Good Morning!

[Wiregeek]

I think this started when Valles commented that his new ships were going to be significantly faster than the competition, and he was worried about out-ranging his forward bases.

In all innocence, I asked him why he didn't just make fast oilers and colliers to keep up with his new Long Legs platform..   and the rest was history.

After several discussions regarding it, and an interruption by dental surgery, I have signed up for Navalism.

I find the basic premise of Navalism to be quite intriguing, and the support software (Springsharp) wonderful toy. This will be my first entry into 'Sim' work, as such, though I have some experience with computer-assisted starship and battlemech design that should come in handy.


The only questions I have remaining are twofold - first (and most importantly), what is the expected frequency of HY in Real World Time?

Secondly, China is available - would I be eligible to step into Empress Longyu's delicate bound foot slippers, or would I be expected to slide into place behind the imposing moustache of Kaiser Wilhelm, or break new ground as the incredibly manly Ludwig III of Bavaria?

My personal preference in that matter is to take over the Middle Kingdom itself - I feel that a new foreign policy and a strong leader could revitalize that nation, securing it's borders and bringing it the peace and plentitude that it's people deserve.

Failing that, I would be very amenable to either the DKB or Bavaria.


As always, the moderators have the call on this, and regardless of their decision, I'm pleased to be here! Navalism is an exciting thing, I'm happy to be part of it!

[Borys]

Ahoj!
Wellcome aboard!
You can also be the White Flame Dancing on the Mounds of His Enemies, the Shah-in-Shah of Persia. Or the Moghul himself. Or the Grand Duke of Kiev.

The expected - and occasionaly acheived - frequency of HY reports is one per fortnight.

Any further help you need - just holler!
Borys

[The Rock Doctor]

Howdy!

Welcome to Navalism, and sorry to hear about the dental surgery.

The ideal rate of progress here is one half-year per two weeks of real time.  We have not done too well at attaining it, and now that a new war has broken out, we will most assuredly go slower.  Hopefully, however, not too badly.

China is available, but there had been some concern that it was potentially too large and powerful as is.  The other Mods and I would need to discuss whether or not it'd be better to pare China down to the equivalent of the major player powers.

DKB, Bavaria, New Switzerland, and Ukraine are all options; I had been pushing along DKB after its founding player left, so it's essentially a "turn-key" situation.  

Drop me a line if you have any questions...

J

[Phoenix]

I wouldn't mind handing over China since I can't play the Middle Kingdom anymore (the old hands know the reasons). But Wiregeek, you'd better touch up on your knowledge of Chinese history. 8) Longyu is a Manchu and Manchu women's feet were never bound. The Empress-Dowager has a nice size 7 thank you very much.

If you need my files for reference on how it was played on the old forum and this one (I saved all of my stories), the boat archive (including what Springsharp files I have) and some helpful advice, feel free to ask. Use a personal message because I don't visit the forum that often anymore (although Maddox keeps me informed of important matters). The mods want to make the country smaller, I would like to be consulted on how to do this story-wise if we can (I may be able to have some time for this) and give you some input or ideas. (After all, we're talking my brain-child here.)
The Emperor is coming of age. Hmmm...  ;D ;D ;D

[The Rock Doctor]

Your input would certainly be welcomed...

[Borys]

Ahoj!
A North-South split is quite natural. The Huag-ho and the Yang-tze Valleys.
The North eats noodles and the people call themslves the Han.
The South eats rice and people call themslves the Tang.

Borys

[Phoenix]

Oh drat, it's been so long since I played here... forgot I changed the history since the old forum and the Manchus never reigned here. So Longyu does have a splendid pair of Golden Lotuses (bound feet) !!!

[Wiregeek]

A North-South split is quite natural. The Huag-ho and the Yang-tze Valleys.

Which leaves me with quite a chunk of the Middle Kingdom left, and frees up the northeastern plains to follow their own destiny..  I'd argue for the inclusion of the Tibetan Plateau into the boundaries of the Greater Middle Kingdom, after the misguided provinces of the North and Northeast have departed from the golden light of the Heavenly Mandate...

Oh drat, it's been so long since I played here...

Humanity is a very common failing...    ;D

[Borys]

Ahoj!

Oh drat, it's been so long since I played here... forgot I changed the history since the old forum and the Manchus never reigned here. So Longyu does have a splendid pair of Golden Lotuses (bound feet) !!!

Chinese men hailed the aphrodisiac like effects of the wiff of rotting flesh of bound feet!

Borys

[Korpen]

My personal preference in that matter is to take over the Middle Kingdom itself - I feel that a new foreign policy and a strong leader could revitalize that nation, securing it's borders and bringing it the peace and plentitude that it's people deserve.

Failing that, I would be very amenable to either the DKB or Bavaria.

First: Welcome :)

Well, I for one would love to see a player taking up Bavaria, so I will make a sales pitch for it. :)
As some comments here indicate, playing the middle kingdom would require quite a bit of fiddling and world building. But the main "problem" I feel is that Asia does not really have allot of players in it, so there is a risk of isolation.
Bavaria on the other hand is the balance player of Europe (a continent were almost all countries have players); it has a large economy and a strategic positions that allows it allot of control over events. It also have some pretty unique strategic problems and possibilities, such as the fact that most of its overseas trade is conducted from other countries sea ports and therefore have very little need of sea lane protection but great need for army co-operation.

But the main reason in my mind is that it would help to "fill up" Europe, giving much more scope for interesting player interactions. One problem we have had in my mind is that there have basically only been two-three players active in every area of operations (such as Asia, Europe and the Americas), and that that limits everyone's diplomatic options (and if one of those leave, the area goes dead).

Lederhosen is not required to play Bavaria. ;)

[Borys]

Ahoj!
Bavaria has a slight drawback of being a bit squeezed between the Baltic Confederation, France, Italy and the Habsburgs. Geography brings about either a very landbased policy, limited to Centre-West Europe and the Med.  So, occasions for player-vs-player itneractio are plentiful, but their scope limited. IMO.
The DKB on the other hand is a Power with much more far-flung (and larger) resources. It has OTL New Zealand, North Vietnam, part of Niu Guini, some Indian Ocean Islands (with the picturesque port of Vogeldreck), Kenya and Aden.  Here your ineracting players will be fewer, but stil quite a few:
- the Nederlands (Nederlands Ost Indien);
- Italy - various holdings in East Africa;
- the malevolent, scheming Elders of Zion;
- the powerful Republic of Orange, a mix of Dutch Boers and Hungarian Calvinists;

Looking the other way, across the Pacific, you have, clockwise:
- the Empire of Japan, inactive unless proded;
- the ageless Empire of the Eorlingas, the Riddermarks, also know as Rohan;
- the dynamic republic of the Normanns who wished to be free from te opression of kings, the CSA;
- the dynastic republic of Gra Colombia, one of the greatest Powers;
- the Republic of Peru, quietly building its mighty in the fog kissed sands in the shadow of the Andes;
- the enigmatic Maori flexing their muscles under their glossy, swarthy skins;
- the Philippines, enjoying prosperity and peace as part of the Iberian Empire;

Am I waxing lyrical?
:D

Just as outlined by Korpen, the Han or the Tang wouldbe a bit of a backwater ATM. But if you want to camp for 8-10 years and build afleet, it might be a good choice.

I shamelessly admit that for my personal reasons, I'd try to sell Ucraina to you (which here stretches between the Black and Baltic Sea).

IMO DKB is the most attractive of free countries.

Borys

[Borys]

Ahoj!
I almost forgot - the DKB would also interact with the Baltic Confedaration, which has holdings on the Indian Subcontinent. And the 800lbs Gorilla of N-Verse, Glorious France.

Borys

[Wiregeek]

I must admit to the attractions of both Bavaria and the DKB, but do any of them have women with mutilated feet? I think not!

Currently leaning towards Southern China, or Tang China, but the DKB is a strong secondary.

Awaiting Moderator input, of course.

[Walter]

- the Empire of Japan, inactive unless proded;

"- the Empire of Japan, player's mind blocked and lacking ideas" sounds a bit better to me. :D

[Korpen]

Ahoj!
Bavaria has a slight drawback of being a bit squeezed between the Baltic Confederation, France, Italy and the Habsburgs. Geography brings about either a very landbased policy, limited to Centre-West Europe and the Med.  So, occasions for player-vs-player itneractio are plentiful, but their scope limited. IMO.

In the end that depends on what ones ambitions are. The fact Bavaria is mainly a land power does have the side-effect of giving a player total freedom in how to build a navy. Considering the situation in Europe, Bavaria is in a position to yield enormous influence there.
The DKB is a much more stand-offish country, it is less involved in any particular area, and deal with other states on a very arms-length basis. One can say that Bavaria plays in a higher stakes environment. It also got much less baggage to drag along then the DKB, giving a player much more scope to creat his /her own destiny.

I shamelessly admit that for my personal reasons, I'd try to sell Ucraina to you (which here stretches between the Black and Baltic Sea).

I would also like to see a player Ukraine, but for very much the opposite reason. :)