Rebirth of the Lost Empire- an Aztlan AAR

[General_Grant]

1460 to 1470


The ongoing construction of the empire was mobilizing almost all the energy of the citizens. A nation was being build, and expended in every directions.

Westward, explorers and settlers followed the coast of the occidental ocean and builded several cities. The kingdom of Achaei was established in the western provinces as they were too isolated and far away from the capital to be administrated efficiently from there.

Southward, the last traces of the Zapotec independence were ereased forever. Easily it was intergated into Azatlan. Colonisation went farther in the south, far beyond the lands of the Mayas. The territory was divided and settled until the colonists reached the borders of the mysterious and distant Inca Empire.

Northward, attracted by the abundance of furs, hight quality wood and very fertile lands, the Aztecs imposed their rule over a vast territory. The Great Lakes and the 'Sad River*' were the center of those new sttlements.

But the greatest hopes were focused toward the East. Half a century after the wise priests began to study the 'Stone Library' of Teothiuacan, the Aztecs were able to sail across the seas. An important archipelago was discovered, but the priests and the scientists said that they were not the remains of Aztlan, and that further expeditions would be required to go beyond and find the true Sacred Islands. The archipelago was however settled, and the islands were united under a new kingdom.

The Empire, with its 15 kingdoms, was the strongest political entity of the known world (and of the unknown world too, but that was not yet known). Even if very decentralized, the efforts of the entire nation could still be put together forward a single aim.

At the end of this busy decade Moctezuma I passed away. This marked the end of an era, as the new Emperor was not as much interested into expending the borders of the country further on the continent- he beleived that the efforts of the nation should now be focused toward oversea expension. Thus, Axayacatl I ordered the construction of a fleet and the participation of the most skilled ingineers into his project: the discovery of the mythical remains of Aztlan and maybe the exploration of more lands beyond.

In the first day of the 50th year of the New Era**, or what would be called by the Europeans year 1469, Admiral Nezahualpilli sailed from the port of Autioch forward to the unknown East. After a breif stop at the Biminis Archipelago, the expedition of 20 ships entered in a sea nobody visited before them, toward new horizons.




*The Sad River refers to the St-Lawrence while the Happy River is the Mississipi.
**After Itzcoatl's dream

 

[General_Grant]

The voyages of admiral Nezahualpilli



The Aztec fleet sailed for days and after a bit less than two weeks it finally reached a shore.

Nezahualpilli's expedition took a month in the small group of island. During those days the members of the crew, wich was composed of sailors, scientists, astronomers, biologists, priests, soldiers, and settlers, took note of various datas of scientific interest. A small village was established, with its inhabitant's main task to be the fuelling of a permanent fire to indicate the location of the islands to the eventual ships.

The priests and astronomers, after some studies of the location of the islands trough the positions of the stars, cloncluded that they could very well have been part of Aztlan millenias ago. But they were without doubts- this was not a signifiant part of their lost motherland, as the main part of it was much more eastern. The newly discovered islands would however be very important bases for the other exploration ships to search farther the remains of Azatlan.

End of Chapter I​

 

[likk9922]

I'd just like to say cool!

 

[General_Grant]

I'd just like to say cool!

Well, thank you at least I have somebody who appreciate.

Next update comming soon.

 

[likk9922]

Well, thank you at least I have somebody who appreciate.

It's hard to revive an AAR. Give it a few updates.

 

[General_Grant]

Chapter II - East meet West​

It took 3 years before a new expedition was allowed to sail. This other expedition departed from the city of Spios, in the central archipelago. The route followed was completly different, thousands of kilometers more south. The expedition still found land, but those territories were of little interests for the Aztec navigators- they were way too far from any port and had no special resources.

2 years later admiral Nezahualpilli departed from the same point as he did 5 years before, with a fleet of 20 new ships. This new expedition was more important as the ship could contain far more supplies and men. After a brief stop to re-supply in the Bermudas, the fleet sailed eastward.

The 3 great voyages made during the 1470-1480 decade​

The fleet went eastward for 3 weeks, with no signs of lands over the horizon. The crew begined to desesperate, as it was rumored that they entered into an endless ocean where the world was ending. 'Nonsence! shouted the scientists and the priests of Quetzalcoatl. It was scientifically proved that the world was in fact a sphere! If they continued to sail east, they had no choices: either they would reach new islands or they would finish their voyage on the shores of the kingdom of Achaei, bordering the western ocean.

After the fleet begined its 4rth week of travel it was halted by a considerable storm wich lasted for two days. Fortunatly, no ship was lost but the whole expedition had changed their course and was returning in the west without being able to do anything.

On the 27th day after the fleet left the Bermudas it finally reached some lands: since they traveled for a so long time, they could not had returned to Aztlan. This meant that they had arrived into unknown territories, and that the first step of their mission was accomplished.

This territory was in fact a group of small islands, most of them being of volcanic nature. After they landed on the beach and established their camp, the astronomers passed the entire night studying their possition trough the stars. If the maps of Teothiuacan were true, they were in the middle of the location where their ancient motherland was standing, 12 millenias ago. Those sacred islands were of the greatest importance for the cult of Quetzalcoatl and the cohesion of the emperor's doctrine of reconstructing Aztlan and rediscovering its lost heritage.

After the night passed at noting the location of the islands, the expedition was confronted to the most unpleasent evidence: they were not alone on this rock. Somebody else was present, and a scouting party reported that they saw two strange ships resting in a bay.


Admiral Nezahualpilli, along with a group of volunteers, crossed the islands in the search of this foreign presence. Or where they natives?

In the first hours of the day that the Europeans would call the 28th day of the month of September of Ano Domini 1476, on the beach of an island know as Sao Miguel by the Portugueses, two group of men met. After this terrible moment, the entire world would never be the same.

On a side, Nezahualpilli and a dozen of member of his crew, wearing colorfull clothes with feathers and precious stones. On the other side, a man with an important beard, covered with pieces of metal wich shined into the sun, and followed by about 20 other soldiers. After a few moments of surprise came incomprehension.

The group of European was more important that Nezahualpilli's small team. And they were much more heavily armed. After a few moments of hesitation, the Portuguese captain decided to use his advantage as soon as possible. 'Strike first, ask questions later.' For the time those islands were settled by the Kingdom of Portugal, everyone was sure that there were absolutly no natives on them. Those peoples came from somewhere. And somewhere else than Europe of even Africa.

'Trave-os*!' shouted the captain.

It took no time before Nezahualpilli was surrounded and beaten by the agressors. Despite the vaillent fight from his men, they were too few and too surprised to protect the admiral. The 3 last Aztecs to be unharmed and out of the Portuguese's range decided to run- not as they were coward, but pointless fight would be stupid. After all, an army of 16.000 men was waiting on the beach less than four kilometers from there. There would be no problems rescuing the admiral after having contacted the fleet.


*Catch them!

 

[General_Grant]

The 3 survivors of the skirmish with the Portugueses quickly returned to the place where the fleet was waiting. After having explained to the hight responsibles of the expedition what happened, a decision was made: admiral Nezahualpilli had to be rescued, and the foreigners had to be punished.

The Aztec army waited for the next day and then moved. It took half a day to return to the location of the small battle, and it was not hard to continue walking, following the steps printed in the sand let by the attackers.

In the late afternoon, the 12.000 large army arrived in sight of the main Portuguese settlement of the archipelago: Angra do Heroísmo. The small and futile fortifications of the city would certainly not survive any attack. It seemed that the inhabitants of the city were already aware of the arrival of the huge army- apart from the port, where maybe two hundreds of peoples were bringing their most precious goods into half a dozen of small ships, the city looked empty. As soon as this big army, wich seemed to be coming from nowhere, apeared, immediate evacuation was ordered. Admiral Nezahualpilli was probably inside one of those ships, but it was too late to rescue him- when the army entered the town, the small Portuguese squadron wich bringed the entire population of the city left the port, heading East.

The city and the entire islands were now under control of Aztlan, but the Admiral was still captive. The Aztec fleet, wich was ordered to attack the city from the sea, entered the port two hours later. After a brief meeting it was decided that the ennemy (because it was sure that those peoples were certainly not friendly) fleet has to be followed, and as soon as possible as it was still possible to see the sails far away on the horizon. Most of the army embarked in the ships, while a few hundreds others were let on the island to study the newly abandoned city.

 

[General_Grant]

After a bit less than a week of voyage, the Portuguese fleet, quickly followed by the Aztec one, finally reached its aim: Lisbon, the capital of their kingdom.

As the Portuguese ships quickly entered into the port, the Aztec navy was denied access by the fortifications of the city. After a dozen of Portuguese waships opened fire on them, the Aztecs slowly maneuvred toward the south of this unknown country. After a day of sailing the fleet arrived near what is called by the Portugueses Cape St-Vincent, the southwest corner of Europe. The fleet has to stop somewhere to ressuply, and it was decided to keep the ships there while the army would go farther inland to search for food.


On October 26, 1476, Vice-Admiral Nezahualcóyotl, newly named responsible of the expedition, planted the blue and white banner of Aztlan over the rocks of Cape St-Vincent, and claimed this 'New World' in the name of emperor Axayacatl I for the greater glory of Quetzalcoatl, god of Civilization and protector of the empire.


The country the Aztecs arrived in was far different from anything they had seen before. Everywhere, villages were deserted as soon as this 'Army of Satan coming from the Hell', as the Portugueses called it, was in sight. Envoys were quickly send from Lisbon to Spain where some help could be expected.

The Aztec army, wich size was already reduced by attrition, had no problems to ressuply by finding food inside the abandoned cities, cillages and farms. This was sure different food, but the soldiers were used to much worse. During an entire week, the Aztec expedition wandered aimlessly in the Portuguese countryside, before restructurating and finally settling a camp around what had been the naval academy of Henry the Navigator, in Sagres near cape St-Vincent. The now empty towns of Lagos, Portimao, Albufeira, Odemira and Silves served as supply bases for the army.

4 days after, the exhausted Aztec fleet was almost destroyed during an unexpected storm. Only 3 ships survived. It was decided that this small squadron would return to Aztlan and search for reimforciments, while the army would try to survive in this 'New World'.

A few incidents occured with Portuguese soldiers, but it was clear that the ennemy was as disorganized and confused as the Aztecs. As long as they remained in the now deserted region of Algarave, they would not be attacked until all of Portugal could mobilize and Span would send help.

 

[Deamon]

You took the Aztecs to Lisbon... And won? I don't think i would be able to pull that off!

 

[likk9922]

Wow.

Aztec colonization of the old/new world! :wacko:

 

[Quanto]

OMG, Its back! You've done so much! This is awesome!
And truly Ironic, Dominate Europe and let them know who the true Empire Builders are!

 

[General_Grant]

After a few days without accident with the ennemy army, the Aztec forces were attacked from another side: a larger army was coming from the east, bearing a different banner. This important force has been sent by the King and Queen of Spain to further investigate about the mysterious troop that has been occupying the south of Portugal since a few weeks.

The first battle occured near the town of Tavira, on the southern cost of Portugal. The Aztec army, already warned of the advance of a potential ennemy, triumphed on this day. After two smaller battles of lesser importance nearby, the disorganised Spanish forces retreated into theit territory. But Vice-Admiral Nezahualcóyotl was certainly not willing to let them flee so easily, and pushed his advantage farther and entered deep into Spanish territory. After a brief siege, the city of Toledo, where the remnents of the attack forces were hidding, was seized.

The city was an important one, and it was too populated to allow a signifiant portion of the population to escape. But the thousands that remained within the walls of the city were surprised: there was no bloodbath, no pillage, no destruction... despite the fact that both Spainiars and Aztecs were unable to communicate, it was clear that the conquerors of the city were simply fascinated. Unlike European armies, the Aztec forces included several priests and men of science of any kind, that respectfully and quietly took note of everything they were seeing in this new world.

This is where Nezahualcóyotl's counter-offensive into Spain finished. The soldiers were not willing to go any farther. After all, their job was to rescue Admiral Nezahualpilli and nothing else. And going farther would mean to disperse even more the army, and isolating themself from possible reimforciments comming from the motherland.

---​

The first words being ever exchanged between the Europeans and the Aztecs were exchanged in Toledo, during the first days of the occupation of the city. Strangely enough, some soldiers from the region of Ta-Basco were able to understand some parts of the speech of a Basque merchant. This was the begining of a little of understanding between two completly different cultures. Of course it remained an isolated incident, but it would take no time before natives from both Ta-Basco and the Basque country would become the translators of the two civilizations.

The remains of the expedition arrived in the coastal city of Mestonia a week later. Quickly, the commanders of the few ship left explained it all: how they had found the possible remains of the lost continent, how Admiral Nezahualpilli was made prisoner by strangers, and how they followed them into a strange new world. They also explained that most of the army was still over there, waiting for help.

It took only two weeks for the news to reach the magnificient capital of the empire, Tenochtitlan. With the invention of the hot air baloon* 5 years ago, communication were greatly speeded up. Messengers were able to cross the mountains and rivers without needing to worry about the landscape. Soon, the emperor ordered the sending of more ships, carrying thousands of additional men and weapons toward the new world. The Admiral has to be rescued and the army ressuplied. And after all, the largest and most powerfull empire of the known world could not let its citizen being threatened by some barbarians living on distant shores.