Darthpaul

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Winston Smith said
I've got a feeling he's going to be looking for that right away considering that Khan is being as you so eloquently put it an ass hat.

Asura said
If only we could focus on the asshole of Aventia and not ourselves :p

That's not cool guys! Winston you're supposed to be my ally! Also why are all insults ass-related?

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Aventia was quiet. too quiet perhaps. Rumours from Aznavor merchants made their way into the street and rumours of the street made their way to the very doors of the Palace. Rumours of War in Edoniras. Supposedly some southern Kingdom had waged war on another and because of this all the nations of the world felt entitled to some opinion on the matter. Even the Empires' ally Anavor apparently felt invovled by the affairs of the two warring states. This was surprising but reassuring in a sense that it meant that Emperor Si Fu could count on his ally should enemies of the Empire of Khan ever seek to trample on Imperial soil. This was something the Emperor was very keen to avoid. Nevertheless should war come to the Empire his armies had long been readied, his men had seen the fire-weapons of the west and knew of their weaknesses. Thick oak and hide pavises had been built for weeks by thousands of carpenters to protect the Empire's crossbowmen from the impact of these weapons and thick leather cuirasses had been handed out to even the lowest of Empires' forces. Si Fu desired peace but was ready for war.

It was on an inspection of his military might that the Emperor was reminded of the words of sage Xin To, a monk turned warrior turned general. Xin To had dwelt on the terrors of war and emphasized that the majority of suffering would be incurred by the invaded nation and that the best way to prevent the suffering of ones' own people was to take the first step. In short that a good offensive was the best way of defending ones subjects from a belligerent neighbor. And the Edonirans were belligerent, as the southern war demonstrated. In a turn that surprised almost all but his closest councillors. Emperor Si Fu announced after completing the inspection of his Imperial units that the generals had been summoned to the capital not only for the purposes of parading their units but for the the purpose of securing the Empires' borders. Early that night under the cover of darkness 50,000 men would march over the border into the Counciliate's lands. Five hundred mounted Samurai would first fan out and ride down all known sentries,border officials and patrols before 15,000 swordsmen,15,000 spearmen and 25,000 repeating crossbowmen would flood into enemy lands destroying farms, compounds and villages before moving to the cities whilst staying away from the coasts and well out of range of the enemy's powerful ships. Generals and lower commanders had each been allocated targets, particular farms or unwalled communities to take. No doubt some officers would meet resistance from some foolhardy settlers but they were poorly coordianted and undisciplined. Emperor Si Fu knew that overwhelming numbers combined with the element of surprise meant that by the dawn all targets would be overrun. Men were slaughtered as youths who had resisted but women,children and the elderly were unharmed. The Emperor had taken great pains to ensure not being seen as a barbaric neighbour. Non-combatants were treated with respect and taken to the nearest imperial cities of Kok Tai and Foo Mei and were well treated as prisoners. However, unless the Arbassi people proved to be cooperative Emperor Si Fu feared he must do what he must and kill his hostages. They had refused his divine mandate once perhaps the destruction of their outlying farmland and the fact that their elderly and their wives were in the hands of the Empire might make them reconsider the issue of fealty.

When the dawn broke and the men of Arbasses stood atop their mighty city walls they would look on their lands and despair. By the morning whole communities had been turned into pillars of smoke rising to the heavenly Emperor,harvests were taken from storehouses and added to army supplies, fields were sown with salt,fishing communities were looted and the souls of hundreds of Arbassian farmers and citizens had joined their ancestors in the sky. Only the mighty settler cities and the coastal regions where enemy ships were seen had been spared from the nights carnage. Within two weeks twin lines of trenches and small palisades would be built around these settlements well out of range of the enemy. Preparations for siege had been made and so it would be the turn of the settlers to have sleepless nights.

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Emperor Si Fu was pleased, his sleep had been undisturbed for weeks, his country had a new trade partner who not only brought profits to his empire but also guaranteed the safety of the eastern provinces. Si Fu knew that if any threat to his Empire existed it would come from either the Kamalo republi or the Conciliate of Arbasses who were to his west. The latter in particular was a threat for it possessed two adjacent settlements and had expanded towards the Empire of Khan. It also seemed to be building up a large number of forces on the continent of Aventia Khanian scouts saw large boats offloading hundreds of soldiers into the city. There could be little doubt of the intentions of the Arbassian people. Thankfully friendship with his little brother meant Si Fu was aware of things his western enemies would not expect. Many of his warriors had been shown the fire weapons that Ambassador Verlan Duloire had brought over and once troops had been introduced to such a weapon and its effects they would no longer be surprised by it or fear its terrible sound in battle. Si Fu had considered purchasing such weapons from Aznavor but the councillors from the earth and Fire party advised him against such actions. Why spend Khanian silver on foreign trinkets when his empire had crossbows that could fire at a much greater range and much more frequently than these arquebus could. The men who had demonstrated the weapons to his soldiers boasted about firing four rounds in a minute but each of his repeating crossbowmen could fire near to forty bolts a minute at a slightly greater range. The only apparent advantage of the Edoniran weapon was its accuracy but knowledge of the land and superior numbers would overcome this. If they wanted war his walls would be manned and his people would be ready.

In other news adventurers to the south had written with stories of large grey animals twice as tall as horses with thick hides against which blades did very little damage. It would seem that after many years of building the great southern river had finally been bridged. Si Fu was proud the southern river had always been an obstacle to the southern expansion of the Empire of Khan and it had been one of his fathers’ personal projects to cross the Southern River. It was an accomplishment that Si Fu had overseen his father had believed in working during the dry months when water flow was reduced but no matter how many workers or gold he invested in the project the summer rains would bring the floods that would wash away all construction before a bridge could be completed. Si Fu had followed this approach but with a major modification instead of simply hoping for a late monsoon season he bought his workers more time by building an earthworks damn that would divert the water around the contraction works until a suitably sturdy bridge could be completed. Now he could finally boast that he had achieved his fathers’ dream and that his bold new approach had paid off. He ordered that men be set to the task of domesticating these beasts; no doubt their size and strength could be put to good use. As he dispatched the order the young emperor called for a scribe to write the following letter and send it away immediately.

King of Aznavor

Little Brother,
Your ambassador, our now mutual brother, has told me many good things about your rule that you are both wise and and strong, powerful yet considerate. With enemies at our door and opportunities for both our people in mutual cooperation I propose we reinforce the friendship between our families through matrimony. As I have no heirs of my own yet I propose that a marriage is made between either your son or your Ambassador and brother to my younger sister Yi Na. I have arranged an official portrait of her to be sent along with this letter and await your reply. Unfortunately my advisors have convinced me that your offer of muskets is not in the interests of my Empire at the moment and I must refuse your offer.
His Imperial Majesty Si Fu ruler of the Empire of Khan

Summary
Elephants are discovered in southern Aventia and people are instructed to tame them.
Emperor Si Fu is wary of the Conciliate and prepares his cities for siege as scouts report increasing number of settlers.
The great southern River is bridged! No immediate expansion yet but the extension of the Empire of Khan is now possible.
Aznavors’ offer of Muskets for GDP is rejected as the Empire sees no use for the slow cumbersome weapons.

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Collab between Winston and I
Wan Chai, Capital of the Empire of Khan, Mother of all cities and seat of the Emperor of the earth

Baron Verlan Duloire had initially made his way north by carriage but the urgency of his mission dictated that he should act quickly, the survival of Aznavor’s two settlements in the new world depended on his work and thus he abandoned the comfort of his carriage for the mobility of a horse that belonged to a member of his escort The cuirassier had eagerly accepted to swap places and now finished the rest of his journey shielded from the rain . Verlan had learned from courtier Ga Yao that in Aventia, rainstorms , called monsoons, were frequent In summer and the summer months c constant downpours ould sometimes batter the land for weeks on end, rarely had he been so glad to be travelling in winter. His peer Ga Yao had turned out to be an amicable and intelligent man who knew much of his own people and Aznavors’ for the Khan no doubt had observers among all the colonies. At the beginning of their journey the men had employed Aznavori interpreters who had been living in Newport and had come into contact with the locals and picked up some of their strange language but by the end of the three week-long journey Verlan himself was had mastered basic Khanian etiquette and had grasped few sayings and quotes spoken by Khanian wise-men of old. He felt he had developed a sort of respect for Ga Yao the young and able eunuch that had accompanied him to the capital. Verlan had spent the first days of his journey asking about Khan’s customs and history hoping to discover useful information that he could report back to his younger brother King Phillip. When he did this, Ga Yao would smile politely, answer vaguely and change the subject. It was when, during the second week of travel,when Ga Yao and Verlan had begun talking without their interpreters , that the two envoys had begun playing opening up to each other This had first been achieved when Ga Yao invited his Aznavori counterpart to play Maidan ( The Empire’s equivalent to Chess) a challenge which verland had accepted with keen interest even though he lost all but one of the games he played with the Imperial courtier Despite these losses the journey became much more interesting and Verlan’s interest in the culture of the people of Khan soared prompting hi mto take his decision nto abandom formality and ride to the capital confident in the knowledge that the cuirassier he had left in the carriage would ensure its contents Aznavor’s gifts for the Emperor of the Earth would make it safely to his Imperial Majesty.

---

Ga Yao liked the look of Verlan Duloire’s face when he first saw the extensive fields leading to his home town a mix of awe and admiration were barely concealed beneath a weak veil of self-control.
“Ah yes the harvest has been tragically poor this year” he teased his foreign guest who soon gaveu p all pretense of not being impressed by the wonders of the Empire. Fields spread from one horiozon to the next interrupted only by hamlets which Duloire assured him would be considered large villages in his home country . The cortege had interrupted their journey only once on the way to the capital after Ambassador Duloire insisted on visiting a small roadside temple. To yao the temple was nothing impressive it’s walls were green and the temple did not have the gold-leaf roof of city temples. It was a fitting shrine for local spirits and the ancestors of the local peasants but no man could hope to directly address the Heavenly Emperor in such a place. Nevertheless, Duloire gazed in amazement as he stepped beneath the green marble arch and noticed the white jade statues within. Duloire had seemed so disappointed to leave the shrine that Ga Yao consented to writing him a permit to visit the biggest Temples of the Capital.

---

Despite the best efforts of Ga Yao to be jovial Verlan Duloire felt a sense of concern when his horse reached the walls of the capital. Ten Thousand warriors all clad in steel lamellar armour bearing plumed helmets and bright banners were assembled on either side of the road leading t othe city gates which were themselves an impressive feat of engineering. Before entering the city the Verlan passed beath two massive oaken gates and two steel portcullises separated by thirty meters of tunnel.Tthis thick wall and long gates were evidently menat to trap enemies between the gates as the ceiling was a series of murder holes and funnels to pour boiling liquids down on any foes unfortunate enough to end up between the two gates. No doubt the Imperial soldiers were only a demonstration of the Empire’s might intended to worry the first foreigner to enter the capital of the Empire but the fact remained. The Empire was a nation which in peacetime could field an army of over 100,000 men and dedicate 20,000 of these to guarding one gate belonging to one of its cities.

---

Emperor SI Fu was not blessed with courtier Yao’s patience or diplomatic skills and was not impressed by the Aznavori Ambassador yet he was pleased that Aznavor had ent an ambassador at all. Other nation could not boast as much.
“Have the other nations of your homeland forgotten their respect? Or is it that they have ever learned any?” boomed the Emperor in Khanian as soon as ambassador Duloire was led into the room.
“I cannot speak for my fellow ambassadors, nor their masters, my liege, but Aznavor has not forgotten the old ways. We too have wise-men who remind us of the importance of tradition, respect and honor. “
The court fell silent. Two things were clear. Firstly that two strong personalities wre present I nthe room and that for all the Aznavori’s talk of respect and honor, the ambassador had addressed the Emperor directly, without being introduced or even bowing. The second was that he spoke in Khanian.
The Emperor was the first to regain his composure. Had he even lost it? He smiled bemused at his foreign guest. And what do your great men say of tardiness and truth? My messengers inform me that you insisted on delaying your arrival to my city to stop at a lowly roadside shrine. Did you truly have too many sins to wash cleanse yourself of before meeting the son of the heavenly Emperor? Furthermore You are clearly not the King of Aznavor, my men have shown your coins and I can see that you are not King Philip of Aznavor.
“It’s true, my younger brother does not share my good looks but I assure you I have the authority to act on his behalf. He has granted me such priviliges because he values my honesty and valour and I bessech your to put them to the test. As to your first question, Krieger the blinds shares the same view as your own Diu Lei, he states that tardiness is always a fault of the lazy, the worthless and the extremely important. I hope that by trying to contact my God in one of your temples I have not given you the impression of belonging to one of the former categories. ‘
The Emperor eased up a little, pleased to have found a jousting partner as opposed to his usually sycophantic courtiers. He decided he like this man and would grant him an audience King or no. The other nations had after all not deigned to send anyone at all, where were their Kings or even their Kings’ brothers? Instead he had letters all stating much the same; trade with and do not fight with us for we are wielders of powerful magics from beyond the seas. The Empire had no need of their Trinkets nor fear of their threats. Spies of the Empire noticed ships carrying more and more soldiers to Aventia each day, cowards who hid in their home castles were these kings who preached peace with one hand yet prepared for war with the other. Some were no Kings at all! How could he be expected to foster friendship let alone trade with men who did not have bear the divine mandate to rule but merely the mandate of the common people? Aznavor had recognized the merits of the Empire and had sent a man of royal blood to treat with him. He would listen to the man’s propositions.
“I am willing to forgive the fact that you aren’t your brother. Indeed it would seem that some of the ladies at court are intrigued by your facial hairs that your brother does not seem to have. However I must insist upon the need for gifts. It is a tradition I cannot backdown on you msut understand.
Of course your grace. You need not worry your tribute is on its way by carriage. I hate to spoil your surprise but one of the gifts is meant do precisely that and therefore I will let you in on a secret. One of my Kings’ first gifts to your people is one of the magics from beyond the sea the other Kings have warned you so much about. Should you come to blows with these other Kings mine own liege, who I believe can will see you as a brother, would not see you at the mercy of their magics and would give you these gifts so that your warrior become accustomed to them before the need to face them arises. Now I wish to propose the following deal to your highness…
-“I insist on being the eldest brother.and I you must one day tell me why your younger brother not you inherited the thrones of Aznavor” declared the Emperor who was clearly younger than both King Philip and Baron Verlan.
Baron Verlan Duloire nodded and smiled knowing that sometimes it was best to keep one’s mouth shut. He would open it later only to present his deal, agree with his Imperial majesty and to share the Aznavorian wine that would by that evening have arrived at the palace. He let the Emperor have the last word for he had won his diplomatic victory.

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Summary
The Empire of Khan is introduced.
Verlan Duloire meets Emperor Si Fu and a friendship is made through Vineyard diplomacy.
The Kingdom of Aznavor is recognized as the Empire of Khan’s little brother (its inferior only in name)
250 Arquebus are gifted to the Empire of Khan to become acquainted with
Aznavor is declared The Empire of Khan’s primary trading partner and is given rights to send merchants into Imperial lands and trade in its resources.

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Thank you. I will try but be nice everyone I'm a little new to this!

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First post up! Come try me foreigners!

Also I am trying to act as Imperial China did in really life with a halthy amount of contempt, disdain and ignorance of of others. I am not really a bad personwho threatens people as soon as I meet them!

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The emperor Fu surveyed his capital from a palace balcony. A beautiful woman slept in the elaborately framed bed behind him, wearing only earrings made from the purest green jade, a gift from her Emperor, loyal servants slept in the next door and watchful guards stood watch outside his own room. He had everything any man could want love, loyalty, wealth and security but Emperor Fu was not any man. His priests and counselors had told him that as long as he could remember, he was the son of the heavenly Emperor just as his father had been before him. When he was young his mother had told him that each of the stars was the soul of a royal ancestor, the greater the man, the brighter the star. He could tell she had meant to reassure him to scare away the fear of death, to let him know that his ancestors would always be watching over him yet somehow twenty years later Emperor Fu felt the opposite effect when he looked into the night sky. He constantly felt watched as if his ancestors expected something from him. He could not see what but his councilors had reassured hi mthat all was being done as his father would have willed it. The years harvest had been bountiful, disease had claimed few lives and the kingdom was at peace , just as it had always been. Yet for some reason his ancestors kept him awake at night these past few weeks and despite the best efforts of his concubines he could not be coaxed to sleep for more than four hours a night. During the day he would feel the strain of fatigue but once the moon replaced the sun his insomnia would return. There must be something he and his councilors had overlooked. Something would need to be done before his ancestors would let him sleep.
Turning away from the balcony he went back into his room and poured himself a glass of strong rice-wine. He had been drinking more of it than he had used to but an old man had ocne told him that drinking helped you sleep and sometimes he preferred the counsel of the old man than those of his overly pious priests and his overly cautious eunuchs.

The next day

Emperor Si Fu was practicing a chess-like game with one of his female courtiers, letting her win, of course, he had learned from a young age that if a man can be generous in the short run women could be generous later. Especially to an emperor. As Lady Wei tentatively moved her chariot a messenger ran into the room, panting.
“A thousand apologies for the interruption your imperial majesty. But minister Yao sends me with word, Foreign people have been sighted near our borders. Parties patrolling, beyond our borders, chasing bandits have found two peoples to the west whilst others have come from the east of our land. Minister Yao wishes to know what is to be done. ”
Emperor Fu thought for a second. ”Have letters authorizing the sending of envoys to these foreign settlements and summon three large escorts for the messengers before returning to me. I shall give the messengers my blessing and press my imperial seal upon the letter. Be quick I want the messengers gone before midday. Also summon my councilors, we must meet within two hours!” The messenger kowtowed and scuttled off. With that the emperor returned to his game, although he was no longer able to concentrate. Was this the task his ancestors had for him? Was this why they kept him up at night?
Before he knew it Lady Wei had won the game. He smiled at her,complimented her on her victory and excused himself. As he left he looked back at the game board; his city was burnt and his army was defeated. He could only hope that this was not an omen of things to come…
The council meeting lasted well into the night. The armies would be called up and the fleet would be made ready. Cities that had not seen their walls besieged in years were to have their walls reinforced and moats would be re-dug. Emperor Fu did not know what the foreigners wanted here but he knew two things, he would find out soon and when he did he would be ready to defend his empire if necessary.

Kamalao Republic, the Councilate of Arbasses, The Kingdom of Aznavor

To the Foreigners,
We do not know what you seek on our continent. You have nothing our people require as our lands are plentiful and powerful already. These lands have always belonged to the Fu Dynasty and the people of Khan. Should you wish to stay your leaders must come to our capital of Wan Chai and swear fealty and friendship to his Imperial Majesty. In return my Emperor will recognize you as one of his lords and will recognize your suzerainty of the lands you control. In exchange for this generosity your people will be required to pay taxes and to provide warriors to the Imperial army should conflict arise. We wish you no harm but you must recognize the dominance and the Divine mandate of the Dragon Emperor if you seek to temain in these lands otherwise we shall be forced to see you as an enemy. Our messengers can tell you that the Empire has not had enemies in over a thousand years and for good reason. Your choice is between fealty to the Emperor of all and death. We advise you to choose wisely.
Zhou Fa Leader of the Earth Party of the Empire of Khan

Summary:
The Foreign settlements are discovered and messengers are sent to them.
Zhou Far is sent to the Kamalao Republic
Hong Jie is sent to the Councilate of Arbasses
Ga Yao is sent to the Kingdom of Aznavor
Emperor Si Fu meets with his council to discuss the event
City defenses are ordered to be reinforced
The Imperial Army and Navy are mobilized

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The Incredible John said
On another note, how likely is my German conquistadors going to make contact with Khan?

The Empire will find you as soon as you make your way onto the Aventia map don't you worry ;-)

Also Guy maybe that's why the aren't any Sparta-type(military heavy) nations left in the world (except maybe north Korea haha)

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. Gowia, How does the Imperial Trading Company Work? I don't think I've seen any other faction with one. Do you control it?

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Poppies eh? As someone from Hong Kong I don't think I like where this is going.