Re: Colonize & Conquer 2: Medieval Mayhem

[99luftballons]

(Sonja would be in charge of all the banks in Sicily)

Machiavelli offers the French, Kalmars, English, and Lombards (they were in the war right?) and the Burgundians a chance to send envoys to Athens in order to negotiate peace for the war [keep in mind until the end of the 30 years war all peace treaty sessions had invited the Pope].

[Flagmauth]

The English, meanwhile, send a message to Kalmar mandating that the forts under construction be given to England and that the Scandinavian troops be sent to Ireland to fight there.

[President WIN]

(Wait? Who/what is there to fight in Ireland?)

Kalmar explains that they need someplace to house their troops, considering their commitment to the war is now greater than the english ports/forts can handle, and that Kalmar is too far away. They suggest some arrangement might be made once the war is over. (By which point they're hoping that the former Scots will have adjusted to Kalmar rule and be resistant to English rule)

As for Ireland, Kalmar points to the troops that are already there, and suggest that they will augment that number as necessary.

Finally, Kalmar sends more soldiers and citizens to colonize their small North African Colony on the Strait of Gibraltar.

[Flagmauth]

[The French did something or other there.]

England takes issue with this and opens talks with France about ending the war, which since France isn't terribly bothered by it, seem to make some progress. France, for one, finds the prospect of its enemies England and Scandinavia whaling on each other deliciously ironic, and they don't like the Scandinavian venture into Morocco.

[President WIN]

While King Christian is in favor of forcing the issue with England, cooler heads prevail in Kalmar's Parliament, and after a brief difference of opinions, Christian concedes, and all captured Scottish land is ceded to England. Christian however requests that all land regained from France in Ireland belong to Kalmar in perpetuity.

As part of another big policy objective, King Christian writes to the leader of Novgorod/Russia/whatever, hoping to open positive diplomatic relations through trade.

[99luftballons]

Lucretia Medici travels to the Byzantine Empire, in order to gain popularity at home (especially the people who think that an educated person should know the classics aka the upper class).

She goes first to the Church and pledges her support of the missions to convert natives, provided of course it is through peaceful means. She also promises money to build the Cathedral under construction.

Then she meets with the Byzantine government to discuss diplomatic stuff, but with no intent in mind. In other words, just for popularity at home and with the Italians in the Byzantine Empire (unless of course the Byzantines have anything in mind).

[Flagmauth]

England refuses, point-blank, to allow Scandinavia any more territory on the British Isles than they had at the commencement of hostilities. Meanwhile, France invites a Scandinavian representative to the peace talks, offering to pull out of Ireland entirely.

[President WIN]

After more grumbling by King Christian about the "Absolute Unfairness of English Violations of Divine Custom of Territorial Acquisition in War" Kalmar agrees on all fronts; they will however need some better accommodations for their troops so long as the war is ongoing.

King Christian is finally prodded into agreeing with everyone else, and he makes a speech to the effect that, "The Alliance between Britain and The North shall never die; that light shall never fade from the world." 

Furthermore, Kalmar has decided that the war with France is the best way to strengthen that alliance - they send a message England to the effect that Kalmar would be happy to support an English directed war, and that the biggest problem seems to be French naval power. They also suggest bringing Iberia in on their side.

In other news, Christian's first son, named Eric after his (albeit, unpopular) grandfather, dies age 17 of pox or typhoid or something, leaving Christian's second son, Frederick, age 11, and then third son Magnus, age 6 in line for the throne.

Christian also writes a letter to the Head of Russia, asking to meet for talks about trade, among other things.

The North African Colony, tentatively called Olavandia after King Olaf I, is getting along quite well; they find the climate to be satisfactory, if a little warm.

[Flagmauth]

The Tsar sends an envoy to Scandinavia to discuss trade, among other things.

France, somewhat put out over the failure of England to go to war with Scandinavia, plots its next move...which is to say it continues the peace talks.

[Flagmauth]

Meanwhile, the house of Hohenzollern inherits the rule of Brandenburg, which is incorporated into Prussia. And the Ottomans swarm busily in Turkish Constantinople, mounting significant amounts of cannon in position to bombard the city...

[99luftballons]

Lucretia sends an envoy to the Ottoman Empire, warning them that the Italian trade with them will be cancelled should they continue to mass up their army near Byzantium.

[Flagmauth]

The Ottomans respond scornfully that they are doing no such thing, merely placing fortifications in the event of an attack by the Byzantines. Based on what evidence there is, it even looks relatively trustworthy...

[99luftballons]

Italy sends asks if the Dutch are willing to buy Pizzaland.

[Flagmauth]

The Dutch seem open to the prospect, especially if they get the opportunity to bypass the French in Narnia. They inquire about the price.

[99luftballons]

The ambassador to the Netherlands offers a price slightly on the expensive side, but the Italians are willing to give maps to the Dutch of the area. Also the Italians want to be able to continue trading to the colony.

Lucretia and the Senate pass a bill that allows Italians to choose whether they want to pay a specific percentage of their income as taxes or a fixed amount. The merchants hope to gain more wealth, by paying a fixed amount which will be nothing to them in taxes.

[Flagmauth]

The Dutch readily agree and they quickly move to consolidate control of their new territory, which they will likely rename.

Meanwhile, an Aztec ship arrives in Gibraltar in strange condition. Its decks are slicked with blood, and much of the crew are either dead or severely emaciated and pale. The French in Gibraltar are perplexed and troubled by this development.

[99luftballons]

The Italian senate has developed a "justice" system. Courts are/have been built in major cities and towns including Florence, Rome, Naples and Bari. The highest court is of course in Rome, with chief of Justice Francisco Narni [and yes he is a descendant of thee Narni].

[Flagmauth]

It soon becomes apparent that whatever happened to the ship from Aztlan is a disease, and a contagious one at that. It spreads from Gibraltar into Iberia and France...though thankfully not into Morocco and Africa. In the meantime an Ottoman force is present in Algeria, seemingly pointed at Morocco.

[99luftballons]

Lucreatia sends a letter to the Sicilian king asking if he wants to unite the two Mediterranean nations through a marriage.

[Flagmauth]

The Sicilians seem more or less open to the proposal.

Meanwhile, the new disease makes its way to the German states and Lombardy. Its ravages through densely-populated France have left thousands dead. The disease, on account of it causing profuse vomiting of blood, is being called the Red Death. It's exceedingly virulent and has a high mortality rate. Rumors from France say that the King is on his deathbed with the disease.

[99luftballons]

The marriage is arranged between the Sicilian King and Lucretia.

[Flagmauth]

The Red Death spreads further through Europe, with cases appearing in southern England, in Saxony, and in northern Italy.

[99luftballons]

With the decease in northern Italy, a group of ultra-Catholic known as the Lux Quaesitor grow in popularity. They blame the Pope for moving to Byzantium and for the churches to unite.

[Flagmauth]

The disease has now spread to most of Western Europe. Unlike the previous Black Death, the Red Death appears to be much more virulent but also to burn itself out much more quickly. Iberia and southern France are now largely free of the contagion, although pockets remain in certain areas and the population has been devastated by the rampant effects of the disease.

Instances of the disease are in decline in the rest of France as well, while it spreads with enthusiasm through England, the German states, Italy and Austria. The first cases have appeared in Denmark as well, marking the entry of the disease into Scandinavian territory.

To make matters worse for the Scandinavians, the Ottomans, whose massed force has been gathering in Algiers, have chosen this time to launch an attack to reclaim Morocco from the northerners. The Red Death has entirely spared North Africa, oddly enough.

[99luftballons]

The Lux Quesitor try to expand their influence in the disease striken areas, continuing to blame the unity of the two churches, the Pope and various reforms of the new church.

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