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Aronnax: Thanks! Glad to have you with us!
Range: Thanks. I figured it'd become a bigger and bigger problem for her over time. It's something I'll dwell more on later. BTW, I loved your Yemen AAR.
morningSIDEr: Hey, I was originally going to do an update related to the scandal, but I couldn't find a way to put it in. Shame, you're right, it would have been cool. And yes, the blonde woman will be more prominent very soon.
Boris: Thanks! :D
Beowulf: I can imagine that! Yes, there's a state of the world update coming up when we reach 1500 in...4 posts?
Dewirix: It certainly will. Regarding Devarsi...I can understand his mistrust though. People do tend to fear the unusual and the abnormal.

---------

RAMA I PART 6

XXX

16/1/1495

War.

The term had not been used for many years. Vijayanagar was a peaceful Kingdom, and deliberately so. Strife and violence had almost destroyed the Kingdom fifty years before, and the overly rapid expansion had brought great dangers as well as great power.
Now the Kingdom marched to war again. The torpor of peace was slowly being shaken off, and soldiers of all sorts were being armed for the coming conflict with Gujarat.
Talena watched as the generals and soldiers marched out of the gate. At their head was Devarsi Malini himself. The young man was now grown up, experienced from his brief campaigns in Orissa, and now the leader of an entire army.

“Talena...she wants to see you.”
Amar was waiting, and Talena followed him inside the sick room. There Imani lay, her face lined and tired. She was clearly near to death, as her breath was coming slowly and hoarsely.
The doctor stood aside as Talena entered. She knelt by the woman who she had met almost fifty years ago. That first day, when the cute African slave girl had shown Talena her rooms now contrasted with the old woman before her now.
“Thank you...Mistress,” Imani whispered to her friend.
“No, thank you for staying all these years. You could have gone anywhere, done anything! Why would you want to stay with someone like me?”
“Because you treated me like a person. Because...being with you reminds me of the past. When I look on you....”
Talena bowed her head and kissed Imani’s hand. “But I can’t save you.”
“Life runs its course, Talena. I think it is a relief in a way. But you have your own path to tread and no one can tread it but you.”
“Life runs its course and ends...except for mine,” Talena said bitterly.
“There must be a higher purpose for you being here. It is God’s will. Goodbye, Talena.”
Talena kissed her friend, and then went outside so that she would be spared the sight of her friend dying. She wanted to cry, but no tears came. She was not holding them back, but they would not come. Her eyes were dry, and in fury she slammed her hand onto the stone banister. To her consternation it cracked.
As she was staring at her hands in shock Amar appeared beside her. “She will be given the best of funerals. What’s wrong?”
“I...nothing.” Talena looked at her hand as the flesh healed again from when she had struck the stone. “What is happening to me?” she wondered. Out of the corner of her eye she was sure she saw a blonde woman briefly before the spectre vanished.

XXX

Vijayanagar’s first war in decades was a success, though a lack of training and experience was a key problem. However, the wealth and manpower of the Kingdom allowed many thousands of troops to be dispatched in campaigns to the north.
In a series of battles the states of Gujarat and Rajputana were vassalised by the King, and victories on all fronts ensued. By the middle of 1496 all of India was either under the overlordship of Vijayanagar, an ally or a vassal. It was a startling achievement.

Good news followed domestically as well, with King Rama being provided an heir by his brother, with the new Prince named Srianga. Also of interest were the (relatively) remote islands of the Andamans which were colonised and established as a naval base after several attempts. During the next years it would grow significantly and eventually become a fully fledged province in and of itself.

The news was good, and as King Rama’s 40th jubilee approached, the future seemed golden for the Kingdom....



121SubjugationofGujarat.jpg


122NewHeir.jpg


123VictoriousSieges.jpg

(I was getting .1 colonists a year, so I figured I may as well colonise something!)
124ColonisationofAndamans.jpg


125GujaratVassalised.jpg


126RajputanaDefeatedBattle.jpg


127RajputanaDefeated.jpg
 
The cracking stone super strength I did not see coming...that doesn't happen to me very often, thanks :)
I would love a sci-fi/fantasy explanation behind that. I've come up with three options myself, see if any match :D
 
Boris: Yes indeed it is. Problem is that she doesn't really have anyone she can explain things to.
Beowulf: You will get an explanation. PM me your 3 ideas if you like and I'll tell you if any of them are right! :)

-----------

RAMA I PART 7

XXX

14/10/1499

Talena was upset. Of course she was upset; her husband had just died. But as she stood and looked down at the coffin where Amar Malini lay she felt curiously empty. They had been married for over thirty years, and had shared so much together, but they had never really been the same. Marriages are usually happiest when the couple grow old together, sharing experiences and helping each other through difficulties.
This simply could not happen between them. Talena stayed the same, she stayed young and beautiful while those around her grew old and died. First Imani, now Amar, and soon the King’s time would come. He was no longer the fifteen year old boy she had first known, but a man tending to old age.
She looked around at her adopted son, and saw the look of mixed revulsion and dislike on his face. He saw her looking at him and stalked outside.

Talena followed him out, noting how Devarsi had his hand on his sword. The two of them had never really gotten on, and now Amar was gone, he was free to let vent with his frustrations.
“What are you?” he challenged her as they stepped out into the courtyard of the palace. It was a question he had asked before. “Answer me!”
“I don’t answer demands,” Talena retorted arrogantly. “And especially not from you.”
“My father...I don’t care if he adopted me, he was my father...lies dead in there, and you don’t! Why? Are you some demon?”
“If I was I’d do a better job at concealing it. I wouldn’t sit for forty years in this place so obviously. And, you know, I’d try and corrupt and take over things. An empire of a thousand years or something. But no, there’s just me.”
He looked at her like he hadn’t heard her, and didn’t want to. “I want you out of my house at once! He left it to me!”
“And to me. I was married to him, you know.”
“I’m sure the King will take my side. Not that of some...pale demon!”
With that he turned and stalked out, leaving Talena surprised at the whole discussion.

It was as she was staring out over the ornamental lake that she realised what day it was, and what year it was.
It was a century ago that she had come back in time. A century of loss, confusion and death. It was a century in which she had seen more, experienced more then anyone had ever done before.
It was time for her to leave Vijayanagar. She knew that now with certainty. But where to go?
It was then that she noticed a small party of oddly dressed foreigners. Heading over, she found that they were the escort of Princess Mylca P’an-Lo, sister of the King of the realm of Pegu. They had been here to receive the blessing of King Rama for an alliance of the realms. That offer had been turned down, and now the Princess was heading home, disappointed.
Talena, on impulse, headed down to the party and introduced herself. It didn’t take much effort to convince them to let her go with them. Considering the uneasiness that most of the nobles of Vijayanagar felt towards her, she figured it’d be easy to get permission to go with them.
And so, after forty years in the Kingdom of Vijayanagar, it was time for Talena Mazari to leave.

XXX

By the year 1500 the Kingdom of Vijayanagar was one of the most powerful in the world. It ruled all India except for some isolated lands belonging to allies or vassals. Furthermore it contained a rich and peaceful population which was united and dedicated to the monarch.
Just three days after his fortieth anniversary of ascension King Rama died, leaving his young nephew to rule with a Regency Council.
However, it would not be long before the prudence and measured skill of Rama would be set aside, and within a couple of generations the Kingdom would lose most of what had been gained. For now though Vijayanagar was the pre-eminent power in the east. Except, of course, for China....


128Vijayin1500.jpg


129DeathofRamaI.jpg
 
Another excellent post. And, what I wouldn't give for three great men with good inflation reduction.
 
Pegu??? A mere stepping stone to the Dragon Throne, I'd assume?
Tibet would have been interesting seeing the immortal meet up with a High Lama.
I'd also be leaving after giving some little whippersnapper a profound introduction to unarmed combat tactics of the 25th century...and of course emptying the bank account.
 
Lovely borders that. Especially considering It's mostly AI's work.
And no need for the PM's, I like the suspense :D
 
Good stuff, it is nice to see India united under one nation (even if it is only for a while before the AI ruins things), some very good updates. I can understand Talena's growing vexation with her immortality, how impossible it would be to put down roots when you will see those you love die whilst surviving yourself and I think you've captured this problem brilliantly within these posts. Nonetheless her moving on allows for more adventure and I'm looking forward to seeing how things will go with Pegu.
 
Range: It wasn't easy, let me tell you! Had to lose my prestige to endorse culture to get any good ones. Thanks. :)
blsteen: Actually, I never thought about the High Lama. That gives me an idea for the future! As for Pegu, I wanted a nation close to China, but not too famous, and which had some of the necessary things I needed. I needed a leader with high Mil, border with China, and of course, who's ever done an AAR with Pegu? :p And yeah, in hindsight she probably should have whipped Devarsi's ass. Hmm.
Boris: Thanks!
Beowulf: OK, no worries. We'll see if your explanation is the same as mine.
Razgriz: Indeed they aren't. Understandable though.
morningSIDEr: Thanks! YOUR bribe is on the way...it's the same one you sent me. :p And yeah, after 40 years of peace it's time for WAR!

INTERMISSION

XXX

14/2/1500

Talena had never been to a jungle before. And yet here she was, in South-East Asia, in a jungle. She was now so far out of her time and depth that she just had no idea what she was supposed to do. The jungle looked nice though, even if it was hot and humid.
Since getting settled into the royal court of Pegu, Talena had not done very much at all. Aside from writing a few messages back to the King, she’d done nothing but take long walks into the jungle. Now she was standing by a river a few miles from the current residence, with trees all around.
She heard the sound of approaching feet and turned to see a monk approaching. He looked fairly normal to her eyes, bald head, middle aged and wearing robes. He approached Talena and bowed.
“Lady Talena?” When she nodded her continued. He knew Telegu, the language of Vijayanagar, knew it well enough to speak to her at least. “I have message for you,” he said.
Talena took the cloth wrapped bundle and opened it. Inside was a note written on actual paper, something that wouldn’t exist for centuries. Also there was a small plastic ear insert. Blinking, Talena opened the message, and found it written in her own language from a millennia in the future.

{Talena,
I apologise that I cannot meet you face-to-face, so I have sent this message with Quan here to you. He is trustworthy, and you may stay with him however long you like. Enclosed is a translator; I know you don’t have one anymore, and you might find it useful. The battery should last for a few decades with careful use.
I hope to meet you soon. I will explain more about things when I do.
Yours, Lucille.}


She reread the message again and frowned. So many questions came to mind that she didn’t know where to start. The translator at least was something she understood. After a moment’s examination she turned it on and put it in her ear.
As she was thinking of the best way of communicating with Quan, the words appeared in her head.
“Hello, Quan,” she tried, and found it was in a language she had never heard before.
“Hello, Lady Talena. Lady Lucille told me you would be coming. Please come back with me to the Temple.”
Talena shrugged and followed Quan. Just who this Lucille was, how she had things to give to her, and just what her goals were remained a mystery.

Z138Jungle.jpg
 
Obviosly Lucille is EVIL, and is planing her conquest of all those mortals, using her own fanatic cultist whom she has been training in her DOOOM temple. :D
 
That's...actually a rather cool idea. I rather like it, though it's not what is going to happen here, I may well use it later on in the story.

Thanks for reading. :)

Oh, and nice ironic name you have there.
 
Has Talena visited anywhere she'd been to on Earth in the future? It would be nice for her too look at a place - Beijing for instance - and remember when she'd visited it in her youth.

Anyhow, good updates and a nicely thickening plot!
 
Finally, a pen pal.

Great post...looking forward to when Lucille meet.
 
Pass the popcorn please.

This is really one of the best AAR's I've read, if you stop I'll have to kill you! :D
 
Dewirix: She hasn't yet, but she will quite soon in the future. She'll visit where she was born and raised...or where it would be! Thanks! :)
Range: Yes, a pen pal indeed. I hope you like where I'll take the plot.
Razgriz: Hmm, we'll see! ;)
TheExecuter: Save some for me! Buttered, no salt.
Beowulf: Thank you so kindly! Nothing like the threat of brutal murder to inspire one's writing! :D

Now, since it's 1500 it's time for...country check!

DIVERSION: COUNTRY CHECK – 1500

FRANCE: A series of conquests under the de Foix Kings and Queens expanded French power across almost all of natural France, Savoy and into the Iberian Peninsula. Their main rival is and would continue to be Burgundy, with who they fought a series of drawn wars.
CASTILLE: Originally intent on conquering Portugal, rebellions forced them to give this up. Granada remains their vassal, but shortly after 1500 they are annexed by Castille. No expansion into Africa as yet.
PAPAL STATES: No territorial expansion, competing with the power of England encroaching into Italy.
OTTOMANS: Following on from the work of Abdulaziz and Bayezid II, the Ottomans have swept all before them. In the late 15th century they overcame and conquered much of the Mamluk lands and invaded Persia as well. Clearly the second most powerful nation in the world after Ming China.
PERSIA: After the death of Isma’il I, Persia entered into a spiral caused by over expansion and religious issues. After losing many of their conquests to Ottomans and other eastern rivals they finally stabilised a core of their nation against further losses.


129WEurope1500.jpg


(Note the large Sweden, formed Rusia, and weakness of Spain in general. Also note the blob which is Ming....)
AARWorld1500.jpg


(As you can see Persia is in trouble. Even with the Mamluks weakened by the Ottomans they are still getting their asses kicked.)
AARPersia1500.jpg


(Ottomans are just unbelievably powerful at the moment.)
AAROttomans1500.jpg


(Note the power of Austria and Friesland, also the war between France and Burgundy. This is a long standing feud. England is in Italy, and become more so as time goes on. Note Sweden also.)
AARFrance1500.jpg
 
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