The Empire Strikes Back - Part 3

[Idhrendur]

(( Yep! So now I'm paying for not ever getting around to reading up on the Orthodox church in Tsarist Russia because I have no idea how that actually worked, but I understand it's a good model of what's probably going on here. ))

 

[Nuada Airgetlám]

(( It's great to see the Queen of Cities get a facelift. ))

 

[Idhrendur]

Summer of 1918

The cathedral built on the burned down remnants of the late King Lombardi's palace outside Venice was finally complete. When the gunpowder reserves under the palace had mysteriously gone up in flames and taken the king with them, people had avoided the site as cursed. The Pope thought differently. Perhaps to appease the Italians, the Pope ordered a grand cathedral built on the estate, right where Lombardi had met his end. The grand building towered over the flat landscape covered with vineyards, now worked by priests and laymen. Now all those men were gathered in the cathedral, admiring the finished product. Not a single soul there even remembered what the site had been before Lombardi had taken it for his own.

The priests and honoured guests sat in the freshly polished pews, admiring the stained glass windows and exquisite art depicting various religious scenes important to the Catholic Church. The pulpit remained empty, for His Holiness himself was said to be arriving soon to bless the cathedral with his presence. A shadowy figure lurking just out of sight had no intention of allowing the Pope to ever set foot in the cathedral. As the guests all gathered in the cathedral, the figure sneaked away to begin the first part of his scheme.

As the guests took their seats, a loud ruckus erupted. The sound of clanging metal filled the air and the doors slammed shut with a loud thud. The windows rattled as though the wind had picked up suddenly. People muttered to each other, unsure of what was happening. Some brave soul went to open the door, only to find that it was barred from the outside. As word spread that they were trapped, panic started to set in. Time for the second phase.

A burst of flame erupted from behind the pulpit. People screamed in shock, and then screamed again as a figure emerged from the smoke to stand before them. He wore the finest vestments and a golden crown. His skin was ghostly pale and covered in soot. He glared down at the people in attendance and shouted, "Fear me, mortals, for your king has returned and he finds you wanting. You built this site of God upon my grave, but know this, people of Italy, that there is only one man worth your veneration and that is me, your glorious king, the Great Lombardi!"

A woman fainted and people scurried to the door, trying to ram it open. They hurried even more when another burst of flame erupted from behind Lombardi's ghost. The ghost cackled wickedly, his voice echoing through the cathedral. Time for phase three.

"You dare flee from your king!" Lombardi screeched. "Witness my power and know that you have made a grave mistake." The ghost raised his hand to the ceiling, pointing the the chandelier suspended above. It immediately started to sway and dropped ever so slightly. Lombardi swept his other hand up in a grand gesture. The chandelier suddenly broke free and plummeted to the floor. It crashed amongst the pews, now unoccupied as people gathered around the blocked doorway, the bang reverberating throughout the room.

Lombardi was not quite done yet. He waved his hand towards a painting hanging on the wall. It showed Christ at the Last Supper, but the Pope had been put in the place of Jesus. What was with these rulers of Italy and their vanity? As Lombardi waved his hand that way, flames burst from the floor, engulfing the painting. The frame cracked and the painted parchment crinkled up into blackened ash. Lombardi laughed and pointed to another painting. More flames burst forth to burn the painting away. The crowd was screaming in fear and beating against the door to get out. Now for the finale.

"Know that your king is gracious and willing to release you from this prison in exchange for your undying loyalty. But let it be known that there will be no false rulers. There is but one king, and that is me. The Pope shall never reign over my kingdom." Raising his hands to the heavens, Lombardi let out a long cackle. A piercing sound filled the air, forcing everyone to cover their ears. Then the grandest of the stained glass windows, one depicting the Pope in all his self-obsessed glory, shattered in a million pieces. The people screamed as glass fell down upon them.

The people seemed on verge of entering a frenzy, nearly trampling each other to get at the door. As they rushed it again, it suddenly swung open and the crowd rushed into the open. They fled one by one into the countryside, getting as far from the haunted cathedral as possible. As the last of them left, Lombardi grinned and stepped down from the pulpit.

"Well, men, I believe you more than earned your pay with that display." Lombardi grabbed his sleeve and wiped the face paint and fake soot from his face, revealing the features of Donatello Favero. Some hidden staircases opened on the walls as men in overalls stepped into the cathedral, grins on their faces. They gathered around Donatello, slapping each other on the back. Donatello eyed them all in turn. "The pyro effects were fantastic. I had no idea you could control fire like that."

"Well with the proper amount of explosives in a contained environment," one worker said, "you can pull off some amazing things."

"I nearly lost my composure when that chandelier fell," Donatello said with a smirk.

"I doubt you'd be laughing if it fell on your head though when I cut that rope," another worker said.

Donatello turned to a worker wearing glasses. "Good job with the stained glass. I almost feared it wouldn't shatter."

"Well with the right frequency of noise adjusted for the consistency of the glass, you can manage such a thing with ease."

Donatello shook hands with all of them one by one. These men had all been part of the crew that built the cathedral, and he'd paid them quite handsomely for their part in his scheme, much more than the cheapskate Pope was willing to pay them for their honest labour. They had been the ones to set up the traps, building hidden staircases and a secret room under the cathedral from where they could erupt the flames and control the other fake haunting phenomena. They certainly had more fun under his employ. But there was still one last thing to do.

"Well, men, it's been a pleasure," Donatello said as a couple more workers entered the cathedral with barrels of gunpowder. They placed them strategically around the room and laid a trail of powder right to the door. The workers followed the Senator to the door, where he pulled out a match and lit the trail. He closed the door behind him. "Shall we?"

They immediately scattered to the vineyards, not stopping their run until they heard the first explosion. Fortunately, they were far enough away when the barrels exploded. The remaining windows shattered as flames erupted from every opening. Smoke billowed from inside the cathedral. The freshly lacquered pews surely provided more than enough fuel to keep the flames going. As Donatello fled to the countryside, he was pleased to see the smoke spiralling higher and higher as the cathedral burned to the ground.

Donatello was well on his way to Venice and from then on to Constantinople when the Pope finally arrived at the cathedral. He had seen the smoke from afar and quickened the pace of his caravan. When he arrived, he found his new cathedral up in flames. A terrified priest rushed towards him and screamed, "It was the ghost of Lombardi! He's returned to seek vengeance!"

The Pope rolled his eyes and ordered his caravan to turn back around. There was nothing for him here now. It was better that he leave this accursed estate alone. Nothing good ever happened there anyway.

By 1918, the reconstruction of Constantinople was nearly complete. Not just the reconstruction from the sack of 1911, but a reconstruction that had been under way since the 1858 industrial reforms. The flood of job seekers into Constantinople from the countryside had led to a city unable to meet the needs of its residents. Their dwellings were little more than hovels, the streets often only a few meters wide. Sunlight rarely reached them, and air barely circulated. There was insufficient water to meet the needs of the growing city, and the less said of the Golden Horn where the city’s waste was dumped, the better.

It was clear that something must be done. Empress Veronica had recognized the need and appointed Georges-Eugène Haussmann to fix the city. He began a program of reconstruction, demolishing many of the worst neighborhoods, building wide boulevards, sidewalks, train stations, parks, and fountains.

He also had immediately begun construction of new waterworks, bringing plenty of fresh water into the city. And as the streets were expanded, so were the sewers beneath them. These sewers were large enough for men to work in while standing upright, and had the capacity to carry away human waste, industrial waste, storm water, and the water used to wash the streets.

The demolished neighborhoods were replaced with the now-iconic Haussmann apartments. The workers of the city (at least, those that could afford to live in them) found they loved the increased light, airflow, and space they provided. Sanitation increased, and so did health.

Outlying areas of the city were brought into the city proper. The Chorigía Bridge and Galata bridge were reconstructed across the Golden Horn, making Galata more connected to the city center. Villages outside the Theodisian walls were legally incorporated into The City (much to the dismay of their residents).

The sack of Constantinople seemed as if it might be the end of these construction efforts. But the fire in the sack’s wake cleared the upper-class neighborhoods that had stood in the way of modernization. The Hagia Sophia was repaired and made more robust against the earthquakes in the region. The Great Palace was rebuilt, the Hippodrome modernized, the parks and gardens even more magnificent. With the later economic reforms, even the lowliest of workers could now afford one of the apartments.

Constantinople of 1918 was a modern, healthy, busy city, again living to its title: The City of Man’s Desire.

(( photo credits: wikipedia. In public domain due to age, etc, etc. ))

Truly the City of the World's Desire! We can again boast that Constantinople is the greatest city in the world and that its citizens are among the best cared for in the world!

Donatello Favero rents one of the new apartments in Constantinople, knowing that he will likely not be returning to the remains of his estates in Italy any time soon.

Julius was reading the local newspaper when he noticed an odd column.
Cathedral set on fire by vengeful spirit!
*sighs Senator Donatello, I am sorry for your loss of your estates, but isn't this a bit much?

What is a bit much? I have no control over the vengeful spirits of dead imposter kings. Perhaps His Unholiness should have performed an exorcism before creating a cathedral on a site that has seen such death. I certainly intend to make use of several skilled priests to cleanse my estates once they are back in my possession. You would think a leader of such a large Church would know better, but I suppose that is a bit much to expect from a heretic.

- Senator Donatello Favero

Eh, Nevermind. I do know a guy though that can clean your estates of heresy in half the time.

Do tell us. He would make a great addition to the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Markos Angelos is from Berlin but came to the reach in the pursuit of the true faith. He is extremely pious and is a respected religious community member.

Unfortunately, I believe you are mistaken. Markos Angelos was neither extremely pious nor respected. Plus he died during the attempted communist coup a few years ago. The man you are talking about is most likely a fraud.

It didn't say that on his card...

Are you sure you're not confusing him with Markos Angelos the Plumber? I had him fix a leaky pipe last week in my new apartment. He definitely overcharged me though, so I don't recommend making use of his services.

- Senator Donatello Favero

 

[Idhrendur]

July 1919

Senators,

This was another year of recovery. In late December, We increased the unemployment subsidies yet again. No citizen would lack for their daily needs simply because work was lacking.

And when a mine accident happened, We chose to review mine safety throughout the Empire, though this lowered the mine output for a short time.

In June, We increased old age pensions yet again. Old age would not mean lack any more than a lack of work would.

We heard rumors of paramilitary organizations organizing, but restrained from cracking down in the hopes that in the absence of persecution they would fade away. Likewise when labor unions expanded aggressively.

When the new year came, We asked the legions to review their basic combat doctrines in light of all the advances in recent years. We expect their new combat manuals by the end of August.

And just this morning, We received a report that the legions are ready to deploy permanent aviation units. We have given orders for the creation of squadrons all throughout the Empire. The sack of Constantinople will never happen again.

In international news, Japan finally brought their war to Russia to a close, acquiring the Pogobi Region.

Hedjaz’s government fell when the Fascist Faction marched on their capital.

Germany is taking advantage of peace to focus on intellectual activities.

France was forced to free Walloonia, and is facing rebellions from both Anarcho-Liberals who hope to solidify their mob rule and Communists who wish to undo it.

Fortunately, the Olympic games should give a chance for peace to prevail.

Senators, We ask your advice regarding the navy. We have modernized the current fleets, and have the following ones, each consisting of five dreadnoughts and ten cruisers:
Gibraltar Fleet – stationed in Gibraltar
Red Sea Fleet – stationed in the Red Sea
West Mediterranean Fleet- stationed in Tunis
North Sea Fleet – stationed in the Netherlands
West Africa Fleet – stationed in the Ivory Coast
Guayana Fleet – stationed in Guayana
Indonesia Fleet – stationed in Java
Oceania Fleet – stationed in New Guinea
East Mediterranean Fleet – stationed in Crete
Black Sea Fleet – stationed in the Black Sea

We can easily afford many times this number of fleets. Should We build more? If so, what should their composition be? And where should they be stationed?

And as always, the Senate’s world maps will be updated.

(( As it stands right now, these fleets will convert to HoI4 as a mix of every kind of ship, depending on the techs that pop in the last stretch of Vic2. Cruisers become LC, DD, and SBs. Dreadnoughts become HC, BC, CV, and BB. Battleships would do the same as Dreadnoughts, but less so per ship. I’ll happily take recommendations on what we can use. ))

 

[zenphoenix]

"We should build as many fleets as the budget will allow," said Theodora, "In order to crush the rebel scum in the west we need to restore our Mare Nostrum, our control over the Mediterranean. They will help boost our war efforts and transport troops right into the rebel heartlands. Then they will be crushed, and we can reunite Rome."

Theodora also invites all senators in attendance to a social gathering at her estate in Athens.

 

[Idhrendur]

The Emperor makes plans to attend the social gathering, but in a non-official, perhaps even anonymous manner.

((pictures have been added!))

 

[Michaelangelo]

I concur that the Mediterranean fleets must be expanded, for Mare Nostrum is at risk. Also, with the sheer number of islands we possess in Asia, it might be wise to ensure we have more than enough ships available to patrol the area.

My heartiest congratulations to the Japanese for dealing a blow to the perfidious Russians. It seems that the Russians are not much of a threat anymore if a minor Asian nation can defeat them.

- Senator Donatello Favero

 

[Damian0358]

Franco continued doing what he did as usual, but today he decided to do something different. He was going to try and speak on Nestorius' behalf! After a bit of hesitation, he decided to speak up.

"A-As long as we have enemies in the Mediterranean, w-we shouldn't risk being caught by surprise! I w-would imagine that ol' Ness would agree with me.

"And like S-Senator Favero, I would imagine that Nestor would congratulate the J-Japanese for managing to fend off the Russians. Hopefully they won't be a threat in the r-region!" he nervously stated, before glancing over at Theodora after she invited everyone. He wasn't sure if he was invited as well, and just gave her an awkward smile.

---

Meanwhile, in Aeteorea, things have continued on as normal. Nestorius had celebrated his 70th birthday a few weeks prior, which the Thaddai celebrated at their Komnenion estate in a modest manner, though this didn't stop some newspapers writing how "ol' Ness is the Omicron" in a humorous way. Timon, who was now 7 years of age and would reach his 8th year in December, had begun his compulsory education a while ago, which had fortunately been improved as a result of his mother making sure that whatever progressive reforms the Empire had adopted were also adopted on the island. Speaking of her, Kyrene had done much to make sure the islands were continuing their steady pace.

While the war had left Kyrene slightly nervous in regards to Asiatic relations, with the recent victory the Japanese gained over the Russians, she decided to see if anything could be done to keep relations with the Japanese as steady as possible. However, along with the Mesazon, work had begun to improve the island-state's navy in case it was forced to enter a sea war.

((Mesazon being the name of the locally elected Prime Minister-esque position. The title was decided after the discussion below.))

 

[zenphoenix]

Franco continued doing what he did as usual, but today he decided to do something different. He was going to try and speak on Nestorius' behalf! After a bit of hesitation, he decided to speak up.

"A-As long as we have enemies in the Mediterranean, w-we shouldn't risk being caught by surprise! I w-would imagine that ol' Ness would agree with me.

"And like S-Senator Favero, I would imagine that Nestor would congratulate the J-Japanese for managing to fend off the Russians. Hopefully they won't be a threat in the r-region!" he nervously stated, before glancing over at Theodora after she invited everyone. He wasn't sure if he was invited as well, and just gave her an awkward smile.

---

Meanwhile, in Aeteorea, things have continued on as normal. Nestorius had celebrated his 70th birthday a few weeks prior, which the Thaddai celebrated in a modest manner, though this didn't stop some newspapers writing how "ol' Ness is the Omicron" in a humorous way. Timon, who was now 7 years of age and would reach his 8th year in December, had begun his compulsory education a while ago, which had fortunately been improved as a result of his mother making sure that whatever progressive reforms the Empire had adopted were also adopted on the island. Speaking of her, Kyrene had done much to make sure the islands were continuing their steady pace.

While the war had left Kyrene slightly nervous in regards to Asiatic relations, with the recent victory the Japanese gained over the Russians, she decided to see if anything could be done to keep relations with the Japanese as steady as possible. However, along with the ((Consul? Archon? Eparch? Premier? President?)), work had begun to improve the island-state's navy in case it was forced to enter a sea war.

((I had already mentioned how Aeteorea's government had a local elected Prime Minister-esque position, but I don't know what kind of title they would have.))

((Try exarch. From Wikipedia:

In the Byzantine Empire, an exarch (/ˈɛksɑːrk/; Ancient Greek: ἔξαρχος exarchos) was a governor with extended authority over a province at some distance from the capital Constantinople.))

 

[Damian0358]

((Try exarch.))

((Reminder that that's Kyrene's title; the Exarchess, of the Exarchate of Aeteorea.))

 

[zenphoenix]

((Reminder that that's Kyrene's title; the Exarchess, of the Exarchate of Aeteorea.))

((Not really sure what to do, then. Is the title for a head of government or state? If the former, try Prothypourgos, from the Greek term for prime minister.))

 

[Damian0358]

((Not really sure what to do, then. Is the title for a head of government or state? If the former, try Prothypourgos, from the Greek term for prime minister.))

((Prothypourge sounds like it could work, even if it is just a calque of the English "Prime Minister". Eisarch [eis being the antonym to ex] could maybe work too? Or Demarch, referring to the people and not a deme? Kephale could be appropriated. Consul or Hypate [derived from Hypatos], if we want to keep it Greek, is appropriate too. Thinking about it, my suggestion of eparch wouldn't make much sense, as etymologically it is similar to exarch. Huparch [hupó being the closest antonym I could find to epí] would make more sense. And with all these "archs", archon would be silly as a title.

So, either prothypourge/prothipourge, eisarch/huparch, demarch, kephale, or consul/hypate [though the last one would be most appropriate if the position elected two people].))

 

[zenphoenix]

((Prothypourge sounds like it could work, even if it is just a calque of the English "Prime Minister". Eisarch [eis being the antonym to ex] could maybe work too? Or Demarch, referring to the people and not a deme? Kephale could be appropriated. Consul or Hypate [derived from Hypatos], if we want to keep it Greek, is appropriate too. Thinking about it, my suggestion of eparch wouldn't make much sense, as etymologically it is similar to exarch. Huparch [hupó being the closest antonym I could find to epí] would make more sense. And with all these "archs", archon would be silly as a title.

So, either prothypourge/prothipourge, eisarch/huparch, demarch, kephale, or consul/hypate [though the last one would be most appropriate if the position elected two people].))

((Elsarch/huparch sound weird. Demarch would be too democratic to be tolerated by Constantinople. Not sure about hypate or kephale. Consul is too generic. I would go with prothypourge/prothipourge as they are the terms being used by the Greek government in real life.))

 

[Arakhor]

((Mesazon might work as the prime minister to the exarchs. It has the dual advantage of being a historical title and a much snappier term than the alternatives.))

 

[Damian0358]

((Mesazon might work as the prime minister to the exarchs. It has the dual advantage of being a historical title and a much snappier term than the alternatives.))

((Oh wow, I completely missed this one in my research! Yeah, mesazon could absolutely work!))

 

[zenphoenix]

((So, is anybody planning on showing up at my senator party? It would be a bit awkward if only the Emperor showed up.))

 

[Idhrendur]

(( Oh, don't worry, the Emperor won't be there making things awkward. It'll just be Michael Doukas there making things awkward. ))

 

[Michaelangelo]

Senator Donatello Favero shows up at his fellow senator's party in Athens mildly intoxicated and quickly annoys most of the guests with his rants about Italy. Within ten minutes of arriving, everyone is made fully aware that the Italian rebel state is the source of all evil and the Pope is the Antichrist.

 

[Damian0358]

After telling the folks at the Constantinopolitan Thaddai estate about Senator Theodora's invitation, the Cecil Sisters, Heraklides and Alexidas encouraged Lazaratos to go to the social gathering, even if he wasn't a senator himself. He hesitated at first, but after a hardy push from Lavigne, he left for the estate in Athens.

He felt awkward the entire time there.

 

[Arakhor]

Alexios Angelos also turns up at the party, but spends most of his time ensuring that Donatello does not get into any duels or suchlike. He presumably considers it a duty to the longstanding friendship between their houses.