

---

Not sure what would be worse for the region - greater Roman power or greater Nordic power. Overall the Romans are closer so probably more dangerous. Though Persia is currently in no capacity to get significantly involved in Ethiopia. We will be keenly following nevertheless.

On second thoughts we'll just arm both sides so whatever's left at the end will not help Rome or Norden

If we manage to turn Ethiopia into a protectorate/client state then we'll probably be too busy turning Ethiopia into a productive Nordic client to do anything else major in the region. Integrating an unindustrialised, politically anachronistic, culturally and religiously different, and decentralised mess into the Nordic world order is going to take a lot of effort for a very long time.

Let's start by replacing all the silly native languages with Standard Scandinavian in all schools across the entire country...

---

Retaking the concession is a goal, but Arabia can't do it alone without some major backing and build-up of both military and economy.

You know, on second thoughts, maybe I do want that defensive pact with Rome after all...

I'll be sure to bring this up at the next regular session of the Second Chamber.

[Tracian Empire]

Which is why both Persia and Ethiopia would be better as protectorates of the Roman Emperor xD

You know I'm honestly seriously considering going that route, if my current storyline develops a certain way. Either a buffer state, a protectorate, a weak and decentralized state with a figurehead, or a weak-but-slowly-developing centralized state with an absolute monarch.

Or, the fifth option: a Nordic province.

Well, being a Roman protectorate would only imply following the Roman foreign policy - the Romans wouldn't try to mess too much with the internal things of their protectorates unless requested to.

[Tracian Empire]

-snip-

Both its underdeveloped outer provinces and its archaic political structure contribute to the public impression that Rome is an impoverished country.

Of course, in the Nordic mindset anything southeast of Krakow is poor.

Well, the Romans consider many other countries to be just inferior barbarians, so I can't really complain about misconceptions xD

But neither Stockholm, nor Krakow can be compared to the Queen of Cities

*invades Mesopotamia*

Ethiopia gets Sudan, Norden gets Egypt, Arabia gets the Levant, and Persia BABYLON!

considers number of colonial police it will take to keep order in Egypt...

looks at Commonwealth military budget

...we'll pass, no thanks.

I mean, just think about the number of soldiers that you'd need just to conquer Egypt. The Stratos is a pretty good army

[Tracian Empire]

...cultural assimilation...

People should look at Romanization/Hellenization and take some notes

[Raetia Secunda]

Retaking the concession is a goal, but Arabia can't do it alone without some major backing and build-up of both military and economy.

You know, on second thoughts, maybe I do want that defensive pact with Rome after all...

I'll be sure to bring this up at the next regular session of the Second Chamber.

Persia would be more useful in the event of an Arabian war. We would be in a pickle in a Roman-Nordic alliance. You're the two main powers in the region, you're supposed to be enemies!

...cultural assimilation...

People should look at Romanization/Hellenization and take some notes

Marcionisation is just about our only such attempt, and its going pretty shitty.

EDIT will try to have another IC up tonight, following on from basically everything

[Tracian Empire]

You know, on second thoughts, maybe I do want that defensive pact with Rome after all...

I'll be sure to bring this up at the next regular session of the Second Chamber.

Persia would be more useful in the event of an Arabian war. We would be in a pickle in a Roman-Nordic alliance. You're the two main powers in the region, you're supposed to be enemies!

People should look at Romanization/Hellenization and take some notes

Marcionisation is just about our only such attempt, and its going pretty shitty.

I mean, do you have gloriously golden and lavishly decorated Orthodox cathedrals to attract converts?

Do you restrict Roman citizenship to the glorious Orthodox faith?

Do you actively send missionaries throughout your lands?

But, the Romans have been doing this for more than 1000 years now, so oh well.

[Plzen]

But, the Romans have been doing this for more than 1000 years now, so oh well.

"Oh, you failed Scandinavian grammar in primary school? The concentration camp 're-education centre' is that way."

The Commonwealth is fairly liberal, but very much liberal in the 19th century sense. Nordic nationalism and the mission to civilise.

[Tracian Empire]

But, the Romans have been doing this for more than 1000 years now, so oh well.

"Oh, you failed Scandinavian grammar in primary school? The concentration camp 're-education centre' is that way."

The Commonwealth is fairly liberal, but very much liberal in the 19th century sense. Nordic nationalism and the mission to civilise.

Well, the Romans have an interesting contrast. They are an absolute monarchy after all, and they are conservative in many areas, but if you are a proper Roman citizen, you do have quite a lot of liberties.

[Terminus Pheonix]

Retaking the concession is a goal, but Arabia can't do it alone without some major backing and build-up of both military and economy.

You know, on second thoughts, maybe I do want that defensive pact with Rome after all...

I'll be sure to bring this up at the next regular session of the Second Chamber.

It's a medium term goal that hasn't really been made public ICly outside of the Caliph claiming the title "Sultan of All Arabia" so for now the claim is something left as a rallying point for the people of the Caliphate, as Arab lands in Arabia controlled by foreigners, and a reason for modernization, which the Caliphate needs to do before anything else is accomplished.

[Raetia Secunda]

Persia would be more useful in the event of an Arabian war. We would be in a pickle in a Roman-Nordic alliance. You're the two main powers in the region, you're supposed to be enemies!



Marcionisation is just about our only such attempt, and its going pretty shitty.

I mean, do you have gloriously golden and lavishly decorated Orthodox cathedrals to attract converts?

Do you restrict Roman citizenship to the glorious Orthodox faith?

Do you actively send missionaries throughout your lands?

But, the Romans have been doing this for more than 1000 years now, so oh well.

We do have missionaries, but perhaps we are too tolerant of other sects, paganism and Jews.
We'll try nick some gold on our pigrimage and yes, Roman citizenship is restricted for the worst criminals, deemed worthy of exile to the unlucky half of the Fertile Crescent.

You know, on second thoughts, maybe I do want that defensive pact with Rome after all...

I'll be sure to bring this up at the next regular session of the Second Chamber.

It's a medium term goal that hasn't really been made public ICly outside of the Caliph claiming the title "Sultan of All Arabia" so for now the claim is something left as a rallying point for the people of the Caliphate, as Arab lands in Arabia controlled by foreigners, and a reason for modernization, which the Caliphate needs to do before anything else is accomplished.

I don't suppose Mesopotamia is considered part of Arabia, though I would incite you by saying that the Negev and Transjordan should be considered Arabia

[Tracian Empire]

You know, on second thoughts, maybe I do want that defensive pact with Rome after all...

I'll be sure to bring this up at the next regular session of the Second Chamber.

It's a medium term goal that hasn't really been made public ICly outside of the Caliph claiming the title "Sultan of All Arabia" so for now the claim is something left as a rallying point for the people of the Caliphate, as Arab lands in Arabia controlled by foreigners, and a reason for modernization, which the Caliphate needs to do before anything else is accomplished.

Oh well, time to bring back the Limes Arabicus

[Tracian Empire]

I mean, do you have gloriously golden and lavishly decorated Orthodox cathedrals to attract converts?

Do you restrict Roman citizenship to the glorious Orthodox faith?

Do you actively send missionaries throughout your lands?

But, the Romans have been doing this for more than 1000 years now, so oh well.

We do have missionaries, but perhaps we are too tolerant of other sects, paganism and Jews.
We'll try nick some gold on our pigrimage and yes, Roman citizenship is restricted for the worst criminals, deemed worthy of exile to the unlucky half of the Fertile Crescent.

Well, the Romans are also vaguely tolerant, but that is towards non-Roman citizens who don't enjoy the same rights as proper citizens of Rome

Which proper Roman would want to live in the barbarian Persia?

It's a medium term goal that hasn't really been made public ICly outside of the Caliph claiming the title "Sultan of All Arabia" so for now the claim is something left as a rallying point for the people of the Caliphate, as Arab lands in Arabia controlled by foreigners, and a reason for modernization, which the Caliphate needs to do before anything else is accomplished.

I don't suppose Mesopotamia is considered part of Arabia, though I would incite you by saying that the Negev and Transjordan should be considered Arabia

I mean, the Roman citizens of those areas would just laugh at the idea

[Raetia Secunda]

I don't suppose Mesopotamia is considered part of Arabia, though I would incite you by saying that the Negev and Transjordan should be considered Arabia

I mean, the Roman citizens of those areas would just laugh at the idea

Which is why they themselves call those regions Arabia (don't try the Palaestina Salutaris trick on me, or I'll revive the Ghassanids)

[Tracian Empire]

I mean, the Roman citizens of those areas would just laugh at the idea

Which is why they themselves call those regions Arabia (don't try the Palaestina Salutaris trick on me, or I'll revive the Ghassanids)

Hey, there isn't much I can do

It was the last Byzantine province in the region, and after the reconquest, the theme system that was introduced took inspiration from the earlier provinces.

But the good Roman citizens in that area would find the idea of being compared to the Arabian barbarians to be extremely funny xD

And hey, the Ghassanids were a good client state of the Roman Empire

[Plzen]

Silly sandy wasteland disputes, hehe.

Time to flood the entire area with armaments and make lots of money.

Y'all need some Swedish steel in your lives.

[Tracian Empire]

Silly sandy wasteland disputes, hehe.

Time to flood the entire area with armaments and make lots of money.

Y'all need some *Swedish steel* in your lives.

Nah, the Romaïkó Strató is alright, thank you

[Terminus Pheonix]

The greater revanchist idea is for a pan-Arab state that would include the greater Levant, but it's just an idea that's popular with the militarist faction of the court, and there are greater problems facing the Caliphate right now.

[Tracian Empire]

The greater revanchist idea is for a pan-Arab state that would include the greater Levant, but it's just an idea that's popular with the militarist faction of the court, and there are greater problems facing the Caliphate right now.

Of course, and it's not like on the other hand, the Romans want to expand into Arabia - it's useless desert, as far as they are concerned.

But the idea is that the Greater Levant is in its majority is Romanized and Christian, with Egypt being the only place where a sizeable Muslim minority still exists.