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Don't you love how history is so easily manipulated? :D
 
Just reached the end of season one! I would have thought that was the end, but then again this thing goes on for another 70 or so pages so it can't be :D! And a good thing too :D!

Absolutely terrific, gripping stuff- I look forward to catching up!
 
Love the update! The scene between the general and the lieutenant, before the assault, was moving. And I liked the confrontation with the vizier, I could really picture the moment.

canonized said:
Don't wait for the translation! Answer me now!

Star Trek VI! I loved that line...if I was Kirk, I would've deliberately waited for the translation just to thumb my nose...:)
 
Kurt_Steiner: haha , I had not expected that when I first wrote it in , but yes , I suppose there is a little bit of bondage there XD .

RGB: I don't like your tone ! :mad: . But that's alright , you'll see soon enough where this goes ;)

Avernite: Modern mindset in our world perhaps . Not in the glorious world of Espana !

comagoosie: He made a wise choice I say . Difficult , but wise .

ColossusCrusher: one of our themes indeed XD

DerKaiser: Hurrah !! almost there ! XD

Mettermrck: It's one of my favourite movies XD I'm glad you picked up on it !

Edit: Interview is on its way ! There was a slight change in the lineup . Since we couldn't get in contact with Dr. Gonzo in time , English Patriot interviewed Goraja so look for that in the next few hours !
 
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You've Been Canonized (Anglicised): Goraja​

canonized: Alright, folks ! This week’s interview will be by guest host English Patriot ! As part of the Timelines tradition , we try our best to help other authors and the interview system was firstly conceived in that vein . Thus , along with previous guest hosts , we welcome EP in doing his own interview ! We hope you all enjoy it ! If any of you out there are perhaps interested in doing your own interview in the canonization style , please contact me and I'll help facilitate it !


Good evening and dare I say, What ho Ladies and Gentlemen! and welcome to this edition of You’ve Been Canonized! The weekly interview segment here on Timelines: What if Spain Failed to Control the World? , I'm your guest host for tonight, English Patriot, author of The Rebirth of England – The Woodhouse Dynasty Part II and with me today is the most illustrious Goraja, author of Rule, Britannia! Onwards and upwards! As they say..

Part I: The Man behind the Empire,
Getting to know Goraja.


English Patriot – What ho Goraja! and Welcome! First off the bat, tell us a bit about yourself, and where did you get your screen name from?

Goraja - To start, I am a second year student at the University of Manchester currently working towards a degree in history, with a concentration on 19th Century Western Europe. I do have to pull myself away from the forums to put in time there, and also to toil in the underground salt mines that are my job as a tech-support supervisor, but beyond those little personal details, I devote a great deal of my time to writing painfully overdue AAR updates, reading the magnificent works of many other authors with much greater talent and dedication than I and, increasingly, spending countless hours chatting away on the OT forum. We have an incomparable community of great personalities here, and it is a real treat to be able to discuss almost anything under the sun with other similarly interested forumites, As for my screen-name, that is a rather embarrassing piece of trivia if there ever was one to be found. As some people may already know from experience, "Goraja" is a common Troll name in World of Warcraft. I grew to be very fond of it through my descent into MMO madness, and though now recovered, I adopted it for most of my other online ventures. It's also impossible to pronounce without instruction from me, which makes voice chatting all the more interesting!

English Patriot – Haha! It seems no-one can escape the lure of World of Warcraft! Anyway, partially for my own interest, and there are bound to be others that wonder, Can you tell us a bit about the Royal Geographical Society and the United Commonwealth Society.

Goraja - The Royal Geographical Society is a truly illustrious organisation that, since being given a Royal Charter by Queen Victoria, has been of incalculable aid to the advancement of science, geography, and general knowledge on this planet. It allows exploratory Britons to locally gather and exchange ideas, orchestrate common events, and even just idly socialise and discuss future travel plans. It has been instrumental in supporting the expeditions of Darwin, Stanley, Livingstone, Hillary, Shackleton, and countless other scientists who have contributed to the march of human understanding. I am honoured to be a member, and it has greatly enriched my personal life as well. (Especially in planning a future study in Kenya.)The United Commonwealth Society, on the other hand, is a political association that is dedicated to the official reunification of the numerous peoples that once called the British Empire home. It has members from all across the globe and, in Britain specifically, works closely with the United Kingdom Independence Party in rallying support for our joint political cause and national patriotism. We are quickly growing in sentimental support and member count, and indeed it is our great hope to establish a physical location in the near future.

English Patriot – I say! When were you first introduced to Paradox games?

Goraja - Hmm, now that is a more tricky question. My first experience with a Paradox title came through a cousin who was hopelessly addicted to Europa Universalis I. He attempted to enlist my aid in an MP attempt to conquer the world together but, as a child who still viewed "guns, explosions, and pixelated boobs" (to quote OHgamer) as the pinnacle of video game design, I was bored and bewildered by the immense amount of data presented to me. I forgot about Paradox entirely and went on with my life, ignorant, until stumbling across the franchise once more as EUII at a bargain store. At this point my fascination with history was in full swing, and I was entirely hooked. I played the summer away, and then found out that Paradox actually produced *other* games. I purchased HOI, and my fate was sealed.

English Patriot - When did you first pop along to the forums and join in on AARland?

Goraja - That final jump, from wholly addicted to entirely consumed, took a bit longer. I slowly introduced my brother to the beauty of the games and, as he was older and more internet savvy, he found his way to the forums faster than I did. At first he only cared about the eminently useful resource the game forums comprise, but soon enough he had started an Irish AAR and was attempting to convince me of this incredible new pursuit on a daily basis. I rebuffed his advances for something like a year, when I was forced to also cave with the imminent launch of EUIII. I registered in January of 2007 and, after a trial period in that forum, jumped my way to AARland as well and began reading the entire library of fascinating alternate history tomes available. These took my imagination, which had been running wild while playing, and provided it with a concrete medium to express those stories. I began a Scottish tale of my own and have been a slave to that forum's dark powers ever since.

English Patriot - Did writing an AAR change your perceptions at all of playing Paradox games and taking part in the forums?

Goraja - Yes, I feel very much so. Friends that I have attempted to also include in the gaming have, for the most part, never quite understood what it was that I could see and they missed. To them the games were extremely complicated methods for causing the colours on the map's provinces to change. Since quanitfying my thoughts into coherent narratives and alt-history threads, the games become more like a way to interactively experience that sweeping change than any kind of traditional "Play to Win" mechanism that other games thrive off of. As for the forums, it has certainly sparked me to become more active in the community and develop a strong sense of familiarity with many other posters. The game forums are cold and impersonal, the OT and AAR forums are a repository of each man's opinions and emotions. Being able to contribute to and benefit from that environment is a great experience.

English Patriot – With the striking difference between the game forums and AARLand, were you inspired at all by what you saw in AARland, were there any particular authors or AAR's that encouraged you to write your own AAR?

Goraja - Unquestionably, the example set by the existing authors was a strident call for more writers to enlist. The work going on in most every thread, from the light-hearted comedies of exotic nations, gameplay-centric world conquest attempts, very moving narrative stories, and the large history book-style outings, was a sign that there was something for everyone and that you too could find something that you fancy. As for specific examples, I do remember Sir Clive Wolfe's "Dreams of Albion" as a particularly inspiring work, in its elegant presentation and heartfelt expression of patriotism.

English Patriot - As far as my perceptions can tell, you spend a lot of your time in the OT section, famously trumpeting the good of the old Empire, what drew you to the Minefield of OT and why the sometimes controversial stand point?

Goraja - I hinted at this a bit in an above answer, but I should note here that I fancy political discussion entirely too much. The OT is indeed a melting pot and powder keg in one, though this seems to be one of the facets that most attract me to it. You may find someone of most any political leaning and I delight in being able to share my views with anyone willing to listen. The body of ignorance and blind condemnation directed towards the Empire by certain forumites is simply staggering and it is my duty to act as the advocate of reason and civilised society in these interchanges. I find there to be nothing controversial about my vigorous support of our Imperial spirit and national quest. There are those who disagree, but I am charged by honour to make my position known, and it is my hope that, in time, the dissenting Britons of the forum will end the squabbling that plagues us and join me in working for a brighter future. One could say, a future on which the sun never sets. ;)

Part II: A Matter of State
Goraja gives us his thoughts on the past, present and future of the Empire under the Woodhouse Dynasty

English Patriot - The Woodhouse Dynasty have been in AARland on and off for sometime, when and why did you first drop in for a read?

Goraja - Although I do own Crusader Kings, I am not a terribly frequent visitor to that AAR section and so first stumbled upon the EUIII chapter of the unfolding Dynasty. I was naturally intrigued by the very subject matter, and inside I was presented with a superb tale that has kept me reading ever since. After becoming acquainted with that work, I sat down and also ingested the CK portion. I view the seemingly random nature of the discovery to be divine influence.

English Patriot – Haha! There may be something in Divine Influence! What, if anything draws you back to read about the Woodhouse Dynasty?

Goraja - I enjoy almost every aspect of the tale, and return for the entire package, but I will note that the Religious history woven into the narrative is, in my eyes, the most fascinating aspect of the work. I have a very deep respect for your ability to create an extremely realistic branching future of Christianity, with so many details that its complexity is endearing. Whenever an update is displayed, I am always most looking forward to see where else that thread will go. The intricacies involved in this Catholic future and temporal politics could very well sustain their own work.

English Patriot - As a man of the Empire and a reader of history, are there any striking differences between our world and that of the Woodhouse dynasty?

Goraja - Where to start?! The whole dynamic of the world power balance has been redrawn by EUIII and, of course, the developments in France are an almost earth-shattering shift. I feel this has change has led to a different trajectory (at least from OTL) in cultural attitude among the people. I am unable to speak for where we are headed, but the crucial ideological developments of the Revolutionary Period are looking to unfold in an entirely alien manner. Additionally, we have the colonial situation in America being markedly disparate from our time line. That is to say, I know the territorial boundaries and political intricacies are expectedly different, but I believe the most important changes in history will come from the creation of a national spirit in the coming century. And I am very much looking forward to where that will go.

English Patriot - The Union with France rather than Scotland has painted a rather different map of Europe and indeed the world, do you think such a Union could last and whether in the run up to the age of revolutions and nationalism the union will remain viable?

Goraja - Now that is the tricky question. It is certainly a strong possibility, as we have seen historical cultures and realms seek to join the Empire because of the numerous economic, political, and social benefits that go hand in hand with such a move. (Cyprus comes to mind.) However, whether that arrangement proves viable in the long term I would have to leave to the conduct of HM's Government. The French people, while having no intrinsic calling to overthrow the Union, by the other token also have no developed urge to fight to remain. I believe it would depend on the perceived benefits and disadvantages of the unified state. Then again, a catastrophic gaff could strike tomorrow and within the hour Robespierre is on the streets calling for the head of the King...

English Patriot - Despite the apparent differences between our two timelines, Britain seems to be following a fairly familiar path, would you attribute this to "manifest destiny"? Or chalk it up to coincidence?

Goraja - There has been a firm principle guiding the conduct and character of the British people ever since this nation's conception. Whether we label it "manifest destiny" or "Imperial spirit" or even the need to "paint the map red", it has forever defined the disposition of the United Kingdom. Our interests, our affections, our hearts, lie across the seas in the other continents of the world. They call to us, and Britannia will always heed that bellowing command to strike out across the globe whether in life or fiction. It can be no other way.

English Patriot - In British history, the big years of 1645 and 1688 have passed relatively quietly, do you think this will have repercussions for "English liberties" later on?

Goraja - Repercussions will certainly manifest themselves in some form, but I remain convinced that these legal traditions can never be repressed or dissipated. They will be enacted in time, rather like the reforms of most liberalising British movements that have not achieved immediate success. Hearkening to its historical cousin, Woodhouse Britain will be visited by these ideological undercurrents in such popular force that they must be instated.

English Patriot - One of the recurring themes throughout the Rebirth of England is the continuing three way struggle between the Princeps party, the Anglicans and the Crown, if you had to pick a side, which would you pick and why?

Goraja - Hmm yes, I have often pondered this myself. It is difficult to be entirely satisfied with the aspirations of any one faction, but it is my firm belief that the only one to be trusted is the Crown. I am a vigorous champion of Constitutional Monarchy, and gradual reforms would be the ideal way to accomplish the modernisation of HM's Government. Whether the Monarch would necessarily cooperate is another matter entirely, though I do not feel the Crown would be capable of sustaining a truly embattled bid to stave off all progressive movements. That said, a radical adoption of any other policies with little thought for stability would certainly erupt into murderous sectarian chaos. Anarchy and Civil War are not in the best interests of any Briton, I think.

Part III: Still more majestic shalt thou rise
Goraja and I discuss his Great Britain AAR

English Patriot – Well, first of all, why a British AAR?

Goraja - I believe the many reasons that led me to start that tale are equally important, but there are a few more broad points behind the decision. This period of British history (Roughly Seven Years War to the Great War) holds the greatest interest for me, and is the very specific subset that I tend to focus my academic studies on if at all possible. I also consider myself a bit of a patriot and creating new threads of history for this nation's trajectory is an extremely gratifying experience. I find nothing in a Paradox game more exhilarating than building the British Empire, and if someone else can share in the experience as well through my writings on the game, all the better.

English Patriot - There is a beautiful amount of detail in the history of Rule, Britannia! and its quite plain you have a good deal of knowledge about the era, Is this an area of study or leisure for yourself

Goraja - As I touched on above, I do attempt to study the period in a formal structure as often as possible, but that is not very often when pursuing an undergraduate degree. For the most part, it stems from a pleasure interest and outside reading, etc. My university library also has access to many volumes from the Oxford library, and I can while many hours away reading "The Expansion of England" and other contemporary tomes. I make an effort to leverage that knowledge into small touches in the text of the work.

English Patriot - Rule, Britannia! Follows directly on from a Westminster - Boston reconciliation, was this an important goal for you and if so, why?

Goraja - I have thought of the departure point as a critical part of the work's spirit, and I attempt to ruminate on the consequences of reconciliation on a regular basis. It is no great secret that I was born in the United States, and that their rejoining the Commonwealth is an important part of my political ideology. With, Rule, Britannia! I have aimed to try and embody that spirit of unity and joint triumphs. The Imperial bond that linked the Dominions Beyond the Seas within the Empire is an overflowing of affection rarely ever seen in the course of history. If the American colonists had not rejected that kindred spirit, the Empire and its people would be inestimably strengthened by their brotherhood.

English Patriot - Were there any heroes of the period that you particularly wanted to place inside the AAR?

Goraja - Yes, both for personal and literary reasons. I mentioned previously that I take care to show that American subjects played a large role in the goings ons of the Empire, and the inclusion of iconic heroes from that area is something I have striven for repeatedly. A specific example would be Nathaniel Greene, who is not an integral part of the event in which he partakes, but serves to remind the reader that those colonists are serving alongside other Britons across the globe. Then there are also my personal heroes, of which so far Lord Nelson is the only one I have indulged in. He did appear as a Captain when he historically held that post, but he was elevated to widespread renown before his traditional ascent. It is also not an easily broken habit when you consider that I am a proponent of the Great Man theory and tend to focus my studies and interest on significant personalities.

English Patriot - Did you have any particular goals when you set out on the AAR, or did you just go with the flow so to speak

Goraja - As my painfully sluggish updating pace serves to illustrate, I had no real goal for overarching completion beyond concluding sometime in the very early 20th century. "Go with the flow" is an entirely appropriate label, as my writing philosophy has always been to update when inspiration struck about a particular person or event. I did (and still do) have goals regarding the progress of the game and its actual unfolding story, which I have generally outlined, but you must always leave yourself open to curveballs the engine might throw toward you. You are at the mercy of the game in that respect.

English Patriot - Rule Britannia! pulled a hefty amount of solid commentators, do you find the comments spurred you on and gave you that extra bit of motivation?

Goraja - Very much so. I have always greatly appreciated the words of my readers, both in plot related comments, and calls to update which always spur me back into whatever task it was that had me road blocked. It is also always fascinating to receive an outside perspective on unfolding events, because they often come at the story from different angles that are sometimes hard to view as the intimately involved author. This is a bit more important for narrative writers, but my commentators have always had some interesting alt-history theories to share and some of them spark truly compelling ideas...

English Patriot - And finally, its been sometime since you last updated! Where have you been!?

Goraja - And yes, the question I have been dreading all along! I would blame the OT for swallowing my life wholesale, but it mostly has to do with the fact that I am refining and updating a set of 5 new entries. A massive world war is looming in Rule, Britannia! and I have wanted to jump into it with a spectacular bang, meaning that I've been largely unsatisfied and forced to retool for some time. However, I feel they are very near ready for release. It is my hope that once they are finally up, the wait will have been worth it!

English Patriot – Well! We look forward to it very much, and you can be certain it will be worth it! Thank you very much for chatting with us Goraja, it has been an absolute honour! Don't forget Ladies and Gentlemen there are but a few days left in which to vote for your favourite AARs in the AARLand Choice AwAARds so get out there to the ballots or, alternatively, PM Anonymous4401. Thank you for watching, and now, please rise for the National Anthem.

God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen:
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us:
God save the Queen.​
 
An excellent interview by the way ! I do hope to get to know Goraja in the future XD You silly anglophiles !
 
Up to Chapter XXXII! And I can see some of your personal background coming out in the story...
 
Mettermrck: You might want to try it yourself sometime XD

General_BT: Yes , a very touching moment between Antonio and his best friend . In that chapter I also had a parallel and allusion to the Sacrament of Reconciliation even going so far as to parallel the words of absolution .
 
Nice interview English Patriot! Always good to know other fellow writAARs
 
Capibara said:
Nice interview English Patriot! Always good to know other fellow writAARs

EP did an excellent job XD I hope to see him guest host some more I hope !
 
Time for a status report ! We'll an update either Tuesday/Wednesday and another one either Friday/Saturday as is our usual schedule . Friday is going to be the release of AARlander and INSTRUMENTALITY for the Feb 1 issue so we might move the update back to Sunday . We hope to see you all there !
 
You know what? Too much Britishness on this page. It needs to be balanced out somehow... Oh! I know:

Rule Hibernia!

:D
 
Hardstuff said:
You know what? Too much Britishness on this page. It needs to be balanced out somehow... Oh! I know:

Rule Hibernia!

:D

ROFL . Reminds me of that Walter Hamilton parody thingy that I found on google the other day XD
 
Hardstuff said:
You know what? Too much Britishness on this page. It needs to be balanced out somehow... Oh! I know:

Rule Hibernia!

:D

A better choice:

De Ruyter ;)
 
De Ruyter? A Dutchman I repect immensely.


EP interviewing Goraja! I should have seen that coming I suppose, but one can't ever be mentally prepared for that kind of thing.

Good job, both of you, though...
 
Doxy: Would be lovely XD

RGB: Oh ? What's respectable about him ?
 
canonized said:
Doxy: Would be lovely XD

RGB: Oh ? What's respectable about him ?

He kicked Frenchies, sailed up the Thames and seized an English flagship, and in general was the best naval leader in Dutch history.

The Thames thing is of course the reason for being relevant. he also beat the English in many other battles, of course :)