The Hohenzollern Empire 5: Holy Phoenix - An Empire of Jerusalem Megacampaign in New World Order

[CaptainAlvious]

Maybe you could use another known fundamentalist or even make an original character/

Sounds good. I'm not really aware of many European right-wing religious populists tbh, so perhaps an original character would work better. I'll see what I can do.

I feel like the Covenant should also have a special event for when they take Jerusalem and Israel from the Spartacus, given that they would definitely not be happy about the Holy land being under Communist rule. Not sure what the event would look like, so you're free to come up with ideas for that would go.

I think I'll go ahead and edit the Spartacus update so that they are the Spartacus League instead of the Spartacus Union. I like the sound of League better than Union, plus we already have Dandolo's faction being called the Imperial Union State. Just letting you know so that you can change the name of that update in the table of contents later.

 

[zenphoenix]

Sounds good. I'm not really aware of many European right-wing religious populists tbh, so perhaps an original character would work better. I'll see what I can do.

Yeah, maybe an original character would work.

I feel like the Covenant should also have a special event for when they take Jerusalem and Israel from the Spartacus, given that they would definitely not be happy about the Holy land being under Communist rule. Not sure what the event would look like, so you're free to come up with ideas for that would go.

Maybe they'd tear down the Temple of Solomon and build a new cathedral on top of it. At least the radical fundamentalists would do that.

I think I'll go ahead and edit the Spartacus update so that they are the Spartacus League instead of the Spartacus Union. I like the sound of League better than Union, plus we already have Dandolo's faction being called the Imperial Union State. Just letting you know so that you can change the name of that update in the table of contents later.

Alright, I'll do that.

 

[CaptainAlvious]

Maybe they'd tear down the Temple of Solomon and build a new cathedral on top of it. At least the radical fundamentalists would do that.

The Radical Religious Populists if they were fully in power would probably destroy the Third Temple of Solomon and maybe a few Islamic mosques because they'd see the Middle East's Jewish majority and Muslim minority as traitors and communist collaborators. However, I think the moderates would probably want to peacefully integrate the Jewish and Muslim populations of the Middle East into the Covenant after the war and maintain the old Reich's tolerance of different faiths, or even syncretize with them outright to form a united Abrahamic faith (something I see being more likely in Tianxia than Volkerschalt), so they'd probably want to limit the anti-Semitic and Islamophobic tendencies of their radical fundamentalist allies to a minimum. That said, there could instead be some looting and pillaging of Jerusalem from out of control Covenant crusaders that commanding officers wouldn't be able to stop, leading to the Third Temple, the Dome of the Rock and several other religious structures being severely damaged. The Covenant would obviously get a decision to punish the looters, at an expense to manpower, or leave them be, which would come with its own consequences.

I'm wondering what kind of historical song would be most fitting for the Covenant here? I'm not sure what song specifically would be most fitting, but it would probably be something with a Gregorian chant I imagine. Regardless, through this isn't really historical, I find that this song is most fitting for the Covenant thematically, and feels appropriate to Volkerschalt's Second Roman Civil War as a whole.

 

[CaptainAlvious]

I've been thinking about how I could flesh out the PODs of each Kaiserreich timeline lately and I've recently come up with some ideas I hope you like and find believable. let me know if you have for own ideas for the PODs, or if there's any idea you disagree with.

For Volkerschalt, the way I found for the Romans to get a total victory over the Chinese was to make the Athanatoi more successful in their counter espionage campaign against Jingwei and having them assassinate key figures like Sun Yat-sen (there would still be a Turkish rebellion against India, however it would be way smaller and with less support from China, so India would be able to crush it). They could even pull the reverse on the Tianxia by taking advantange of multi-ethnic strife in the Meskwaki Empire for example. I imagine this would be possible with either the Reich investing more resources into the Athanatoi's espionge activities or simply better leadership on the Athanatoi's part. Considering that the Reich was actually militarily successful against the Tianxia for the for most part, I think having the Athanatoi be more competent would be the thing needed to give the Reich a total victory, considering it was a Jingwei that did a number on the Central Powers alliance network. In the short term period after the war, I think the Athantoi would probally be used by the Roman government to unsuccessfully crack down on Civil dissent in the 20s, which would backfire hard when the Great Depression hits and angers dissent factions even more. A consequence of this would be the Inquisition getting shafted and ignored by the increasingly secular Roman government in favor of the Athanatoi, leading to the Inquisition joining the Covenant and forming their secret police when the Civil War breaks out.

For Tianxia, I'll have the Lithuians actually managing to win the battle of Vilnius so that the Reich would get bogged down in the Baltic for several years and allow the Chinese to amass their troops in Siberia to push against Yavidi and Russia. In the post war treaty, the Reich obliviously would be punished severely by the Tianxia pact and give up large pices of territories like parts of Poland to Lithuania, Mesopotamia to Persia, or Neurhomaina to Twantinsuyu. but the balkanization of the Reich after the war would be due to the massive unrest and disillusionment in the Roman populace due to their defeat, leading to a worse version of the 1926 general strikes that escalates into a full on revolt and sees the Reich dissolve into numerous warlords and petty states across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

For the third timeline I've admittedly ignored recently for the most part, Sword of Damocles, I found a way to get a different Gentlemen's peace by having Kaiser Karl survive the Hashassassin attack on him and living to implement his version of a peace with honor much earlier than Ludendorff and Hidenburg manged to do, with different terms as well. This would result in some pretty drastic divergences from OTL, since it prevents Angelos from becoming a regent and thus kills the Angeloi movement in the crib, along with making sure some countries like India, Twantinsuyu and Persia are in a better shape than the original Hohenzollernverse timeline.

 

[zenphoenix]

The Radical Religious Populists if they were fully in power would probably destroy the Third Temple of Solomon and maybe a few Islamic mosques because they'd see the Middle East's Jewish majority and Muslim minority as traitors and communist collaborators. However, I think the moderates would probably want to peacefully integrate the Jewish and Muslim populations of the Middle East into the Covenant after the war and maintain the old Reich's tolerance of different faiths, or even syncretize with them outright to form a united Abrahamic faith (something I see being more likely in Tianxia than Volkerschalt), so they'd probably want to limit the anti-Semitic and Islamophobic tendencies of their radical fundamentalist allies to a minimum. That said, there could instead be some looting and pillaging of Jerusalem from out of control Covenant crusaders that commanding officers wouldn't be able to stop, leading to the Third Temple, the Dome of the Rock and several other religious structures being severely damaged. The Covenant would obviously get a decision to punish the looters, at an expense to manpower, or leave them be, which would come with its own consequences.

They might also fully embrace the looting and help them out, at least the extreme factions could.

I'm wondering what kind of historical song would be most fitting for the Covenant here? I'm not sure what song specifically would be most fitting, but it would probably be something with a Gregorian chant I imagine. Regardless, through this isn't really historical, I find that this song is most fitting for the Covenant thematically, and feels appropriate to Volkerschalt's Second Roman Civil War as a whole.

Maybe some Orthodox liturgical chant would make sense?

For Volkerschalt, the way I found for the Romans to get a total victory over the Chinese was to make the Athanatoi more successful in their counter espionage campaign against Jingwei and having them assassinate key figures like Sun Yat-sen (there would still be a Turkish rebellion against India, however it would be way smaller and with less support from China, so India would be able to crush it). They could even pull the reverse on the Tianxia by taking advantange of multi-ethnic strife in the Meskwaki Empire for example. I imagine this would be possible with either the Reich investing more resources into the Athanatoi's espionge activities or simply better leadership on the Athanatoi's part. Considering that the Reich was actually militarily successful against the Tianxia for the for most part, I think having the Athanatoi be more competent would be the thing needed to give the Reich a total victory, considering it was a Jingwei that did a number on the Central Powers alliance network. In the short term period after the war, I think the Athantoi would probally be used by the Roman government to unsuccessfully crack down on Civil dissent in the 20s, which would backfire hard when the Great Depression hits and angers dissent factions even more. A consequence of this would be the Inquisition getting shafted and ignored by the increasingly secular Roman government in favor of the Athanatoi, leading to the Inquisition joining the Covenant and forming their secret police when the Civil War breaks out.

I like the idea of exploiting interethnic tensions in the Meskwaki Empire. It would fit with the idea that Roman intelligence services were more competent in the war and turned the tables on the Jinyiwei before being turned on the people they were sworn to protect.

For Tianxia, I'll have the Lithuians actually managing to win the battle of Vilnius so that the Reich would get bogged down in the Baltic for several years and allow the Chinese to amass their troops in Siberia to push against Yavidi and Russia. In the post war treaty, the Reich obliviously would be punished severely by the Tianxia pact and give up large pices of territories like parts of Poland to Lithuania, Mesopotamia to Persia, or Neurhomaina to Twantinsuyu. but the balkanization of the Reich after the war would be due to the massive unrest and disillusionment in the Roman populace due to their defeat, leading to a worse version of the 1926 general strikes that escalates into a full on revolt and sees the Reich dissolve into numerous warlords and petty states across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Maybe the battles of Vilnius and Grodno would be the equivalent of the First Battle of the Marne and the Miracle on the Marne where the German offensive was stalled by Entente forces. With Vilnius and Grodno not decisive victories and Lithuania still in the war, the Reich would need to commit more troops to Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, allowing China to move more troops to Siberia to take out Yard and Russia.

You could also have the various viceroys and noble families rebelling against the central authority, whether to seek full independence or to impose their ideology or claimant on the central government. Prior to 1946, the nobility still wielded significant political and administrative influence.

For the third timeline I've admittedly ignored recently for the most part, Sword of Damocles, I found a way to get a different Gentlemen's peace by having Kaiser Karl survive the Hashassassin attack on him and living to implement his version of a peace with honor much earlier than Ludendorff and Hidenburg manged to do, with different terms as well. This would result in some pretty drastic divergences from OTL, since it prevents Angelos from becoming a regent and thus kills the Angeloi movement in the crib, along with making sure some countries like India, Twantinsuyu and Persia are in a better shape than the original Hohenzollernverse timeline.

Any ideas on where this might go next?

 

[CaptainAlvious]

I like the idea of exploiting interethnic tensions in the Meskwaki Empire. It would fit with the idea that Roman intelligence services were more competent in the war and turned the tables on the Jinyiwei before being turned on the people they were sworn to protect.

I imagine it would also lead to an early and extensive Balkanization of the Eimericas, something that would happen to most of the Reich’s enemies in the war.

Maybe the battles of Vilnius and Grodno would be the equivalent of the First Battle of the Marne and the Miracle on the Marne where the German offensive was stalled by Entente forces. With Vilnius and Grodno not decisive victories and Lithuania still in the war, the Reich would need to commit more troops to Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, allowing China to move more troops to Siberia to take out Yard and Russia.

The diversion of Roman troops to Lithuania and Scandinavia would probably lead to some serious consequences for the Eimerican theater, allowing the Meskwaki and Twantinsuyu to overrun Kanata and Neurhomania, later annexing them after the war.

You could also have the various viceroys and noble families rebelling against the central authority, whether to seek full independence or to impose their ideology or claimant on the central government. Prior to 1946, the nobility still wielded significant political and administrative influence.

I agree, hence why there would be a few kingdoms throughout Europe that wouldn’t necessarily align with the Hohenzollern remant kingdom of Prussia. There would still be more republics than monarchies tho because I imagine the Chinese overthrowing the Central Powers monarchies with client republics probably would have legitimized republicanism in Tianxia.

Also, I think I could have the main socialist power in Tianxia be a socialist confederation in the Rhineland, seeing how the General Strikes here began with striking labor unions in the Ruhr valley. They’d be active supporting numerous revolutions and setting up left wing republics in Europe I imagine.

Any ideas on where this might go next?

I’m not sure yet, but probably some sort of early Cold War between the Reich and China in the years leading up to 1936. Also no Soviet Commune, tho there could be a national populist movement that rises from Russia. Perhaps the Reich and China could go to war again over the issue of Japanese independence and anti colonial movements in the Chinese Empire?

Also, to be more divergent from the events of “OTL” (I’m really using that term loosely now aren’t I.), I could have Otto marrying Victoria Louise in Sword of Damocles be more of a royal scandal than it was in reality, kinda like the marriage scandal that ousted King Edward VIII from the British throne irl.

 

[zenphoenix]

I imagine it would also lead to an early and extensive Balkanization of the Eimericas, something that would happen to most of the Reich’s enemies in the war.

Maybe we could have a situation like China in KR with a bunch of warlords trying to reunite the country while others want independence.

The diversion of Roman troops to Lithuania and Scandinavia would probably lead to some serious consequences for the Eimerican theater, allowing the Meskwaki and Twantinsuyu to overrun Kanata and Neurhomania, later annexing them after the war.

Tawantinsuyu controlling all of the southern continent opens up a lot of places for expansion. They could try to finish off their old enemies in Mexico, or they could expand across the Pacific or Atlantic. There was a time when Tawantinsuyu was at war with Mali. Meanwhile the Meskwaki Empire could use its new power to turn on the Jin and unite the northern continent under a pan-Eimerican anti-foreigner regime, possibly setting up a showdown with Tawantinsuyu down the line.

I agree, hence why there would be a few kingdoms throughout Europe that wouldn’t necessarily align with the Hohenzollern remant kingdom of Prussia. There would still be more republics than monarchies tho because I imagine the Chinese overthrowing the Central Powers monarchies with client republics probably would have legitimized republicanism in Tianxia.

Some of the noble families would support the Hohenzollerns but would rather have them as puppet emperors. Maybe some would try to revive the old Holy Roman Empire system of semiautonomous principalities, like what the Italian Federation was in KR.

Also, I think I could have the main socialist power in Tianxia be a socialist confederation in the Rhineland, seeing how the General Strikes here began with striking labor unions in the Ruhr valley. They’d be active supporting numerous revolutions and setting up left wing republics in Europe I imagine.

Good idea. Though depending on the faction they could either build up a coalition of far left regimes to take on their enemies or attempt to conquer their neighbors outright and build a "socialist Rome."

Also, to be more divergent from the events of “OTL” (I’m really using that term loosely now aren’t I.), I could have Otto marrying Victoria Louise in Sword of Damocles be more of a royal scandal than it was in reality, kinda like the marriage scandal that ousted King Edward VIII from the British throne irl.

That could be interesting.

 

[zenphoenix]

Valkyrie, Part 1​

Angeloi concentration camp, Frankfurt - June 16, 1944, morning

A loudspeaker spat out orders in rapid-fire German, rousing the inmates from their slumber. Young Aliya didn’t get that much sleep last night, though. Her cot was old, hard, and moldy, with rusty springs poking out. It barely fit her, but she still had to share it with her mother, who coughed and stirred awake next to her.

The repurposed barracks were cramped and dusty, filled far above normal capacity. Men, women, and children of all ages, wearing the same gray jumpsuits, were stuffed in here like sardines in a barrel. An older man began reciting the call to prayer. Everybody gathered the few sheets of cloth they had and straightened out their jumpsuits as best as they could. They knelt on the sheets of cloth and faced one of the corners of the barracks, the closest they could approximate to the direction of Mecca. Then, with the imam leading them, they prostrated themselves and said their prayers. This camp wasn’t an ideal place for prayer, but it would have to do.

Two Angeloi soldiers barged into the room, rifles in their hands. They approached the imam.

“You’re taking too long,” the first soldier said.

“This is our tradition!” the imam said.

The first soldier clubbed the imam with his rifle.

“Shut up, pig!” he said. “There’s no place for you and your death cult in our Imperium!”

“Leave it,” the second soldier said, “You can’t change an animal’s nature.”

“You’re right,” the first soldier said, “Let’s go.”

“Rations will be handed out for the next half hour,” the second soldier said, “First come first serve as always.”

“Hope you like bacon again!” the first soldier said.

The two soldiers left the room, laughing their heads off. Aliya’s mother and several others rushed over to the imam, helping him to his feet.

“Are you okay?” Aliya’s mother asked.

“I’m fine,” the imam said, “I’ve fought at Krasnoyar, I've seen much worse."

The rest of them got to their feet and got in a line in front of the door. Aliya’s mother walked over to Aliya.

“Come on, Aliya, dear,” she said, “We can’t miss breakfast.”

Aliya followed her mother to the line. It was still dark outside, with sunlight just starting to peek over the horizon. Once they were all lined up, they filed outside, where more Angeloi soldiers watched on both sides, their fingers on their triggers. Some of them made smug faces or stuck their tongues out. Others made profane gestures or shouted slurs. A few clubbed some of them. Nobody said a word. They kept their heads down and continued walking through the camp.

“Come on, hurry up, you pigs!” one soldier shouted. “I’m missing the game! I want to see the Maximists win!”

They reached a table with packaged rations and bottles of water. Each package consisted of small portions of cold bread, crackers, and some gruel, along with a water bottle. There was fortunately no bacon, as far as Aliya could tell. More Angeloi soldiers guarded the table.

“Remember, one package per family!” a soldier shouted. “Hold back your instincts! You are not here to eat like a pig!”

Aliya’s mother took a package and immediately handed it to Aliya, who began eating.

“Make way, make way!” a soldier shouted. “We know you want to eat off the ground, but the line must keep moving!”

As the sun came up, the group filed into an open space, where more Angeloi soldiers stood guard. The soldiers surrounded them and forced them to sit. A new officer stepped up to the microphone, and Aliya didn't recognize this one. He was fairly young. His blond hair was trim and cropped, and his uniform was ironed to perfection, straightened so much that it didn't look natural. His eyes were blue, but Aliya could sense darkness lurking behind them as he scanned the crowd like a hawk. The officer cleared his throat and spoke in a tone that was both deliberate and unnerving at the same time, his words following after one another with regularity but also a casual coldness to them. Not like the blatant cruelty of the regular soldiers, which most of them were used to by now, but something Aliya wasn't expecting. She felt a shiver run down her spine.

“Good morning,” he said, “I am Alfred Hoffman. You will address me as Herr Hoffman. I have come here on the request of the High Command to hand out today’s assignments. Certain few will get the opportunity to transfer to Strasburg, where they will receive…special treatment.”

Hoffman's eyes gleamed with both excitement and malice as he continued scanning the crowd.

“Now, without further ado, let me read off today’s assignments,” Hoffman said, unfolding a sheet of paper.

At that moment, two shots rang out in the distance. The Angeloi soldiers gripped their guns and murmured to each other. Then two more shots rang out, accompanied by the revving of engines. An alarm blared, and soldiers' eyes widened in shock.

“Intruders,” one said.

“Intruders?” Hoffman said. “You know what to do. Form up, get to your stations, and don't let a single rebel escape!”

The ground shook, and a fireball rose up from the entrance. Other Angeloi soldiers shouted and rushed in the direction of the explosion. More gunfire rang out, this time coming from both small arms and the machine gun watchtowers. The steady rat-tat-tat filled the air. Hoffman motioned to the inmates and then stormed off, flanked by two soldiers. The rest surrounded the inmates and jabbed the back row with their guns.

“Move!” they ordered.

The gunfire drew closer. Aliya tried looking behind the column of soldiers and saw other soldiers rushing in the opposite direction, shouting something about a girl. In the distance, the gunfire was accompanied by a few explosions, the screams of Angeloi soldiers, and the battle cries of Resistance fighters. The machine gunners continued spraying a hail of rapid-fire bullets, but their aim drew closer and closer to Aliya’s group. Shots rang out, and one by one the gunners stopped firing and toppled from their towers.

The soldiers forced Aliya and the other inmates deeper into the camp, past a second barbed-wire fence and reinforced metal door guarded by even more soldiers, but many of them were now leaving their posts to reinforce the rest near the entrance. Inside, Aliya was shocked at the conditions she saw. The conditions she and her mother had lived in for the last couple years were already dirty and cramped, but this made her feel like she previously lived in luxury. The pungent smell, a mix of human and industrial waste, decomposing biomass, and toxic chemicals, hit her first. Many others in the group doubled over and retched, vomiting uncontrollably. The soldiers responded by hitting them on the back and on their stomachs with their guns.

“Keep moving!” they shouted.

The inmates trudged on. The smell got even worse, but Aliya had slightly adjusted to it. She next focused on the prisoners. There were dozens of them. They wore the same jumpsuits she and the other inmates wore, but they had black stripes and were torn and covered in dust. Their eyes were bloodshot, and their hair was long and unkempt. Although Aliya and the other inmates were perpetually hungry, due to their limited rations, these prisoners were even worse off. They looked like they were so famished she could see their ribs. Their expressions were blank and empty, as if they’d lost the will to live.

More soldiers joined them, herding them to a two-story building in the far corner. They opened the door and forced the inmates inside, where it was pitch black. Aliya saw hundreds of pairs of eyes in the darkness, meaning there were already more prisoners inside. The soldiers still pushed them inside. Aliya was crushed between two other people, who didn’t have more room than her to move. She held on to her mother’s hand as hard as she could, but there were too many people being pushed inside, and soon her hand was forced open. Her mother disappeared into the crowded mass.

Aliya somehow managed to get her head above the crowd. She scanned the room, looking for her mother, but it was too dark.

“Mom?!” she shouted. “Mom!”

Everybody was screaming and shouting, so she couldn’t hear any response. She could, however, see the soldiers lining up at the door and raising their rifles to their shoulders, preparing to fire. They were going to execute them all. Thoughts raced through Aliya’s mind faster than she could remember them. Was she going to die here? Was this the end? Being mowed down like a fish in a barrel, separated from her mother, completely alone in the world, just when help and possibly freedom was so close?

But the soldiers didn’t fire. The crowd quieted and whispered as they heard gunfire outside.

“For the Kaiser!” someone shouted, among the commotion. “For freedom!”

The shouts of resistance were accompanied by screams and gunshots from the Angeloi, but they were abruptly cut off. The Angeloi firing squad which was supposed to have executed Aliya and the others turned around and ran outside to help their comrades, locking the door behind them. Aliya heard more shots coming from outside, but they stopped, and she heard shouts and blows landing on people, followed by silence.

Suddenly, the door swung open as someone kicked it in. A girl not much older than Aliya stormed inside, aiming two guns around. She put down the guns and looked around, her eyes slowly taking in the sight of the mess around her. Everybody focused on her, Aliya included. Nobody moved a muscle.

“What the…” the girl said.

Deciding she had nothing better to do, as she probably would die anyways when the Angeloi came back, Aliya stepped forward, her curiosity temporarily outweighing her fear. The girl didn’t look like any of the other Angeloi. Was she here to save them? The girl bent down and looked at her, inspecting the tattoo on her right arm. Like the others, the Angeloi had stamped a number on her arm. Hers was 722861. It was probably easily for them to write a name on the paperwork than her full name, especially when they considered her chattel to be disposed of and not a child.

“Hi there,” the girl said, bending down, “I’m Anne. What’s your name?”

Aliya remained silent. Anne held out her hand, but Aliya recoiled, frightened by the newcomer with the guns. Her fear reasserted itself.

“Don’t worry,” Anne said, dropping her guns and raising her hands, “I’m not going to hurt you. I’m with the Resistance. I'm here to free you.”

The guns clattered against the floor, making a noise so loud that everyone in the room recoiled in unison, still fearing punishment. Aliya wished Anne had some food to share with them. She was really hungry.

“I’m with the Resistance,” Anne repeated, “I’m not with them.”

Nobody moved a muscle. The tension was so heavy. Aliya could just feel it. Everybody continued staring at Anne, wondering is she knew what they were going through.

“I don’t know what to say,” she admitted, wiping back tears, “I really don’t….so much slaughter…So much death, so much destruction.”

Aliya stared up at her, her eyes empty. She didn’t want to remember what happened to her. She could still hear the rain falling on the muddy ground as shots rang out, and her screams were muffled by the distant thunder and the smug laughter of the Angeloi soldiers. She could still feel being separated from her father as he was unexpectedly wrenched out of line. She could still see him turning to her one last time, mouthing a “I love you” just before the Angeloi put a bullet covered in pork fat through his head, a final insult to his existence. She could still smell the burning and decaying flesh as the bodies were tossed on a pile in a bonfire, the smoke irritating her eyes and nose as her anguished mother ran over to the pile, desperately trying in vain to find him, only for the Angeloi to pull her away, toss her on the ground, and kick and beat her with their guns, laughing as they did so.

Another prisoner walked up and tapped her on the back. Anne overreacted to the unexpected touch and almost took off the man’s head, her gun back in her hand and immediately coming to a stop an inch away from his forehead. Everybody recoiled at the sudden movement, fearing they would be next.

“Frau, need some help?” he asked.

“Sure,” she said, gesturing to the prisoners, “Get these prisoners out of this godforsaken hellhole and to safety.”

“I’m on it, Frau…” his voice trailed off, trying to find a name.

Anne looked back at Aliya and the disheveled prisoners in the dark building.

“Just call me the Valkyrie,” said Anne.

She left the room, reloading her guns as she went outside. As she continued into the camp, Aliya heard the gunfire resuming. Dozens of Angeloi screamed and were cut off. She heard tires screeching and engines revving as a car tried to get away, but it crashed. More prisoners, apparently from the Resistance, entered the room and beckoned to them.

“Come on,” they said, “We’ll get you out of here.”

The inmates slowly got to their feet, which they dragged along the dusty floor as they cautiously followed the Resistance prisoners outside. Aliya saw her mother among the crowd and quietly rushed over to her, hugging her closely. Everybody’s heads remained down. Aliya kept hers up, so she recoiled when she saw several trucks and transport vehicles waiting at the gates, guarded by Resistance fighters and Loyalist prisoners of war. She and her family had been transported to the camp by train, in a cattle car, but just seeing those trucks made her scared. She always saw more prisoners being unloaded from the trucks and sent straight to the “showers,” with a few taken into the labs for “research.” She calmed herself down. The Angeloi weren’t driving these vehicles now. She was safe.
The inmates trudged slowly through the mud, trailing the emaciated prisoners of war. With the sun now up, Aliya could see how disheveled and filthy everybody was. Dirt and blood covered their faces. Everybody’s hair was long and messy. Their jumpsuits were torn and dusty. Their skin was cracked and callused. Yet nobody said a word, not even as dust swirled around them and that pervading stench continued to hang in the air.

Several of the men, the life suddenly returning to their eyes, broke off from the group and ran down the alley. They dropped to their knees in front of a pile of dead and half-decomposed bodies hastily thrown on top of each other, discarded by the Angeloi like trash. An abandoned bulldozer sat nearby in front of a freshly dug ditch where the bodies would have been buried in the latest mass grave. Aliya stared at the bodies, expecting to feel revulsion and horror as she feared she would recognize her father among the faces. But she didn’t feel anything. That was what scared her most. Why didn’t she feel anything? She was feeling something just a couple minutes ago. Why not now? Why not now?!

The living wailed like Aliya had heard nobody wail before, a guttural mournful cry skywards. Their sentences were fragmented, an eclectic mix of German, Greek, and Arabic, plus some slang made from fragments of all three languages thrown in, like what Yiddish was for German Jews. Their voices rose and fell in a strangely regular rhythm, as if they were singing a song, an elegy, and the record player playing it back was broken.

Aliya turned and saw Anne standing near one of the trucks, watching them. She was focused on the men and their singing. Her mouth was half open, and her eyes showed the horror she was surely feeling now. She was frozen there, overwhelmed by the gloominess and despair. Then she opened her mouth and began singing too.

“El malei rachamim,” Anne sang in Hebrew, her voice shattering the gloominess, “God, full of mercy, who dwells in the heights, provide a sure rest upon the Divine Presence’s wings, within the range of the holy and pure, whose shining resemble the sky’s, all the souls of the Muslims, victims of this terrible world catastrophe, who were murdered, slaughtered, burnt, and exterminated for the Sanctification of the Name, by the Angeloi and Rasa assassins and their helpers from the rest of the peoples.”

Aliya didn’t understanding what she was singing. Nobody here spoke that language. But they all knew what she was doing. Aliya’s mother and the other women stopped walking. They approached her, raising their heads and breaking their earthward gaze. As Anne continued reciting the Mourner’s Kaddish, the women broke into song, beautiful Arabic filling the air and complementing her prayer.

“Allahu akbar,” they sang, folding their hands against their chests, right hands on their left, “God is great.”

“Therefore, the Master of Mercy will protect them forever,” continued Anne, “From behind the hiding of his wings, and will tie their souls with the rope of life.”

“Deliver us from Shaytan,” the women sang, “Bismi llahi r-rahmani r-rahim. In the name of God, the most gracious, the most merciful, god is great. Praise be to God, the Lord of worlds, the almighty and merciful, sovereign of the day of judgment.”

“The Everlasting is their heritage…”

“Iyyaka naAAbudu wa-iyyaka nastaAAeenu. Ihdina alssirata almustaqeema. You alone we serve, and you alone we seek for help. Guide us to the straight path.”

“The Garden of Eden shall be their resting room…”

“Sirata allatheena anAAamta AAalayhim ghayri almaghdoobi AAalayhim wala alddalleena. The path of those whom you have blessed, not those who have incurred the wrath, nor the misguided. Salawat.”

“And they shall rest peacefully upon their lying place…”

“Allahu akbar. O God, if they were doers of good, then increase their good deeds, and if they were wrongdoers, overlook their wrongdoings. O God, forgive them and give them the steadiness to say the right thing.”

“They will stand for their fate in the end of days, and let us say: Amen.”

“Allahu akbar.” The prisoners all turned to their right, towards the pile. “As-salamu alaikum wa-rahmatu llah. Peace and blessings of God be unto you.”

Everybody fell silent, as if in a trance. The silence hanging over them was not the same silence as the one hanging in heavy air of the camp just a minute ago. It wasn’t a gloomy and grim silence, reminding and smothering them all with the stench of death and the inhumanity of everything in this base. It was a hopeful silence, one that had dispelled the gloominess and bleakness around them for good. Aliya was free now. They were all free. The Angeloi had been defeated, if only for just today. It was a silence of freedom.

Nobody dared to say anything after singing the prayers, for fear it could bring the Angeloi back any minute. Nobody spat on the bodies of the dead Angeloi or on the living Angeloi prisoners being herded into some of the trucks. This wasn’t time for revenge. They probably didn't know any better, having been raised on Angelos' empty promises of glory and revenge. Aliya and the others quietly walked past the pile and towards the trucks, which would deliver them to the Loyalist-run refugee camps in the liberated west. They picked up their speed, no longer scared to hold back. They had banished the Angeloi and retaken who they were. Nobody would hold them down now.

As the crowds streamed towards the Resistance trucks, Aliya broke off from her mother and ran towards Anne, flinging her little arms around Anne’s legs. Anne noticed her number tattoo and recognized her.

“Aliya,” she said, her raspy and dehydrated voice almost unrecognizable to herself, “Aliya Hussein.”

“Nice to meet you, Aliya,” said Anne.

“Thank you,” said Aliya, “For saving us.”

“I’m just doing my job,” said Anne.

Aliya looked up at Anne and locked eyes with her. A question popped into her head at that moment, and her mouth moved on its own before she could fully process it.

“Why?” she asked.

Anne stared at her. “Why what?”

“Why are you doing this?” Aliya stared up at her with her wide and innocent eyes.

“It’s the right thing to do, Aliya,” Anne replied.

“But why?” continued Aliya. “Why is it right?”

Anne hesitated for a moment, trying to come up with an answer. Aliya didn’t know why she asked that question. It just popped into her head, and she thought it was the right thing to say. She thought she had to say it. She had to know, even if she didn't know what to make of the answer.

Anne finally said a phrase in Hebrew. Aliya didn’t know Hebrew, but she understood what Anne was saying. She repeated it back in Arabic and then German.

“Whoever saves one life, saves all of humanity.”

Anne reached down and hugged Aliya closer, crying into the little girl’s shoulder. As Aliya embraced her back, she noticed an Angeloi officer near the far wall, unnoticed by anyone. He was watching them, specifically Anne and Aliya. Aliya recognized Hoffman, the officer from the assignments earlier. Hoffman smiled and disappeared behind a barracks.


Outside Frankfurt - November 7, 2015, 9:00 AM

Piano music played over the surround-sound speakers as groomsman Harry Hussein checked his phone camera.

“Okay…” he said to test the recording. “Color and sound check. David and Linda's wedding.”

The doorbell rang. Harry walked into the foyer, but his father, Ismail, was already there opening the door for the bride, Linda Arendt, and her friends.

“Hello,” Ismail said, “Linda, Tanya.”

“Morning, Herr Hussein,” Linda said, shaking his hand.

“Glad you could make it,” Ismail said.

“Good to see you, sis,” Harry said, hugging Tanya.

A door opened and closed upstairs, and an elderly Aliya Hussein rushed down the stairs, pursued by two of her daughters.

“Take it easy, Mom!” one shouted. “There’s no hurry.”

“You take it easy, Lori, Samantha,” Aliya said, “This is my regular speed.”

She walked over to Ismail.

“I see you’ve made our guests comfortable,” Aliya said.

“Yes, Mom,” Ismail said, “By the way, Resolution 15 just passed. They’re going to shut down the Aojing campus.”

“Appeal the decision in the courts,” Aliya said, “Tell Zhao I’m busy at my grandson’s wedding. Lay off the politics until tomorrow.”

She turned to Linda.

“My apologies,” she said, “The Open Societies Foundation still takes up a lot of my time. That Gaojiang has no manners.”

“No, I understand,” Linda said, “David told me how hard you always work.”

“Oh, please, he always exaggerates,” Aliya said, “Come on. Let’s prepare for the ceremony.”

She led Linda to a private part of the mansion, followed by the bridesmaids. They entered a dressing room and sat Linda in front of a mirror, where they fixed her dress, put her veil on, and adjusted her makeup. The door opened again, and Eliza Hussein, Ismail’s wife, entered, Harry still filming behind her.

“Everyone decent in here?” she said.

“Come on in, Frau Hussein,” Linda said.

“There’s room for only one Frau Hussein in this house, and it’s not me,” Eliza said, laughing.

“Oh, it’s fine,” Aliya said.

“What’s Harry doing here?” Tanya said.

“This is how David can see Linda in her dress before the wedding without the bad luck,” Eliza said, “Oh, you look stunning, Linda.”

“Thank modern technology for superstitious loopholes,” Linda said, “Frau Hussein, thank you so much for... everything.”

"I'm so happy you're joining the family,” Eliza said, trying not to tear up.

“David is lucky to have you,” Aliya said.

Eliza hugged Linda and began crying.

“Okay, I'm crying now,” she said, “Let's not film this part. Harry, go join your brother.”

Harry went to the living room, where the groomsmen gathered around a table stacked with beer. David Hussein, the groom, took several deep breaths and looked around anxiously.

“Whoa,” he said, “Whew.”

Harry handed him a can of beer.

“This will help,” he said.

“I didn't think I'd be this nervous,” David said.

“Oh, happens to everyone, even me,” Josh Hussein said, “And, uh, look how I turned out.”

“Let’s not talk about that,” Harry said.

“Yeah, let’s not,” Tanya said, walking into the room and picking up a can, “Get ready. We’re about to start.”

Meanwhile, the guests began gathering in the mansion’s reception area. Some of them were family friends Aliya had known for decades. The rest, wearing classy suits and dresses, were among the Reich’s richest families, including the heads of major corporations, dynatoi, and even some senators and ministers. Aliya could hardly see Linda’s family among the crowd, if they hadn’t already been scared away by all these men and women.

Her phone buzzed. It was a news alert from Penglai, talking about the bill Chancellor Zhao had just signed. She sighed. Zhao was always a nuisance. He had taken steps to expand so-called anti-terrorism laws established after 11/9. Internet use within Penglai was increasingly being monitored for vaguely defined suspicious activities. And scandals had conveniently hit the opposition every time an election came up.

Ismail walked up to her. “Zhao himself is calling you.”

“Tell him to call back tomorrow,” Aliya said, “Did he not hear me the first time? I swear that man has no sense of decency.”

Ismail walked away. Aliya looked back over the crowd, picking out familiar faces. She never liked being in large groups, so to pass the time, she always tried to identify everybody. This should be an easy task, as she knew everybody in this crowd. She first walked over to a white-haired man even older than herself, escorted by his matronly wife and three stoic sons, all wearing medal-studded uniforms.

“Nice to see you here, Ioannes,” she said, “Brought the entire family, huh?”

“Couldn’t miss it for the world,” Ioannes Komnenos said, “After what you did for our fundraiser in Cologne."

“Oh, it was no problem,” Aliya said, “Hope you enjoy the ceremony.”

She moved on to the next person, a well-dressed middle-aged man with a Roman eagle pin attached to his tuxedo.

“Senator,” Aliya said, “Glad you made it.”

“Of course,” Senator Hermann Makarios said, “I just wish my father was here to see this.”

“Your father was a good man,” Aliya said, “We all miss him. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

She walked over to Heinrich Dandolo, who sat at a table sipping a glass of wine.

“How are you doing?” she said.

“Oh, fine,” Heinrich said, “This wine…nothing beats Burgundian, huh?”

“You should try Israeli,” Aliya said, “It’s gotten much better recently.”

“I’ll make sure to try it out,” Heinrich said.

“Just you today?” Aliya said.

“Sorry,” Heinrich said, “My wife couldn’t make it. And you know how my kids are. They’re all working for Baudet.”

“Thierry Baudet, huh?” Aliya said.

“Look, I know you don’t have a high opinion of him, but work’s work, isn’t it?” Heinrich said.

“I guess so,” Aliya said.

“Have you heard?” Heinrich said.

“Heard what?” Aliya said.

“Baudet’s planning to form a new party,” Heinrich said, “Uniting all of the parties in his coalition into a single party. They’re still working on a name and platform, but an announcement should come around New Year’s.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Aliya said.

“Colonel Dandolo!” a voice shouted.

The two of them looked up and saw a younger man in a turtleneck and sporting a light beard approaching them. He was already balding, despite his age, which made him strikingly resemble the late Apple founder Steven Jandali-Scheible.

“Theodor Tesla,” Aliya said, “I thought you wouldn’t show.”

“Yeah, Theodor, didn’t you say you were busy?” Heinrich said.

“No, I made time,” Theodor said, “Helps that Schaefer’s running the show. I’m the token Tesla.”

Everybody laughed.

“For now, at least,” Theodor said.

“For now?” Heinrich said.

“Look, I know my uncle did some terrible things,” Theodor said, “But his crimes shouldn’t weigh on the entire family. I have some great ideas for the company.”

“I don’t know, smells like nepotism,” Aliya said.

“Says you,” Theodor said.

“Listen, kid, when you're as old as me, you’ll understand,” Aliya said.

“Please, we’re here to celebrate,” Heinrich said, “By the way, where’s the groom?”

“He should be getting ready now,” Aliya said, “If you’ll excuse me.”

She got up and left the two men, trying to pick someone else out of the crowd she could talk to. Her eyes focused on a trim, cropped blond haired young man standing in the corner, quietly surveying the crowd. But there was something off about him. She didn’t remember inviting him or checking him off the guest list. The guest list came with pictures so she knew who to expect. She should’ve recognized him. Yet he looked familiar. Wait, no, it couldn’t be. But it looked exactly like him. No, it was impossible. That was over seventy years ago. She flagged Ismail down as he chatted with the family imam. He ended his conversation and quickly joined Aliya. She pointed at the suspicious man.

“Who is that man?” she said.

“I don't know,” Ismail said, “Must be from Linda’s side.”

“Impossible,” Aliya said, “We have a guest list. Everybody has to be cleared by security. You know how many death threats I get every day?”

In the side room, David continued wheezing uncontrollably while Josh patted his back.

“Just breathe, man,” Josh said.

Harry searched through David’s discarded jacket.

“No, where’s your inhaler?” he said.

He dug it out of a pocket. “Oh, here it is. Tanya, why don’t you join the bridesmaids first?”

Tanya left the room as Harry handed the inhaler to David, who put it to his mouth. David's breath quickly calmed down. Josh entered the main room and picked up a microphone, getting the guests’ attention.


“Now, I’m sure you’re all wondering where the man of the day is,” he said, “I can safely say David isn’t going to run. We’re just having some last minute bro-talk. So just, uh, everybody hang tight. He’ll be fine.”

Meanwhile, Aliya continued staring at the suspicious man, who looked at her calmly. His blond hair was indeed trim and cropped neatly, and his casual outfit was ironed to perfection, straightened so much it didn't look natural. His blue eyes remained focused on her with a laser-like precision, reminding her of a predator sizing up its prey. His casual smile, not at all affected by her obvious confusion, made everything more unnerving. As she took in more of his face, some of her oldest and worst memories came rushing back to her. She knew who this man was. But couldn’t be possible. For the first time in decades, she felt fear. Not just a simple fear of some inconvenience, but a primal fear, an urge in the back of her head telling her to run away immediately.

“It can’t be,” she muttered, “It can't be. It can't be true.”

“What's wrong, Mom?” Ismail said.

Aliya stormed over to the man, pointing at him. “It can't be. It's him.”

"Mom, what are you talking about?” Ismail said.

“It’s him!” Aliya shouted.

Everybody stopped talking and looked at Aliya as she jabbed a finger at the man. The man casually continued looking at her, not saying a word or reacting to everyone looking at them.

“Mom, calm down,” Ismail said.

“It’s him!” Aliya repeated. “Call security!”

The man continued looking at her, not once breaking his gaze, not even when the music started, playing over the loudspeakers.

Aliya felt her throat choking up. At first she thought it was because of her fear and panic, but then she realized she really was choking. She took a deep breath, but she couldn’t get any air. But that was impossible. She was in an open room and there was nothing in her throat as she hadn't eaten anything yet. She started coughing and wheezing. She clutched her chest and began coughing up blood. Her legs gave out from under her, and she fell on all fours, still coughing violently, grabbing her throat. The rest of the crowd murmured and looked around, calling 119 on their phones. Others ran into the other halls to get help.

“You!” Aliya spat, still jabbing her finger at the man, who casually sat and watched. “You!”

Her coughing grew worse, and she could no longer breathe normally. She gasped for air, but she got very little, even though her mouth was wide open. She fell over and clutched her throat, trying to dislodge whatever it was that was choking her. But there was nothing choking her.

Ismail rushed over to Aliya. “Mom, what’s wrong?”


But he couldn’t do anything before he began coughing and choking as well. Tanya emerged from a side room and saw Aliya and Ismail on the floor.

“Grandma, my God, what is it?” she said.

But she also fell over and choked, the open door behind her revealing half the bridesmaids also wheezing on the floor. As the music triumphantly crested, another door fell open as Harry’s body fell through it, Josh also convulsing next to him. The rest of the Husseins and a good chunk of the crowd clutched their throats and began to hack and choke violently too, while everybody else gasped and panicked, some trying to resuscitate the affected in vain and others fleeing in terror. Eliza, wheezing and gasping like a fish out of water, rushed over to Josh and Harry.

“My God, someone call 119!” she shouted. “Josh! Harry! What is happening?”

She collapsed next to her sons. As the vision faded from Aliya’s eyes, she saw the man—there was no mistaking the calm and cold face of Alfred Hoffman—standing over her, smugly watching the life fade out of her. Without a word, he turned and left the room, everybody panicking too much to notice.

 

[TheAnguishedOne]

A powerful opening chapter to this arc. Such hope and optimism in the first half, such bitter loss in the latter.

 

[CaptainAlvious]

Great update Zen! I must admit tho, the first half of this update was a bit depressing for me to read because of both the subject matter and my own Muslim background. At least that half had a hopeful turnaround in the end, Anne is a true hero. Now I really hope Alyia turns out okay after this, even if it probably won't happen.

Also, that damn Hoffman appearance at the end. I swear, he must be older than Alyia is at this point, or even Otto for that matter.

Penglai's current Gaojiang concerns me as well. Based off what we've heard about him so far, I have a feeling he's taking Penglai onto the same path to authoritarianism that Wang Jingwei and Chaing Kai Shek took China on decades ago, which is a shame since I thought Penglai's history, culture and political institutions were interesting. Oh well, at least Fusang seems to be doing fine so far.

That Wagner music at the end is fitting too, even if it is for a horrifying context, given what's happening in that scene and how fascists historically used that music a lot in both OTL and TTL World War 2.

Now, storyarc aside , here are my responses to your additions and ideas for Kaiserreich lore.

Maybe we could have a situation like China in KR with a bunch of warlords trying to reunite the country while others want independence.

Good idea, I imagine it would be an interesting region for Volkerschalt players to play in, just like the Eimericas would be for TTL EU4 players.

Tawantinsuyu controlling all of the southern continent opens up a lot of places for expansion. They could try to finish off their old enemies in Mexico, or they could expand across the Pacific or Atlantic. There was a time when Tawantinsuyu was at war with Mali. Meanwhile the Meskwaki Empire could use its new power to turn on the Jin and unite the northern continent under a pan-Eimerican anti-foreigner regime, possibly setting up a showdown with Tawantinsuyu down the line.

I think I already alluded to that and a nationalist dicatorship in Mexico (the same one that was briefly in power in the Hohenzollernverse's 1920s) not too long ago in my Tianxia Meskwaki update, through admittedly I focused more on the Meskwaki's internal problems than the geopolictal situation in the Eimericas. Regardless, that is an interesting idea indeed.

Some of the noble families would support the Hohenzollerns but would rather have them as puppet emperors. Maybe some would try to revive the old Holy Roman Empire system of semiautonomous principalities, like what the Italian Federation was in KR.

Good idea. Though depending on the faction they could either build up a coalition of far left regimes to take on their enemies or attempt to conquer their neighbors outright and build a "socialist Rome."

I imagine Roman reunification would go very differently in Tianxia depending on which of the major powers in the former Reich achieves it. Right now, the list of major powers I have in mind for Europe that could reunite the Reich would be whoever wins in Germany (Prussia, the Hansetic League, Socialist Rhineland or Austria), Gallia, Britannia (called Albion here), a bloc of Abrahamic theocracies in the Middle East lead by Byzantium, Lithuanian Egypt and whoever unites Italy (a Communist Roman Commune, a Scillian/Magna Grecian state, Venice or Lombardy). There could be another major power that could come out of Spain as well. Those are just the most notable ones I could think of, through with this being a mod for a stragey game, I imagine there could be even more powerful factions that could pop up. That or some of these powers could be destroyed before they do anything significant.

That could be interesting.

It could lead to three possible outcomes that could happen in the Sword of Damocles scenario: Otto could abdicate the throne and give it to someone else, break off his marriage with Victoria Louise while remaining Kaiser, or ignore the demands from the Reichstag and keep both his marriage and the throne, with the last option possibly triggering a Republican insurrection.

 

[zenphoenix]

A powerful opening chapter to this arc. Such hope and optimism in the first half, such bitter loss in the latter.

Just when Aliya thought she could put the past to rest, the past came back for her.

Great update Zen! I must admit tho, the first half of this update was a bit depressing for me to read because of both the subject matter and my own Muslim background. At least that half had a hopeful turnaround in the end, Anne is a true hero. Now I really hope Alyia turns out okay after this, even if it probably won't happen.

Yep, that's the Anne we all know and love. A true hero, forged by war.

Also, that damn Hoffman appearance at the end. I swear, he must be older than Alyia is at this point, or even Otto for that matter.

And yet he still looks barely 30...

Penglai's current Gaojiang concerns me as well. Based off what we've heard about him so far, I have a feeling he's taking Penglai onto the same path to authoritarianism that Wang Jingwei and Chaing Kai Shek took China on decades ago, which is a shame since I thought Penglai's history, culture and political institutions were interesting. Oh well, at least Fusang seems to be doing fine so far.

Just goes to show that it can happen anywhere. Penglai is no stranger to nationalist movements, as it was reborn in one.

About Fusang, it seems to be doing fine for now, but I should mention its government should probably pay more attention to things happening south of the border...

That Wagner music at the end is fitting too, even if it is for a horrifying context, given what's happening in that scene and how fascists historically used that music a lot in both OTL and TTL World War 2.

And especially because of its connections with Anne and her Valkyrie persona.

Good idea, I imagine it would be an interesting region for Volkerschalt players to play in, just like the Eimericas would be for TTL EU4 players.

Definitely.

I think I already alluded to that and a nationalist dicatorship in Mexico (the same one that was briefly in power in the Hohenzollernverse's 1920s) not too long ago in my Tianxia Meskwaki update, through admittedly I focused more on the Meskwaki's internal problems than the geopolictal situation in the Eimericas. Regardless, that is an interesting idea indeed.

Oh yes, the Aztlan Party regime. I guess they could either try to form a third bloc, maybe try to restore the old Alliance, or just survive against the onslaught from north and south.

I imagine Roman reunification would go very differently in Tianxia depending on which of the major powers in the former Reich achieves it. Right now, the list of major powers I have in mind for Europe that could reunite the Reich would be whoever wins in Germany (Prussia, the Hansetic League, Socialist Rhineland or Austria), Gallia, Britannia (called Albion here), a bloc of Abrahamic theocracies in the Middle East lead by Byzantium, Lithuanian Egypt and whoever unites Italy (a Communist Roman Commune, a Scillian/Magna Grecian state, Venice or Lombardy). There could be another major power that could come out of Spain as well. Those are just the most notable ones I could think of, through with this being a mod for a stragey game, I imagine there could be even more powerful factions that could pop up. That or some of these powers could be destroyed before they do anything significant.

Maybe there'd be a regional power on the North African coast, Carthage. Depending on if it's still ruled by Schweinfurts or by someone else, it could either go for reunification, go its own path, or restore the old Carthaginian Empire (in a meme route like Byzantium in old KR).

It could lead to three possible outcomes that could happen in the Sword of Damocles scenario: Otto could abdicate the throne and give it to someone else, break off his marriage with Victoria Louise while remaining Kaiser, or ignore the demands from the Reichstag and keep both his marriage and the throne, with the last option possibly triggering a Republican insurrection.

You have an idea of what each of those options could lead to? Like who would take over for Otto, how people would react to the divorce with Victoria Louise, or the Reichstag putting its foot down?

 

[CaptainAlvious]

Just goes to show that it can happen anywhere. Penglai is no stranger to nationalist movements, as it was reborn in one.

About Fusang, it seems to be doing fine for now, but I should mention its government should probably pay more attention to things happening south of the border...

Ah yes, the problem of Mexico and the terrorists that infest the region there. That would be a problem indeed.

Oh yes, the Aztlan Party regime. I guess they could either try to form a third bloc, maybe try to restore the old Alliance, or just survive against the onslaught from north and south.

That sounds like it would be a fun challenge indeed. I imagine a lot of Tianxia players picking Mexico and having them surive a three to fourway war between Meskwaki, Twantinsuyu and possibly Jin.

Maybe there'd be a regional power on the North African coast, Carthage. Depending on if it's still ruled by Schweinfurts or by someone else, it could either go for reunification, go its own path, or restore the old Carthaginian Empire (in a meme route like Byzantium in old KR).

That would be a nice idea, tho I think in earlier notes I sandwiched Carthage between Lithuanian Egypt and a Maurentia lead by the Malian Spirit Guardians. Then again, I think the challenge of keeping Carthage alive through an onslaught from the east and west would make it even more of an interesting nation to play. To make things slightly easier for Carthage tho so that they defend from Maurentia alone (which would still be challenge in itself because they are way stronger militarily), I guess I could have a Hellenic pagan state in Libya to act as a buffer for Carthage from Egypt, through it would quickly get eaten by Egypt quickly due to a lack of military strength or industry.

You have an idea of what each of those options could lead to? Like who would take over for Otto, how people would react to the divorce with Victoria Louise, or the Reichstag putting its foot down?

Maybe the possible divorcee would anger the Maximists, causing them to contest the throne. As for who Otto could abdicate to, maybe his uncle Leopold or his sister Adelheid. I believe they've been briefly mentioned before in this megacampagin, with Leopold showing up in HOI3 and Adelheid being talked about in TTL The Falcon Cannot Hear. I believe most people would side with Otto in this scandal for the most part, but there could be some who would see the last option of ignoring the Reichstag as an abuse of power and take problem with it.

 

[zenphoenix]

Ah yes, the problem of Mexico and the terrorists that infest the region there. That would be a problem indeed.

I threw in a hint as to what's about to happen in Mexico back in the Thierry Baudet chapter...

That sounds like it would be a fun challenge indeed. I imagine a lot of Tianxia players picking Mexico and having them surive a three to fourway war between Meskwaki, Twantinsuyu and possibly Jin.

Would make for a very challenging start.

That would be a nice idea, tho I think in earlier notes I sandwiched Carthage between Lithuanian Egypt and a Maurentia lead by the Malian Spirit Guardians. Then again, I think the challenge of keeping Carthage alive through an onslaught from the east and west would make it even more of an interesting nation to play. To make things slightly easier for Carthage tho so that they defend from Maurentia alone (which would still be challenge in itself because they are way stronger militarily), I guess I could have a Hellenic pagan state in Libya to act as a buffer for Carthage from Egypt, through it would quickly get eaten by Egypt quickly due to a lack of military strength or industry.

Maybe move the Hellenic pagans further south? Maybe have them take most of sub-Saharan Africa?

Maybe the possible divorcee would anger the Maximists, causing them to contest the throne. As for who Otto could abdicate to, maybe his uncle Leopold or his sister Adelheid. I believe they've been briefly mentioned before in this megacampagin, with Leopold showing up in HOI3 and Adelheid being talked about in TTL The Falcon Cannot Hear. I believe most people would side with Otto in this scandal for the most part, but there could be some who would see the last option of ignoring the Reichstag as an abuse of power and take problem with it.

And maybe the Reichstag could even attempt a coup in such cases.

 

[CaptainAlvious]

I threw in a hint as to what's about to happen in Mexico back in the Thierry Baudet chapter...

Alright, I remember you mentioned an Islamic State equivalent there in Mexico, so I'll check up on that update again later.

Maybe move the Hellenic pagans further south? Maybe have them take most of sub-Saharan Africa?

That makes sense, Hellenic Pagans would probably settle deeper into Africa than just Libya. I only came up with Hellenic Libya as a reference to the colonies in north Africa that the Ancient Greeks had along with the Phoenicians.

Speaking of Pheoncians, maybe I can take it one step further and allow Carthage to unlock a hidden option to create a Pheoncian state if they manage to take Isreal, which I imagine would be a difficult achievement for Tianxia players to do with Egypt, Maurentina and Byzantium in the way.

And maybe the Reichstag could even attempt a coup in such cases.

Good idea. I feel like China should also have some kind of reaction to the scandal in the Reich too, since unlike Tianxia or Volkerschalt, the Reich and China would be both intact in Sword of Damocles. Maybe they could support the Reichstag in an attempt to overthrow the meritocratic monarchy of the Reich and replace it with a republic that wouldn't threaten them.

 

[zenphoenix]

Alright, I remember you mentioned an Islamic State equivalent there in Mexico, so I'll check up on that update again later.

Makes you wonder what exactly they do that Fusang should seriously worry about...

That makes sense, Hellenic Pagans would probably settle deeper into Africa than just Libya. I only came up with Hellenic Libya as a reference to the colonies in north Africa that the Ancient Greeks had along with the Phoenicians.

That reminds me, I still haven't officially canonized the African Hellenic pagans.

Speaking of Pheoncians, maybe I can take it one step further and allow Carthage to unlock a hidden option to create a Pheoncian state if they manage to take Isreal, which I imagine would be a difficult achievement for Tianxia players to do with Egypt, Maurentina and Byzantium in the way.

Good idea.

Good idea. I feel like China should also have some kind of reaction to the scandal in the Reich too, since unlike Tianxia or Volkerschalt, the Reich and China would be both intact in Sword of Damocles. Maybe they could support the Reichstag in an attempt to overthrow the meritocratic monarchy of the Reich and replace it with a republic that wouldn't threaten them.

Or at least with a new regime that wouldn't be opposed to them. A republic would be a last resort.

 

[TWR97]

Calling it now, Hoffman is in cahoots with either the Cult or Sentinel or playing both sides in his quest for revenge hence why he looks like he did when the Second Weltkrieg was still raging, either of these things sound absolutely terrifying . Either way, once the X-Division gets news of this they'll be in for the fight of their lives.

Also I love the lore expansion of both Volkerschlact and Tianxia btw, makes them both more fleshed out.

 

[CaptainAlvious]

Makes you wonder what exactly they do that Fusang should seriously worry about...

Knowing the real world Isis, probally nothing good, but that's something we'll have to wait and see in Chapter 454.

That reminds me, I still haven't officially canonized the African Hellenic pagans.

Well we do have an African character as a political character leader in Baudet's coalition, so you could have an opportunity in the Forum's arc to talk about Hellenic African pagans, as well as Roman Africa as a whole.

Speaking of minority faiths, how is the baha'i faith doing right now in the Reich and Persia? I remember a lot of interesting lore for it discussed in Vicky 2, but I'm wondering what region in the Reich would be a good place for them to get some followers, maybe Mesopotamia or the Persian concessions to the Reich in the 1920s?

This has giving me another Tianxia idea I wish to share. For Mesopotamia, I could have a resistance movement made up of the Ottoman caliph, Jewish Kurds and even Baha'i followers form to fight against Persian rule and then either unite to form a strong nation state once they defeat Persia, or they separate and create Kurdish, Muslim and Baha'i states in Mesopotamia. The Mesopotamian resistance could have some foreign aid from Persia's rivals in Turkestan and Byzantium, however Persia would be backed by Egypt and its allies as a way to stick it to their Byzantine enemies.

Or at least with a new regime that wouldn't be opposed to them. A republic would be a last resort.

It could also back fire on them and potentially could cause an early global rematch between Rome and China as well.

Also I love the lore expansion of both Volkerschlact and Tianxia btw, makes them both more fleshed out.

Thanks, I just had a major burst of inspiration for the lore of the Kaiserreich timelines and now I have a lot of details and notes I want to share. I'm working on a Sudafrikan interlude for Volkerschalt right now, hope to get it out by the months end if I'm lucky. I'm looking forward to finishing it.

 

[zenphoenix]

Calling it now, Hoffman is in cahoots with either the Cult or Sentinel or playing both sides in his quest for revenge hence why he looks like he did when the Second Weltkrieg was still raging, either of these things sound absolutely terrifying . Either way, once the X-Division gets news of this they'll be in for the fight of their lives.

Especially Diana...since her mom had history with Hoffman...

Knowing the real world Isis, probally nothing good, but that's something we'll have to wait and see in Chapter 454.

Yep.

Well we do have an African character as a political character leader in Baudet's coalition, so you could have an opportunity in the Forum's arc to talk about Hellenic African pagans, as well as Roman Africa as a whole.

I haven't really done much with Jacob in particular so far, but I'll see if I can fit in some references.

Speaking of minority faiths, how is the baha'i faith doing right now in the Reich and Persia? I remember a lot of interesting lore for it discussed in Vicky 2, but I'm wondering what region in the Reich would be a good place for them to get some followers, maybe Mesopotamia or the Persian concessions to the Reich in the 1920s?

Probably either the coastal concessions or the northern territories which were contested by India, Yavdi, the Ghaznavids, and the Timurids.

This has giving me another Tianxia idea I wish to share. For Mesopotamia, I could have a resistance movement made up of the Ottoman caliph, Jewish Kurds and even Baha'i followers form to fight against Persian rule and then either unite to form a strong nation state once they defeat Persia, or they separate and create Kurdish, Muslim and Baha'i states in Mesopotamia. The Mesopotamian resistance could have some foreign aid from Persia's rivals in Turkestan and Byzantium, however Persia would be backed by Egypt and its allies as a way to stick it to their Byzantine enemies.

Cool idea. Though depending on the player's choices, the Ottomans, Kurds, and Baha'i could turn on each other and split into three different states.

It could also back fire on them and potentially could cause an early global rematch between Rome and China as well.

Which might lead to a Chinese victory since the Reich is so weakened at this point.

Thanks, I just had a major burst of inspiration for the lore of the Kaiserreich timelines and now I have a lot of details and notes I want to share. I'm working on a Sudafrikan interlude for Volkerschalt right now, hope to get it out by the months end if I'm lucky. I'm looking forward to finishing it.

Hoping for the best!

 

[CaptainAlvious]

Which might lead to a Chinese victory since the Reich is so weakened at this point.

Good point, tho I imagine the Chinese would be weakened by a few scandals in their democratic government and anti colonial movements throughout their Empire. Also, they would still remain a democracy in Sword of Damocles because I'm thinking about not having Wang Jingwei rise to power like he did in Late Vicky 2/HOI3.

Hoping for the best!

Me too. Intrestingly, while I was writing the update with them being a PSA analogue in mind, I noticed that I seemed to have made them the exact opposite of SM Sterling's Draka, KR Mittelafrika under Goering or even OTL Apartheid South Africa, which I find to be ironic.

 

[zenphoenix]

Good point, tho I imagine the Chinese would be weakened by a few scandals in their democratic government and anti colonial movements throughout their Empire. Also, they would still remain a democracy in Sword of Damocles because I'm thinking about not having Wang Jingwei rise to power like he did in Late Vicky 2/HOI3.

Good way to set it apart from other timelines, by having prewar democracy survive.

Me too. Intrestingly, while I was writing the update with them being a PSA analogue in mind, I noticed that I seemed to have made them the exact opposite of SM Sterling's Draka, KR Mittelafrika under Goering or even OTL Apartheid South Africa, which I find to be ironic.

I intend for Sudafrika to be really relevant in the coming arc, so I'm looking forward to seeing your idea.