Encore of Europe: Gameplay Thread

[Spamage]

ITALIAN CRISES
Risings in Milan, Tuscany
Prince Francis, Empress Maria Josepha and Elector of Cologne MURDERED!
Attempt of Life of Gregory XVI!

    There would be many forces at work during the first few months of 1786, none of them boding well for the longterm stability of Europe. All across the continent factors relating to the Italian War would wreak havoc and generate tensions. It remains to be seen what will happen next.
     The first major event to occur was a series of massive revolts in Austrian-held Tuscany and Milan in February. The garrisons in both duchies were full of Bavarians, Bohemians, and Austrians (the Italians all stationed elsewhere). On orders of the government a series of outspoken defenders of Benedict XVII were brutally arrested, being drug through the streets in such a dramatic fashion as to cause sympathy to arise. When the Habsburg soldiers stationed in Italy proved overly brutal (beating locals, stealing food, mocking Benedict XVII) the situation was untenable. In a wave of fury there were two massive rebellions breaking out within weeks of eachother. Thousands attempted to erect barricades in the streets and kill the Austrian oppressors. Yet, the soldiers seemed ready for it. Grapeshot was employed, blasting through the streets as rebels were thrown into great disarray. Within three days in both cities, the vast majority of those up in arms were either dead, injured, in custody, or in flight to Sardinia-Piedmont. Sweeping through the countryside, the loyalty of outlying areas has been won at swordpoint. In effect, the sizeable presence of Austrians soldiers and their apparent preparedness ensured that the rebels were doomed from the begining. Now the most vocal critics it in prison as the Austrians seem to have secured their own territories for the time being.
     Almost simultaneously there was serious news out of Avignon. Louis XVI had ordered extremely intense security around Gregory XVI, this seeming to pay off not long after. A group of radical Sardinians, members of the Savornola Brigades, were discovered in the sewers beneath the Papal residence with a large cache of gunpowder. Killing themselves rather than being taken into custody, the life of the Avignon Pope was saved by the French guards. Naturally, most look to Sardinia as responsible, but this may not entirely be the case...
     The third great development taking place outside of Italy, but directly connected to it, was a spate of successful attempts on the lives various Habsburgs. In Cologne, where the Archbishop-Elector had returned to following his presence at the Roman Conclave, the peace of the city was quickly disturbed. Going to say mass at Bonn Cathedral, the Archbishop-Elector was brutally stabbed inside the Cathedral by a group of priests, murdered in a holy place. In the chaos the assassins escaped, though upon investigation of his residence, a variety of items were discovered. First, there was a handwritten note stating that, "all those who have attempted to place the French Antichrist on the Chair of St. Peter will be punished by God and his Faithful Servants". Further investigation revealed Archbishop Maximilian, the brother of Emperor Joseph II, was in possession of books on necromancy, satanism, and alchemy. While his former servants have said they were planted, most were alarmed by the news.
     The horror would not end there. In Bavaria, a group of young women posing as Venetian refugees attempted to enter the young King's residence. Detained by guards, it soon became apparent these "ladies" were not who they said they were. Former Queen of Bavaria, and surrogate mother to the new King, Maria Anna of Saxony personally interrogated the conspirators who then tried to kill her when it was clear they would not see the King. After a brief scuffle, during which Maria Anna was unharmed, their knives were seized by guards and they were locked away in the dungeons.
     Before news of the events in either Munich or Cologne reached Vienna though, the most important development occured. Late at night a group of riders reached the Emperor's residence, claiming they had news of the Archbishop-Elector's murder. Emperor Joseph II, Empress Maria Josepha, and their heir Archduke Francis all were roused to meet the men and hear of the development. Pulling out their ledgers to inform the leader, the "messengers" revealed knives. Calling the Emperor "Satan incarnate", they lunged at Joseph II, being beat back by one of his guards. That did not save the others. Archduke Francis was stabbed in the neck, drowning in his own blood. Maria Josepha was stabbed in the stomach before the others were subdued. She would die within hours, widowing the Holy Roman Emperor. One of the men was taken into custody, the others murdered.
     Interrogation of the women in Munich and the man in Vienna has revealed some very concerning details. None of them had any contact directly with the Sardinian government, all had been quite drugged, and all were mysterious recruited. While they revealed the men who organized them spoke German, they have little memory of what the circumstances around it were. Needless to say, some are wondering whether Sardinia is the only power engaged in such intrigue.
     The death of Archduke Francis is a highly concerning development. Now, King Maximilian of Bavaria is the heir to the rest of the Habsburg possessions because Joseph II has no other sons. This means when all is said and done that region will likely be absorbed into the larger Habsburg Empire rather than being a friendly vassal state with rulers related to the Emperor. This changes the political calculus in Germany, all the while making the young King of Bavaria an even more attractive marriage candidate.
     While these assassinations and the attempt on the life of Pope Gregory were meant to discourage the followers of the Avignon Papacy, it has also furthered the rift in the Catholic Church. Many in France, Austria, Hungary, Bavaria, and Bohemia have been put out by the brutality for the rebels and fanaticism of the Benedictines. In fact, local priests and subjects in these regions have engaged in activities of their own. Priests loyal to Gregory have been strung up in lynchings, officials loyal to him arrested, and the "Army of Loyola" (props to anyone who recognizes this) has re-formed as a direct alternative to the "Savornola Brigades". Needless to say, the situation is highly unstable outside of Italy as a direct result of events on the peninsula.

SLAVE REVOLT IN DUTCH GUYANA!
BRAZILIAN FORCES OCCUPY THE COLONY FOLLOWING GREAT UNREST

    Dutch Guyana seemed to be one of the tranquil areas of the Americas following the unrest in both the Caribbean and Brazil. This serenity would be shattered though, as a massive slave revolt broke out early in the year. Slaves, too well armed to be acting solely on their own, freed their brethren and assaulted Dutch officials, forcing out the local government. Some suspect the rebels were lead by those who had been defeated in Brazil. In the chaos, it was not long before fighting began to get brutal, the Dutch outnumbered by the former slaves. The sheer weight of numbers ensured that within days the area under their control was confined to a narrow strip along the coast.
     Then Brazil stepped in. Already reeling from slaves revolts in their own borders, the Brazilian government alleged that it could not allow more to happen to their north. Sailing and marching into Guyana, the slaves were quickly beaten back by a larger Brazilian force. Within weeks, the last embers of what seemed to be a massive slave revolt were put out and the former Dutch colony was placed under Brazilian occupation.
     Indeed, the government of Rio de Janiero shows little sign of intending to return the territory. Dutch who cooperate with them have been allowed to keep their property, those who don't being shipped out as new, Portuguese-speaking settlers have taken their land. It must be noted that most settlers resented how unprotected and exposed they were and have thus welcomed the aid. Unless Amsterdam acts to bring its colony back into line, it seems that Brazil has both put down a slave revolt and strengthened its hand in the region.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

In the name of His Sacred and Imperial Majesty Sultan Abdul Hamid Han, Sovereign of The Sublime House of Osman, Sultan of Sultans, Khan of the Khans of Two Seas, Commander of the faithful and Successor of the Prophet of the lord of the Universe, Custodian of the Holy Cities of Mecca, Medina and Kouds, Emperor of Rome, Padishah of The Three Cities of Istanbul, Edirne and Bursa, etc., etc.


Following His Majesty's intense diplomatic efforts, the government of the Holy People's Republic of Sardinia-Piedmont had agreed to take a necessary step toward restoration of peace and calm in Europe in general and Italy in particular, by completely withdrawing its forces from the Venetian territory, thus ending the Venetian-Sardinian war. The Sultan applauds H. E. President Verri on displaying his commitment for peace.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

In the name of His Sacred and Imperial Majesty Sultan Abdul Hamid Han, Sovereign of The Sublime House of Osman, Sultan of Sultans, Khan of the Khans of Two Seas, Commander of the faithful and Successor of the Prophet of the lord of the Universe, Custodian of the Holy Cities of Mecca, Medina and Kouds, Emperor of Rome, Padishah of The Three Cities of Istanbul, Edirne and Bursa, etc., etc.


Following His Majesty's intense diplomatic efforts, the government of the Holy People's Republic of Sardinia-Piedmont had agreed to take a necessary step toward restoration of peace and calm in Europe in general and Italy in particular, by completely withdrawing its forces from the Venetian territory, thus ending the Venetian-Sardinian war. The Sultan applauds H. E. President Verri on displaying his commitment for peace.

X Pietro Verri

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Incredibly brutal murders of Prince Francis and Empress Maria Josepha has terrified his Sacred and Imperial Majesty, the Sultan. We hope the despicable deed was work of bloodthirsty individuals, and not a part of some devious wider campaign.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

While most of the European realms (with honorable exceptions, Poland-Luthuania in particular) still struggles with maintaining peace between various Christian denominations, not to mention non-Christian faiths, the Ottoman State is proudly standing by its traditions of religious tolerance and inclusiveness.

Make no mistake, the Ottoman State is a Muslim-majority reals and the Sultan takes his role as Caliph with utmost seriousness. However He is also proud of ruling over the land that is the cradle of three Abrahamic religions, which disciples lives together, under one banner and one crown. Although He believes Islam is the final, most perfect, religious denomination, and this is why we shall always remembers Jews and Christians believe in the same God, and that for a Muslim their Scripture directly precedes our Holy Quran. Ibrahim and Isa, known respectively as Abraham and Jesus, too are the propeths recognized by Islam, in the same line ending with Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him), the seal of Proptehs. Our Jewish and Christian bothers are no merely tolerated minority, but fellow men of God.

The Sultan would never claim liturgical and theological authority over Ottoman Christians and Jews. But he shall proudly assume a role of Protector. A Protector of their God-given right to live hand by hand with their Muslim brothers. A Protector from any scroundel wishing to ignite conflicts between the faiths. Who who does shall burn in fire. This is very easy for God

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The Sublime Porte shall assist its Venetian friends in lifting their country from wartime damage, so the Most Serene Republic will regain its reigtful status as a major power. For without strong Venice there can be no stability in our region.

[Dereich]

The Vienna Standard

AN ANNOUNCEMENT

On the MURDERS of the IMPERIAL FAMILY and the INVESTIGATION thereof

and other related matters

All Europe now knows of the TRAGEDY that has befallen the Holy Roman Empire. The Emperor Joseph, before withdrawing to mourn with his children, ordered that an INVESTIGATION be commenced and that ALL CHRISTENDOM be kept abreast of the progress of this investigation.

This investigation has BORNE FIRST FRUIT.

It has been confirmed that the assassination of Archbishop Maximilian, the regicide of the Empress and King of Germany, and the attempted regicide of King Maximilian were the result of a SINGLE FOREIGN PLOT. These VILE ASSASSINS, though they did not know each other's purposes, received instructions and succor from the same hand. 

The brave and intuitive investigators lend support to the repeated and almost HYSTERICAL claims of the KING OF FRANCE that he HAD NO PART IN THE ASSASSINATIONS. It seems that the French, for all their perfidy and deviousness, DID NOT TRY TO MURDER ROYAL WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

It now seems CERTAIN that the MURDEROUS PUPPETMASTER was THE KINGDOM OF PRUSSIA, THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND, OR THE FRENZIED SARDINIAN REPUBLIC. That agents representing these three states STALKED THE EMPIRE at the time of the murders and that each was positioned to take advantage of the assassinations IS KNOWN. The heads of these states have many questions to answer if they do not wish to be branded REGICIDES.

A CLUE HAS ALSO BEEN DISCOVERED. It is now understood the MOST DEVILISH EXTRACT, OPIUM, was a KEY PART of the assassin's tools. It seems clear to investigators that the ASSASSIN'S OPIUM is from the same source that has been plaguing the EAST INDIES. It would seem that our culprit is not only a MURDERER, but a DRUG PEDDLER as well. The assistance of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Ottoman Empire has been requested so as to find the source of the opium.

A REWARD of TWO HUNDRED POUNDS OF SILVER AND ENNOBLEMENT is offered to any individual who provides information leading to the discovery of the mastermind.

Further details will be published when known...

Due to the requirements of the investigation and current issues around papal investiture, the Archbishopric of Cologne and its associated territories are placed under the administration of the IMPERIAL DIET until the investigation of the ARCHBISHOP MAXIMILIAN's ASSASSIN is concluded and a suitable bishop who will not INFLAME THE PASSIONS of the Empire has been selected.

That great composer, WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART, has been commissioned to create A REQUIEM TO THE DECEASED EMPRESS AND KING OF GERMANY, so as to mark their passing and preserve the memory of their lives.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

It is His Sacred and Imperial Majesty Sultan Abdul Hamid Han's will the Austrians shall receive a complete cooperation from the Ottoman State.

[DKrol]

The Sino-Franco Economic Treaty of 1786

1. The Kingdom of France is recognized as a respected trading partner of the Qing dynasty.

2. The only port ships of French origin will be allowed to dock in is Yangjiang, on the South China Sea. If any ship of French origin attempts to dock and remove cargo at any other port, this treaty will be null and void.

3. French merchants will remove their cargo from their ships, and it will then be inspected by Chinese officials to ensure no illicit materials are being brought into China. Once approved by inspectors, the goods will be sold by Chinese merchants across the country on behalf of the French merchants.

4. Of the income from the sale of French goods, 45% will be returned to the French merchants. 25% will be given to the Chinese merchants and 30% will be taken in as a tax on the imported goods.

5. No French merchant or sailor will be allowed to travel outside of the city of Yangjiang without a special grant of movement from the Viceroy of Liangguang. Any merchant or sailor found to have traveled outside of Yangjiang without a grant of movement will be subject to immediate execution.

[windjammer]

The Sino-Franco Economic Treaty of 1786

1. The Kingdom of France is recognized as a respected trading partner of the Qing dynasty.

2. The only port ships of French origin will be allowed to dock in is Yangjiang, on the South China Sea. If any ship of French origin attempts to dock and remove cargo at any other port, this treaty will be null and void.

3. French merchants will remove their cargo from their ships, and it will then be inspected by Chinese officials to ensure no illicit materials are being brought into China. Once approved by inspectors, the goods will be sold by Chinese merchants across the country on behalf of the French merchants.

4. Of the income from the sale of French goods, 45% will be returned to the French merchants. 25% will be given to the Chinese merchants and 30% will be taken in as a tax on the imported goods.

5. No French merchant or sailor will be allowed to travel outside of the city of Yangjiang without a special grant of movement from the Viceroy of Liangguang. Any merchant or sailor found to have traveled outside of Yangjiang without a grant of movement will be subject to immediate execution.

xKingLouisXVI

[windjammer]

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xLouisXVI

[ASPN]

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x Prime Minister Louis-Philippe de Vaudreuil

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

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[Wikipedia delenda est]

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X Paul, Emperor of Russia

[YPestis25]

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x Gustav III, King of Scandinavia

[Wikipedia delenda est]

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x Gustav III, King of Scandinavia

x Paul, Emperor of Russia

[Blair]

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[Chancellor Tanterterg]

“We were never under any illusions that the Antichrist would sit peacefully on the sidelines during the war between God and the Avignonian devil.  England’s actions come as no surprise and are plainly little more than a pretense to begin a bloodthirsty purge of all Catholics from Ireland.  The Holy People’s Republic is but a citadel of Christ; strike one of us down and two more shall rise to take his place.  All of European Christendom knows the Avignonian Devil Gregory to be little more than Lucifer in human form.  

Live or die, I am but one humble servant of Christ and if He wishes me to return to Him, be it by British bullets or French schemes, then I shall go gladly.  I would only implore every Catholic to fight to the death against the Avignonian Church of Satan and its Protestant Pagan allies - led by the English Antichrist himself - who would see Rome burn if they could rule the ashes.  We must fight Avignonians in the streets and the hills, at land and sea until these servants of Satan realize that nowhere in the world will ever be safe for them while even a single Catholic draws breath.  May His will be done!”  - Pietro Verri

[Dereich]

The Vienna Standard

AN UPDATE

On the REGICIDE INVESTIGATION which nears a conclusion

Since the publication of the first announcement, the Republic of Poland has been open and forthright with the investigation. The Republic is now no longer considered a likely suspect. Avid investigation has also revealed that the assassins WERE NOT Savonarola Brigade Terrorists.

It can now be reported that through the work of multiple independent investigations the producer of the ASSASSIN'S OPIUM is found. The opium, used to hide the killer's true name and purpose, was grown in the distant DURRANI KINGDOM. It is also all but confirmed that the opium was refined and sold in the city of KARACHI. Avid readers of the Standard will know that the KINGDOM OF PRUSSIA recently came into possession of the city of Karachi. As the investigation closes in on the truth, the Prussians look more and more like they are up to their old, bloody tricks. 

The investigation enters its final phase...

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

His grief understandable, but we appeal to His Imperial Highness Joseph II not to make accusations unless an unbeatable proof is obtained and presented to the world to judge.

[Lumine]

Declaration from Berlin:

Out of respect to the unmistakable grief that His Majesty the Emperor must be suffering after a vile act, we have refrained from commenting on his first accusations, which based only on mere speculation of motive could be understood to come as a result of the shock from the tragedy. We cannot refrain from letting wild acussations go unanswered this time.

For all of these reckless acussations, His Majesty the Enperor plays the dangerous game of blame with nothing but circumstancial and unproven claims which in no way demonstrate Prussian involvement, which we deny now and forever. His Majesty has a clean conscience on this matter, his only concern being of foreign agents taking advatange of past rivalry with Vienna to lay blame where there is no proif of Prussian involvement.

We can accept the effects of grief as explaining this reckless publication, but we are confident in our own innocence, and hopeful that the real culprit will be found and brought to justice for his crimes.

[Donerail]

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x Tadeusz Kościuszko, President of the Republic

[Dereich]

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Joseph II Hapsburg

[Donerail]

I, Tadeusz Kościuszko, President of the Polish-Lithuanian Republic, hereby extends an offer to serve as an impartial mediator in the present schism within the Catholic Church.

As a result of the present security crisis in Europe, this summit is hereby canceled. Given the recent wave of assassinations, we cannot risk the instability that would come if an assassin successfully targeted a large gathering of the world's leaders. While we are confident of our ability to provide security against such violence, we respect the prudence of various heads of state in their desire to be as secure as possible in these troubled times.

[Spamage]

1786 News

The Death of the Holy People’s Republic
Demise of Verri and Catholic Chaos

St. Peter's Basilica Following the Great Fire of Rome

     1786 would indeed prove to be a pivotal point in the history of the Sardinian Revolution, marked by a series of defeats and the death of the leader of the Catholic Republicans. Finally, after years living under terror, the conservative forces in Italy would stand up and fight back. With foreign armies present, cities destroyed and thousands dead, it has been said by many that Italy has been scarred more in four years of fighting than Germany was in thirty.

Destruction of Rome

    The holiest city of Catholicism was bound to be the site of conflict as the war continued, the French-Neapolitan Army having attempted to seize it the previous year. Indeed, Louis XVI ordered a massive assault, moving his northern army south and thereby sparing Turin and Piedmont in order to recapture the Vatican. The massive French army approached from the north, intentionally burning and sacking the countryside to deter the Sardinians from following them, as the Neapolitan-Spanish-French-Austrian coalition force came from the south. They would arrive to find a major crisis.
     In the Eternal City a series of terrible fires and explosions broke out throughout the start of a day in early May. It soon became apparent St. Peter’s Basilica and the whole of the Vatican were demolished or engulfed in flames, destroying thousands of years’ worth of art, culture, and history, hundreds of Catholic clergy dying in the blast and flames. Pope Benedict XVII was nowhere to be found. Indeed, many historical sites have been irreparably damaged. The Colosseum, already damaged by fanatics in the previous year as a “pagan site”, has fully imploded, St. John Lateran burned out leaving a stone skeleton, and the Pantheon was no more, damaged by gunpowder explosions. Gunshots followed the initial blasts, a conservative reaction against the Holy People’s Republic finally breaking out in significant numbers as Romans rallied to defend their city, building barricades and burrowing in. In brutal house to house and block by block fighting, the Sardinians slaughtered the partisans. Yet, in the chaos, there had been little management of the fires throughout the city. By the time the French and allies entered the scene, quickly overpowering the local Savornola Brigades and Sardinian garrison, much of Rome was victim to the flames. Only a concerted effort by the armies to manage the blaze, involving the demolition of even more blocks of Roman history, contained the Great Fire of Rome.
     When it was thought events could not get worse and the situation was contained, the French and Neapolitan soldiers unleashed their fury. Naples has been the scene of harsh fighting early on. They inflicted their revenge on the Romans. Houses were looted, chapels damaged, and civilians terrorized. The fury of the soldiers from France was more targeted. Staunch Gregorian loyalists, Benedictine clergy were chased through the streets and murdered. Even with the protests of the French General’s staff, the men could not be commanded. Monks and nuns were slaughtered in the chaos, their vows viewed as false when they had backed the wrong pope. The Eternal City is said to be at its lowest point since shortly following the Italian Wars of the sixth century.
     As to who was responsible for the blast, that would initially be an open question. Survivors placed the blame on a wide variety of individuals. The French were accused of destroying the city via intrigue in order to ensure Gregory XVI would remain firmly under their control. Naturally the Sardinians were the next suspects, considering what would happen in Turin, Avignon, and Venice. Some saw the partisans as likely being the source of the destruction, using the chaos to organize a rebellion. There was even one piece of parchment recovered placing the blame squarely on a foreign conspiracy involving Great Britain and Persia.
     Whatever the case, the level of damage cannot be understated. St. Peter’s grave and burial site of Popes dating back centuries are lost forever. The Sistine Chapel, Vatican Archives, ancient Roman ruins, and so much of the history of the Catholic Church is lost and will never be recovered. This is not to mention the countless Romans who lost their lives that fateful day, killed in the flames, fighting, or blasts. Some have alleged this is the most serious blow to the Catholic Church since the Reformation. Rome has been thrown back centuries, refugees pouring out into the countryside as some fear for the future of Italy.
     The city is under firm allied control, though it was noted shortly after the situation was stabilized that the level of opposition has been shockingly low. Where could the main Roman army have fled?

The Great Escape

    To the north a very different development would take place, with equal importance as the events in Rome.  The French, launching staged decoy invasions across the Alps and against Genoa did not foresee how far Sardinia-Piedmont was willing to go. Even with word of approaching French forces across the Alps, Verri demanded a different campaign. His men were smuggled onto the Mediterranean, sailed under the cover of darkness west, and embarked near Marseilles. Landing, with the French fleet out conducting a decoy raid on Genoa, they swept north before word could be spread. There was little doubt where they were headed, Louis XVI having left France mostly undefended save for garrisons. A quick march caught Avignon off-guard. Pope Gregory XVI was saying mass when word reached him of the Sardinian army outside the gates of the city. Even with his expanded guard, there was little that could be done. Though messengers were sent to the Army of the Alps, by the time they arrived it would be too late.
     Quickly being taken into custody, a group of Sardinian clerics immediately set about holding a trial of Pope Gregory. Under the charge of being a conspirator of Satan, if not an outright incarnation of the devil, it was determined that the Pope would be burned. If he lived he would be a clearly an ally of the devil and immediately dispatched. If he died, he would be proven mortal. Dragged out into Avignon in the middle of the day, there was little doubt what would happen. Gregory XVI, the French claimant of the Papacy, was burned at the stake in Avignon. What followed, similar to in Rome, would be a brutal purge of clergy. Cardinals, bishops, and common priests found at Avignon were given the opportunity to repent and executed regardless of which option they chose. Avignon was then put to the torch, the Sardinians marching south and inflicting similar terrors upon Marseilles.
     Following their assault on Marseilles, the Army of the Alps returned. At the Battle of Marseilles, the Sardinians, bloated with all the looting and high on victory, were unorganized and defeated by the more numerous French, losing a sizeable number of soldiers in the defeat. Though a portion of the army would flee the field west, when news arrived of developments in Turin, they would lay down their arms. Events were evolving rapidly…

Death Throes of the Republic

    Pietro Verri was founded dead alone in his room in early June. With a gunshot wound on the side of his skull, controversy exploded His supporters alleged it was a murder by the Gregorians, producing a letter he supposedly was in the midst of writing when he was shot, one supposedly revealing the true culprit in the Habsburg assassinations, though he died before it could be completed. His opponents have alleged that the President committed suicide, unable to face the consequences of his actions.
     Turin then would descend into crisis. As in Rome, moderates and conservatives would seek to seize back the government following the death of their oppressor. They had been silenced by four years of harsh majoritarian rule. Even so, the zeal of the Republicans was not to be underestimated. When it became clear that the conservatives were better armed than expected, the Savornola Brigades engaged in a vicious campaign of terror. The city was devastated, fighting continuing for several days before the radicals were overwhelmed and committed mass-suicide. Churches were destroyed rather than letting them fall into the hands of the enemy. The conservatives who seized power immediately declared the House of Savoy restored, claiming that the Kingdom of Sardinia was back in power. Benedetto of Savoy, brother of the executed Victor Amadeus, has been named King by this improvised government, which has sought to reach a peace with France, Austria, and Naples. Of course, with Benedetto in Vienna, it will be up to the major powers to determine if he is to get the throne or if it will fall to someone else.
     Recognizing the situation, most soldiers in the People’s Republic, however devout, laid down their arms as the new government has surrendered. In the countryside the removal of the government in Turin would provoke widespread guerilla fighting. Those still loyal to the ideas of Catholic Republicanism have fled into the alps of into Sardinia, which has rejected the new regime in Turin and where fighting against the Spanish continues. It seems France, Austria, and Naples will determine the fate of the entire peninsula.
      Even with Verri’s death, his orders would still be followed. Reportedly, in a fit of fury prior to his suicide, he had ordered a wide series of assassinations, ranging from Gregorian prelates to royal families. Most plots would fail due to poor planning and a hastily constructed network, but several would succeed. George William, the 23-year-old Duke of York and second son of George III, died suddenly. An Irish servant was later found to be responsible. In France, several cardinals were assassinated in Paris throughout the summer.

The Tenth Crusade

    As to where Pope Benedict had gone, that question would soon be answered. Abandoning Rome, the Pope was coerced by the Sardinian Army to engage in an act of sheer madness. Forced to proclaim the “Tenth Crusade”, the Pope left little doubt where he was headed. Fleeing from Italy via the Adriatic, the Army of Rome and Pope Benedict were next sighted off the coasts of Palestine. Landing in the region, with limited supplies and widespread confusion, the Ottoman garrisons were initially quite stunned and slow to react. The Sardinians used this as an opportunity to strike, pushing inland towards Jerusalem. Fighting reached the holy city in the heat of August. In the Battle of Jerusalem, Sardinian forces overwhelmed over half of the city, but resistance was fierce. There was no local Catholic population to rally to their side. The local Christians, from eastern branches, joined with the Muslims and Jews in a bitter campaign of resistance. When the Sardinian forces reached the old city, smashing down the Wailing Wall and moving against the Dome of the Rock, it was too much. A massive mob swarmed the Italians, who were running low on ammunition, fatigued, and unprepared for the level of fervor from the defenders. Pope Benedict XVII was drug through the streets following an embarrassing capture and hung outside the doors of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The remaining Sardinians would slowly be forced back into a narrow area of the city. When they surrendered they were promised safe conduct, a ruse that caused them to give up their arms before they were slaughtered by the vengeful locals.
     While the loss of the Wailing Wall is a terrible act and one that may never be forgiven, some point out that at least the Dome of the Rock was saved. Even so, with the Ottomans still in control at the end of the year, it seems the Tenth Crusade was yet another failure for the West. Perhaps the era of Holy Warfare has finally reached its conclusion, a Pope and his followers slaughtered in the streets of Jerusalem.

Fate of Venice

    Following the murder of Carli and the occupation of Venice by the Sardinians, the situation was one of disarray. A rump Senate convened at Verona in order to elect a new Doge and declare war on Sardinia-Piedmont. This body did not have the legitimacy of the full senate though, with most members either arrested, in other parts of the Republic, or dead. These men were not their forefathers and following several days of talks it was clear no one really wanted to take up the title of Doge.
     The Venetian nobles, long shut out of true power and resentful of the reforms enacted decades ago, saw the conservative wind in Rome and Turin as an opportunity. They declared Alessandro Loredan, a distant relation of the reformist Doge, as their new leader. Rallying the military to his side, he privately vowed to restore the old Republic in the name of stability.
     The people of Venetian Italy, on the other hand, believed it was time for a presidential system. Paolo Renier, long identified with the reformist faction, was declared “President of Venice”. He in turn vowed to further reform the Republic and root out remaining evidence of noble privilege.
     In the midst of their squabbling, both sides would ignore two major developments. In Venice itself, the city would be systematically looted and devastated by the occupiers. The Venetian navy that had not been out at sea was put to the torch while building after building was severely damaged. St. Mark’s Cathedral was destroyed, bricks being kept by Sardinians as souvenirs. In Illyria, meanwhile, the locals overthrew Venetian officials and declared the “Republic of Illyria”, vowing full independence. Both developments have challenged the idea that the Republic will ever be able to recover.
     Thus, Venice is in a three-way civil war, with the capitol itself damaged and looted by the Sardinians. Refugees pour out of the area as some are openly calling for external aid. Will the situation recover?

Future of Italy

    With the Sardinian Revolution seeming to be at an end, the fate of Italy must ultimately be considered. The war has severely challenged the old order and it is unlikely that if all the old regimes were put back into power that the situation would be stable. Indeed, most observers see the Revolution as having wiped Italy clean, creating a blank slate that can be reorganized. The House of Savoy is on the verge of extinction, while the D’Estes of Modena have been wiped out entirely. The Papal States, created by the Carolingian Empire centuries ago, are firmly in the hands of the Austrian-French coalition. Furthermore, the Throne of St. Peter is vacant, no clear path forward for electing a new pontiff when both of the claimants have died violently. The Republic of Genoa is gone and the Republic of Venice has collapsed into civil war. Politically, there are many decisions to be made.
     The cultural loss of the Revolution is immeasurable. The destruction of Rome, Venice, Turin, and Avignon means that countless valuable pieces of art, architecture, and history have been lost forever. Italy, once seeming to be the wealthiest and most culturally rich areas of Europe, now could become a backwater. Demographically too, these next few years will be a challenge for the Italian states, though it is likely they will recover as they have in the past.
    What ought not to be ignored is a new sentiment that this whole war ignited. Italians throughout the peninsula have begun to recognize their common identity. Whereas individuals once thought of themselves as Roman, Pisan, Genoese, etc., the displacement of mass groups of Italians has mixed populations that would not otherwise encounter one another. Most have begun to see they are far more similar than different, a stunning development that could undermine attempts to keep the region divided long-term. Indeed, this extends into Austrian and Venetian lands as well, where some conservatives from Piedmont, Genoa, and the Papal States fled in the early part of the war. Italianism may have just been born. With this sentiment, or ones like it, spread elsewhere?

The Great Eastern War
Victory for Safavids in Afghanistan!
Ismail III and Dynasty Captured by Ottomans/Prussians!

War in the East

    The Chinese withdrew half of their forces, sending them back to the Middle Kingdom to fight the White Lotus rebels. Even so, with around 25,000 men still committed, their presence was a tremendous aid to the Durrani. When word reached them that the Persians were marching to break the siege of Kabul, a hurried assault was launched. In the fighting the Safavid soldiers were defeated and roughly half of the Durrani heirs were recaptured. The Durrani Sultan was glad to have his children back even though some remained in Persian custody, being covertly escorted to Ishfahan. Other events would occupy the Sultan’s attention for the time being, though.
     At the Battle of Farah, the Safavid-Austrian force, bolstered by the arrival of reinforcements, would defeat the Durrani-Qing Army, which then retreated towards the mountains. Indeed, it was the victory the Persians had been seeking, providing the potential for future gains. They would be unable to follow up on their victory though, when word reached them of terrifying developments from the west…

Ottoman-Prussian Invasion

    Sultan Abdul Hamid decided to get the Ottoman Empire involved in the conflict. Moving decisively to occupy Arab areas of the Empire, the local Safavid garrisons were caught off guard and quickly made to surrender when 40,000 men crossed the border in southern Iraq. A sizeable Ottoman force pushed into Ahvaz and Dezful, capturing the cities. The locals, already angered at the Shah for his religious pretentions, offered no resistance. Though Ottoman rule was not desirable, many suspected that Persia would retain its independence in some form. To the north, the Ottomans would also ignite Azerbaijani rebellions in their favor. Under the banner of expelling the Persians and restoring a greater degree of local autonomy, the people have sworn loyalty to Istanbul. Persian rule in the region is looking highly shaky.
     The Kingdom of Prussia would expand its involvement in conjunction with the Ottoman intervention. First Prussian ships began to cut off the trade between Persia and the rest of the world by closing off the Straits of Hormuz. This prevented part of the Austrians reinforcements from arriving in Persia, being forced to land with the other army at Karachi rather than face a naval battle.
     Next, a sizeable shelling of the Safavid ports began. One by one the Persian strongholds surrendered, Prussian control continuously being expanded at the expense of the Persians. Following suitable attacks, the Prussian Expeditionary Force joined up with the Ottomans and marched on the capitol. Ismail III had little time to prepare. With a limited garrison, most men off fighting in the east, he attempted to flee the capitol with his family. The treachery of unhappy subjects would prove to be his undoing. The Shah’s carriage was sabotaged and his movement slowed. A group of Ottoman riders took him and his family into custody, effectively ending Safavid independence for the second time. While his generals in the east would remain loyal to his memory, there is little that can be done. The fate of the Sultan now rests in the hands of the Prussians and Ottomans.

Karachi Mystery

    The Karachi expedition would actually prove highly fruitful. The sizeable Habsburg force landed outside of the city, narrowly avoiding Prussian patrols. Within days the port settlement was put under siege and it had surrender after two weeks, blockaded by land and sea. The Austrians would then set about occupying Karachi and conducting a thorough investigation into the origin of the Opium that had drugged the would-be Imperial Assassins. They have alleged that this was not an act of war against Prussia, as the city is technically a Durrani settlement.
     It was less than a week before alleged Prussian documents were seized revealing Frederick William’s realm to be involved with the illicit Dutch East Indies Opium trade. Books cataloging shipments have been recovered alongside supposed evidence of Prussian orders for the murder of Joseph II and his family.
     This, of course, has not stopped some in Prussia from asserting that the evidence is forged. First of all, why would the King of Prussia send such important matters such as an alleged assassination order out of a port halfway around the world? As for the opium shipments, this too has been alleged to be easily falsified, Prussian diplomats viewing such intimations as outright insults. Whatever the case, Vienna may attempt to claim this as a “smoking gun”, even if there are legitimate questions about the origins of this “evidence” ….