Encore of Europe: Gameplay Thread

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Trade Agreement between the Polish-Lithuanian Republic and the Sublime Porte

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xTadeusz Kościuszko

x Abdul Hamid

[Spamage]

CHARLES III OF SPAIN ASSASSINATED!
INTERNATIONAL CONSPIRACY?

    Things were looking quite well for the new Emperor of Hispania in the early part of 1785. Portugal was quiet, Europe at peace, and Spain fairly united around the prospect of seeking revenge in Italy. Then, the reign of one of Spain’s greatest leaders in more than a century was brought to an unjust end. While enjoying festivities in Madrid for his anniversary on the Spanish throne, there was a sudden explosion below the royal chambers, boxes of gunpowder having been disguised and hoarded in part of the building. In the ensuing chaos, the Royal Palace of Madrid was severely damaged as flames tore through the building. Charles III, sovereign of Spain for almost thirty years and widely admired, was found dead amid the wreckage. Alongside him his unmarried daughter Infanta Maria Josefa and son Infante Gabriel of Spain died shortly afterwards.
     Investigation has revealed a former soldier for the House of Braganza is responsible, vowing revenge following the loss of his position and the death of relatives in the Spanish-Portuguese War. A relative nobody, it is highly likely that the man had foreign aid. A member of the King's guards, he had planted the gunpowder and died in the explosion. The materials he was supplied with could only have come from a foreign government or from someone within the Spanish government itself. Although the investigation is ongoing, there are no clear leads at the moment.
     Naturally, people were quick to accuse Sardinia-Piedmont, given the relative stunning events in Italy, but as time passed, more and more recognized the British could just as likely be responsible. Had George III not armed Louisiana and landed Braganza invasions in Portugal just the previous year? Many already considered the two realms engaged in a proxy war, but murder of a sovereign seemed a bit much. There is a third train of thought that pins the blame on Louis XVI of France, who, resenting Charles declaring himself Emperor, sought to teach his Bourbon relative a lesson. Or, perhaps just as likely, none of these powers were involved. Even so, the people of Spain are out for blood and looking for answers.
     Charles III is succeeded by his son, Charles IV. The new King lacks the reputation of his father and is seen as far weaker. Whether or not this will be the case remains to be seen. The new King of Portugal has yet to state whether he recognizes the new ruler of Spain as his sovereign and there are also those who worry this could damage the Spanish Bourbon’s attempts to be declared Emperors.
     Laid to rest by his late wife, Charles III leaves Spain far stronger than when he came to power after the turbulent reign of his half-brother Ferdinand. Yet, his Empire is also showing some serious cracks. Can Charles IV hold this massive body together?

End of the Karamanli
With Execution of Heirs, Tripoli is at Peace

    After years of brutal warfare, it seems North Africa is finally at peace. This has been symbolized by events in Istanbul. Half of the male heirs of the “Sultan” Ali Karamanli were executed publicly, their claimed royal status doing little to save them from the executioner’s blade. The other portion of his sons were castrated and sold off to the highest bidder in the street slave markets. It is an ignominious end to a family that once threated Ottoman influence in the region.
     Yet, with this peace, there are still concerns. While many of the rebel leader’s advisors, assistants, and soldiers are in Ottoman custody, quite a few have escaped to Tunis, Algiers, and the other pirate realms in North Africa. There are already advisors in both Venice and Istanbul calling on these regions to meet the fate of Tripoli with a show of brute strength. Perhaps they could even be subjugated. Others believe that this peace is an opportunity, however fragile it may seem, and must be protected. It will be up to the Sultan and the Doge to decide if these stray officials are worth the effort or if they should drop the matter.
     Whatever the case, on the ground in Tripoli the locals have welcomed an end to fighting. There were many along the coast who came to resent the would-be Sultan’s raids as much as the Venetian and Ottoman garrisons did. It was their lands and towns that were plundered for scanty supplies. Perhaps there is an opportunity in this to restore government and build strong local ties.

TREATY OF PARIS!
GERMANS CELEBRATE END OF FIGHTING!

    The signing of the Treaty of Paris was greeted with joy throughout all of Europe, the powers seeming to have learned from the Wars of the Grand Coalitions of the dangers of long conflicts. Each side was also able to claim victory, pointing to points in the agreement that they thought showed they had gotten the best of the enemy.
     In Vienna, the fact that Maximilian would remain the King of Bavaria was a victory in and of itself. Charles Theodore, the major loser of the agreement, was forced to give up seizing his claim by arms and accept the results of the Imperial Diet. This too is a win for the Emperor, as it seems to give some power to the decaying Reichstag.
    In Berlin, Frederick William II claimed victory by virtue of the strengthening of the German League. There were several princes of the Empire who took up the invitation to leave. Ostfriesland, Ansbach, the Palatinate, and Saxony all announced their intentions of joining the German League. Certainly it did not look good for Joseph II to have two electors depart the Empire.
    St. Petersburg was also elated by the peace, though there were some who wanted even more concessions. Gains in the south were great, but had more been squandered? Scandinavia and the Ottomans had seemed vulnerable. Russia, it seems, would never know if her dreams in both the north and south could have come to fruition.
   Indeed, in both Stockholm and Istanbul the treaty was praised precisely because it ended the war before the situation got too out of hand or either nation faced an existential crisis. The recognition of Muslim rights was a boon for the Ottomans, but most saw it as a face-saving measure.
    The two biggest losers in the peace were Charles Theodore, who felt ignored and forced to sign something with which he did not agree, and the Serbs.  Having risked their lives to gain independence following Russian propaganda urging them to do so, they have been abandoned. With the declaration of peace it is unlikely their attempt to crown Emperor Paul's son will be allowed to pass. Even so, the Serbs have refused to lay down their arms and surrender unless given broad concessions by the Ottomans,. The Balkans seems to be one area where fighting will continue. Just as the Turks secure the south, their threat to the north remains a festering wound.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Having shown mercy in victory to his misguided subjects in Tripolitania, the Sultan is inclined to do the same in regard to his equally confused subjects in Serbia if they see errors of their ways and lay down their arms, abandoning treasonous aspirations. For they've been, after all, merely used by a formerly hostile foreign power, that since abandoned them. Shall they persist, however, the Sultan would have no choice but to reassert his rightful authority by all means necessary, just as he done in Tripoli. No matter how much sorrow he shall endure by ordering so. Serbian rebels are playing with fire that is bigger than themselves. For they not only are about to bring calamity upon their people, but are also threatening a great work of religious inclusiveness and equality of the Sultan's subjects everywhere.

[Kingpoleon]

Protection of Shia Islam

Shah Ismail III, Khan of Greater Persia, is hereby proclaimed the Sheikh of Sufism, Aga Khan of the Nazaris and Ismail, Peer of the Qizilbash and Alevi, and Grand Ayatollah of Shi’a Islam. Long live the Shah! Long live the Grand Ayatollah! The false prophet is he who questions Allah, and he who questions the right of the Grand Ayatollah to authority. The Grand Ayatollah demands that all mosques, churches, temples, and other places of worship expound on his authority. The Patriarch of Christendom, the leading rabbis, the Pirs of the Qizilbash, the Murshid of the Qizilbash, and the leading imams of Sunni and Shi’a: all within Persia of the leaders of religion are invited to this ceremony. Their attendance and sworn allegiance to the Shah will unite the nation and allow their places of worship to continue, untaxed and unoppressed.

In the Bible, it is written: “And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding.” In the Torah, their God sets up a king over them during the time of Samuel. In the Quran, 3:26 says “Say: O Allah, Master of the Kingdom! Thou givest the kingdom to whomsoever Thou pleasest and takest away the kingdom from whomsoever Thou pleasest, and Thou exaltest whom Thou pleasest and abasest whom Thou pleasest in Thine hand is the good; surety, Thou hast power over all things.”

From this, we claim our universal power - over all of Persia. He who serves the Shah serves Allah. Long live the Shah, seed of the prophet Muhammad! Long live the Grand Ayatollah, the living servant of Allah! Long live the Shahanshah, King of Kings! Long live Ismail III!

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The Sultan wishes to congratulate his brother the Shah of completing many long years of Islamic studies at the seminary, followed by many even longer years of teaching and extensively researching the subject, since this is what it takes to become a Grand Ayatollah. It is regretful the world was unaware of the Shah long and hard way to attain the highest clerical title in the Usuli Twelver Shia denomination. Most impressive.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

It's been long clearly established and recognized the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople is the supreme religious authority of the Orthodox Church within the Ottoman realm. Therefore any foreign-based prelate claims to represent His Sacred and Imperial Majesty's Orthodox Christian subjects is simply illegitimate.

(Of course we're not referring to other established denominations, such as Church of Antioch)

[Kingpoleon]

It's been long clearly established and recognized the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople is the supreme religious authority of the Orthodox Church within the Ottoman realm. Therefore any foreign-based prelate claims to represent His Sacred and Imperial Majesty's Orthodox Christian subjects is simply illegitimate.

(Of course we're not referring to other established denominations, such as Church of Antioch)

The Shah of Persia, the Grand Ayatollah, and the Safaviyya Sheikh make no claim to authority over the subjects of other sovereign nations. The Orthodox Churches in the Caucasus are separate churches.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

It's been long clearly established and recognized the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople is the supreme religious authority of the Orthodox Church within the Ottoman realm. Therefore any foreign-based prelate claims to represent His Sacred and Imperial Majesty's Orthodox Christian subjects is simply illegitimate.

(Of course we're not referring to other established denominations, such as Church of Antioch)

The Shah of Persia, the Grand Ayatollah, and the Safaviyya Sheikh make no claim to authority over the subjects of other sovereign nations. The Orthodox Churches in the Caucasus are separate churches.

Thank you. It would indeed be very idiosyncratic for a Muslim to claim spiritual authority over a Christian church.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

It is with terrible sorrow the Sultan, upon being throughtly informed on the matter, learns the mighty and noble House of Giray, ruling Crimea for generations, had been largely wipped out during the invasion. As much as we would like to turn back the clock, the Crimea cannot be effectivelly defended while trying to maintain the old system. Incorporating Crimea into the Ottoman proper, while respecting its ancient traditions and rights of its inhabitants, is the only solution to keep the land Muslim and free.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

It is the Sultan's will the following paramilitary services shall be created:


Sekban Guard
Territorial- based cadres of professional officers and NCOs, temporarily transferred from the regular army, tasked with periodical drilling local recruits in preparation for regular service or, in case of those unfit for proper service, to work in non-combat capacities. The Sekban Guard shall be subjected to the Ministry of Defense (or whatever terminology is used for counterpart office).

Sultan's Militias
Based on the local level voluntary militia units (controlled by the Interior Ministry in peacetime), separate but coordinating with regular police or gendarmerie. (OOC: Kinda cross between Guardia Civil and ORMO.) Initially only a handful of such establishments shall be created as a pilot program.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

A Brief Statement Concerning Recent Events in the Italian Peninsula:

"It is with a heavy heart that I speak of a recently departed servant of Christ, the late Pope Adrian VII.  The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.  Indeed, it feels as though it were mere minutes ago that our Father in heaven – in His eternal wisdom – called his faithful servant home.  And yet, Lucifer's liars – that infamous jackal pack who would never waste a crisis that might grant them a chance to pit one brother in Christ against another – have seized upon the late Pope's passing and spread the most insidious lies ever conceived.  

These wicked heathens claim that the Holy People's Republic "invaded" the Papal States in a petty political political power grab and yet even a blind man could see that nothing could be further from the truth.  They say that we "invaded" the Papal States and yet it was the late Pope Adrian VII himself who not only invited our armies to the Papal States to help root out the corruption which had taken hold in the Vatican, but proclaimed in an official, irrevocable, and irreversible Papal decree that our Father in heaven hath willed a holy union between the former Papal States and the Holy People's Republic to last without interruption from now until the rapture.  We are but the faithful servants of Christ, carrying out His will and He hath decreed through his humble and recently departed servant, the late Pope Adrian VII, that the former Papal States are to be a part of the Holy People's Republic from now until the rapture.  Thus, they shall remain so until the rapture for it is His will that this be so and never change, regardless of any erroneous future interpretations of His will – be they the result of malicious malevolence or mere misinterpretations – that may emerge in the future.

Upon Pope Adrien VII's tragic death, Pope Benedict XVII was duly and legitimately elected Pope.  However, not all cardinals could be present for this conclave and while the Church must needs have a Pope at all times.  However, Pope Benedict XVII has informed me that He hath willed that there be holding a new Papal Conclave held in the Vatican to elect a permanent replacement for Pope Adrien VII.  Pope Benedict XVII has informed me that he shall temporarily step down as Pope exactly one minute before the conclave is to begin so that the second conclave may be held and Pope Benedict XVII may stand for election once more.  While He hath willed that the conclave be held, Pope Benedict XVII's election was no less legitimate.  However, the Lord works in mysterious ways and we must all trust in Him without one shred of doubt.  Naturally, all cardinals who were not present for the initial conclave shall be immediately summoned to the Vatican to perform one of their most sacred and important duties.  If some other nation should attempt to hold a false conclave, I trust European Christendom shall see such a fiendish act for precisely what it is: a blatant and shameless power-grab by a mad king seeking to put the Papal seal in the hands of a servant of Satan.  

In accordance with His will, while the Vatican shall become an independent city administered by the Church upon the election of Pope Adrien VII's permanent successor while the remainder of the lands formerly known as the Papal States shall remain a part of the Holy People's Republic.  

And of course, there are some in the Holy People's Republic – ruthless reactionaries compelled by Mammon to seek a return to the dark days of the false king and Beelzebubian bearers of false witness who act the humble servant of Christ whilst conspiring with reactionaries blasphemers at the first opportunity – who seek to implement a coup and bring an end to the Holy People's Republic before we complete our quest to break Satan's grip upon Europe by exterminating the tyranny of monarchical rule.  Indeed, our victories have already been so great and numerous that Satanist infiltrators in cities from Madrid to Paris, from Venice to Vienna oft tremble in their boots at the sight of this righteous revolt of European Christendom against the terrible tyranny.  There shall be new trials and all of these traitors shall be given the same choice as the servants of Satan from within the ranks of the false king's regime: confess and accept Christ into their hearts as their Lord and Savior or be beheaded publicly that all may see the wages such treachery pays.  

And yet, there are other enemies of Christ who would rob European Christendom of her maidenhood in the dead of night.  We offer our condolences to the new Spanish king concerning the death of his father at the hands of English assassins; would that he had headed our warning about the Protestant Pagan menace.  Misguided as the late Charles III might be, he was still of the Church and might not have been beyond saving.  Worse, out investigations hath revealed that the so-called ruler of Venice and false King of Naples hath given themselves over entirely to Satan.  There is still much work to be done.  In the name of the Father, the Son, and The Holy Ghost, we ask that our Father in heaven grant us the strength to continue to follow the path set forth by Christ who died on the cross for our sins. - Pietro Verri

[GoTfan]

A statement from Venice

The world knows that Venice is a peace-loving nation, yet we are not pacifist. These continued insults of our leader and our country cannot, and will not stand.

We demand an immediate retraction, or there will be dire consequences.

[Blair]

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[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

(One thing I've forgotten about)

The false Sultan's lieutenant and advisors, rightly held in His Sacred and Imperial Majesty's custody, are magnanimously offered His forgiveness for their transgressions. Those who will publicly renounce their past mistakes and swear allegiance to the Sultan shall be spared the executioner's tools and retained in benign custody pending evaluation of their future. Those who shall refuse the offering shall follow false Sultan's sons to their doom, much to the Sultan's sadness, but entirely on their own accord.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

A statement from Venice

The world knows that Venice is a peace-loving nation, yet we are not pacifist. These continued insults of our leader and our country cannot, and will not stand.

We demand an immediate retraction, or there will be dire consequences.

“I would never insult the fine, pious Venetian people, only the devil-worshiping despot who has infected their republican government with his corruption.” - Pietro Verri

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The Sublime Porte respectfully asks H.E. President Verri to pause for just a moment and consider the very damage his recent hostile rhetoric is causing for Sardinia-Piedmont relations with the world.
[why being meen to our friends bruh?]

[Blair]

The Mad Man, the Murderer and the Despot.

A beast with three heads is rearing itself from the lands of Sardinia-Piedmont, this beast is the so called President, Pietro Verri. This beast, with his false claims of piety, and his false claims of holiness has conspired, plotted and murdered to present himself as a fake demigod- but make no mistake the people of Britain, and Europe will not fall for his rouse.

Many of my noble would have me say, that I should enter into diplomacy with Sardinia-Piedmont, but after learning of the disgusting slanders, and smears that Verri is spreading throughout Europe, it is no longer a time to be quiet. It is time for someone to speak for Britain.

Pietro Verri has accused Britain, and me personally, of conspiring to kill my own kin, King Charles III of Spain. I make no secret of the fact that I had strong disagreements with the King, and that we had strong quarrels after the failures to make peace.

But let it be laid out; the Crown, nor his Majesty's Government did not kill, or plot to kill King Charles III. We would never plot to kill a King in his own chambers; the only worth way for a King to die is on the battlefield, or in his chambers, in old age. We do not conspire in regicide, and we know that the Mad Man, the Despot and the Murderer who claims to be President, himself has engaged in these very crimes- we know that he killed Pope Adrian. Is it no wonder that the moment that Pope Adrian sought to bring Britain, and the Papacy together, in a historic deal, that he was killed by the braying mob of Sardinia-Piedmont.

Pietro Verri claims to be a man of god, yet he has the blood on his hands of who himself declared as God's Representative on Earth.

[Blair]

Lord North accuses Sardina-Piedmont of killing Charles III, accuses nation of also kicking up tension among Catholic Populace. 

In a speech to a packed House of Lords, Prime Minister Lord North revealed that the the British Government has evidence that President Pietro Verri, and his Government were behind the plot to kill Charles III. Pointing to the death of Pope Adrian, Lord North said he believed that channels had been opened with Portuguese dissidents, and that it was hoped that this would trigger a war between Spain, and Britain.

Benjamin Franklin appointed First Minister of the 15 Colonies.

In a royal proclamation from Clarence House, George III announced that a new position would be created across colonies in the British Realm. Benjamin Franklin, the distinguished Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly, former Postmaster General and noted public figure, shall became the First Minister of the America's.

The new seat of the First Ministry shall be in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Elections for the Continental Assembly, shall begin next year, and will be held under proportional representation, to give greater domestic representation to the Americas.

The Assembly shall be granted secondary legislative power, and a special session of the Assembly shall begin after the election, to further review, and reform the Governance of the 15 Colonies.

Additional First Ministries shall be created in the Caribbean, in British Canada, and Australia.   

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

“As Christians, we are taught to expect that heretics, heathens, and hedonists will bare false witness, slander our names with lies straight from the fiery pit of Hell as the Protestant Pagan who rules England from a throne of Irish bones hath done, and that the wicked shall seek to divide Christendom against itself.  In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, I pledge that they will fail now and forever.  Furthermore, our investigations hath discovered the false king of England is a member of a cannabilistic secret society of devil worshipers called The Hellfire Club originally founded by Sir Francis Dashwood and the so-called Earl of Sandwich.  These so-called nobles reject the trinity, bathe in the blood of Catholic infants stolen from their cribs in the dead of night, and seek to bring the anti-Christ into the world.  These sinister servants of Satan shall be stamped out soon enough.  I thank Christ who died upon the cross for our sins for giving us the strength to combat the Protestant Pagan scourge.” - Pietro Verri

[GoTfan]

A statement from Venice

The world knows that Venice is a peace-loving nation, yet we are not pacifist. These continued insults of our leader and our country cannot, and will not stand.

We demand an immediate retraction, or there will be dire consequences.

“I would never insult the fine, pious Venetian people, only the devil-worshiping despot who has infected their republican government with his corruption.” - Pietro Verri

"This despot was democratically elected to his office, unlike some in the world who were forced to rely on their military to hold power."- Gian Carli

[Orwell]

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x William

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

A statement from Venice

The world knows that Venice is a peace-loving nation, yet we are not pacifist. These continued insults of our leader and our country cannot, and will not stand.

We demand an immediate retraction, or there will be dire consequences.

“I would never insult the fine, pious Venetian people, only the devil-worshiping despot who has infected their republican government with his corruption.” - Pietro Verri

"This despot was democratically elected to his office, unlike some in the world who were forced to rely on their military to hold power."- Gian Carli

“And there we have it; the truth is there in black and white!  The infamous fiend Gian Carli hath publically referred to himself as a despot.  The blasphemer condemns himself with his own wicked words.” - Pietro Verri

[YPestis25]

Statement from Stockholm Palace

His Majesty King Gustav is delighted to announce the Treaty of Copenhagen with his counterpart His Majesty King Christian of Denmark. The rapprochement between our two realms, begun by the betrothal of Crown Princess Catherine and Crown Prince Frederick, brings joy to both our peoples as the long standing rivalry between Stockholm and Copenhagen finally draws to a close.

His Majesty hopes that the cooperation and friendship displayed between two such ancient and bitter rivals can serve as a harbinger of a lasting peace in Europe and the world.

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[GoTfan]

A statement from Venice

The world knows that Venice is a peace-loving nation, yet we are not pacifist. These continued insults of our leader and our country cannot, and will not stand.

We demand an immediate retraction, or there will be dire consequences.

“I would never insult the fine, pious Venetian people, only the devil-worshiping despot who has infected their republican government with his corruption.” - Pietro Verri

"This despot was democratically elected to his office, unlike some in the world who were forced to rely on their military to hold power."- Gian Carli

“And there we have it; the truth is there in black and white!  The infamous fiend Gian Carli hath publically referred to himself as a despot.  The blasphemer condemns himself with his own wicked words.” - Pietro Verri

"A despot is one who holds absolute power, in an almost tyrannical fashion and excercises it in a cruel or oppresive manner. Unlike my counterpart, I have not had to rely on creating an environment of fear and hatred to gain office. Unlike my counterpart, I was democratically elected to my office, and intend to vacate when free elections determine it time to do so. These things cannot be said of my counterpart. It is perhaps then more accurate to refer to the man who calls himself President as the Dictator or the Despot of Sardinia-Piedmont"-Gian Carli

[Spamage]

1785 News

A Tale of Two Popes
Rival Conclaves Elect Separate Popes, European Catholicism Severely Divided

Green- Regions Supporting Benedict XVII
Blue- Regions Supporting Gregory XVI
Dashed Lines indicate support of the government compared to support of the people

    Despite some last-minute efforts to avert a divide within the Catholic Church, negotiations failed and two rival conclaves convened following the resignation of Benedict XVII. Indeed, after several centuries, there is now a Second Western Schism. Many are worried that the divisions caused in 1785 will go down in history like those in 1517 or 1054.
     In Rome representatives of many European states convened. Polish clerics were attracted by their government’s recognition of Benedict. German Catholics (except Bavaria), looking for a way to assert their continued independence with the further weakening of the Holy Roman Empire, also sent representatives. In a shocking move the new King of Portugal sent his delegates to the Roman Conclave as well. Thus, most of Italy, Germany, Portugal, Switzerland, and Poland were determined to elect their own candidate. Yet, Austria too sent a delegate. Archduke Maximilian Francis of Austria, the Archbishop-Elector of Cologne and the younger brother of Joseph II, attended in order to represent Vienna. His first action was to invoke the Jus Exclusivae, a power granting certain European monarchs the ability to veto potential Popes. The problem was that this authority had never been recognized officially by the Papacy, meaning there was little forcing the other delegates to act in accordance with it. While the College of Cardinals had deferred out of respect in the past, the South Germans led the charge to challenge Joseph II’s assertion of authority. Maximilian Habsburg was largely ignored and following several rounds of balloting, Benedict XVII was chosen to lead the faithful once more, a move many in Rome ascribed to divine intervention on his behalf, he becoming the first Pope chosen by multiple conclaves. In the eyes of many, he is the legitimate Pope. Critics of what would occur in France highlight that whole delegations had ignored past conclaves in the past, but that did not make the result any less legitimate. Furthermore, even if Adrian VII’s death had been untimely, had not Popes died suspiciously in the past? Certainly, having Rome as the site of his election, not to mention his gracious decision to step aside, has strengthened Benedict XVII’s position greatly, as a plausible argument could be made of French usurpation, especially given the candidate chosen at that conclave.
     The first actions of the restored Benedict XVII were to excommunicate Pope Gregory XVI and also George III of Great Britain, who was proclaimed to be an “antichrist”. With the Irish backing the Roman Papacy, certainly there was confusion and tension in the Kingdom. Even so, they show as little action of rebellion against George III as the English Catholics did under Elizabeth I when she was excommunicated in the 1500s. Only time will tell if this will change.
     The traditional European leaders of Catholicism convened at Avignon, alleging that Benedict XVII was an illegitimate puppet with no right to sit on the Papal Throne. This Papal possession was the seat of the former Avignon Papacy, lending legitimacy to the cause of these realms. France, Spain, Venice, Naples, Austria, and Bavaria were all present at this conclave. Derogatorily refereed to as the “Bourbon-Habsburg Conclave”. Despite the Austrian delegation pushing for an Italian candidate, keeping with centuries of precedent, the larger French body outvoted them, seeing an opportunity for a French Pope for the first time since 1378. After several rounds of balloting, François-Joachim de Pierre de Bernis, a French minor nobleman and the Archbishop of Albani was elected. French representatives alleged that, as he was technically the archbishop of Albani, a suburb of Rome, it was a suitable compromise. The new Pope, a former friend of Madame de Pompadour and Voltaire, took the name Gregory XVI in an apparent allusion to the last Avignon Pope. While his nomination has caused indignation in Italy, particularly the Habsburg and Venetian lands, it was greeted with enthusiasm in France, eager to finally break the Italian grip on the Catholic Church. The Avignon Conclave was the site of much tension. Rumors abounded that Sardinian agents had enflamed the populace. There was minor rioting, but Louis XVI’s decision to greatly expand security ensured that the delegations were all protected and able to make their decision without the interference of a mob.
     Pope Gregory XVI excommunicated Verri, Pope Benedict XVII, and any member of the Savornola Brigades. While has asserted, along with the French government, that Avignon is merely a temporary residence until Rome is retaken, it has not stopped those seeking patronage across the continent from coming to that enclave.
     Thus, the Catholic Church is divided. Minority groups in Spain and France have rejected their government’s decision and recognize Benedict XVII, as do most traditional clergy outside of either realm. The problem is though, that France, Spain, and Austria contain and extremely high number of their own clerics. Indeed, the Church is roughly split in half when one considers distribution of support across the continent. When the New World colonies are included, Gregory XVI may have a slight majority in followers, though these territories have been largely ambivalent about the distant dispute and their conviction is not yet known. Even so, with the political developments in Italy, it is likely that the situation will only result in further divisions as time goes on.  

The Great Italian War
France, Spain Join Naples in Fight Against Revolution, Venice Attacked!

    With the attack on Naples and the invasion of Rome seen to be unacceptable by France and Spain, these powers were determined to act against the People’s Republic of Sardinia-Piedmont. Military actions were conducted by all three powers, seemingly having some success in containing the Revolution, but also causing its supporters to become even more fervent in their opposition to the hierarchical system of the dynastic realms.
     The mere rumor of French raids on Sardinia-Piedmont from the Alps was enough to cause ripples in their allied state, the Duchy of Modena. Ercole III d'Este, Duke of Modena, was faced with internal chaos before his French allies could arrive to save him. His own forces mutinied, attacking any French soldiers that were already present and bottling up the support army right on the coast. The Duke of Modena, the last surviving male-line member of the House D’Este, another old Italian family, was shot by a firing squad of a newly organized Savornola Brigade in his realm. Yet another old noble, Italian family has been destroyed after centuries of rule. Now his daughter, the Dauphine of France, stands to bind her claims to those of the House of Bourbon.
     The 60,000-man French force that arrived in Modena was not to be underestimated. Their initial landing was uncertain, the cannons of the Revolutionaries, who disguised themselves as Modena loyalists, launching surprise attacks on the fleet. Even so, the French were too numerous and overwhelmed the defenders. They then turned northwest, marching towards Piedmont. Their progress through staunch Revolutionary territory has been slow-going. Ambitious plans to reach the Alps were scrapped as every walled settlement has determined to face a siege rather than surrender, the sorties, scorched-earth tactics, and intrigue by the Italians undermining French morale, whatever their numerical advantage.
     The Modena landings were not the only French action though. A landing in Rome, attempting to duplicate the success of the Sardinians failed to take the city, was forced to retreat south towards Naples following defeat. Even so, with the arrival of a larger French army, Spanish aid, and the existing Neapolitan forces, the Revolutionaries were pushed of out Naples and those captured were slaughtered by the royalists. The way to Rome appears open, but the allied forces were unable to take action this year due to such a severe level of resistance by the rebels. Supplies are sabotaged daily, bridges destroyed, crops burned, and scouts murdered. The fight in Italy, especially with the incorporation of religion, has become intense and personal. Savornola Brigades roam the countryside of Naples, recruiting peasants, denouncing a French Pope, killing stragglers, and making life in the Kingdom difficult.
     The Revolutionaries, due to the delay caused by their forces successfully took back much of the former Papal States. Even so, their attempt to land men in Sicily was a debacle. Their 10,000-man army was unaware that the Spanish were sending far more men through there en route to Naples. In the Battle of Palermo, the invading Sardinian forces were pushed back, slaughtered in a chaotic retreat back towards the sea as Sicily remains a solid territory of the Kingdom of Naples thanks to Charles IV of Spain.
     Another Spanish expedition landed in Sardinia, 10,000 men catching the locals off-guard and invading this isle of revolution. Though there were no organized forces of the Turin government on the island, the Spanish have been forced to gradually occupy the island, the reinforcements from Corsica not arriving due to events on that island.
     Spanish success was not universal though. Taking possession of Corsica from Prussia, this did not mean that the localized revolts would be finished. While Spanish commanders intended to garrison Corsica before moving south towards Sardinia, the Corsican nationalists were furious. Those who had been loyal to Frederick William felt betrayed, easily falling into line with those who had opposed the Prussian occupation. Thus, with Austrians and Prussians departing, for the second time the Republic of Corsica has been declared, various factions now united against foreign rule. The locals, sympathetic to the Verri regime in mainland Italy, have sought to fight the Spaniards. They control most of the inland regions, the Spanish holding the population centers on the western coast of the island. This fighting has delayed any Spanish efforts to conduct further operation with this army.
     A second Sardinian attack, this time against Venice, was more successful. While the Venetians seemed to be anticipating war, building trenches and expanding forts, they were not quite envisioning one in the form it took. While their borders were well-manned and prepared for an invasion, Venice itself was less so. 8,000 Sardinians appeared in the middle of the night, landing in conjunction with a series of protests by the growing Catholic Republican movement. For several hours the city, which was not extensively garrisoned, was the site of intense confusion. Gian Rinaldo Carli, the popular Doge who had just won a victory in Tripoli was murdered in his residence by a group of Venetian rebels and a contingent of the Sardinian force. His guards were overwhelmed and his house being set ablaze with him still inside. Venetian morale has cratered, with there being little clear information in the Republic’s constitution about who succeeds a Doge in the event of their assassination. With his death, the Venetian Senate, or at least those Senators that escaped the city before Sardinia completed its occupation, has fled to Verona while what to do next is considered. Certainly, holding elections will be challenging with the capitol temporarily in enemy hands. Thus, while Venice has been drawn into the war, its leadership was decapitated.
     Meanwhile many Venetians, who had welcomed an Austrian army in order to provide protection, are now eyeing the force with growing suspicion. Though the Habsburg men have been well-behaved (not wanting to seem like invaders) it was this well-behavior that left Venice itself open to a surprise raid and the death of Doge Carli.
     One interesting power that seemed to be posturing itself, yet not taking concrete action, was Austria. Joseph II sent men to both Naples and Venice to act as a defense force but ordered that no invasion of Sardinian territory ought to take place, seeming to be hedging his bets. Even so, his reinforcement of Tuscany and Milan was welcomed by local elites who were extremely worried following the collapse of the Duchy of Modena. Austrians were onlookers as the allied forces retook Naples, providing crucial guardianship of the siege lines.

The Opening of China

   1785 would continue the trend within the Qing Dynasty of the past few years, greater foreign involvement and opening of the Middle Kingdom. Yet, for the first time, the opposition would also take concrete action against this interventionalist foreign policy.
     The reign of the Qianlong Emperor would end peacefully after more than fifty years on the throne, the aged ruler abdicating in favor of his new heir, Prince Yongrong. Taking the name Zhizhuang Emperor, the new leader of the Qing Dynasty has begun his reign in a period of grave crises. China is at war, with opposition internally and externally challenging the Qing Supremacy. Yet, not all is bleak. A trade expedition to Africa seems to have been a success, Chinese officials venturing outside the Middle Kingdom, and Asia itself for that matter, for the first time in living memory.

War in Russia

    The Russians, free from fighting in the west with the Treaty of Versailles, turned east to attack the Chinese, a realm that had not been a party in the negotiations. Both sides wanted the city of Irkutsk, the Chinese in order to encourage future settlement and the Russians in order to protect their possessions further north. Going along the Great Siberian Route, Russian forces arrived in relatively good time, just as the Chinese were preparing a final push towards Irkutsk. The ensuing Battle of Irkutsk was a stalemate. While the Russians under the famed and undefeated General Suvorov drove the Chinese from the field, bolstered by superior weaponry and experience in warfare, they were unable to pursue any sort of counter-offensive against the Chinese, who only had modest losses. Thus, they battle lines remain consistent and war between the two powers looks likely to continue.
    Meanwhile, small Russian raiding parties have assaulted some of the Uyghur territory, making large territorial gains. Even so, whatever land they take is without any clear resources and very sparsely populated.

Collapse of the Shah Dynasty

    After a year of low-level conflict, the situation in Nepal took a decisive turn. With French aid not forthcoming, and behind-the-scenes intrigue reigniting a feud between the Queen Mother and the Uncle of the King, the Shah Dynasty found itself unable to survive. Appeals to the French went unheeded as Kathmandu was stormed following the decisive defeat of the Nepalese, the young King and his court being captured by General Agui. Indeed, the entire Shah Dynasty was largely apprehended in the confusion, being sent to Peking and escorted by a sizeable contingent of guards. It will be up to the new Emperor to decide which, if any, is a suitable candidate to govern the territory. In the meantime, General Agui has assumed the title of military governor while the government debates what to do next. China is now in control of land that implicitly is seen by many as a direct challenge to French control of the region.

White Lotus Rebellion!

    It was no secret the Han Chinese felt betrayed by their government. First, the Qianlong Emperor had granted groups such as the Uyghurs and Mongols a voice in government affairs by reforming government. Then, he had refused to allow settlement in Manchuria in order to relieve the extensive strain placed on the land in China by a growing population. Finally, China began to open itself up to the rest of the world, the expedition to Africa was the final straw. Tens of thousands of Han Chinese have raised the flag of rebellion as members of the White Lotus Society. This group, largely responsible for the expulsion of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty, has become active once more due to the rule of the Manchu Qing over the Middle Kingdom. Initial reports are of a major rising in Southwest China, Chengdu being the momentary capitol of this rapidly growing movement. With most of the active forces off fighting in Nepal, Korea, and Russia and local garrisons beginning to defect, this situation shows the potential of escalating into a grave civil war.
    Indeed, the actual spark of the rebellion was ironically an attempt by the government to avert it. By sending 25,000 men to patrol the region, it was not long before rumors spread among the rebels that the Emperor was seeking to slaughter them and root out their movement. The force was not large enough to stave off the rising in Chengdu but has been enough to prevent it from washing over more of the realm.
    There have been actions outside the territory controlled by the rebels as well though. In the port city full of Prussian trade, a mob organized by the White Lotus Society slaughtered any Prussians that they could get their hands on. “We will no longer see the Middle Kingdom sold to barbarians and foreigners, it is time for your men to vacate the Middle Kingdom” states one letter sent to the surviving Prussians and addressed to Frederick William II. Though the local Qing forces restored order and saved the remaining foreigners, this delay shows how desperate the situation is becoming.

Joseon War

    The situation in Korea continued to frustrate the Qing Armies in 1785. The Joseon Emperor refused the insulting suggestion by Peking that Northern Korea be ceded in order to become a Chinese farming region. Demanding that all of Korea should be ruled by a Korea dynasty, his forces continued their stubborn resistance. Unlike in Nepal, they seem to be enjoying success. The Kingdom is unified around the idea of protecting their new independence. While the Army of Manchuria completed the crossing that ended with the slaughter of the Crown Prince last year, and thus both major forces are finally in Korea, the locals continue to resist. Joseon will not make peace until the Qing agree to their total and irrevocable independence, as they see their position strengthened by the arrival of the Russians, Chinese intervention in favor of the Durrani, and the early signs of the White Lotus Rebellion.