The Empire Strikes Back - Part 3

[Idhrendur]

Part 3​

Welcome to part three of the Empire Strikes Back! The previous parts can be found here: part one, part two.

This one will have something new: if you respond to my posts in character, you will get in character responses back, as part of the regular reports to the Senate. Note that you have no power over the game itself, as the Empire is still an Absolute Monarchy. More details in the posts below. Full Interactivity approved by Mr. Capiatlist

Table of Contents

CK2 Installments
Konstantinos X, the Ill-Ruler - 1059-1085
1. A New Beginning
2. Internal Affairs
3. A Sicilian Adventure
4. The Sea of Galilee
5. War, Wars, and Half a War
6. The Ill-Ruler

Konstantios III, the Saint - 1085-1112
7. A Heathen Assault
8. The Χριστιανός ρυπαρός υιοθεσία
9. Prince of Egypt
10. The Saint

Konstantinos XI, the Peaceful - 1112-1163
11. The Peaceful
11a. Interlude: Religious Map

Konstantinos XII, the Childless - 1163-1177
12. The Egyptian Rebellion
13. Childless and Bereft
14. The Childless

Makarios I, the Cruel - 1177-1189
15. The Great Rebellion
16. Castrato
17. Ah, Venice!
18. Losses
19. The Cruel

Konstantinos XIII, the Glorious - 1189-1260
20. The War Regency
21. The Glory of Battle
22. De Jure
22a. Interlude: Political Map
23. The Donation of Constantine
23a. Interlude: Updated Political Map
24. The Glorious

Niketas I, the Duke - 1260-1264
25. Imperial Italian Irredentism
26. The Great Rebellion
27. The Duke

Konstantinos XIV, the Great - 1279-1328
28. Regaining the Throne
29. River and Islands
29a. Interlude: More Maps
30. East and West
31. The Great
31a. Bonus Religious Map

Konstantinos XV, the Cruel - 1328-1363
32. The Sicilian War
33. Civil Wars
34. The Cruel

Konstantinos XVI, the Wise - 1363-1408
35. όχι πιο πέρα
36. Thallasa Mas
37. Gallia
37a. Interlude: Strategy Request
38. The First Timurid War
39. The Second Timurid War
40. The Wise

The Empire in 1408
41. The Eve of Change


EU3 Installments
Konstantios IV, The Reformer - 1408-1449
42. The Reformer
43. Europa 1408
44. War in the East
45. The Three Themas
46. The Scottish Play
47. War! What is it good for?
48. The End of an Era

Zoe I - 1455-1502
48a. The World, 1450
49. The Persian Plan
50. Kings of Leon
51. 1500 Update
52. βασιλιάς είναι νεκρός…

Konstantios XI, the Holy - 1502-1565
53 . …ζήτω ο βασιλιάς!
54. The 15 Year War, Part I
55. The 15 Year War, Part II
56. The Peace of Westphalia
57. The New World
58. A Minor War or Three
59. 1550 Update
60. The Holy

Ioannes VII - 1565-1574
Konstantinos XVIII, the Zealous - 1574-1637
61. The Reign in Spain
62. Solomon's Gold
63. 1600 Update
64. The Fall of the Papacy
65. The Particularist Revolt
66. The Zealous

Demetrios I - 1637-1639
Ioannes VIII - 1639-1650
67. The War of Three Emperors
68. Minor Wars

Demetrios II - 1650-1658
69. 1650 Update
70. The War for Huron

Theodoros I, the Sun Emperor - 1661-1669
71. The Sun Emperor

Konstantinos XIX - 1669-1726
72. Expansion Resumes
73. 1700 Update
74. Gallia Falls, and More
75. 'Murica

Konstantios XII - 1726-1760
76. To the Rhine
77. The Epistle to the Empire
78. 1750 Update
79. War in Africa

Alexander, Megas Alexandros - 1760-1820
80. Alexander Goes to War
81. Megas Alexandros

Konstantios XIII - 1820-??
82. 1821 Update

Vic2 Installments
Andronikos, the Mad - ??-??
Veronica - 1836-
83. Empress Veronica
84. 1836

The State of the Empire​

Responses and replies​

85. 1837

The Russo-Ukraine War​

Responses and replies​

86. 1837-1839

Summoning the Senate​

The Senate's Discussions​

The State of the Empire​

Diplomatic Details​

Responses and replies​

87. 1839-1843

Summoning the Senate​

The State of the Empire​

Replies to earlier queries​

Responses and replies​

A late reply​

88. 1843-1846

Summoning the Senate​

Messages to Blachernae​

The State of the Empire​

Responses and Replies​

The session closes​

89. 1846-1849

Summoning the Senate​

The State of the Empire​

Messages to Blachernae and Responses​

Senators Speak​

Responses and Replies​

90. 1849-1854

Summoning the Senate​

Waiting for the address​

Opening the session and rewards​

First Intermission​

Military Update​

Second Intermission​

Social Update​

Third Intermission​

Responses to the Senators​

Final Intermission​

Closing the session​

91. 1854-1860

Summoning the Senate​

Before the Address​

The Address​

Senators Speak​

Replies to the Senate​

Final Responses​

Closing the Session​

92. 1860-1869

Summoning the Senate​

Before the Address​

The Address​

Senators Speak​

Closing the Session​

Interlude - Heart of Doukas
93. 1869-1880

Summoning the Senate​

Before the Address​

The Address, part one​

Senators Reply​

Requested Information​

Senators Reply​

The Address, part two​

Senators Reply​

Closing the Session​

Post-Session Discussion​

94. 1880

The Imperial Census​

Responses to the Census​

95. 1880-1885

Summoning the Senate​

Before the Address​

The Address​

An Attempted Coup​

The Aftermath​

Followup Address​

Replies​

Appointments​

Ending the Session​

96. 1885-1890

Between Sessions​

Announcing the Session​

Senator's Discussion​

The Address​

Responses​

Appointments​

More Replies​

Closing the Session​

97. 1890-1895

Announcing the Session​

Senators' Discussion​

The Address​

Senators' Replies​

Determining Positions​

Senators' Requests​

Closing the Session​

98. 1895-1900

Announcing the Session​

The Address​

Senators' Replies​

Determining Positions​

Interlude​

Closing the Session​

99. The Death of Empress Veronica

The Death is Announced​

The Senators Respond​

The Funeral of Empress Veronica​

The State of the Empire​

Senators' Replies​

First Attempt at Postings​

Senators' Replies​

Closing the Session​

After the Address​

​

Konstantinos XX - 1900-1910
100. 1901-1906

Announcing the Session​

Senators' Discussion​

The Address​

Responses​

Closing the Address​

After the Address​

101. The Death of Emperor Konstantinos XX

The Death is Announced​

The Senators' Discussion​

The Address​

A Telegram​

The Senators' Discussion​

Civil War​

The Senators' Discussion​

​

Michael VII - 1910-
102. The Time of Troubles, the First 58 Days

The Imperial Civil War - 20 May 1910​

The Senate Acts​

The Northern Alliance - 27 May 1910​

Senate Responses​

Poland-Lithuania Joins the Northern Alliance - 3 June 1910​

Senate Responses​

The Northern Alliance Grows - 10 June 1910​

Senate Responses​

The Great War - 17 June 1910​

Senate Responses​

The Greater Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere - 24 June 1910​

Senate Responses​

The GACPS Expands - 1 July 1910​

Senate Responses​

The GACPS Goes to War - 8 July 1910​

Senate Responses​

A World at War - 17 July 1910​

Senate Responses​

103. The Time of Troubles

July-August 1910​

Senate Responses​

August-September 1910​

Senate Responses​

September-October 1910​

Senate Responses​

October-November 1910​

Senate Responses​

November-December 1910​

Senate Responses​

December-January 1911​

Senate Responses​

January-February 1911​

Senate Responses​

February-March 1911​

Senate Responses​

March-April 1911​

Senate Responses​

104. The Sack of Constantinople

The State of the Empire Address​

The Sack​

Epilogue​

105. The Time of Troubles 1911-1912

May-August 1911​

Senate Responses​

August-November 1911​

November-February 1912​

Senate Responses​

February-May 1912​

Senate Responses​

106. The Time of Troubles 1912-1913

May-August 1912​

Senate Responses​

August-November 1912​

Senate Responses​

November-February 1913​

Senate Responses​

February-May 1913​

Senate Responses​

107. The End of the Great Wars

May 1913 - May 1914​

Senate Responses​

May 1914 - May 1915​

Senate Responses​

May 1915 - July 1915​

Senate Responses​

108. 1915-1921

July 1915 - July 1916​

Senate Responses​

July 1916 - July 1917​

Senate Responses​

July 1917 - July 1918​

Senate Responses​

July 1918 - July 1919​

Senate Responses​

July 1919 - July 1920​

Senate Responses​

July 1920 - July 1921​

Senate Responses​

109. On Orthodoxy
110. 1921-1926

Summoning the Senate​

Senate Responses​

International Affairs​

Senate Responses​

Internal Affairs​

Senate Responses​

After the address​

111. 1926-1931

Before the address​

The address​

Senate Responses​

After the address​

112. 1931-1936

Summoning the Senate​

Before the address​

The address​

Senate Responses​

After the address​

 

[Idhrendur]

The Rules

As mentioned above, the Empire is an Absolute Monarchy. Therefore, the Senators have no direct power. Instead they are distracted by the trappings of the Senate while real power is wielded elsewhere bring important matters to the attention of the head of state, and serve as a source of knowledge and wisdom. As alluded in the first story post, the Senate was formed by any men bold enough to grab the reigns of power. While they are lively overwhelmingly aristocrats (at least as first), nearly any other class of individual might have become one. The initial Senators have all been (re)appointed by Veronica, and any future ones are appointed at her whim. As the current reform level is underground parties only, I am considering political parties to be loose associations of like-minded Senators rather than any organized set of entities. But your own writings and in-game events may start to change that. Political parties are now organized. The Empress tasked the Kyriarchía with 'instructing new Senators of the decorum of the Senate', but the other parties took the opportunity to organize, and to influence new Senators, as well.

There seem to be many stories being driven by other people, as well. I greatly enjoy this. However, if you wish to start one, you must first PM me a brief outline of what you intend. That should allow me to accommodate you in the storytelling, as well as set the timing well on my side. As well, please do be wary of playing God with other people's characters. Yes, this can allow them to interfere with your intended story, but I can help guide things, and sometimes the distraction can build to an even better story than what you had planned.

Senators are increasingly being given positions of authority: governorships and ministry positions. But this is for RP purposes only.

However, the Empress has recently formed a General Staff for the army, and this allows for some direct player influence on the game. The following rules apply:
1. The mod and the save from the latest update will be publicly provided (via gitHub), with the link on the forum thread for the AAR. Download here.
2. For those unable to load the mod + save, strategic information will be provided by me on request.
3. Anyone who has created a character is eligible to participate.
4. Characters may propose battle plans covering what to do with a war with any given nation.
a. The plans must include a text description of what to do.
b. The plans may also include an in-game battle-plan using the Victoria 2 tools.
c. The plan should have a name, and be attributed to the creator(s) (using their in-character names)
5. Plans may only be proposed between the opening of a Senate session and the session being closed (see the normal flow of a round of updates, as demonstrated on the table of contents).
6. The Empress (played by me) can accept proposed plans.
7. Plans that have not been accepted can be returned to the Senate (for instance, if I think they're lacking in some detail, or multiple people propose plans for the same nation and I want a merged plan, I can ask for the proposed plans to be updated).
8. If a plan has been accepted, I must make a best-faith effort to follow the plan in event of war with the specified nation.
9. Only one plan for war with a specified country can be accepted at a time.
10. Plans cannot specify the creation of new armies, troops, ships, etc. Those kinds of requests should be made via the Senate, and put no actual requirements on the Empress (played by me).
11. Plans can specify mobilization, but those kinds of plans are unlikely to be accepted.

As there is no other direct power, I'm going to play loose with my rules for your characters for now. But I reserve the right to send rocks that fall and kill everyone, or any lesser GM powers. Out of character writing should be indicated by (( placing it in double parenthesis )). If you plan to use the same character repeatedly, it would be helpful if you announced the character in a separate post, and then signed off as that character or placed the name in your signature. I will list the characters in the next post.

When announcing a character, include the name, home, date of birth, and political party, and a brief description of the characters. The current active parties (they may change a little before things get fully running) are:
Patrikioi - Reactionary
State Capitalism
Protectionism
Moralism
Residency
Jingoism
The Patrikioi are the most affluent and influential aristocrats from across the Empire. They favour the preeminence of Greek culture, both as the pinnacle of civilization and a means of maintaining the existing order, although each noble's origins are varied. The positions of the monarchy and Orthodox Church are regarded as sacrosanct, institutions demanding both respect and unyielding loyalty. The Emperor is regarded as an absolute monarch whose divine right to rule cannot be questioned, although the aristocrats of the Patrikioi are ever ready to provide much-needed advice. War is seen is but a means of achieving the goals of imperialism and to make the Empire stronger, while the government's interference in economic matters is seen as a way of maintaining stability, especially against the fickle whims of a fluctuating market economy. Most important of all, the Patrikioi recognize the need for the imperial government to maintain control over an increasingly unruly populace, for the lower classes are regarded as ignorant and often express desires counter to that of the Empire as a whole.

Kyriarchía - Conservative
State Capitalism
Protectionism
Moralism
Residency
Pro Military
The Kyriarchía Party are the party of the Greek-speaking, Orthodox Christian, lower and middle classes; a populist alternative to the elitist Patrikioi for ethnic Greeks.

Komma Romanitas Autokratorikos - Liberal
Interventionism
Free Trade
Pluralism
Full Citizenship
Pro Military
Seeing the awkward situation the Foideratoi was in, Theodora decided to do something about it. After some negotiations with Julius Marco and Miro Taior, the three agreed to combine their factions into one; the Koinonikistai, which had been purged by the communist invaders during the attack on Constantinople, joined in later. As the name "Unified Imperial Citizens" didn't sound appropriate, she decided on the name Komma Romanitas Autokatorikos, which adequately summarized the new party's platform. The KRA upholds the ideals of Romanitas and full citizenship for all Romans. It supports Orthodox Christianity as the state religion of the Empire, but it recognizes and respects freedom of religious practice. The KRA is a proponent of free trade and interventionism when it comes to the economy and favors expanding the civil service along meritocratic lines to allow the common people more ability to participate in the government, though it fiercely defends the rights of the monarchy and the nobility as well. When it comes to passing legislation, the KRA will not hesitate to defend workers' and peoples' rights, though usually will try to first find compromises with the nobility, the monarchy, and the church. Membership is free and does not require anything other than a strong devotion to the Empire and its ideals.

Radical Party - Anarcho Liberals
Laissez Faire
Free Trade
Secularized
Full Citizenship
Anti Military
The party of choice for minorities who feel oppressed by the Empire: religious minorities; cultural minorities; linguistic minorities; commercial minorities; political minorities. They support freedom of trade, a fully-federalist empire, disestablishment of the Orthodox church, lacité and all the linguistic, cultural and domestic rights and powers that come with federalism and decentralisation. They are also against the army, but support the navy as a guarantor of free trade.

Koinonikistai - Socialists
State Capitalism
Free Trade
Secularized
Full Citizenship
Anti Military
They believe in worker's rights, and want strong government intervention to uphold these rights. They wish the church detached from government entirely, and are mostly opposed to the military.

I Koinotita - Communists
Planned Economy
Protectionism
Pro Atheism
Full Citizenship
Pro Military

The Pars Imperium Aecus Romani Operarii - Fascists
State Capitalism
Protectionism
Moralism
Residency
Jingoism
The Imperial Just Roman Workers' Party, is dedicated to the rebuilding of the Roman Empire and the establishment of a new Roman culture uniting the people. The party's roots are from the Romani vi Bonorum, the Roman Loyalist Force. Set up during the Time of Troubles the RvB waged a damaging but unsuccessful guerilla warfare campaign to oppose the Italian rebels. When the Empire made peace with the Italian government, the most radical members of the RvB relocated to southern Italy to create a political party to campaign for the rebuilding of the empire.

Past political parties:
Foiderátoi - Liberal
Interventionism
Free Trade
Pluralism
Residency
Pro Military
The Foederati support the Empire, centralization, the Greek language, and the military; but also free trade and secularism.

Christianikoú Kómmatos Metarrýthmisi̱ (XKM) - Liberal
Interventionism
Free Trade
Pluralism
Limited Citizenship
Pacifism
Christianikoú Kómmatos Metarrýthmisi̱ (Christian Reform Party) are social liberals who support interventionism, political reform and some degree of decentralization (but not necessarily outright federalism), but also oppose expansion and the military on moral grounds.

 

[Idhrendur]

Non-Player Characters
Emperor Michael VII - Second son of Emperor Konstantinos, rose to power on his assassination in 1910.
Princess Veronica Maria of Denmark - married to the Emperor
Prince Konstantinos - Born 23 June 1894
Prince Alvértos - Born 14 December 1895
Princess Maria - Born 25 April 1897
Prince Enrikos - Born 31 March 1900
Prince Michael - Born 20 December 1902
Prince Léon (deceased) - Born 12 July 1905

Died 18 January 1919​

Emperor Konstantinos (deceased) - Eldest son of Empress Veronica, rose to power on her death in 1901. Assassinated on 6 May 1910.
Alexandria of Scandinavia - widow of the Emperor
Prince Alvértos Nikephoros (deceased) - Born 8 January 1864

Died 14 January 1892​

Prince Konstantios - Born 3 June 1865

Married to Princess Veronica Maria of Denmark
Six children
Became Emperor Michael VII in 1910​

Princess Louiza - Born 20 February 1867

Married to Alexander William George Duff, 1st Duke of Fife
Three children​

Princess Veronica - Born 6 July 1868
Princess Mathilde - Born 26 November 1869

Married to Prince Carl of Scandinavia.
One child, still living​

Prince Alexander (deceased) - Born 6 April 1871

Died 7 April 1871.​

Empress Veronica (deceased) - former absolute ruler of the Empire
Prince Yevhen of Ukraine (deceased) - married to the Empress, died 14 December 1861
Princess Veronica (deceased)- Born 21 November 1840

Married to Frederick, Crown Prince of Germany
Eight children
Died 5 August 1901​

Prince Alvértos (deceased) - Born 9 Novemeber 1841

Married to Princess Alexandra of Scandinavia
Six children
Became Emperor Konstantinos in 1901
Assassinated 6 May 1910​

Princess Alíki (deceased) - Born 25 April 1843

Married to Louis IV, the Grand Duke of Thuringia
Seven children
Died 14 December 1878​

Prince Alfrédos (deceased) - Born 6 August 1844

Married to Grand Duchess Maria of Ukraine
Five children
Died 31 July 1900​

Princess Elena (deceased) - Born 25 May 1846

Married to Prince Christian of Denmark
Six children
Died 9 June 1923​

Princess Louiza - Born 18 March 1848

Married to John Tudor, Duke of Kent​

Prince Artoúros - Born 1 May 1850

Married to Princess Louise Margaret of Germany
Three children​

Prince Léon (deceased) - Born 7 April 1853

Married to Helene Friederike of Burgundy
Two children
Died 28 March 1884​

Princess Veatriki - Born 14 April 1857

Married to Prince Henry of Germany
Three children​

Player Characters
Patrikioi Members
Alexios Angelos - Arakhor
Donatello Favero - Michaelangelo

Kyriarchía Members

Komma Romanitas Autokratorikos (KRA) Members
Theodora Anna Doukas - zenphoenix

Radical Party Members
Akbar Patel - Cossack_of_Hetmanschina

Koinonikistai Members

I Koinotita Members

Pars Imperium Aecus Romani Operarii Members
Tiberius Julius Aurelius - Sancronis

Unaffiliated Characters
Nestorius Septiadis/Thaddas - Damian0358
Julius Marco - Sir Dippingsauce
Manuel Palaiologos - austrianemporer

Missing in Action Characters
Alan Gael - BBBD316

Governorships
(North) Africa - Alexandros Damaskinos
Armenia - Julian Leon
Asia - Constantine Panaretos
Britannia - Ambrosio Palaiologos
Dalmatia - Heraclius Komnenos
Egypt - Marcos Alexandros
Macedonia - Alexios Angelos
Aeteorea - Nestorius Septiadis
Raetia - Columba Comminus
Sicily - Alexander Smithereens
Syria - Michael Konstantios Doukas
Thracia - Prince Alvértos
Australia - Magnus Kvensson
Brittany - Αιδεν Γκρέυ
Italy - Leonardo Favero
Philippines - Venédiktos Nguyen-Climaco
Spain - Nicodemo Theodosio
Wales - Senator Marcos

Staff Positions
Armament minister - Senator Kvensson
Minister of security - Senator Doukas
Minister of intelligence - Senator Favero
Minister of Education - Senator Angelos
Chief of Staff - Senator Αιδεν Στήβεν
Chief of the Army - Nicodemo Theodosio
Chief of the Navy - Senator Alexander Smithereens


Former Player Characters
Kyriakos Angelos - Arakhor
Michelangelo Favero - Michaelangelo
Nikephoros Doukas - zenphoenix
Damianos Septiadis - Damian0358
Georgios Blenchard - GreatUberGeek
Potitus Caristanius Gallio - The Crows
Basileios Rellis - Attalus
Konstantinos Galatías - Sakura_F
Ovulur Kishiev - CaterpillarKing
Στήβεν Γκρέυ - BBBD316
Alexios Damaskinos - oskar-kar
Andronikos Palaiologos - austrianemporer
Alexios Doukas - zenphoenix
Mikael Moustakas - Andre Massena
Ioannes Angelos - Arakhor
Constantine Panaretos - PrincepsAbsolut
Julian Leon - Figus
Marcos Alexandros - Fish-Of-Fury
Ambrosio Palaiologo - austrianemporer
Magnus Kvensson - Beaverman1
Alexandros Damaskinos - oskar-kar
Leonardo Favero - Michaelangelo
Αιδεν Γκρέυ - BBBD316
Nicodemo Theodosio - NiccoTesla
Michael Doukas - zenphoenix
Christophoros Palaiologos - austrianemporer
Raphael Favero - Michaelangelo
Alexander Smithereens - strategymad3500
Heraclius Komnenos - Username1453
Columba Comminus - righ na-Alba
Venédiktos Nguyen-Climaco - ByzantineSEA
Talbot Palaiologos - austrianemporer
Kythos Habsburg-Palaiologos - austrianemporer
Alexander Shelepov - Cossack_of_Hetmanschina

 

[Idhrendur]

Empress Veronica

In December of 1835, Senator Nicolai Stathopoulos was summoned to the Imperial Palace. This was quite odd, because no-one had been to the Imperial Palace in years.

Years before, it was common for the aristocracy to visit the palace. There would be parties nearly every night, and constant events fawning over the Emperor throughout the day. Not only was it cultured, but it was a way to be seen by the Emperor and so to gain a valuable posting in the Empire.

All that changed when Andronikos was appointed heir. He had always been a strange sort, but not being in the line of succession, he was not often seen. Once he was heir, his presence at the State events made everyone uncomfortable. No-one could quite figure out what about him was so off-putting, but the effect was real. So when State events began happening less frequently, and finally ceased altogether, everyone was relieved.

Many of the aristocracy who lacked positions returned home, where the more apt of them found that the Imperial bureaucracy had replaced them as the governance in the provinces. Though few truly noticed this, as the more savvy of the aristocrats had already recognized this fact and stayed in Constantinople.

The Imperial Bureaucracy kept the Empire governed, even as orders from the palace slowed to a trickle and then stopped. Those who sought orders, an audience, or simply to investigate at the palace where turned away by the Varangian Guard. And so the most ambitious of the aristocrats reformed the Senate, in order to 'ensure the safekeeping and functioning of the Empire'. The presence of the fanatically loyal Scholai Palatinae in the city ensured that the ambitions for the Senate went no further. Between the bureaucracy and the Senate, the Empire was kept stable. But the lack of word from the Emperor meant that international relations faded.

Years passed. Food and supplies were delivered to the palace (the servants silent and frightened-looking when they took the deliveries), but no word came out. Until December of 1835. The Varangian Guard had been summoned inside. And then new servants were hired. Supplies were delivered, and it was clear that the palace was being cleaned and refurbished. And then days later, the summons came for Nicolai.

When he arrived at the palace, he was escorted in by a silent guard. He was led to a room where bodies lay in state: the royal family. Many of the bodies were in poor shape, little more than skeletons. Some where more recent. Least honored was the obviously recent body of Andronikos.

After Nicolai recovered from the shock of this revelation, he was escorted to a waiting room. He tried to recall the lineage of the royal family and which bodies he had seen. Where there any survivors?

When a servant came to wait on him, he tried to ask questions, but the servant merely shook his head. When Nicolai shouted “Why will no-one speak to me?!” the servant looked up with sorrowful eyes, then opened his mouth. He had no tongue. Nicolai fell back in his chair as the servant left. What horrors had happened here?

Eventually, he was led to an audience chamber, where there was a young woman, in her late teens. She greeted him. “Senator Stathopoulos, thank you for coming. I am Veronica, the last of the Doukas family.” Nicolai remembered that she had been an infant when the palace had become closed off. She would be nearly seventeen now. “I am afraid that the reign of my Uncle Andronikos has not been a good one. But it is now over. He died at his meal the other day. As I am the last of my family, I am the heir to the throne. The coronation will be in a few days. But I wanted to greet you beforehand to thank you for your service to the Empire. You will, of course, be reappointed to the Senate as my reign begins.”

After a short time, Nicolai was led out of the audience chamber and out of the palace. He was stunned, and it took him some time to meet with the other Senators, who had also had similar experiences this morning. By now, rumors were spreading throughout the city regarding the day's events, and speculation as to the fate of the royal family was rampant: the family had been stuck down by plague and Veronica the lone survivor, raised by servants; the family had turned on each other for power, killing each other through the years; Andronikos had led a reign of terror before he was struck down by God; Andronikos had led a reign of terror, but had been killed by Veronica when he sought to assault her; Veronica had willfully murdered her whole family; Veronica was a demon-monster who drank her family's blood and had only emerged when she ran out of victims. It would never be known what had happened, the only witnesses other than Veronica were unable to speak and so could never tell.

The next day, the announcement went from the palace: Veronica would be crowned Empress on New Year's Day, and immediately after would address the Senate. Unknown to the Senators, her agents were even now listening to their discussions, allowing her to address their greatest concerns immediately.

 

[Michaelangelo]

((Well you've certainly got me intrigued about what happened at the palace. I'm assuming Veronica murdered them all, but it's hard to judge by just reading about her in one post. Crazy is usually easier to pick up on after several instances.

And we get to make characters too! I'll have to start planning one out. ))

 

[blitzthedragon]

Well, I shall be watching this with great intent.

 

[Warlord Skorr]

Here's hoping the Empress Veronica is more popular than Irene and more ambitious than Zoe and Theodora.

 

[oskar-kar]

All hail Empress Veronica and let Veronican Era last long!

((Veronica 2, huh? ))

 

[Arakhor]

((Not to be that chap again, but presumably your Zoe I should actually be Zoe II, given that Zoe I, she of the mosaics in the Hagia Sophia, died some 17 years before Konstantinos X took the throne.

Also, Veronica is the Latinised form of Berenice/Berenike, "she who brings victory". Maybe you're going for a Victoria/Veronica theme, but I thought I ought to point out the noxious Latinate influence on our holy Hellenic monarchs. ))

 

[Nikolai]

Teh horror!

 

[Idhrendur]

(( I'm glad to know the Victoria/Veronica connection was clear. :-D

Though I hadn't realised that it was a latin-sourced name. Oh well. It fits, after all.

As for Zoe, that was based on the EU3 numbering. Unfortunate that it's wrong, but historians have to reconcile far worse things. ))

 

[Sakura_F]

Hue.

 

[Idhrendur]

The State of The Empire - 1836

Senators, We thank you for how you honored Us during Our coronation ceremony.

As Empress, it is Our duty to protect the Empire, to make it strong, and to bring it glory. As Senators, it is your duty to advise Us in Our duty. And for you to do your duty, you must know the state of the Empire.

And so We give a state of the Empire address.

The Empire remains the preeminent nation in the world. None comes close to us in prestige, industry, or military might.

But our withdrawal from world affairs these last years has lessened our diplomatic influence. Our vassals are independent. Our allies gone their own way. But also, our enemies have lost their fear of us. Diplomatically, we are a blank slate.

Militarily, we are quite strong. We have fifteen Legions, two fleets of Man'O'Wars, one fleet of Frigates, and numerous transports. But the reality is not as good as it sounds. I have reports that my predecessors developed an advanced system of foraging that allowed the Legions to march in grand numbers without fearing attrition. And yet the reality of this is nowhere to be seen. Most of the Legions have been forced to split into smaller groups to avoid attrition. With supplies from Imperial Storehouses, this might be somewhat averted, but spoilage and disease might still take their toll. The Legions are also depleted from years of neglect.

Unfortunately, it will be difficult to replenish the Legions, as we are unequipped to supply them even at their current state.

For that matter, while we have large cash reserves, our budget is strongly negative. Although the clerks tell me these are predictions based on old records, and it may prove different in very little time.

We have several centers of industry, though not much of our population works in these centers.

Our technology is unmatched throughout the world.

Our population is mostly Greek-speaking, though quite diverse. Most of the non-Greeks are in the west. Castilians, Basque, and Andalusians in Iberia; Bretons, Cosmpolitane French, Aquitaine French, and Burgundians in Gaul; Italians in the Po valley; Flemish and Walloons in the Low Country; Welsh, Scottish, and a few English in Britannia; Berbers scattered throughout North Africa; Azerbaijani in Azerbaijan; and Jews everywhere, with a strong presence in Palestine.

Speaking of Africa: it seems that between the slave trade, our conquest, the conversions, and the political reorganizations, nearly all political organization has completely collapsed in west Africa. A few nations have started small trading posts, but we have certainly lost our grip on the region.

The world's borders have not changed much. There are current maps that will be made available to all Senators.

And these broadsheets Our clerks have been distributing give the estimated political concerns of the Senators we have appointed.

Now, I shall hear your concerns and recommendations.

 

[Michaelangelo]

((Well at least you're in a good position to dominate the world. And those borders in the Americas are so pleasing. It's like map porn.

Did you have a specific format for characters or are we just supposed to wing it? I want to make sure I do it right when I make one. ))

 

[blitzthedragon]

Did you give England cores on the British Isles? An excellent narrative might be the colony of refugees developing a grand dream of one day returning home.

 

[Arakhor]

((Check 'The Rules' in post 2, Michelangelo.))

Introducing Kyriakos Angelos, a noble of Thessaloniki and proud member of Patrikioi, born 14.10.1804. He's a good, old-fashioned, 'benevolent imperialist'; Rhomaion knows best, naturally.

 

[oskar-kar]

Introducing Alexios Damaskinos, born 10.02.1816, belongs to middle class. He is young and determined in helping Foiderátoi achieve their goals. He is committed to his Empire which glory can be assured with strong military. He seeks to end aristocratic dominance in politics.

((political parties can be changed in future right?))

 

[Sakura_F]

Introducing Konstantinos Galatías, born September 1, 1796, belongs to middle class. He is a Foideratoi, and is committed to a strong Empire. He has four sons, Andronikos, Ioannes, Andreas and Theodoros.

 

[Michaelangelo]

((Check 'The Rules' in post 2, Michelangelo.))

((Of course that's the one sentence I gloss right over. ))

Introducing Michelangelo Favero, born 9 August 1800 to a rich upper class family in Venezia. He is a member of the Patrikioi and is a strong advocate of expansive imperialism and a powerful military. Michelangelo is slightly at odds with the rest of his party because of his Italian roots, but he speaks Greek and identifies as one as well.

Edit: Granted the title of Duke and Governor in Italy for his heroics during the attack on Constantinople.

((I can finally use my username as an actual name. ))

 

[Sakura_F]

((Of course that's the one sentence I gloss right over. ))

Introducing Michelangelo Favero, born 9 August 1800 to a rich upper class family in Venezia. He is a member of the Patrikioi and is a strong advocate of expansive imperialism and a powerful military. Michelangelo is slightly at odds with the rest of his party because of his Italian roots, but he speaks Greek and identifies as one as well.

((I can finally use my username as an actual name. ))

((My character is a Greek dude from Gaul. Hence his surname.))