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((Well I'm going to put down this character as a courtier for now and his birth year at 1700. So are all the Burgundy-Ivrea-Orange's dead? I need to know if the title is owned by them still or reverted to the Crown.))
((All except Faustos Villanovas wife, a cousin of the first Burgundy-Ivrea-Orange:p))
 
Sophia sat in her room, with her husband who was making good on his promise to not let her out of his sight again. She would have to work on his fears, once the abduction was a memory. The Crown Prince couldn't be caught engaging or even knowing certain actions, actions that still are necessary. And that was her duty. To do all Ferran couldn't.

Oh yes. The Fools would know her as the shadowy arm that supported the soon to be Emperor, and all that presented themselves as malcontents to him would regret ever doing so. She made up her mind to have the guards and servants cowed before the Court next met, along with as many of the local nobility as she could.
 
((All except Faustos Villanovas wife, a cousin of the first Burgundy-Ivrea-Orange:p))

((Watch as Fausto pushes his wife's claim to the county of Provence and a family of farmers and colonist rises to the ranks of nobility. :D))
 
((I wouldn't doubt Fausto doing that, but I like being colonist, oh dilemmas dilemmas))

((You could always just do what 05 does and have a noble branch of the family and a courtier one, seeing as only Fausto's line in this instance would become nobles. Of course this would all require BelisariustheGreat's approval, since I wouldn't want to just usurp his title out from underneath him for someone else if he had plans for it. For all I know, the Burgundy-Ivrea-Orange family doesn't allow female inheritance. Although if this does happen, it'd make a lot more sense for the random match I tried to arrange in the Bachelor's thing with one of your characters. :p))
 
1735-1740 – Construction & Destruction

The kidnapping of the Princess-Consort was a shock to all, but her sudden return even more so. She had escaped her captors and returned to the palace, where she could be kept safe. Attempts to find the kidnapper started off strong, but enthusiasm for the chase died down with the return of Sophia. If the kidnapper was still in the city, few seemed interested in finding him now.

The Chancellor certainly wasn’t interested anymore, for he was busy on ensuring Charrua’s transition to Hispanian rule went smoothly. Few people could point to Charrua on a map, but it was a welcome addition to Nuevo Leon.

The Trans-Atlantic Trading Company was becoming more active in Arabia after its new monopoly was granted. Animosity still existed over the sacking of Mecca, which was bad for business, so the TATC tried to make amends by offering to fund construction projects to improve the infrastructure of the region. This offer was extended to the four nations with land in Arabia. Apparently money was more important than the religious tensions that had existed for years. Yemen, Persia, Najd, and Hejaz all eagerly accepted the aid, a major step towards reconciliation. ((With the relations we had with them, there was probably a 25-50% chance of acceptance for all these nations, so we’re lucky they all agreed.))

Now the empire geared itself up for war. The Exercit Colonial set sail for India in preparation for future conquests. In Europe, armies gathered on Morocco’s borders, starting with the Exercit Jerusalem and followed by the two Iberian armies. A further six regiments were also recruited for the Exercit Athens, while the navy was further expanded with a mix of heavy ships, light ships, and galleys.

Pirates were apparently harassing the coast of Alicante, so the Emperor set aside funds for building up defences within the Crown provinces.

Egypt’s war with their neighbour was causing problems with conversion efforts in Alexandria. Any threat from Egypt was negligible and it seemed likely the province would convert in time, so no further aid was sent. The population of the province weren’t too pleased with the presence of the Church of Jesus Christ, but there was little they could do about it.



Near the end of June, all four armies had arrived on the border with Morocco. The Muslim nation had no allies and an army smaller than any of the Hispanian ones involved. War was declared with little fear of things going downhill.

Once war was declared, the Hispanian armies swarmed over the border and rushed to the Moroccan forts. Four could be reached immediately, and pacifying them would cripple Morocco’s resistance.

To ensure proper funding for the war, Treasurer Nicolás de Alvaro took efforts to lower inflation, nearly eradicating the problem entirely, at least for the moment.

Kazan survived for now as Bukhara settled for a white peace. They instead sought protection from Delhi, offering to serve as a vassal to the larger power.

Morocco’s army snuck by to make its way to Hispania’s territory, but there was little concern that they could do much damage. When Lieutenant General Gilbert de Saint-Pierre took Dukkala in less than three months, that showed just how certain victory was. As he marched on the Moroccan capital, Field Marshal Fausto Villanova put an end to Morocco’s army. In their eagerness to attack the walls of Tlemcen, they left themselves exposed to Villanova’s attack.

As for Morocco’s navy, it sailed around the Atlantic, dodging Konrad Lübecker’s attempts to engage them in battle. Eventually they hid in a cove in Ifni and the Admiral blockaded them in. They’d have to face him eventually.



The fall of Tafilalt left western Morocco mostly exposed. Marshal Alexandre César de Montségur made a push southwest towards, splitting his army to secure the passage to Mali while he pushed towards the coast.

Egypt lost their southern provinces to Alodia, now a mere shell of their former self. The only question now was who would annex the rest.

Villanova took Kasdir in November, allowing him to head west while half his army secured the east and worked their way towards Lieutenant General Alejandro Leon.

December brought the death of the anti-pope, who was then replaced with Honorius V. Pope Pius II passed away a few days later and was replaced by a Hispanian who also adopted the name Honorious V, perhaps as a way of further establishing the illegitimacy of the anti-pope in Frankfurt.

France’s war with Britain was going rather smoothly. They’d secured southern England, including London, and had twice the number of men that Britain did, not counting Sweden’s and Austria’s armies. The British still had naval superiority, but it meant little with enemy armies rampaging through the British heartland.

Sweden, for some strange reason, thought it would be okay to set up a colony in South Africa right next to Hispania’s colonies. This encroachment in Hispanian-dominated territory was not viewed too kindly, especially by the TATC.

March brought the fall of Aures, the last eastern fort. Leon could now freely move through Morocco’s land in the east, securing it for Hispania. Byzantium had even arrived with men to assist, but most of the heavy lifting had been completed already.



By Marsh of 1736, the capital of Marrakech gave in, ending any semblance of resistance. This timing was good, for the Moroccans had gathered together an army to retake Dukkala. Saint-Pierre put an end to that attempt.

The following months were filled with tedious moments of Hispanian armies pacifying Moroccan lands. The Exercit Jerusalem was the first to be sent away as the war neared its end. Ifni ended up being the last holdout, meaning Lübecker received the privilege of fighting the last battle. It took only four days to sink the Moroccan fleet, although the Admiral noticed that half the Moroccan fleet up and vanished without a trace. Some say that Morocco scuttled the ships rather than risk Hispania capturing them.

Once all the armies had returned home, although with the Exercit Madrid staying behind to ensure the region remained stable, a peace was signed. Morocco handed over their border provinces, as well as all of eastern Morocco to ensure no further expansion into Egyptian lands. Administrating the land would prove difficult due to the stubbornness of the Berber people, but it wasn’t anything Hispania couldn’t handle.

Even as one war ended, a second was planned. The Exercit Cathay set sail for India to assist the Exercit Colonial in a future war against Bahmanis.



Britain seemed in dire straits at the start of 1737. Their army was all but gone and their land increasingly was being occupied.

Colonist Sancho Villanova set sail for Kaurna in Australia to set up a colony for the Montségur family. The region was becoming increasingly important as France spread in the area, already securing New Zealand.

Antsy for expansion, the Indian Trading Company requested further gains in India, mostly Arcot. With war about to be declared, efforts to claim such land were only encouraged.

When the two armies and navy were in place, war could finally be declared. Bahmanis, just like Morocco, had no allies and a smaller army. Things should not go too difficultly.



The Ceylon trading fleet faced off against Bahmanis’s trading fleet, and not surprisingly defeated the inferior fleet. It even captured a ship, although this was later scuttled due to its inferior design.


On land, the two armies marched north into enemy land. Bahmanis had two forts near the border, the first targets. Bahmanis’s army was at the fort in Vijayanagar and put up an admirable defence, although it amounted to little. The Hispanian army won the day and pursued the enemy army, catching them in North Kanara and routing them. The Exercit Colonial then split, one return to Vijayanagar and another heading for Bahmanis’s capital.

Poor harvests in some of the colonies were causing problems as immigration became less favourable and people returned to Europe.

The capital of Savanur fell after only a month, setting the tone for the rest of the war. The coastal fort of Tondainadu fell a few weeks later. Everything was progressing rather smoothly.



Pirates decided this time to attack Sassari, the third in a number of bold attacks in the western Mediterranean. It seemed that Mare Nostrum did not scare these lawless men as they raided the coasts. The treasury handed out some funds to the locals to ensure they could prepare adequate defences.

Bahmanis’s fleet was forced from port, confronting the Flota Colonial. While unable to crush them entirely, they did take out a few ships before the enemy fled to safety yet again.

Emperor Jaume had been considering ways to acquire further funding for the much desired Suez Canal. The Crown had collected thousands of ducats so far through normal means, and contributors had prepared an estimated 9-10k, but that was not enough. Jaume started reaching out to merchants, who had an invested interest in the canal, to see if they’d contribute. Perhaps with a little strong-arming, he managed to weasel roughly 1k out of them. Seeing some of these men might be in direct competition with the TATC, the Emperor made sure to acknowledge that the TATC monopoly on Africa gave it preference when it came to the proposed canal.

The colony at Cayenne became self-sufficient, a goal of the court and connecting Sanchonia and Nueva Granada. This allowed the Crown to divert focus to South Africa, where a colony was established in Mtetwa. The sudden Swedish presence in the region had warranted further involvement.



Bahmanis tried one last attempt to retake its capital, but this proved as ineffective as past attempts. The fall of Vijayanagar a week later left only a single fort and a few provinces left to occupy.

Bahmanis’s fleet faced off against Hispania for a second time. They lost several ships, whole most of their navy mysteriously vanished mid-battle. No one knew where they went, but this was the second time to happen.

Lithuania was ever eager to expand eastward, declaring war on Sibir now.

With the war all but won, the Exercit Cathay sailed back to China.

While the war was proceeding with few problems and the Crown was focused on acquiring funds for the Suez Canal, an omen perhaps portending to nefarious future events appeared. A comet soared across the sky, a sure-fire omen.

Near the end of April of 1738, the last province and fort of Bahmanis’s gave in. The war seemed all but over now. Despite this, the Chancellor hesitated signing a peace. He stated there was still a need to pacify the region, despite funding for army maintenance already dropping. Many speculated that the real reason was to prolong war taxes for the full two years, but this was never openly admitted.



With it seeming clear that Hispania would soon dominate a large piece of India, the Indian Trading Company flourished. While there was talk of siphoning wealth out of India to fund the Suez Canal, antagonizing soon to be conquered locals was deemed unadvisable and instead a slow stream of ducats flowed into the treasury for use towards the canal.

Britain seems all but doomed in the summer of 1738. Almost the entire country had been occupied, and now peasants were rising up against the occupation force. The French showed the perfection of their fighting force, and perhaps a willingness to stay in these occupied lands, when they crushed a rebellion in London.

Over in Austria, the Archduke passed away, leaving his crown to his brother Leopold Johann.

Even as Hispania supported the independence of another colonial nation, their own were starting to aspire for freedom of their own. Nueva Granada promoted a colonel who openly supported armed resistance against Hispania, making him a general. He was gaining support, and there was fear he could lead a revolt in the future. Nothing was done for now, but the colonies would have to be watched with a close eye.



Lithuania only took a single province from Sibir, perhaps showing a stall in their expansion eastwards.

With such great importance of the Hispanian army, it was imperative that it received constant attention. To ensure it always had available men, military service was made compulsory, with everyone required to spend at least a year serving in the army.

German nationalism was growing as Cologne used it as an excuse to declare war on Aachen. Bohemia proved the first to cave in during the war, paying war reparations for their mistake of joining the wrong side.

In June of 1739, after the Crown had managed to gather an astonishing 11k ducats in the treasury, the Emperor announced the construction of the Suez Canal would begin immediately. Several members at court had generously invested in the effort, while a few nobles had drawn upon funds from their own lands to contribute as well. The TATC was also involved to ensure they had some influence over this pivotal canal. Jaume announced that the Suez Canal Company would be created to construct and manage the canal, with all investors receiving shares and a say in the company. Estimates placed the length of construction at roughly ten years. Ideally by the 1750s, ships would be able to sail between the Mediterranean and Red Sea. ((I’ll try to figure out shares after the update.))



As construction began on the Suez Canal, France proceeded to dismantle Great Britain. France took most of southern England for themselves, including London, securing the English (or rather French) Channel. Wanting to weaken the Brits further, France forced them to return land to both Scotland and Tyrone, reviving both states from a near-death status. The colonies were left untouched, although it seemed likely Britain could not hold on to them indefinitely now.

Shortly after all of this, peace with Bahmanis was finally arranged. The entire Indian nation was annexed, and most claims they had left were revoked to ensure they would not return to southern India in strength. Hispania now controlled most of southern India, although the massive Malwa blocked any further expansion north.

Cologne was also doing well for itself, securing two provinces from Mainz and isolating the Papal State within its borders. Aachen, the target of the war, got off with just paying war reparations.

Britain was to have no respite after their defeat at French hands. In November, Scotland declared war, wanting to reclaim what land France had not returned to them. Three days later, Tyrone followed suit, wanting to claim the rest of Ireland for themselves. With no army left, Britain was in a bad spot.

As the decade neared its end, constitutionalism reared its head yet again, with calls for a constitution and parliament made in various provinces across the empire. Vague promises of reform were offered, but yet again it seemed likely little would be done. The court was too focused on the birth of a son to the Crown Prince, named Alfons. Succession was further secured.











JpsioAG.png

Presenting His Imperial Highness, Jaume IV de Trastámara, Emperor of Hispania, Caesar of Rome, and Protector of the Greeks.

I must thank you all, for with your assistance we will see the day when a man can sail straight from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea. We are proving that Hispanians can even move mountains if we so choose.

Our holdings in North Africa and India are that much more secure and profitable now. It seems little can stand in our way. Britain surely won’t when the Thirteen Colonies finally demand independence. The French certainly did not hold back against them.

These murmurs of dissent from the colonies are disconcerting. To think that the people of Nueva Granada would appoint a man general who openly defies Hispania. Perhaps it is time we do something about this matter before it blows up in our faces.


((Wasn’t sure if I would manage to get all the funds necessary for the Suez Canal before the update ended, but just pulled it off. Should be exciting to see that constructed. As for our usual business, ministers have until Monday at 12PM PST to post their plans. Players may also propose laws in that time period. We also had a new mission to vote on, but yet again the choices are not very inspiring. Nukunu is in Australia if anyone is wondering.

Dying:
@ThePatriotOfDreumel

))
 
The Hispanian Suez Canal Company (HSCC)
Founded 1739​

The Hispanian Suez Canal Company was created by the Crown to construct and manage the Suez Canal. It has a mandate to hire labour for the construction project and create a workforce to maintain the canal after its completion. Upon completion, an administrative staff will be hired to manage the workings of the canal, both its daily operation and the collection of any tariffs, tolls, and fees. Preference will be given to TATC employees, and the TATC will be granted basic oversight over the operation of the HSCC and Suez Canal.

Shares for the HSCC are provided to all those who invested in the initial construction project. All those who possess shares are granted a position on the HSCC's Board of Directors and thus receive a say in the company's workings according to the number of shares they possess. The Board of Directors may make changes to the operation of the HSCC through a majority vote, as well as have a voice in the appointment of higher-level employees and the rates for tariffs, tolls, and fees.

All ships not flying the Hispanian or TATC flag shall be required to pay a toll to use the Suez Canal. War ships shall be required to pay a higher rate than trade ships, while all allied nations shall receive a discount.

All profits from the Suez Canal collected through tariffs, tolls, and fees shall be distributed 40% to the Crown, 40% to the TATC, and 20% amongst the remaining shareholders based on the numbers of shares held. All expenses for the HSCC shall be paid from tariffs and fees collected from the Suez Canal before funds are distributed to shareholders, and if there is a deficit the Crown shall cover the loss.

The Crown shall be responsible for the defence of the Suez Canal, with the Hispanian army and navy tasked with protecting it during times of war. The HSCC shall create a small security force for basic protection. All ships, excluding those owned by Hispania and its allies, shall not be permitted to make use of the Suez Canal during times of war, unless given express permission by the Crown or TATC.

Current Shareholders:
The Crown: 40%
Emperor Jaume IV de Trastámara's family: 10%
The Trans-Atlantic Trading Company: 15%
The Hispanian Merchants Guild: 6.25%
The Alvaro Family ((Robban204)): 5%
The Leon Family ((zenphoenix)): 5%
The Saint-Pierre Family ((05060403)): 5%
The Villanova Family ((DragonOfAtlantis)): 5%
The Montségur Family ((alscon)): 3.75%
Andreu de Trastámara's family: 2.5%
Private Investors: 2.5%


((I just took the amount of money everyone invested and used that to determine the percent contribution to come up with shares. The Hispanian Merchants Guild is just my way of representing the roughly 1.25k from the burgher estate, while the private investors is just a small piece of the Crown funds I decided to carve off to represent any potential unrepresented investors. Based on the funding, players contributed roughly 6750, the various Trastámaras 2500, the burghers roughly 1250, and the Crown the remaining 9500. It should be noted that at the moment the HSCC is rather tentative. I encourage players to make suggestions as to its format and the way it operates, or perhaps how funds are distributed. I might even put it up to a vote, although it should be noted such a vote would be on its composition and not the creation of the HSCC itself. The number of shares is also unrelated to any vote, so voting against it because of the share distribution is pointless since that's set in stone regardless. The shares can only change if exchanged by the people holding them. With the Emperor holding over 50% shares, he can pretty much do what he wants with this company, so any vote is more of a courtesy. :D))
 
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((@DragonOfAtlantis, @Michaelangelo the title is free, Fausto btw his wife can claim Provence but there are some risks))

Francesco sat in his small house in Orange. He knew that some Hispanian nobles would search him but here in France he was save. His spys in Valencia would tell him everything interresting. In the previous days he had sent 4 brave and loyal men o recruit more fighters in the Italian Provinces owned by Hispania.
 
It took time to convince Ferran to give her the space she needed, but she did it. It took time to get a platoon of the Guardia Real enthralled by her charms to serve as her loyal personal guards, but she did it. It took time to even get pregnant and give the Emperor a grandson, but she has finally did that too.

Alfons. The second in line for the throne. Her son.

Unlike most noble women who gave their children to milk maids, Sophia decided to take a page from the commoners. A sling was made from a sheet of cotton, one end over her left shoulde, the other at her right hip, and Alfons snuggled in the sling with his mother's body giving him reassurance and warmth.
 
Dear Emperor Jaume IV,

My wife and I have thought over the recent wiping out of her family and we have decided to press her claim to the county Provence.

Assistant Field Marshall Fausto Villanova

((Good thing that I still have Alonzo and whatever family he has))
 
I am certain that the canal will prove once and for all to the world that nothing stands in Hispania's way. Concerning army expansion, the Exercits Jerusalem and Firenze shall be expanded like the Athens previously.

-Marshal Alexandre César de Montségur
 
Dear Emperor Jaume IV,

My wife and I have thought over the recent wiping out of her family and we have decided to press her claim to the county Provence.

Assistant Field Marshall Fausto Villanova

((Good thing that I still have Alonzo and whatever family he has))

JpsioAG.png

I have heard of the mysterious death of the Burgundy-Ivrea-Orange Family. Their loss is a travesty for Hispania. It does seem that with their loss, Provence lacks a count. If your wife is indeed the last Burgundy-Ivrea-Orange left, then she must be the only claimant left to Provence. She may take the title of Countess of Provence with my blessing.

I have also been informed by my sister Júlia that her niece Llúcia has become interested in your son Alvino. If he has not already been wed, I am certain she would be delighted at a match. ((*cough* look at the Bachelor thing *cough* :D))

- His Imperial Highness, Jaume IV de Trastámara, Emperor of Hispania, Caesar of Rome, & Protector of the Greeks

* * * * *

JpsioAG.png

His Imperial Highness, Jaume IV de Trastámara, Emperor of Hispania, Caesar of Rome, & Protector of the Greeks wishes to announce that with Prince Francesc de Trastámara and his betrothed Isabel de Leon coming of age, they shall now formally be wed. His Imperial Highness also wishes to present the Prince with the title to the County of Salento as a wedding gift.

((I don't know if you're interested @zenphoenix, but we can hold a wedding for the two of them if you want to IC about it.))

* * * * *

((Private))

Jaume sat by himself in his chambers, a box of letters in his hands. No one had ever read the contents of these letters, and no one but him ever would. He wiped away a tear, for these were all he had left of Simeó de Trastámara, his best friend and more. The man had passed away a few days ago, and Jaume felt like he had lost a piece of himself. While his wife had always remained cold and distant, Simeó had been his rock, the one he could seek out for advice and comfort. A sad smile spread across his face as he recalled the time Simeó had saved him from the assassin. That seemed so long ago, two decades in the past. They had been so young then. Now Simeó was gone and Jaume would have to try to move on. He opened the box of letters, reading their contents and bringing the old memories back to the surface. He knew that he should burn these letters, that such a thing would be the best for both him and his late friend, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. This was all he had left now. He spent the afternoon reading them before hiding them away for when he needed that extra bit of comfort.

* * * * *

JpsioAG.png

Surely by now you have heard of the intended creation of the Hispanian Suez Canal Company. Due to its location in Africa and the great boon it will provide for trade, it seems only logical that the Trans-Atlantic Trading Company play a pivotal role in its administration. I wish for the TATC to provide the bulk of its staff, managing the everyday operations. While all those working for the proposed HSCC would still be responsible to the company's Board of Directors, the TATC would have unparalleled influence and leverage over the Suez Canal to ensure its proper operation. I have already presented the charter for such a company, so feel free to suggest any clauses you would like added if you find these offer agreeable. I also believe that if the TATC plays a larger role in its administration, it should also receive more profit from it. I suggest that profits be split 40% to the Crown, 40% to the TATC, and 20% to the remaining shareholders. As a sign of good faith, the Crown shall hand over 5% of the HSCC shares to the TATC upon the conclusion of any arrangement we reach. I hope that this proposal seems favourable to you and the TATC.

- His Imperial Highness, Jaume IV de Trastámara, Emperor of Hispania, Caesar of Rome, & Protector of the Greeks
 
Dear Emperor Jamue IV,

I accept your arrangement of marriage between my son, Alvino, and your niece, Llúcia. ((a sister's niece would either be the characters daughter or their niece just so you know))

---------------------

After arriving at Marseille, Fausto sees a familiar face.
"B-brother?"
"Alonzo, is that really you?"
"Yes! I can't believe it, it really is you Fausto, it's been so long since we've seen each other."
The brothers, eyes welling up, hug each other.
"Watch the hook."
"Sorry."
"How's father?"
"He's doing good, he was promoted to Grand Admiral."
"I know, I was surprised getting the news, who knew he had any ambition."
"How did you survive the massacre anyway?"
"They just threw all the staff in a guest room and left us, we escaped because they were sloppy, the Marshal of Provence wasn't stripped of his knife."
 
Dear Emperor Jamue IV,

I accept your arrangement of marriage between my son, Alvino, and your niece, Llúcia. ((a sister's niece would either be the characters daughter or their niece just so you know))

((Technically she's not the emperor's niece, since Llúcia is Júlia's niece through marriage, so her husband's niece. I just thought it easier to say Júlia's niece rather than Simeó's niece, who was Júlia's husband and thus Llúcia's uncle by blood. It makes more sense on the family tree. :p))
 
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Sophia entered the study of the Chancellor, with Alfons in her arms.

"My cousin Pausanias has been quiet lately about the war for the Balkans. And if I know him, that means he is planning something. I recommend that you foil his plot by giving him what he wants, on our terms of course. Make it clear that this is the last time Hispania will aid in Byzantine expansion, for after the Balkans are secured, no more ancestral land exists that isn't claimed by us or our allies. With the death of Count Orange, the Cortz cannot Veto it this time."