The Open
As with all of Range's adventures - normal settings will be observed. No replaying of action will be done to get different results.
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Poland 1399.
In a small castle eight travelers met to take part in a unique mission ... to make Poland into a great nation ...
But, not everyone was recruited the normal way. One referred to his appearance as to being shanghaied.
HOST: I'm glad to see you Range.
RANGE: (curt) You didn't exactly give me a choice.
HOST: Never the less it is our pleasure to have you join us ... please take a seat.
RANGE: No ... you see I’m not certain whether or not I’m staying.
HOST: I'm certain I can make your stay here well worth your time.
The host motioned to a chalkboard that had several dates scrolled upon it. The dates were as follows:
July 15, 1410 - Teutonic Knight are soundly defeated in the epic Battle of Grunwald.
1569 - Poland and Lithuania unifies into one state, allowing Royal succession based on
election (even foreign candidates will be considered).
1573 - The Sejm guaranteed religious equality (all religions, including Muslims)
1655-60 -Sweden invades Poland - Poland is virtually destroyed as cities are burned and plundered. The population of 10 million is reduced to 6 million due to wars, famine, and the bubonic plague.
1700s - Russia, Prussia and Austria want Poland ... the three avoid war with each other by subdividing Poland amongst themselves in a series of agreements known as Three Partitions of Poland.
1791 - After the first partition brings reforms, a constitution is passed called Constitution of the Third of May. It is the second document that outlines the responsibilities of the Government (U.S. Constitution was first). Shortly thereafter Catherine the Great of Russia invades Poland to break up the new democracy.
1793 - During the Second partition, Russia and Prussia take over half of what was left of Poland.
1795 - The Third Partition ...
Rapping his knuckles hard upon the chalkboard close to the 1795 date, the Host asked if anyone could explain why this year in Poland's history was a very troubling point to the Polish people.
Range paused for a moment as if waiting for someone else to answer, when no one did, he spoke up rather frankly.
RANGE: ... that's when Poland was officially removed from the world map ... and, it didn't reappear for another 123 years.
HOST: Harsh ... but straight to the point. And, for that reason I have recruited all of you to help me change history.
The Host went on to explain that their adventure would in fact change history. However, they shouldn’t be concerned over the possibility of their endeavor causing a Paradox. He believed that the theory held no substance except as a coined phrase to frighten or to fascinate school boys and girls and for the basis for writing sci-fi works.
The Host, along with Marcie (his niece) and a man he named as Mandek (soldier) had been living down line since 1353. The Polish gentry had accepted them and had even given them the castle as payment for services rendered thus far. He laughed and commented that many considered them as Gods or at least some sort of angelic creatures and they feared them as well as revered them.
The Host then proceeded to give the others their new names,
Alina (Marcie)
Jaroslaw - (fierce, strong and glorious)
Gorski - (Mountainous)
Jurek - (farmer)
And, of course Mandek.
When the Host turned to Range, he wasn't given the opportunity to share the name he had in mind for him.
RANGE: I like my name quite well, thank you ...
HOST: Of course ... l would never dare venture to change it. .. Range suits you well.
It was at that moment a dragging sound was heard approaching the hall. All eyes turned to see the eighth member enter. He was a young man, dragging his braced limb across the stone floor. He was to be known as Klaudiusz (lame). He was Marcie’s brother.
HOST: Oh, it's about time you thought it best to join us nephew.
KLAUDlUSZ: I knew you wouldn't wait for me uncle.
RANGE: Haven't you forgotten someone? (pause) What's the name you chosen for yourself!
HOST: You may refer to me as Ulryk (world ruler)
Range chuckled in hearing the name. "I figured as much…
Ulryk then solemnly vowed that their endeavor would not be undone. His software would make certain the changes would last forever to be woven into the fabric of time ... reality replacing reality.
Next post: Part One - Alliances come first, then War..
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