Re: Colonize & Conquer 2: Medieval Mayhem

[Sirius Lupin]

The Byzantines continue building up their fleets and drilling their troops.

[99luftballons]

Lorenzo starts to write a pamphlet on why Italian unity [Sicily, Italy and Lobardy] would be a good idea, using examples such as the Roman empire. Lorenzo is waiting for a good time to release it.

Meanwhile Italian diplomat, Pazzi, is sent north to see how the Lombard league views the war.

Columbus is offered command of a ship in a newly created offensive navy department, the Tuscan Raiders (finally able to create them).

[Flagmauth]

Columbus declines (a polite way to put his rather blunt refusal) on the grounds that he has more important duties in Aztlán, as he refers to this newly found nation.

Meanwhile, as the Byzantines have captured Greece, it becomes rather popular for Italian and Lombard intelligentsia (Rennaisance people like Da Vinci, for example) to visit and in some cases stay for some time, in the classic Greek cities such as Athens.

Lombardy appears generally to view the war as a good thing; a France occupied by Burgundy and England is not likely to be a France with forces to spare for Lombard conquest.

[Sirius Lupin]

Byzantinium is grateful that they do not have to enter a second war so soon.

[Flagmauth]

In Burgundy, the French are steadily advancing against the Burgundian troops, while the Scots prepare to repulse another English attack if it should come.

[Sirius Lupin]

The Byzantine Scientists have begun research in the next generation of technology.

[A Blind Guy]

a fleet of english ships is sent to the eastern coast of Scotland, creating a blockade from the french.

[Flagmauth]

The French, meanwhile, are gathering ships and troops in Brest. With the concentration of the English fleet in the north, they see a rare opportunity coming.

[President WIN]

Kalmar moves to fulfill its obligations to England, ships carrying the Grand Finland Army and the Scandinavian Peninsular Army move into position to blockade Scotland, while the King's Army moves south to help defend against any obvious French ambitions.

The Danish Army meanwhile, being semi-experts at amphibious landings, (see posts around page 11) attempt such a landing at whichever reasonably large Scottish City seems least well defended. Fast ships are sent ahead to notify the English navy and any ports that Kalmar ships are headed toward of the Kalmari arrival.

The suggestion is made that the English ships return south to defend, as they know the terrain better. Furthermore, if it appears that France will have the manpower to attempt a landing on England, that the English and Kalmari work to ensure that they must land at the most inhospitable place(s) possible.

Meanwhile, the Anatolian Army is recalled to active duty, and begins their battle training immediately. King Christian makes a speech from Kalmar Faith Cathedral, the most memorable line being, "Now, we march to war again. Let our enemies tremble before the forces of Kalmar! Let the world ring with the might of the Hammer of the North!

*****

In other news, in Italy, the Pope finally arrives at Lorenzo's offices by way of secret tunnels so as not to be seen (I hope this isn't too much of a stipulation, Numbers, I assume it would be best for the Pope and the Head of Italy to have ways to meet without either one looking weak), where he greets his old friend and then turns to the matter at hand.

The Pope's small but locally efficient network of spies has already heard of and verified Columbo's mission, based on reports gathered from drunken shipmates. The Pope tacitly admits he likes the sound of what Columbo proposes, but wants some guarantee of faithfulness. Therefore, he proposes sending a "spiritual advisor" and some "staff".

Meanwhile, a ship reaches the Byzantine empire with a message for Cesare Narni. His Holiness Pope Felix congratulates Narni on the good work so far, and asks him to return to Rome for reassignment, but leave a group capable of continuing the endeavor.

At the same time, a messenger arrives at Machiavelli's residence, asking him to take over Narni's role. (If this works, Machiavelli will be the first pope to preside over a reunited Catholic Church. Can you say instant canonization?)

(Also, pardon all the suppositions above; they're only there to speed things up.)

[A Blind Guy]

the English Navy sends half of their ships from the blockade to the south to defend against France.

[99luftballons]

Later in the day (where Columbus met the Pope), Lorenzo heads to the pope, via underground tunnels, and asks the Pope about his true feelings toward Columbus. Lorenzo personally doesn't trust Columbus, since he seems to think it is his "divine mission".

Narni heads back to Rome from Byzantium. Naturally he is not willing to be replaced by somebody not worthy of the job, but before leaving, bribes a sailor to take his messenger Fabio to France with the message (not written and something like this):
"Dear King [whatever his/her name],
I have found the babarian Pope to be a nuisance to the well-being of the church. Perhaps, it is time to change that by finding a pope more worthy... Perhaps I am the best choice. Would you help in rebuilding the church so it is what it once was?"
If the king is willing the messenger is to supply the name of Narni.

Machiavelli accepts, quite glad to replace his rival, Narni.

(On an unrelated note: everyone in a christian nation has at least one cardinal in Rome, so if you want, you can get involved in church politics...)

[Flagmauth]

King Louis XII, using the same method, conveys the message that France would be open to...removing the Pope, given that discrediting Felix would reflect badly on the Kalmar Union and give France leverage to force Scandinavia out of the war. In the north, Burgundy is losing badly to the French while forces continue to mass at Brest.

[99luftballons]

Narni arrives in Rome (though he didn't receive the French reply yet). He goes before the Pope to ask what his new assignment is.

Machiavelli, decides to paint a picture of the power a united church would have. It would be able to repel the non-christian barbarians, enhance the standard of living for all, in particular the merchants and privileged. First point to discuss is where the United Church would be located. Machiavelli suggests perhaps back in Jerusalem, or in Rome, the wealthiest city (after Florence and others I suppose) in Europe. Byzantine would be an ideal location provided they return to Christianity...

[Flagmauth]

The Orthodox clergy seem very much convinced by the charismatic Machiavelli. They bring up the point that Jerusalem, despite the efforts of every Crusade to date, remains firmly in the grasp of the Muslims. A church headquartered in Rome seems a bit much to them...they want this to be more of a reunion and less of an annexation of the Orthodox church by the Catholic one. A commercial hub like Florence seems agreeable until one clergyman points out that they don't want to center the efforts of God's people in a city ruled by the exchange of money. Some suggested cities that come up are Nuremburg, Dresden, Vienna, Strasbourg, Turin and Athens.

[99luftballons]

Machiavelli suggests Pisa, since it is close to Florence (a larger population center), and because it already has a famous cathedral and tower.

[Flagmauth]

The majority of the Orthodox clergy seem to tentatively agree with this proposal.

[99luftballons]

Now to the tricky bit, who leads the church? Machiavelli proposes the Pope remains, but the Orthodox clergy can have the majority in a council below him with veto powers (and other powers, but the question of leadership is the important one).

[Flagmauth]

The Orthodox clergymen seem to like that idea, though more of them like the idea of dispensing with the Pope altogether or creating a sort of dual-Pope system rather like the consulates of ancient Rome.

[99luftballons]

Machiavelli offers a compromise. There will be a dual Papacy (one former orthodox and one former catholic) till one of the dies. The one who lives the longest will become the one and only Pope. From then on the church council (with equal representation from both former churches) will choose the new Pope.

[Flagmauth]

The Orthodox men seem agreeable to that.

[99luftballons]

Machiavelli is ready to declare the churches one, and asks if the Orthodox is likewise ready.

[Flagmauth]

The Orthodox decide that they don't want a Pope period.

[99luftballons]

Machiavelli is ready to negotiate on that. The main power should be held by the council and the Pope will be a figurehead to lead the most important sermons and speeches, but will not be able to wield any major political power.

[Flagmauth]

The council of the clergy does seem very amiable to that, but one priest (the same one who shot down Florence as a location) brings up an excellent point; how exactly is Machiavelli going to run that by the Pope?

[99luftballons]

Machiavelli replies that Felix's interest to unite the church will in all probability make him sacrifice his position for the betterment of the church. Machiavelli sends a letter to Felix to explain this.

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