Bolivar II - An epic of valour, pride, corruption, espionage & cross dressing

[Heretic]

“Bernard, I’d say this grass is getting positively lush”
“Well, a few good years of tending, some of the latest modern fertilisers, and plenty of sun, I’m not surprised it’s lush”.

The mallets were laid to one side on the lawn, and the men were seated on spanking brand new cast iron chairs in the latest style. Tall drinks stood on the table, rapidly gaining thick drops of water on the outside of the glass.

“How are your exports to Germany?”
“Oh, poor again, it’s all down to the Bavarians once more.”

“What, the conflict?”
“Well, they did start it again three years ago”

“Yes, the ports were pretty much open, but both the Federation and Germany rather took a beating. It’s no wonder that they don’t hold the lead around there.”
“At least the French are still buying”

“Oh, too true, they’re definitely buying, it’s a wonder they don’t but the lot.”
“Our embassy out there is making some very helpful noises”

“Rather, it’s time those diplomats pulled their weight!”

 

[november]

You seem to be hitting your stride. Keep it up. I liked the censored letter—that added nice flavor.

I’m still not clear as to your goals.

 

[Heretic]

November,

Thanks, yes, things have picked up, mainly due to finally getting the economy rolling.
Goals: Inintially to unify all the lands that Bolivar liberated from the Spanish.
In my book, that means Venezuala (natch) Colombia, Equador and Peru (and Bolivia, but they never revolted free). In VIP there is a unification bonus event for just getting the first three, but hey, I started playing htis before VIP 0.3 came out, and I prefer to finish campaigns.

Side goals;
1) Throw down a bit of track around the coastline.. I don't like if when countries are plastered in rails, it seems a bit dull somehow. This limits my industry to the coast, the population in the interior is pretty thin, so I'm not missing too much there.

2) Get some immigration, since Venezuela started with a population of less than 1 million, having a few extra bodies is absolutely necessary. To support this I'm generally paying about £90/day on social stuff.

3)
Lots of research, for some reason in my games I never even get near to finishing off the research tree.

Next Stuff;
Well, the first Bolivar spent time beating on the Spanish, and they have eaten Haiti, so whomping them to liberate Cuba & Haiti could be pretty hot.

Also, Venezuela historically had a border dispute with the UK regarding Guiana (sp?) so if I'm feeling really brave I'll enforce that.

Restrictions:
1) No stomping off and annexing bits of Asia, Africa etc for lots of resources & manpower. It just doesn't seem to fit with the aims, and it makes things a lot harder if you don't have Korean coal gushing into your economy.

2) No colonisation, since Venezuela is trying to improve at home, it just doesn't seem right that they would want to go off & terrorise a bunch of natives

OK, clear?

Heretic

 

[Heretic]

The clatter of the factory floor was not too loud from behind the thick windows of the director’s office, although it increased as a secretary slipped in through the door. Estevan Maimon looked up, mildly annoyed to be disturbed whilst checking through the latest sales figures.
“Sir, a man from the Government is here.”
“What, the tax officer? Surely we paid him off last month”

“No sir, somebody else.”
“Well don’t dawdle, get on and show them in!”

The man who entered was fairly unassuming, and to Estevan’s delight, appeared to be wearing one of this year’s range of suits. There was no way he could know he was bringing the product back to it’s birthplace, since they were sold through many intermediaries.

After the secretary had left again, the men began to talk business.
“So, do let me know how I can help you.”
“Ah, how keen, let me check a few facts first. You travel, do you not, to Spain?”

“Yes, to check my suppliers and outlets. I’m sorry, but it’s still not clear to me what part of the government you are from?”
“We are looking for a reliable person who could assist our department, and from our little investigations, you would appear to fit the bill.”

“I say, I’d like to help, but do you think you could let me know a little more?”
“Sadly it is not always helpful to tell people everything, but you will be told what is needed. Anyway, do you have another scheduled trip back to Barcelona, perhaps next week?”

“Well, as a matter of fact I do, how the deuce do you know that?”
“You could say, it is our job to know that. Anyway, please be aware that when you visit, you will be contacted by one of our agents. He has been making observations for some time now, and there is a lot of paperwork to be brought back. We need you to bring it back for us.”

“But, what about the diplomatic bag?”
“This work has not been undertaken by a diplomat. I think that we can be assured of your discretion – your licenses to trade should be renewed shortly, although if you cannot assist us, there may be a little difficulty.”

After the odious man had left, Estevan was very worried. He had not even got into this out of choice, but apparently he was in it up to the neck.

 

[Valdemar]

Title changed on request

V

 

[coz1]

Heretic, I have finally had a chance to catch up on this great story. You have found a very nice mixture of gameplay and story that makes both easy to read and understand. It looks as though your reunification is coming along splendidly. Keep it up. And I liked that censored letter above. Nice little touch. Great work here and I'll be following the rest of the way.

 

[Heretic]

The various wars of liberation over the previous years had been costly. So costly in fact that two years later, in 1881, the national debt was still in the process of being paid off.

Gran’ Colombia had, however, rinse somewhat in status amongst other nations. Around the globe, states looked on in envy at the strong and prosperous society that had been established. People were voting with their feet too, as a trickle of immigrants into the country continued. Due to longstanding policy, they were welcomed.

Diplomatically, approaches were made to the French, who were at present allies of the Spanish. Attempts were made to improve international relations, in order to gain some support in the wider world.

Economic envoys were also sent out to the newfound allies of Argentina and Paraguay. Both countries had poor economies, and Venezuelan expertise would allow them both to develop in a more profitable manner.

Paraguay also benefited from the reinstatement of those territories previously taken form it be Peru. This was a magnanimous gesture, aimed at showing to the world that Gran’ Colombia was a force for order and against brutal oppression by the strong.

However, with Guzman now pulling almost all the strings of government, and Constantina Bolivar’s vision of a system of ‘planets’ circling around the Venezuelan sun, further conflict would not be far off.

 

[Heretic]

Miguel DeVita wrestled with the keys of the typewriter, a device whose operation was not helped by the heat and humidity in the cramped corner of the Ministry of Defence where he worked. The report would be on the desk of the under-minister tomorrow morning, and possibly even read to the great Guzman later that day. Although whether the minister could be troubled with the effects of supplies standardisation, nobody knew.

How was Miguel to summarise the many great innovations that had led the army to victory? He began with a brief summary of the situation over a year ago, in May of 1882 as the army stood ready at the borders:

The main regiments had all been of standard composition, with divisions for artillery, staff, crack guards regiments, and the mass of infantry needed in modern warfare. To support them, the legacy ‘Liberadores’ and the more modern ‘Federales’ divisions, on horse, were ideal for occupying the wooded and sparely populated highlands.

The core of professional soldiers in the army quickly inducted the masses of men drafted in immediately prior to the war. The simplicity of the differing calibres of bullet perhaps helped this a little.

The great armies of Gran’ Colombia, having stormed once more through the southern parts of what was once Peru moved on to the south. Perhaps DeVita would illustrate the use of staged supply posts in that last advance on Santiago? Of sharing of logistical support between divisions thanks to their standardised make up?

Surely it would be best to focus on the greatest achievement of improvisation that the army had managed? Indeed, the many hundreds of miles that the conscript army marched through the platinean terrain was an extraordinary feat. Their commanders had been trained only briefly through the Officer College, and the men had passed through only a few months of basic training. Yet, bravely the ‘Primo Levy’ and ‘Secundo Levy’ had marched through hostile terrain, right up to Rio. Their occupation of the capital acted to support the work that the regular army was performing in the west of Brazil.

Possibly the Brazilian Government had reports of the armies marching across Argentina from Chile that would shortly provide real backbone to the assault on southern Brazil. Alternatively, they may have had reports of the reasonable treatment that the other countries were receiving from the Venezuelan administration.

 

[unmerged(28026)]

Finally got a chance to read this all the way through, I had read the beginning twice before now, but kept getting interrupted. Although the story updates are short, I kinda enjoy the vignette style as opposed to single-narrative -- gives you room to use strong images without getting tied down in involved plot lines.

Also, your dialouge is excelent, very natural sounding, though a cast-of-characters of a "...Last time, in Bolivar II" could help us not get disoriented by the rapidfire pace.

As to gameplay -- awesome concept, great execution. I'm exceedingly surprised the UK hasn't slapped you with a BB war yet, but luck is just with you, and with the cause of Gran Colombia. How are your war exhaustion rebellions? South America is sparsely populated, meaning casualties drive up war exhaustion faster, and fighting in the Andes is tough to say the least, meaning you'll incur many casualties -- a sure recipie for rebels. Do you use reserves to handle them, or what?

-Adso

 

[november]

Alternatively, they may have had reports of the reasonable treatment that the other countries were receiving from the Venezuelan administration.

Ha! Not bloody likely!

 

[Heretic]

november,
Well, my social costs have gone up to about £100/day, and given that the original area of Venezuela is only about 1/5 of the total area of Gran Colombia, I must be spending most of that on "newly integrated citizens" as we like to call the conquered masses

BrotherAdso,
I had been thinking about posting a Dramatis Personae, so here it is.

Constantina Bolivar (del Toro) – Elle Presidente
Maria Luz del Palacios - Matriarch (deceased)
Teresa del Toro - Matriarch (deceased)
José Antonio Páez - El previous Presidente (deceased)
José Tadeo Monagas - ex Presidente (liberal)
Gaspar Banos - ex Cavalryman, now defence minister
Emilia Zamorna - General Commandante of the army
Jacob James Mayer Rothschild - International financier (cheated)
Barthez - Pinkerton detective
Alphonso Machado - Bloated capitalist
Bernard Ganteaumes - Bloated capitalist
Ferdinand del Palacio - Aristocrat, son of Maria Luz
Sophia del Palazio - Upstart who married into money
Gomez - Butler to the Palacios family (retired)
Estevan Maimon - Spanish Anarcho-Liberal Capitalist
Corporal Racine - Officer on the Brazilian front
Ensign Vasquez Baronna - Green young soldier on the Brazilian front
Alicia Baronna - Wife of Vasquez
Anna-Marie Baronna - Daughter of Vasquez
Antonio Guzmán Blanco - Minister of Defence
Miguel DeVita - Humble underling in defence ministry


More news coming shortly!

 

[Heretic]

With a well practised flick of the wrist, Guzman sent the latest of the reports sailing into the bin in the corner of the office.

“These bureaucrats! Who do they think I am? I have time for this? Pah!
Anyway, Rafael, tell me this, why did it all take so long? Eh?
A whole year! Too much time, don’t you think?”

“Well, sir, the army did march every where, and the other nations are a little short on railways and the like. Not to mention the poor state of their roads.”

“March? This is 1883 man! What the blazes are we doing? Is there no faster way?”

“Well sir” Rafael humbly ventured as he ducked to avoid Guzman’s flailing arms, “We have always the sea at our disposal sir. The new merchant fleet boasts some sizeable steamships these days.”

“Don’t just stand there then, get out there, find out some more!
Also, check whether our man in Spain has any more news about their intentions.
I can’t wait! I want to see them grovel under the heel of their creation.
After their little reconquista of Cuba and Haiti, they must pay for meddling in the affairs of the new world.
Why they will rue the day that Genoan turned up and offered to go on a little sail!”

Rafael scurried out, forming rapid thoughts about the new naval budget they would have to pass in parliament.

 

[Heretic]

The various wars against Peru, in 1863, 1874 and 1882 had almost resulted in the complete removal of that state from the map. Only a few ragged sections of the country remained outside of Gran’ Colombian control. There could be little hope for Peru’s survival in years to come.

Indeed, later in 1884 a new assault was launched against Lima, with the defending forces somewhat outnumbered, outgunned and outclassed.

Meanwhile, Guzman’s desire for some more up to date naval forces was beginning to be met, as the first orders for ‘Monitor’ class ships hit the shipyards. They would not long remain the best ships in service in the navy, as continuing research & development was underway.

The shallow truce reached after the previous assault lapsed a few years later, so 1888 saw the final manoeuvres to incorporate the Peruvians into Gran’ Colombia.

The inclusion of Lima into the Federation meant that the engineers could now proceed to lay the last links in the chain that would connect Caracas almost to Santiago with a continuous track of iron.

 

[Heretic]

Guzman’s ambition of a navy for Gran’ Colombia took great steps to being realised in the coming years. The Monitor fleet, with extensive support to transport the army was helpful in delivering troops quickly to put down rebellions in the southern territories.

However, a much more serious use was planned for the fleet. With the deployment of the eight heavy cruisers and eight fleets of light cruisers, the navy was up to a strength that was the envy of the world.

Spies in Spain were able to report that the complacent country had almost wholly neglected its navy. All that was afloat was truly antiquated, belonging in the age of sail. The spies were also able to report a slight cooling of Franco-Hispanic relations, as their military alliance lapsed without renewal.

Reserves were therefore mobilised, and the various main armies were shipped overseas. One to Cuba, one to Haiti, and two bound for mainland Spain. Spain’s ally, the Two Sicilies was bold enough to assist them in defence. Sadly our researches were not exhaustive, since the Two Sicilies called on their protectors, the French.

Initial assaults across Spain proceeded well, with minimal opposition. The Spanish fleet had been sunk within hours of the war starting. The contest there was somewhat akin to an elephant taking on an ant in ‘tug-o-war’.

The skirmishes with the French navy were a little less one sided, but there was a certain predictability of the triumph of technology over bravery.

Thanks to a firm belief in their allies, the Spanish did not readily capitulate after the sack of Madrid. Also, fighting in the highlands of Haiti proved somewhat slow. Cavalry regiments were therefore shipped to Cuba to begin actions there before the Haiti advance was complete.

As a secondary assault, the 2nd Armee made landings in Naples, going on to occupy much of the countryside to the south. Still, no diplomatic agreement could be reached.

Our armies in Spain began to face some French divisions, who had marched south. They had not mustered a very large army, and so were not effective. Finally, the Spanish saw sense, and decided that enough was enough. Whilst the initial aim had been to liberate the Caribbean islands, and perhaps humiliate Spain, their offer was most interesting.

It was considered suitable recompense for centuries of misrule, and plunder of the gold once found in our hills. The addition of territories in the Far East was unusual but not unwelcome.

As for the land in Africa, there were grave divisions in the Parliament as to whether Gran’ Colombia had any place in administering land that was in no way related to their national history. They could debate as long as they wanted, Guzman was pleased, and from her sick bed, Constantina issued a note of congratulation to the army.

 

[Heretic]

Alicia paused by the post office as she made her way up the village street.

“Any news?” she called out to the postmistress?
“No.” came the reply she had heard from the last months.

Little worries tumbled around her brain, as they had all this time.
Yes, Vasquez had been shipped off again, but no, not all the way over the ocean.

What was it like up there in Cuba?
Was it sunny, like today?
Had the Spanish really given it over to the Federation?
Would they really be given a new constitution, just like Haiti had?
Was Vasquez really fine, as his telegram weeks ago had said?

With the heavy bag of food over her shoulder, Alicia made slow progress.

What stopped her was the familiar voice.

She whirled around, and there indeed, was her Vasquez, safe and sound. So tall, so strong looking in his uniform.

Not a word passed between them, and they embraced passionately, the world outside forgotten for a moment. For once, Vasquez had been ahead of schedule, the new steam boats shipping him back to Cartagena in double-quick time.

 

[coz1]

Wow, it looks like you really stomped Spain. Nice work. How's your BB now? And Brazil looks like a big green blob in the middle of all your territory. That really must be fixed.

 

[stnylan]

I had to chuckle at the last. And I must follow coz1 here - Brazil just makes the continent look, well, untidy.

 

[Heretic]

Oh dear, coz1, stynlan,

you seem to have missed the point a little; do you think I would bother satelliting them if I actually wanted to take the territory? I started out by saying that I would follow in the footsteps of Bolivar, and that's what i have done.. So chomping a whole load of Portuguese speaking territory is way out. As are Chile & Argentina.

As for BB, well, it was a few years later that I checked it (and some other heavy stuff happened..) but it had risen to the noble heights of 108.8. Ouch. I had a shock when I saw it. Perhaps I should have editted Colombia, Ecuador & Peru in as cores? Then it would have been way easier, since I could have satellited them & taken 90% of the land needed in just 3 wars.

more later...

heretic

 

[Heretic]

The great hall of the parliament in Caracas managed to overawe the Ethiopian delegation. However, they clutched their invitations firmly, and were eventually shepherded into the Foreign Minister’s office.

They left with wide smiles.

The land that the evil Spanish colonists had grabbed was now theirs. They had the deeds and the support of the new South American power. Gran’ Colombia would now only have to worry about the natives on the west coast of Africa.

Popular feeling amongst the masses was one of tending towards South American unity. These decades of Federalist propaganda had wormed their way into the consciousness of all.

This was something of a reverse from fifty years ago, when immigrants were welcomed with open arms.

The federal spirit also led to certain further border readjustments. Paraguay had many of it’s territories restored that the Peruvians had rudely taken. However, around 1857 the Brazilians had also moved to administer parts of Paraguay. Following international negotiations it was agreed that it was in the best interests of the citizens if these holdings were consolidated.

The Federal Party message, and the obvious actions of the soup kitchens, district hospitals, and schools for all ages had some positive effects.

A land now at peace could begin to develop a little, to invest in transport and to reduce the national debt. All in all, prosperity began to spread a little more widely.

 

[Heretic]

Please note:

The Californian Republic was freed by Venezuela from the lands Spain offered in the peace deal. They took them from Mexico back in the 1850's.

Heretic