Steam and Steel: AltHist. Victorian STGOD

Adrian Laguna · Post by **Adrian Laguna** » 2006-10-05 05:03pm

Whoa, new page. I'm so taking advantage of this.

An Abriged History of the Philippines

The Independence of the Philippines

In the years leading-up to the Great War, Spain suffered from much political turmoil. In 1830 King Fernando VII de España, finding himself with no male heir, issued a Pragmatic Sanction that would allow his eldest daughter to become reigning Queen upon his death. In 1833, Fernando died, and his wife Maria Cristina de Borbon-Dos Sicilias became regent on behalf of their infant daughter Isabel II.

The Pragmatic Sanction had robbed Carlos María Isidro de Borbón, Fernando's brother, of his title as Principe de Asturias. Capitalizing on resentment among conservatives against Ferninand's recent liberal reforms, he styled himself Carlos V and set off to war. During the seven-year conflict, the Carlists dominate large rural areas but fail to capture a single important city, port, or industrial area. Naturally, they lose.

In 1845, Carlos V abdicates in to his son Carlos Luis de Borbón, who takes the title of Carlos VI and initiates the Second Carlist War when Isabel II does not marry him. It was more of a failure than the first, consisting mostly of guerrilla actions in the East of the country that accomplished nothing. Fighting lasted from 1846-'49.

In 1860, Carlos V is taken prisoner and abdicates to his younger brother Juan, who takes the title Juan III. What would have become the Third Carlist War is engulfed into the myriad of wars and conflicts known simply as the Great War. In terms of military gains, the Third Carlist War was considerably more successful than the other two. However, in terms of still having a pretender to throne after they lost, it was a spectacular failure. By the end of it, the Carlists are charred and rotting corpses, strewn across battlefields in Eastern Spain and Southwestern France.

The turmoil and chaos of the Great War caused many monarchs to lose their heads, both figuratively and literally. In an attempt to preserve the Spanish Burbon line and crown, should the worst happen, Isabel II sent her eldest daughter to the Philippines. In 1867, the young Isabel arrives and takes control of the colony in the name of her mother the Queen. Sent there to establish a place to retreat to in the event of Spain's fall, the Infanta takes nominal control of all Spanish oriental units and begins to consolidate her authority over the Philippines. This effectively makes them semi-autonomous.

By the late 1870s, Europe is still burning. In Spain, Isabel II and most of the Burbon family lies dead. Alfonso XII, Prince of Asturias, takes the Spanish crown. Spain, like most of Europe, has been devastated by endless war; the scraps of its Empire in the West were lost when the War Between the States spilled into Caribbean; however, the colonies in the Eastern Indies continue to hold under the able leadership of Isabel. Against the councel of his advisors, Alfonso sends word to his older sister that he, as her King, orders her to declare the Philippines and other oriental colonies independent from Spain and install herself as their Queen. On the 11-year anniversary of her arrival, the Phillipine General Court approves the Infanta's claim to the title of Isabel III, Queen of the Philippines.

Interlude

In the early 1800s, a member of the Nipponese noble family Saionji found himself yearning for adventure and excitement. Nipponese tradition and culture emphasizes duty and honor, but some people are unperturbed by even the strongest of societal bounds. This young man, named Raizo, decided that doing the duties expected of him was not the kind of life he wanted to lead. Determined to forge his own destiny, he simply left his home and homeland, leaving behind only a short letter explaining why.

The next two decades of this Raizo's life were certainly full of excitement, action, and adventure. Specifically, the kind of excitement, action, and adventure that is generally illegal and tends to require proficiency in the use of personal weapons. That is not to say he was a complete villain, just that it's hard to (for example) praise the destruction of a slave-trade operation when it was done for fun and profit. Well, at least from moral standpoint. The sheer brilliance of the plan, near perfect coordination of assets, as well as intelligent usage of both rival syndicates and the law as pawns to accomplish objectives is certainly worthy of admiration.

After having enough excitement to last a couple of lifetimes, he decided to settle down. It probably was not a desire for a change of pace, though the life he lead was not well suited for a man pushing 40. The reasons for his retirement from swashbuckling were a beautiful Philippino girl in her mid-20s, and one too many scrapes with death. He married the girl, despite the vociferous objections of her family, and acquired a home in Manila.

The profit margins in certain illegal trades are very high because of the high risk factor. Because of this, Raizo' swashbuckling days had been very profitable. Using the small fortune he had amassed, Raizo entered the world of business, a world that he found many of his skills to be very well suited to. He began to invest in the growing coal mining industry in Luzon, as well as several other enterprises. As the years wore on, Raizo's wealth and power grew. It wasn't long before his wife's family was praising her for finding such a good husband.

Raizo spent the rest of his days running his business, occasionally using his influence in politics, and enjoying his wealth.

Isabel III

The oldest daughter of Isabel II was an intelligent and able leader. During the years after her arrival to the Philippines, she deftly dealt with diplomatic, economic, and military issues. She is behind the foundation and framework upon which much of the modern industry, government, and society in the Philippines are built.

She did not do this by herself. Many entrepreneurs, government officials, and common people were important contributors to the modernization of the island chain. However, there are two men in particular who are vital to analyzing both Isabel's efforts to modernize the Philippines, and the woman herself. One was a prominent and powerful entrepreneur, the other his son and heir.

It was inevitable that once Isabel got to the Philippines she would meet Raizo Saionji. She was the crown-appointed governor, and he a man of great power and influence. Their interests overlapped in many areas, it would have been impossible for either of them to conduct business without having to deal with the other. They quickly found that it benefited the both of them to work in synergy rather than opposition. Together, they established and secured a great economic and political power base in the island chain.

Raizo put his second son Shiro in charge of negotiating with government and, more importantly, Isabel herself. He even made sure to arrange that the two often met personally to discuss business. It is unclear if he did more than that, but it was not long before Isabel and Shiro were finding excuses to see each other, like personally delivering messages or coming to clarify minor issues, simple things that could have been handled by assistants. Shortly thereafter, they stopped pretending it was all business.

In early 1870, the Infanta Isabel informed Raizo that she was marrying his son. It made him smile, back in Nippon such a thing would have been preposterous. They did not talk for long, but it is not hard to guess what they talked about. The fact of the matter is that Raizo’s machinations were unnecessary, all he needed to do was suggest that Isabel and his son marry, she would have readily agreed. There were obvious net political and economic benefits. However, he preferred his son to marry of his own free will. At the very least, if he didn’t fall in love with Isabel, Shiro would be marrying a friend, a person he liked and got along with. Shiro did fall in love with the brilliant and assertive ruler of the Philippines; it was Isabel who married a friend in the name of political expedience and power consolidation. However, she did grow to love him as the years passed.

The news of the marriage had mixed reactions among the populace. The conservatives and royalists were horrified at seeing a European of royal blood marry an Asian man. Philippinos, particularly those with nationalist inclinations, were elated to see her marry someone who they largely considered one of their own. Her supporters liked the prospect of her getting a firmer grip on the islands, her opponents didn’t. All told, Isabel’s approval rating went down considerably, but there was much partying in the streets.

The Moro Rebellion

The morning of April 11, 1884. As Queen Isabel makes her way to the General Court, a man steps in front of her carriage brandishing a strange flag. When the guards move to apprehend the intruder, a second man rushes the carriage from the side and detonates. Although shaken by the explosion, Isabel is uninjured, her armored carriage able to withstand the explosion and debris. The Queen steps out to help the various injured guards and civilians. A mistake, made evident when a third assailant runs out of the crowd. A sharp-eyed guard sees him first and shoots. The assassin crumples, but as he falls he hurls a package into the air. It tumbles end over end in an arc heading toward the Queen, and then all Hell breaks loose.

Within two hours of the assassination attempt, Llanao del Sur, Maguidanao, and the Sulu Archipelago districts erupt in open rebellion. Armed with knives, swords, spears, and rifles both muzzle and breech-loaded, hordes of peasants attack garrisons and government offices. This is followed by uprisings in the Zamboanga and SuCCSKSarGen provinces. Within days, hours in some places, the Crown’s entire government and military infrastructure in the southeastern parts of the Philippines is in full retreat.

The second bomb exploded in the air a few meters away from the Queen. Some citizens managed to secure a carriage and her guards rushed Isabel to a nearby hospital. Surgeons where able to treat many of her injuries, but the hemorrhaging was too much. She regained full consciousness in time to see her last sunset and say goodbye to her husband and children. Queen Isabel III of the Philippines is declared dead at 7:14 pm.

At 7:17 pm on April 11, 1884, Adrian Luis Alfonso Isabel de Borbón y Saionji, the Queen’s eldest child and chosen successor, bluntly informs everyone that he is now King. His impassive expression belies the previous grief-stricken countenance, and the teary faces of his family. It is widely believed that during the next year and a half he only shows emotion once. After ordering his father to convene the General Court to make the transfer of power official, and telling a trusted aide to deal with the funeral arrangements, the new King leaves the hospital and heads for the Comando Central de las Fuerzas Armadas.

[still incomplete, my Mary-Sue has to put down that rebellion]

Adrian Laguna · Post by **Adrian Laguna** » 2006-10-05 05:07pm

Anyway, what was I gonna say before I realized it was a new page? Oh, right.

When are we going to get our trade bonuses? Which reminds me, I forgot to put my trades in the OOB, whoops.

Straha · Post by **Straha** » 2006-10-05 05:11pm

Crossroads Inc. wrote:What would everyone think of a "News" thread?

Basically someplace to place infomation that isn't diplomatic or toward another nation speccficlly, but something that may still be important for others to know. I wrote something up last night, but couldn't find a good place for it. Basically as if you read the front page news from someones country... That sort of thing.. Should it still go in diplomacy? or maybe a seperate thread?

Just put it in the game thread, basically everything that is anything goes there.

Bugsby · Post by **Bugsby** » 2006-10-05 06:55pm

OOB thread - for nation info.
OOC thread (which I guess this is) - for chat about the game
Diplomacy thread - for, well, diplomacy. Although that is mostly a before-the-game starts thing. Diplomacy thread gets alliances forming and puts everyone on the same page in preparation for the
GAME THREAD - for absolutely everything else

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2006-10-05 09:38pm

Adrian Laguna wrote:Anyway, what was I gonna say before I realized it was a new page? Oh, right.

When are we going to get our trade bonuses? Which reminds me, I forgot to put my trades in the OOB, whoops.

Indeed, what are the trade bonuses supposed to be anyway? Or are they just intangibles?

A-Wing_Slash · Post by **A-Wing_Slash** » 2006-10-05 11:29pm

If I'm constructing a new type of ship from my initial OoB, where do I put the tonnage, points, and other information for the new class?

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2006-10-05 11:37pm

A-Wing_Slash wrote:If I'm constructing a new type of ship from my initial OoB, where do I put the tonnage, points, and other information for the new class?

PM it to a moderator or add it to your OOB? I guess it would depend on whether it's drastically different or not.

Crossroads Inc. · Post by **Crossroads Inc.** » 2006-10-06 01:41am

I'm working on Battle fleets with my ships, and wondering if the following would work as efficent patrole groups.

FlagFleet: x1
1 Battleship
2 Armoured Cruisers
4 Protected Cruiser

HomeGaurd x1
4 Armoured Cruisers
2 Motor Torpedo Boats

Coastal Patrole Group x6
1 Protected Cruiser
5 Torpedo Boat Destroyers
8 Motor Torpedo Boats

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2006-10-06 02:46am

How do we handle such more immaterial benefits as trading lines or shipping lanes? Are they included in the normal points per nation?

Murazor · Post by **Murazor** » 2006-10-06 05:10am

I am still interested, even if I haven't posted anything in several days. My RL things should get somewhat less intense after the weekend. Consider that my nation has closed borders for the time being for some reason I'll have to devise. If by next Wednesday I haven't posted a full OOB, I'd consider it fair if you boot me out of this.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2006-10-06 08:24am

And how will research work? And how will we actually know if we make advances? Will they be random or do we have any sort of control over it?

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2006-10-06 01:10pm

Stormbringer wrote:And how will research work? And how will we actually know if we make advances? Will they be random or do we have any sort of control over it?

Advances are random, you have a better chance of recieving them based on how much you spend on reinvestment. If you get lucky and get an advancement, you'll get your choice of 1-3 tech upgrades; you'll be able to pick 1.

Indeed, what are the trade bonuses supposed to be anyway? Or are they just intangibles?

Trade gives you access to more materials, all of which have tangible benefits. If, at the end of the turn, you have a particularly strong trade situation, you may rtecieve tangible increases to your production.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2006-10-06 05:51pm

Captain Chewbacca:

Your Seajager class don't fit. You've got 115 pts on 90 points of hull. That's illegal. No idea how you want to fix that but I'd suggest just upgrading them 11,500 tons and adjusting your points total.

The Stormbringer class also has a problem. It's 18 points on 12 points of hull. That's my fault in the design I suggested to you. My suggestion there would be to add 200 tons, keep the manuverability and drop the protection. Still give you a decent ship but it won't be quite as tough.

Adrian Laguna · Post by **Adrian Laguna** » 2006-10-06 06:22pm

I've been studying the main map. It seems to be no good for showing things other than nation locations.

The island circled in black is too small, hell all of AWingSlash's islands are a bit off. Island circled in red plain doesn't exist. Islands in green are all suspect.

The three in Green and AWing's land are interesting. One of the green ones should be to the NW, the other two seem to be land-mass stolen from the islands Slash occupies.

Here's a good map of the area. I know we have fictional islands elsewhere, but I happen to like the real life geography of this area better than what the map presents.

Crossroads Inc. · Post by **Crossroads Inc.** » 2006-10-06 06:36pm

I wasn't exactly going for detail on that map.. It's more for showing where we are and what resources we have.

Obviouslly Astute nations must get their own maps of smaller areas.. This is a game of information as well battle.

Adrian Laguna · Post by **Adrian Laguna** » 2006-10-06 06:46pm

It's okay, it serves it's purpose well. Just telling everyone to not study geography from it.

A-Wing_Slash · Post by **A-Wing_Slash** » 2006-10-06 06:48pm

This is the map for my area that I went from for my country. My Islands are the ones circled. Acording to this map, most of the islands Adrian circled don't exist.

Crossroads Inc. · Post by **Crossroads Inc.** » 2006-10-06 06:52pm

Thanks Adrian. Really people shouldn't be using that to plot out courses of action for their nations, there are a lot better and more enlarged thater maps of specific areas.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2006-10-10 09:42pm

Is there still any interest in this?

Post by **Beowulf** » 2006-10-10 09:45pm

Yes. Post something, damn it!

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2006-10-10 09:59pm

Beowulf wrote:Yes. Post something, damn it!

Hard to with out knowing who is actively involved.

But hey, if know one is paying attention I can always make a spectacular land grab....

Post by **Beowulf** » 2006-10-10 10:01pm

Stormbringer wrote:
Beowulf wrote:Yes. Post something, damn it!
Hard to with out knowing who is actively involved.

But hey, if know one is paying attention I can always make a spectacular land grab....

Just don't try and grab something I'm already trying to grab.

Crossroads Inc. · Post by **Crossroads Inc.** » 2006-10-11 01:28am

I just want it known that if theres any problems with my actions in the straighs of Malacca, I am sure Vanas will let me know...

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2006-10-11 02:51am

Uh, Crossroads, why are you putting posts in the diplomacy thread? After start, every post usually, normally, and customary goes into the main thread, named so for a reason...

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2006-10-11 02:59am

Crossroads Inc. wrote:I just want it known that if theres any problems with my actions in the straighs of Malacca, I am sure Vanas will let me know...

Well, for one, the Strait is between peninsular Malaysia (Siam in our case) and Sumatra. I don't know how they'd react if a foreign power was commiting military forces in their territory.