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Crimson Lionheart

The House Always Wins.
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Jun 21, 2015
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The Third Odyssey - An Elysian Tale
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Hello everybody! I've always wanted to write an AAR of my own, I have been an avid reader for roughly three to four years now and never had the experience to write one until just now! The mod in question that will be focused upon is my personal favorite, Third Odyssey.

In this tale I will be playing from 1444 as the Byzantine Empire on it's very last legs, hanging onto life by a thread, before a grand exodus to the New World completely changes the fortunes of the Empire forever. I'll be seeking to become a great power within this game.

As I'm not a highly experienced player, I will likely intervene and cheat through the console in the course of this game to make my experience much more difficult or to fix any consistencies for "realism" purposes. The story takes priority over the gameplay as, after-all, who doesn't love a good story? I will be setting my own rules as listed below.

  • I will try my best to roleplay as each monarch, making choices in-character that can potentially have positive or negative consequences
  • I will not savescum. Due to the sheer strength of a late game Elysia, I will be happy if I can lose a war naturally.
  • I will sometimes alter the map and my rivals via console to give Elysia more of a challenge
  • Third Odyssey: Back to the Homeland (Of course!)
  • Third Odyssey: All Missions unlocked (Largely for RP reasons)
  • Stellaris UI Font
  • Cleaner Peace Terms Mod
  • [1.25] Expanded Estuaries & Trade Centers
  • RA: Regional Bonuses
  • New Province Modifiers 0.9 (Natural and World Wonders)
  • ColoredUI: Purple
  • TBARW EXTRA: White Font


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Prologue: The City of the Worlds Desire (330 AD - 1444)

Chapter 1: The Third Odyssey (1444)

Chapter 2: Foundation Day (1444-1445)

Chapter 3: Homeland is where the heart is (1445 - 1451)

Chapter 4: The Good Emperor (1451-1460)

Chapter 5: Savages, Savages! (1460 - 1470)

Chapter 6: In this sign... (1470-1476)

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Chapter 7: ...You will conquer (1476-1482)

Chapter 8: Almost Heaven (1482-1490)

Chapter 9: Miracles (1490-1495)

Chapter 10: A New Direction (1495-1500)

Chapter 11: Imperium (1500-1507)

Chapter 12: The King in the North (1507-1514)

Chapter 13: Memories (1514-1518)

Chapter 14: The Ocean Blue (1518 - 1521)

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Chapter 15: Stepping Stones (1521-1526)

Chapter 16: The Ecclesiastical Conspiracy (1526-1531)

Chapter 17: A New Alexander (1531-1536)

Chapter 18: The Scythian Plains (1536-1538)

Chapter 19: Sea to Shining Sea (1538-1545)

Chapter 20: The Calm before the Storm (1545-1550)

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Chapter 21: The Storm (1550-1552)

Chapter 22: Vae Victis (1552-1555)

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Chapter 23: Manifest Destiny (1555-1560)

Chapter 24: The Balkan Shield (1560-1565)

Chapter 25: Hesperidian Dreaming (1565-1570)

Chapter 26: The First Iberian War (1570-1574)

Chapter 27: The Mad King (1574-1577)

Chapter 28: Reconquest (1577-1583)

Chapter 29: The Pillars Of Hercules (1583-1592)

Chapter 30: Dead Man’s Valley (1592-1595)

Chapter 31: The Blood Eagle (1595-1600)

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Chapter 32: The Elysian Lake (1600-1604)

Chapter 33: The Fall of Portugal (1604-1606)

Chapter 34: The Europa League (1606-1610)

Chapter 35: The Demon of the East (1610-1615)

Chapter 36: The Kingdom of God (1615-1618)

Chapter 37: The Capture of Pontus (1618-1621)

Chapter 38: The Emerald Isle (1621-1625)

Chapter 39: The Tenth Crusade (1625-1630)

Chapter 40: Ragnarök (1630-1632)

Chapter 41: Rumble in the Jungle (1632-1636)

Chapter 42: Tears of the Nile (1636-1640)

Chapter 43: The Promised Land (1640-1645)

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Chapter 44: The Lions Den (1645-1650)

Chapter 45: Pearl of the Orient (1650-1656)

Chapter 46: The Tip of the Spear (1656-1660)

Chapter 47: The Rising Sun (1660-1664)

Chapter 48: Mauretania Ascendant (1664-1666)

Chapter 49: The Two Rivers (1666-1670)

Chapter 50: Walking in Memphis (1670-1674)

Chapter 51: The Eternal City (1674-1676)

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Chapter 52: The Cross and the Sun (1676-1682)

Chapter 53: The African Oasis (1682-1686)

Chapter 54: War of the Three Eagles (1686-1690)

Chapter 55: Crossing the Rubicon (1690-1693)

Chapter 56: The Crimson Bull (1693-1695)

Chapter 57: The Siege of Vienna (1695-1697)

Chapter 58: The Southern Storm (1697-1700)

Chapter 59: Oathbreaker (1700-1704)

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Chapter 60: Passing the torch (1704 -1710)

Chapter 61: The Blue Danube (1710-1714)

Chapter 62: The Second Europa War (1714 - 1718)

Chapter 63: Mors Tua, Vita Mea (1718-1721)

Chapter 64: A moment of relief (1721-1725)

Chapter 65: Deal with the Devil (1725-1728)

Chapter 66: Germania Inferior (1728-1732)

Chapter 67: Blitzkrieg (1732-1736)

Chapter 68: Rule Elysia (1736-1739)

Chapter 69: Parthicum Victum (1739-1742)

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Chapter 70: The Burning Sands (1742-1745)

Chapter 71:The Conquered Isles (1745-1749)

Chapter 72: Empire or Nothing (1749-1755)

Chapter 73: Ending The Dream (1755-1760)

Chapter 74: Imperium Sine Fine (1760-1766)

Chapter 75: A Whole New World (1766-1775)

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Chapter 76: Seize the Day (1775-1776)

Chapter 77: The Dark Coast (1776-1785)

Chapter 78: The Elysian Revolution (1785-1789)

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Chapter 79: Epilogue/Republican Ending (1789-1821)

Chapter 79: Epilogue/Imperial Ending (1789-1821)

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[URL='https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/the-third-odyssey-an-elysian-tale.1110956/page-2#post-24519232']Chapter 6.5: In Memoriam/Constantine I[/URL]
[URL='https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/the-third-odyssey-an-elysian-tale.1110956/page-4#post-24532074']Chapter 9.5: In Memoriam/John I[/URL]
[URL='https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/the-third-odyssey-an-elysian-tale.1110956/page-6#post-24559990']Chapter 14.5: In Memoriam/Manuel I[/URL]
[URL='https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/the-third-odyssey-an-elysian-tale.1110956/page-6#post-24567551']Chapter 16.5: In Memoriam/Theodosios I[/URL]
[URL='https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/the-third-odyssey-an-elysian-tale.1110956/page-9#post-24605973']Chapter 23.5: In Memoriam/Alexandros I[/URL]
[URL='https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/the-third-odyssey-an-elysian-tale.1110956/page-9#post-24618004']Chapter 25.5: In Memoriam/Tiverios I[/URL]
[URL='https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/the-third-odyssey-an-elysian-tale.1110956/page-11#post-24655181']Chapter 31.5: In Memoriam/Alexios I[/URL]
[URL='https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/the-third-odyssey-an-elysian-tale.1110956/page-14#post-24698545']Chapter 39.5: In Memoriam/Basil I[/URL]
[URL='https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/the-third-odyssey-an-elysian-tale.1110956/page-15#post-24713969']Chapter 41.5: In Memoriam/Andronikos I[/URL]
[URL='https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/the-third-odyssey-an-elysian-tale.1110956/page-17#post-24753557']Chapter 45.5: In Memoriam/Romanos I[/URL]
[URL='https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/the-third-odyssey-an-elysian-tale.1110956/page-19#post-24826363']Chapter 52.5: In Memoriam/Anastasia I[/URL]
[URL='https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/the-third-odyssey-an-elysian-tale.1110956/page-22#post-24909897']Chapter 60.5: In Memoriam/Nikephoros I[/URL]
[URL='https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/the-third-odyssey-an-elysian-tale.1110956/page-24#post-25017282']Chapter 68.5: In Memoriam/Michael I[/URL]
[URL='https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/the-third-odyssey-an-elysian-tale.1110956/page-26#post-25063011']Chapter 74.5: In Memoriam/Issakios I[/URL]
[URL='https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/the-third-odyssey-an-elysian-tale.1110956/page-26#post-25077104']Chapter 75.5: In Memoriam/Zimon I[/URL]
[URL='https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/the-third-odyssey-an-elysian-tale.1110956/page-27#post-25095872']Chapter 78.5: In Memoriam/Maria I[/URL]
[URL='https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/the-third-odyssey-an-elysian-tale.1110956/page-4#post-24537743']State of the Empire: 1500[/URL]
[URL='https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/the-third-odyssey-an-elysian-tale.1110956/page-11#post-24657841']State of the Empire: 1600[/URL]
[URL='https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/the-third-odyssey-an-elysian-tale.1110956/page-21#post-24882596']State of the Empire: 1700[/URL]
 
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Looks good. Will you post the prologue here as well?
 
Prologue: The City of the Worlds Desire (330 AD - 1444)
Prologue: The City of the Worlds Desire (330 AD - 1444)

Constantinople, the Queen of Cities, once had the reputation of greatness. It was founded as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great, after whom it was named, in 330AD. The city was built intentionally to rival Rome in its greatness, and it was claimed that several elevations within its walls matched the 'seven hills' of Rome. Sitting in the center as a gateway between two continents and two seas, the city would preserve the light of Rome in the East as the West fell into darkness. Barely seventy years after the death of Constantine, Rome would be sacked for the first time in eight hundred years.

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The Western Empire would fall and be carved up and split between various barbarian rulers and the light of Rome would be snuffed out. For centuries, the Empire had remained strong in the East and had even made attempts to reconquer the West on several occasions. But the Empire’s success was not made to last. In the seventh century, the Empire and all of Christendom would see it’s greatest enemy arrive from the deserts of Arabia. Led by newfound 'prophet' named Muhammad, his followers rapidly stormed the decaying Sassanids in Persia and most of Asia and Africa. Constantinople herself was threatened several times by the Avars, Bulgars and the newfound Arabs. But yet, the great walls and soldiers ensured the city’s survival in this dark time. From then on, the Empire would struggle immensely to regain control of the East, and suffering worse success in retaking areas such as Anatolia and Armenia.


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Alexios I Komnenos (1048 - 1118): Alexios was able to curb the Byzantine decline and begin the military, financial, and territorial recovery known as the Komnenian restoration.

Despite this, Constantinople continued to flourish. It had become the metropolis of East and West, and became one of the largest cities in the world. With several periods of recovery, the Emperor slowly started to recover once again. With the restoration of lands and a strong central government, the empire became fabulously wealthy.The enormous prosperity also made Constantinople a valuable target for all of her enemies, and the Empire’s prosperity was completely shattered with the overwhelmingly crushing defeat in at Battle of Manzikert by the Turks. Anatolia had been lost to the Turks, who quickly made the region their homeland, and took the heart of the Empire away from them. Many years of back and forth conflict between the Turks and Greeks occured between the almost mockingly named Sultanate of Rum.


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A much later depiction of the Sack of Constantinople

Once again, the Empire started to make a remarkable recovery until Latin Crusaders sacked the Imperial Capital in 1204, leaving the Empire much poorer, smaller, and ultimately less able to defend itself against the Turkish conquests that followed. The Latins took the city and would hold it for decades after shattering the former Eastern Empire into several rump states and declaring their own Latin Empire. The Latins were never able to maintain their new state, as sixty years later In 1261, Constantinople was retaken the forces of the Nicaean emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos from it’s last Latin ruler, Baldwin II. The Empire would soon be restored shortly after it was captured.

The Empire had lost many of its key economic resources and struggled to survive against all odds.From the very start, new dynasty had its hands full the moment they became rulers. The Turks of Anatolia had been raiding and attacking Imperial territory with Islamic zeal, often hitting the Empire and the Greeks hard while doing so. Despite this, the Palaiologos was forced to fight among other opportunist Christian states such as Bulgaria, Serbia and even the Knights Hospitaller. The loss of land in the east to the Turks and in the west to the Bulgarians was then followed by two devastating civil wars over control of the Imperial throne, and then pandemic and chaos during the great pestilence of the Black Death. The Empire constantly stood on the brink of destruction,and by the end of the 14th century, the internal and external strife had led the Empire to only consist of Constantinople and a few other isolated exclaves.

And yet, the city endured. While nowhere near the splendor that it once was, Constantinople survived the early 15th century hanging on by a thread. Any gains and diplomatic successes that the Emperors had tried at that point had ended in vain. Manuel II, who succeeded in retaking some territory and held it to the end of his reign, had helped preserve the Empire for several more decades. Manuel’s son, John VIII was still hopeful that he was able to return the dying fortunes of the Empire in his reign, but his efforts were in vain.

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Sketches of John VIII during his visit at the failed Council of Florence in 1438, by Pisanello.

After the Council, John VIII’s behavior started to change after returning home to Constantinople in 1439. The Emperor, who had so strongly done his best to preserve the Empire, started to isolate himself with the Imperial Library. The Emperor surrounded himself with ancient books, and had even closed the library to himself for days or even weeks at a time. One night, on the 10th of November 1444, the Emperor had went to his quarters and went to sleep for the night after a stressful day, feeling dreadful upon hearing the disastrous news of a Turkish victory at Varna.

When he woke up, the dream he had would change the world.
 
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This is a great mod - will be interesting to see another AAR in it.
 
Great to see you starting the AAR, I hadn't expected my encouragement to write one too to be so effective ;). As said, hopefully the rest of the AAR will be as good as the prologue, subbed!
 
Bring the purple to the new world! Welcome to the world of AAR-ing, may your first endeavor be a memorable and successful one - and may the community of fellow AAR readers and writers bring you that extra encouragement that all authAARs need!

Cheers!
 
Chapter 1: The Third Odyssey
Bring the purple to the new world! Welcome to the world of AAR-ing, may your first endeavor be a memorable and successful one - and may the community of fellow AAR readers and writers bring you that extra encouragement that all authAARs need!

Cheers!

An AAR about one of the best, if not the best mod for EU 4? I'm in!
This is a great mod - will be interesting to see another AAR in it.
Great to see you starting the AAR, I hadn't expected my encouragement to write one too to be so effective ;). As said, hopefully the rest of the AAR will be as good as the prologue, subbed!

Thank you for all the kind words! :D


Chapter 1: The Third Odyssey


11th November, 1444

Emperor John VIII looked over the balcony of the Imperial Palace at the breaking dawn, the rising sun coming over the the horizon near the Golden Horn. His usually vibrant complexion appeared different upon waking up from his dream. The bearded man had woken up in cold sweat, breathing sharply as he struggled to regain composure. He silently watched the sunrise over the city of Constantinople, which in its current state, was not the city that he could proudly present to the Emperors before him. It was falling into more of a degenerate state as the Empire could no longer afford to maintain some of the most basic of buildings.

It was that dream again.

John could remember spending entire days within the Imperial Library with his brother Constantine, seeking guidance from the wisdom of history to help mend the broken state of Constantinople. Delving into the depths of the Imperial Library for anything that might save the Empire and even perhaps the two men from destruction. John remembered the classical poems of the Iliad and the Odyssey, imagining himself as the hero Odysseus and his homecoming from the eventful years from the Trojan War. His dream had almost been recurring ever since he arrived back to Constantinople from Florence several years ago, but the imagery had never been this strong before until last night. Now it was clear as day.


He closed his eyes and remembered every single detail of the dream. First he seen a vast land, full with potential and opportunities. Bountiful rivers and wildlife, rich waters, vast and seemingly endless plains of grass. Then, in a flash of light, everything seemed to occur within the blink of an eye. He understood that what was happening was the acceleration of time, watching decades and centuries pass as the inhabitants of this land experienced prosperity beyond their wildest dreams. Small towns began to turn into cities, communities grew, and he seen an entire culture develop before his eyes. But what happened next absolutely fascinated him. He seen this new people, proud and strong, sail in a mighty fleet to Europe and bring salvation to an entire continent in war. The enemies of this new people were vanquished, and, in due time, the warm light of this new nation radiated across the world. The vibrant gardens could have been compared to the Garden of Eden. And just like that, the dream had faded, the light had drifted out peacefully into darkness and woke John up.


He watched silently as the city of Constantinople began to return to life, distantly seeing some of its inhabitants starting to get to work so early in the morning. John took another look at the sun and turned around. That was it for the day. His spirits had been boosted when he thought about the dream, and started to think about what it could have meant. A dream so vivid and graphic could have been much more than simply a dream. Was this a vision from God himself? Was this something that Heaven had smiled upon him? Could this have been his destiny? He wasted no time trying to find his brother Constantine, who had been staying on the other side of the Imperial Palace.

440px-Palaio.jpg

John VIII Palaiologos, Roman Emperor and seen as one of the national founders of Elysia alongside his brother.

When he arrived, he had seen his brother talking to a couple of advisors in the throneroom. Constantine had noticed his brother walk into the room as if he had seen his brother enter like a man possessed. Constantine looked puzzled at his brother. He had seen him behaving in this way before, but never like this. Constantine stopped speaking to his advisors and headed towards his brother, who almost seemed to be waiting for him from a short distance away.

Constantine gave a heartfelt chuckle at seeing his brother. Perhaps a speech about why his brother was out of bed was not needed today. He could feel something different about him. Inspiration seemed to flicker in his eyes, although he didn’t quite understand what was on his mind. “You seemed to have woken up in quite a good mood.” Constantine told him. “I haven’t seen you this determined and energetic in a long time.”


John nodded in approval. Around the courtroom, the advisors seemed to have noticed the quieter conversation between the royal brothers and had decided to move away from them to respect their privacy. “I seemed to have quite the dream last night. ‘That’ dream again.” He told him, taking a moment to let his brother register what he was talking about. “The one that Ive been telling you about.”

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Constantine XI Palaiologos, Despot of the Morea and brother to John VIII

Constantine’s mind flashed back to the last time they had been been together in the Imperial Library. The two of them had found that hidden cache of information left behind by the exalted former emperor: Alexios Komnenos. The detailed schematics of dromons and galleys for a trading expedition that never happened completely fascinated John. Constantine used to hear the sometimes constant stories of John talking about such a discovery until the flame in his heart seemed to die out. Now, just by looking into his eyes. It was well and truly aflame again. Constantine felt glad that, in some way, he was glad to see his brother back.

Yet, Constantine seemed to be the most nervous between the two of them. The day before, he had heard reports of the Varna Crusaders having been butchered by the Turks. Vassals of the crown had reacted merely in horror at the news and began to panic at whenever the Turks, flushed in their victory, would come directly after them next. The more that John spoke, the more that his brother made sense in some of his ramblings about visions.

Constantine reminded John, sighing softly. “I must admit that nothing we have tried has succeeded. Having dreams in such a dire time like this is not going to do us any good in the long run.”

John paused for a second as the two of them started to walk across the the palace floors, heading towards the winding corridors. . “My dream last night did not feel like a dream. It was….more complex. Yes, what we have both tried to accomplish for the betterment of the Empire has failed in the long term. But...I believe we must consider this”

Constantine seemed more than a little puzzled at the thoughts of his

John placed a hand on the shoulder of his brother. “I seen something much greater than Rome. I seen something absolutely beautiful. My dream...or visions, might have been divine. I feel as this might be the best opportunity for our people, and I sense deep down that ever since we found those documents, you believe this as well. Just like Aeneas fled Troy three thousand years ago, I believe that it is the destiny of our people to flee West in a brand new Odyssey. “

Constantine remained deathly quiet. A new odyssey, sailing west and abandoning Constantinople to the enemies of Christendom? Had this been any other man, Constantine would have thought that this was nonsense. But his was his brother, who with a newfound inspiration and burning desire in his eyes, had a special aura around his already vibrant charisma. John was a man who looked like, maybe, he can actually accomplish this seemingly impossible feat.

….could it actually be done?

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Several months later.

A council of nobles currently residing within Constantinople was summoned and the two brothers had come together to organize their grand idea together, while messengers were sent to towards the Peloponnese lords in the south about the events that were to transpire. John had sharply told them that, despite his best efforts during his reign as Emperor, he believed that the Empire simply didn’t have the capacity to survive within the next decade. Instead, the Emperor used his charm to sell the idea of starting anew, just like the legend of Aeneas. Intentionally, as a means of not worrying about the nobility or those doubtful of his reign, were found under the sway of John’s silver tongue. Those in Constantinople at the time loved the idea, fascinated about the prospect of increasing their own reputation when they arrive at their new home. The clergy had raised more than an eyebrow at the plan, but the self-made merchants living within the city were thrilled about the prospect of making new wealth.
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One of the first things that came towards the Empire was the option of taking the recently discovered long-lost formula for Greek Fire. Although found within a separate cache from the one on how to construct ocean-worthy vessels or to improve on existing ships within the Imperial Navy, the weapon was once especially fearsome across Europe and around the Mediterranean. Greek Fire had saved the Empire in ages long past on several cross Europe for its devastating destructive abilities. After thinking about the other possibilities, such as being unable to bring more supplies and people with him, Greek Fire had saved the Empire in ages long past on several occasions and the importance of bringing Greek Fire and the previously lost formula along with them. John thought about the consequences if he didn’t bring it with him. What if the Turks or other Mohammedans were able to acquire Greek Fire!? Europe would be helpless!


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The Imperial Library was next. Thousands upon thousands of books containing ancient knowledge was ordered to have been taken from the vast Library of Constantinople. John realized that leaving such information if the city were to be conquered could potentially be disastrous. After all, it was in the Imperial library where the two royal brothers rediscovered the ancient knowledge that has made this expedition after all. Constantine personally overseen the removal of books within the library, having various librarians and clergy from the Orthodox Church delicately stack the books in several vessels at the harbor. While it did mean less people could join in the expedition, priceless knowledge would be saved. The Imperial Library would be stripped completely bare, and any books and information deemed unnecessary was burnt in a great pyre.

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Silk, a treasured gift from faraway lands and the means to produce it, has helped the Roman economy grow tremendously ever since it arrived in Constantinople. The Empire once had a monopoly on it ever since it was preserved, being protected by the Empire. Without hesitation, John would take the secrets of silk production on this journey, as if nothing else, the secret of the finest silk in all of Europe would die with them.

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Emperor John, knowing his position and wanting to give the best possible position for the Empire while he still can. An organized proposal had been organized for the Doge of Genoa, and both would allow the Genoese free passage to and from their Black Sea colonies for as long as John himself was in power. In return, John highly desired some of the sturdy Genonese ships to help allow more of his own people to accompany the grand expedition. As soon as the Doge of Genoa had found out about this proposal, seeing the enormous financial gain from a friendly Christian monarch giving him free access, accepted the proposal with hesitation. A handful of ships would be sold and quickly retrofitted with the new designs for ocean travel, and the Genoese were free to come and go as they pleased.

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The Venetians however, desired a much higher form of payment. Having been bitter enemies since the treachery of the Fourth Crusade, Venice is well known for wanting to expand their holdings in the Peleponnese. John realized that in order to make the Venetians happy, he needed to drive a better offer then he did for the Genonese. After some thinking, John would meet with a Venetian ambassador about his terms for the Venetians. For a set period of twenty years, the Venetians would gain the entire of the peninsula under vassalship of a Greek noble, and in return, the Venetians would hand over a portion of their navy to the Empire. While nobles in the area were upset and felt anger towards the Emperor, especially the lord of Venice, the resulting deal was well worth it. The Venetians accepted and, two weeks later, a sizeable number of ships were given to the Empire for more supplies and willing people to accompany on the journey.

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The Venetian deal did not come without controversy and the Athenian nobles, worried about now being surrounded on all sides by the Venetians, demanded compensation in the form of land or gold. A large payment was given to the Athenians from the Imperial treasury after an apologetic response from the Emperor. Further complaints from the Athenians were quickly silenced following the dispute.

By Early-January, the great fleet was completely organized. A fleet of ships completely surrounded the Golden Horn and most of the nearby area of Constantinople, and thousands of inhabitants were prepared to make the journey. A collective group of people from all walks of life were pooling together in the ships. Artisans, merchants, blacksmiths, soldiers, sailors, all being united together under the Emperor. Nobles were talking with commoners, Greeks were talking with Latins, soldiers were assisting the elderly and the young as they made their way into the boat. Emperor John looked over in pride to his brother as he seen a group of people as far as the eye can see. Constantine had counted that, according to some of the soldiers overseeing the supplying process, almost eighteen thousand souls were on board of the great fleet and supplied. Once everything was prepared, the sails were drawn and the great fleet prepared to sail into the horizon. Constantinople, now being more deserted then what it was before, vanished from the horizon. The atmosphere was rather somber as everyone on the ship realized that nobody would ever see their home again.

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The Fleet sailed across the Mediterranean, gaining a lot of attention from both Europe and the Arab world alike as they made its way towards the narrow point near Gibraltar. Such attention was being focused on the fleet that the rulers of Gibraltar had joined up with the Moroccans to demand toll from the Great Fleet. John frowned in annoyance, realizing how petty the Muslims of the region were acting towards a largely civilian ship. After a tense stand-off, it would be John that would show the intense power of Greek Fire. The entire Granadian and Moroccan Fleet, being completely taken by surprise by the seemingly harmless and innocent fleet, was completely wiped out to the last ship and sailor in a completely humiliating display, with zero casualties on the fleets side. Just an hour later, the Great Fleet sailed through the completely broken enemy ships like they were nothing, as commoner and noble alike cheered in victory, praising God and the Emperor. It seemed that any doubts that had been lingering on the minds of the homesick and the skeptical were now gone. Morale across the fleet skyrocketed.


News of the Granadian “disaster” quickly reaches the court of Lisbon, and two lonesome Portuguese ships sail to approach the Great Fleet out of curiosity. The Portuguese, under the impression that the fleet is heading south to explore Africa, offered to give the Fleet more supplies on the condition that the Empire tells the about their discoveries. As news of this spread across the fleet, one of the advisors brilliantly informed the Emperor about using this opportunity to trick the nation’s of Europe into thinking the fleet had encountered tremendous storms and seas filled with monsters. That way, it would discourage Europe for long enough to not follow the fleet. John immediately took the advisors advice and promoted him by allowing him to stay on the same ship as the royal family and other fellow nobles.

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With the final encounter from the mainland, the fleet had left Europe by late January 1445. Once the ships had sailed past the Azores, it was the last official sighting of the Byzantines within European documentation. Mere days after the Empire had left Constantinople, the Ottoman Turks invaded an almost empty Constantinople being guarded by a skeleton crew and population. The Turks had claimed their jewel in the city of Constantinople, but with the city almost half empty, they wondered why it was so easy.

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A depiction of Mehmed II Fatih (The Conqueror), Padishah of the Ottoman Empire and Conqueror of Constantinople, in his adult years. Unbelievably talented and gifted since birth, Mehmed conquered the City of the World's Desire only at the age of 13.
The Third Odyssey was on its way.
 
Into an uncertain future, they sail.
 
Like Odysseus (Ulysses) and Aeneas, the Byzantians are searching the horizons for new land in a great Third Odyssey!
 
Chapter 2: Foundation Day
Nice! I love that mod.

I have only one question at this point: are you going Hellenic or Orthodox?
Orthodox. Mainly because I deem Orthodoxy to be much more realistic, plus it would make confrontations with Europe a lot more interesting from a geopolitical point of view. :)

Chapter 2: Foundation Day

The Great Fleet had sailed across the ocean for several weeks, finding nothing but tranquil waters and with fortunate winds being able to guide the exiled Byzantines directly west from Europe. After two weeks on sea, the atmosphere was surprisingly lively among the populace on the ships. Despite finding themselves confined and stranded on the ocean and usually trapped on their vessels, commoners among the ship usually did whatever they could to assist the sailors on the ships as well as they could. The nobility, following closely behind the flagship of the Imperial family, entered talks among themselves about what they could expect to find if they ever find themselves making landfall. Some of them imagined that if they continued to sail on this path, they might end up encountering Asia. With some days being more boring then the others, the calm waters had on the journey so far was a resounding success.

Emperor John VII believed that things were going well. Almost...too well

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That following sunset, the weather conditions changed dramatically as large black clouds appeared in the horizon for as far as the eye could see. The winds have picked up from what was a calm breeze that morning into powerful winds that blew and shook the fleet. Animals that were taken into the fleet began to panic, almost barely able to be restrained as the booming sound of thunder filled the skies. A great storm was approaching and the Emperor knew what was coming.

“Secure the Fleet” the Emperor told his captains, immediately rushing to raise flags to alert the rest of the fleet. The Emperor realized that this wasn’t going to be a mere storm, they were sailing fight through the eye of it.

During the storm, lightning had struck the sails of one of the ships and set it ablaze, quickly sending the ship on fire as dozens of sailors attempted to flee onto a nearby ship. Some were killed as the ship went down into the waves, but thankfully, it wasn’t a ship containing many people and was merely holding a large amount of gold. But now, it seemed that then wealth and the ship would now vanish forever beneath the ocean.

Commoners and the nobility both worked together to secure their safety on the ships, while the clergy did their best to work along themselves and secure and protect holy icons and relics. With the merchants helping sailors in guiding their ships through the storm, one lone figure stood on the deck of the ship. The Emperor himself.

Constantine watched from safety, holding onto the frame of a door and begging his brother to come inside. Yet John refused to move, standing steadfast on the board of the ship. Torrential rain soaked John, blistering winds ravaged his clothing and skin. And yet despite the horrendous conditions, the Emperor stood still, screaming as loudly as his voice could let him towards the heavens, reciting scripture that he knew from memory and asking God to give his people safety. Even with the violent waves threatening to wash over the Emperor and send him overboard, Constantine watched in complete disbelief and amazement at his brother’s bravery.

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One harrowing night passed and the storm seemed to have ended that morning. Constantine woke up and felt restless, concerned about his brother’s well being. The moment he woke up, he rushed outside to see his brother, still standing despite all odds, barely alive. Immediately sending for physicians, John VIII had become stricken with severe phthisis from guiding his fleet to safety and his undoubtedly heroic actions last night. John’s voice had all but vanished as, despite the best work of the disease, there was nothing that he could. John and a number of crew were now suffering the disease, and not long later, the Emperor was laying on his deathbed. It was an unfortunate tragedy, and news spread about the dying Emperor like wildfire across the fleet. Some of the more pious believed that this was divine punishment from God for abandoning Constantinople during its darkest hour.

John smiled warmly at his family and many loyal nobles. With his remaining strength, he told everyone in the room that he is proud in all of them, and thanks to believing in him, the legacy of Rome would live on forever. Moments later, Emperor John VIII Palaiologos passed away at the age of 52 on February 21st 1445. He would be the only Elysian Emperor to not receive a proper burial, as after funeral rites were conducted, his body was placed on a small raft, set alight, and sent out to sea. His body wasn’t kept with the fleet due to potential risk of infection spreading along the fleet. John VIII would be made a Saint in the decades to come. Constantine XI would then be crowned as Emperor of the Romans; becoming the very last Roman Emperor.

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Two days after the death, a charismatic man approached the new Emperor. His name was Lukas Rhangabe, a devout Orthodox captain within the army and a popular figure among one of the larger ships. A highly charismatic man, he is easily capable of inspiring his men to fight in the face of death and has fought many years against the Turks. Lukas, a sharp and charismatic mind, approached Constantine and offered to speak to him about a proposal. He had noticed the downward spiral the Empire has had in its history ever since converting to Christianity and argued of returning to the worship of the Old Gods, the Hellenic and Roman gods. After making a very strong argument about God listening but not caring about the plight of the Emperor’s people, he spoke about that the recent storm must have invoked the harsh temper of Poseidon. After the two spoken for hours, Constantine remained thanked Lukas for the interesting argument, but despite some strong points made by Lukas, he will firmly remain in the guidance of the Lord and deeply believed that things will get better for his people. Lukas smiled and understood, thanking the Emperor for the discussion before returning to his ship.
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Despite the hardships of this grand odyssey, Constantine and the Great Fleet has spotted land on the horizon. The electric atmosphere among the populace erupted into great cheers as they sailed into a great bay. Emperor Constantine and many fellow nobles were the first to make landfall into this new and strange world. Amazed at what he’d seen, Constantine believed that he had arrived on the Elysium from ancient myth. The fabled Varangians western land had been discovered, and on February 25th 1445, the official foundation of a new nation took place. Constantine officially declared that no longer were his people Romans. No longer were they separated by ethnic and religious lines. They were no longer Greeks, Latins or other singular ethnic groups. They were Elysians! February 25th would then become an official holiday for all Elysians, the ‘Foundation Day’ for a new nation.

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A depiction of Constantine I Palaiologos of Elysia, the Last Roman Emperor and the First Emperor of Elysia.
Later generations will refer to the Emperor as "The Savior"

Constantine XI of the Eastern Roman Empire would officially become Constantine I of Elysia. He smiled warmly and looked towards the sky, knowing that deep down, his brother was smiling on him and his people from heaven.

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Facing such hardships together, Noble and Commoner alike joined in prayer together with the Emperor and held a great service in thanks to God. The rich site of the landing would become the new capital for the nation, being named Neo Konstantinoupolis in memory of their old home.
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The price was a hefty one to pay however. Due to the great distance from their ancient homelands, this new people is no longer aware at all of what happens in their home. Now oblivious to the world world, the newfound energy of the Elysian people will now be completely focused on the new world ahead of them.
 
I am loving this story so far! I'll admit, I'm a tad disappointed that you didn't go Hellenic, but hey! It should be interesting to see how the Elysian people will retain their faith in God after literally giving their enemies one of Christianity's most prestigious cities.
 
And thus a new Empire is reborn, like a phoenix, from the ashes of the old.
 
Interesting to see when they will learn that they are not alone in this newfound land.
 
Chapter 3: Homeland is where the heart is (1445 - 1451)
Chapter 3: Homeland is where the heart is (1445 - 1451)

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After the Odyssey, the new Elysian people who came along with the journey had found themselves in a brand new home in a secure bay. Emperor Constantine, despite being a highly popular ruler, found it difficult to govern at first. The reason he was still in power currently, other than being a talented ruler who many new Elysians admired, was that he was ruling through strength of will alone. Constantine knew that the strength of his character is not enough to completely govern the new realm, and as such, asked for help wherever he could

Many of the priests and deacons who came on the Odyssey were happily using their positions in the community of the newly founded New Constantinople to keep the people united in such times of hardship. Within the same year, they had fled their homeland, sailed into the unknown and arrived in a strange new world. Priests held sermons and offering aid to those who needed it, and organized community events to raise spirits. The Emperor realized that, even if the Church took some of his authority from him, he was extremely grateful for the Church for their selfless actions. In the coming years, the Church would be rewarded for their kindness

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While mostly unknown to the new people, the area around the capital was largely unknown and foreign. This didn’t stop explorers from surveying the area with ease. Eager to explore the world around them, small members of the community left the capital to make their own home.
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On Foundation Day, the area that the new capital was founded on had proved to have extremely rich soil that was ideal for farming. Combined with water form a nearby river and the huge stockpile of supplies taken with the Great Fleet on the Odyssey, the capital started to be built at a very rapid pace. With nearby forests providing what had felt like an endless amount of wood to build houses and other buildings, New Constantinople would start to take shape. Emperor Constantine wondered that, despite small steps, if he can transform the capital into a city of marble just like Augustus did thousands of years ago.
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After a couple of days of unloading one of the last cargo ships, it became apparent that the fleet has taken much more damage than previously realised. The storm had torn some of the ships to ribbons, and some questioned how some of the ships were still floating. The nobility quickly entered into a debate about the usefulness of the fleet in general, as maintaining ships was an expensive issue. A consensus came to be agreed on by the nobility that the ships were too badly damaged and should be deconstructed to help build local infrastructure and fortifications. Emperor Constantine disagreed and argued to keep what was left of the fleet due to being potentially useful in the future. Some of the more influential figures within the nobility agreed and, after further debate, decided to keep the ships for their usefulness. The new nation might need them.

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Nearby the new capital, some explorers and settlers who emigrated from the capital would go on to form the beginnings of a new city.Intellectuals who had left the capital arrived in droves and desired to make this location into a new center of learning, a place to study about this new world in peace while also studying within their own respective fields. Being located next on a rich coastline,the settlement would be named Nea Alexandria after the ancient city in Egypt, once prized as a great educational and marine center of ancient antiquity.
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With the new world around them, the Elysians were shocked to discover several unknown plants and crops that were native to the new world. After the discovery of this new crop, several explorers would return to the capital and quickly spread information about the ways the natives in the region had cultivated these new crops in a technique called “The Three Sisters”. Almost immediately, Elysian farmers began to adapt the native’s planting technique as their own and sales for this new plant quickly increased, helping the local economy.

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Emperor Constantine, paranoid about an invasion from hostile natives, quickly expanded onto the military. Since landing in the new world, the army would be reformed accordingly. Several scouts had noted that the natives, as far as they knew, did not have any form of access to horses of any kind and believed that they were not native in this new world. Taking advantage of it, Emperor Constantine had organized the first Thema into 4,000 infantry, many of them being former professional soldiers, trained militia or latin mercenaries who had accompanied the Elysians on their odyssey. With the new inclusion of whatever horses the Empire had, the army stood at 5000 strong. Horses, for a while, would only be very difficult to replace and even more difficult to maintain, so it was used sparingly.

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During the Odyssey, Emperor Constantine had fallen in love with a noble woman who shared the same ship as he did, a woman named Zoe. Once the two of them had passed through the storm and arrived in the new world, both of them had quickly got married. Zoe, who was one of the lower nobility from Athens, quickly found herself as the First Empress of Elysia and in a position of great influence. One year after arriving in the new world, the Imperial couple would celebrate the birth of their first son, John, named after the late Emperor’s fallen brother who led his people to their new home in the first place.

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With the line of succession quickly secured, a native scouting party observed the settlers partaking in a celebration and were completely petrified at seeing displays of smoke, clothing and sincere songs. Loud laughter coming from the delighted Elysians in the ceremony has led the natives to believe the new arrivals of this homeland are demon worshippers, and that the different skin colour of the Europeans are demons themselves, which drastically reduced whatever relations the Elysians had with them at the time. The natives have been treating the Elysians differently ever since, with some even acting openly hostile to any Elysian they encounter.

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In time, several prominent men in the nation approached the Emperor and believed that the direction the army was taking was utterly foolish. Emperor Constantine, believing that current army research seemed too radical for what the Elysians were realistically able to muster, accepted their criticism and held back on maintaining army research for now.

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Nea Aleksandria grew rapidly within two years as more settlers flocked to the growing settlement, escaping the busy life from the capital and the noise that came with it for a more tranquil life. In early 1447, the settlement had grown with investment in businesses appearing in the region. Other then the capital itself, it was seen as a more docile place to settle down and was a great place to raise a family, and as a result, the population started to climb

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With a basic settlement now established, the Elysians were not truly home. While from a glance, the new settlement didn’t look as pretty as Rome or old Constantinople did, it was practical and got the job done with a population numbering at around 15,000. The Emperor personally overseen development projects, such as establishing a basic militia for defending the town, setting aside land for farming and clearing a local forest for wood. The overseers that run these projects requested more workers, but unfortunately, there wasn’t enough to satisfy all of them. The Emperor questioned about his priorities and ended up sending peasants to the farms. Constantine wondered about that, if an event such as a famine took place, the results it could have on the the capital would be catastrophic and could doom the new nation before it even began.

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Local natives, after discovering the mysterious and alien Elysians, quickly started to become fearful at their unfamiliar and seemingly demonic ways. One such tribe, the Piscataway, decided to offer the Elysians sacrifices to escape their wrath. Before the Elysians could refuse the gift, they run away in fear and flee deep into the forests. Confused, the Elysians take the gift from the native tribe anyway although relations noticeably drop with the tribe proper.

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After the establishment of the new city and the foundation of the capital, the Elysians started to expand into the area surrounding it as a buffer zone. Nea Aleksandria is further incorporated into the Empire and control of the area is solidified. Emperor Constantine is confident that one-day, the region may become apart of the cultural and economic center of the Empire and that all of Elysia will benefit from it, whatever that future could possible be.

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The Orthodox Church, after having established itself for quite some time, finally finds the time to appoint a new leader to assist the Basileus in the capital. The candidates are both between a old cleric with a solid history as member of the church, but who has gained enemies in his life, while the enemies of the old cleric supports a younger candidate with a lest ugly past. Although it would be easy to interfere with the election of who his new religious advisor would be, Constantine figures that it would be unwise to meddle in the affairs of the church.

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The ruling class who came with the Emperor on the fleet approached the Emperor shortly before his son’s first birthday and requested that, as sovereign, they provide them large estates befitting of their status that can be used for subsistence farming. Knowing that it would increase their own personal wealth, Emperor Constantine granted them the land for free due to their assistance in the Odyssey. The land nearby the capital was given to the nobility, and would help the capital become wealthier as a whole

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Relations with the natives had soured to the extent that, wherever the Empire knew it or not, they would have to fight against them. The Emperor knew that the natives were hindering expansion, and one such native tribe, the Powhatan, proved impossible to negotiate with. Constantine however, faithful in the abilities of the new Thema, believed that this could provide valuable experience for the organized army. It was decided that, to send a message to other hostile native tribes and to defeat a potential enemy, war was declared on March 10th 1447. The first war in the young history of the young Elysian people.


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As hostile natives began to raid peasants who work the wheat fields just outside of New Constantinople, Emperor Constantine issued a mixed approach to defending the city as he personally left to take command of the Thema. More guards were sent to patrol the surrounding farmland and housing outside the city walls, but with an emphasis of ensuring the safety of the city at all cost.

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The first battle against the natives proved to be a shocking success. The Elysian army, arriving at the Powhatan capital, sent a strong impression to the natives in the region. Well over half the Powhatan army, shocked at seeing the Elysians ride strange beasts into battle with them, as well as carry alien armour and weapons, panicked when the tide of the battle turned against them. By the time that the commander of the Powhatan ordered his men to retreat, well over half their military had been killed onto the battlefield. The Battle of Powhatan had seen the Elysians take small losses, but the destruction of half of the enemy army was no-easy feat. The Emperor was celebrated on that day as a hero, both as a leader and now as a commander.

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While advancing south while pursuing the remaining Powhatan army, a great ambush took place by another native tribe, the Tuscarora. Hiding within the forests and having much better knowledge of the surrounding area, the surprise attack took the Elysians hard. While infantry was targeted, knowledge of the Elysians horses was passed on from that Powhatan and were explicitly targeted. When Emperor Constantine was forced to lead a retreat, the damage at Moratok had taken its toll, and the Elysians cursed themselves at their overzealous behavior following their prior victory.

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One month later, the Elysians got their revenge in the form of Odessos, a new settlement near the capital named after the Odyseey that led the Elysians. Being well-prepared for an advance by the enemy for an attempted battle for the capital, the new settlement became the site of a bloody battle. This time, the Tuscarora had nowhere to hide and Elysian superiority began to arrive. The natives right flank had collapsed completely and the Emperor ordered his men to deliver a killing blow against their enemy. When the commander attempted to flee, his army was completely encircled from all sides and quickly withered down.

The entire Tuscarora army was completely annihilated with the exception of the commander, who was captured during the battle. As a means to send a message to the enemy that the Emperor was no longer playing around with his enemy, Saraqundett Tehaque was blinded and branded on the chest with a large orthodox cross. Saraqundett was released back to the Tuscarora, who were completely terrified at what they had seen, where the commander would eventually die from his wounds. Moratok had been avenged.

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The Winter of 1447 received a very surprising discovery. The remnants of the Varangian colonies that were previously thought abandoned centuries ago sailed down to meet with the Elysians, and it became clear that they were the inhabitants of the North. Originally fearsome raiders, they proved to be expert traders. While her husband was away currently, Empress Zoe helped lead diplomatic delegations with the Varangians.

With diplomats arriving in the northern Varangian colonies, they were surprised at what they found. Instead of barbaric dwellings, they found large wooden cities filled with a strange mix pale and native men. While the city felt underdeveloped, the development of such cities in almost complete isolation was nothing short of extraordinary. After some time, diplomats arrived in both of the colonies for a trade deal. One dealt with a stable supply of naval materials for naval operations in the northernmost colony of Helluland, while the other included exotic ivory, furs and oils. The colonies made it clear that this was a diplomatic play and that only one could be selected. Diplomats realized the economic potential that the southern colony offered, and in the end, accepted their offer.

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In Powhatan, Emperor Constantine had finally finalised his occupation of the capital after 86 days of siege. By the time that the military was free to operate again, well over half nine months had passed since the start of the war.

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In the time since landing in Elysium, local religious leaders have come together for the state to build a church dedicated to God. As the Empire is limited in resources, only basic materials such as wood and stone would have to be used for now. It is simply named the Church of St. Michael.

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In an effort to combat a reunited native army comprised of both remaining forces of the Tuscarora and Powhatan, Emperor Constantine formerly called the Elysian milita to be raised for the first time against a large native army. The Emperor sought to use the militia to not only protect the new nation, but his original desire to expand on the military’s abilities. Now gathering 10,000 soldiers, and knowing that he was not able to sustain a prolonged loss of manpower out of fears for depopulating the nation, he sought to end battles by ending them in the most crippling way possible. Two great victories at Pamlico and another battle of Moratok ensured that the enemy suffered as much as possible.

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With the growth of new colonies now slowing down, the city of Odessos had stabilized in late 1448, adding another rich city to the Empire. While conducting most of its activities across the nation, Odessos would become the second home to the Orthodox Church. The same year, a second church would be built in the city.

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The same year, the crown would see a sharp tax income boost from the nobility who used the privileges to grant a healthy profit to the state.

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In early 1449, the end of the Powhatan War occurred. While it was an Elysian victory, it was a hollow one, where many have died under service for the Empire. Nearly 7,000 had died, and it was those thousands that had to pay the heavy price of never coming home. The milita were disbanded, although the core of the original military had suffered. The manpower of the Empire would take a while to recover, and the Emperor realized that despite the gains he has made, he had secured the Empire’s place in the New World
 
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And it payed off. The Powhatan who had survived the war were largely absorbed into the Empire, fled into neighbouring tribes or were outright killed altogether. The Powhatan, as a collective tribe, would never threaten the Empire again. Within his first few years as Emperor, the Empire had expanded considerable under the rule of Constantine I.

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It would become clear that the Elysian Homelands were to be secured at all costs, and the former lands of the Powhatan received a surge of colonists that seen the area become dominated by the Elysians almost-overnight.

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1449 would become an important year for the nation, as five new ships had been discovered off the shores, and were then guided into the capital by the navy. Their King, Gjergj Skanderberg and his bodyguards were taken to the Imperial Court while his people were blocked by the city-guard. After conversation with the King, Skanderberg told Constantine how after their disappearance from Europe, the people that were known as Albanians were invaded and conquered by the abominable Turk. With the King seeking asylum, he spoke to Constantine about providing the Empire with the manpower it had just previously lost.

The Emperor and the Senate argued for three days about what to do with the Albanians, and it was settled that the Albanians were allowed to settle in the region under the condition that they are sent to the frontier far from the capital where they are unable to interfere with Imperial politics. Skanderberg, forever grateful, would arrive in the untamed wilderness of Roanoke.

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Just months later, the neighbouring province of Alouion is settled. Settlers are encouraged to move into the region, temporarily weakening the capital for a short period of time due to the influx of emigration.

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Finally, with experience provided to him from the harsh Powhatan War, Emperor Constantine finally began to reform the military with the backing of the currently small Elysian senate. Relating to manpower, the Elysians arrived in the new world with little manpower and a smaller treasury. With the military operating on the expensive Roman model, Emperor Constantine formally reformed the military on January 10th 1450 by expanding the local city militias. While natives living within Elysian borders could be used, the senate was largely against constripting natives who still seen the Elysians as ‘Demons’. A small sense of pride was instilled in the militias, and the Emperor sought to turn that pride into the strongest asset of the military.

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New Constantinople continued to expand and build at a rapid pace, and within the five years of landing in the region, the population of the capital began to skyrocket. The many families in the capitol, feeling safe in the New World, started to have more children than usual while construction was ever constant. In five years, the population for the city would increase by 34%, and projected to increase even more in the coming decades.

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In was in a sense that the nation was experiencing a rebirth of sorts. While still seen as Greeks from an outside perspective, the Elysians were experiencing the rebirth of old ideals from ages long past, and the nation began to truly prosper. This would have a big effect on the Elysians culturally, whom their admiration for the Greeks and Romans of antiquity would unknowingly have an effect on them in their history.

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As New Constantinople expanded, its lands began to encroach on the lands of hundreds of small native tribes nearby. Envoys from the local chiefs are concerned about the expansion of the nation, and asked the Elysians to leave the natives and limited their expansion for now.

Unfortunately for them, the Emperor didn’t care about people who seen his own people as Demons.
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1450 had seen a band of northmen sail down and offer their services as mercenaries to the Emperor. In return of regular pay and lodgings in New Constantinople, the powerful yet rather irrational Vikings would convert to Orthodoxy and fight alongside the army. The Emperor, happy to establish a proper bodyguard, accepted the deal and believed that they will be excellent warriors in Imperial service...if they can be tamed, of course.

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Emperor Constantine had also reformed the Merchant Class of the Empire, vastly strengthening the position that New Constantinople held in the fiscal matters of the realm. The Capital became the centre of all trade in the Empire, and was in the geographic position to dominate the rest of the realm. Merchants, happy to be given privileges in the Empire, were fortunate enough that Constantine promoted loyal self-made men who made their fortunes. New Constantinople, once again, thrived.

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In late 1451, the entirety of the ‘Elysian Bay’ was controlled by Elysia and all shipping through to the capital must go through the new city of Didymo Fylakes, also known as Seagate. Now in the position to demand toll from trade ships heading to the capital, the Elysians now completely controlled the flow of trade in the area.

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In six years, Emperor Constantine had expanded the new nation state from a small city into a prosperous empire that now has a flourishing homeland. The economy and population started to climb, and as the Empire celebrates its new homeland, the Emperor now has his sights on bigger and better things...