The Difference One Man Can Make

Prince Jason · February 21, 2003, 00:43

The Difference One Man Can Make

This is based on a game I am playing on civ3, but will only use it as a basis. A post of my empire’s map will come shortly, though most likely it will not be updated. Updates to the story will happen hopefully once every two days, and maybe twice a day (one in the morning, one in the evening) on the weekends. Hope you enjoy

Jason

Ottoman power had forever been increasing. From the first discovery of the Turkish city of Istanbul, to the modern day Ottoman Republic. The vast resources at the Ottoman disposal left for nothing to be left out of the expanding economy. Ottoman power increased so much during the Golden Age a hundred years back, that it could not be help within the continental empire. The power quickly spilled out and onto the table of the world. Colonies, loyal to the throne of Turkey, popped up in the Aegean Sea. Soon, not only were the Ottomans enjoying the powers of their own continent, but also from islands overseas.

The modern Ottoman Republic, from which the story is set in, is shown below. The Republic is made of 3 major parts – Kurdistan in the northern tundra, Turkey in the central grasslands, and Anatolia in the south, made of desert and plains.

Chapter One- Sinop

The days are always hot above Tarok. It shone down on his bare back, as he grazed the thoughtless sheep into the pen. He was one of only a few still grazing sheep on Cyrpus. Most had either taken to the mining industry, or became wealthy merchants, known as the “new money”. Tarok hated these people, the people so shallow as to desert their heritage for money and power.

The hill he stood on was the only relic from his past that belonged to him. This was the hill that his ancestors had stood on and grazed sheep, for as long as the people on Cyprus could remember. He would be damned if he let some imperialistic government take it from him.

So there he was, grazing his sheep on the hill his grandfather had fought for. Back a hundred years, the war against the Ottoman invaders broke out on the hills of Cyprus. His grandfather had fought in the war, and was killed in action. In the end, the Ottomans triumphed. In the Treaty of Sinop, all landowners of Cyprus could retain their land.

However, now they were trying to take it from him again. A huge silver mining industry was taking over the island, the hills of Cyprus being the richest in the world. Only a handful of peasants resisted selling their property. And now the government was taking legal actions against Tarok.

A scheduled meeting was to take place in Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire on the mainland. Tarok was scheduled to go there the next evening. And so as soon as he had herded his sheep into the wooden pen, and latched the age-old rusted gate, he was off to begin packing for the trip.

Peeking his head over the hill, he gained a full view of the valley that the village of Teklepo lie in, a suburb of Sinop. He was mayor of this small village, leading a little over a hundred citizens who were a tightly-knit group of anti-seizure of their lands from the Ottomans. Tarok’s small home lay in the middle of the village, surrounded by an all-year-round green lawn and palm trees. His personal stable lay on the side of his home, with his horse and a few pack-horses and work animals. His dog, Rasco, came trotting up to him, and barking in the direction of his house.

Immediately Tarok stared in the direction of his front year. He had to squint to get a good look from the top of the hill, as the sun was directly opposite of where he stood. Three men, which looked to be dressed in dark coats, were awaiting outside the door.

Prince Jason · February 21, 2003, 00:44

ChrisiusMaximus · February 21, 2003, 12:42

Interesting start

Prince Jason · February 22, 2003, 02:02

Chapter 2 - Sinop

The warm Mediterranean breeze lifted Tarok’s hair as he proceeded down the pathway of the hill to Teklepo, and his home. Walking through the village, children often ran in front of him chasing their balls, laughter filling the air of the small village. The small shops, all that were Teklepo, lines the small main street, on which his house was at the end.

As he approached the gray fence, the men in the black suits began towards him. One was apparently Persian – one can tell from the unusually large eyes that cover the top most of their face. The other two were Ottoman.

“Mr. Gallip, is it?” One of the Ottoman men asked. He was darker then the other two, and his head was shaven.

“Yes, what can I do for you?” Tarok replied.

“We have been sent here to escort you to Istanbul for your hearing. I am Tsarsi,” He help out his hand, Tarok meeting it halfway as they shook, “and this here is Suma, “ pointing to the Persian, “and Flaka.“ Pointing to the other Ottoman. Tarok met both of them accordingly.

“Are you packed, sir?” Flaka asked, as Tarok proceeded to open the large wooden doors.

“Yes, I just need to grab my bag.” Tarok entered his house. It was cold and damp – he hadn’t been in it for at least 14 hours. His sack was on the chair near the door, making it easy enough to grab it and meet the men on the porch outside. Closing the door, he latched the top.

The men persisted not to take Tarok’s horse, they had another one waiting for him on the mainland. Tarok soon gave in, it was only an hour’s walk to Sinop.

The journey to Sinop had been silent. Dead silent. The three men didn’t even talk to each other. Finally Tarok broke the silence by asking,

“So, what are you guys. I mean, what is it that you do.”

“We are doing it right now. Our jobs are to find the people wanted in the court, and to bring them there peacefully. Anymore questions?” replied Tsarsi. Tarok was surprised at the reply he got, and didn’t say anything. He continue on forward.

An hour later, they reached Sinop. From outside, one can stare forever of the huge city. Buildings six stories tall, filled the sky. The gigantic walls that outline the city gave it a military and safety glow to it. The buildings were all made of tan brick, neatly stacked against each other. Huge statues filled the courtyards, especially main street.

The streets were even made of tan brick, giving them a nice feeling then the slippery mud and rock that was the trail that lead them here. People, busy with their own business, ran too and fro through the streets and allies. Black birds hover overhead, flying in unison so to decorate the sky and the clouds. In the center of the city one could see a huge coliseum, stretching double the length of any other one except the Royal Coliseum in Istanbul. Inside, people would come to watch small naval battles, gladiator games, and many other events that were all the rage.

Walking through the beautiful city was like walking through a miniture Istanbul. So glorious were the buildings and statures that the Senate themselves declared this to be the second capital of the Empire. Finally, the part reached the port of Sinop.

This was something to see. For as long as the eye could see onto the ocean, there were ships, ships, and more ships. Many had the green flag symbolizing them to be Persian, some had brown flags (Russians) and some had the traditional orange flag of the Ottomans. There were very few others. The ports for which many boats waited to use, were always filled with the loading and unloading of sacks of grain, raw materials such as iron or granite, and passengers. Along the docks were these huge stacks of supplies, newly stacked ones and year-old stacks that nobody had the will to push them over.

The men proceeded to a small boat in a nearby inlet. It bore the orange flag and black star of the royal Ottoman.

*****************
I can not believe I wrote this much, lol. I am dead tired.

Comments are appreciated.

ChrisiusMaximus · February 22, 2003, 10:39

Its very good, those escorts seem a little sinister I wonder what theyre going to get up to later!

vovan · February 22, 2003, 12:37

Great. Good plot, and style. Keep the goods rolling in, please.

Prince Jason · February 23, 2003, 13:15

Chapter 3 – The Ottoman Sultan

Istanbul Castle, Istanbul

His beard was almost as long as his forearm now, stretching down into his chest. He wore the ceremonial headdress of the Sultan, which he acquired from his father. He was at rest in the largest structure ever made – The Istanbul Castle. Women with only clothes enough to hide the most intimate details of their body danced in front of the Sultan. This, he thought, is what being the Sultan of the most strongest economy in the world gets you. He only smiled. Soon he would have access to even more riches of the Persian south. He had just given the orders to launch an attack on the southern province of Persia known as The Congo…

Great Dividing Range, Persia

General Hakash rode his horse in front of the knight regiment behind him. They were galloping now, as the city of lay just over the next hill, and the Persians knew they were coming.

It was now or never, Hakash thought. If his regiment took control of the city, then The Congo will be lost to the Persians. He already had 6 swordsmen reinforcements, arriving within the week, to reinforce his line. But if his knights could not secure a flat base, then the Persians could easily mount a small counter attack and wipe his forces from the area.

The view over the next hill was spectacular. For as long as the eye could see there stretched jungle. Not one tree was out of place, not one visible spec of ground.

As the soldiers peered down, they noticed the Persian city on the outskirts of the jungle. However, what they saw in it was a devastating blow to their plans. Inside the city walls, Hakash could count nearly three musket men divisions, six infantry (medieval) divisions, and over eight what looked like knights with muskets.

Knights with muskets, Hakash thought, what an ingénues idea. And then he thought a little more realistic – an ingénues idea that would lead to his death.

“In rank!” He yelled, and the knights immediately lined up in columns, 10 knights wide. Hakash trotted to the right side. Raising his sword, he yelled “Charge!” and immediately the whole regiment burst into a full-out gallop down the hillside, and onto the city walls.

The Persians quickly saw the onslaught, readied and aimed their muskets, and fired all in unison.

The first 10 rows of the knights fell. The rows behind quickly jumped over their comrades, and kept galloping. Again the fire, and the next 7 rows fell victim to their fate. And again, the snap of death filled the air as the knights kept rolling down the hill, the horses screaming.

Hakash, still riding, saw the end of his life coming. Soon enough, a bullet found its way into his chest, flinging him backwards off the running horse. He hit the grassy ground hard, and lay on his back while his doomed regiment leaped over his body. He felt his lungs fill with blood, and his heart pumping with the last bit of air it had. As his eyes went black, he tried to think of the reason for his death. He died still wondering.

Istanbul, 3 weeks later…

Lemish pounded the door open. Being the Sultans oldest friend, and both the military and domestic advisor to him, he could do things such as pounding open the private rooms of the Sultan without being sentenced to death. He found the Sultan in bed, still watching the dancers.

“Your highness, may I speak with you alone?” Lemish asked, in a angry voice. He clapped for the dancers to leave, and watched them as they went through the doorway.

“What is this about, Lemish?” The Sultan asked, angrily as well.

“You ordered an attack on PERSIA?! Have you lost your mind?! Why did you not consult me before?!”

“I answer to no one! Besides, and attack on the backwards Persia can only add to mine – err, I mean the nation’s wealth. Do you know what kind of luxuries are found in the Con-“ The Sultan was interrupted.

“Sultan! Persia is double our strength in military numbers! They posses better rifles, enabling them to fire from horseback! They are our most powerful friends, yet they can destroy us in a year! You have just signed your empire’s will!” With that, Lemish crossed through the doorway and slammed the wooden door, leaving the Sultan in his bed with his mouth wide open.

Soon, Persian forces started to poor into the southern grassy lands at the Ottoman side of the Great Dividing range, and into the Sahara desert. People who had lived in Anatolia for generations raising sheep and planting corns and wheat, saw their land destroyed and their family and friends brutally murdered by the invading forces.

vovan · February 23, 2003, 18:07

Cool

I was wondering about the screenie, though - is it some kind of mod, or is this how stacks are shown in PtW? Seems like an interestng addition, though it kind of clutters the map.

The story's good, though.

ChrisiusMaximus · February 23, 2003, 18:22

Great stuff! dont stop! keep it coming please.

Jeremy 2.0 · February 23, 2003, 21:27

That's not how stacks are shown in PTW but it looks cool. I don't know what it is.

I also see "Boris" has a new pic.

Prince Jason · February 23, 2003, 21:42

lol, thats called a Munit mod, or multi-unit. You can download them at civfanatics here: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showth...threadid=42225

I can believe it hasn't made it here yet, lol.

vovan · February 23, 2003, 22:07

Jason,
Well, I don't have PtW, so I wouldn't know...

Jeremy,
Yep, although I am still not sure which portrait looks better.

Prince Jason · February 23, 2003, 23:21

its for regular civ3, lol. He hasn't made ptw unit ones yet.

Jason

vovan · February 23, 2003, 23:25

Wait a minnit. That screenshot has the stacks. Thus, the Munit mod is aplpied. It also shows that you are playing the Ottomans, which are not present in "regular civ3", and the little button just above the information panel on the right - it's not there without the expansion either. And then you go around telling us that it only works with regular civ3? There's a contradiction there, PJ.

Prince Jason · February 24, 2003, 00:15

vovansim, I never said it was only for civ3, lol. Yes, I am playing ptw, but it doesn't mean I can't use civ3 things.

And you can stack or no stack, it still looks the same.

Just go to the link I put above, it tells you there, where I got it from.

He hasn't yet made ptw units (like the UU for the ptw civs and medievel infantry).

Jason

vovan · February 24, 2003, 00:27

Ohhhh, I see now.

So it's not really stacks that look like that - it's the individual units. thought when I saw the screenshot that however many units you have in a stack will show up. But now I see that it is individual units. Sorry about the confusion. That way, it does make sense that the mod would work for both the original Civ3, and the PtW expansion.

No, back to the story.

johncmcleod · June 10, 2003, 00:01

It's a shame he didn't finish this story.