Anagaea: An Era of Empires

[Plethora]

Avalonia inquires as to the expense of the railroad system. Payment will be made in Avalonian currency.

Avalonia hones its timekeeping and compass technologies, along with the improvement of several other navigational devices. Acuracy at sea is now better, and days are shaved off the average journey.

Avalonian soldiers in the base set up by the cavalry have been skirmishing with the opposing army, and although Avalonian generals were hoping for an outright battle, progress is being made, and several of their leaders have been captured in ambushes, tortured, and at that point confirmed Avalonian suspicions as to their origins, although it seems that the army is being funded by a nation on the far side based on trade that views Avalonia as an economic threat. Ambassadors have been sent to dissuade the nation from further involvement.

[Ad Bot]

[SWAT One]

Erinaum requests 5 million for the primary roads.  It is also willing to sell 2000 perfected flintlock muskets to Avalonia for 0.75 million.  Half of he Erinamian force already carries these muskets.

Cannons are being developed, but flawed cannons have exploded and killed some of our most expirienced mathematicians.  Erinaum proposes a worldwide standard Scientific Method to try to avoid future accidents.

[Plethora]

Avalonia sends the requested sum to the Erinaman (did I spell it right this time?) capitol, although it will not purchase muskets without a field demonstration, as Avalonia's bows have made great advances, such that any archer in its standing army is able to hit the head of a man one thousand feet away at a rate of one arrow every twenty seconds, (this is due to training from an early age as well as the use of the longbow augmented with recurred and double bow technologies), and at this time period, guns weren't very accurate, although in some scenarios they may be preferable to a bow.

Avalonian scientists have made a tremendous breakthrough, it has been determined that lightning is not a liquid, but a force somewhat like fire, and should thus be controllable by some means.

News has returned from the front, and the army that has opposed Avalonia has been crushed. The nation that supported their efforts met Avalonia's ambassador and a non aggression pact was drafted and signed, and from it that nation not only averts destruction, but has sealed trading ties with Avalonia which can make good use of their spice fields in return for many assorted goods from Avalonian markets. Without money, the opposing army starved and was overrun by a surprise Avalonian attack.

A think tank of Avalonian minds has corroborated to write The Epitomie of Economic Science, the theories and conclusions of which have enlightened many in the free market, resulting in a six percent boost in the Avalonian economy (also partially due to increased demand of many items from foreign markets).

[SWAT One]

Erinaum hosts a field test.  The flintlock is still in development and is no where near perfection, practically a concept.  The exhibition includes basic muskets, hand muskets (experimental pistol-like musket) and flamethrowers using flammable jelly.  The targets include bales of hay and a pigeons released into the air for taeget practice.  With some simple training, some of the Avalonian officers may be allowed to fire some of the simpler muskets.  Erinaum does not widely use muskets, and still performs better with bows, but regardless it could be a useful weapon in ranged combat.  It is already being used by Erinamese hunters and fur trappers and the fure trade has grown due to its successes.

[Plethora]

Swat, I think that flamethrowers cross the boundary of realisticness into bogus historical inacuracy. I think that Greek fire and flaming alcohol is as far as we should go until like, 1800. (and gunpowder obviously :) )

Avalonian weaponmongers have crafted a rapid fire crossbow. It is still in a prototype stage and sacrifices range and accuracy for an improved rate of fire, making it most effective in open combat as opposed to in guerilla warfare. This is based on actual Chinese invention, saw it on history channel. Avalonia sends the schematics to Erinaum in hopes that its craftsmen might refine its design.

As Avalonian citizens become more and more educated, the previously almost unreachably high standards to become a member of the Avalonian Council are being met by an increasing number of people. Facing an end to civilization as it is known, the Avalonian Council has created a new set of requirements which actually exclude some of its existing members, rendering the existing system concrete once again.

[SWAT One]

Swat, I think that flamethrowers cross the boundary of realisticness into bogus historical inacuracy. I think that Greek fire and flaming alcohol is as far as we should go until like, 1800. (and gunpowder obviously :) )
I practically made napalm out of Erinaum's signature napalm infused with gunpowder.  The only problem is they heat up really quickly and can only be used 4 times each, so it is rather a desperation weapon.  Erinaum's research of advanced metallurgy is underway.

Avalonian weaponmongers have crafted a rapid fire crossbow. It is still in a prototype stage and sacrifices range and accuracy for an improved rate of fire, making it most effective in open combat as opposed to in guerilla warfare. This is based on actual Chinese invention, saw it on history channel. Avalonia sends the schematics to Erinaum in hopes that its craftsmen might refine its design.
Erinamese Archers are already proficient, firing one arrow a second.  Flintlocks are already in progress so rifles will be out soon.  Erinaum works on a new, refined version of the crossbow and recommends the use of Erinamese Cedar.  Also you still need to tell me what you thought of the exhibition.

As Avalonian citizens become more and more educated, the previously almost unreachably high standards to become a member of the Avalonian Council are being met by an increasing number of people. Facing an end to civilization as it is known, the Avalonian Council has created a new set of requirements which actually exclude some of its existing members, rendering the existing system concrete once again.  Erinaum offers to indoctrinate Avalonia on the system of Representative Socialism, which it has used effectively for 200 years.

[Mikoyan]

It should be matchlocks, not flintlocks.

[SWAT One]

It should be matchlocks, not flintlocks.

I had matchlocks already.

[Plethora]

Whatever, no moderator will stop you either way, and you're right, we basically have used it already.
One arrow per second is ridiculous from any archer, even with a repeating crossbow. It's a bogus overstatement, a best five arrows a minute could be fired with any proficiency.
Avalonia will utilize firearms technology when their range, accuracy, and cost outdo the bow in any notable combination.
Avalonia respectfully declines Erinaum's offer of governmental restructuring. Avalonia works on a meritocracy system, which is almost universally lauded as optimal by Avalonians, even those who return from journeys to foreign lands tend to agree with this.

Avalonian government has worked as it is for longer that Erinaum's Representative Socialism. The Avalonian Council made up of Avalonia's intellectual elite choose the Supreme Emperor from within the Royal Family based on the capabilities of the existing or former Emperor's sons, the Roayl Family are the descendants from Hador I who founded Avalonia, rendering them of sufficient merit and honor to rule. The Avalonian Council and Supreme Emperor handle military, political, and economic affairs. The citizens of Avalonia elect a First Citizen who acts as emissary between the people and the Council and Supreme Emperor (council and family grouped together here), the first citizen is also given funding by the Council to deal with social issues within Avalonia (such as the high infant mortality rate mentioned a few posts ago). Although there has been some resistance to the current system, the First Citizen, Council, and Supreme Emperor have recently corroborated to ensure civic well being and peace.

[SWAT One]

Okay, one a second is what the EE do.  The GE archers fire at once every 12 secs.

Erinaum institutes a new economic bill that involves government-supported workers.  This program is used to help eliminate poverty, where if anyone struggling can work in government operations, under government welfare.  They must work for Erinaum for anywhere from 5 to 15 years, depending on what they sign up for.  They work on government construction, mining or other resource gathering, and practically live paid under Erinaum, in exchange for their labor.  When their term is over, they receive their pay, due by the amount of years they worked.

[Plethora]

Okay, one a second is what the EE do.  The GE archers fire at once every 12 secs.

I'm glad you've toned it down a notch.

Avalonia has crafted its first non-prototype cannon. It has limited range and accuracy, but its power allows it to punch through thick stone walls. It's not really standard issue yet, but it represents a great leap in Avalonian military science.

Avalonia welcomes its new Supreme Emperor, Hador IX to power. The Avalonian Council has voted him in one month after the retirement of Harat, his father. Hador has begun his rule with the traditional construction of a summer palace/fortress a tradition as old as Avalonia itself. Hador has built his castle of Dithrom-Farr on Avalonia's eastern coast. Hador has also sent his best regards and a cask of Avalonian fire brandy to the leader of Erinaum, when it arrives by train in a couple days, the liquor will be almost fifty years old, as will the attached note reading: "A bit at a time or it'll kill you. -Haran V". (Note: All Ha... names have emphasis on the Ha portion, pronounced hay.)

[SWAT One]

Erinamese wine tasters taste the wine and find no poisons.  The liquor is proven healthy and Presiding Executive ¡œvón XLVII drinks this beverage with much joy.

[Plethora]

The note was meant to imply that the potency of the whiskey was very great, not that it contained poisons. Avalonia is noetheless glad that its ally takes such wise precautions as cup bearers.

[SWAT One]

Well Erinaum is used to alcohol stronger than whiskey for standard drink, but the Presider enjoyed it for its light taste.  He shared it with members of the high council.  Trust me, the Erinamese drink heavily; wine is a sweet grape juice in equivalent.

[Mikoyan]

Russians aren't Chinese