Dreams of Elysium - A Basileía Romaíon Mod AAR

[HistoryDude]

It's kind of curious that they didn't also call on Nike for victory... The rebellion will still be crushed.

Nice reference to the Nika Riots. Is chariot racing a thing in Elysia?

 

[Emissary of the Prophets]

One must be desperate indeed to invoke Ares...unless his Hellenic form has been tempered by Roman Mars.

 

[Lord Durham]

This looks extremely interesting. I like the concept. Lots of cool names and alternate histories (not to mention alternate horses). Looks like my home is in Vinland. How powerful are they vis-a-vis Elysium? Are they on good terms? Asking for a friend. I'll be curious to see how this plays out. Nice work @Nikolai.

 

[Nikolai]

Thank you for update. Rebel Scum face the wrath of Ares.

Thank you! Rebel scum will soon be dust!

It's kind of curious that they didn't also call on Nike for victory... The rebellion will still be crushed.

Nice reference to the Nika Riots. Is chariot racing a thing in Elysia?

Blame that on my very limited knowledge of Greek mythology.

Nika riots had to be done, I may not know my Greek mythology, but I know a thing about history. Chariot racing of course must be a part of Elysian culture!

One must be desperate indeed to invoke Ares...unless his Hellenic form has been tempered by Roman Mars.

Again, blame my lack of knowledge. I do envision these gods to be more tame than old Greek mythology. Time has passed, times has changed and - most importantly - the Hellenes in this country is not in majority. Christianity for example is a pretty big minority. Later on, in the late 1700s, Hellenes will only constitute about 15% of the population. We get a lot of immigration.

This looks extremely interesting. I like the concept. Lots of cool names and alternate histories (not to mention alternate horses). Looks like my home is in Vinland. How powerful are they vis-a-vis Elysium? Are they on good terms? Asking for a friend. I'll be curious to see how this plays out. Nice work @Nikolai.

Thank you! Vinland is about on par with Elysium in troop count, at the start slightly more powerful I think. But they are protected by the North Sea Empire, who have several times my troop count... So my first action was to appease them and their liege, as well as Louisiana and their liege, the HRE. Aurelian ingame is a moderate, so his focus will be on peaceful(ish, as the natives will oppose us) expansion and industrialization. In any case, even if he had been a jingoist, there is no way for us to wage offensive war. We need a much larger powerbase for that! Vinland is of cooperative and genial opinion of us, and we will be on and off allies on paper going forward.

 

[Nikolai]

Pronoia, Elysium

February 16th, 1737

United. Elysium was, again, united. The civil war won; peace reigned.

Aurelian Galantinus grinned. It had been a momentous occasion. The beaten dynatoi leaders, bowing to him, acknowledging his victory. It felt good. Very good. They had been forced to leave the capital, some as colonists themselves – destined to populate the empty lands to the west. But never as rulers. No, these men did not deserve to rule. In time, perhaps, their offspring could advance. But not them. The words some had used against him, and his family was treasonous, not to mention hurtful.

Already eager men and women were settling the lands of the Handenosounec, the Shawnee, the Anitsalag. Soon to be civilized. And, in time, natives and Elysians would learn to live in harmony.

For Aurelian planned not only to expand his kingdom. He planned to, to his best ability, improve the living standard of his population. Their literacy too, of course. Kingdoms prospered when their populace prospered. Literacy meant new technologies, new industries, better lives. Aurelian meant to be an enlightened monarch.

He looked at the map his advisors had left him. Creek and Muscogee. He wondered why Louisiana did not expand into them. After the great war between Al-Andalus and Rome, the great powers had designated spheres of influence over the bordering tribes of their colonies, under the Treaty of Lyons. Creek and Muscogee were in Louisianian sphere.

Well, it hardly mattered, did it? He would keep to his sphere. And beyond? Beyond laid tribes not designated. Free for the picking.

He rose and went to the adjoining room. There. His flower, his muse. Sitting, reading her history books. He smiled warmly. He could see her slightly larger than normal belly. The future of Elysium, right there. He wondered if they would get a son on first try.

A pang of worry, as he was reminded not all pregnancies go as planned. He should pray more. To Pan, Hera and Afrodite – at the minimum. For Flavia and the child’s safety. He wondered how much the gods really cared.

 

[The Kingmaker]

Glad to see your lineage continuing! That’s of course assuming Flavia is actually with child and not just indulging in an extra helping of Byzantine honey fritters. To be fair, they look absolutely delicious. By the way, is Aurelian the first of that name in Elysium’s monarchy? Would a potential heir be Aurelian II?

Hopefully Vinland will grow into a reliable and friendly neighbor, like Canada has become for the U.S.A. And hopefully they don’t need to burn your palace down first a la the War of 1812. At least you’ve got a ready source of Norsemen for your Varangian Guard!

 

[Midnite Duke]

Thank you for the update. It is a wonder that the defeated rebels are not eunuchs protecting the colonies. Is there room for settlement without encouraging the neighbors to vacate?

 

[HistoryDude]

Congrats on your victory!

What are the exact terms of this Treaty of Lyons?

How many dynatoi remain in power? How close is Aurelian to gaining absolute power?

What texts is Hellenism based on? There are many conflicting sources (not least on the topic of Aphrodite's parentage).

 

[Nikolai]

Glad to see your lineage continuing! That’s of course assuming Flavia is actually with child and not just indulging in an extra helping of Byzantine honey fritters. To be fair, they look absolutely delicious. By the way, is Aurelian the first of that name in Elysium’s monarchy? Would a potential heir be Aurelian II?

Hopefully Vinland will grow into a reliable and friendly neighbor, like Canada has become for the U.S.A. And hopefully they don’t need to burn your palace down first a la the War of 1812. At least you’ve got a ready source of Norsemen for your Varangian Guard!

Thanks! The lineage is indeed secure, and yes, Vinland is our BFFs and will probably be for a long time! As for numbering of rulers, Victoria 3 does not show numbering, so any next Aurelian will still show as Aurelian, no numbers. But in my head, this is the first of his name!

Thank you for the update. It is a wonder that the defeated rebels are not eunuchs protecting the colonies. Is there room for settlement without encouraging the neighbors to vacate?

Any colonization keep the old residents, no movement or extermination. Other than when they rebel during or after colonization has been done.

Congrats on your victory!

What are the exact terms of this Treaty of Lyons?

How many dynatoi remain in power? How close is Aurelian to gaining absolute power?

What texts is Hellenism based on? There are many conflicting sources (not least on the topic of Aphrodite's parentage).

Thanks!

So many, hard questions!

Ingame, the terms are simple; the rebelling factions (there were two or three, I just made it simpler in my description) get marginalized, 0% power, and slowly over the next few years gradually creeps back to prominence. Giving time for reforms they oppose. So right after the end of the war, dynatoi is at 0% strength. They are coming back, though. Aurelian is the king of a fairly progressive society, having wealth voting, free speech, total separation of church and state and propertied women, to mention a few laws.

I expect any religion in the wake of Christianity's success needs some kind of canon of agreed upon holy scriptures, like Judaism did in our timeline and Islam later, while those who didn't fell on the wayside. I imagine in this timeline Julian the Apostate did some good work on making a canon during his reign, which also perhaps lasted a bit longer before Christian emperors came back into power? Let's call it the Olympiad?

 

[Nikolai]

I've played a lot today and am now 95 years in! I decided to write the AAR some 40 years in, so I have way more content to cover later in game. With that said, have another update, in a minute!

 

[Nikolai]

Pronoia, Elysium

January 6th, 1738

Aurelian Galantinus sat in his chair, smiling. Flavia was sitting in the room next door, singing for their little baby boy. Pavlos Galntinus – future king of Elysium. Now, just a babe a couple months old.

Aurelian sat there, dreaming. Of what this little child would become, how he would be. For now, he was helpless. But Aurelian hoped this child would be anything but helpless some years on, when he inevitably would travel over the river Styx like his predecessors had.

Aurelian knew he was relatively well liked by his populace. He hoped Pavlos would be too. He hoped he could teach his child to be brave, good at navigating the political landscape, all the good traits a decent ruler needed.

He did worry though. The soothsayer Flavia had employed told them the child would not be like his father. That he would be “less than wished for”, yet “brave and intelligent”. He truly hoped the soothsayer were a sham. Or that fate could be changed. He knew he would do whatever it took to make sure of that.

He looked up. Flavia had stopped singing her lullaby. Now she came into the room he sat in, smiling her endearing smile. He smiled back. Her eyes glinted.

“Let’s dance, my love. Let’s celebrate life, our future and Elysium.”

 

[The Kingmaker]

What a sweet little baby heir! I hope the soothsayer's prognostication is just a load of bunk.

 

[Nikolai]

What a sweet little baby heir! I hope the soothsayer's prognostication is just a load of bunk.

TIme will tell...

 

[Midnite Duke]

Thank you for the update. Less than President Ersh Aurelian wishes and hopes but brave and intelligent, may not be a bad thing. With a birth around 1700, Aurelian may be a little younger than Ersh.

 

[HistoryDude]

It's nice to see that the succession is safe...

I wonder what "less than is wished for" means... prophecies often have double meanings, so interpreting them can be difficult. I look forward to seeing how that plays out...

 

[Emissary of the Prophets]

Théoden King was also, by his own description, a "lesser son of greater forebears" to no ill-effect; perhaps it will be the same for Vasilefs (Rhex/Rigas?) Pavlos.

 

[Nikolai]

Thank you for the update. Less than President Ersh Aurelian wishes and hopes but brave and intelligent, may not be a bad thing. With a birth around 1700, Aurelian may be a little younger than Ersh.

Aurelian is born in 1716, so he's definitely younger.

It's nice to see that the succession is safe...

I wonder what "less than is wished for" means... prophecies often have double meanings, so interpreting them can be difficult. I look forward to seeing how that plays out...

That is the question isn't it? To be continued!

Théoden King was also, by his own description, a "lesser son of greater forebears" to no ill-effect; perhaps it will be the same for Vasilefs (Rhex/Rigas?) Pavlos.

Possibly?

 

[Nikolai]

Pronoia, Elysium

April 6th, 1742

Aurelian Galantinus looked at the map in front of him. A very temporary map, he smiled satisfactorily to himself. For the expansion of Elysium was not about to stop. Sure, a temporary setback now and then happened, like when the Monacan rose up in defense of their independence, but still – Elysium had almost doubled in the last eight years.

It was an achievement. And achievement he was proud to be the architect of. Flavia had been right; he did have a knack for getting his way through diplomacy. The Senate had followed him in his suggested changes to the law, and now all children was guaranteed a place at the public school. No longer was the school system based on wealth, but all had an equal chance of learning.

It was already paying off, the literacy growing by the year. The same was the population, the industrial output and, slowly, the living standards of his people. He sighed happily. His latest visit from the ambassador of Vinland had been pleasurable too; a trade agreement, a suggestion of a five-year long alliance and some excellent wine delivered to his cellar. He even had got some toys for little Pavlos.

Yes, the border both north and south were secure. No interference would happen as long as all he did was colonize westwards and keep out of war.

 

[The Kingmaker]

Good luck keeping out of war. Even if you manage to keep peace with your neighbors, there is always the enemy within.

 

[Midnite Duke]

Thank you for the update. Did Pavlos get animal carvings (bone/ivory/wood)? Is Elysium peacefully absorbing the western neighbors? What are the 29-95 days?