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So the Romans finally do something right and Aelle sad story continues. Good update
The Romans are going to take a while, but yes. They aren't completely incompetent. Ælle's story isn't completely sad... I have more to write.


Which reminds me that is time again for me to pander for votes at this quarter's ACAs. Bastions, as always, is up for votes and if you want to vote for me, please do so in the Narrative Group; otherwise please vote for your favorite authors and stories even if it isn't for me. The ACAs are a major part of AARland's community and they haven't been getting the love that they usually get recently. You have until May 1st to vote!
 
Looking back at the maps you posted. They're so colourful.....Excuse the childish marveling at the pwetty couwers, but I am a huge nerd when it comes to flags. The ones you made for the Timeline are just so appealing to me for some reason. Like the Zilna flag. But *cough* anyways. I just want to thank you for making such awesome graphics. As well as the fact you have to deal with screaming fanboys like me.
Also voted for you, so keep the great updates coming Capitalist.

*edit*
Also in regards to the maps you posted before. You seemed to have made the nation's of the world have a more....Natural border look. Was that on purpose? Or just you randomly putting provinces to a country when you got bored with them?
 
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Looking back at the maps you posted. They're so colourful.....Excuse the childish marveling at the pwetty couwers, but I am a huge nerd when it comes to flags. The ones you made for the Timeline are just so appealing to me for some reason. Like the Zilna flag. But *cough* anyways. I just want to thank you for making such awesome graphics. As well as the fact you have to deal with screaming fanboys like me.
Also voted for you, so keep the great updates coming Capitalist.

*edit*
Also in regards to the maps you posted before. You seemed to have made the nation's of the world have a more....Natural border look. Was that on purpose? Or just you randomly putting provinces to a country when you got bored with them?
Thank you very much, I can always trust on your vote.

I love flags, I really do. I have a decent collection at my house and I loved designing flags that were unique but still fit within the "acceptable" bounds of what a flag should look like. I am always working on the flags I've made. Some are just placeholders that I quickly threw together so that they'd be there. An example would be the ones in the steppe region which all looked exactly the same, but are now much better (in my opinion).

I try to keep the borders of the nations looking natural. So in the game it is highly likely that Serbia owned two provinces in Hungary and that Prussia owned a couple of provinces in the lowlands (which we did in the game, but never got mentioned in the story to keep the borders nice). I want the world to feel real, and countries should be mostly solid, not just a collection of provinces scattered about.
 
You inferred a while ago that you were close to finishing a modern time line map since you said you were making tweaks.

Any word on that?
 
Really? Well thank allah for that.
Yeah, one must remember that our lovely little Romans make it to the modern day (albeit in a rump-state).

You inferred a while ago that you were close to finishing a modern time line map since you said you were making tweaks.

Any word on that?
O, does someone want some teasers? I've had a functioning map of the modern day for some time. I just control how quickly I leak it. I am mostly tweaking flags.
 
Leaked

Okay, so the gain a little bit of attention while I work on some other things (namely Skyrim and CK2) instead of writing here is the world as of 2012. The map is rather large so it is presented in link form. Note I am not including the gallery of flags until I am 100% happy with them.

Map of the World; 2012

So I feel that the world has a good "natural" flavor to it, which is what I was/am aiming for. I actually have a massive photoshop image that has multiple layers so I can turn numbers/flags/languages/religions on and off at will as well as bring up minorities, capitals, races, separatist movements and international organizations. Want to know who is in IFAF (this timeline's FIFA)? I have a map for that. Want to know which nations are currently suspended from the African Union or are currently petitioning to join the European Union? I have maps for that. There is also a four-page excel sheet that compliments it, but that is mine. There are also several sets of maps that track political changes back three hundred years... or so... it gets a little fuzzy in the middle.

I need to stress; I've poured hours if not days and weeks into this. I have meticulously nitpicked myself to the point I've woken up in the middle of the night with a cold sweat because some detail had been bothering me in my sleep... or there was another map I needed DIRELY.

So it is sort of hard to share all this with you guys without... you know... writing the rest of the 3 remaining Books... But here are at least the names of the countries:

Code:
Number	Common Name			Proper Name
1	Prussia				Socialist Republic of Prussia
2	Silesia				Socialist Republic of Prussian Silesia
3	Hungary				Federal Republic of Hungary
4	Carpathia			Republic of Carpathia
5	Serbia				Federal Republic of Serbia, Croatia, Hum and Bosnia
6	Bulgaria			Republic of Bulgaria
7	Romania				The Roman Empire
8	Kwihzihristan			Hindu Republic of Kwihzihristan
9	Azowia				Grand Republic of the Cossacks
10	Mordvia				HM's Kingdom of all Mords, Finns and the Steppe
11	Germany				Federal Republic of Germany
12	Lothgaria			Federal Republic of Lothgaria
13	France (Gaul)			The Fourteen Gaulish Republics
14	Aragon				Kingdom of Barcelona-Aragon
15	Navarre				Kingdom of Navarre
16	León				Republic of León
17	Portugal			Kingdom of Porto
18	Netherlands			Republic of the Netherlands
19	Helvetia			Confederation of Helvetia
20	Padania				Republic of Padania
21	United Kingdom			The United Kingdoms of England, Scotland, Ireland and Cornwall
22	Sweden				The United Kingdom of Sweden-Norway
23	Sicily				The Kingdom of the Two Sicilies
24	Carthage			Kingdom of Carthage Across the Sea
25	Cyrenaica			Kingdom of Cyrenaica and Egpyt
26	Egypt				Kingdom of Egypt
27	Sudan				The Holy Kingdom of Egypt
28	Syria				Federal Hindu Republics of Syria and Iraq
29	Arabia				Federal Hindu Republic of Arabia
30	Meccah				Kingdom of Hejaz
31	Yemen				Federal Republic of Yemen
32	Southern Arabia			Socialist Republic of Hadhramaut 
33	Oman				Kingdom of Oman
34	Bahrain				The Grand Kingdom of Bahrain and Edessa
35	Armenia				Kingdom of Armenia
36	Shirvana			Timurid Kingdom of Shirvana
37	Persia				Timurid Kingdom of Persia
38	Iceland				Republic of Iceland
39	Mangystau			Federal Republic of the Kumans of Mangystau
40	Turkistan			Hindu Republic of Turkistan
41	Bukhara	Federal 		Hindu Republic of Bukhara
42	Kyrgyzstan			Federal Hindu Republic of Kyrgyzstan
43	Kazakhstan			Federal Republic of Kazakhstan
44	Mongolia			Republic of Mongolia
45	China				Great Kingdom of the Heavenly Min
46	Tibet				Great Kingdom of the Heavenly Dali Lama
47	North Korea			Kingdom of Korea
48	South Korea			Kingdom of Korea
49	Nippon				Empire of Nippon
50	Pashtunistan			Kingdom of the Pashtunis
51	Baluchistan			Kingdom of the Baluchis
52	Edwardines			Federal Republic of the Edwardines
53	Malaysia			Federal Republic of Malaysia
54	Aceh				Federal Republic of Aceh
55	Borneo				Federal Republic of Borneo
56	Gustavia			Federal Republic of Gustavia
57	Java				Federal Republic of Java
58	New Holland/ Australia		Republic of New Holland and the Dutch Pacific Territories
59	Siam				Kingdom of Siam
60	Laos				Socialist Republic of Laos
61	Cambodia			Socialist Republic of the Khmer
62	Vietcham			Kingdoms of the Viet and Cham
63	India				Empire of Malwa
64	Assam				Kingdom of Assam
65	Burma				Kingdom of Yangon
66	Sri Lanka			Kingdom of Sri Lanka
67	Adaman				Dominion of Adaman
68	Darfur				Kingdom of Darfur
69	Ethiopia			Kingdom of Axum
70	Somolia				Kingdom of Mogadishu
71	New Bretony			Republic of New Bretony
72	California			Republic of California
73	Texas				Republic of Texas
74	Mexico				Republic of Mexico
75	Yucatan				Republic of Yucatan
76	Newfoundland			Federal Republics of Newfoundland and Labrador
77	Central America			Federal Republics of Central America
78	Cuba				Republic of Cuba
79	Jamaica				Republic of Jamaica
80	Haiti				Republic of Haiti
81	Xaragua				Republic of Xaragua
82	Vermelho			Republic of Vermelho
83	Panama				Republic of Panama
84	Venezuela			Federal Republic of Venezuela
85	Guyana				Federal Republic of Guyana and Trinidad
86	Quito				Incan Kingdom of the Northern State of Quito
87	Chimor				Kingdom of Chimor
88	Aymara				Great Empire of the Inca
89	Mapuche				Kingdom of Mapuche
90	Carolina			Republic of Carolina
91	Grand New Iberia		Federal Republic of Grand New Iberia
92	Lawrencia			United Kingdom of the Southern States and Lawrencia
93	Quebec				Federal Republic of the French Colonies in America
94	Aleutia				Federal Republic of Aleutia
95	Illa de Sucre			Republic of the Sugar Islands
96	Nicholas Islands		Republic of the Nicholas Islands
97	Antilles			Federal Republic of the Antilles Islands
98	Brésil				Federal Republic of Brésil and the Amazon
99	Recife				Republic of Recife
100	New York			Republic of New York
101	Atlantia			Republic of the Atlanic
102	Blumenau			Republic of Blumenau
103	Uruguay				Federal Republic of Uruguay and South Brazil
104	Paraguay			Republic of Paraguay
105	Argentina			Federal Republic of Argentina
106	Mali				Dominons of the Kingdom of Mali
107	New Friesland			Republic of Dutch West Africa
108	South Mali			Republic of French South Mali
109	Ashanti				Republic of Ashanti
110	Ghana				People's Republic of Ghana
111	Togo				Republic of Togo
112	Benin				People's Republic of Benin
113	Biafra				Democratic Republic of Biafra
114	Nigeria				Republic of Nigeria
115	Cameroon			Democratic Republic of Cameroon
116	Central African Republic	Central African Republic
117	Ituri				People's Republic of Ituri
118	Longo				Kingdom of the Longo
119	Congo				People's Republic of the Congo
120	Angola				Republic of Angola
121	Namibia				Republic of Namibia
122	South Africa			Republic of South Africa
123	New Rennes			Federal Republic of New Rennes
124	Limpopo	Federal 		Republic of Limpopo
125	Zululand			Kingdom of the Zulu
126	Cape Verde			Republic of the Cape Verde Islands
127	The Canaries			Kingdom of the Canaries
128	Morocco				Kingdom of Morocco
129	Algeria				Kingdom of Algeria
130	Ahaggar				Kel Ahaggar
131	Nijar				Federal Republic of Nijar
132	Dinnig				Kel Dinnig
133	Burkina Faso			Federal Republic of Burkina Faso
134	Botswana			Republic of Botswana
135	Rhodesia			Republic of Rhodesia
136	Zimbabwe			People's Republic of Zimbabwe
137	Zambia				People's Republic of Zambia
138	Luapula				People's Republic of Luapula
139	Malawi				Republic of Malawi
140	East Africa			Republic of East Africa
141	Rwanda				Republic of Rwanda-Burundi
142	Uganda				Republic of Uganda
143	Kenya				Republic of Kenya
144	Tanganyika			Federal Republic of Tanganyika
145	Zanzibar			Kingdom of Zanzibar
146	Madagascar			Republic of Madagascar
147	Senegal				Republic of Senegal
148	Comoros				Islands of Comoros
149	Maldives			Republic of the Maldives
150	Hawai'i				Federal Republic of the Hawai'ian Islands
151	Fiji				Federal Republic of Fiji
152	Micronesia			Federal Republic of Micronesia
153	Marshal Islands			Kingdom of the Marshal Islands
154	Ramadan Islands			Federal Republic of the Fasting Islands
155	Singapore			Republic of Singapore and the Straits Settlements
156	Malaka				Republic of Malaka
157	Brunei				Republic of Brunei
158	Georgstad			Republic of Georgstad

So there you go. The political face of the Baltikja time advanced to 2012! I hope everyone enjoys and that this prompts a few questions. ;)
 
My hat off to you, Mr. Capiatlist! Absolutely stunning map you published which will have no doubt taken months to conceive (probably make that years as you started this megacampaign two or three years ago in CK1), not to mention all the work you put into making all the layers for making other maps. This, combined with writing the story of Prussia itself and a real life to take care of,... Amazing!
 
My hat off to you, Mr. Capiatlist! Absolutely stunning map you published which will have no doubt taken months to conceive (probably make that years as you started this megacampaign two or three years ago in CK1), not to mention all the work you put into making all the layers for making other maps. This, combined with writing the story of Prussia itself and a real life to take care of,... Amazing!
Thank you. I really do my best and try to produce good updates. I am excited to move us to the next set of books but I need to remember to concentrate on the current settings.
 
Great map man! However, independent Silesia looks a little awkward. What's its story?
Thank you. Silesia is a product of the First World War. It is actually legally banned from uniting with Prussia. But the two are pretty close and Silesia will agree to just about anything Prussia requests from it. That is not to say it is a puppet state, but being so culturally similar to Prussia and the fact the Prussia freed them from a dictator in '92-'93 they just look to them as protectors.

Edit: The best economy? Hard to say. Germany is probably a clear leader. China and India command large work forces, though it is mostly untapped. Japan isn't the technology haven it is here. Mexico also has a really strong economy. If I had the top five I'd say:
1 - Germany
2 - Mexico
3 - France
4 - United Kingdom
5 - Grand New Iberia

Prussia would fall somewhere between 15 and 5.
 
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So if Navarra is alive today.....does that mean Basque is widely spoken?

Maybe, but some Arabic or Muslim words are probably mixed in.
 
So if Navarra is alive today.....does that mean Basque is widely spoken?

Maybe, but some Arabic or Muslim words are probably mixed in.
More or less. Basque (known as Vasque in this timeline) is a pretty important language in the world. It is spoken through the Americas in former colonies as well as being an important language in all four of the Iberian nations (obviously the official and majority language of Navarre) as well as being one of the three "Founding Languages" (along with Breton and the Lyonais dialect of French) of modern Gaul.
 
Bastions
Chapter Forty Seven: Gathering an Army
Part 2


Prelude:
November 17th, 1383 marked an important turning point for the peoples of the Persian Gulf. It was on that day, after a siege that had lasted nearly six years, the last Qurati fortress on mainland Arabia fell to the Muslims. The Qurati were left with only Bahrain and those left on the mainland were scattered to the winds. Some would eventually arrive in Bahrain, but they found the island small and cramped. Internal strife was everywhere and disease and plagues from all around the world ravaged the people. The centuries-old dynasty started by Duke Trpimir was faltering. In Qatar, where many Qurati lived, life was harsh under the rule of the Arabs. The age-old enemy sought vengeance for diplomatic insults both real and imagined. The Edessan Church did little to help assuage the pain. Modern scholars note that there was little for the religious leaders to do. It was unlikely that any call for a crusade would even reach the ears of the diasporas of Qurati around Arabia and the Indian Ocean. It would have been even more unlikely for the Edessan's cry for help to provoke any sense of unity amongst the Roman and Prussian Patriarchies. The best they could do was to go on living as prisoners of their own pride. Many fled Bahrain, expecting the end to be near. India was a popular destination. But records also show that Qurati traders turned up in all sorts of far-off and exotic places like Java, Hong Kong, Siam and even Japan. In a way, the Qurati were to Asia what the Jews were to Europe. Their family connections and small, tight-knit communities made them excellent traders and bankers. But their allegiance to a foreign king (the Edessan Catholic Pope) made them suspects and easy targets for purges and finger pointing. For those who chose to stay in Bahrain, the next few centuries would be marked by civil war and a looming fear of the mainland powers. The tiny island was ripe for conflict and strife. And soon would begin the so-called "Age of Street Kings", named for low-born commoners taking up arms and either installing their favorite noble as King or even one of their own.

September 20th, 1381

"What is this place?" Mathas asked. Werna just smiled as he continued to lead the boys deeper into the woods.

"When I was young, like you boys, I often came here to read and sketch where my dad could not find me. In fact, if we were to keep going, we'd eventually find my father's farm."

"Does he still live there?" Ian asked, "Is the Green Lady still there?"

Father Werna shook his head, "I have no idea if my father is still alive." He gave no mention of the Green Lady. The priest set down his sack and sat down on one of the many monoliths that lie randomly about at the feet of those that remained standing. Ian placed his hand on one of the standing stones and looked at all the carvings; some seemed as old as the rocks themselves. "These are spirit stones, built by the ancients to honor the pagan gods. The one is dedicated to Okopirmas the king of the pagan gods."

"What happened to the pagans?" Kristjan asked.

"They were converted to the true God and to Christ. They left these temples, forgot about Romuva, the great pagan temple, and settled down alongside the Christian Saxons. These stones would once host great celebrations and bonfires as they prayed to the trees and the heavens for good crops and long lives."

"So there are no more pagans?"

"There are some, or so I am told. They live deep in the forests and don't interact much with anyone outside of their tribes."

"Do you really believe that?" Ian asked, "I was told that pagan women became witches and they steal the souls of good Christian men."

"And that might be true too," Werna said.

"Have you ever met a witch?" Mathas prodded.

"Once," Werna answered.

"Was she old and gross? With hairy warts and a nasty black cat with her?"

Werna laughed, "No. I actually met her right here. She was very beautiful with long, wavy red hair and green eyes. She hadn't noticed me coming; she was so busy speaking with her gods and spirits. I tried not to disturb her and just watched."

"Was she angry?"

"Did she turn you into a newt?"

"Did she try to steal your soul?"

"Did you fight her and then slay her after she turned into a dragon?"

The questions were rapid fire and Werna was quickly overwhelmed, "No, no, no... When she was done she finally stood up and noticed me. She was very scared of me, then she ran off and I never saw her again."

"Well... that isn't very exciting!" Ian exclaimed.

"Not everything is, Ian. Sometimes you let the witch go."

"Did she every kill anyone?"

"Did they find her and burn her?"

"How long ago was this?"

"No, no and maybe five or six years ago."

"Right before you joined the monastery?" Mathas asked.

Werna tried to hide a heavy sigh, "Yeah... right about then. Anyway, we came out here for a reason... when we lef..."

"How old are you Father Werna?" Ian asked.

"I... uh... why is that important?"

"You aren't nearly as old as the other Fathers. You are so much younger, I think that is why they stick you with us... they are too important for us..."

"I am twenty-one... but they stick you with me because I am the one who takes care of young boys. Not because they are too important. Anyway, when we left off Ælle had made it to Bordeaux where he was recognized for his great military prowess and religious zeal..."

***​

November 1st, 1136

All Saints Day was a day momentarily put the Crusade on hold. Ælle and the other Danish solders listen to a sermon from their chaplain while around them Pamplona burned. The air was thick with the scent of human flesh. In the distance an argument was breaking out between two French nobles over control of the city. The chaplain was becoming visibly agitated, but his kind demeanor kept him from saying anything. It was Ælle who eventually stood up and walked over. He punched the first noble and while the other was still in shock, hit him in the nose with his elbow. "This is a fucking house of God," he said referring to the charred and gutted remains of the church the Danish had adopted for the rest. "Act like it."

The Danes seemed pleased, but the French men not so much. "This place? Full of north men? This is no church... it is brothel with too few patrons," the first Frenchman said, spitting out a wad of phlegm, blood and a tooth. With his remark many of the Danes stood up and began groping for their swords. Ælle just puffed out his chest and cracked his knuckles

"We'd be happy to service you, you're pretty... but your friend's nose is all busted up... we don't let uglies in around here." Ælle knew an insult was powerless if you made it your own. "So why don't you hike up your skirt and bend over?" The two nobles dusted themselves off and tried to walk off acting dignified.

"Bloody Frenchmen, wouldn't know the difference between a sword and their own pricks if it weren't for us barbarians," Olaf said, now standing beside Ælle. He patted the Saxon on the back and then went to rejoin the Danes. But Ælle didn't, he stepped through where the walls once stood and watched the two Frenchmen continue their fight elsewhere.

"They'll lose the city," Ælle stated in a very matter-of-fact tone. "I've been listening to the local Arab traders and they are certain a large enemy army is on the way here." When he turned around he noticed that Olaf had his hands up and the other Danes had neither sat down nor sheathed their weapons. "What?" Ælle asked.

No one seemed to answer, but he knew what was going on. No one could take a joke anymore, Ælle thought. "Ælle, I am thinking you should leave," Olaf said.

"You too, sodomite," said one soldier.

Olaf pointed to himself and then looked back at Ælle, who seemed uncaring. "Fine!" Olaf shouted in defeat. He grabbed their bags and the two men headed off.

Once outside of earshot Olaf began yelling at Ælle, who remained placated. Olaf yelled about honor and piety and family and all sorts of things that had little or nothing to do with the true point of a Crusade.

Finally Ælle had enough and turned, grabbing Olaf's shoulders, "Don't you get it?! It isn't about God, or Jesus, or the Virgin, or honor, or anything fucking like that. This isn't a fucking just thing. Seriously, look around you! You think this is the will of a just and loving Christ? You think a babe without a breast to feed from because their mother was raped to death is just? Or Christian? Or even human? This is the work of wolves, not men. And you are an idiot to think otherwise. They aren't here to regain anything for Christendom. And the Pope knows it. That is secondary for these people. They are here to rape, they are here to pillage and they are here to leave fat and rich. I've seen men twice my age in bed with girls half the age of my sons. Open your eyes, Olaf."

"Well... what are we going to do then?"

"We find shelter for the night and tomorrow we watch the city burn."

"What? Why?"

"Because that army is out there."

"How do you know?"

"I speak Arabic."

"No, why do you believe them?"

"How many men were defending Pamplona?"

"I don't know, maybe about a thousand."

"And how many men could the ruler of these lands call up?"

"Probably about ten tho... O."

"Yeah, Pamplona is a trap. And tonight, while all those rapists sleep, the Caliph is going to slaughter them all," Ælle said, "And personally, I am not interested in being here when he shows up."

"So you were going to desert us?"

"No," Ælle answered honestly, "I was going to die with you and be done with it."

***​

September 20th, 1381

"Aw? Why'd we have to end so soon?" Mathas asked.

"Because you asked so many questions. Plus, we need enough time to make the walk back home before dark!" Werna ruffled Mathas' hair in a sign of appreciation and no hard feelings. Suddenly nervous about being caught in the woods in the dark, the boys excitedly got up and started running off along the path they had taken to the shrine. Werna smiled and shook his head as he packed up.

"It was good to see you again," a voice from the woods called. Werna stopped, thinking he had imagined it. Picking his head up and looking around he saw no one around. Instead, only feet from where he had been sitting, there lay a curled up parchment, delicately tied shut with an old pressed rose. Werna recognized the rose and pulling the scroll lose he opened it. He recognized his own handy work of the pagan princess dancing in the embrace of autumn's leaves. She had long red hair and wore a dress the color of summer leaves.
 
The Prussians aren't really religious, are they.
In the modern day, no. In the past it depends on the character. I am drawing parallels between Werna and Ælle... it might become more obvious though maybe not.

Edit: And it is not that they don't believe; Ælle thinks of himself as a warrior and honorable knight. I think he is disgusted because he thinks of himself as a Christian and does not want to be associated with those who are only interested in gain. Werna however, has more to be revealed.
 
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Sorry I've not been commenting recently- thank you for the map it's a work of art. Also these chapters are really good it really epitomizes the brutality of the "crusade" and the horror of the Long War.

Keep it up- i'm addicted