Encore of Europe: Gameplay Thread

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The Most Ottoman State clearly differs from most of its fellow powers by its inclusiveless and possibilities of social advances. Unlike in most countries, even the humblest subject of His Sacred and Imperial Majesty can rise to the very top thanks to his merits alone, with no regard to his faith, nationality, being born in slavery nor poor upbringing. The almanac of Ottoman ministers, generals and governors is a unique list where Turks, Greeks, Jews, Armenians, Arabs, Kurds, Albanians, Assyrians, Bulgarians, Circassias, Macedonians, Moors etc. etc. are honored together.

In Russia, however, diverse people are being subjugated by the Muscovites, who in turn are dominated by German transplants. Once born a serf, one most likely die a poor serf, broken, humiliated, regardless of his talents and potential. And yet Russia has a nerves to present itself as the protector of the Orthodox adherents, while in fact the "restored Byzantium" would amount to nothing else as a Muscovite colony. And this is why the House of Osman shall continue to embrace their Orthodox subjects as equals, as proven by the abolition of Jizya. Among the seamen and soldiers who shed their blood in defense of Crimea were many Christians and the Sultan salutes them, just as their brothers who fought and won in Libya and the Far East.

[Blair]

The Marseille Summit

In light of the recent, and worrying developments in Bavaria, and across Europe, Britain hereby invites the the Spanish Empire an emergency diplomatic summit to discuss the invasion of Portugal, and to begin a dialogue which will lead to a successful diplomatic settlement. In the interests of openness, and to show Britain's commitment to diplomacy, and dialogue in these troubling, and uncertain times.

Britain has been entrusted by Queen Maria, and the Portuguese exiles to act as fair diplomatic mediator, and in choosing a neutral venue in France, we hope to begin important work with King Charles III of Spain.

 

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Venice may be aligned with Sardinia-Piedmont, but we, like all other powers, view the summary execution of the former royal family and the rise in radicalism with dismay. All people are entitled to trial, and the former King and Queen are no different than anyone else in this world.

Should Sardinia-Piedmont seek to export this brand of radical, rather than reformist republicanism, Venice will have no choice but to oppose it. We may be friends with this nation, but friends need to tell hard truths to each other, feelings be damned.

"The Holy People's Republic of Sardinia-Piedmont would like to remind our Venetian friends that the so-called king and queen had a trial and were given every opportunity to defend themselves.  The false king you speak of chose not to defend himself, likely because he knew his black and wretched crimes were indefensible.  By the admission of countless so-called nobles and even the man's own son, the vile savage was a devil-worshiper who practiced witchcraft, practiced satanic rituals, and even sought – along with the witch to whom he was wed – to bring the anti-Christ into the world.  Indeed, all this king of Hell, this Lucifer in the flesh, did prior to his execution was send forth a fiery eruption of Hellfire and brimstone straight from the depths of Hell using blood magic.  The infamous fiend is believed to have sacrificed the life of his youngest son to the devil in a last-ditch attempt to smite Europe with a new wave of famine.  And yet, now as ever, the faithful can sleep soundly, secure in the knowledge that Christ will guide us out of the darkness and into the light.  

Through faith in Him, we shall overcome any obstacle Satan's servants attempt to set in our way.  I would advise our Venetian friends and all of our Catholic brothers in Christ who truly place their faith in The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit to look to their sins and pray for God's forgiveness.  Christ died on the cross for our sins, but we must accept him into our hearts as our Lord and Savior without question or doubt.  The Lord's judgement cometh for us all and soon.  If our Venetian friends are truly the holy, Christian men they claim to be then they would do well to remember this.  Even now, righteous men across The Holy People's Republic have formed brigades dedicated to rooting out corruption, wickedness, and blasphemy from the land.  The good people of Genoa have thrown off the oppressive yolk of tyrannical elites and seized control of the means of production from the fat, corrupt "nobles."  The armies of Hell cannot help but crumble in the face of even one truly righteous man with faith as his shield and sword.

Our Venetian friends are right about one thing though: A king and queen, be they righteous or wicked, are no different than the humblest carpenter for we are all equal before God.  His judgement cometh and soon and when it comes, he who is first shall be he who is last." - Pietro Verri

[windjammer]

The King of France is looking to increase trade with other european realms and would be willing to sign a similar "abolish tariffs treaty" with other realms.

For those who are interested, PM me (including NPC).

Regarding Spain and Portugal, I would like war to end quickly so I'm allowing the negotiations in Marseilles.

[Orwell]

Im waiting for a response from Queen Maria

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

It ought to be noted His Sacred and Imperial Majesty Sultan Abdul Hamid Khan refrained so far from joining his Prussian ally in declaring war on Austria, even though he agrees with King Frederick William's assessment of the Habsburg motives and moves.

Instead, the Sultan appeals to both Emperor Joseph and King Frederich William to give peace another chance. The Emperor himself should see there is nothing for him not his realm to gain by allying himself with infamous parvenu Paul Saltykov who, when the time for him to account for his crimes, does not even deserve to be strangled with a silk rope, as befiting the actual nobility.

[Lumine]

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x Frederick William II, King of Prussia.

[GoTfan]

The Republic of Venice is known for its attempts to keep the peace under Loredan, and we will live up to the legacy he left behind. The last war cost millions of lives, not including the conomic cost, of which some nations still have not recovered.

Venice hereby offers itself as a mediator for negotiations between the major powers and invites all the warring nations to send representatives to Venice for a conference.

[YPestis25]

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x Frederick William II, King of Prussia.

x Gustav III, King of Scandinavia

[Donerail]

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x Frederick William II, King of Prussia.

x Tadeusz Kościuszko

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

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x Frederick William II, King of Prussia.

x Tadeusz Kościuszko

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

In order to alleviate shortages of grain (after some incompetent or plain stupid officials sent abroad more than destined reserves), we shall purchase required amount on the Asian markets, in addition to expanding rice cultivation beyond areas where it's already present. As long as rationing can be avoided, we should avoid this.

[YPestis25]

Statement from Stockholm Palace on the Icelandic and Food Crises

King Gustav is devastated to hear of the death and terror which has befallen Iceland, and wishes to assure the citizens of that proud island that mainland Scandinavia has not forgotten them. His Majesty is pleased to announce the following steps are being taken in order to alleviate the crisis.

I. The Icelandic Relief Company (IRC), will be created as a state owned venture to fund the rebuilding of the island.
   A. Private, church, and state donations are encouraged.
        1. Those private individuals who pledge wealth to the relief of Iceland will be granted a tax subsidy dependent on the size of their donation at the end of 1784.
   B. The Kingdom of Scandinavia will levy a one time tax of 1/20th above regular levels in order to provide the initial funding for the IRC.

II. Individuals displaced by the Russian invasion of Finland will be offered a subsidized settlement in Iceland.
   A. The state will take on the traveling expenses of all displaced persons relocating to the island, and cover the travelling expenses of up to six head of cows, sheep, pigs, goats, or other large farm animals.

III. Displaced individuals settling on vacant land in Iceland will be able to settle without payment, provided they register their land with the local government in Reykjavik. Non-displaced individuals will be able to settle for a much reduced price on vacant land which will be paid again to the local government.
   A. Funds raised from land purchases will go towards purchasing new farm animals for particularly badly hurt farmers who will make their petitions for state provided animals in Reykjavik.

IV. 1,500 men will be raised and transported to Iceland for peacekeeping duties. Further, 500 new bureaucrats and state functionaries will sail with the garrison force in order to aid the local government with new state burdens.

King Gustav is also pleased to announce that a satisfactory resolution to the current food crisis gripping the kingdom is close to fruition. Owing both to Danish aid, and ongoing negotiations with His Majesty King George of Great Britain, bread will soon pack the market stalls of Stockholm, Oslo, and Helsinki. King Gustav is confident that Scandinavia will weather the storm of famine and enter 1785 with renewed strength and vigor.

[Huey Long is a Republican]

Queen Maria will attend the summit in France

[windjammer]

The King of Frances wishes to remain neutral in the current conflict opposing the Kingdom of Prussia, the Kingdom of Scandinavia and the Otttoman Empire against the Russian Empire and the Kingdom of Bohemia and Hungary.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

The Kingdom of Spain agrees to send delegates to attend the diplomatic summit in Marseilles.

[Kingpoleon]

The Surplus Manifesto

We, the nation of Safavid Persia, plan to plant all of our excess harvest that we can, at least for all crops that are capable of such, and send any that remains to the nation of Venice. We cannot afford a discount at this time.

[Spamage]

QUEEN MARIA POISONED IN ENGLAND!
Spanish Agents Apprehended by British Authorities

     Even with her exile, Queen Maria of Portugal remained a force to be reckoned with. Possessing a sizeable army, British support, and the legitimacy of being the established monarch, she was determined to regain her throne. Even with all of the challenges she remained in relatively good health, both physically and mentally. Then, she suddenly fell ill around March. Dying withing twenty four hours of first reporting sick, an investigation by her Portuguese physician and local British experts determined that she had been murdered by the insertion of strychnine into her food.
    While her staff was determined to be innocent, it was  only several days before the newly established British police force apprehended several suspicious Spaniards. Soon documents came to light, in Spanish, revealing the extent of the conspiracy. Reportedly Charles III of Spain himself was responsible, though perhaps not directly. Nowhere is the Spanish King's name openly stated, with the closest reference being an allusion to the "highest authority". High officials at Court in Madrid did seem to have consented to the planned killing though. While the men arrested vehemently deny any involvement and claim that they were framed, the evidence from the British investigation does seem rather compelling.
     Maria died an unpopular monarch, kicked out of her central Kingdom and seeing the Portuguese Empire descend into chaos. Brazil is in revolt, Saint Domingue is collapsing, Mysore has asserted independence, and both East Timor and Macau have been lost. While there are some Braganzan loyalists still fighting in northern Portugal, Spain has seized much of the realm. She repeatedly asserted during her exile that history would vindicate her bold moves, though the London press mocked her for these sentiments. Even so, her passing may be a boon for the rest of her exiled family, depending on how they act. Perhaps the right moves could restore national pride and instigate a revolt against Spain?
    Her twenty-two-year-old son has declared himself King Joseph II of Portugal and is determined to be given the throne that he sees as his by right. Whether or not the British will be willing to support his cause as strongly is an open question, but a necessary one. How will peace talks, recently proposed for Marseilles, develop now that Maria is no more? Can the Portuguese Empire be saved or will the Braganzas now be relegated to a footnote in history?

DURRANI ATTACK SAFAVIDS!
Upset by threats from Ishfahan, War is Declared

    The demand of Ismail III that the Durrani surrender and become vassals of the Safavid Dynsaty was greeted with indignation by the Durrani Empire. Timur Shah Durrani, whatever the problems his realm faced internally, was determined to emulate his father and teach the Safavids a lesson. A series of brutal border raids from the mountains of Afghanistan have been launched against the Persians. Villages have been sacked, Shia imams murdered, and local wealth seized. The move caught the local garrisons somewhat off-guard following the Ismail's agressive posturing north rather than east. The diplomats sent with the message of the Safavid shah were murdered, their heads being sent back to their leader in a clear indication of Durrani opinion.
    During the border raids, Timur Shah himself has been gathering his army and preparing for war against the Safavids. It now appears there will be another conflict in the Middle East between the resurgent Persians and the recently dominant Durrani. While Ishfahan has strength in numbers, the war will still likely be a bloody and close one. This could have major implications regardless of what happens. Either power, if weakened, could find themselves vulnerable to the Ottomans or French in India. A shattering of Persia could return the region to the dynastic chaos of the past few decades or the collapse of the Durrani could signal a new, even more powerful Safavid state. The events here will likely be determined on the battlefield. The future religion, government, and culture of thousands up for debate as the two leaders dig in and prepare for war.

[Kingpoleon]

A Call To The Tribesmen Under Durrani

The Safavid dynasty calls on all Pashtun tribes and Sikhs to revolt against Timur Shah Durrani. All who join the Safavid cause will take the rank of their fellows who refuse to do so and granted their lands. The Safavids will pledge to give the most land to those with the greatest merit, ability, and success among those who rebel, and the least land to those with the least merit, ability, and success among those who rebel. Loyalty and capabilities determine your rank in the Safavid Empire, not who your father is.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

"The tragic events of this year have left a dark cloud of sulfur over Europe.  In The Holy People's Republic of Sardinia-Piedmont, the people have broken free from the Satanic shackles of slavery and dealt the devil a crushing blow by ridding the world of the false king Victor Amadeus – a man who, according to the testimony of his own son, fornicated with a sow in an attempt to bring the anti-Christ into the world – and the witch he wed.  The heretical heir to their throne of Mammon was decapitated like any other serpent along with those nobles in service to these Beelzebubian barbarians who would not renounce Satan, accept Christ as their Lord and Savior, and confess to their sacrilegious crimes.  Thy Lord's will was done when the people placed their faith in Him rather than the golden coins that are the only God worshiped by the so-called kings and queens who dance like puppets on Satan's string.  

In Genoa, the Devil's servants were clever enough to call themselves a 'republic' even as these so-called 'nobles' continued to deny the workers control of the means of production, drank the blood of Catholic babes like the Lucifer of London, George II of England who – according to Pope Benedict XIV himself – would regularly snatch the Catholic infants of the Irish countryside from their mother's breasts and bake them into meat pies.  No doubt, the Paganistic Protestants presiding over England today have continued this barbaric practice.  They and all others who have worked to drive Catholicism from Ireland that it may once more be home to Satan's serpents while making false claims of "tolerance" had best remember that His judgment cometh and soon.  

We must all pray that the good Catholic people of Ireland throw of the heretical yolk of Protestant oppression just as the courageous people of Genoa have done.  I want to also reiterate how pleased I am to welcome the Genoan people into the Holy People's Republic.  They did not succumb to the Devil whispering in their ear; Satan could not lead them astray with Mammon or talk of women's suffrage.  Instead, they stayed true to the path He has laid out for us all and the Lord was indeed their shepherd.

I hereby call upon any monarch who would make even a mere pretense of enlightenment and show himself to have faith in Christ to publicly condemn the British occupation of Ireland and do everything in his nation's power to liberate of brothers in Christ from the shackles of British oppression.  We must drive these English serpents from Ireland once more.  Should any Catholic leader fail to support the struggle of his brothers in Christ, then all of European Christiandom shall know him for what he truly is...

Furthermore, I am quite certain The Pope will issue a powerful statement in support of an Irish rebellion.  After all, surely, The Holy See would never let a Protestant nation bully it into silence while innocent Catholics suffered the tyranny of Protestant oppression.  I trust His Holiness would not be intimidated by the threat of British military force nor turn a blind eye upon hearing the jangling of gold coins in English pockets.  Let him show the world that The Holy See does not fear the Protestant scourge by joining The Holy People's Republic in a public call for Catholics in Ireland to reclaim their nation.  

And yet, I fear there is reason to fear that not all Catholic nations may heed this call.  I have here in my hand a list of 57 nobles, so-called, who are known Devil-worshipers.  These practitioners of witchcraft and blood magic have worked to infiltrate the highest levels of governments from Vienna to Paris, from Madrid to Rome.  I do not say these lands are all ruled by corrupt men, but the scourge of secret Satanism is liked a disease which must not be allowed to spread any further.  No doubt there are countless other heretics and witches lurking amongst us even now.  I shall do all I can to drive Lucifer from our European paradise just as St. Michael did so many years ago, but we must all do our part to win the war against Satanism.

I urge all Catholics to report any and all suspicious activity to the nearest Priest and if you fear he may prove unresponsive or that his response may be inadequate, pray on the matter further.  The Lord shall guide you and He shall tell you whether to take matters into your own hands by cutting away the infection yourself.  In light of these dangerous times, I call upon The Pope to issue an immediate public statement encouraging European Christiandom to be vigilant in reporting, purging, and rooting out secret Satanists within there community.  I'm certainly not suggesting that a failure to do so on The Pope's part would suggest possible corruption, hidden Satanic sympathies, or cowardice in the face of the armies of Hell, perish the thought.  Yet some people do say such things and I think it best that His Holiness set the minds of the faithful at ease by publicly endorsing my remarks and confirming for the record what all good Catholics know to be true.  

Naturally, these servants of Satan must be given fair trials just as that infamous fiend Victor Amadeus was given a fair trial, but as a man of faith, I know His will shall be done at every trial's conclusion for though I walk in the valley of darkness, I shall fear no evil.  The Savonarola Brigades have proven that it only takes one righteous man to break Satan's grip upon that man's community.  Blessed be He, The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost." - Pietro Verri

[Donerail]

A Speech to the National Assembly:
On the Abolition of Guilds, Now Before the Assembly

My countrymen, for too long has our Republic contended with a second-class status among the nations of Europe. In centuries past, that status was conferred by antiquated and backward political institutions, institutions that we have together succeeded in abolishing. Now, however, that status is reflected not in politics, but in economics. While other nations race to develop new technologies and discover new riches, our economy lies stagnant, hindered again by antiquated institutions.

I speak, of course, of the guilds. This system of organization, while perhaps necessary in past times, is increasingly obsolete today. By placing artificial limits on who can become a master, and by privileging sons of masters above all others, the guild system stands opposed to a system in which crafts are performed by the most talented. The concept that every man should stand on his own worth, and not be unduly privileged by the happenstance of his birth, is foundational to our Republic. By permitting the continued existence of the guilds, we choose a Republic in our political life, yet shrink from our duty and permit the persistence of an aristocracy in the marketplace.

And the possibilities, should we act today, are without limit. An economy free of the guild system is one in which new products, ones which cross the historic boundaries between trades that the guilds continue to enforce, can be created. A new age of collaboration between workers shall flourish, with the ultimate beneficiaries both the common people, who shall see their standard of living increased, and our Republic, which would be able to compete with any nation, in the most exotic markets.

There is some concern that this measure will lead to the unemployment of many journeymen and masters, but this is not so. By preventing masters from having more than one shop, and by limiting the number of journeymen and apprentices in any given place, the guilds act to limit the number of workers in any one trade. The end of the guilds does not mean the end of these trades — quite the contrary. Many trades cry out, demanding more workers, but the regulations of the guilds prevent more men from becoming tailors or hammermen to answer this call — and so long as the current masters can sell their goods at the price they wish, they have no reason to hire more men. Passing today’s legislation and doing away with the guild system would open up many more jobs to deserving men — and, should there be any further concerns, I would remind the Assembly of our ongoing construction and improvement of highways, bridges, navigable canals, harbors, and other such creations that facilitate commerce, in which any man may find work.

And note as well what this legislation does not do. The workers do not lose their right to associate together — indeed, it is this cooperation which the law seeks to encourage. Indeed, all we seek to do is to abolish those charters and regulations that allow a few guild-masters in the same trade, or of the same profession, to profit at the expense of the common people and, indeed, at the expense of the Republic itself.

[ASPN]

Official portrait of Prime Minister Louis-Philippe de Vaudreuil

By decree of the Quebecois Parliament,

To be signed into law, a bill detailing the construction of new buildings in the capital of Montreal. including:

*Renovation of old streets and construction of new walkways for the city.

*An official Military Academy

*Proper housing commendations for both Parliament and his Majesty King Henry I 

*An official district for diplomatic housing.

As to the last point, the Foreign Ministry would like to openly invite all nations (both npc and player) who have yet to officially establish relations with the Kingdom of Quebec, send notice so that treaties may be established, and housing needs accounted for.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The Sublime Porte is hereby recognizing the Kingdom of Quebec as fully sovereign nation.

[YPestis25]

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x Gustav III, King of Scandinavia

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

“The Holy People’s Republic recognizes the Republic of Quebec and prays that our God in heaven shall lead its King out of the darkness of Pagan Protestantism and into the light of Catholicism.  It is never too late to welcome Christ into one’s heart.” - Pietro Verri