Before I resume my tale where it was left, I should perhaps introduce some of the other players in the game. The characters will appear in due course as the game develops so it would probably be remiss of me to omit to mention them now. Apart from those mentioned previously there are the following other notables
Aulë plays England. He is far too confident of his own ability and takes too arrogant a view of others. This will be too his detriment. Admittedly not as proud as Manwë who has a far higher opinion of himself than anyone else would imagine. Let us hope such a manner does not rub off on his French subjects.
Mandos plays Poland and, along with Tulkas, has no great liking for Melkor. Makar plays Denmark. Ossë, actually one of my protegés, plays Portugal, Varda plays Sweden, Ónen plays Venice, Oromë plays Austria. There are, of course, others but it would take too long to give all their names and adds little to the story which I shall now unfold for you. I believe that Ónen takes on the guise of a certain Senator Storia, a devious character if ever I met one and, I can assure you, I have met one.
1506
In January, tax collectors are appointed in Extremaduras, Galicia, Franche-Comté and Sicily while Balboa discovers the province of Cupica in South America.
A revolt hits Lyonnais in February but Cordoba defeats the rebels. Our trade advances bring us into the Late Reanaissance (Level 3).
Cosa ferries troops south toward Aires and Mobile is discovered by Ojeda and cleared of natives. Letters are sent to Naples (+178) and Lorraine (+179)
In March we sent a colonist to Aires and Balboa discovers Cali and eliminates the natives. He continues south before discovering the Inca province if Guayaquil in April.
By the middle of the year, Ojeda has discovered Biloxi while our colony in Guatemala is established and the expedition to Tehuantepec fails in a storm. There is clearly a saboteur about.
In July, troops in South America kill natives in Aires and a colonist is sent to Copetonas. A colony is established in Santee and Balboa discovers Azuay where he finds, as I expected, gold.
In August, we have war with Papal States declaring war on Tuscany. On the side of the Pope is England, Portugal and Hanseatic League while the Knights of St John support Tuscany. One suspects a very one sided affair here.
Exploration in Americas continues with the discovery of the Inca province of Cajamarca, Bogota, Matagorda and Rio Grande but we suffer a set back as Columbus, the discoveror of the Americas – even if I did tell him which direction to take – dies at sea of Mexico. This is not enough to stop the promotion of my human to Regent.
More unusual news from Europe as Parma on its own, declares war on the faraway Hanseatic League. Not only does this sound somewhat weird, but with the Hanseatic League allies of Portugal, Papal States, England and Crimea, this could well turn out to be a suicidal move on the part of Parma.
Colonists are sent to Monterrey in November.
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1507
Tax collectors are appointed in Canaries, Messina, Malta and Sardinia. We sent letters to Naples (+183) and Lorraine (+193). A colony is established in Isthmus in January.
In February, we discover Pecos and Yarumal and both areas are cleared. Much to my great surprise, I find that there is gold in Yarumal which we shall claim.
In March we send a colonist to Huron and discover and clear El Paso. The Great One informs me that I have achieved by triple objective of Conquering Zacatecas, Retaining Franche-Comté and ensuring that France have no land in North America. All combined this gives me 100 VPs (a sort of scoring system for the game)
In May, the Great One expresses that my next objective shall be to vassalise Cologne. I choose also the objectives of keeping Lyonnais and a Royal Marriage with Austria. Our colony in Aires is established.
Our work over the past year has been fruitful as Lorraine except vassal status.
In July, Lyonnais revolts and the garrison seizes control of the city. The rebels are defeated but we must recapture the town. Pinalero is discovered and cleared while colonists are sent to Carolina.
In August, Yaruguay is discovered and cleared and a letter is sent to the Elector of the Palatinat (+67). It was intended to go to Cologne in an attempt to improve relations ahead of vassalising the province. It seems that even immortals such as I are prone to minor mistakes.
In September, Picardie revolts and they are defeated. Arizona is discovered and cleared of natives.
In October, our colony in Copetonas is established as Cuyuni is cleared of natives. This is all very tedious work on my part but something that has to be done.
Colonists are sent to Detroit in November and Canyon is discovered. We recapture Lyonnais from the rebels who are executed.
December, Balboa continues his sterling work by clearing Surinam of natives. To the south, Pinzon sails past the tip of the continent and into the vast expanse of ocean which you will know as the Pacific.
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1508
A new explorer appears in Holland by the name of Solis. I believe there is land to the north of the Iroquois that needs discovering. At the same time, another conquistador by the name of Grijalva turns up with 1000 men in our colony of Barahona. I am a little puzzled how he came to get there but he seems to be an effective leader so I will not complain.
Balboa arrives in Maroni to await transport south. Tax collectors are appointed in Artois, Hainaut and Luxemburg.
We send a letter fo Cologne (+73) and colonists to Erie and Hindua.
Towards the end of January, our ambassador in Poland is insulted (free CB against Poland). Since Poland are our allies, I see no reason to get upset about the whole incident. I think the ambassador there simply needs to learn how to handle such rude people. A word perhaps might be in order with Mandos though I sometime suspect some underhand play there from Melkor or Tulkas.
In February, Pinzon’s voyage continues up the Chilean Coast.
In March, we establish a colony in Huron and colonists are sent to Michilimakinak.
In May, Parma pays 250D to Portugal for peace
For the next few months news is limited to the discovery, clearance and seding of colonists to Sacramento and the news of successful colonisation of Monterrey and Carolina.
In September, we gain needs that our trading skills have improved to Early Baroque (Level 4). Ojeda discovers Nehalem and natives are killed but with the loss of Ojeda himself, our vogage of discovery is cut short
In October, there is a native uprising in Isthmus which is swiftly repressed while Pinzon discovers the Inca province of Coquimbo in the south thus demonstrating the sheer size of this South American empire. I should perhaps also point out that there has been, since the French took Milan, no uprisings in the province compared to two each in my provinces of Picardie and Lyonnais. More underhand behaviour, one suspects.
We send colonists to St Thomas in November and a letter to Cologne (+78) in November. Meanwhile, Balboa discovers Rosario and continues his journey inland. Solis arrives in the Caribbean and moves to pick up Grijalva
A colony is established in Detroit in December.
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1509
Troops are raised in Tortuga and Curacao for our next war in South America against the Incas. At the start of the year we send a personal gift to the Elector of Cologne who does not appear to be impressed (+91) and appoint tax collectors in Holland and Zeeland.
In January, Balboa and Pinzon continue mapping the land and sea regions to the south.
In February, our expedition to Erie fails so another is sent in March. Colonists are sent to Hindua at the same time.
In March, Parma pays the Hanseatic League 250D for peace while the Knights settle with the Papal States receiving the province of Romagna. I seem to recall that I mentioned this would be a one-sided contest. Well, it seems that I was wrong.
In April, natives are killed in Jujuy while Georgia takes Trabzon from Turkey for peace. Ha!! So Melkor is lsing a little of the devious touch these days. Shame really as I was looking forward to the challenge.
For the next months, my colonial aspirations suffer a small setback as expeditions to Mickilimakinak and St Thomas fail. Balboa discovers the Incan province of Tucuman while Cosa discovers the Falkland Islands before he dies at sea.
In October, Russia declares war on Kazan and is supported by Denmark. Meanwhile in Italy, the Papal States have captured Florence from Tuscany.
In November, colonists are sent to St Thomas while Grijalva arrives in Azuay with 13,000 men. You will be little surprised to hear that we then declare war on the Incan Empire. We see little resistance as Guayaquil and Cajamarca are captured before the end of the month. Early in December we capture Tucuman.
The war in Europe is over with the annexation of Tuscany by the Papal States. Portugal is an unusual winner gaining the province of Luca. The year ends with a rebellion, at long last, in Milan.
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1510
We sent a gift to the Elector of Cologne (+101) and appoint tax collectors in The Hague and Friesen while our fortifications are expanded in Extremaduras.
By mid-January, Huanuco has been captured and we are yet to face any Inca resistance. We send a peace offer for Huanuco and Tucuman but this is rejected. Pinzon’s fleet has arrived in Arequipa bay.
In February, Grijalva arrives in Lima and encounters 6000 inca warriors. Balboa arrives in Moquega and meets 27,000 before retreating quickly.
In March, the battle of Lima continues with Grijalva’s 12,846 against 12,360 Inca warriors but ends in victory for Spain. We take Tucuman and Lima in a peace settlement which allows PInzon to dock in Lima.
Colonists are sent to Mobile and a letter is sent to Cologne (+112). A colony is established in Sacramento.
In April, a colony is established in Erie.
By June, our maps of the Inca world are extended with the discovery of Arica and Ayacucho. Another letter to Cologne slightly improves relations (+120) while, to the north, Isle Royale is discovered by Solis.
In July, we send colonists to Saltillo while in September, we establish colonies in Michilimakinak and St Thomas.
Towards the end of the year, Balboa clears River Plate area of natives while a further letter fo Cologne sees relations improve (+142)
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1511
A letter to Cologne appears to have no effect on relations. Colonists are sent to Uruguay and we begin to fortify Tucuman and Lima.
In February, rebels from Milan attack Genoa but are defeated. Turkey captures the province of Sivas from Mameluks.
In March we send a colonist to Isle Royale and another ineffective letter to Cologne
In April, Russia annexes the lands of Kazan and grows in strength. Tulkas is exultant but is still far behind me in power. Nonetheless, I would be well advised to keep an eye out in that part of the world.
In May, we send a personal gift to Cologne (+200) while our expeditrion to Mobile failed. In July, we send colonists to the Falklands.
In August, PIcardie rises up again and Cordoba is sent to break them which he does speedily. Meanwhile, further west, Pinzon charts sea to the west of Mexico and discovers islands. He returns to port to gather troops.
By December, we have established colonies in Saltillo and Isle Royale.
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1512
We send a letter to Brandenburg (+15) and fortify Tortuga, Curacao and Toledo.
In February we establish a colony in Uruguay and colonists are sent to San Bernadino. Natives on the island of Kauai are killed and colonists are sent in March.
In May we hear of success again in our objective to have a Royal Marriage with Austria (+2) and to Keep Lyonnais (+20) but fail to vassalise Cologne (-13). It appears that our efforts to improve relations with Cologne were in vain since we were unable to get them into our allaince. Yet another oversight on my part which I will ensure does not happen again.
We hear now that our infrastructure has now improved to Late Renaissance (Level 3)
For June, the Great One decides that we should have a mission to Conquer Milan and we add to this the objective to Keep Lyonnais. Towards the end of the month Venice declare war on Turkey and are supported by Hungary, Teutonic Order, Navarra and The Knights while Turkey’s only ally is Cyrenaica.
In July, we send a further group of colonists to Mobile while towards the end of the year, we hear that the expedition to set up a colony in the Falklands was a success. During this time, Pinzon discover more areas of ocean to the west of Hawaia.
