while rains come and the sun rises and falls, the politicians in Italy debate and decisions are delayed. thus time marches on and our next update is due..... enjoy
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MARCH 19TH 1555 Economy 84d Treasury 798d Stab +3
MARCH
19th 2000 men are raised in nova scotia in preperations for the incan war.
Grassi in cuzco upon hearing Doge Misha will not declare war on Spain plans to split his 9000 man army in four and try to conquer as much incan land as possible. On the 22nd his entire army is met in cuzco by 14000 retreating incans fresh from defeat at spanish hands. So a massive battle ensues that leaves not one incan soldier standing. The army then splits in four directions after that.
28th News comes that Aguirro is marching north to claim ayacucho with his 1000 men. Grassi has 2000 men land in ayacucho first and holds fast to the flag.
29th 2000 italian cavalry from cali ride south and claim quayaquil from the incans.
APRIL
1st 2000 italians march into spanish held Lima but the spanish guards refuse to let down their flag. The italians are forced to move on as attacking would be an act of war and the game wont let me do that like the spanish can
3rd Grassi leads 2000 men into Arequipa and defeats 800 incans there.
5th Italian cavalry takes Cajamarca from the incans no battle , two more branches of Grassis army take titicaca.
27th 2000 cavalry attack 2900 incan men in Huanuco, and are forced to retreat as the incans have some modern weapons, who knows where they came from.
MAY
1st Lorraine citizens revolt against their spanish overlords.
11th Grassi and another part of his army take Potosi and moquega while marching south to claim as much incan land before the spanish do.
14th Spanish with 1/0/70cannon, take Arica from the incans and later on the 25th they also claimed Tucuman and its gold before the Italians could reach it, soooo close.
Grassi is in such torment for failing to take the gold territory before the spanish. He is certain he will be tried and jailed by the Italian government. He is found hanging from a tree , his horse nearby. Apparently he had commited suicide but there is always the possibility of murder, there are small numbers of incans and spanish around. But soldiers nearby heard no struggle or yells for help so they concluded it was suicide. He left a note that said, "Forgive me father, for I failed you in my ways"
JUNE
With the sad passing of our great general Grassi. The army in south america is without strong leadership. However just in time comes senator Storey who had sailed as soon as Doge Misha approved his request almost two years ago, to lead against the incans.
General Storey arrived in the Cartagena colony where 3000 italians waited and they marched south. Fast scouts also went forth to allert the leaderless Italian armies in the south of General stories arrival and command.
25th Admiral Crunch arrives in Nova scotia for further orders while an army is building there.
26th Da Raguso begins sailing with five ships to nova scotia on way to south america.
28th Aguirro and his 1000 spanish regiment finally reach Ayacucho and meet up at the Italain army camp there. Aguirro demands that Italy take down its flag as he intends to claim all inca land for Spain. However just before the Italians gave into the strong spanish conquistadors demands, a scout with general stories orders arrives. The Italains muster confidence amid the great senators arrival and they refuse now to give into the spanish. The Italian flag stays (im learning some new stuff how the game works in these game situations)
30th General storey arrives with 7000 reserves and attacks 2000 incans in Huanuco the incans last stand in the north. Storey commands a brutal victory and the incans are forced south to lima. he marches on to Lima in chase.
JULY
4th News comes from madrid that Spain has made peace with the incan empire. Spain gets 250ducats and the gold territory of Tucuman from the incans. the incans reclaim control of lima/Arica/atacama/coquimbo
6th general Storey battles 150 incans in Lima and wins claiming lima for Italy.
21st colony in Cartagena is expanded to 200 people. Admiral Crunches wife has a child, not sure if its his or not
30th 4000 Italians who had just lost general grassi march south after getting orders from general Storey to continue the conquest. They take Arica and march further south ignoring the marching spanish moving their guns to Tucuman.
AUGUST
15th The 4000 italians marching south gain control of Atacama and stop incan men from preparing for war. The italian flag rises over the incan villages. One territory left now.
Aguirro and his spanish arrive in Lima and the great spanish conquistador meets with general Storey. They greet each other like gentleman but little does the spaniard know that Italy is getting close to total victory. Storey waits for news while he debates issues with Aguirro while he prepares to return home.
SEPTEMBER
3rd 4000 italians in the south finally take the last incan territory of coquimbo and sends a scout to inform the general.
8th Storey gets news of the victory and he demands the surrender of the incan leaders. The incans have no choice and they submit to full annexation of all their land to Italy. General storey tries to get a celebration started but Aguirro with his 1000 men upon hearing the news attacks general storey and his men in Lima.
A major battle starts in Lima where the two forces sat after annexation of inca. Storey commands his men well and his firepower cuts down the spanish then finishes them off with swords and spear. Aguirro is cut down and battle and is buried honorably by good catholic Italians. War does not result (in game terms) because this was all a part of the treaty of tordesillas.
10th While general storey cleans up in south america and begins to establish italian control over former incan lands, another settler is sent to build a colony in gold rich Azuay.
Lomellini also arrives in Modena and awaits further orders from Doge Misha.
the senate upon recieving news from the merchants of south america now show the economy to be
Economy 109ducats (thanks to gold) Treasury 578ducats Stab +3
thats it for now......
MARCH
19th 2000 men are raised in nova scotia in preperations for the incan war.
Grassi in cuzco upon hearing Doge Misha will not declare war on Spain plans to split his 9000 man army in four and try to conquer as much incan land as possible. On the 22nd his entire army is met in cuzco by 14000 retreating incans fresh from defeat at spanish hands. So a massive battle ensues that leaves not one incan soldier standing. The army then splits in four directions after that.
28th News comes that Aguirro is marching north to claim ayacucho with his 1000 men. Grassi has 2000 men land in ayacucho first and holds fast to the flag.
29th 2000 italian cavalry from cali ride south and claim quayaquil from the incans.
APRIL
1st 2000 italians march into spanish held Lima but the spanish guards refuse to let down their flag. The italians are forced to move on as attacking would be an act of war and the game wont let me do that like the spanish can
3rd Grassi leads 2000 men into Arequipa and defeats 800 incans there.
5th Italian cavalry takes Cajamarca from the incans no battle , two more branches of Grassis army take titicaca.
27th 2000 cavalry attack 2900 incan men in Huanuco, and are forced to retreat as the incans have some modern weapons, who knows where they came from.
MAY
1st Lorraine citizens revolt against their spanish overlords.
11th Grassi and another part of his army take Potosi and moquega while marching south to claim as much incan land before the spanish do.
14th Spanish with 1/0/70cannon, take Arica from the incans and later on the 25th they also claimed Tucuman and its gold before the Italians could reach it, soooo close.
Grassi is in such torment for failing to take the gold territory before the spanish. He is certain he will be tried and jailed by the Italian government. He is found hanging from a tree , his horse nearby. Apparently he had commited suicide but there is always the possibility of murder, there are small numbers of incans and spanish around. But soldiers nearby heard no struggle or yells for help so they concluded it was suicide. He left a note that said, "Forgive me father, for I failed you in my ways"
JUNE
With the sad passing of our great general Grassi. The army in south america is without strong leadership. However just in time comes senator Storey who had sailed as soon as Doge Misha approved his request almost two years ago, to lead against the incans.
General Storey arrived in the Cartagena colony where 3000 italians waited and they marched south. Fast scouts also went forth to allert the leaderless Italian armies in the south of General stories arrival and command.
25th Admiral Crunch arrives in Nova scotia for further orders while an army is building there.
26th Da Raguso begins sailing with five ships to nova scotia on way to south america.
28th Aguirro and his 1000 spanish regiment finally reach Ayacucho and meet up at the Italain army camp there. Aguirro demands that Italy take down its flag as he intends to claim all inca land for Spain. However just before the Italians gave into the strong spanish conquistadors demands, a scout with general stories orders arrives. The Italains muster confidence amid the great senators arrival and they refuse now to give into the spanish. The Italian flag stays (im learning some new stuff how the game works in these game situations)
30th General storey arrives with 7000 reserves and attacks 2000 incans in Huanuco the incans last stand in the north. Storey commands a brutal victory and the incans are forced south to lima. he marches on to Lima in chase.
JULY
4th News comes from madrid that Spain has made peace with the incan empire. Spain gets 250ducats and the gold territory of Tucuman from the incans. the incans reclaim control of lima/Arica/atacama/coquimbo
6th general Storey battles 150 incans in Lima and wins claiming lima for Italy.
21st colony in Cartagena is expanded to 200 people. Admiral Crunches wife has a child, not sure if its his or not
30th 4000 Italians who had just lost general grassi march south after getting orders from general Storey to continue the conquest. They take Arica and march further south ignoring the marching spanish moving their guns to Tucuman.
AUGUST
15th The 4000 italians marching south gain control of Atacama and stop incan men from preparing for war. The italian flag rises over the incan villages. One territory left now.
Aguirro and his spanish arrive in Lima and the great spanish conquistador meets with general Storey. They greet each other like gentleman but little does the spaniard know that Italy is getting close to total victory. Storey waits for news while he debates issues with Aguirro while he prepares to return home.
SEPTEMBER
3rd 4000 italians in the south finally take the last incan territory of coquimbo and sends a scout to inform the general.
8th Storey gets news of the victory and he demands the surrender of the incan leaders. The incans have no choice and they submit to full annexation of all their land to Italy. General storey tries to get a celebration started but Aguirro with his 1000 men upon hearing the news attacks general storey and his men in Lima.
A major battle starts in Lima where the two forces sat after annexation of inca. Storey commands his men well and his firepower cuts down the spanish then finishes them off with swords and spear. Aguirro is cut down and battle and is buried honorably by good catholic Italians. War does not result (in game terms) because this was all a part of the treaty of tordesillas.
10th While general storey cleans up in south america and begins to establish italian control over former incan lands, another settler is sent to build a colony in gold rich Azuay.
Lomellini also arrives in Modena and awaits further orders from Doge Misha.
the senate upon recieving news from the merchants of south america now show the economy to be
Economy 109ducats (thanks to gold) Treasury 578ducats Stab +3
thats it for now......
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Sorry Guys!
I can see that this thread has once again taken a very interesting turn. Unfortunately I cannot get completely up-to-date & post any replies from the doge right now, as I am committed to playing a multi-player game of EU with some friends tonight. As soon as we finish at 11PM or so CDT, I'll get right on this.
But in the interim, I need votes from every senator on the issues of war with Spain & moving the capitol to Rome.
As to Papal Infallabity, not only is Gandalf right about it only applying to matters of faith & morals, but it was a doctrine that was only recognized in the late 19th century. It has been used only 3 times - once to state it, & twice for articles of Catholic faith involving the Virgin Mary.
But editing out the ToT apparently has one odd side effect - the Dutch Revolt does not occur. The game engine checks to see that the Calvin event has happened & that the ToT is still active to keep the Dutch Revolt going, rather than checking to see that the EoT has not happened. Odd bug.
I'll be back in a few hours.
I can see that this thread has once again taken a very interesting turn. Unfortunately I cannot get completely up-to-date & post any replies from the doge right now, as I am committed to playing a multi-player game of EU with some friends tonight. As soon as we finish at 11PM or so CDT, I'll get right on this.
But in the interim, I need votes from every senator on the issues of war with Spain & moving the capitol to Rome.
As to Papal Infallabity, not only is Gandalf right about it only applying to matters of faith & morals, but it was a doctrine that was only recognized in the late 19th century. It has been used only 3 times - once to state it, & twice for articles of Catholic faith involving the Virgin Mary.
But editing out the ToT apparently has one odd side effect - the Dutch Revolt does not occur. The game engine checks to see that the Calvin event has happened & that the ToT is still active to keep the Dutch Revolt going, rather than checking to see that the EoT has not happened. Odd bug.
I'll be back in a few hours.
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explaination of last couple years as it is even confusing for me.
Folks i want to thank you for taking the effort to read through my chicken scratches for the past two years of this aar. I have to humbly admit that it has been a struggle to get it together in a understandable way. Basically lots of things happened over the past few years and i hope you all got the main points.
First is that POLAND/HUNGARY/FRANCE/ITALY are now allies.
The pope is laying down decrees against the reformists and has welcomed capital to rome which will come later.
War did NOT, come between Italy and Spain through the incan war, though their forces did fight in the end. There is more to that story. You see i have never played this kind of the game (colonial war against spain or portugal) so i was learning as i went along, but it made it hard to describe events to you all.
Our army mostly led by Grassi, struggled its way sometimes tachtically and then forcefully, Its way through incan land. The incans put up one HELL of a fight and i could not figure out the best way to win. Some times our army though seemingly strong, was on a wing and a prayer. Im not sure if you all know this, but the Italian-inca war started on May 12th 1545. That war lasted 10 full years. Started while italy was at peace but then WHAM wars in europe started and the inca war was on hold basically. Grassi had no forces enough to fight.
It wouldnt be until 1552 after all the european wars ended and after political restructuring in Italy that the incan war heated up under Doge Misha. But even then it was a hard struggle to fight about 100,000 incans total with my slowly filtered 50,000 troops. Most of which parished.
When i couldnt get my troops into terra incognita i was getting pissed, i was for real. Every time i came close to that territory another inca army stopped me. grrrrrrr. So that slowed everything down. Then the spanish entered the fray and that was confusing because. I didnt know what to expect. I mean would the spanish just land on and take everything i took before? i didnt know. How would i approach this war now? I personally hoped Misha would declare war but also knew that was a difficult decision. Well i am lucky to have had it all happen the way it did, i still have question as to how it could have ended up with the intracacies of this tordisillas treaty. Have you guys ever fought a major colonial war against spain or portugal? Its not easy
Anyways, im about to wrap it up for tonight. I know much of the past few years was confusing so if you have questions where we are at now, just let me know ill explain best i can.
I think i should write up some brief summaries after a few years of post to help you grasp details as a whole. Remember im still experimenting here, finding new ways for a better overall rpg/aar. Thank you all for your patience and participation.
Night...
Folks i want to thank you for taking the effort to read through my chicken scratches for the past two years of this aar. I have to humbly admit that it has been a struggle to get it together in a understandable way. Basically lots of things happened over the past few years and i hope you all got the main points.
First is that POLAND/HUNGARY/FRANCE/ITALY are now allies.
The pope is laying down decrees against the reformists and has welcomed capital to rome which will come later.
War did NOT, come between Italy and Spain through the incan war, though their forces did fight in the end. There is more to that story. You see i have never played this kind of the game (colonial war against spain or portugal) so i was learning as i went along, but it made it hard to describe events to you all.
Our army mostly led by Grassi, struggled its way sometimes tachtically and then forcefully, Its way through incan land. The incans put up one HELL of a fight and i could not figure out the best way to win. Some times our army though seemingly strong, was on a wing and a prayer. Im not sure if you all know this, but the Italian-inca war started on May 12th 1545. That war lasted 10 full years. Started while italy was at peace but then WHAM wars in europe started and the inca war was on hold basically. Grassi had no forces enough to fight.
It wouldnt be until 1552 after all the european wars ended and after political restructuring in Italy that the incan war heated up under Doge Misha. But even then it was a hard struggle to fight about 100,000 incans total with my slowly filtered 50,000 troops. Most of which parished.
When i couldnt get my troops into terra incognita i was getting pissed, i was for real
. Every time i came close to that territory another inca army stopped me. grrrrrrr. So that slowed everything down. Then the spanish entered the fray and that was confusing because. I didnt know what to expect. I mean would the spanish just land on and take everything i took before? i didnt know. How would i approach this war now? I personally hoped Misha would declare war but also knew that was a difficult decision. Well i am lucky to have had it all happen the way it did, i still have question as to how it could have ended up with the intracacies of this tordisillas treaty. Have you guys ever fought a major colonial war against spain or portugal? Its not easy Anyways, im about to wrap it up for tonight. I know much of the past few years was confusing so if you have questions where we are at now, just let me know ill explain best i can.
I think i should write up some brief summaries after a few years of post to help you grasp details as a whole. Remember im still experimenting here, finding new ways for a better overall rpg/aar. Thank you all for your patience and participation.
Night...
I will be posting screenshots of this war later. I dont have time tonight as i just came from church but ill get to it tomorrow. I look forward to comments about developments.
Doge Misha lead the way. I will listen and obeyooohh sounds kinky
Doge Misha lead the way. I will listen and obey
ooohh sounds kinky
Leaving with a Bang!
With your leave mighty Doge:
Oops! I forgot about the bad ear.
HEY!! I SAID, WITH YOUR LEAVE MIGHTY DOGE!!!
(Doge Misha waives a reluctant acknowledgement to the aged Styrian Senator and mumbles to his bodyguards to be on the lookout for any combustible baked goods.)
Friends, I must confess that when I received reports of General Story's annexation of the great Inca Empire tears welled up in these old bloodshot eyes. After ten long years of war and 42 years of service, intrigue and the occasional assassination in the Collegio del Sala - my life's foremost ambition has been fulfilled. ITALY IS NOW THE LEADING GOLD PRODUCING NATION ON EARTH!
Gentlemen, as a Styrian, as a mine owner, as a man who tortured his first slave in the gold pits at the tender age of six, you have no idea how proud I am of our Republic's achievements today.
I will never forget my father's dying words to me. "Son," he said "Always remember that it is gold that makes the man. Hey, this tartufo tastes funny . . . " Today, the Incas' gold has made our fair Republic the mightiest nation in Europe.
With my ultimate political goals achieved (well . . . aside from the odd botched assassination attempt), I choose on this day of triumph to resign from my position as Senator. The Styrian people will now be served in this Chamber by my lifelong and almost-trusted friend, Cardinal Lupo ("Pope Petrus had better watch his goddamn back") Callebresi. In lieu of a state pension, I would humbly ask the Doge's permission for myself and a small coterie of pastry chefs to join our next Italian colonial expedition to South Vespucci. There, I hope to spend my few remaining twilight years applying my intimate knowledge of gold mines and the slave trade to enrich the coffers of our fair Republic.
My friends, as I depart from this hallowed Chamber - and I'll admit it looks a little worse for wear after that whole exploding tiramisu fiasco - let me leave you with three simple words to live by:
DON"T SCREW UP!!!
There are some brave and eager Senators within this chamber who advocate war with Spain. Now, I'll freely admit that I'd like to see the Spanish royal family be sodomized by a pack of rabid Hyenas as much as the next guy. But that doesn't mean that I'm suicidal.
First, if we declare war on Spain we take an immediate 3 point stability hit. Hey, do you boys actually relish the prospect of suppressing rebellion after rebellion? Think about it. We've been at war since 1545. War fatigue is about to set in. And you want to take a three stability point hit . . . yikes? If you take that approach, you might as well say "bye-bye Inca Empire".
If you just absolutely have to fight the Spanish - fine. But, let's be more subtle about starting the damn war. Send them a few insults or some poisoned zucchini loaf. Claim ancestral rights over their throne. Monopolize a couple of their centers of trade and wait for the inevitable embargo. Heck, just embargo them ourselves. But a DOW of itself would be . . . well . . . too inartistic. Remember, we're Italians. We should pride ourselves on Machiavellian intrigue!
Secondly, you might just want to remember that we are the bad boy of Europe right now. So, what does that mean? Well, it means that within a couple of months of starting a war we won't just be fighting the curs from Madrid. Hell no. We'll also be fighting the Turks, the Hapsburgs, the English (Remember them? They actually beat us last time!), the Portuguese, the Algerians, the Dutch, the Swedes, and a bunch of tiresome German principalities too numerous to mention. Do you think that the French, the Poles and the Hungarians will be there to save you? Don't count on it. After about the ninth DOW even the best of allies will cease to come rushing to your aid.
So, the next time this Republic starts a war, it had better be prepared to fight just about every European nation. That meanshaving in place: at least four regiments in Italy with 50,000+ troops; 20,000 troops in North Vespucci; 20,000 more men in South Vespucci; and a dominant navy in both the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Start a war with anything less, and our the fortifications of our Italian cities will soon have more breaches in them than my late, third wife's chastity belt.
As for those of you who look forward to establishing a Mare Italia? Get over it! North Africa is a wasteland and it's inhabitants are basically professional rebels. Worse still, the Shiites get a ridiculous morale bonus and will cut through most of our troops like a knife through butter. Finally, do you really want all that sand in your fine, handmade Italian shoes?
My prescription for the Republic at this time is simple. Try a decade or so of peace. Move the capital to Rome. Start a pornography . . er, I mean Arts Academy there. Maybe establish a few naval manufactories (they give you extra colonists and help with the naval tech). Fortify the hell out of South Vespucci. Colonize the heck out of North Vespucci. See if you can discover the three fabled remaining gold provinces in the Amerigos. Hey, maybe send Crunch out in a leaky rowboat to discover India and the Spice Islands. Start a banking empire in Europe. Try diplo-annexing Hungary and a couple of the Catholic German states. Whatever. Just do it peacefully for a while . . .
Then, when the badboy is a little lower, the national infrastructure is in great shape, the coffers are filled and you have a massive standing army - ONLY THEN DO YOU BRING THOSE SPANISH DOGS TO HEEL!
Oh well, gotta run. Ship to catch. Indigenous people to enslave and exploit. You know the drill. Watch out for Callebresi, he’s got his eye on the Papacy. (Oh, and I haven’t forgotten next Thursday’s Senatorial potluck dinner. So, I’m leaving you with this delightful Chocolate Zuccoli cake. Made especially in Styria for the great occasion of Senator Storey's triumph in Nova Italia.) Arrivederci! God bless! Chiao!
(With that the 80 year old Styrian ambled out of the Sala del Collegio for the last time, to the great (and dare I say relieved) applause of his fellow Senators. Over time, however, the ovation would die down and be replaced by widespread panic and screams of terror as Doge Misha placed his one remaining good ear to the Zuccoli cake and stated "As I expected. It’s ticking . . .")
With your leave mighty Doge:
Oops! I forgot about the bad ear.
HEY!! I SAID, WITH YOUR LEAVE MIGHTY DOGE!!!
(Doge Misha waives a reluctant acknowledgement to the aged Styrian Senator and mumbles to his bodyguards to be on the lookout for any combustible baked goods.)
Friends, I must confess that when I received reports of General Story's annexation of the great Inca Empire tears welled up in these old bloodshot eyes. After ten long years of war and 42 years of service, intrigue and the occasional assassination in the Collegio del Sala - my life's foremost ambition has been fulfilled. ITALY IS NOW THE LEADING GOLD PRODUCING NATION ON EARTH!
Gentlemen, as a Styrian, as a mine owner, as a man who tortured his first slave in the gold pits at the tender age of six, you have no idea how proud I am of our Republic's achievements today.
I will never forget my father's dying words to me. "Son," he said "Always remember that it is gold that makes the man. Hey, this tartufo tastes funny . . . " Today, the Incas' gold has made our fair Republic the mightiest nation in Europe.
With my ultimate political goals achieved (well . . . aside from the odd botched assassination attempt), I choose on this day of triumph to resign from my position as Senator. The Styrian people will now be served in this Chamber by my lifelong and almost-trusted friend, Cardinal Lupo ("Pope Petrus had better watch his goddamn back") Callebresi. In lieu of a state pension, I would humbly ask the Doge's permission for myself and a small coterie of pastry chefs to join our next Italian colonial expedition to South Vespucci. There, I hope to spend my few remaining twilight years applying my intimate knowledge of gold mines and the slave trade to enrich the coffers of our fair Republic.
My friends, as I depart from this hallowed Chamber - and I'll admit it looks a little worse for wear after that whole exploding tiramisu fiasco - let me leave you with three simple words to live by:
DON"T SCREW UP!!!
There are some brave and eager Senators within this chamber who advocate war with Spain. Now, I'll freely admit that I'd like to see the Spanish royal family be sodomized by a pack of rabid Hyenas as much as the next guy. But that doesn't mean that I'm suicidal.
First, if we declare war on Spain we take an immediate 3 point stability hit. Hey, do you boys actually relish the prospect of suppressing rebellion after rebellion? Think about it. We've been at war since 1545. War fatigue is about to set in. And you want to take a three stability point hit . . . yikes? If you take that approach, you might as well say "bye-bye Inca Empire".
If you just absolutely have to fight the Spanish - fine. But, let's be more subtle about starting the damn war. Send them a few insults or some poisoned zucchini loaf. Claim ancestral rights over their throne. Monopolize a couple of their centers of trade and wait for the inevitable embargo. Heck, just embargo them ourselves. But a DOW of itself would be . . . well . . . too inartistic. Remember, we're Italians. We should pride ourselves on Machiavellian intrigue!
Secondly, you might just want to remember that we are the bad boy of Europe right now. So, what does that mean? Well, it means that within a couple of months of starting a war we won't just be fighting the curs from Madrid. Hell no. We'll also be fighting the Turks, the Hapsburgs, the English (Remember them? They actually beat us last time!), the Portuguese, the Algerians, the Dutch, the Swedes, and a bunch of tiresome German principalities too numerous to mention. Do you think that the French, the Poles and the Hungarians will be there to save you? Don't count on it. After about the ninth DOW even the best of allies will cease to come rushing to your aid.
So, the next time this Republic starts a war, it had better be prepared to fight just about every European nation. That meanshaving in place: at least four regiments in Italy with 50,000+ troops; 20,000 troops in North Vespucci; 20,000 more men in South Vespucci; and a dominant navy in both the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Start a war with anything less, and our the fortifications of our Italian cities will soon have more breaches in them than my late, third wife's chastity belt.
As for those of you who look forward to establishing a Mare Italia? Get over it! North Africa is a wasteland and it's inhabitants are basically professional rebels. Worse still, the Shiites get a ridiculous morale bonus and will cut through most of our troops like a knife through butter. Finally, do you really want all that sand in your fine, handmade Italian shoes?
My prescription for the Republic at this time is simple. Try a decade or so of peace. Move the capital to Rome. Start a pornography . . er, I mean Arts Academy there. Maybe establish a few naval manufactories (they give you extra colonists and help with the naval tech). Fortify the hell out of South Vespucci. Colonize the heck out of North Vespucci. See if you can discover the three fabled remaining gold provinces in the Amerigos. Hey, maybe send Crunch out in a leaky rowboat to discover India and the Spice Islands. Start a banking empire in Europe. Try diplo-annexing Hungary and a couple of the Catholic German states. Whatever. Just do it peacefully for a while . . .
Then, when the badboy is a little lower, the national infrastructure is in great shape, the coffers are filled and you have a massive standing army - ONLY THEN DO YOU BRING THOSE SPANISH DOGS TO HEEL!
Oh well, gotta run. Ship to catch. Indigenous people to enslave and exploit. You know the drill. Watch out for Callebresi, he’s got his eye on the Papacy. (Oh, and I haven’t forgotten next Thursday’s Senatorial potluck dinner. So, I’m leaving you with this delightful Chocolate Zuccoli cake. Made especially in Styria for the great occasion of Senator Storey's triumph in Nova Italia.) Arrivederci! God bless! Chiao!
(With that the 80 year old Styrian ambled out of the Sala del Collegio for the last time, to the great (and dare I say relieved) applause of his fellow Senators. Over time, however, the ovation would die down and be replaced by widespread panic and screams of terror as Doge Misha placed his one remaining good ear to the Zuccoli cake and stated "As I expected. It’s ticking . . .")
Ahhhh senator meerschaum one of the founders, it is sad to see you go (NOT! ) however your departure made me laugh like hell and your words of peaceful existance is brilliant. Also i second the motion to forget about the troublesome and dirty lands of the turks. the old roman empire is gone, let it rot in history. The time has come for a new enlightened senate and leader to forge a new roman empire. One not of might but of God.
By the way meerschaum im affraid to spoil your gold rush parade, (as i hold up a gold nugget or two from south vespucci) we are not the leading gold nation, i dont think anyways, because look on the screenshots that mexico is spanish and as warspite said two of those gold lands in azuay and one other, cant give gold profits until we have a city or something like that. So im affraid spain has atleast six gold lands to our four.
I do not think we should go to war against spain, but if they threaten or take any of our lands in amerigos then we MUST declare war. Italy will not allow spain to freely take as it pleases at our cost.
Hey meerschaum ole buddy, got any extra cardinal robes? im getting pretty old myself here. uuuuuhhhh my back (crraack)
) however your departure made me laugh like hell and your words of peaceful existance is brilliant. Also i second the motion to forget about the troublesome and dirty lands of the turks. the old roman empire is gone, let it rot in history. The time has come for a new enlightened senate and leader to forge a new roman empire. One not of might but of God. By the way meerschaum im affraid to spoil your gold rush parade, (as i hold up a gold nugget or two from south vespucci) we are not the leading gold nation, i dont think anyways, because look on the screenshots that mexico is spanish and as warspite said two of those gold lands in azuay and one other, cant give gold profits until we have a city or something like that. So im affraid spain has atleast six gold lands to our four.
I do not think we should go to war against spain, but if they threaten or take any of our lands in amerigos then we MUST declare war. Italy will not allow spain to freely take as it pleases at our cost.
Hey meerschaum ole buddy, got any extra cardinal robes? im getting pretty old myself here. uuuuuhhhh my back (crraack)
as for you warspite, i think your doing great. Im not confused in the slightest bit. You have done a great job of getting the key points accross. Just keep up the good work man, we are with ya.
*Robert McCollum stands to speak*
As of late,I have heard the rumblings coming from the mouths of many of the younger Senators in these chambers. *laughs* What a feeling it was to be that young, and hot tempered, I remember many a speahc from that time in my life as well. But with age, leaves the hot headed temper of youth, and enters the cool logic and reason of maturty. Or so I am told at least.
Spain must be taken down a few notches, that much is certian. The recent "Incan Incident" has shown us that the interests of both nations lie in the New World and are set to collide. You will note, however, that I am not calling for war with the Iberians.
No, we are not ready for such a venture. We must wait and consolidate our holds in South America, we must begin to raise a new army in Italy as well as reinforce those in North and SOuth America. I would like to see the building of naval manuifacturies in our lands to increase the efficiency of our navy. Once these thigns are completed, and only then, shall we be ready to take on the Spanish. Furthermore, why should we condemn our reputation and internal stability by declaring war ourselves, when we can cause the Spaniard to be the one to take the hit!
In my younger days I gave a peach which I loook back on with some fondness. It was a speach that was full of the hot headed drool that I was known for at the time. But there was one point I made back then, that I still stronly believe in. If I remember correctly it went soemthing like "When I heard people speaking of retaking North Africa it makes we want to weep". You will ahve to excuse the slight paraphrasing.
I still believe in this very strongly. North Africa is a wasteland, and the Middle East has been losing production ever sinse the Mongol ravaged the land several centuries ago. To retake these lands would be sentimental, true, but also very foolish. IF we must expand in Europe and the Mediteranian, so be it, but we should be doing everything in our power to not aquire any Muslims in our nations! I saw let there be equality amongst all Christians, but this equality cna not be spread into the hands of the Muslim, for it woudl cuase revotls all throughout our fledgling Empire.
Mare Nostrum is dead, and so we shoudl let is rest. For those of you who still wish to create a Mare Italia, let us not look at the MEditeranian, but at the Atlantic! By gaining control of the Americas, and improving out Navy, we can dominate trade in this region, recreating the vitality of the Roman Empire on a langer scale! This should be our goal, not the recreation of a long lost dream. The times have hcanged, and so too must our ambitions.
In short, I would like to agree with nearly everything that Senator Meershaum said. We must wait for any further war, lest it be a war we can not hope to win, let us intigrate our newly conquered South American territories, as well as build manufactories to increase our naval production, as well as the building of a war memorial for the amny Italian dead in the wars of unification! Just remember it is easy to vote for a war when your don't have to go out and fight it. If you get my boys entangbled in a war we can't win, there will be hell to pay.
*Senator Robert McCollum takes his seat, and mutters thigns about exploding pastries as he does so.*
As of late,I have heard the rumblings coming from the mouths of many of the younger Senators in these chambers. *laughs* What a feeling it was to be that young, and hot tempered, I remember many a speahc from that time in my life as well. But with age, leaves the hot headed temper of youth, and enters the cool logic and reason of maturty. Or so I am told at least.
Spain must be taken down a few notches, that much is certian. The recent "Incan Incident" has shown us that the interests of both nations lie in the New World and are set to collide. You will note, however, that I am not calling for war with the Iberians.
No, we are not ready for such a venture. We must wait and consolidate our holds in South America, we must begin to raise a new army in Italy as well as reinforce those in North and SOuth America. I would like to see the building of naval manuifacturies in our lands to increase the efficiency of our navy. Once these thigns are completed, and only then, shall we be ready to take on the Spanish. Furthermore, why should we condemn our reputation and internal stability by declaring war ourselves, when we can cause the Spaniard to be the one to take the hit!
In my younger days I gave a peach which I loook back on with some fondness. It was a speach that was full of the hot headed drool that I was known for at the time. But there was one point I made back then, that I still stronly believe in. If I remember correctly it went soemthing like "When I heard people speaking of retaking North Africa it makes we want to weep". You will ahve to excuse the slight paraphrasing.
I still believe in this very strongly. North Africa is a wasteland, and the Middle East has been losing production ever sinse the Mongol ravaged the land several centuries ago. To retake these lands would be sentimental, true, but also very foolish. IF we must expand in Europe and the Mediteranian, so be it, but we should be doing everything in our power to not aquire any Muslims in our nations! I saw let there be equality amongst all Christians, but this equality cna not be spread into the hands of the Muslim, for it woudl cuase revotls all throughout our fledgling Empire.
Mare Nostrum is dead, and so we shoudl let is rest. For those of you who still wish to create a Mare Italia, let us not look at the MEditeranian, but at the Atlantic! By gaining control of the Americas, and improving out Navy, we can dominate trade in this region, recreating the vitality of the Roman Empire on a langer scale! This should be our goal, not the recreation of a long lost dream. The times have hcanged, and so too must our ambitions.
In short, I would like to agree with nearly everything that Senator Meershaum said. We must wait for any further war, lest it be a war we can not hope to win, let us intigrate our newly conquered South American territories, as well as build manufactories to increase our naval production, as well as the building of a war memorial for the amny Italian dead in the wars of unification! Just remember it is easy to vote for a war when your don't have to go out and fight it. If you get my boys entangbled in a war we can't win, there will be hell to pay.
*Senator Robert McCollum takes his seat, and mutters thigns about exploding pastries as he does so.*
Actually, I believe you are forgetting about Styria. Add that to the three significant gold producing provinces that we gained from the Inca Empire, and we now have four significant gold producing provinces and one (Azuay) coming on stream over the next few years. By contrast the Spanish probably only hold two significant gold producing provinces - Zacatecas in Mexico and Tucuman in the Andes. The two other gold bearing provinces in Mexico that the Spaniards hold (to the North of Zacatecas) are probably at this stage of the game under-developed like Azuay. (Indeed, sometimes the AI only leaves a trading post on them for decades). So I think we're still ahead in the gold game.
Of course we can get even further ahead in the gold rush if we colonize the province to the immediate east of Bogota - which bears gold as well. We should also send an explorer up the west coast to seek out the fabled lands of Monterrey and the Yukon. Then we can turn our attention to New Guinea and Siberia. Needless to say, inflation generally plays a big role in my personal GCs. Heh, heh . . .
The penultimate speech of the senator of Styria was profound, moving, & almost exactly on point except for one issue. He said:
Sadly young Robert McCollum repeated these misapprehensions about North Africa & the Middle East. Let me clear up a few points - North Africa is neither wretchedly poor, nor are its inhabitants likely to revolt. Many of these provinces possess quite nice economic value. And as North Africa lies in the Rest of the World, Nationalism revolt risk is ZERO. Only War Exhaustion & Religious Intolerance will convince the docile people of these lands to take arms against whatever nation establishes suzereignty over them.
It is trivially easy to keep 3 of the 5 major religions happy & not difficult to do so with 4. Italy presently has many Catholic provinces, a few Orthodox provinces & 1 Reformed province. By ruthlessly persecuting the Protestant heresy, we could own a vast swathe of formerly Moslem territory, all paying taxes & increasing national wealth, without much revolt risk.
But the senator from Styria has always sneered at all value that does not come out of a mine. He is the very poster child for "Gold Fever". That is all well & good - but it is not necessarily the Italian Way. We have ever been a nation capable of developing wealth in unusual & unforeseen ways. Why, without our influence, all Europe would still think that all wealth derives solely from the land, whereas we have shown that it may arise from trade, from labor, yea even from the ideas of men themselves. Now that we have gold enough for generations, isn't it perhaps time to search for other things of value?
As to the Shiites, as their technology lags due to their exotic approach to research, their morale bonus will become increasingly irrelevant. The Persians may be mighty now, but in a generation or so, they will be easy pickings. I would like to see the Republic in position to take advantage of their weakness, rather than one of our many potential enemies, such as the vile Turk. As the lands of the Persians are rich by any standard, even by the Golden Rule of Styria, whomever owns them will be a formidable foe. Better that they be in the only hands we truly trust - our own.
Sadly young Robert McCollum repeated these misapprehensions about North Africa & the Middle East. Let me clear up a few points - North Africa is neither wretchedly poor, nor are its inhabitants likely to revolt. Many of these provinces possess quite nice economic value. And as North Africa lies in the Rest of the World, Nationalism revolt risk is ZERO. Only War Exhaustion & Religious Intolerance will convince the docile people of these lands to take arms against whatever nation establishes suzereignty over them.
It is trivially easy to keep 3 of the 5 major religions happy & not difficult to do so with 4. Italy presently has many Catholic provinces, a few Orthodox provinces & 1 Reformed province. By ruthlessly persecuting the Protestant heresy, we could own a vast swathe of formerly Moslem territory, all paying taxes & increasing national wealth, without much revolt risk.
But the senator from Styria has always sneered at all value that does not come out of a mine. He is the very poster child for "Gold Fever". That is all well & good - but it is not necessarily the Italian Way. We have ever been a nation capable of developing wealth in unusual & unforeseen ways. Why, without our influence, all Europe would still think that all wealth derives solely from the land, whereas we have shown that it may arise from trade, from labor, yea even from the ideas of men themselves. Now that we have gold enough for generations, isn't it perhaps time to search for other things of value?
As to the Shiites, as their technology lags due to their exotic approach to research, their morale bonus will become increasingly irrelevant. The Persians may be mighty now, but in a generation or so, they will be easy pickings. I would like to see the Republic in position to take advantage of their weakness, rather than one of our many potential enemies, such as the vile Turk. As the lands of the Persians are rich by any standard, even by the Golden Rule of Styria, whomever owns them will be a formidable foe. Better that they be in the only hands we truly trust - our own.
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Doge Misha, you have done well in your rule thus far. No one can doubt your wisdom for not hurrying to war against spain. However your far reaching goals of north africa and persia are somewhat troubling. Atleast to these seasalt ridden ears. What more wealth lies in the sands and hills of the muslim world than the rich and abundant lands of the new world? Why shed our peoples blood on soil that will not do half as much for us as soil gained by peaceful exploration?
I agree that if Turkey or persia attack Italy we should teach them a lesson and gain footholds intheir land but we should never attack them.
Further on the Spanish issue, may i remind you that the treaty of tordisillas is still in effect. Though i have little experience with the game in these matters i must conclude there is still a possibility of spanish taking our land for free and we cant do anything about it. We should fortify at once our new lands and keep putting men down there in south america as it is so rich and we stand to lose more there. Look at how our economy did booste with this new conquest. WOW we are rich, lets protect that now shall we?
good day fellows
I agree that if Turkey or persia attack Italy we should teach them a lesson and gain footholds intheir land but we should never attack them.
Further on the Spanish issue, may i remind you that the treaty of tordisillas is still in effect. Though i have little experience with the game in these matters
i must conclude there is still a possibility of spanish taking our land for free and we cant do anything about it. We should fortify at once our new lands and keep putting men down there in south america as it is so rich and we stand to lose more there. Look at how our economy did booste with this new conquest. WOW we are rich, lets protect that now shall we?good day fellows
1) As long as the treaty of Tordesillas is valid (ie before the Edict of Tolerance) and we are a catholic country, any spanish troops that walk in one of our unprotected colony/city in America will be seized by the spanish crown (for Brazil or Africa the same's true for Portugal); by unprotected I mean unfortified or without an army. If there is an army there will be a battle and if we win we're OK; if we lose and ther's no fortress what was said before apply. If there's a fortress it probably depend on the size of the fortress and that of the invading army; I've not yet seen spanish troops assaulting/sieging such a province but mostly I had trouble with conquistadors accompanied by 1000 footsoldiers in my games. So we will need to build at least minimal fortresses in the ex-incans provinces as swiftly as possible and we will have to beware their conquistadors.
2) I felt increasing the revolt risks in interdicted catholic provinces like cheating because I think it may give Italy too much of an edge in the game against it's (here) traditional ennemies, aka Spain and Austria.
3) Thanks for the precisions concerning papal infallibility.
4) As you'll see in what follows, the Pope has got an idea who will be his General.
The Pope's office of State at the Vatican
Cardinal Montreux : Your Holiness, this...man is dangerous. Look how he came to his present position. Both staunch catholics and heretics will see him as the proof Churchmen are corrupt and unworthy of their...
Pope Peter II : Nonsense Montreux, nonsense. All of them will fear him, true, but that's because they will recognize that nothing can stop him from rooting the heresy and its supporters wherever they hide. He is exactly the man We need for this task. Montreux, be sure a messenger is sent immediatly to Styria, We feel Cardinal Callabresi will make a fine General for the Company of Jesus. And then at last We will be able to strike back against these vermins calling themselves Protestants ! We'll show them Protestants !
Meerschaum, you're invited in making your feelings known there. And the Pope does not feel that Cardinal Callabresi would be an unworthy successor .
2) I felt increasing the revolt risks in interdicted catholic provinces like cheating because I think it may give Italy too much of an edge in the game against it's (here) traditional ennemies, aka Spain and Austria.
3) Thanks for the precisions concerning papal infallibility.
4) As you'll see in what follows, the Pope has got an idea who will be his General.
The Pope's office of State at the Vatican
Cardinal Montreux : Your Holiness, this...man is dangerous. Look how he came to his present position. Both staunch catholics and heretics will see him as the proof Churchmen are corrupt and unworthy of their...
Pope Peter II : Nonsense Montreux, nonsense. All of them will fear him, true, but that's because they will recognize that nothing can stop him from rooting the heresy and its supporters wherever they hide. He is exactly the man We need for this task. Montreux, be sure a messenger is sent immediatly to Styria, We feel Cardinal Callabresi will make a fine General for the Company of Jesus. And then at last We will be able to strike back against these vermins calling themselves Protestants ! We'll show them Protestants !
Meerschaum, you're invited in making your feelings known there. And the Pope does not feel that Cardinal Callabresi would be an unworthy successor
.
January 1554
Senators Gandalf, Forster and Storey sit around a large ornate tabled sipping a white sparkling wine after a delicious meal. The three senators talk in quiet but firm tones with many pauses to consider what each is saying brought on by the several bottles of wine that has been consumed and the weighty words that have been spoken.
Senator Storey speaks next. "Friends I tell you it is no accident that I am being sent to fight in the new world. I thought that the ingenious idea of joining the reserves in Verona would guaranty that I would stay in Italy in order to help steer her safely through these troubled times. But someone with power has been at work. Have any other reservist been sent to the new world? NO! Only the regular army has gone. How is it that only one regiment of reservist have been ordered up and it's my regiment. I tell you dark forces are at work and both of you had better start watching your backs! As our country grows in power so does the competing forces that make up our great republic. There are those that will stop at nothing to see their plans realized. While I am away it is going to fall on you two to try to keep our country safe. I think senator Martin I is a possibility for our side but I know for sure senators Jeep, mosquitodriver and Meerschaum and are against our Mare Italia. Meerschaum is nearing the end because of his age and mosquitodriver is not going to last too much longer either. New senators mean young minds to be encouraged to see things our way. While I am gone killing whatever I come across in the new world you two must keep Mare Italia alive in the senate! Doge Misha is with us in spirit but must have the votes in the senate if he wants to do anything about it. I think we agree that for now we build our country's strength, build our armies, and keep peace with our neighbors. Later our time will come and the Mediterranean will be ours." More wine is poured and the talk strays to other subjects as a figure outside in the shadows slinks away into the night.
February 1554
In the senate chamber
"My Fellow Senators In Arms I Salute You."
I leave today for the new world and to do my duty for God and country. I will not return until our glory in the new world shines like a beacon in the night for all to see. I promise you my life's blood if I fail you in my task. It is difficult for me to leave for two reasons. The first is because my wife has given birth to twin sons. I have named them Alesandro and Giuseppe. The second is leaving all of my friends here in the senate. I will miss all your smiling faces and sparkling wits. Think of me when you can for I know not when or if I will return." Senator Storey marches out of the chamber to the hurrahs of the senate. "
(Okay so they didn't cheer very loudly).
October 1555
A note from senator Storey flown in by carrier pigeon from the new world arrives at the Senate chamber. (One hell of a pigeon!)
"Senators! I came. I saw. It's all ours!"
Signed Senator Storey
Senators Gandalf, Forster and Storey sit around a large ornate tabled sipping a white sparkling wine after a delicious meal. The three senators talk in quiet but firm tones with many pauses to consider what each is saying brought on by the several bottles of wine that has been consumed and the weighty words that have been spoken.
Senator Storey speaks next. "Friends I tell you it is no accident that I am being sent to fight in the new world. I thought that the ingenious idea of joining the reserves in Verona would guaranty that I would stay in Italy in order to help steer her safely through these troubled times. But someone with power has been at work. Have any other reservist been sent to the new world? NO! Only the regular army has gone. How is it that only one regiment of reservist have been ordered up and it's my regiment. I tell you dark forces are at work and both of you had better start watching your backs! As our country grows in power so does the competing forces that make up our great republic. There are those that will stop at nothing to see their plans realized. While I am away it is going to fall on you two to try to keep our country safe. I think senator Martin I is a possibility for our side but I know for sure senators Jeep, mosquitodriver and Meerschaum and are against our Mare Italia. Meerschaum is nearing the end because of his age and mosquitodriver is not going to last too much longer either. New senators mean young minds to be encouraged to see things our way. While I am gone killing whatever I come across in the new world you two must keep Mare Italia alive in the senate! Doge Misha is with us in spirit but must have the votes in the senate if he wants to do anything about it. I think we agree that for now we build our country's strength, build our armies, and keep peace with our neighbors. Later our time will come and the Mediterranean will be ours." More wine is poured and the talk strays to other subjects as a figure outside in the shadows slinks away into the night.
February 1554
In the senate chamber
"My Fellow Senators In Arms I Salute You."
I leave today for the new world and to do my duty for God and country. I will not return until our glory in the new world shines like a beacon in the night for all to see. I promise you my life's blood if I fail you in my task. It is difficult for me to leave for two reasons. The first is because my wife has given birth to twin sons. I have named them Alesandro and Giuseppe. The second is leaving all of my friends here in the senate. I will miss all your smiling faces and sparkling wits. Think of me when you can for I know not when or if I will return." Senator Storey marches out of the chamber to the hurrahs of the senate. "
(Okay so they didn't cheer very loudly).
October 1555
A note from senator Storey flown in by carrier pigeon from the new world arrives at the Senate chamber. (One hell of a pigeon!)
"Senators! I came. I saw. It's all ours!"
Signed Senator Storey
But where are maps?
To make political decisions, I always needed modern day maps. Can you give any new?
To make political decisions, I always needed modern day maps. Can you give any new?
Warspite scratched
"Folks I want to thank you for taking the effort to read through my chicken scratches for the past two years of this aar. I have to humbly admit that it has been a struggle to get it together in a understandable way."
Your doing a great job Warspite. Nothing confusing with your narrative. Keep it going. A close call in the land of the Inca but righteousness will always win out in the end.
Joe
"Folks I want to thank you for taking the effort to read through my chicken scratches for the past two years of this aar. I have to humbly admit that it has been a struggle to get it together in a understandable way."
Your doing a great job Warspite. Nothing confusing with your narrative. Keep it going. A close call in the land of the Inca but righteousness will always win out in the end.
Joe
Hey warspite, i think ariel and his english buddies are trying to make fun of your aar in the (if i see one more english aar im going to puke thread) dont worry though they are just jealous of how good yours is
anyways i too would like some screenshots of this last few years. I want to see our mighty empire now, hehe
I request to be placed as governor general of the north american colonies. I am willing to travel to nova scotia to rule over that land. How about it?
anyways i too would like some screenshots of this last few years. I want to see our mighty empire now, hehe
I request to be placed as governor general of the north american colonies. I am willing to travel to nova scotia to rule over that land. How about it?
I propose fellow senators and great doge misha that we rename our country from the Republic of Italy to the Roman Empire once we move our capital to rome. This way we can once again bring glory to the italian people and strike fear in the hearts of those who oppose us. We are the greatest nation in the world, no one can stop us now that we have three great allies, aaahhhhh.
The Pope's Office of State at the Vatican
(An enormous and misshapen figure kneels before the Bishop of Rome. Inigo de Loyola and Cardinal Montreux lurk in the shadows nearby.)
Cardinal Callebresi: . . . I furthermore promise and declare that I will, when opportunity present, make and wage relentless war, secretly or openly, against all heretics, Protestants and Liberals, as I am directed to do, to extirpate and exterminate them from the face of the whole earth; and that I will spare neither age, sex or condition; and that I will hang, waste, boil, flay, strangle and bury alive these infamous heretics, rip up the stomachs and wombs of their women and crush their infants' heads against the walls, in order to annihilate forever their execrable race. That when the same cannot be done openly, I will secretly use the poisoned cup, the strangulating cord, the steel of the poniard or the leaden bullet, regardless of the honor, rank, dignity, or authority of the person or persons, whatever may be their condition in life, either public or private, as I at any time may be directed so to do by any agent of the Pope or Superior of the Brotherhood of the Holy Faith, of the Society of Jesus.
Pope Peter II: Arise General. I am most impressed by your devotion to De Loyola's most holy cause. Now, I believe you have some work to do in the Senate . . .
Cardinal Callebresi: As your holiness commands.
(The dark figure then made his way to the side table where he proceeded to place an astonishing number of knives, daggers, poiniards, stillettos, garroting cords, and muskets within his voluminous robes. Finally, he took a strange orange ball into his large hands and ominously bounced it along the flagstones of the long corridor. He double pump faked the Helvetian guard, then spun left for an easy layup on his way out . . .)
Cardinal Montreux: His ambitions are a concern. Already some members of your order, De Loyola, refer to him as the "Black Pope". Do you think he can be trusted?
Inigo de Loyola : It's hard to tell. One thing is certain, however, he does shoot a mean game of hoops . . .
(An enormous and misshapen figure kneels before the Bishop of Rome. Inigo de Loyola and Cardinal Montreux lurk in the shadows nearby.)
Cardinal Callebresi: . . . I furthermore promise and declare that I will, when opportunity present, make and wage relentless war, secretly or openly, against all heretics, Protestants and Liberals, as I am directed to do, to extirpate and exterminate them from the face of the whole earth; and that I will spare neither age, sex or condition; and that I will hang, waste, boil, flay, strangle and bury alive these infamous heretics, rip up the stomachs and wombs of their women and crush their infants' heads against the walls, in order to annihilate forever their execrable race. That when the same cannot be done openly, I will secretly use the poisoned cup, the strangulating cord, the steel of the poniard or the leaden bullet, regardless of the honor, rank, dignity, or authority of the person or persons, whatever may be their condition in life, either public or private, as I at any time may be directed so to do by any agent of the Pope or Superior of the Brotherhood of the Holy Faith, of the Society of Jesus.
Pope Peter II: Arise General. I am most impressed by your devotion to De Loyola's most holy cause. Now, I believe you have some work to do in the Senate . . .
Cardinal Callebresi: As your holiness commands.
(The dark figure then made his way to the side table where he proceeded to place an astonishing number of knives, daggers, poiniards, stillettos, garroting cords, and muskets within his voluminous robes. Finally, he took a strange orange ball into his large hands and ominously bounced it along the flagstones of the long corridor. He double pump faked the Helvetian guard, then spun left for an easy layup on his way out . . .)
Cardinal Montreux: His ambitions are a concern. Already some members of your order, De Loyola, refer to him as the "Black Pope". Do you think he can be trusted?
Inigo de Loyola : It's hard to tell. One thing is certain, however, he does shoot a mean game of hoops . . .
MOSQUITODRIVER SPEAKS ON THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE
(his voice horse as he gasped for breath in his old age)
I have served this senate for many a year,.....gasping.... I have said it time and time again that Italy will prosper most when she has made peace with her enemies in europe and keeps the peace. When italy fights in europe we risk our citizens and economy. So i say it is much easier to take what we got so far and now focus on the prize layed out before us by god. God has graced us with a Pope who loves its protecting servants of Italy. Italy rallies behind its great leaders and we have a united goal of greatness. I say may the ... cough cough.... the roman empire live once again, cough cough...so long as i live italy will nev.... uhhhh....
(just then the senator from florence raises his fist in an attempt to make a point and stumbles, falling to his back. Others rush to his aid but when they reach him , he is deader than a doornail. The great senator mosquitodriver has breathed his last breath and layed dead.
across the room was forster, while all the others looked anxiously to see what happened, forster sat calmly, a small grin about his mouth, the look in his eye was as if he knew something no one else did... hmmm..)