Le Empire Du Soleil
The Empire of the Sun
The Rising Sun of the West, A.D. 701
Charles sat upon one of the many window sills throughout the Imperial Palace; overlooking the Capital of his Empire, he’d appear to be brooding, his thoughts clouded by discontent. From a young age, Charles was already of the understanding that the Empire he was born into was decrepit and corrupted, serving to fuel his discontent. The young monarch was a seeker of knowledge primarily, more interested in old tomes and the likes, one could consider him an erudite; but, just like how one’s duty to the nation is absolute, Charles finds himself with the monumental task of ensuring his Empire survives.
With a huff and an exasperated sigh, the Emperor reached over to the table nearest to him, taking a hold of a hefty book, he’d flip to the latest page he was on, hoping to end his tumultuous night as Emperor on a good note with some reading:
THE RISE OF AN EMPIRE,
HIS EXCELLENCY, SCRIBE OF THE EMPIRE, CAROLII, A.D 235
The rise of this Gallic Empire of ours is a tremendous tale; from the shores of what is known to us now as Calais, came into the light a meager tribe. Wherefrom these people came, we can only speculate, the strongest hypothesis was that they were molded from a piece of the Sun by the Holy Spirit itself. Whatever the case, through oratory knowledge passed through generations, we know of their plight and defeat at the hands of the Batavi, a tribe of Germanic folk that were pushed into France by a burgeoning tribe in their own region.
The Sali-Frankii , one of this Empire’s most staple culture along with our primary Gaulic roots, were the cause of our displacement at the time. They saw within us and the Batavi tremendous wealth ready for the picking and so proceeded to invade, but bit into more than they could chew. Our tribe was pushed into the Parisii territory, but instead of initiating a conflict, the Parisii welcomed us and understood our plight. With the strength of the two tribes combined, it was enough for the Batavi to fold, falling into the Confederation of the people.
Vicious war broke out between the newly assembled tribes against the Frankii, both sides fought one another fiercely but in a spectacular stroke of faith, the Confederation was able to encircle and capture the bulk of the Frankii. Peace soon ensued, the terms dictating that the disgruntled Frankii people be adopted into the growing Confederation; the Capital was soon decided, the untouched village of the Parisii served to be the future sight of our current Imperial Capital, Paris.
A Council of the People soon was established amongst the tribes, with elections being held every decade to decide from which tribe a leader would hail from. This system at its core was flawed, and our people at the time, were of this realization. They be------
The Emperor’s attention snapped to his chamber’s doorway, a herald was held present by his Imperial Brigadier of the Sun. Through a brief exchange of words, it was made clear that his dear friend and Marshal, Charles Martel had pushed through deep into enemy territory of the Iberian Rebellion and begun the siege of a key stronghold, Murcia. Expecting the City to fall in months, the Emperor appeared to be content, for the rebellion would be crippled greatly with the loss of this city.
He quickly rearranged himself, dismissing those present and speeds off to the Imperial War-Chamber, knowing that there was no doubt his tacticians would be working on modifying the Iberian War-plans with this latest bit of information.
Imperial Actions
The Iberian Push
1st Imperial Battle-Group ‘Martel’
Taking the Rebel Empire completely off-guard with the Imperial Invasion, Charles Martel’s Army makes tremendous progress into the fertile valleys of southern Iberia, laying siege to the nearest rebel city, Murcia.
An ultimatum is sent to the people of Murcia, promising that if they fold and return to Imperial Authority their lives are to be spared, and are granted tax exemption for the following five years. Rebel soldiers within the City are also addressed by the Marshal, instructing them of the benefits of defecting, most primarily the double wage they would receive and the shortening of their service time for retirement. Charles Martel plays heavily on the aspect that the civil war is a brother versus brother war, and wishes for such petty affairs to cease.
Siege of the City would commence immediately with a full concentrated barrage of artillery fire on various key points. The cavalry attached to the Martellian army would be delegated to the maintaining of order along the Highways while cohorts of light infantry forage around Murcia gathering more supplies and keeping lookout for any enemy divisions in the vicinity.
With the realization that the Kingdom of Leon may take advantage of the concentrated Imperial Assault into its southern neighbor, His Imperial Majesty makes the call of assembling another army to Iberia, though not of the same expertise as Martel’s own army, it will serve to be a good buffer between Leon and Imperial Territory if they ever decide to attack.
The Pontifical Issue Regarding the State of Yerushalayim
Growing concern lay present in the east of Christendom; though the Empire had to relinquish control of Judea when the Jews successfully revolted, the Empire at the time saw no need to continue hostile relation with the far-off Judea, and despite religious differences, pursued cordial relations. Though now, the Christian minority within Judea buzzed with hostility towards their Jewish overlords, by some forces unknown, they took up arms against Yerushalayim.
Not wishing the Holy Capital of All Christendom be laid to waste by a civil war, the Emperor and the Conclave of Cardinals decreed that Christians within Judea be returned to proper Christian lands and that a safe pilgrim's path to Jerusalem be established at a later date. Little is known on the status of the discussions as of this time, but one can hope that the most Holiest Site on the world be not barred access to the faithful of Christendom.
Securing the Empire
Key political opposition Senators were spectacularly seized in His Imperial Majesty retaking of political power within the government. Knowing full well the taboo that it was killing Senators of the Patrician Class, the Emperor ordered all their financial assets seized and banished them from their positions, now labelled as disgraced noblemen of no political stature; such a punishment transfer onto the next generation thrice, offsprings of the disgraced politicians will be unable to take up office. A lucky result for slothful traitors to the state.
In order to further solidify control and situational knowledge within various border provinces, a chain of outposts begin construction throughout key-points on the Rhine River defense line. Tasked with the preliminary investigation of foreign troop movement on the other side of the Rhine, they are then instructed to send reports back into the heartlander by utilizing the newly established courier system. Though, to the more keen of eye, some might notice that this establishment is but a precursor into something much more ambitious and outlandish.
In order for the Emperor to better issue his missives, His Imperial Majesty as seen it fit to reorganize the Cursi Publicii, a state-owned courier system designated with the speedy delivery of all things mail. In order to aid such an initiative, a series of checkpoints throughout the Empire have been reconstructed to serve as key points for couriers to travel through while making their way about. The Imperial Highways of Francia and Iberia no doubt greatly assisting mail from be delivering on time.
In response to the potential of His Imperial Authority being challenged, the Emperor does hereby see it fit to re-establish the Order Espion under his direct oversight. Agents picked top of their class and skill and organized and dispatched throughout various fringe provinces. A division is sent specifically to Iberia to investigate any potential threats.
Consequently to these reforms of interior affairs, more Imperial diplomats are dispatched to various nations on close to their borders, most notably excluding the Danish-held Flanders province. Their nature unknown, but one could most likely be able to piece the puzzle together when regarding Iberia into the picture.
IMPERIAL MENU
Leader: His Imperial Majesty, Charles I of House Merovingia (+4 Base AP)
Capital: Imperial Capital, Paris. (+4 AP)
Population: 3675000 + 8% = 3969000 (+6 AP)
Technology Level: A
Cities: 7 (+7 AP)
Resource Nodes: Metals x2 (+2AP) Silk x1 (+1AP)
Trade Revenue:
Mercia
Somerset
Egypt
Thomond
(+4)
Action Points per turn: 28
AP USAGE:
2 (2k) units of Light Infantry conscripted and sent to the Iberian Front (6 AP)
2 (2k) units of Medium Infantry conscripted and sent to the Iberian Front (8 AP)
1 (1k) unit of Heavy Infantry conscripted and sent to the Iberian Front (7 AP)
A series of propaganda campaigns are launched in Iberia, promising many benefits and forgiveness for defectors. (+2 AP)
Order Espion is re-established under direct Imperial oversight. Agents are primarily sent to Iberia (1 AP)
The Rhine-Border is reinforced with a system of lookout stations, tasked with the preliminary notification of foreign troop movement on the other side of the river. (1 AP)
The Cursi Publicii is established throughout the Empire. (2 AP)
Investment continues into development aspects of the Empire. (3/25(1AP) Dev)
28 out of 28 AP used.
Research Points: 6/15 into Crossbow technology.
Summary Report:
The Empire launches its offensive into the false Empire of Iberia, they begin siege of Murcia, an old Imperial City.
Additional troops are organize and sent to fuel the war effort in Iberia.
The Emperor, alongside with the Holy Father, the Vicar of G-D, issue a statement regarding the turmoil brewing in the Holy Lands.
The Emperor consolidates his control over the Imperial Government, further solidifying his rule over the Empire.
A series of border outposts are set up along the Rhine River.
The Cursi Publicii is re-established, serving the Empire as its major source of information distribution.
An Order tasked with espionage is reformed.
More Imperial Diplomats are sent throughout Europe to further strengthen the borders.