Dev Diary: Tarim Basin
Dev Diary: Tarim Basin
Its been some time since we've had a dev diary, but now they're going to be rolling out again as new history and features will be hitting the shelves. Today we'll
be looking at the first rendition of WTWSMS with the Horse Lords additions. Intensive research was done, but of course, there may be inaccuracies. Feel free to
point them out in the comments. Already the team has made considerable progress in flavor and story events for many nations, and more dev diaries will come as we continue to perfect and improve this mod.
Political:
Nations:
Kashgar:
It was through the Han invasion that brought the Chenpanid to power. The execution of Zhong by Han forces marked the death of the spectacularly ancient
Chengid dynasty, save for the weak-willed Yifu, who was quickly defeated by his maternal uncle, Chenpan I. After the murder of Chenpan I and II by Hede, the kingdom
fell into an anarchy, where to quote Book of the Later Han, "“In the second Yangjia year, Chenpan again made offerings of a lion and zebu cattle.
Then, during Emperor Ling’s reign, in the first Jianning year , the king of Kashgar and Commandant-in-Chief for the Han, was shot while hunting by the youngest of his paternal uncles, Hede. Hede named himself king. In the third year , Meng Tuo, the Inspector of Liangzhou, sent the Provincial Officer Ren She, commanding five hundred soldiers from Dunhuang, with the Wuji Major Cao Kuan, and Chief Clerk of the Western Regions, Zhang Yan, brought troops from Karashahr, Kucha, and the Nearer and Further States of Jushi
(Turpan and Jimasa), altogether numbering more than 30,000, to punish Kashgar. They attacked the town of Zhenzhongbut, having stayed for more than forty days without being able to subdue it, they withdrew. Following this, the kings of Kashgarkilled one another repeatedly while the Imperial Government was unable to prevent it.” This anarchy would would culminate with the fall of the Chenpanids, until order was finally restored by Shanshan. Now, under the Hepthalite yoke, the House of Chenpan once again in peril, as the rising tension between the Emperor and the Horse-Lords threatens to consume all of the Tarim in their coming wars.
Khotan:
Ancient Khotan is similar to Kashgar, save that Buddhism is stronger here. Unlike Kashgar, Khotan is not in danger of collapse, as careful deals and total submission to whatever warlord happens to rule has made Khotan a thriving, if not untrustworthy kingdom. With the primacy of Shanshan destroyed, it is now possible perhaps for Khotan to unite the Tarim under its rule, a protect the basin from becoming a battleground of two greater empires.
Shanshan:
Shanshan was once called Loulan, a name lost after the Chinese murdered enough of the Loulan princes and eventually made the kingdom a puppet, to control
the vital silk road from Xiongnu raids. Under Chinese guidance, Shanshan flourished, eventually gaining ascendancy in the Tarim, and dominating trade. That is, until the
Northern Liang, expelled from their homeland, reestablished themselves in Loulan. This too would be short lived, when the Rouran came and subjugated them and placed their own
king on the Gaochang throne. Now, without the protection it has known for so long, Shanshan must rebuilt its glory if it is to survive in a land it so long dominated.
Gaochang:
When the Rouran invaded the government-in-exile of the Northern Liang, they had no intention of taking control themselves, instead the Khagan chose to place a Han man, Bozhou on the throne. Historically, Shougui would be deposed for his growing independence, but it may be possible for a skilled ruler to throw off the Rouran yoke and to form a powerful, Han kingdom in the West.
Loulan:
When the Rouran came in nearly all of the Juqu dynasty, the ruling house of Northern Liang, was extinguished, save for Ganshou. Son of the Northern Liang King Wuhui, Ganshou was lost to history, and was saved execution by the Rouran lords. Now, chained beneath the Han lord and the Rouran, it would take a miracle to bring the Xiongnu back to glory, and restore the Kingdom of Northern Liang as a lasting power in the Tarim Basin.
Kucha:
One of the most powerful and obscure of the Tarim Kingdoms, Kucha ruled the Northern Basin while Shanshan owned the south. These two former great powers now find themselves the
only Tarim Lords free from foreign dominion, but how long that may last is up to debate. A strong Kucha can profit off of the fall of the other states, strike at the right times,
and form a lasting influence under Hīnayāna Buddhist rule.
Karasahr:
At the edge of the Tocharian world, Karasahr has faced a great deal of cultural influence from the Horse-Lords, which played a part in causing its rebellious relationship
with China. Karasahr would truly achieve prominence after, in defiance to both the Xiongnu and Han, the small Kingdom seized control of the contested city of
Hami. Now, it is up to you to continue this tradition of strength, for your people have always refuted that the future either lay with Horse-Lord or Emperor. Perhaps
Karasahr.
Turfan/Jimasa:
The Gushi people were originally united in one, powerful Kingdom, destroyed by the Han hundreds of years ago. Now, the closely related cities have begun to drift apart, with Turfan trying desperately to join the rich and urban society of the Tarim Basin, and Jimasa more and more following the Horse-Lords. This though would prove the death of Turfan, which would be conquered by Tiele adventurers. Jimasa would last longer, but eventually both nations, and their people would be consumed by the Rouran and Gokturk Khaganates.
Tuyuhun:
The Tuyuhun, only poking its head in the map, is a powerful Empire North of Eastern Tibet. The Tuyuhun lords maintained the old title of Chanyu, even though the Eastern world is to strong for them to expand into, the West, rich and fertile could form the center of a new, Western Tuyuhun. The Tuyuhun lords also could assimilate into the local customs, taking the Tangut culture and forcing the Western world to kneel beneath the Heavenly Crane.
Rouran Khaganate:
The Mighty Rouran, great Khaganate in the East, has sought to take China's place in the Western world. Forming hegemony over the Tarim states, the great Khagan seeks to profit from the riches of the Silk Road, and turn that wealth to further war both against China and the West. Historically though, time is running out, as your relative Nagai is plotting a coup against your reign, and the following instability will lead the Tiele and Gokturks to feast upon the Rouran state.
Tiele:
The Tiele, a powerful Turkic tribe north of the Rouran is finally in the ascendency. That is, until the Gokturks arrive. Stifled under there rule, you will historically rebel, align yourself with China, and create the powerful Xueyantuo Khaganate. Not only that, but your current leader, Mi'etu will go down in history for killing the Rouran Khagan in single combat. An impressive accomplishment.
Its been some time since we've had a dev diary, but now they're going to be rolling out again as new history and features will be hitting the shelves. Today we'll
be looking at the first rendition of WTWSMS with the Horse Lords additions. Intensive research was done, but of course, there may be inaccuracies. Feel free to
point them out in the comments. Already the team has made considerable progress in flavor and story events for many nations, and more dev diaries will come as we continue to perfect and improve this mod.
Political:
Nations:
Kashgar:
It was through the Han invasion that brought the Chenpanid to power. The execution of Zhong by Han forces marked the death of the spectacularly ancient
Chengid dynasty, save for the weak-willed Yifu, who was quickly defeated by his maternal uncle, Chenpan I. After the murder of Chenpan I and II by Hede, the kingdom
fell into an anarchy, where to quote Book of the Later Han, "“In the second Yangjia year, Chenpan again made offerings of a lion and zebu cattle.
Then, during Emperor Ling’s reign, in the first Jianning year , the king of Kashgar and Commandant-in-Chief for the Han, was shot while hunting by the youngest of his paternal uncles, Hede. Hede named himself king. In the third year , Meng Tuo, the Inspector of Liangzhou, sent the Provincial Officer Ren She, commanding five hundred soldiers from Dunhuang, with the Wuji Major Cao Kuan, and Chief Clerk of the Western Regions, Zhang Yan, brought troops from Karashahr, Kucha, and the Nearer and Further States of Jushi
(Turpan and Jimasa), altogether numbering more than 30,000, to punish Kashgar. They attacked the town of Zhenzhongbut, having stayed for more than forty days without being able to subdue it, they withdrew. Following this, the kings of Kashgarkilled one another repeatedly while the Imperial Government was unable to prevent it.” This anarchy would would culminate with the fall of the Chenpanids, until order was finally restored by Shanshan. Now, under the Hepthalite yoke, the House of Chenpan once again in peril, as the rising tension between the Emperor and the Horse-Lords threatens to consume all of the Tarim in their coming wars.
Khotan:
Ancient Khotan is similar to Kashgar, save that Buddhism is stronger here. Unlike Kashgar, Khotan is not in danger of collapse, as careful deals and total submission to whatever warlord happens to rule has made Khotan a thriving, if not untrustworthy kingdom. With the primacy of Shanshan destroyed, it is now possible perhaps for Khotan to unite the Tarim under its rule, a protect the basin from becoming a battleground of two greater empires.
Shanshan:
Shanshan was once called Loulan, a name lost after the Chinese murdered enough of the Loulan princes and eventually made the kingdom a puppet, to control
the vital silk road from Xiongnu raids. Under Chinese guidance, Shanshan flourished, eventually gaining ascendancy in the Tarim, and dominating trade. That is, until the
Northern Liang, expelled from their homeland, reestablished themselves in Loulan. This too would be short lived, when the Rouran came and subjugated them and placed their own
king on the Gaochang throne. Now, without the protection it has known for so long, Shanshan must rebuilt its glory if it is to survive in a land it so long dominated.
Gaochang:
When the Rouran invaded the government-in-exile of the Northern Liang, they had no intention of taking control themselves, instead the Khagan chose to place a Han man, Bozhou on the throne. Historically, Shougui would be deposed for his growing independence, but it may be possible for a skilled ruler to throw off the Rouran yoke and to form a powerful, Han kingdom in the West.
Loulan:
When the Rouran came in nearly all of the Juqu dynasty, the ruling house of Northern Liang, was extinguished, save for Ganshou. Son of the Northern Liang King Wuhui, Ganshou was lost to history, and was saved execution by the Rouran lords. Now, chained beneath the Han lord and the Rouran, it would take a miracle to bring the Xiongnu back to glory, and restore the Kingdom of Northern Liang as a lasting power in the Tarim Basin.
Kucha:
One of the most powerful and obscure of the Tarim Kingdoms, Kucha ruled the Northern Basin while Shanshan owned the south. These two former great powers now find themselves the
only Tarim Lords free from foreign dominion, but how long that may last is up to debate. A strong Kucha can profit off of the fall of the other states, strike at the right times,
and form a lasting influence under Hīnayāna Buddhist rule.
Karasahr:
At the edge of the Tocharian world, Karasahr has faced a great deal of cultural influence from the Horse-Lords, which played a part in causing its rebellious relationship
with China. Karasahr would truly achieve prominence after, in defiance to both the Xiongnu and Han, the small Kingdom seized control of the contested city of
Hami. Now, it is up to you to continue this tradition of strength, for your people have always refuted that the future either lay with Horse-Lord or Emperor. Perhaps
Karasahr.
Turfan/Jimasa:
The Gushi people were originally united in one, powerful Kingdom, destroyed by the Han hundreds of years ago. Now, the closely related cities have begun to drift apart, with Turfan trying desperately to join the rich and urban society of the Tarim Basin, and Jimasa more and more following the Horse-Lords. This though would prove the death of Turfan, which would be conquered by Tiele adventurers. Jimasa would last longer, but eventually both nations, and their people would be consumed by the Rouran and Gokturk Khaganates.
Tuyuhun:
The Tuyuhun, only poking its head in the map, is a powerful Empire North of Eastern Tibet. The Tuyuhun lords maintained the old title of Chanyu, even though the Eastern world is to strong for them to expand into, the West, rich and fertile could form the center of a new, Western Tuyuhun. The Tuyuhun lords also could assimilate into the local customs, taking the Tangut culture and forcing the Western world to kneel beneath the Heavenly Crane.
Rouran Khaganate:
The Mighty Rouran, great Khaganate in the East, has sought to take China's place in the Western world. Forming hegemony over the Tarim states, the great Khagan seeks to profit from the riches of the Silk Road, and turn that wealth to further war both against China and the West. Historically though, time is running out, as your relative Nagai is plotting a coup against your reign, and the following instability will lead the Tiele and Gokturks to feast upon the Rouran state.
Tiele:
The Tiele, a powerful Turkic tribe north of the Rouran is finally in the ascendency. That is, until the Gokturks arrive. Stifled under there rule, you will historically rebel, align yourself with China, and create the powerful Xueyantuo Khaganate. Not only that, but your current leader, Mi'etu will go down in history for killing the Rouran Khagan in single combat. An impressive accomplishment.
- 8
- 4
(Although if you could merge the two I would be incredibly happy)
