www.navalism.org

While I have a great number of things I would like to write in order to illustrate my vision of Parthia,
I have not been able to find the time or inspiration.

Further, the effort to stoke the fires of the game and get it steaming along again have both
taken substantial time, and moved the game past the start of many of my planned stories.

I wanted to follow the Emperor, Prince Vache and Princess Shirin.
I wanted stories to describe how Parthia has lush valleys, with river weirs backing up the flows, how the ancient forest cover has been mostly retained, how the highlands are grazed, the diversity of peoples, how they dress, act, etc.
I wanted to follow 4 young people through National Service in both military branches and civilian labor to illustrate how it rewards merit...mostly, mixes genders and classes....somewhat, and unifies the nation.
I wanted to follow a retired soldier turned colonist, and what a female surveyor saw in her work in the colonies.
I wanted to follow House Mihran and a cruiser captain's stories as she promoted up through the ranks.
I wanted to show the Eye of the Flame, The Imperial Eye, the Justicars.
I wanted to show how the colonization of Ria de Janerio went badly under House Suren, and how the Parthians removed and punished that Satrap, and installed a new one. 
I wanted to follow a colony through development.
Then I wanted some miscellaneous characters.


I may get there.
But just looking at the list.... I think it's evidence my goals exceed  my time and resources.

So the next several posts will be more Narrative and Descriptive than stories.
Eventually I'll move them to the Parthian Encyclopedia.

Overseas Territories of the Parthian Empire

Background :
The Parthian Empire is a Hydraulic Empire. The Parthian plateau has been coaxed to fertility through careful management of water resources, and the valleys bloom. This stewardship of resources by a competent bureaucracy is a hallmark.

The old traditionalist bureaucracy has many of the flaws one would expect, but long been on the system of tests and promotions and results, and so is actually competent. The nobility and upper classes dominate the upper ranks. This is due to better schooling and family focus, and that the idea that good performance brings honor to the family mean those Nobles who fail to perform will are typically given other jobs by their families. The Zoroastrian threefold path of 'good thoughts, good works, and good deeds' offers official guidance, but human nature means many fall short. Official corruption is seen as both embracing the dark forces of Angra Mainyu, and as a crime against Emperor and people. It has serious penalties up to and including execution of the offender and the stripping of rank and property from the offender's immediate family, or more severe.

Simple medical advances have greatly increased childhood survival. The burgeoning population creates two great problems, the first a foreseeable time when there may not be enough resources, the second is simply jobs. The Parthian empire, with extensive trade links, oil resources, and industry, is heavily exporting goods and the state coffers are full. The Parthian empire can afford to spend funds on capital improvements on a large scale.

Combine that with the publications of western theorists on Integrated Economies for National Prosperity, and Emperor Alexandros V is determined he shall be remembered for creating a thriving nation.

Policies :
The Parthians have set course on two types of holdings.

Strategic :  points to project power, protect their trade and their colonial routes are the first.

Colonial : Large areas of arable land, preferably with few people, for Colonization. Most of these areas are not settled by farming peoples, and so have low population density.

They have wound up with an unanticipated third and fourth.

Conquered States : The Kingdom of Kandy, and the Sultanates of Aceh, Palembang and Brunei have been added to the list of Parthian States. Sophisticated & well populated, they are not useful for colonial expansion, and tie up great numbers of troops.

Protectorates :  The Protectorate of Hawaii was expected,  but that of the Senegambian Kingdoms of Kaabu, and the lesser kingdoms adjacent was not. The Fulanji Jihad against the coast was not considered, and the initiative of the Satrap of the Atlantic islands in sending troops and pledging protection was unforeseen.

Interactions with current owners
The Parthians view their expansion as justified by need and as Right of Conquest.
This does not mean they need to evict the locals, as they hope the locals to be residents in the Empire will gain citizenship.

They expected the existing peoples to have claimed some of the best land, but Parthia has a long history of making less-than-the-best verdant. So the Emperor directed that the existing inhabitants be left in place, and development done on the lands the locals do not already work.

The more sophisticated the government, the more the Parthians will try to leave it in place.
They will dictate the terms, insist on certain "Rights" be recognized, and will insist on being allowed to build infrastructure for mutual improvement, and on schooling. They will form a town council to advise them on if legal changes need to be made, and they will also expend effort to root out corrupt officials. Then they will generally leave the locals alone to make their choices.

They do not tax the locals or compel labor at first. The more sophisticated states are generally feudal in nature, and the Parthians will seize and redistribute land from Nobles who resist to long. Part of that land becomes the Parthian fortified camps, part is set aside for 'state stewardship', but much of the arable land is given to local villages. This tends to bring the nobles to the negotiating table, while making the Parthians popular with the common folk.

The Parthians believe that by focusing on demonstrating what the Parthian state can do well, and by improving conditions they will reduce local resistance and fondness for what had been. The Parthians believe in first demonstrating the benefits, then asking for support.

On Conquest
Parthian conduct of conquest emphasizes sending more troops than you need. In the Pampas of Bahia Blanca, the locals fish and hunt and live in small villages of no more than a couple hundred.  A 1600 strong Parthian Regiment will ride up and encamp nearby.  A civilian and translator will seek the chief.
The Parthians will explain that they have brought a small force, that they plan on conquest, and that if the village would like to surrender, they will go away. They then will explain terms.

For larger towns, more troops in a siege posture may be sent.
Either way, the overall guidance is the Parthians want to be so imposing the locals do not choose battle. Slaughtering people and burning down their towns is viewed as a good way to ensure long term resistance. Show up, be patient, take the surrender, go away, come back with civic improvements.

As part of that, when Noble armies retreat to difficult ground of their choosing... the Parthians do not follow. They withdraw some, surrendering some villages and dig field redoubts, earthen star forts. Dragoon cavalry forces are held in the rear, while scout forces seek the foe.  The Nobles forces will run low on food and are allowed to raid and plunder the villages between, and when the villagers flee, the Parthians provide food and will build new earthen-rammed houses on land redistributed from the Nobles. The Parthians will try to counterstrike and cut off Noble raiding columns. Eventually, if the Nobles fail to come engage, It may be six months, or a year, before the Parthians move to a final conflict with then dispirited and starving Nobles.

After Conquest
Along with the troops come surveyors, engineers, scientists, and particularly botanists & agrarians. Steam engines are used extensively to build roads, earthen forts, and rammed earth bricks for buildings.
The first year after conquest is spent mapping the area. They view it as important to map the areas, recording what is there, what areas have resources, which have arable land, where the rivers and fords are, and what territories the locals have developed and need to have property rights recognized.

The Zoroastrian stewardship ethic dictates that a recognition exists that not all areas are to be developed, and that what is done should be deliberate and planned for the long term. At this stage, places for development, and what is needed is roughly determined. This includes lands which are tillable now, and which need irrigation constructed as dams and quanats take time.  Signs of flooding determine how far from the river the new settlement will be, with "twice as far as the river is wide" as a simple guide. Where the locals claim are avoided as best possible, though it is assumed their villages are in the best ground.  Much of the land is designated 'Crownland', to be developed or managed further once better more information is found.

Engineers lay out roads once they have an idea where to go. Soldiers work on simple fortifications and security, and rammed earth buildings to house people are built. Riverine weirs may be built to moderate the rivers and allow barge traffic. The researchers see how Parthian crops and animals fare, and what the locals use, waiting at least 1 full growing season.

Only once information is gathered are colonists sent. The colonization is organized, with miniature towns laid out, and volunteers to fill the roles chosen from across Parthia, usually at least two pairs of volunteers from the same village are grouped together, to help cohesion. The Parthian National Service, split between the military (+2 years) and civil service (+3years), provides a pool of young able bodied workers who can be sent to do this work, and if they choose perhaps be volunteers later.

This plan not always worked as foreseen in the council chambers. What seemed so smooth and logical has failed in many ways.

Kingdom of Kandy
The Kingdom of Kandy was a proud independent ruler of a unified Sri Lanka. Prosperous and well educated, it is the type of state the Parthians would prefer to have negotiated with.

The Kingdom of Kandy absolutely refused to consider letting Parthians develop a naval base. For all the planned expansion to the East, the bases at Triconmalee and Tarakan were seen as essential.  The position at the tip of India is critical, so, after negotiations failed, the Emperor delivered an ultimatum...which was rejected. So invasion occurred.  Now the Parthians have a densely populated highly sophisticated society which they are responsible for.

Sumatra and Borneo
The expansion and militarization of the lightly populated primitive Andaman islands and the oil trading post of Tarakan went smoothly, and gave the Parthians alternatives to Siamese Malacca.
The claiming of the two alarmed the Sultanates Aceh and Brunei sufficiently they began badgering the Parthians while piracy in the area suddenly climbed. This led to the Parthian Bengali squadron being reinforced and eventually an Aceh cruiser attempted piracy on a Parthian troopship, only to find an old armored cruiser in escort.

The forces of Brunei proved inept and poorly led. The forces of Aceh fought hard after loosing the coastal cities, retreating both west into the mountains, and south, into the neighboring Sultanate of Palembang.  The Sultanate of Palembang first served as a conduit for supplies, then a haven for Aceh forces, and finally took direct action against the Parthians. This led to the Parthian invasion of Palembang, and the remaining forces of Aceh and Palembang have been herded to the mountains of West Sumatra. The Parthians have settled into their ring of bases, leaving villages between, and the Sultanate forces will raid the lowlands and loot those villages in reach. The Parthians then assist the villagers displaced by their own rulers.

In the cases of Kandy, Aceh, Palembang and Brunei the Parthians have reacted by informing the nobles leading the opposition that the longer they resist, the more of their lands would be distributed to the peasantry.  Once loosing, the nobles tend to 'cut their losses' and turn coat.  The Parthians then turn to building infrastructure, such as free roads and mills, and place their military bases away from villages. The peasants view of things tends to improve when land is redistributed and things start getting better. The Parthian bureaucracy is very traditional, and slow, but effective.

(Here I am Necro'ing my own thread)

From : Parthian Empire
To : Nations of the Pacific

Salutations,

The Parthian Nation wishes to propose two international freeports in our Pacific holdings.
We are a nation that has prospered on trade for millenia and we have secured trade routes across the Pacific.

Our principal goal was to secure our sea lanes of communication, but at this nexus of steam and sail trade, we wish to encourage trans-Pacific trade among the nations of the Pacific Rim.

To achieve these goals, we are planning on establishing harbors on the islands of Funafuti* and Nuka Hiva**.  With a steaming range of 4400nm**, the majority of entire Pacific can be accessed from these two locations. With time, we expect new freighters, more capable of utilizing these routes, will become common.

On these islands, we shall make subsidize the stockpiling of coal and oil fuels, sufficient for large numbers of ships. We shall also set aside substantial space to allow a small permenant presence for your nationals, a house of worship, and warehouse facilities for your goods. Obviously this would be of value to such nations as the Aztec Sultanate, allowing easier access to their Zealand territories for both commerce and military vessels, but we expect this to benefit all peacable nations of the Rim.

It is our hope that the security of warehouses and fuel stocks at reasonable steaming distances will allow easier trans-pacific traffic for the Nations of the Pacific Rim.  The Parthian nation shall prosper as well, as we expect these freeports to allow more merchants to use these as central bases, trading among the Pacific islands and shores.

The Harbor Commisions will charge a nominal fee to support the operations and future improvements and will maintain open books to demonstrate the minimal profit.   The Harbor Commision will consist of Three persons designated by Parthia, and then one further person from each participating nation.

Our expectations include that all Nations who choose to avail themselves of these freeports, are agreeing to observe strict nuetrality in relation to these ports during both war and peace. That neither warships or merchants will engage in conflict within 100nm of these islands. That no weapons or munitions beyond sidearms shall be transported from ships to land, and that no subterfuge of any sort will occur, least the honor of the offending Nation be impuned.

It is the expectation that developing these ports shall take nearly 18 months. The Parthian Empire welcomes suggestions for improvements in our proposal, or concerns regarding it. 

Sealed : Shahanhah Alexandros V

*Marshalls-Tuvalu
**Polynesia-Marqueses
*** Currently, I allow DP frieghters to steam 4000nm at cruise, or 4400nm at economical. So it's long range, but IN range. 

Game Mechanic :
I will build an IC at each Province. That will include these ports.
It removes the consideration of how folks ships get across the Pacific, which reduces the moderator burden.

	Funafuti	Nuka Hiva	Lima	Puerto Vallarta	Monterey	Panama	Seattle	Tokio	Shanghai	Manilla	Brunei	Haiphong	Rubaul	Brisbane	Christchurch	Puenta Arenas	Somoa	Hawaii
Funafuti	-	2440	OOR	OOR	4300	OOR	4535	3460	4034	3862	4041	4481 (OOR)	1650	1855	2255	OOR	617	2225
Nuka Hiva	2440	-	3728	2725	2920	3860	3510	OOR	OOR	OOR	OOR	OOR	4050	3980	3211	4300	1900	2200
Lima
	OOR= >4400nm, Out Of Range

September 1914

Joint Declaration by the Parthian Empire and Japanese Empire
To : All nations

The Parthian Empire, having purchased the Roman Territories of  Polynesia and Adelaide, has entered into a Sale Agreement with the Japanese Empire regarding the Territory of Adelaide. The Parthian Empire will continue to honor the sale obligations to the Romans, with final payment in HY2, 1915. The Japanese Empire will purchase the territory of Adelaide over the period of HY1, 1915 to HY2, 1917.

It is recognized that for the settlers of Adelaide, the transition from Rome to Parthia was made simpler by the long association and common Hellenized roots. The Empire of Japan is a world power with a glorious and lengthy history, but their laws and culture will be very strange to the settlers from Rome.

This recognition has led to additional arrangements.  The Roman settlers will be given the option, throughout the transition period, to return to Roman lands, or to resettle in Parthian territories of their choice. If they choose Parthian territories, they shall be granted full Citizenship, lands, goods, livestock and all the support given Parthian settlers.

To subsidize this choice, the Japanese have agreed to establish a Roman Resettlement fund ($1) to compensate and pay passage for those who choose to relocate. The Parthians have agreed to provide liaison teams throughout the transition period. These teams will include translators and recorders and will give the Romans and Japanese a third party to resolve differences.

It is the hope of our Empires that the transition will be smooth. That the settlers, offered the assurance that they can relocate later, will choose to stay and prosper and resolve problems as they arise. May all parties prosper thereby.

Japan welcomes the Parthian proposal for two freeports in the Pacific. Japan would like to offer the services of two Kaibokan class rescue ships for the ports, one to be station at each port to provide rescue and assistance to merchants transiting the Pacific.

Quote from: Desertfox on November 15, 2020, 01:36:32 AM
Japan welcomes the Parthian proposal for two freeports in the Pacific. Japan would like to offer the services of two Kaibokan class rescue ships for the ports, one to be station at each port to provide rescue and assistance to merchants transiting the Pacific.

Parthia welcomes the participation of the Empire of Japan in this project.
Indeed, we will make an open invitation to the Nations of Japan, Azteca, Wilno, Inca and China to send envoys and plans such that Parthia may build housing and warehouse to suit your national tastes. We would also welcome achitects and mastercraftsmen to oversee Parthian construction crews in the development of your sectors.
Parthia itself is intending the construction of one drydock, 141m in length, at each location. The purpose of that drydock is to be available to mercantile and military vessels in need of repair or overhaul by the participating nations.

With the advance forces of the Parthians meeting the advance forces of the Inca west of White Bay, the Sahrap (Satrap/Governor) of White Bay sends to the Shahrab (Viceroy) of the Atlantic coast, who is the Sahrap of Ria de Janerio.
That individual is Rebekah al-Daula, a member of the Jewish nobility that has a place in the Parthian court since the Exodus.
She sends a formal note to the Inca.

To: Sapa Inca on behalf of the Incan Empire

From : Shahrab of the Atlantic Coast, on behalf Parthian Empire

Greetings and Salutations,

The Sahrab of White Bay has sent news of contact between the the advancing Incan expeditions and the Parthian Realms of White Bay and South.  The Parthian Empire is interested in establishing a mutually agreed on border, and arranging the marking thereof, such that no conflict may arise between our nations. The nature of the great plain, with it's lack of landmarks, suggests that failure to take such measures may lead to lamentable misunderstandings.

There is a further interest on the part of our Empire to establish trade routes and the roads to make them prosper.  To this end, the Parthians would consider formal long term Incan access to our Port at White Bay, in order to make the trade route more prosperous.

We also look forward to further relations, trade and visitation with the Empire of the Incas.

Sealed : Rebekah al-Daula, Sahrab of Ria de Janerio, Shahrab of the Atlantic Coast.

Informational

Prior to 1913, the Parthians were maintaining an Atlantic and Pacific fleets. Each was centered on 2 battleships, with supporting cruisers.

The 2nd Sino-Japanese war featured Chinese reports of the various battles.
The development of better rangefinders, improved rangekeeping devices and a computational tracking table led to the need to refit the Parthian fleet.

Towards the end of 1913 the various elements of the battlefleet were called back to home waters.  This was not documented in an OOB as it should have been because I was busy
While this left the sailing frigates, the gunboats and the minesweepers, this was a paucity of force.  Long term, this was felt disadvantageous, but short term it would be acceptable.

With the advent of improved director tables, there was felt a need  to conduct exercises both to address the small craft threat and best use the improved firecontrol in fleet actions,

Throughout the course of 1914 the fleet units have been exercising in the Parthian Gulf, and the Parthian Sea. With hundreds of MTBs and TBs available, fast and slow cruisers, a wide assortment of destroyers, large Fleet problems could be worked on.

The Parthian Home Fleet will continue to be by far the strongest and will serve as a deterrence to the Byzantines getting 'frisky'.

At the End of 19114, the Atlantic and Pacific Expeditionary Fleets will once again be 'stood up' as full fleets, and vessels will depart Parthia to bring the fleets to strength.
These will consist of a Battle Fleet of 1x DN, 2x BB, 1x AC, 2x CR, 1x SC, 2x PC, 1x DDL, and 16x DD.
They will be supported by a Courier cruiser, a Minelaying cruiser, Armored Sailing frigates, Gunboats, Cutters, MTBs, TBs, Minesweepers and fleet support vessels.

A new fleet will also be established, the "Ready Reserve".
This will be formed from older, less capable vessels. They will primarily be used for training and staffed with reservists.
In the event a Home Fleet or Expeditionary Fleet vessel is taken out of line for repairs or refits, their place will be taken by a Reserve Fleet unit of the same type.
While frequently there are large disparities in capability, these vessels are still felt to be useful as combatants.
Edit : When Expeditionary units are sent from Parthia to other lands, this force will often be tapped to provide a military escort.

HY 2, 1914

Early in HY2, 1914, the two Parthian courier cruiser ...which I just figured out aren't in my encyclopedia...even though the final version was posted on page 7 of my design thread will visit the Inca. There they will host the officers for the Incan Mallet, and bring them to the Parthian Gulf port of Tis, on Chabahar bay where the Mallet is being completed.  Slower, freight-liners will take the crew in comfort back to Parthia. 
The ensuing months after completion will be focused on working the Mallet up, including the Incan officers in the Chabahar Naval Gunnery School, and coastal cruises from the Rajasthan border to the Tigris River.
Shoreleave at the Naval bases of Tis, Abbas and Bushere will be part of it the working up. 
Tours will be offered to several cities :

Yazd, founded 400AD,  the "City of Windcatchers" in the high desert, making ice in yakhchals, and reliance on quanats to bring water to the city, allowing gardens to flourish across it.

Shiraz, founding unknown (once Tirazis with roots back to 2000BCE) City of Poets, literature, wine and flowers.

Susa, founding unknown ( ~4,395BCE),  .  Archaeologists have been working at Susa 1885-1914, and have a trove of ancient items which lead them to think think it may be one of the oldest cities known, dating back thousands of years, and being mentioned in ancient Sumerian records, was the residence of exiled Jews in 600BCE, and is the location of the biblical Tomb of Daniel.
 
This will be accompanied by a trip to nearby Gondishapur Academy
The Gondishapur Academy was founded under Khosrau I around 531AD, taking in Greek philosophers and Nestorian Christian thinkers exiled from Byzantine.  The Academy has collected works and translated works on astrology, astronomy, mathematics and medicine from Iberia to China, Moscow to Kolumbo. The Academy is famed for learning and medicine. The Hospitals at Gondishapur and Susa have become models for such facilities throughout Parthia. A theological school has flourished there since the 6th century.
The Academy founded the House of Wisdom in Baghdad, but that was lost when the Mongols razed the city and slew the inhabitants in 1258.  Baghdad has since been seized by the Byzantines.
Tours deeper in Parthia are possible, given the rail networks, but time would be somewhat limited.

At some point during the Bermudez Conference,
Parthia will issue a statement to the various embassies/consulates/legations that may occur in Isfahan.
The language is likely a little better stated, but it goes something like this :

The events of the past 5 years have seen repeated conflicts between nations.  The Parthian Empire has had the opportunity to engage in armed conflict to assert a claim, in some cases with the advantage. In each case, Parthia has chosen the path of discourse instead. Potential Conflicts with Wilno, Japan and the Aztec have been resolved through discussion.

We will state that we have no known territorial conflicts with the Wilno Union, Japanese Empire or Aztec Empire. Further, we extend that our dealings with the Aztec, we have have formally recognized their rightfully possession of various Pacific islands, and the land south of Kalifern. Parthia does not recognize any claims by others to those lands. 

The Parthian Empire recognizes that  recorded history, the right of territorial claim and the right of conquest have been established as valid.   The quandary that has faced Parthia in recent years is how to regard nation's new territorial claims, particularly when there are conflicts resulting.

It is our considered opinion that, should a new territorial claim be a source of rancor, the objection should be voiced within a calendar year. The settlement of that dispute would be between the contesting parties.

Traditional aspects of war have become expected custom, such as stating a Causis Belli, a formal Declaration of War prior to hostilities, and enforcing a blockade through adherence to the so-called 'Cruiser rules' are among the aspects with which to judge the validity of a Nation's actions.

It is recognized that minor squabbles over far flung possessions may not involve any or all such elements. When significant elements of a Nation's navy are involved in a protracted conflict, or one over a wide area, then the traditional elements are expected to be adhered to. Further, failure to abide by them can serve to render a Nation's argument irrelevant, and even serve as a Causis Belli for third parties. The Parthian Empire reserves the right to enter the fray if there is a persistent failure to follow the blockade customs, regardless of if Parthian mercantile elements have direct involvement.

The Parthians make no great statement, rather it shows up in standard newspaper reports of Foreign Ministry announcements

"The Parthian Empire is proud to announce they have committed to providing some fiscal support to the Wilno Canal project linking the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean.
Inspired by the leadership shown in this by the Japanese Empire and the Aztec Sultanate,  the Parthian Empire has decided to follow their example.  The primary fiscal
and engineering burden will of course continue to be borne by the Wilno Union.

It is the hope of the Parthian Empire, that this Canal, in conjunction with our expenditures in establishing the Parthian Freeports, will remove substantial barriers to trans-Pacific trade, and so bring
prosperity to the nations bordering the Pacific.  As Parthia has long prospered from trade, it is our hope and expectation that such a boost will benefit the new Territories, both the native peoples and our colonists.

1917.0

Story 1

Barranacas del Oronico

Located at the edge of Parthian territory. where the great Oronico river first split to form it's great delta, Barranacas was not a great posting.  Hot, humid, the town was perched on a low ridge above the wet season flood stage and commanded the river.  The river was navigable by ocean going merchants from the gulf of Priai or the Atlantic to above Barranacas, to the Chacamay falls only 35nm upriver.  While the river moved over time, at this time Barranacas was above the first main split.  The first main branch, the Manamo, departed to the north, and was paralleled by a raised road. Trees had been left along the edges of the road, to serve as markers when the rivers came up to far, at which time motorized lighters could make their way up. The spaced out trees also made a good place to string telephone wires.

To the North and West of the Manamo river, the land rose and was fairly dry. To the East and South the great delta of the Oronico river dominated the landscape.  Completely flooded in the wet season, great loads of sediment fanned out and dropped to make a vast fertile plain. The local tribes lived on highlands or stilted huts, and reaped the abundance of fish, game, and fruit. With the addition of farming on highlands, there was no time of year that food was lacking.

Several Parsangs (leagues) away, the border with the Mayan territories began, marked by blazed trees and a string of small outposts. Like Barranacas, the outposts were located on elevated areas and surrounded by low star shaped earthworks of rammed earth, with outlying ditches and small bastions. Such fortifications would be outdated in the face of indirect artillery fire, but in a primitive unroaded area there was no such threat and made a secure bases. Barranacas itself, on the main river, could be reached by oceanic merchants, and so was well supplied, hosting the Vasht (Regimental) guns to command the river, the smaller outposts had to make do with sections of  light75mm howitzers.

Overall, the redeeming feature of such a posting was that little exciting would happen, in theory. This was why the Harza (Battalion) Commander, Sargod Varaza did not greatly mind the posting. The fishing was marvelous, and there were only a few short years until he retired from frontline service and moved to either Fortress Command or the Quartermaster's Service. Independent command of this little outpost would work nicely to vault him towards a cushy post as an Ardbeg (Fortress Commander) somewhere, which would make spending more time with his wife far more tolerable.

However, sometimes, life gets interesting in unwelcome ways.

Sargod (Major) Varaza  frowned at the report of Soratavar (Sergeant) Arsen.   this was something he had to see.  Taking his overcloak and jamming his slouch hat (Aussie style) on his head, he followed the Soratavar down the hill to the dockside. There, like bloated giant fish, were two bodies which had been dragged by boathook from the river. The bodies were two older men, dressed in their tribal regalia. They had been stabbed with long sharp even-edged blades, and then shot repeatedly and dumped in the river.  Two of the Warao indians visiting from down river, who had found them floating, indicated they did not know who they were. Runners were sent to fetch a Piacoa wisewoman.

Sargod Varaza scowled, the locals did not tend to have long sharp steel blades, and few gunpowder weapons, with the powder being precious.  Spying an empty bargo (5-person canoe) drifting sidewise down the river, Varaza turned to the 'portmaster', who was one of the few that could serve as translator, and asked for the bargo to be fetched.  The two Warao voluntold went and did that. Just as they were bringing it back, the Piacoa wisewoman came down to the water and tut'd as she examined the bodies.

After much consideration, she opined they were members of the Yanomani tribe, from the far headwaters of  the Orinoco, by the piercings, paint and necklaces, tribal elders and wisemen. The wonder was that they had not been eaten in the river, as they had been dead a week or more. The wisewoman wondered if they had been in a boat or raft, perhaps the Bargo, but more likely an earlier craft that had already floated past.

The party waited with interest as the Warao slowly brought the empty bargo in, curiously towing it, instead of one getting in. Reaching shore, they took their payment and dragged the bargo up the shore. Within were the corpses of a young men, three women and five children. They and the bargo had been riddled with bullets. The corpses, like those in the river had been dead a week or more, and were gorge-rising to regard.  Also of the Yanomani tribe, the young man was a high status hunter, with rich beading of his quiver. The women looked like common members of the tribe, and the children, other than their face paint were naked. The thick log hull of the bargo had dozens of holes where bullets had passed through, a somewhat level line stitched down the side, with exit holes on the far side. Many had also struck home in the passengers. Scatterings of other holes peppered the hull and bodies.

Sargod Varaza was unhappy as he composed his report with copies to both Vasht and Gond commands. The request for skarsegmen (scout-snipers) and permission to conduct intruder reconnaisance may not be well received, but he was going to need to know what was happening to the West. Presuming they were dispatched, it first fell on him to consult with his Vasht commander, and do what he could to ensure whatever is happening to the west did not move East and catch his soldiers unprepared. Orders to make that happen were within his ability, beyond that...well the locals seem to react well to Drahms (silver dollars), which could purchase all sorts of the new trade goods. Hiring some local hunters on his own initiative was certainly something his contingency funds could cover...oh but the paperwork. Sargod Varaza would never understand why a 2,600 year old bureaucracy, promoted via test-based merit, still could not come up with simpler forms. It was if bureaucrats Liked extra paperwork and repetitive forms, which could not be, as no one sane did.

Story 2.
Yazd
Samuel Nahawandi bid goodbye to his family, and joined the queue at the train station. Nervous but excited, for he was leaving his home city for the first time.  Yazd, a blaze of green in the high desert of East Parthia. The buildings were bedecked with gardens like green jewels, fed by quanats.  The ancient long underground tunnels wormed their way down from the mountains to feed the fertile plain and city. Behind it's desert walls, the well watered Yazd had withstood siege many times, standing unconquered for over a thousand years.

Samuel's family, the Nahawandi , had lived in the city for close to a thousand years, fleeing the instablity and laws of a Christinizing Roman Palaestina.  As part of the reforms following the Noble's Revolt of 1848-52, all citizens of Parthia were expected to participate in National Service.  When was the choice of head of household, but between their 14th and 20th birthdays, all but the first born boys and girls would be expected to serve.

Samuel's time would start with a month in the Satrapy's muster camp. From there, Samuel could look forward to a train trip, winding it's way west to the great city of Persis. This city served as a hub for the inductees to be gathered together.  A month in Persis, perhaps the most dangerous in his career as he, and other inductees, were exposed to germs from all over Parthia. Those who did not fall ill to some odd malady, would spend their mornings at exercise, while the afternoons were in classrooms, ensuring that their language skills were adequate and getting a fresh dose of Parthian history and laws.   

After the second month, presuming he was healthy and fit, the train would take Samuel to Shiraz.  For Samuel this was a special treat, for this City of Wine was the legendary site where the Prophet Daniel survived the Lion's den.  Some held that a Jewish wife from Shiraz was the one that convinced Cyrus the Great to free the Jews from Babylon and restore them to the Temple.

Outside Shiraz was one of the Army's premier training centers. For four months recruits would undergo training. At the end, the recruits who passed would face one of several futures.  Some would be selected to stay in the Military for three years. Some would be selected to serve a longer stint on Civilian Public Works crews, serving as  labor or clerical staff for 4 years on the infrastructure projects of the nation.  Some would be offered the chance to work for 5 years in the clerical realms. In the end, all three careers would earn the same pay, just in different timespans.  Samuel would prove apt at math and be accepted into the Army, where after learning basic infantry drills, would test into the Engineer (and Artillery) branch.

Storatavar Bahram had committed to the idea of a lifetime in the Army when he finished his term of National Service in 1909.  As was long practice each Savar (private) was assigned to a long service veteran, usually in pairs, but he was one of three assigned the grizzled Ostabar (Corpral) Pejzman. Pejzman had made officer, but had this problem with drinking and fighting. Despite those lapses, he was a gruff but knowledgeable trainer.  To a young man, this had not seemed a terrible life, and certainly better than going back to mining.

What then Savar Bahram did not know was the the new, and soon widowed Emperor, was going to embark on a plan of massive overseas expansion. Bahram's Gond (Land Unit) had been sent to Kandy (Sri Lanka) and participated in the siege of the highlands. When the Kandy nobles had capitulated Savar Bahram had been promoted to Ostabar himself as his Gond rest and refitted.

The pause was not long, as Parthian forces in Aceh had come under attack from the forces of Palembang, also known as Srivijava, and his Gond was part of the force that landed at Sunsgang on the delta, marching upriver to take Palembang. With most of the Palembang army engaged in a drive on Medan, the landings and drive to their capital was only lightly opposed.

There had been a two year long period where occupying the former Palembang lands had been easy duty. Palembang was hot, but
Bahram was from Zahedan, which was usually hotter. The locals food was excellent, and the accommodations good.  Palembang had been a trade port long enough that translators could be found without great difficulty. The former Palembang officers and NCOs had been seconded to Parthian units as 'advisers', while the common draftees were organized to work with the national service.  The local peasantry cared little who styled themselves as 'ruler' so long as they were not too oppressive. The policies of Parthia – rooting out corruption, distributing the the estates of nobles, and bringing in national service Harzas for building roads and mills for the common use, all were seen as positives.

The reassignment to "The March" was unwelcome.   The Aceh Prince may have fled to Palembang to rally help, but many of the high nobles had retreated to the rugged Bukit Barsam mountains, which made the jagged spine of West Sumatra. The area was only inhabited by tribes, and they likely expected the Parthians to follow them off the plains and into the broken ground where the Aceh elite could defeat them in detail.  Instead, "The March" had been established, a series of rammed-earth star forts at the edge of the plain, marking the edge of the Parthian territory and the beginning of the "No mans land" of "The March".  In the rear, Dragoons provided mobile patrols and rapid reinforcements, while in the March foot patrols ensured the Aceh forces had not descended on the plain.

The struggle had become a large scale porous siege. In the first stage, the Aceh Nobles, holed up in the mountains, had at first used their wealth to get the local villagers to smuggle arms and ammunition, As time wore on, the funds ran low and the second stage started.  This was when Storatavar Bahram's Gond had been assigned. The Aceh forces turned to raiding the villages in the March for food and supplies. This drove the people to flee East into the Parthian lands. There they not only bore tales of what their former overlords had done to them, but found that the new overlords worked hard to improve the common lot. This undermined the residual support, and the remaining smuggled goods had dried up. For Storatavar Bahram, this had been a fairly quiet period, with Parthian patrols mainly concerned with keeping tabs on Aceh actions, and engage only when circumstances could be "arranged" to be advantageous.

This led to phase three of the struggle. The Aceh nobles and their personal armies had been holding up in the mountains for years, they were hungry, low on arms, their clothes ragged, and growing desperate. The had resumed high risk raids into Parthian territories, and Storavar Bahram had been once more called to action. The Parthians tried to pick the raider columns up and shadow them past the fort line, while other forces mobilized and moved into position.

For Storatavar Baharm, the patrol had gone as usual. As typical Parthian practice, there were three forward and one back, which each of the forward columns of different strengths, intended to keep the foe from knowing the exact force encountered.  In this case the patrol was company size, and each of the columns only a platoon.  One of these had bumped into an Aceh column in the March, and sent a runner back to the trailing unit. That then sent runners back to each leading unit, and two back to the fort. From the fort, telephone and radio would send the alarm. While each platoon had a flare pistol and bugle if needed, runners were less obvious. The difficult task of maintaining contact and shadowing the Aceh forces from a distance now ensued while forces mobilized.  Soon, Dragoons would be cantering forward to serve as scouts. If all went as planned, the Aceh column could be cut off and destroyed. Of course, things rarely go quite as planned, but that was expected.

Story 4.
Seteney.

She crept carefully closer, only to have the brush catch the brim of her slouch hat, snatching it up and back, spilling her blond hair down into her eyes. Slowly she reached up and tugged the wide brim of the hat back down, shoving the hair back under the brim.  Carefully she crawled a bit further and stopped. She lay just inside the outer branches of the bush.  She slid the rifle forward, and pulled the hammer back, and checked to make sure the cap was secure on the nipple. Sprinkling some dry grass, she checked the wind. Gauging the range, she took careful aim at the distant Maral in the meadow across the creek below.  The herd grazed peacefully, but always different individuals would keep their heads high on watch, while the others ate.  The largest had a magnificent set of antlers, but there was a younger male,  with a fine set of velvet covered antlers. At two hundred kilos, the meat was important for her family, but the antlers were prized by traders, she knew not what for. Her shot rang out, and the herd fled. The minee' ball striking true, the maral lept at the shot, bounding for the edge of the meadow and then staggering. She knew he would not get far, and the blood spore would be easy to track.

Working her way back out of the bush, she fetched her mule, unhobbling it and leading it down the hill to the kill. Cleaning the carcass, she field packed it, and led her mule down the mountain slope. She soon reached her younger brothers watching the flock.  They gathered around to examine her prize. She shooed them back to minding the flock and continued down to to the family homestead, a collection of huts, the old one and the two newer ones.  The meat would be welcome, as would the the money the antlers would bring. Their family had license for selling 3 sets of antlers a year.

Inside she was happily greeted, but this was a sad but exciting day, for she was leaving for her years of service. Though she thought afterwards she would return to the village and start her family, so this may be her only trip South of the Caucus mountains in her lifetime. 

The next day, Seteney left her home of 16 years, and hiked down to the village in the valley of Terek. There, she joined the others for the quarterly levee. The teenagers clambered into wagons which took them to the railway station.  The railway ran from the northern border, where it supplied garrisons facing the Golden Horde, south through Parthian Alania, to Samadar. 

Samadar "the furthest gate" had been founded in the 6th century, North of the Caucus mountains.  The ancient port city had traded rulers repeatedly through the centuries, but now served Parthia, and the Steppe Horde, as gateway for trade down the Caspian Coast.    Cargos from the coast of the Caspian Sea, including oil, could pass by railway along the steppe West or North,  Despite the tariffs, the trade brought much wealth for all involved.

The Muster Camp was much as she expected, as others of her family had warned her. Many in camp got sick, as folks brought ill humors from their homelands. The food served was abundant, with meat every day. The food was said to help them ward off illness, and fuel them for the daily exercise. After their exercise, they would attend classes where their prior schooling was evaluated, and they brushed up on Parthian history and speech. Seteney's people, the Tapante tribe of the Asyghe (Easternmost Circassians) were separated by the border from the rest of the tribes, but had kept their ancient language, and so her Parthian came from school, the camp giving her a chance to brush up. Several of the city kids needed more exercise to get into shape. After a month, if they were fit and healthy, they would journey onwards.

The southern shore of the Caspian Sea, the Province of Gilan was a prosperous one. The Sea teemed with fish, while the well watered plain was backed by soaring Talysh mountains, their slopes cloaked in a verdant temperate rainforest. The orthographic uplift of the mountains forced the humid air off the sea to rise, dropping it's watery burden on their Northern slopes. With limited access via passes, and the Eastern end secured by the now ruined 200km Wall of Gorgan, staunch defense had ensured the region had been spared invasion since the time of Cyrus the Great, and had prospered. 

This enclave is where Queen Boran had sought refuge with House Farhadan in 742, and the the Arshunkis had held large estates since. This was where Shirin rode, her new horse trotting through the fields and the mulberry trees, climbing into the foothills.  She broke into a gallop at each of scattered firing ranges, firing at the moment all four hooves were clear of the ground. That moment of gliding, she could take a clear stable shot.  Other times she would quickly dismount and engage targets with her shortened rifle.

By the end of the day she had covered many leagues, and the dull ache in her side was spiking to sharp pain.  While the surgeons had claimed she was lucky to have been shot there – a little lower may have shattered her hip,  a little to the right would have been in her abdominal cavity, it still hurt a month later.  She wondered how the remainder of her Troop of Nhsyr-skar (First Hunters, Elite Light Cavalry) were doing, her Captain had been non-committal when she requested information. She was certain they were not ensconced in such  luxury, but as 4th in line, this counted as "home rest".

Shirin kept going over the reconnaissance patrol. Every March, as the hills were lush with vegetation in Parthia, and the horses could be fed and exercised, while in the Horde lands, the snow was melting, the ice breaking and the rivers in flood. Sometime in late March or early April, the Parthians would move North, into the the Southern Horde lands. The Horde of course tended their Cavalry well, feeding it through the winter, but the melt and flood restricted their ability to move additional forces from elsewhere  to the area.  In the Summer, Horde forces would return the favor, penetrating between the Parthian redoubt in North Khorasan, until chased out.

Shirin did not actually know how many long this dance had played out, likely since the last war in the 1870s, but perhaps before. Each spring the Parthians verified the Horde had not started construction of fortifications or depots that would need..correcting...before they were completed and could become springboards for an assault. The Horde returned the favor, ignoring the liberal studding of small forts while seeking evidence of greater.

Sometimes, it did not go as planned.  The Elite 'First Hunters' (Nhsyr-skar) all weighed no more than 70kg, and so had a high proportion of women riders. Each brought two well conditioned mounts and could change saddles en route.  The riders of the Horde could almost never catch them, but they could occasionally cut them off, or ambush them.

Shirin had entered National Service at 16, and  like most highly tutored children of nobility, had tested well in Muster, and been accepted into the Cavalry. It was not until her second 3-year term, after passing officer training tests that she had joined the Nhsyr-skar, but this had been 3rd and last "Spring Ride", but it was the first time she or any of the Squadron had seen a Golden Horde aircraft. The Troops rode dispersed, and they took to concealment in cover, but there must have been some scouting reports. 

The path back is where the Horde was waiting, and the return to Parthia became a series of light engagements.  Unlike Parthia's Dragoons, their horses were fast and light, and they could break contact. The price of that was they did not wear the nickle-steel lobster tail helms, or the cuirasses of the Dragoons. While useless against a rifle under 50m, the armor (1)was effective 100+m, and certainly at the ranges of the steppes, which is why the Dragoons had them.  The Nhsyr-skar normally snickered at their armored counterparts, calling 'old lobsters'. Oh how she had enjoyed taunting Vache (older brother, 2nd in Line) about that. That ...advance...out of the Horde lands and to Parthia they could have used them.

Now, Shirin was looking at the likelihood that when she returned to active duty she would only have months left. Eventually, she wished to start her own family, but for now, she was nearly 22, she could reenlist and make the Cavalry her course, or she could do something less exciting and more useful to the throne. 

(1)Based on the Holtzer breastplate of the 1890s, per Encyclopedia Britannica 11th ed.
Holtzer made chrome steel breastplates in 1890, 0.158 in. of which was proof against the 0.43-in. hard lead bullet of the Gras rifle at 10 metres range, while 0.236 in. was proof against the 0.32 in. 231-grain Lebel bullet at the same distance, the striking velocities being approximately 1490 and 2070 ft. per second respectively. The bullet-proof steel made by Messrs Cammell, Laird & Co. in Great Britain may be taken as typical of that produced by the best modern manufacturers. It is proof against the 215-grain Lee-Enfield bullet of 0.303 in. calibre striking directly, as under:
Range.       Thickness of Plate.   Striking Velocity.
 10 yards   0.187 inch              2050 f.s.
100   "     0.167  "                1865  "
560   "     0.080  "                1080  "
The weight of the 0.08 in. plating is only 3.2 ℔ per sq. ft. The material is stated to be readily adaptable to the ordinary operation of bending, machining, drilling, &c., and is thus very suitable for the purposes indicated above.

Story 6.

(Note, chronologically, the Shirin story should have come later).
Barranacas del Oronico

Sargod Varaza was fond of his sleep, and never appreciated being awoken an hour and half before dawn. Granted, it had long been the traditional time in Parthian service, a legacy of successful Byzantine dawn attacks. In this case, dawn was no where in the offing, it was the middle of the night and he had to go to the watch tower.

The climb up to the viewing platform was not cold, this place never truly got cold. Still, the wicker screens around the ladder made blocked much of the starlight, making for a somewhat disorienting climb. The watchpost was also screened, but the viewslits let in some light. From the top, the sentry pointed out the distant flames flickering above the forest canopy.  The sentry pointed out the trio of distant fires, explained the bearings and how that met the maps. Sargod Varaza came to the sad conclusion that seeing the distant flames had not added much information, and he probably could have stayed in the command post and looked at the map. Still, personal verification seemed best.

Sargod Varaza descended and reconvened with his command staff. The villages afire had been roughly plotted on the map. The Gond's skarsegmen (scout-snipers) had been busy exploring the Mayan borderlands, so rough locations were known, but the basemaps were still severely lacking. The skarsegmen had also penetrated far enough upriver to find villages that had already suffered the mayan purges.

The skarsegmen reports, and a growing number of tribespeople moving East told the tale. The Maya, having claimed the land several years prior, had pioneered pack roads to supply their borders.  The Mayan commissars had been expanding outwards from their Port on the Caribbean. The recent events seem to have been a decision by the Mayan command, to impose their concepts on the villagers, which meant the elimination of any prominent families, keepers of traditions or old ways, only the Mayan way would now be acceptable. The Yanomani and the other upriver tribes had common ancient roots in the distant mountains, but had no real organization beyond their villages, and while constantly skirmishing, it was as sets of individuals.

There had been several light misunderstandings along the Mayan-Parthian border as the Mayan presence increased. The Mayans were showing a reluctance to allow their subject's leaders to simply relocate, and had wandered past the blazed border in places. Sargod Varaza was of the understanding the Maya were not formally recognizing the Parthian claims. The blazing villages indicated there would be more tribes people fleeing, and their warriors might seek to use the Parthian lands as a safe haven or base, which could lead to more conflicts.  Sargod Varaza drafted reports to above, then an advisory for his command.   The Satrap was supposed to be considering options, but no clear directive had been given. 

 

Story 7.

It was spring in Kalifern, and rainstorms still swept through, boosting the creeks to greater depths and adding snow to the massive mountains to the East. The local people had long ago claimed the high ground at the confluence of the two rivers, so the Parthians had chosen a similar  elevation a couple parasangs (leagues) away. As the rivers swelled and flooded out on the plains, this mimicry- and the laws against building right by the creek- payed off. 

Dali Sofer and her survey crew had come home after a long couple of weeks. The oilskins that sought to ward off the wet had lost much of their utility, they were wet and muddy, but not terribly cold.  A miller's daughter from the outskirts of storied Shiraz, she had despaired of the daily grind, but had excelled at maths, and in national service was sent to the Pioneers. That had been her stepping stone to surveying.  Now, she was part of the survey crews that were slowly  triangulating the new territories.

The house was typical of the style the Parthians had decided on for the territories. A basic approach for all the lands they considered. The forests of Parthia had been carefully managed for centuries, but grew slowly and had to be used wisely. So the plan depended on  local soils materials had been wetted and mixed with a small quantity of simple lime cement, and pressed by steam engine into large bronze molds, making several types of large blocks – grooved on one side, ridged on the other, or notched.  These 25kg blocks could then be used to quickly make a thick walled houses quickly. The normal plan had three two story houses facing a walled courtyard, the first story having only narrow window, the upper proper ones.  The roof, curiously, the Parthians expected to be furnished from local material – thatch/tiles/wood, though the precious rafters were shipped.

It was not the best house design and was not suited for all locations. The walls took precious time to cure, and were not the most seismically sound. But, as one design it provided a way to house  people during the first season in fairly solid, defensible structures. Quicker houses, more suited to the actual territory would come later.

For Dali Sofer, the dull walls were home, and had been for several months. They were very similar to the town before.  She only returned every couple weeks, bidding goodbye to her escort team at the town gates. Dali's husband, Mesharsheya was the settlement's physician and oversaw the two national service nannies who tended to the four children.

Dear Mesharsheya had never been the adventurous one, unlike Dali. Their weeks were so very different, but they were happy to be with each other. His tales tended to be of who had gotten hurt, and he was a horrible gossip about their fellow townsfolk, each relocation being the source of new tidbits.

Dali for her part would tell the family of the new lands they found, the hamlets of the local tribes, what the most promising lands for agriculture and settlement looked like. Frequently she knew what the translators had to say about the many tribes that occupied these lands. The locals had long ago taken the spots that most suited their limited agricultural efforts, and there were many such hamlets, but the territory were large and there was still many attractive places.  The great valley savanna of Kalifern was one such - ill served as agricultural land by these spring floods followed by the long summer heat, but the Parthians had millennia of experience of bringing mountain waters to suitable soils for growing.
For now though, the scientists were still seeing how their test plots grew, so that when full settlement was allowed beyond the coast, the crops they planted would be ones that would prosper.

Story 8

For Sargod Varaza the past several months had been fraught with anxiety.  The Posting in Barranacas was important, but he was also responsible for 2 border posts in the West. Normally he kept his Harza split between the two, but he had halved the troops in critical Barranacas to provide a mobile force to support the border force.  As the months ground on, the Maya-tribal conflict began to involve Parthian forces more and more.

Barranacas del Oronico had been inhabited for nearly a thousand years before the Parthians came.
As the effective head of navigation for ocean going ships, and at where the rivers of the delta split, it was a natural trading post. This is why the Parthians had adopted it as the main depot for the southern half of the Province.  There were only two main roads, the one which paralleled the delta to the North, and the one which connected to the uplands to the Northwest.  The multiple West-East rivers were crossed with timber bridges, as they otherwise divided the uplands into smaller areas. At the other end of the road Northwest was Cumana. Cumana had been founded by Iberians in 1515, not long after they found the Mali Empire's source of wealth in the Carribean.   

Parasangs to the west, the border was ill defined. Parthian surveyors had blazed a line, largely defined by hydrology, and separating the uplands from the mesa highlands the Mayans claimed.  Secondary tracks connected to the small fortifications(1) that served as secure bases for the Parthian border forces. The Orinoco province hosted Five Gonds (Land Units), but the islands were viewed as the priority, with only one assigned this land border, leaving the border fairly thinly held. The philosophy had been one of presence and patrol, to lend stability to their new territory. This was not an optimal posture for conflict.   

Conflict had indeed come. Most of the Mayan lands had quickly been repacified by their commisars. Some of the tribes to the west were violently resisting the Mayan attempts to create an egalitarian society via execution. Other tribes were fleeing, and in greater and greater numbers were fleeing for Parthian lands.  The Mayans appear to object to that, especially once the fleeing tribal elites started trading golden objects in exchange for future purchases. Those future purchases being rifles which arrived by freighters some months later. Curiously the rearmed warriors would frequently then depart Parthian lands. Their families would encamp in Parthian lands and welcome the warriors when they returned.  This led to some Mayan actions that 'strayed' over the border, and clashes as Parthian troops attempted to educate them.

For Sargod Varaza, the escalating conflict meant the arrival of reinforcements was deeply welcomed. Atlantic Command had ordered one of the Gonds supporting the Palmas Protectorate in West Africa to transfer to Orinoco, and the arrival of those troops was welcomed. For the newcomers, transfering from skirmishes against Fulanji jihadists to skirmishes against Maya 'Dedicated' was not a particular upgrade. The additional forces did mean that powerful mobile reserves could be fielded along the border, but also that the cargoes unloaded at Barranacas increased. The arrival of the two Recalde class, newly refurbished in Ria, in the Oroninco province was also encouraging, but it was not at Sargod Varaza's level to know if they foreshadowed more forces from Atlantic Command, or better Parthia.  While he would readily concede the threat did not appear dire at the time....yet, but he was not pining to serve in another war.

(1) These are not fortification points, rather an illustration of 'digging in'. Steam shovels and traction engines can excavate and construct an earthen version fairly easily.  Vauben-style star forts would be an attractive target for massed artillery fires...if that was the threat. However, as a safe base for a company or up to a battalion or so, it's a fairly good design. The angular design means any attacker assaulting one angle can be enfiladed from another. The raised parapets give good prepared firing positions, and in a wet region the elevation helps keep the troops dry, while a properly drained dry moat both disrupts any assault while lowering the ground water. 

For my part, as part of the trying to figure out How the Muscovites beat the Horde, I found they established a number of fortified points. The forts could be reduced through substantial effort, but in that time they could also be relieved by mobile forces. Not reducing meant their could harry/attack Horde forces bypassing them. So a similar concept gets applied to both how the Parthians deal with the horde and their territorial borders.

Ironically, while I've had this concept for a while, only recently I read an article on how the French bases in the Sahel are dirt trenches and ramparts constructed on a Vauben plan.... offering security against the principle threat – light infantry weapons. 

Last summer a number of things started happening, and for much of the past year I've been oddly busy
and I stopped having the Time/Energy/Nexus to post my own news or even keep up with my turns, or other's news.

So the planned storylines are all rather ruptured and I'll have to patch them together.

So some of what I'll be posting is long winded and rambling and somewhat isolated.
It's mainly meant as background color for what Parthia is about.

I should be catching up with other's news and resuming my planned storylines shortly....
...presuming I don't wind up on fires...which I don't THINK I will.
The Forestry office I work at is running on half staff, so we don't have many folks to spare.

This is meant to be a story about that province in middle Zimbabwe that Parthia surrounded years ago, and finally claimed in 1923.0

Parthian Intermittant News
Get your headlines here ! PIN Heads !

July 1922- Jan 1923

The upper Zambezi river watershed was a fertile area, and had long been fought over by differing peoples and the kingdoms and Empires they formed.

The Rozvi Empire was one of many successor states that arose when the Mupta Empire splintered under the stresses of drought and civil war. The Rozvi Empire was a warrior state of the Shona people and  had in turn been conquered by the invasion of the Nguni people. The area was then conquered by the Ndebele people, who still ruled when the Parthians arrived.

The First Parthian columns had smashed the Gaza Empire of the coast, yet more arrived from the South from the Nguni lands.  The Parthians were not entirely unknown, having founded the cities of the Swahili coast over a thousand years ago, but until recently their presence in central Africa had been limited to traders.   As they years went on, more Parthian advances were reported in the region of the Great Lakes. Reports from neighboring lands had a consistency,  Parthian units of nearly a thousand strong would march on a village, and surround it, demanding surrender. Failure to agree would result in reinforcements arriving and a brief cannonade followed by a second demand. Interpreters, usually long term traders, would read out the treaty and list the dire consequences. The choice of battle or signing would be given. The Parthians would then move on to the next village. Parthian surveyors and builders would arrive, and a school and administrative building would be built, sometimes new wells, windmills, and other improvements, and always the road. Scholars would ask about local habits, crops, patterns.  Land not in use would be inquired about.  More recently, reports have filtered in of Parthians arriving and creating settlements on land bought, clusters of two-storied Insula with a rammed earth wall in place of the African krall.

The Ndebele army had a militia tens of thousands of spear equipped impis, but the Royal Army had a higher standard but only 40 regiments totaling 15,000 troops, expensively equipped with imported trade rifles (martni-henri) rifled breechloaders firing large black powder cartridges.  The revolt of the Rozvi people into the arms of the Parthians led to the battle of the Shanghai river had been an decisive defeat for the Ndebele army. A brief accord recognized the defection of the Rozvi to the Parthians, and an uneasy peace had followed.

Queen Lozikeyi, in her Capital of Bulawayo, had ruled as regent after the King died in that battle as the Rozvi tore away. She had watched as the Parthians slowly surrounded her Kingdom, and politely asked for it to surrender, but was puzzled as they did not force the matter. Scouts had identified a half dozen or more Parthian formations of equivalent size as the Royal Army, spread out in the surrounding lands, heavily armed with more modern guns. Machines had pioneered roads and worked to create safe water supplies. Overtime, the Parthian presence became more established, as their scholars tried to learn the local language, history and mores while teaching their own language and overarching laws.

Parthian emissaries had eventually came to Bulawayo they had come with the dreaded surrender demand. The terms were again explained simply – join the Empire, and swear to uphold the base laws and become nobles of the Empire, or fight and have their titles lost and lands forfeit.   The obvious question, 'what if we refuse' was met with an unexpected offer – send a delegation to Parthia, see their homeland.  Queen Lozikeyi sent her brother Makwelambila.

Makwelambila and his attendants undertook a long journey. First accompanying the Parthians to their railhead, where they climbed aboard the first locomotive they had seen. That wound its way to a coastal town, Sofala.  Evidence of the Parthian presence was scattered along the railway, but several fortified camps holding thousands of troops were passed.

Sofala had been founded by Somalis but had fallen to the Parthians of the Kilwa Sultanate around 1180CE. The Mongol invasions, Black Death and Tamerlane ravaged Parthia and severed its trade, orphaning Kilwa, and it's coastal towns gradually became independent. Sofala became the lead seaport for the mighty Mwenemupta Empire and it's trade, links which the Parthians revived when they recovered. The  Mwenemupta Empire tore apart under Civil War, but the trade continued, with Sofala as a trading city state, until the Parthians had formally claimed it half a dozen years prior.  The harbor had been dredged, Lighthouse guided the way to the harbor, and railroads and cartways driven into the countryside, leading to Sofala to boom.

In Sofala tetook passage on the Royal Road a vessel of tremendous size compared to anything they had seen before. A passage over a vast sea took them to the Port City of Bushere. In Bushere harbor floated massive vessels which dwarfed the Royal Road while the shipyards worked on more. Mercantile traffic and fishing dhows filled the harbor.  The buildings were large and stone, the city many times in size that of Bulawayo The rail journey to the city of Shiraz and its gardens, and then through the Zagros mountains and winding its way through cultivated and irrigated lands, well populated prosperous and peaceful, to the Capital of Isfahan. The Parthians showed off their old technology- the air conditioning of the Windcatchers, the Ice-making of the Yachals, the gardens of mechanical birds brought to life with clever hydraulics, and their new technology, from electric lights to horseless carriages to flying machines  The audience with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and review of the Immortals was almost anticlimactic. Makwelambila and his attendants were toured around the sprawling city, and the Minster calmly explained that Parthia felt that when a well run and respected centralize nation such as the Ndebele was best conquered and incorporated peacefully, rather than demolished and torn apart and then reforged.

The return trip was long and Makwelambila and his attendants were well treated. The report to Queen Lozikeyi was grim. The Parthian Empire was vast and prosperous, the troops on the Ndebele border were but a fraction of the whole. Queen Lozikeyi discussed matters with her advisers and then summoned the Parthian Emissary and asked to draw up terms. Once agreed to and signed, it was agreed that at years end, the treaty would come into force, and Ndebele would become another province within Parthia.

The Parthian Naval headquarters in Ria, home of the Atlantic fleet, was a surprisingly modest affair.
Having no knowledge if the area was prone to earthquakes, a modest two story structure
with rammed earth walls, sheathed with tile, had been built. The defensive nature of the building
was evident in it's form, and the lack of windows on the first floor....which made it very gloomy inside.

Towers at the corners allowed observation of the harbor, and the central courtyard however, was splendid,
with a well watered garden. The canteen was also top notch. But it was cramped for it's current use.

Repeated requests by command for a budget to build a splendid facility had been rejected in favor
of lavishing more funds on drydocks, armor foundries, gantry cranes for turret extraction, and
bunker oil facilities tucked behind the first range of hills.

This is where Parthia's coastal command was run out of.

The Duty Officer looked up curiously as a member of the Satrap's staff entered the facility.
"Commander Mishan?  I have a request from the Wilno naval attache, the Satrap would like pursued, here is the stamped request."
The Commander was puzzled, and stared hard at the officious little man for a minute.

The Official was a pompous man, young and running to fat. His robes of office were lightweight as befitting the climate, but of good make,
and even if of a but lower rank, they had the vanity of the velvet trim elements was a personal embellishment that did not reflect well.
The official's sash, the marker of his family and personal honors had little on it, marking the man's family as a Guild blacksmithing lineage from Khorasan,
one of his Grandfathers had won a crafting award, and his maternal badge was a snipers on a golden background-she had exchanged fire with the horde.
His personal awards were for a school math contest and national service work 'of merit', but not married of yet.
All of that marked him as an bright and likely a hard working up and comer, but perhaps a little full of himself. 
The rudeness of not introducing himself would be of determent to his career.

The Commander replied " Very well then", and examined the document. The Satrap's stamp was matched with the Admirals, so the
rudeness of the official in not introducing himself ultimately did not matter. Still...leave that to his superiors....

"This is all ?, keep a lookout for this, how does one say that... Miroslawa ? which  failed to arrive in Widoknagory ?
Widoknagory is hundreds of leagues south of us, so they could be anywhere. "

Turning to the large map table, he pointed to some wooden figures representing assets.

"We have Maritime patrol Zeppelins both here and from Orinico, it is not a large disruption to ensure they cover the likely route, then divert down the coastlines
looking for wreckage.
Hmm, in Atlantis... <pointing to a ship marker> There's an Artesmia frigate operating out of the Cape Verde, their purpose is maritime patrol for just this sort of thing,
we can radio Cape Verde and they can relay to it, and have it preferentially check the seaward routes. "

The official proclaimed "Thank you Commander, I will relay that to my superiors", and gave an embarrassingly sloppy salute before leaving.

January 1923


The Parthian Pacific Fleet building was a prettier building than it's counterpart in Ria, but both were built about the same time
using the same steam-driven rammed earth & wood techniques to rapidly build a solid, defensible building, at least to small arms
and light artillery. The wood framing gave the building some flexibility should the earth move.

Throughout the new territories, the standard construction of thick rammed earth structures with wood cross ties, two stories
in height around a central courtyard could be found. The ground level passage could be barred, and offered the only
entrance, as the ground level featured narrow 'arrowslit' windows. A windtower and fireplace were kept for heating
and cooling, The roofs were covered in tiles shipped from home and fed cisterns worked into the upper levels.
Frequently a freestanding wall was along the southside, providing shade in the midday.  One to four settler families would
lay claim to the insula, frequently arriving in time to help finish construction of the one they were to live in. If time and
resources allowed, Walls were then covered, inside and out, with tiles or other material to protect the walls and provide decoration.

In Pearl, the additional step of affixing glazed tiles to the buildings had been taken. Not only did this protect the exterior
from rain, but allowed the buildings to take on glorious hues and murals, making the town rich in color.

In the case of the Pearl Harbor buildings, the Parthians had the additional desire to persuade the Kingdom
of Hawaii that the Parthian way was neat and clean and orderly while somewhat imposing.
The piratical conquerors the Parthians had evicted when liberating the Hawaiians had created a different visual image,
and the Parthians were at pains to draw the distinction that they did not operate in the same manner.


The Aztec concerns were towards their Northern Outpost at San Diego.
Each party had agreed to an unfortified border, which presented problems and obligations if a third party threatened part of that border.
The Aztec felt that this may be the case and had alerted the Parthians to their expectations.

The Satrap of Kalifern had sent the matter to the Pacific Fleet HQ, where the Admiral
and the Satrap of Hawaii (Governor) Atossa of House Spandiyadh would review it.

A senior Satrap, and a member of the Seven Great Houses, Atossa would hold the final say on
what was ultimately a political matter.

Due to the agreement with the Aztec, Parthian forces in the Pacific were limited.

Marines were hosted at Hawaii  to allow a response to tensions and Kalifern itself was so big
as to have substantial troops as well, but projectable power
was limited.

The Asiatic fleet at Brunei was the 'Local Response' force, with a battle squadron, supporting ships
and more Marines stationed.

The drydocks at the major harbors provided the maintenance and support facilities, and allowed for warfleets to be moved if needed.
Nine minesweepers ensured the harbors would stay clear but provided local coastal guard style as well.
Eight patrol sloops, and a pair of fleet supply freighters helped round out the local forces,
all of which was aimed at allowing the theater to support forces to be deployed there.

The combat naval forces were really more ... well Maritime patrol was the focus.
Ten of the elderly sailing armored frigates plying the waters, 'showing the flag' at all major islands and areas between.
Three of the long legged 'Raiding Cruisers', two based in Hawaii, and one in Peris Bay (San Fran), took turns making patrols.
So 43,500 tons of cruisers.


Satrap Atossa considered the matter, she was an older lady, jet hair streaked with silver, green eyes and had been chosen
to ensure the Parthian presence in Hawaii observed the forms and favorably impressed by example.
Intelligent and learned and used to command, she was trusted to make decisions in favor of the Empire's long term.

Here, favorable relations with the Aztec were desired. Instructing vessels to patrol in new areas or manners
incurred no opportunity cost.  Deploying marines was a larger step, but far more concrete.
Requesting augmentation from Brunei was a larger step, but could be useful.

As such,
The Artesmia are ordered to regroup into two 4-ship divisions, with one Patrolling from Peris Bay (SF) and one in reserve there.
Two Artesmia will continue Maritime patrol, heading from Pearl to the freeports and then the Canal, then back. The two will alternate.
The two Saka class raiding cruisers will form up in Peris Bay and conduct patrols on the Kalifern coast, ranging down to make port calls in San Diego.
The Varyu class raiding cruiser, with it's long range and high speed, will hold in Pearl.
One of the Marine units at Pearl will be shipped to Peris Bay and then conduct exercises at the south end of the Great Valley.
The two Smurgh class, a Maelstrom scout cruiser, three Palang class are requested from Brunei to Hawaii.

The Royal Throne room of Parthia was ancient and grand, built half a millennium ago. The granite and bronze bones were clad with marble chased in gold. Ancient hydraulics allowed a massive block of marble to descend like a cloud from the sky on massive bronze gears hidden inside marble columns. As the cloud descended, mechanic birds would stir to hydraulic life along the roofline, extending their feathered wings and singing. In the side galleries musicians would then play.  On the cloud was the radiant golden throne, a golden fan radiating from the back, studded with gems collected over 1300 years, included those wrested from the Peacock throne of the Mughals following the conquest, massacre and sack of Delhi in 1739.

While a magnificent and grand spectacle of the Shahanshah descending from the heavens on a golden throne was tremendously impressive and guaranteed to draw the attention of all in the grand chamber... the throne room was pretty much worthless for an actual council meeting.

Shahanshah, or King of King Alexandros X understood that while he might personally enjoy a simple tunic and riding breeches, part of commanding attention and power was simply looking the part.
The family had long believed that they were capable of putting on undergarments without servants, but for formal occasions having attendants meant one looked ones best. So, he wore formal brocaded tunic and silken trousers, and a lightweight robe of office, over which went the personal sash proclaiming the achievements of himself and his family.  A lightweight circlet went on his head, rings of state on his fingers.

The Council Chamber was a much more functional room, with a large horseshoe shaped table around which the ministers could seat themselves. The attendants could enter through the open end to bring either reports or vituals as needed.  The full council was rarely called, as each Minister was busy and would have only a little to contribute to a mass meeting, making them inherently inefficient. A quarterly meeting more than sufficed, and usually ended in the Palace gardens.  This meeting was to discuss a war and it's impacts, and the various ministers and their staff was required.

The traditional announcements and verbal acknowledgements were terribly tedious, but helped inform councilors and guests from their very first day in council chambers that the Emperor was the one to whom deference was owed.

Parthian rulers had long learned that the natural order encouraged sycophants who would tell them what was pleasant to their ears, but that rarely was the best policy.  The Rulers personal cabinet of academic advisers ensured the Ruler was well informed for the Council meetings.  Here, the best use fo the council was for the Monarch to listen and challenge the ideas of the Council, to invite debate, and ask for counter arguments. Within the council chamber, disagreement and honest discussion were encouraged, with long tradition being to challenge for alternate paths. Once the long term merits and flaws for Parthia were arrived at, the policy would be set, and publically delivered.  If a domestic law that fell under the purvey of the legislature, it would have to avoid the legislative veto, which usually was simple to achieve.

The meeting was a long one, focusing on the events in Central America and how that may effect Parthia. There was wide agreement on the Mayans being adherents of Angra Mainyu (aka evil) given their brutal treatment of the tribes of the Orinoco basin and their seeking out and killing of the elders, chiefs, shamans of those tribes (a purge of the tribal intellectual base) which seemed the antithesis of the Zoroastrian search for truth and knowledge. Indeed, for this reason the Parthians had long allowed an arms trade that provided refuge and weapons to the Orinoco tribes.   There was also agreement that the agreement with the Aztec led to San Diego being vulnerable to Mayan sea assault, and Parthia accepted an obligation for that.  The long border tensions could well see an invasion of the Orinoco Delta by the Mayans, or an attack on Jamaica. These were accepted with the belief that Parthia could reclaim them in time. The concept of invading the Orinoco holdings and seizing Cumana was urged by some, but spilling the blood of Parthian soldiers for a territory which was not strategic in location, nor with extensive fertile plains, nor with known mineral riches.  While some infrastructure had been built there, Parthia was struggling to improve the far greater territory already accumulated. The seizure of the ports and more strategic depth would be of merit, but was not worth a war unless the Mayans wanted to start one.

After listening to the Council's debate, the Emperor agreed with most of the recommendations.
Parthia would not claim blanket neutral status, but neither would it become a belligerent. Rather it would declare exactly what it intended – neutrality within the Caribbean Sea, but will continue conducting it's business as it saw fit elsewhere. Parthian shipping would comply with blockades  of war material, and Parthia would demand all parties comply with traditional commerce warfare rules, or Parthia would reserve the right to become involved.

Parthia would declare that it had a special obligation in the case of San Diego, and should it come under attack, they would move to defend or reclaim it.

Pacific forces had already been gathered at Peris Bay (San Francisco bay, actually Suisan Bay),
and the Hawaiian-based Pacific Marine force (2LP/2DP) moved to Kalifern.

Parthia would advance the Marines and  South American Fleet to Trinadad, while the Marines and fleet at Brunei would advance to Peris Bay.  The Bushere Fleet would sail for Trinadad to join the Ria fleet.

The reserve fleet at Abbas would be activated and sent to Pearl. Two Asdar class armored cruisers and 2 Kanthaka class would be dispatched to Peris Bay.

Early 1925

*Iskandar X  sighed as he read the missive delivered by his Minister of Foreign Affairs. 
"So Wilno has lost their Monarch. I regret not having made a tour of foreign courts, but he was all accounts a good man, correct ?"

Minister of Foreign Affairs : "That is our reports, Sire"

Iskandar X : "Do we believe he was behind the disinterest in exploring an alliance ?"

Minister of Foreign Affairs :  "No Sire, that was always unlikely. We of course have long been more closely aligned and intermarried with the Norse, indeed, I believe your father eyed a royal marriage for your sister. "

Iskandar X :  "Ah yes, you are correct, your predecessor explained matters in some detail. Especially post Malta, while we still have but one land border, they have two, and should Iberia aid Rome on the ground, we are far to closely matched with Byzantium to be of great help. The Norse were always a better choice ally, and we had history but unfortunately the situation there has paralyzed their government. 

Minister of Foreign Affairs :  " Yes sire. We have not been fortunate in our search for allies.  The isolationist mantra is strong in world affairs, and most nations do not wish to become entangled with others. Even when we were approached with an offer,  the Ethiopian government collapsed before we could take action on their alliance proposal. "

Iskandar X : "It is a pity Rajasthan could not be enticed to a more formal arrangement, we glare at each other over the Indus, but I think they still remember our bumbling try for Karachi. 

Minister of Foreign Affairs :  "Ah sire, you can speak of your father's youth like that, I can not, at least not in those words. I myself think they still bear ill will from the sack of Delhi and the jewels that adorn your crown and throne."

Iskandar X : " I expect you are right, the events of the past centuries burden us now, despite the familial ties and commonality of culture. Instead, we fortify the passes to the Indus plain. The blood toll for crossing that was prohibitive before machine guns and quickfire artillery, but my father proved the old ways would not work. I expect we shall be secure on that front, even with the new little birds dropping fiery eggs of doom, but an active alliance, or even confederation would be a dream I fear I shall never be able to bring to fruition."

Minister of Foreign Affairs : "Our history with the Norse against the Golden Horde stoked our hopes of alliance there. Our common foe in the Red Sea made the Ethiopian offer attractive, the common history and cultural roots with Rajasthan stoke hopes there, and China, who we've had two millenniums of relations, has turned inward again.  I'm afraid sire that one looks around the world, and who could be counted on to stand by our side as allies in time of war ? And certainly we have seen Japan and Rome and Maya launch wars, while many others have been involved, these are not peaceful times. Yet I am afraid I can not find a path to accommodate your desire, but I will try. "

Iskandar X  (looking at Global Wall Map) :  "What of The Aztec? They have long land borders with us in Africa and the Americas. They have negotiated in good faith regarding the islands of Phenix Yehud and the Desert boundary. They have abided by agreements regarding Sandy Eggo, as did we, and they just expended tremendous effort assisting their Japanese allies, would they not make a trustworthy partner?"

Minister of Foreign Affairs : "Sire, the Aztec, they are Muslim, can you imagine being called to defend them?"

Iskandar X <stern> : "Parthia made Islam an official religion in my Great Grandfathers time, when we absorbed Oman. The bad blood for all we have suffered at Islamic hands needs to stay in the past centuries. We may be Zoroastrian, but the promise to all the Abrahamic religions to practice in peace and safety, or for that matter Buddhists and Hindus, they all enjoy our tolerance. That will continue to be both policy and practice."

Minister of Foreign Affairs : "Yes Sire, I understand completely, I was merely observing that among the populace there may be difference in personal beliefs."

Iskandar X : "You have a point, our national myths highlight my families leadership in saving the Nation and leading it in the fights against the Arabs, Mongols and Timur's Horde...which the lessons I learned stressed were Muslims bent on conquest and conversion by the sword, subjecting the surrendered to tribute but the defeated to slavery or death. I do believe my Father ordered that curriculum changed when I was ten or so. So an entire generation has learned of our heroic national struggles, without tarring Islam as the reason.

So , that aside, what about the Aztec ?"

Minister of Foreign Affairs : "While that is all for the good, I would point out that their fleet is militarily limited, their army has been weakened, and their economy is strained, I would think the Norse would be far superior."

Iskandar X <frowning> : "As we know, the Norse are not an option. Wilno  would be a fine ally, but they are disinterested. If we are forced to engage the Malta pact, someone to guard our rear areas would be useful. Certainly, we could be useful to the Aztec. Tell me, what would have been the impact if Parthia committed to the recent war against the Maya ?"

Minister of Foreign Affairs : "I believe that is the subject of the War Ministry's briefing to Parliament. As such I expect you are far more informed than I, but I believe the consensus was that by stripping our garrisons down, we could have landed sufficient troops to outnumber the Mayan forces and reinforced the Costa Rican province to the point of success."

Iskandar X : "Yes yes, and the Navy believes that the Gilgamesh and Enki classes could have led a force to oppose the Mayan fleet with mild superiority subject limited losses, while our new ships stayed as a core to oppose Byzantium or Rajasthan or whomever became active.  Consider your objections noted, but please explore which nations might be good strategic partners."

Minister of Foreign Affairs : "Of course Sire, I will continue monitoring the international situation and make applicable recommendations.  May I request guidance on the Wilno funeral and coronation for which I requested this meeting ?"

Iskandar X : "Politely said with a dash of sarcasm. I believe it is past due for Parthia to engage a bit more vigorously with the world. We should send someone to the Funeral and Coronation to pay our regards. But whom shall we send ? 

Minister of Foreign Affairs  :  "The timeline is short, if we wish to send a delegation beyond the ambassadorial staff, they will have to travel by Airship.  The most appropriate would be a member of similar social rank to the deceased, so a member of the line of succession or a close family member. "

Iskandar X : "The succession? The Heir is Uncle Sanatruck, but I can't imagine Uncle Sanatruck or for that matter, Aunt Isias,  embracing leaving the ground, and I'm unsure an airship could lift Uncle Sanatruck. I fear Sanatruck is declining and I will need to reconsider the line of succession soon. That leaves either brother Vache or Sister Shirin." 

Minister of Foreign Affairs  : "Ahem, you have another brother"

Iskandar X : "Aye, and both Father and I excluded him from the succession because he is a drunken wastrel who is too happy to take a manor and stipend and indulge himself. He will not represent Parthia. I'd much rather send a cousin... or Vache. I do believe he would be cross with me, his wife is near term...of course Shirin is annoyed at me for enforcing her transfer to the Quartermaster,
but she has to learn logistics to promote, and getting her to stay in one place means I arrange suitors for her... do you know she stabbed one that got handsy? Not badly, just in the leg.. but still. Took another on a cross country ride and left him when he lost his horse .... perhaps a cousin....
<looks thoughtful>
....

Minister of Foreign Affairs  : "Sire, if I may suggest, Wilno society does not have a two millennia old tradition of women as cavalry, and your sister appearing in uniform would ..upset them, they would expect a dress, not trousers, so a cousin would be more appropriate."

Iskandar X <eyes gleaming> : "Wait, my little wildcat sister would be force by honor to wear a formal  dress and stockings instead of trousers, gussy up and behave herself.... oh no, that's too rich, last hunt we were on, ....I owe her a prank in return.  Or two... She's the one, she's going. I can just imagine..

I want you to put someone on detailing the protocol for her to learn.  Send an airship to the estate in Gilan (Southwest shore Caspian Sea), she can join it there... oh and fill it with a protocol advisor, and some courtiers to accompany her....make sure a couple are eligible. I really shouldn't take such delight in this, but I do... "

Minister of Foreign Affairs  : "Sire, it is our oath on our honor to speak when we feel a poor decision is being made. So I speak... perhaps a cousin."

Iskandar X : "Ah, I've gone and scared you. My little sister was a pest when younger, and can be a bit of a headstrong hellion, which is why she was such a good fit in the rangers**, but she is an Arascid and grew up drenched in all the court protocol, is smart and oh so capable, she just disdains all the fakery and talking in circles with no doing. She will represent us well, actually is a fantastic dancer, but as I said, I really owe her a prank or two...and the others aren't very available.

Minister of Foreign Affairs  : "Yes Sire, it shall be done".

*Iskandar is apparently the Persian version of Alexander.
**Parthian Rangers are light cavalry who conduct peacetime reconnaissance missions penetration raids into the  Golden Horde territory, mounted or dismounted...and may or may not on other frontiers. 

A long held tradition of Parthian noble families was each child had an expected role.
The 1st born would be taught about administration, to prepare them for rule. To a certain extent all received some of this tutoring, as the cold hand of death may touch one unexpectedly. Or the 1st born may prove completely unsuited and be excluded.
The 2nd born would be dispatched to the Imperial court to serve. Frequently this meant in the military, and conveniently be both hostage and available to replace the first born if needed.
The 3rd born often either joined the priesthood and became a Zoroastrian Magi or was dispatched to a far court in marriage, so as to not challenge either of the first two.
The 4th was regarded as a spare, as death was unlikely to claim all three prior, and generally joined the military.
The remainder were expected to conduct themselves well and either given a small estate to manage, or if a smaller family, sent to academia or the bureaucracy, becoming prominent engineers, directors, and managers...if they passed the exams.

For House Arascid, a similar path is followed, but no members become Magi, as the family had long since shed their direct involvement, and those who were unfit for rule are simply packed off to the non-Arascid part of their family and given a small manor house on a stipend in the hinterlands and told not to embarrass the family. 

Shirin, as 4th born, had been extensively tutored. When she had been named an heir at age 12 this intensified. As typical, her mother's maiden name was used when she entered National Service at 16, and swiftly demonstrated superior martial talents, duly being chosen was picked for the army. Six months as a private and she passed the tests for officer candidate, and attended Basic Academy. Years in the elite Parthian Ranger scout-raider cavalry had seen her dash across frontiers, exchange fire, and rise to Captain. However, one could not attend Command Academy and command large units unless one first served in a support branch, such as the Quartermaster or  Pioneer branches.

So, at age 27, Shirin was no longer looking forward towards leading an exciting expedition over borders.  She had been promoted to Major and her primary task involved sitting at a desk, examining inventory documents with her assigned tutor/aide and trying to understand the intricacies of supplies, transport and timing. This was made more difficult by the High Command's decision to reactivate some older fortifications as 'local depots' which would provide supply sources if the front lines were shattered by the Horde. Ensuring these were properly managed as reserves were all new headaches.

Her days had a quieter routine, starting with a physical combat session – either the garrison's varzesh-e bastani sessions (traditional fitness and wrestling), or a more intense shǒubó session. Regular target and riding practice could also factor in. Fastidious cleansing and then breakfast and a tutoring/ briefing session – a special burden visited on heirs – followed by an afternoon of doing her actual duties of ensuring arrangements for supplies being the correct places, in the correct times, and of the correct amounts. Social activities, including being polite to the occasional would be suitor, or if they proved annoying, taking them on scenic steeplechase on a route she, but not they, knew well. 

This morning, Shirin had successfully gotten soundly beaten by the sensei,  indulged in a hot bath to tend to the resultant aches, and was now listening to her daily briefing lecture her. In this case he had brought an elderly engineer as an assistant to present the technical aspects.

Had they been in the field, the broad brimmed field hat and the battle scarf wound around her lower face and throat would have hid her face as she rode swiftly away rather than her growing bewilderment as the ancient engineer babbled onwards in a mumbled monotone about 'time of concentration' and 'head pressure'.  But she wasn't in the field, and even the light tan around her eyes had faded, leaving her pale face easy to read as she sat with elbows planted askew on her desk, her hands clutching her head, shoving her blond locks in disarray, as her brow furrowed and her blue eyes looked pleadingly at the old blowhard who kept talking for a second hour in slow monotone about the tradeoffs of various proposed hydraulic projects, a topic she found draining...of will to live...

So she was momentarily thrilled when the  subminister broke into the session with an urgent missive that made the old man stop muttering his endless mutter.  Joy seized her heart as the grey bearded blowhard had to leave the room, but the doldrums of despair soon followed when the subminister delivered the message, and it became clear that she was to represent Parthia and her Dynasty 'honorably and to the highest standard' at a major foreign event, first a Christian Funeral, which she knew little of the protocol of, and then a Wilno coronation, of which she knew less.

Shirin thought of her dear brother, the image coming to mind of him lying flat on his back in a mudpit, eyes blazing up at her as she wiped tears from her own eyes and hid the switch behind her back as his horse, lightened of it's burden when it was startled, ran off...and then the sound of him yelling furiously at her as she rode off 'to get his horse'.... it was a treasured memory, but she suspected there may have been a hidden price to making the Emperor hike uphill in his new riding boots, though in her defense no one expected the cloudburst and downpour that afternoon, and she had found his horse, she just didn't bring it back to him.


The message was quite clear, there was a limited timeframe, an airship was being dispatched to Gilan province, where she had chosen to be stationed, and would fetch her. A long and slightly perilous journey through Byzantine Georgia, across the Black Sea, and then to Wilno beckoned. She would arrive with only a few days to spare.  The message specified that 'Military uniform is not sufficient, full formal court attire...with appropriate shoes'...were required. Of course, her formal attire several years out of date for even the Parthian court, she didn't care fore the delicate heeled court shoes, and who knows what passed for appropriate in Wilno anyhow? She had a feeling that no military garb then no sidearms would be allowed.  Her dear older brother was sending a 'protocol advisor' and interpreter by airship, which was fortunate as, while she was fluent in Greek, and could manage in Norse and had smattering of polite Chinese and Latin, none of that would be useful at this event. As an added bonus, on the same Airship a group of  young nobles would be sent, some chattering airheads chosen from the Seven great families who would surely snidely observed any unfortunate styling shortfalls while trying to both be superior too, and deign to befriend the poor little princess, and then the promised 'eligible young gentlemen' who were certainly to be conveniently unmarried 2nd or 3rd sons at court, from families that would instruct them to throw themselves at her. Desperate and whiny fops were not her type, yet among those she might be doomed to choose.... she knew it was a great honor to be an Arascid and especially an heir, but there were times that manor house in the country seemed terribly attractive.

Rasht was a charming Imperial City on the plain just South of the Caspian Sea, the nearby port of Anzali served as a sheltered harbor.    Just outside the ancient walls, was the manor house of the hereditary Gilaki Baron, Nusrat Livashir, who served as the executive for the Gilan province, while the mostly elected council served to propose or reject laws, and other ancillary purposes. The provincial parliament hosted representatives of all the shires and Imperial Cities of the Province.

The courtiers on the airship consisted of four marriageable young ladies from House Suren, Mihran, Zik and again Suren. The Seven Great Houses (akin to Principalities or Grand Duchies) often sent their later born children to court in the hopes of making connections or marriages that would help the House and them. Two well born gentlemen also attended, of slightly lesser houses, and so allowed by Arshakiani (Arascid) House law to contend for a dynastic hand. One was from the local Bavand dynasty (Dukes), the other from the Arshakiani dynasty, (Arascid cadet branch) that ruled Parthian Armenia.  The presence of such upper class individuals was a reasonable occasion for a party, before they were to depart the next day.
Formal attire was still a legacy of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, influenced by the resplendent Chinese empires to the East, resulting in an expecations formal robes of office, crafted from rich material, embroidered and deeply dyed. For a village leader, that might mean fine wool dyed a butternut brown and braid, but for an Heir, this was a silken overrobe of state, dyed a deep purple and richly embroidered with golden thread, an integral half cape coming over the shoulders and around the back, again trimmed in gold. The tall pointy hats had thankfully finally fallen out of fashion long ago.

Over this was worn the Parthian sash, a wide stripe of fine cloth or silk from shoulder to hip, embroidered with sigils. For those that understood them, the Heraldic emblems told of which houses your parents belong, the bottom edge was thick with the claims to merit of the houses, while the upper rim was reserved for any matters of note you yourself had earned, from leading your class as a child, to a village recognizing your charity, from winning at the fair, to military awards for bravery, mentoring, or a wound badge.

Under this fine attire, which frequently was shed after the formal phase of the evening, were more elaborate versions of typical clothes. The first peoples to ride horses, and the first horse archers, the national costume was never the toga of the Hellenic world, but rather a coarse woven overtunic and baggy trousers.  While the Parthians embraced the culture and learning of the Hellenic world, exported to Persia in Alexander the Great's colonial cities, they never quite left their horse riding roots. 
This meant that under the resplendent overrobe , the men wore a sleeved tunic which came to mid thigh and fine breeches, fitted into elegant boots. The women had once worn lighter and more flowing versions of the same, with eventually became a mid-thigh dress over fine woven hose, but recent fashions (think 'flapper' look) had meant a fine dress falling to just above the knees, but slit higher, worn over silk stockings with heels.  Dancing was extremely popular in Parthia and had been for millennia, indeed Persian dancing girls had once been highly sought after in China. Now the world was far more connected, and the court styles of the world were devoured and learned eagerly among the rich and bored, and those that aspired to be.

The next morning the passengers embarked and the Airship ascended and headed for Byzantine Georgia. The Byzantines had agreed to the passage and provided an honor guard of fighters as the great airship soared down the mountain valleys to the Black sea at 48knots. The airship then voyaged out across the inland sea, continuing west until the tip of the Crimean peninsula came into view. Sighting on that, the course was adjusted and landfall was made as expected. The Byzantine fighters once again formed an escort as the course turned North and the Airship, with sufficient radio announcement,  sailed into Wilno airspace, passing over the city of Lvov to make one last major course correction to head towards the aerodrome nearest the coronation site.... which I think is in Vilnus, but might be Warsaw... 

OOC:  It'd be Vilnius, yes.  Warsaw is an important commercial centre, but not the seat of government.

On the trip, Princess Shirin had found that of her assigned escorts, one of the Suren ladies, Parysatis, seemed far to interested in finding a marriagable candidate, but disdained the Bavand as a provincial lord, while setting her sights on the highest ranking man available, the Arshakiani dynast.  Those two gentlemen seemed disinterested, setting their sights higher, on the Princess and other Suren lady, talking constantly about how themselves and their impending greatness as their means to achieve this. Aspas Surena, was a 2nd born to that Great House. While Shirin was lithe and athletic, and had worked to build strength to serve in  the military, Aspas was a little wisp of a girl. Tiny and delicately built, Aspas had not the physical stature to make it into the military, and had served her national service as an page at the Academy of Gondishapur* before returning to court.  With her long silken black hair, flashing black eyes, and honeyed skin, she was quite striking and seemed to catch most men's eye, outshining the other ladies.  The two ladies from House Mihan and Zik were late birth courtiers, obsessed with status and infighting and unsure how to deal with a fairly pragmatic princess who outranked them considerably, and cared little for the court gossip or the fact fashion had advanced and both the cut of the Princess's robe and sash were slightly outdated. They tried to explain this in their best pitying tones, 'admiring' her fiscal prudence in not having the most recent style, and lauding her commitment to a more traditional look, all of which she just seemed amused by.   
Wilno was a vibrant city, well kept and bustling, but in this season cloaked in snow, and by Parthian standards, just a bit cold outside. For Princess Shirin, who had scouted the Horde on the steppe in the depths of winter, this was tolerable, but for the others in her party it made the winter wonderland of the Palace grounds an aspect  to be foregone for the cozy and warm interiors of the Palaces.
The Funeral, well someone forgot the first letters.  The Parthian delegation were of the Zorastorian faith. The Muslims had long ago declared Zoroastrians 'people of the book' along with Christians and Jews, with the belief that they all shared a supreme deity,  and the other faiths had followed. Funeral practices were substantially different, as the Zoroastrians believed in cremation, and used fire as the symbol of the light of knowledge that the individual had brought to others, after which everyone got drunk and reminisced.** The apparently endless Mass was not part of the, to them, normal experience, nor was the somber tone afterward.

Further, Shirin and the rest of the delegation attire certainly did not meet the fashion standards of the Vilnus court. The elaborate robes of office with the sash of honors did not appear and garnered substantial looks. The Parthian delegation had been given a section adjacent to the the Aztec contingent. Their lead was the crown prince, who was a dashing war hero in the Mayan war, actually flying one of those flimsy planes in combat and defeating the Mayan pilots. Like Aspas Surena, he had a striking dark and dashing appearance, and like the Parthians, the Aztec delegation did not quite fit the norms of the Wilno court either, which led to the two groups awkwardly chit chatting in what Greek*** they shared.



*founded ~540CE by exiled Nestorians under Parthian auspices, when Nestorians schools were closed in Byzantine after the 489 Nestorian Schism, renowned College of Medicine and now University of many fields.
**I'm blending Zoroastrian cremation with an Irish wake here...
*** I presume Greek is the 'common' tongue of the Navalism world. Latin would be a candidate, but while Rome was never eliminated, it was much reduced, while Byzantine has been the center of commerce and the strongest enduring state in our history. Parthia of course has been nearly wiped out three times, and fought long bitter wars to recover.

Is that a 4x4?
Why is is set on end in the ground?
Oh, it's a new(s) post...

(I would presume Greek as well, since Greek was the official tongue of Roman Citizens, in fact it was one way to differentiate a commoner from a proper Roman Citizen, since commoners spoke Latin while Citizens were fluent in Greek)

Quote from: TacCovert4 on June 26, 2023, 05:23:28 AM
(I would presume Greek as well, since Greek was the official tongue of Roman Citizens, in fact it was one way to differentiate a commoner from a proper Roman Citizen, since commoners spoke Latin while Citizens were fluent in Greek)

The history developed had the near extinction of both Parthia and Rome, which allowed for the majority of history to continue apace. Byzantine, while diminished temporarily, continued. Rome resurged after the dark days of the 400s. While the failure to fully conquer and then the resurgence of Parthia in the 650s-750s cut the economic legs from the Muslim conquests, pushing forward the reconquista of Iberia, and allowing Byzantine to reconquer the Levant. Parthia then got bludgeoned by the Mongols and Tamberlane, but that reduced the impacts on Byzantine, so it does not fall to the Ottomans. Hence, while none of the ancient regimes fully fell, from the 300s -1900s Byzantine has likely been the dominant economic and so linguistic power in Western Eurasia 

The Royal Road would be arriving in a week, much to late to join in the Vilno regatta. The Royal Road had departed Bushere even before she boarded the Zeppelin, but the journey through the Suez and the Roman Sea had taken much time. While it was deemed worth the mild risk of storms to attend the coronation, no such haste was warranted for the return, so she had stayed for.    The Wilno fleet had been quite impressive, and Shirin found herself wondering how the Parthian would compare on parade. As far as she knew, the Navy did not indulge in such, but the navy had never quite her eye, and unlike her brother Vache, she had not deployed overseas, so the ships remained descriptions in her royal briefing materials. Still she knew that while technically a cruiser, Royal Road would be like a toy to the Wilno fleet.

Shirin sometimes wondered if she had made the right choices in life.  Work and devotion, or indulgence and luxury.  Honor, respect and admiration, or being seen as a courtier, albeit a prestigious one.   Her brother Iskandar had offered to make her an Heir before she was of age, and she had agreed.  A simple extension of her extensive tutoring, she had studied hard, and when she reached majority, passed the Questions posed by the High Chamber and so earned her place as officially Fourth in Line. She then plunged into her National Service.  Because of her status as Princess, even if not heir, she could have taken a more luxurious path, certainly a different course would likely have seen the easier road of declining the Military, and aiming for the easier road of Civil Service, she had the brains for a prestigious Academic posting, and could have stayed closer to Courts and Parties.  But she would have felt ashamed, Nobles who were trusted to lead were also were expected to set examples to demonstrate they earned that trust, and it could be stripped away in dire cases. 

Shirin rather liked hunting and dancing and music, but felt very proud of her time with the Parthian Rangers. They were the part of the Elite light forces that actually sought out and kept contact with the potential foes. While she had taken time for Court events and schooling, during her time with them, she had learned to make command decisions that mattered to her troopers.  The military demanded it's would-be field grade officers spend time learning the logistics or engineering that allowed large bodies of troops to function, and she had started that route.

Expectations were that over the next decade she would marry and have children, Professionally, she could stay with the military in a staff role, or serve as the Emperors representative, say in diplomatic circles such as this funeral.  When she was a child it seemed like renewing the links to the Norse, or forging a better peace with Rajasthan would be the best matches, but the domestic politics of those nations meant those matches were unlikely. Traditionally the Arascid line, if not marrying a foreign Royal line, made its matches among the second tier of Nobles, frequently from the Mountain provinces that had long been the redoubts of the Parthian state. Now she had found in two foreign men different facets that caught her interest, suggesting there may be something more. Should she steer her course into diplomatic circles, their encounters could become friendships, but she was keenly aware that all three felt the pressure of marriage, and that could lead to living in a foreign court.

First, she had a duty to pay a call on her distant relations among the Norse, and meet the man to whom she was once intended. She understood he was quite the man's man, and so their was no chance of that plan occurring, but the silence and isolation from the Norse court this past decade was something that could be pried open by a Royal visit on reasonable pretext. Then she had to arrange with Iskandar to royally invite Wictor and Ali to visit Gilan. Of course first she would need to call Iskandar, but with no line from Wilno*,  for now the Embassy's telegraph should suffice. Framing the information, transcribed by the telegraph operators, to decorously explain the goings on and prospects, that would be the conundrum.

Iskandar X, Shahahan of Parthia, holder of so many titles it exasperated him to be formally announced, sometimes despaired of the formalities.

The light and comfortable clothes served as a base for the formal apparel of the Royal Robes, which were heavily embroidered. The sash of the house of Arascid went over that, his family accomplishments not truly fitting, while his personal ones were relegated to a small strip. Then the particular royal regalia.  There were sometimes when he felt particularly lazy and indulgent that he wished his Ancestor had not dispensed of some of the personal assistants that would have made dressing easier, if somewhat undignified. However he could rely on his aide to review and ensure all the various bits and pieces are where they were supposed to be.

The Palace was a grand building, built in the late 1400s at great expense, replacing the ruin left by Timur in 1387 when the city was massacred. The Grand throne room, with it's sunlit colonnade and it's entrance flanked by a garden populated by hydraulicly operated singing birds, never failed to impress those new. The descent of the great golden dome from the ceiling, upon which the modernized Peacock Throne was set, gave the impression of the Emperor descending from the Heavens. All of which was terribly useless for actually discussing matters and examining documents.

The Second story of the Palace, from where the throne descended, was also the location of the Council of Ministers, with it's grand "U" shaped council table. Betwixt the two was the Emperor's preparation room, where he waited to make the final entrance. The chamber was quiet, filled with old books left open on stands.  The books were written by his Ancestors, each page filled with a single saying or concept they felt of importance.  Iskandar lingered over one of his favored ones, set down by Vistaham II "The Idealist" who in the early 1800s embraced the 'Enlightenment' concepts and tried to introduce some democratic concepts.
"A Monarch, no matter how clever or wise, has no more hours between dawn and dusk than any other in which to do their works, and so are limited in what they can achieve unless they entrust others.

A Monarch who sets clever men in places of power, and harnesses their ambition, gains all their hours between Dusk and Dawn to further their works, and can do Great things."

Idly flipping the page, he moved deeper in the book :
"A ruler who makes good decisions shall win the peoples thanks.

A ruler who makes poor decisions will win the peoples derision.

A ruler who appoints a minister who makes good decisions shall win both parties the peoples thanks, while additionally the ruler shall be thought wise for appointing the minister.

A ruler who appoints a minister who makes bad decisions and earns the peoples derision, can win praise by removing the poor minister and appointing a better one."

Not all the words of his ancestors were golden, and many were dated, but frequently they had some resonance in these days.

His aide signaled that the meeting was ready, and all awaited his arrival.

Inskandar X entered the Council of Ministers and took his place at the head of the 'Horseshoe' as it was call.  This was one of several sessions that had occurred over the past several months.Like most Parthian bureaucracies, the military leadership was elderly and extremely traditional. Their responses to Iskandar's first queries as to technology and the military's future had been very conservative, and had led to his formation of this panel.  Iskandar, the Ministers of the Army and Navy, of Finance, and of Infrastructure (and Production) were all present. Senior staff from the Military colleges were present, as were the leaders of the Upper and Lower Chamber's Military Committees. Normally his Uncle, 1st in line, would be present, but he was in failing health and once again ill, which only reinforced Iskandar's need to update the chain of succession. Presentations would be done by representatives of the various bodies, as well as the various intelligence services and prominent proponents of various military theories.

The topic was the evolution in military technology over the past several years, and how that would effect tactics, strategy and procurement. The keen desire was provide reliable equipment in the needed quantities...for whatever the new battles – on land or sea- would look like.  The rapid development of aircraft and where that may lead, as well as the change to the grand tactical picture the presence of mobile armored guns. The War Colleges had been studying both for a decade, but leaps in capability, reliability and numbers were changing the answers. The Rangers had over the years found several large Horde armor depots and airfield, deep in Horde territories, proving that threat was well armed.  Byzantine of course was a major power in that way.  Rajasthan was dangerous but limited by the Indus and the Hindu-Kush.

The Mayan-Japanese war had brought attention to how tracked mobile guns could be used to nullify border fortifications, and a deep dispersed belt of fortified points was the key to the Northern...and other...borders. A retrofit program, fitting key gun positions with bolstered dome shields of RHA + sand filling + facehardened, overlaid on the older armor had been undertaken*. The Parthian response to the Mayan war, as well as the difficulties the Japanese had, and the urgent efforts made by the Aztec, had been the focus of several early meetings. The Parthian aide mission to Wilno to provision and treat the interned soldiers had an unexpected bonus of first hand observation and discussion, and there had been some radio traffic monitored.  Assessing the capability of the Ethiopians (Friendly) and Berbers (Not Friendly) and Incans (Mixed) and Parthian responses had been examined in later meetings. With all the overseas wars, the presumption was early land defeat, six months to secure the seas, and then a counter invasion to liberate the lost territories, which still appeared possible. A conflict with a larger power, well there were specific war plans for each.
The varied terrain and sheer extent of Parthia and it's overseas territories was proving to considerably complicate matters.  The efforts to hear a wide variety of concepts had exposed how this could be problematic. One  theorist, with a published book had espoused thousands of small tracked armored vehicles to serve as mobile machine gun posts and gun carrier-tractors, replacing cavalry and horse artillery.  While the Northern steppe was suited for such, the mountains of the Northwest and Southeast were not. Further, the oil and parts needed produced supply difficulties compounded by sheer unreliability of such current vehicles...they simply could not be relied on to make a deep strike in some unguarded section of line. The response from the Royal Armory on ballistics tests had verified that special steel cored bullets could defeat light armor, while the 15mm round could be adapted for the role, indeed a oversized rifle for that round had recently entered testing.

Discussions on focusing or dispersing these new machines, and the mechanical and fuel support to supply them, with the attendant effects on budget. Concentration of scores allowed use of mass and firepower, best able to overwhelm dispersed defenses, but coordination by flags was proving extremely difficult, and the need for a separate crewman to simply monitor adjacent vehicles and the enemy positions had been suggested, despite the weight penalty. Which would increase the cost and complexity, impacting production and finance...which was why THEY were at a military discussion. Dispersing the vehicles and attaching them to infantry allowed them to operate independently and flexibly, but increased the maintenance and resupply challenge, while the reliability issues meant frequently there would be no support. Lastly in a duel with a gun, or battery of them, a single vehicle was far more likely to come out on the loosing end.

The discussions were monthly, trying to assess which theories should be returned to the Services for exploration, or lead to equipment orders for trials – a rather expensive proposition – but felt...at least by Iskandar...as important.  The grand scheme to provide agricultural land and resources for Parthia's exploding population to expand to, that was to be his legacy, a future of Prosperity for the peoples of the homeland, and to all those in the new territories.... all of which could founder if the Shield that was the Military was not well kept, and letting the old Generals plan to refight the war of their youth was not adequate. Parthia critically lacked actual experience against a modern force, and it would be disastrous to find they had chosen the wrong path with the new weapons. Iskandar keenly felt practical experience was needed, but had not wanted to send soldiers sworn to Parthia's protection into the Mayan battle, it would not have seemed that he was keeping his faith in that oath. Lacking that practical experience, they looked to what they could glean from others, or develop theories on. Presentations on Byzantine theories and Horde planning documents only went so far, informing on the NOW. The young minds fascinated by the technologic possibilities were critical to evaluate options for the Future...what needed to be built.   For such a critical juncture, Iskandar's  role was to ensure a robust discussion was made.  "To avoid becoming a figurehead, involve yourself in decisions, support your ministers in most, suggest alterations in some, but at time insist on exploring alternatives and taking the better path."

*Similar to what the Belgians did prior to WW1, but failed to do between the wars.

And now...time for more rambling....

The Wilno Funeral/Coronation had by it's nature been a rather sudden occurrence, and a decade before, the Parthian Royal Family would not have been able to attend, simply by reason of travel time.  With Parthia now having global interests, it had been felt prudent to make a show of attending.  Zeppelins meant Iskandar could send his sister, and he knew the risk was small even in winter.
Shirin was similarly a calculated risk taker, and had been willing to take the Zeppelin ride in January,  and her entourage had little choice in the matter. The trip back was not nearly as important, and so the mail-courier cruiser, Royal Road, with it's staterooms was designated to carry them home and arrived some days after the Regatta.

The Embassy telegraph had been busily recording an schedule for the Royal Personage, so on it's arrive she found that beyond visiting her distant Norse relations, she was to make a diplomatic call at Barcelona and visit the Iberians, after which would be a long route around the Horn of Africa, stopping at the major Parthian possessions. The Royal Road was designed for high speed dashes between such ports. Aunt Isias had visited Stone Town (Zanzibar), but as the Royal line generally kept to Parthia, she would be the first to call on many of the Satrapies.

Oslo was a more muted occasion than Shirin had braced herself for. Following King Gunnar's injury* and coma, political leadership had turned to infighting and no majority government emerged. Seizing the reins was a minority coalition government led Nationalist Isolationist Party. The Norse had, along with so many other nations, embraced the writings of George Foster, praising Isolationism, self-reliant economies and restricted trade with outsides, essentially arguing for the adoption the Japanese Sokaku policy long after the Japanese had discarded it.  To Shirin, this seemed peculiar, for one the Parthians had a mechanism to replace the infirm, enfeebled, insane, or otherwise unsuited Shahahan, or other leader, that was one reason for a line of succession defined by blood but also demonstrated ability. For another, from her briefing papers the NIP mainly seemed to spout self-serving propaganda which was dutifully echoed by the various news organizations they owned. Ahura Mazda had fire as a symbol of the Light of Knowledge, that truth was worthwhile seemed a given, but here it was inconvenient.  The entire arrangement had led to a paralysis of Norse Foreign policy for nearly 15 years.  Few of Parthia had called other than diplomats, or merchants at the designated ports. Shirin's Royal nature ensured the Norse Government could not politely refuse her admittance.

A small honor guard greeted Shirin and her party at the Harbor, and the Norse Foreign Minister put on an appearance. They were then whisked to the Parthian Embassy. The Norse hosted the first dinner, that very evening, with Political functionaries present, a perfectly grim affair.

The next day, Shirin was able to formally call on King Gunnar Harada. When stricken, he had been a decade her senior but unmarried, and while his cousin had been the originally intended partner, that gentleman was uninterested in the ladies....so she wondered if things had been different could Gunnar have been her future? Now a wane and wasted man, struck down in his youth. She wondered how he had been before, was he strong quiet and self-assured like Wiktor, or dashing and jaunty like Ali ? Seeing King Gunnar was in some ways terribly sad, but as she stood there and paid her respects, she couldn't help but wonder how others would remember her contributions if tomorrow was her last day.

The Embassy's mail that evening included a telegraphed schedule from Prince Ali, indicating he was had arrived safely in Portsmouth, and she dictated a reply. Prince Wicktor had not been heard of, but it had not been long, but she seemed to have something in common and at least a friendship could be forged- she had a suspicion that Vilnus would be far more interesting to visit in

The following evening was a Banquet and Ball at the Palace, where the resident Nobility took excuse to have a party, to which Shirin seemed mostly an excuse. She did get to meet the distant relatives, but that was to be expected, as Rhodogune Arshakuni (the Arascid House family name) had passed over a century prior, after a marriage that cemented the last Alliance against the Golden Horde. Shirin Ashakuni had been the century prior, and the marriages of Atossa and Artesmia had been even deeper in the past, marking the first Alliance against the Horde. Surprisingly, King Gunnar's 4th sister, Princess Adrianna, bore a family resemblance**, and had three darling daughters- Astrid, Ella and Anna. She also finally met her might have been betrothed, Filip, who turned out to be wondrously dull with an elevated opinion of his own wit, surrounded by pair of sycophantic young men who lauded his every utterance. The various alternative paths that her could have taken once again seemed prominent in her regard. There were distractions from such serious considerations, with dinner, a skit, and dancing. Overall, the evening was rather delightful, with the Norse courtiers interested in the 'new shiny' of the Parthian Nobles, and so they were kept quit busy.

The next day, the short visit was over, the Royal Road stocked up, and the passengers embarked. The voyage across the North Sea, in early February, was bedeviled by squalls,.  but the vessel was built for good speed in all weathers..though the heating provisions left a little to be desired, things were brisk.

The dash across the North Sea and down the channel was uneventful. Shirin had asked to be told when they were abreast from Portsmouth, but when she was informed, it was a dark and stormy night, the ship having slowed to avoid collisions in the poor visibility. Once past the weather, the Royal Road was able to maintain her 22knot cruising speed the remainder of the journey to Barcelona.


*  With Iberia, we know there was political unrest, as players changed. With the Norse, the long pause in 1912 is completely unexplained. Further, we have China and other isolationist NPCs.
Therefore I am putting forth the conjecture that there are competing theories of international interaction, and that something hit the Pause button in Norse politics...
**This all according to the Norse Royals that Walter was working on, I believe Adrianna was meant to look a bit different. His renditions of Iskandar and Shirin (this one) are a bit off how I portray though :)

Much of life was a routine, even for the Shahanshan Iskandar, King of Kings. Claiming a portion of each day for a sedate routine had a calming effect for him.  Rising early, a vigorous session of varzesh-e bastani would leave muscles sore and on rare occasion bruises, but was followed by a heated bathtub to remove the grime and leave him fresh for the day. That would then begin by breaking fast with his wife Zenobia and chatting over the day's plans, the policy matters ahead, and her plans for the next banquet. Since no children had come of their union, the birth of Vache's second daughter was the center of the discussion. The designated line of succession granted flexibility, so a first cousin could be slated to be added when Uncle Sanatruck's decline forced Iskandar to redesignate, but it was always better when one in the direct line could be tutored since youth, and hopefully one of the daughters would prove to have the aptitude and desire.

The business of the day then started, reviewing the latest decoded missive from his little sister Shirin, briefly relating the Norse court, and reiterating her plans for hosting her new friends.  Then other the missives of import.  Today was a busy day, as he had his council of Academic advisors. The Zoroastrian faith prized truth and knowledge, and it had been long tradition for the King of Kings not to simply rely on the reports processed through the bureaucracies, but also on the varied intelligence services and knowledgeable advisors.

Armed with this information, he greeted the new agricultural minister, in this case an elderly gentleman from the House of Commons*. Iskandar conveyed his expectation that Ministers were key decision makers, but were to listen to and evaluate the inputs of the experts. Iskandar discussing his vision for robust scientific exploration of crops, importance of that continuing, of focusing on practical applications of resources, the importance of the advisor corps and planning for crop failures and catastrophes. A flaw of the system was placing a senior politician in an executive position, so typically

The afternoon was slipping away by time his official day was winding down. The new minister had departed, and he had a window of time before the banquet that evening for the delegation from Rajasthan, just arrived to discuss dams. Iskandar contemplated Shirin's request for formal invitations. Prince Wiktor had made an impression, but what she felt was self confidence and restraint could be disinterest. Still, no harm in fostering a friendship and seeing if more could blossom there. The Foreign ministry's files on Wiktor gave no reason for concern, and the intelligence services indicated he was well thought of. Prince Ali had also made an impression and she dwelt on him slightly more, but the file on Prince Ali was somewhat more concerning.  Prince Ali was an victorious pilot and leader, a risk taker, which reminded Iskandar of the hard won experience of Azteca in war...but also made him concerned regarding the death rate of pilots. The Aztec had shared a synopsis of the war on request, and reports from those helping the internees had been intriguing. There was more there to be sought over, the question was how to coax the Aztec to bringing that experience to Parthia, and his military leaders welcoming the matter. Given the terrain differences, one could not expect their art of war to provide the same insight tailored to Parthia the Byzantine Strategikon had when captured, but could the Aztec-Roman steppe be that different than the lands of the Golden Horde?

There was no need to force a royal marriage, there was a wide range of suitors of sufficient rank**, but either was an intriguing prospect. Iskandar worried though that the sheer difference in cultures and religion could be a barrier, that would be something he needed to investigate further. Before departing to prepare for the evening, he gave orders for reports to be prepared, with a special request of first hand observations of Azteca and Wilno cultures. The King's Eyes, and the Parthian Merchant Association would be the best sources for the latter. Then, his busy day concluded, he left to host the Rajasthani delegation. 

*typically only those prosperous and established were elected to village councils, and by time seniority raised someone from village council through the intervening governments to the House and eligibility for ministership, they were reliably old.
** The Seven Princely families are disqualified to prevent usurpation, but the various Arascid cadet lines and surrounding nations had long been the primary matches. There was that time a  2nd Heir was placed on the Rajasthan throne, and then became a focus of a civil war, so those situations were avoided as well.

This is in one way filler, but it includes some concepts I want to put down as well.
So long and meandering, but gets Shirin 'home'.

Shirin had been quite willing to take the risk to take a Zeppelin home, and risk the storms, but while her brother had been willing to risk her on the trip TO Wilno, he saw value in her taking the long and formal route home. Princess Shirin and her entourage steamed on the Royal Mail to Cadiz*. A brief shore visit this far from the capital only turned out some notables, but Cadiz proved picturesque in its own right, even in winter. Fascination with antiquities in the late 1800s had brought to light the idea that Cadiz had been founded by the Phoenicians, and was of tremendous age, even by Parthian standards, but none of that was still in evidence. Much later conquered by the Muslims, it had been retaken less than a century later by the new Iberian nation, and became a provincial capital, little of that period remained as well. However, much of the old town had been revitalized and prospered when the Iberians first traced the route around Africa to Asia,  and then later when they struck out across the Atlantic to pursue the tales of Norse and Mali trade with lands across, which proved to be well populated with strong kingdoms. Cadiz became the primary port for the rich trade that followed and so had become quite prominent. That time of prosperity had left it's stamp on the city, lasting until the age of steam.  As a result of that mercantile connection, the city was host to a Parthian consulate, on who's grounds a banquet was held with the local notables feted and a recalcitrant Shirin required to serve as courteous hostess. The wine and dancing lasted until the wee hours, and the local Dons...somewhat forgot how to comport themselves, but there were no broken bones...

The rest of the trip was short dashes between Parthian Ports, with a cruiser as escort, providing a long overdue visit by a Royal Personage, with her escort of noble scions, a daytime tour, a polite dinner and dance, and then a day where any serious discussion that needed to happen could. Parthia's bureaucracy was old, bloated, hidebound, but there was great value placed on truth and knowledge, while tests to ensure competence had been imported over a thousand years prior, so in it's own ponderous way the system tried to seek new ways and reward competency and results.  This meant that each Parthian territory had much in common – particularly in appearance of new buildings, but differed in certain ways.

Each port featured a prominent lighthouse, white clad stone, and a brass-clad roof housing a fresnel lens - symbolic of the light of knowledge- representing not only the Parthian claim, but also a tangible improvement for navigation and commerce. Other tangibles such as improved harbors, blocks of new buildings- often rammed earth and wood with tile roofs, a paved major road network, and clusters of electrified public buildings – schools, libraries, windmills, silos, and others. The degree of government buildings varied more widely.

The first stops were in the Protectorates which of course differed from virtually all other Parthian territories. There was no time to visit each of the Kingdoms, so the satrap capitals of Kabuu and Palmas became the host locations for grand gatherings. The local Kings had been loosing a war against Fulani jihaddists**, loosing battles in the interior separately and falling back on their various strongholds. These, having centuries of trade with Europe, were established and fortified.  Once the Parthians claimed the Azores, their putative confederation had sought Parthian intercession, but the underlying treaty enshrined a protectorate, leaving most of the local political structure in place, and the Parthian presence was more subdued, though growing. There, the lighthouse and new docks and warehouses were backed by the old  city walls, and the buildings beyond had a distinctly Moroccon style to them. The local Kings had each been required to journey to Isfarhan to pledge their allegiance and verify their commitment to the treaties, but this was the first that a Royal came to visit in return. The several days of required commitment was both a fascinating display of local traditions, and brought the total number of socializing days Shirin had to play princess in far past her totals of the past several years. Shirin then found herself in the particular circumstance of taking the railline inland and paying formal visits to the Parthian troops supporting the locals inland. This was of course done under the 'Princess' honorific, rather than the far less exalted 'Captain' she had worked so hard for, and she was well aware of the mixed blessing the 'honor' was for the troops, especially those who had indubitably been tasked with additional cleaning duties. Still, it gave her an opportunity to ride a horse- the tsete fly was less prevalent in this part of Africa – and she at least understood what she was looking at. What Shirin was unsure of is how her challenge to a target shoot was received. Against the assembled Snipers...She did not win, she shot after the 16 shooters and placed fourth and sixth, congratulating the winner. While she had been trained by a master, grown up shooting and hunting, and was an excellent shot, she did not get the practice time to beat them at their own specialty....maybe if they had been making shots from horseback. Still, she still felt the exhibition was a good way to interact, if outside typical protocol.

The rest of the voyage, took them steaming to the Azores, then down to Ikapa and seeing Table mountain and the veldt at the tip of Africa. The drylands of the southern cape had been lightly populated by nomads, but was an terrain long familiar to the Parthians, and their colonists had been able to turn the lands lesser used by the nomads into productive terrain... not that the schedule allowed for her to see it.

A voyage up the coast to Sofala, seized by the Parthians of Kilwa from the Sultans of Mogadishu in 1180, long ago lost during the Mongol invasions, and now since reclaimed. The Zambezi river offered difficulties ascending, so a set of quad tracks carried the heavy traffic from the interior territories to the port.  From there, they steamed up to Stonetown, the one place in Africa Aunt Isias had visited previously. Capital of the Sultanate of Zanzibar, founded by the Sultanate of Oman, to which Shirin had claim through the marriage that cemented the Arascid claim to Oman. The Satrap here was her first cousin, Aunt Isias's son, and quite possibly a future formal Heir, which gave Shirin someone outside her entourage that she knew, and so it was wonderful to catchup as adults.

Despite the pleasant stay, the final sprint home to the Parthian gulf and Bushere was most welcome. During her absence, her sister-in-law had birthed her second niece, who Shirin finally got to meet and hold.

*I wrote Barcelona earlier, Cadiz is what I was thinking of, in the SW not the NE. My European geography is usually better than that. Argh.
** Historically, there was an 1800s jihaddist state in the Niger basin, somewhat like ISIS. Here, I moved that into the early 1900s and made it the basis for Parthia becoming involved.
The Parthians have backed the locals in evicting the jihaddists, while the United Berbers wound up conquering their corelands. Arms Parthia originally supplied the Protectarate militaries have wound up surplused and resold and made their way to Mayan Rebels. While Parthia takes a very harsh line towards corruption by its own officials, so long as the Protectarates follow the Charter Laws (closest to a constitution), they mostly run their own internal affairs.

The port city of Bushere was a clean and well kept mercantile hub, with a major naval base, but what it truly provided Shirin and her now tired entourage was railroad access inland, into the foothills and valleys, to Shiraz.

Shiraz, city of Poets, Literature and Flowers. The modern incarnation of a village founded 4000 years prior by the Elamites called Tirazis, Shiraz had been a major city for 800 years. Unlike nearby Istakhr, Shiraz had not been sacked by Ghengis Khan or Tamberlane. To the East, now on the outskirt of the city, was a sprawling fortress, verging on 2000 years old, tasked with controlling and protecting this strategic valley.

Along the river were croplands, and vineyards cloaked the lower hills, fed by quanats* from mountain springs. Rising above were oak woodlands for grazing, and in the distant mountains carefully tended cedar and pine forests rose above, until the giving way on the upperslopes to the juniper forests.

Anciently part of Media, and long capital of Fars province, it was from this area that the Medes raised their cavalry to bring down the Assyrian empire, and it had been an important source of armored cavalry for millennia. Now far from potential battlelines, it was home to the training school for Parthian Cavalry. While theoretically all fresh National Service recruits had potential, usually those with some prior riding and shooting skills shone in the testing and were selected. There was a tremendous difference between an upper class brat able to sit a horse, and a soldier ready to act as part of a cohesive unit...and hug the mud as needed.

Vache Arashakuni, of House Arascid, 2nd Heir to the Throne, had tested well and swiftly been chosen for the Army, specifically, Cavalry when he entered national service. At the end of his first term reenlisted and attended OCS, so he had been a freshly promoted Lieutenant of Dragoons in 1909 when his elder brother decided to embrace expansion. Vache had seen combat in against the forces of Kandy, Aceh and Srivijaya as a Dragoon, his breastplates had the dents to prove it. Vache had been called on of representative of the throne to take surrenders and to sign the treaties. Parthian officers could not promote to Regimental command purely on time as a Line officer, they were required to understand support arms by serving in them. So he had served his time in the Pioneers and been as far as Hawaii and Kalifern.

Time and duty stalk those of Royal lineage, and his marriage to Anoys of a cadet House had called him back to Parthia to start his family distant from places he would be shot at.  Promoted to Colonel and posted as deputy commander of the Training Regiment of Dragoons posted to this fortress, Vache was proud father of two daughters, one only recently welcomed to this world. His wife Anoys was doing well, as were both Cassandre and her elder sister  Anzaze. Vache's younger sister Shirin, 4th in line, had arrived from an overseas trip to see her new neice and room had been found in officer's country for her, while her entorage paid their respects and continued to the capital of Isfahan.

It was Cassandre's birth that was occasion for a visit from the 'King of Kings', Iskandar. That and a long overdue chance to meet with his siblings. However, any visit from the 'King of Kings' was an occasion.

*quanats are slanted tunnels serving as underground aqueducts, dug between the croplands and the subterranean springs in the mountains. Wells give access along their route, allowing these cool underground streams to irrigate wide areas without great evaporation losses en route.  With Yachals, and evaporative cooling, these could even be used to make ice in the deserts.

yet another long post

Iskandar always had mixed feelings when traveling beyond the capital, for his arrival was viewed as of great import where he went. Formal ceremonies, processions, banquets, though he had a fondness for the award ceremonies. The combination was deemed important to vest the Crown with not only practical authority, but also a certain understanding of importance...but that all meant "casual" was not an option.

The typical trappings of arrival went well, the normal crowds turned out, the City leaders gave their greeting all in the morning. The afternoon featured the local award ceremonies, hastily moved up to this day so they could come from Iskandar's hand. Medallions denoting personal merit – which could be displayed by family members with a mark of difference - were given out those who had distinguished themselves professionally – as doctors, academics, model farmers, elite crafters, or who had done a civic service of note- typically members of volunteer organizations or ever particularly praised bureaucrats, typically civil engineers.  The candidates had been carefully vetted to ensure they were individuals of honor. First they were sponsored by others, then cross checked not only by officialdom, but also via secondary channels such as journalists and reports from the "Eyes of the Flame" *, then they are publicly honored by the highest level available and awarded a monthly stipend for the next decade.  All of this was followed by a banquet to which not only the local Nobles, City Officials, Guild Leaders and rich merchants came, but the award honorees and spouses – fitted with new clothes- were guests.

The next morning was filled with briefings, some meetings and finally, in the late afternoon, Iskandar could reach the time he had reserved for family.  A local manor had been borrowed for his trip, and there he hosted his siblings and got to meet the newest addition, little Cassandre and formally acknowledge her place in the dynasty.  After dinner, Iskandar, Vache and Shirin excused themselves and withdrew to the manor's study.

Iskandar : "I am glad we could gather, there are several matters I need to discuss with you. The letters you both send regarding the briefing materials are always informative, but since we actually are in one place, I hope to discuss several important matters.

Uncle Sanatruk is declining, consumption and bad knees, he has not been able to attend meetings, or take on duties of First Heir for a while. I think it is time for him to withdraw from that role.  Which means I am looking to you, Vache, to step up as First heir, which means you will need to be Prince full time, and place your commission inactive. Aunt Isais will be Second, unless Shirin wants to be Second instead of Third ?

Vache :  Well Isky, I can not say this surprises me, so I am prepared. I would like a portfolio where I stay involved in the military in some manner.

Iskandar : I think that would be quite useful, there are many innovations that need to be evaluated and fitted to our forces. I have noticed that those who were junior officers in the [1898] Rajasthan war seem resistant to new concepts. I could use your insight on where Royal pressure is should be focused to spur adaptation. How about you Shirin, are you desirous of Second ?

Shirin : You can leave me fourth for now, this trip of being a Royal representative was exhausting...

Iskandar : Sorry, but I will not install a new heir ahead of you,  Shirin I will make you Third, and Aunt Isais Second. I do want both of your input on which of our cousins is most suited to be Fourth Heir.  That does bring me to the matter of Shirin's suitors...

Shirin : They aren't suitors, they are , um potentials...friends... maybe, well maybe suitors, I wasn't sure of their level of interest, though I suspect...  I had a lovely if decorous time with both. I would very much like to invite them to the Rudkahn estate in Gilan for hunting, riding, and seeing our nation. If we simply enjoy each others company, that is acceptable, but if there is something more, I would like to find out.

Iskandar : Both Ali and Wiktor are unlikely to come to live here if there is a marriage, and their countries customs are fairly different. Are you certain you are willing to leave Parthia if it goes that way? There are plenty of suitable families beyond the Seven** that are willing to send their sons to live with you, rather than the other way around.

Shirin : You two have a different perspective, I grew up knowing I was supposed to go to marry some Norse in the cold North, and my life would change drastically. I guess I was spared that, I met the man, not impressed. Our family is honored and powerful, but bound by destiny, none of us have a truly free path, but an embarrassment of other benefits. I've endured many or most of the locals, they see me as a way to climb the social ladder. But...Ali and Wiktor are Heirs in their own right, both accomplished and capable. Maybe that's why they strike me as so much better than the needy and graspy suitors here.   Ali's passionate and burns bright, but I suspect Wiktor is like a geode- the fire is inside. If my hand isn't needed to honor an ancient agreement, or a new alliance, then I would like the time to see if either of them might be more interested, and then explore what their countries are like a bit more. So I would very much like to host them....oh and that would mean another furlough from the Logistics command.

Iskandar : Vache?

Vache : I think the Little Pest has thought this out. Diplomatically, it might be bad if she goes to one of those countries and stabs someone ...

Shirin : Once ! Just once ! And only lightly in the leg and given where he grabbed me I think I was nice about it.

Vache : Didn't you break his instep too ?

Shirin : Again, ONCE. A simple stab and stomp...I haven't done it since.

Iskandar : I do remember you letting that branch go and bashing me off my horse into that mud puddle...I think Vache has a point Pest, it's to dangerous to send you overseas unless we want a war..

Shirin : Very funny you two...look I'm serious, I think there may be a path here to..something...can I explore it ? The only people I've shot  <glaring at them> lately have been some Horde scouts in Khorasan, I'm pretty safe with folks on our side.

Vache : Well that's a change... so were these 'Horde Scouts' ...suitors ?

Iskandar : *chuckles * calm down you two. Shirin when were you thinking of?

Shirin : I was thinking May or June? The rains are past, the flowers are out, the weather is heating up, but someone from Wilno should not find it beastly hot. I really don't know the temperature in Azteca. Good outdoor weather.

Iskandar : Any such occasion, to avoid raising eyebrows, will have to have multiple attendees, and we shall need to put our best foot forward. May or June of this year may be too soon to arrange that at Rudkahn. That's somewhat our family's retreat, we don't host foreign royals there typically. The weather in September of this year is good, or perhaps May – June of next year. Perhaps the Festivals at the end of May or beginning of September? I will direct the Foreign ministry to explore arrangements.

Shirin : I'd appreciate that. Thank you Isky.

Isky : Of course Pest.  Now, while I have my two serving military siblings, I have questions. As your briefings have described, there are many theorists writing about the proper evolution of weaponry and fitting these into our military- be it land, sea or now air. We've all seen the documents on the Mayan war. There have been few pitched wars between comparable forces in recent years, I think hearing from people that have been in the fight, and have had time to plan for the next has value. I have suggested engaging the Aztecs to see if we can hire tutors to come and outline their thoughts and demonstrate their ideas, maybe bring over entire air wings and legions.  Senior staff seems confident we do not need that, we can devise and act on our own notions.  I have grown up with military tutors, but I acutely aware we lack the practical experience it all, and I am well aware there is a difference between theory and practice. That leaves me unsure if this is an occasion I should force the consideration. I am inclined to do so. I just don't want to send my people charging across marshes into dug in machine guns just because we got our theories wrong***. So...what are your thoughts ?

Shirin : I really am not sure the Aztec have had time to put together a brand new military theory, but Ali did talk of air combat, so I'm sure they have learned many things. Even little things like the actual rather than planned rate of artillery fire, air sorties and such. I'm unsure how many things will transfer from the Mayan war, the terrain has some real differences with say Khorasan plains, or Siestan mountains and desert... Vache what do you think ?

Vache : Well, importing a large formation and declaring that Parthia should simply copy it is unlikely to be well received and risks the wrong lessons being learned. Technical advisors, supplemented by demonstration formations of the theories we find interesting...that could really prove insightful. The Cavalry – Dragoons, Light or Rangers -  as a branch operates differently than the infantry, as we're more likely to be broken down into small units, or built up into a large rapid response formation, so we have more gear organic to lower levels, and the junior officers used to operating to enact a plan, or attack along a thrust line, rather than specific orders detailing a march here, then there... 

There are a number of us that think that model of lower order discretion should be expanded, so that if the front is splintered, or supply lines to a large depot are cut, the orphaned formations can react to a common goal and still function. The terrain faced in the Mayan war had a lot of rolling hill savannas, and areas of rugged terrain and jungle, and they managed a fighting retreat while fending off Mayan tanks and dealing with aircraft attacking depots at those Japanese ports. We've never faced tanks, or defended air attacks,  I do not know what there is to learn, but I strongly expect there is something. Hearing from the Aztecs how they view it, and maybe seeing some of the concepts demonstrated...I think that could be quite useful in developing our own versions suited for Parthia's needs.

Iskandar : Well, sounds like I should hold off inviting an entire Legion, but there is a core of merit here. So what do you two advise I request ?

...discussion continued


*The press exists, but is fairly weak, it is allowed to print demonstrably true statements freely, but false statements and slander are punishable. This leads to a great deal of 'reading between the lines'. The "Eyes of the Flame" is a Zoroastrian organization that seeks the truth in society. The 'Eyes have Spys' recruit across society, but try hard to recruit from other religions as well, such as Christians and Jews. The "Eyes of the Flame" will collate the voluntary tips about official malfeasance, or rumors of personal wrongdoing. Only when the same information from multiple sources has trickled upwards does a tip get made to the formal authorities. The fact that no one tipster can cause mischief, bolstered by the guiding oaths, helps keep the organization fairly benign, though there have been occasions where the fact information is power has won out. Between the journalists, and the Eyes, much of the dark and seamy side of Parthian life eventually comes to life. These sources also make fairly effective background checks to ensure those honored are not rumored to be horrid people in private.

**There are Seven Princely families, generally related to the Arascid Dynasty. This made for a ready power base and potential source of rivals, so direct intermarriage has been forbidden since the late 600s. Instead the Arascids marry neighboring dynasties, Cadet houses from local areas (Armenia, Albania, Georgia, Rajasthan) and even Ducal-level families. The Seven also marry into those families, but the Royal Genealogists are careful to both avoid too-close marriage, or dilute the lineage to greatly.

***An allusion to the Parthian – Rajasthani war, which did not go wonderfully for the Parthians.

This is good stuff, Kirk.

Thank you, sorry I keep stuffing so much in each.
As I work through bringing out the background information, I should be able to make more concise posts :)

In the late Spring of 1927, Parthia sends several diplomatic notes.

The first,  conveyed through their Ambassador to Azteca,  requesting a discussion regarding the potential dispatch of Aztec theorists and trainers to provide their war experience derived concepts and insights to the Parthian Military for a period of perhaps a year. The discussion shall include what consideration or compensation would be desired by Azteca for acceding to this request.

The second, somewhat late  in the Spring was a formal invitation, in rather more stately wording than presented here, dispatched to the Great Royal Houses of Azteca, Wilno, and Rajasthan as well several of the Parthian Princely families. The invitation named Princes Ali, Wicktor and Sadul respectively, and such accompaniment as are desired,  while each of the Parthian families receive invitations for both an eligible son and daughter. 
'The event is hosted by Princess Shirin of House Arascid, and will provide a respectable and relaxed venue for participants to gather and participate in a range of activates and discourse.

Attendance is requested for the first week in October of 1927 at the Palace of Rudkhan in rural Gilan.
Daytime activities shall include hunting, mountaineering and equestrian events*, while the rustic fall festivals are also available. For evening, Dinner, Dancing and Theatrical Entertainments will be available each night.

The presentation of the invitation belies the somewhat more tortured path of it's development.

Arriving but days later, the arrival of the Dispatch from the Aztec Embassy in Isfarhan is at first thought to be a rapid reply.  However the content is itself an invitation, which leads to confusion, until it can be determined that the delays of relaying message traffic, especially encoded, almost certainly led to both messages being in transit at the same time.

The  Foreign Ministry of course submits the Aztec message to Iskandar for his personal attention. With the Emperor's permission, the message was also sent to his little sister.

Shirin did not receive it immediately, as who at the moment was on field exercises as a logistics officer, which in practice involved rather innovated use of curses regarding the parentage of mules and possible reuse of the stubborn creatures as stew and glue... Trucks could reach the main depots, but were incapable of resupplying the mountain troops forward depots. Which made rendering the mules into stew nothing but a lovely dream.  The message awaited the end of the maneuvers later that week. The phone call from her brother came the evening after her return, allowing Shirin to converse with Iskandar and Zenobia (the Queen).  The discussion turned on the need to delay a visit for a seemly period after the proposed gathering in Gilan. Iskandar and Shirin found themselves at odds over the appropriate time, with Iskandar finding more and more reasons for further delay while Shirin became further and further exasperated, until Iskandar gave into a fit of laughter. Queen Zenobia then suggested six months as an appropriate period.

This led to the Formal response to the Aztec missive that Princess Shirin would be most pleased to avail herself of the hospitality, and could be excused from her duties to make the trip in March of 1928.  The diplomatic note is countersigned  - Shirin.


optional reading on the occasional difficulties encountered

Imperial Council Chamber
Illustrating why things sometimes take longer than they should

Shahahan Iskandar, Queen Zenobia, the Foreign Minister, the subminister for Royal Protocol , along with several other advisors sat around the horseshoe shaped conference table and listened to the  supremely uncomfortable subminister for Culture and Foreign Affairs seek desperately not to tell the Emperor things said Emperor may not want to hear.

Iskandar had been long reconciled to the notion that many did not like telling the Emperor unpleasant news, and that combined with the Zorastorian notion of telling a lie with the Parthian proclivity towards artful obfuscation, misdirection, and ornate traditions which allowed one to circumnavigate a subject without providing any illumination as to the actual answer, thus ever so courteously letting one's audience draw entirely the wrong answer while still not saying single false word...well he was quite confident his subminister for Culture and Foreign Affairs profoundly verbose and certainly a master of such arts of verbal disassembly, and yet Iskandar so wanted to just the man and yell 'Spit it out'....

Iskandar : <ahem>
...The man continued talking. The pace of his words quickened...but he did not shut up...
Iskandar : <ahem>

Subminister : "Yes, oh sublime Ruler of ... " and once again started spouting on the lengthy formal title appended to for two thousand years and far to cumbersome for normal usage....

Iskandar : "Enough.  I requested you appear and convey insights as to the findings in this report <tapping the folder in front of him> and explain it to myself and a handful of my advisors. The report is dense, and fails to answer the questions asked in an acceptable manner. You have been talking for nigh onto 30 minutes, and have used the long form of my title for roughly half that. There is something you are trying not to say. So I will be asking some simple questions.

One , the Palace at Rudkahn, in Gilan, is it in a suitable state to host foreign royalty for hunting, games, and during a local festival, or does it need renovation to meet foreign standards ?

Subminister Culture and Foreign Affairs : "Oh sublime one, the Palace of Rudkahn of course is a glorious monument to over thirteen centuries history, legendary sanctuary of Queen Boran, bastion against the Followers of Mohammad, and in the distant past expanded to serve as first the Capital during the Reconquest and later the summer capital of the Dynasty.  As a beloved summer palace and retreat for members of the Dynasty, it meets the need for a family retreat..."

Iskandar :...AND?

Subminister Culture and Foreign Affairs : "While in many ways a striking and charming structure, to the discerning eye accustomed to the highest quality, there are perhaps, features that could be found as charming and rustic in some regards, and while opulent compared to the standards of a normal noble family, when compared to the Forbidden City complex of the Chinese, the Palaces of the Ruling Sultans of the Deccan Confederation, the glories of Kyoto, and other luminous habitation of the glorious, then assessing the proper variables for evaluation is a complex task but from which we can construct a multivariate matrix that...

Iskandar : ...I believe you covered that portion on page 5 and then continued explaining methodology for another 5 pages, but I don't recall a final assessment. That is why you are here. From your elaborate and continuing attempts to avoid actually answering my questions, which I find most unsatisfactory. So answer. Is my childhood home currently in the needed state to host Princes of Wilno, Azteca, and if we can manage it Rajasthan, as well as those of numerous Princely families this May?

Subminister Culture and Foreign Affairs : ...Yes Sire, um to the exacting standards of Foreign rulers, expectations regarding trained staffing levels could be viewed as an area of comparative cultural differences leading to understandable but potentially adverse comparisons to their typicals standards which may not properly account for the desired rustic nature. Likewise the charming and quaint murals and tapestries, while magnificent in their heyday, have a patina of age which does not reflect current fashions expected in royal abodes. The rustic...

Iskandar : "Wait...I believe that finally you say things of vague use. So, we shall delay and instead of at in May,  We shall issue the invitation for the Fall to coincide with the festivals there.  The Rudkahn will be ...refreshed... to maintain...I repeat to maintain...its rustic country appeal, but able to provide suitable staff, luxurious chambers...and ensure those aspects showing wear and tear are corrected.

We shall offer Polo* of course, but also Hunting, mounted Archery**, Steeplechase, Banquets and Tours, plus the Gilan festivals. I expect that is a great deal grander event than Shirin desired, but so be it. Oh and add Tours of the countryside, all with the appropriate ornate diplomatic language of course..

You (turning to the hitherto silent Foreign Minister) shall issue the invitations after deciding the most auspicious time frame based on our desired guests, with primacy to attendance by Prince Wiktor and Prince Ali, the others are desired but not desired.

You, subminister, shall serve as an Advisor. Zenobia and I shall discuss matters and designate a Project lead and you will answer to that individual. The staff training and renovation work must be done by the beginning of September, the Royal Purse will pay. Understood ?

Foreign Minister : Of course Sire.

Subminister : Your everflowing wisdom is once again evident your Majesty, May I complement you on such a well considered deci...

Iskandar : Enough – be advised, the end result will be a restored and update variant of my childhood summer home, not a rebuilt opulent palace. Polish what is there, not replace.

Turning to address the Foreign minister, Iskandar asks : I trust you will create a suitably floral formal invitation, to be reviewed by Zenobia and Shirin, and not sent until each are satisfied.  Do you have comments to add ?

Foreign Minister : I believe I have sufficient information to commence. Any such gathering will of course have potential for diplomatic...ripples and speculation, the presentation should ensure these are minimized unless you desire otherwise.

Iskandar : This would appear to be sufficient progress for today on this issue. We should move on to the Foreign Ministry's briefing on the Rajasthani issue. Minister, if you would call in your functionaries, we have questions that require further explanations before agreeing to your recommendations.

....break....

*Is believed to have originated in Persia
** Likely originated with proto-Iranian tribes

The Vilnius Union advises that Prince Wiktor is pleased to accept the invitation and will attend with a small entourage.

*Furiously researches where Gilan is located*

Gilan province is on the SW shore of the Caspian Sea. The Elburz (Alborz) 'High Guard" range soars over 2 miles skyward along the southern boundaries of the province. The continental interior, large body of water, and uplifting terrain combine to make Gilan's capital Rasht 'The City of Rains'. Rice paddies, Tea and orange and silk plantations give rise to agricultural wealth, while the foothills and lower mountain slopes are cloaked in temperate rain forests which provide abundant lumber and ores. A railroad soaring over 2000m follows the pass once used by Alexander the Great and connects to Tehran on the Southern side of the Elburz.

Shielded by mountains, and home to doughty Dalamite infantry, the province, as outlined in Parthian History, was one of the redoubts when most of the country fell in various invasions and reconquests (semi-historical). Even raids from steppe nomads were blunted well to the east by the Great Wall of Gorgan, and to the North by the Fortresses of Derbent, effectively fortifying the Caspian plain. To the North, The silk road used to run along the Southern shore of the Caspian, and silk has been grown and exported in the province for centuries. The abundant rain, the grand fishing grounds, the silk exports and trade routes have all contributed to it being a prosperous province.

Rasht was known as the 'City of Rains', snug by the south shore of the Caspian Sea. The Caspian is enclosed by Parthia.  Trade by road, rail, sea and air have coursed through the city for centuries, leaving it a vibrant hub of prosperity. A port and small naval base at the twin lagoons of the Port of Anzahlag (Anzali) nearby.  Anzahlag competes with Behshahr to the East for the Caspian trade.  Rasht is served by a railway which soars through the Alborz mountains to Tehran and the cities south. The same rail connects up the coast to Baku and east to Behshahr and then past the Wall of Gorgan to parts East. Aircraft and Zeppelins are common here, though the military aerodrome is separate from the civilian field.

The arriving guests are gathered in stately sedans with well groomed chauffeurs and escort cars. The coach work bodies are matched to an effective suspension, and powered by a remarkably quiet 5.3L double sleeve valve six cylinder engine.  These tour the guests through the verdant landscape of rice paddies, orchards, and mulberries (for silk) into the lightly forested foothills and past shepherds with their flocks.

The Castle of Rudkahn is a large structure commanding the Rudkahn river,  with impressive 15m high walls and 65 turrets flowing for 1.5 km along the hilltops and down the slopes to embrace the saddle between. The Eastern hilltop was removed centuries ago to allow the construction of a palace, from which Parthia has occasionally been ruled. The Palace buildings have been updated over the years and now occupy much of the bailey. Down the slope, an short thick outer wall has been built far more recently down the slope, allowing more buildings on the protected terraces.

The town of Rudkahn at is next to it's namesake river and is linked to the castle by both stairs, an old funicular railway, and  a paved road switchbacking to the gates. As one drives up the road, The castle rises above the river mists and the surrounding forests. The fall colors have come to the area, setting the hardwood leaves ablaze with a riot of autumnal colors. A grand gate flanks the road and marks the entrance to the Castle, and the passengers are delivered to the outer courtyard, where they are greeted and servants take their luggage and show them to their rooms.  The titular hostess is Princess Isias, Aunt and Heir to Iskandar, and it is she who host the evenings festivities.

At the appointed hour, the guests are summoned. They proceed to the arched entrance to the Grand Hall . There, as each guest entered the traditional herald had made the traditional alarming trumpet peal and announced...in Greek...the particulars of each one's status.

Elderly Princess Isias, with her husband Prince* Hamgari of House Afrighid, are first, and take their seats at the head of the table. The banquet tables are laid out in a large "U" shape embracing the dance floor between. As folks are announced and file in, servants then show the respective guests to their seats. Crown Prince Ali is seated next to Princess Isias, then the Parthian Heir Princess Shirin, and then the Wilno Heir Prince Wiktor. Seated next to Isias's husband were Prince Sadul  of Rajasthan, Princess Chandraprava of Rajasthan, and then several young highborn Parthians, including Lord Grigol of House Arranshahik,  Academic Lady Aspas of House Suren, and Commander (JG) Lady Apama of House Mihrin.  Other young single nobility are announced, and then the mixture changes. As usual with Parthian festivities, it is expected that honorable and prominent non-nobles be included as a sign of honor and respect.  As such select Provincial officials, Guild leaders, Deans, Senior Engineers, a couple doctors, and prominent merchants, along with a smattering of military officers are brought in and seated, along with and their wives/husbands.  The Royal aides are also seated. The Parthian standard formal wear is prominent, with resplendent sashes proclaiming one's family, the family honors, and one's personal marks of achievement. Richly made formal outer robes include further information to those who understand.  Underneath, the men wear tunics and breeches with knee boots, while the women wear dresses somewhat longer than the men's tunics, but shockingly ending before the knee, with silken stockings and fashionable European heeled sandles**.

A herald calls for silence, and announces Princess Isias. 
The elderly Princess speaks calmly, in an old but clear voice"
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I am appreciative of your attendance. Several have traveled great distances to honor us with their presence. This gathering is intended to be one to forge acquaintances or friendships and enjoy Parthian sports and festivities, and familiarize oneself with this particularly verdant portion of Parthia. To aid in this goal, I ask here to dispense with the use of elaborate titles.

Tonight we shall enjoy our repast, local Gilak and Parthia dishes, I expect strange to some of your tastes. A dance troupe of Persian dancers*** to entertain. Later one can join in the dancing, or retreat to the drawing room for quieter discussions.  For our noble guests****, the week ahead shall include  several activities, from feasts and dances, to the local festivals.  Smaller groups shall be formed to partake in these, such that there is time to forge acquaintances. Several equestrian events are planned, which you can watch or partake in – hunting with both rifle and bow, steeplechase, and the sport of Parthia- Polo- of course. There shall also be tours of the area, by car or horse, or, if desired, airship."

The first course comes in, music strikes up, and the dancing girls take the floor.

*European equivalent ranks. Conceptually in Parthia, you have the Emperor 'Shahanshah' or King of Kings.
You then have those who's families started as Kings, and are now Princely or Ducal in status.

The Seven Parthian families (Suren, Mihrin are two of the Seven) are considered Ducal and are excluded from direct marriage to the Arascids (to prevent powerful pretenders), while those of originally independent kingdoms are considered Princely (here Arranshahik and  Afrighid).

I will probably not be consistent in this, and refer to the Seven as Princely at times also.

House Suren probably founded the Indo-Parthian Kingdom that became Rajasthan, and House Mihran has at times ruled the Caucus states of Iberia, Gorganese, Albania and part of Georgia. I expect that members of the Seven frequently marry Duke/Prince/King level outside of Parthia.

**The family honor sash is my own invention, as I want one's Personal and Family Honor to be something that really matters in Parthia.
A liar, a cheat, a scoundrel, becomes both known and rejected, and in extreme cases can tarnish family honor. Conceptually, that should encourage a society where good works are recognized and rewarded, and merit/honor are of tangible value.

I also consider this a logical extension of the Zorastorian concept that a lie is a form of evil.
...so I consider my Parthians as taking as 'do not say something false'....and tending to rarely give direct statements, but as matter of habit talking in a roundabout way, and rarely actually stating things directly. If they do..take it as true. Otherwise, pay attention to what really was and was not stated.

As for the fashion discourse,  I know that historic Parthians wore trousers and riding was central, the nomads they came from had women warriors, and the Persians are kinda known for robes. So formal "judge" type robes for official duties, and outfits descended from things you can ride in for the less formal wear.

Writing this made me wonder who the heck came up with the idea of little spindly heels....
apparently started as a cowboy boot type thing in 1400s Persia...which makes sense

but the modern version apparently got started modestly with little heeled slipper Louis XIV of France in the 1600s., but then more and more women wore them and in the 1700s they fell out of men's fashion. Apparently platform shoes had previously been used among women for the height bonus.

Anyhow, N7..they'd be a 'Roman' or 'European' look here, which is the heart of our Global Economy, and so has likely spread. Didn't expect to wander off into looking that up... squirrel!

***infobit : Persian dancers were apparently so renowned in such demand the Chinese imported them centuries ago. I imagine the classical belly dancer/ 'I dream of Jeanie' outfit stems from this.

**** While the prominent locales are of course included in the dinner and festivities, inclusion doesn't go as an all-expense paid vacation.

Parthia has long been at the crossroads of the traderoutes, and their food had reflected that, with influences from around Asia, some of which may not curry favor with an unfamiliar tongue, but there were always other options. The wines offered were a similar array, led by the famed Shiraz wines, but featuring a selection of others.  The athletic dancers had showcased that craft, and traditional music. The guests had then been able to choose between dance floor and drawing room, each drawing it's own crosssection of Parthian society.

The next morning, a breakfast is laid. The local luminaries of Gilan were returned home by motor carriage the prior evening, so only the primary guests and their entourage are hosted that morning.
Then, true to Princess Isias's declarations of the night before, the guests are asked to separate themselves into groups. A broad palette of what passes for recreational entertainment is offered, and over the course of the week the guest are expected to avail themselves of the differing opportunities,
returning in the afternoon to spend at their leisure, before the end of the day to dining before withdrawing for a private show and relaxed discussions.

This morning Princess Shirin shall lead on a mounted hunt in the foothills and into the mountains. Over the days to come she like the others will participate in the other choices, showing off Parthia.  Some may  will be taken on a Zeppelin tour of the province and over the soaring Albroz mountains to overfly Tehran, soar along the mountains southern flank, and then pass over Gorgan and it's Great Wall before returning. The provincial festivals have not only the typical rural events, but a variety of ongoing tourneys. While some such as the poetry and storytelling competitions may be incomprehensible, the more competitive events from personal combat to the Polo tourney will have ongoing matches, as well as several steeplechase competitions.  Recreational time at the Archery and Rifle ranges, both mounted and unmounted, will feature in as well. 

Ali struggled this morning.   Mounted hunts were not unusual, indeed he regularly rode to hunt in Arizona, the lack of roads made horseback or air travel the primary modes in some areas.  But the Parthian saddle was completely different.  He was used to a fairly low cantled saddle with wide stirrups,  and was having some trouble adjusting to the more standing riding style of the parthian saddle....a descendant of those used by horse archers.

Finally he tugged the reins, and headed off to join shirin and the party, his custom 8mm straight pull over his shoulder

A few hours later.....

Ali sat astride his mount, looking at the herd of gazelle in the distance.    A very nice buck stood off at three hundred yards, an optimal range for his fast 8mm round.  But he held his fire, even as the huntsman asked why.  "I was raised to keep what you kill, and a big buck is too gamey for the pot" is his reply, before raising the rifle to his shoulder and firing a single round,  felling a nice doe in the herd.  The huntsman grunted his approval of the Princes selection.  "For the feast?" He asked.  "Yes.  The buck will sire yet more big bucks for new generations.   The herd has plenty of does.  And doe tends to be more tender."

Once the members had availed themselves with hunting arms from the armory, the  hunting party took the funicular railwaydown from the castle to the riverside bastion that once served as the southern gateway to the town. There the stables for the palace were located. Mounts and tack were provided.
Relying on Greek as the common language, Princess Shirin introduces the huntmaster and assistants, as well as 4 outriders from the guard force.

The graveled path led through the outskirts of town, passing neatly kept and brightly painted homes. While inside town they tended towards Romanesque insulae, square faced, two or more stories centered on a courtyard, here they were often simpler A frame houses for small crofter families, at first among small farms with small orchards. The path led uphill, paralleling a river tributary, but swiftly came to a place where the water split into three good sized streams, with gated bridges leaping across each one.

Princess Shirin cheerfully explained that the watersheds of the two flanking streams marked the boundaries of Royal hunting refuge, and she points out a short stone stellae marking the end of the boundary line. The party crosses the bridges and the path ends. From there, the ride is off trail and uphilll. As they ride, Shirin explains the central watershed is not hunted, but the two flanking ones are, noting that in years there are few hunts, permits are given to the neighboring locals to hunt themselves- many of whom work as foresters or wardens anyhow. That way they can supplement their food, and the animals stay wary. She adds that if there are crop failures or the like, hunting is of course allowed. She concedes that while non-nobility are limited to muzzle loaders, many of them become quite respectable shots with them. 

The ride passes through steeply rising rolling hills with well spaced beeches, oaks and ironwood trees and and understory of  forbs and grasses to a area where the understory had been burned off.  Shirin ranges along the riders, chatting with her guests, explaining that the area, like the surroundings, is managed over a long timespan. As they approach the burned area, Shirin explains that patches are burned off every couple years, the fresh burns both come back in robust browse, and keep the brush down. When asked, she explains the burn patches always seem irregular, and trees survive, but there is a local nursery for replanting trees if fire or disease get out of hand. Hopping off her horse, she confers with the huntsmaster, and then turns and explains that 'we have never figured out why, but the animals like to come and roll in the char*, in addition to a great affection for the fresh browse from regrowth – the years after a fire these are great hunting areas, with lovely sightlines. They make a great area to note sign, and track them out. In this case, the huntsmaster says when we crest this ridge there is a slightly older area that is heavily used, so that will be our first stop of the hunt.

Proceeding to the rise, they crest the hill and fan out, carefully proceeding forward. Shirin takes the point from the huntmaster, and leads herself - eventually she gives the signal to dismount, and the party can creep forward, finding wild boar busily rooting among the oaks.  The guests are given first go, and the wild hogs scatter. The huntmaster details some assistants to process the results for later,  and the party reassembles and heads further up the slope.

As they ride higher, the trees shift to include more cedars, and the soils turn more barren, the trees sparser and the range opens.  Shirin explains that while they do have tigers, and leopards, they tend to be scarce and difficult unless one takes the time to sneak them. For an excursion like this, the challenge of spotting and bringing down a gazelle at range was real. Again, Shirin defers to the guests, allowing them the challenge.

The group chats freely with each other on the triumphant ride down the slope. The day is well chosen, with scudding clouds and a cool clime, early afternoon sunlight dappling the mountainsides while the ridge comes to a point offering sweeping vistas of the neat countryside below.

*That's something I learned from talking to tribal folks, they think it's because the charcoal is a desiccant, and fatal to ticks and other parasites.  In my area, its well known the fresh growth in harvest units or burned areas bring in the deer...and offer better sightlines for a while.

As Shirin and Ali ride a bit together he listens to her talk about the efforts gone through to husband the foliage.  He explains the tropical jungles of Azteca, some of it still incredibly wild, while much of it is well maintained as the vast and growing industrial might of his nation requires well-husbanded forests.  He also talks about his own estate in Arizona, the low mesquite and grasses, and the nice dry climate, not a desert, with Bison and other game, and the herds of cattle at his estate and ranch in the Rincon Mountains.  He explains that they don't have tigers, but the mountain lions can be quite elusive, and he occasionally gets to hunt them to stop them from predating on the livestock.

Wiktor had brought along a rifle...or, rather, his staff had brought along a rifle, a Krychek K.96 bolt-action piece from the estate back home.  What they hadn't brought along, somehow, was ammunition.  Not a single box of 7.5x55mm cartridges.  How that had occurred wasn't exactly clear and ultimately didn't much matter.  He'd arranged to borrow a Parthian rifle for the excursion.

The boar hunt had been pleasant enough; he was used to them back home.  The rifle was sighted in properly, he picked his target - a good-sized male, healthy looking, just starting to move - and he took it down cleanly with a shot to the lungs.  Satisfied, he unloaded the rifle and stowed it in the scabbard laced to his saddle. 

He reached into his saddlebag and withdrew his Barnack I camera.  "I've seen plenty of boars in my time - but never a giant cat or gazelle in the wild.  I'd rather shoot them in a different way," he noted, seeing Aspas Surena observing him. 

He managed to get one photograph of the gazelles before the shooting started.  Afterward, he called to Ali, "Good kill:  Pose with it, will you?"  He didn't query the other prince's choice of targets but silently found it puzzling; he'd been taught to target males and leave the females alone, whereas Ali had taken a doe and let the buck go.  Possibly a cultural thing, possibly a matter of Wiktor's own experience being mainly trophy hunting rather than sustenance hunting.

"It's lovely countryside," he remarked to Shirin on the way back down.  "Well worth days of turbulence and backwards Byzantine inns, I'd say."


*We put wood ash in our chicken pen for the same reason.

A luncheon in the Castle gardens, draped in verdant terraces down the hillside towards the river, sees the guests reunite. The Hostess, the Stately Princess Isais then summons many of the guests to accompany her through the gardens, demanding they regale her with tales of their the equivalent in their homes.  Princess Shirin excuses herself, and takes Prince Ali and Wiktor, and a chaperon, off to see first the Palace armory, and then the firing range. Shirin explains she enjoyed her time at Wiktor's estate and wished to reciprocate. As the centuries marched onwards, the Castle grounds grew first to enclose both hill tops and the plateau between, but then were expanded down the slope, and underground- at first for simple stores. The position commands the river, and the route through the southern passes to Tehran. The strategic value having long passed, the underground tunnels were expanded to provide additional rooms, including galleries in the cliff face overlooking the river. The floors are set with granite, and the walls are inlaid with tiled mosaics, and this is where the old armory is.

Not as impressive as the Royal Palace or national gallery. Modern weaponry is on hand at the guarded entrance, but in the aft gallery, there is a collection of Daylamite, Parthian, Roman, Gupta, Arab, Golden Horde, Byzantine, and some scattered outliers, collected over the centuries. The older weapons and arms are dull, which is later explained to be a wax placed on them. A broad array of Royal hunting arms is included as well. Shirin will happily tour the trio through them, pointing out the recreated horsebows and their thumb rings – and showing that she wears a gold chased jade thumb ring. Placards are set by the 'enemy' which she reads off, explaining where they came from. Shirin explains that the antiquities fad that swept Europe in the late 1880s reached Parthia later, but folks have been passionate about the past, so there has been work to dust these off. There is hope to find some Macedonian pieces, as Alexander himself very likely used this pass, but so far the local digs had not found anything. The Roman gear is likely the oldest, seemingly from the wars over Armenia.

After the armorial tour, Shirin asks Ali and Wiktor to pick out some weapons and designates some of the staff to collect them and bring them to the range. For herself, she selects a horse bow, a couple pistols and both an old lever action and much newer semi-automatic rifle, both in 7.5mm. The pistols are obviously saddle guns, big bore and long barreled. The lever action carbine has an unusual rotary magazine, and she explains the newer version have a detachable like the semi-automatic action. The firing range is on one of the terraces, with targets spaced every 50m out to a roughly 200m straight shot for the rifles, or one can turn and fire into a pistol range  set up inside a cavern for that purpose. There seems to be a bar there as well.  Shirin is a little apologetic that there's no longer range available on the Palace grounds, but does point out that she has arranged for some heavier weapons to be present. The twinned GAST 7.5x55mm* MG, the 15mm fortress MG, and it's adaption the 15mm Anti-armor rifle with it's attendant bipod and padding. She does advise that the last has a brutal kick that will bruise, or possibly break parts of the firer, so she really does not advise it, as she'd prefer not to break either of them.

For some raised in a martial lifestyle and provided both training and opportunity, it should be surprising that Princess proves to be an excellent shot with her chosen weapons. For those not acquainted with it, the bow aspect would be surprising.  the thumb ring gave her the ability to both hold a heavy bow and make a clean release, allowing rapid and accurate fire at 50m, and she can consistently hit at 100 yards with the horsebow. More surprisingly perhaps is that while her rate declines, she still manages hits at 150 and 200m.  . She explains to her guests how the recreated bow is made with modern glue, but otherwise traditional materials -  layers of stiff wood faced with horn on the compression side , weaker but more flexible wood on the expansion side, faced with animal sinews. Shirin continues by saying that even though what she hunts winds up on someones dinner table regardless of how she does it, she often prefers the bow as it demands more skill...though she does mention that she does take pistols along in case something large shows up close.

The day, a break from martial activities and horseback is promised, as the fall festival is in swing in the provincial capital of Resht.


*Irony is that Rocky's post notes the lack of 7.5x55.  For the Parthians, I chose the Swiss 7.5 G11, which is 7.5x55...

Ali does his best to not appear smitten, after all he is the scion of the Royal Family of the Sultanate, and even across the planet rumors might start flying as fast as telegrams can carry them if he appeared anything but correct.  He enjoyed the armory tour, but noted mentally that he would have enjoyed a tour of a shoe factory given by Princess Shirin, and would have enjoyed a tour of this still quite grand armory much less if given by anyone else.  The sheer age of Parthia was clear to see, the Sultanate being only several hundred years old, and really only eight generations of Sultan had presided over a wholly unified Azteca.  He also makes a mental note:  "Have a suitable range prepared at the estate"

At the range Ali shot several pistols, handgun shooting being a pastime of his.  However, he was absolutely enamored with the 7.5mm Gast gun.  The fantastic rate of fire, and the relatively small and light package made his eyes light.  He could put this on his fighter, and have an absolutely devastating weapon.  Likely over the top wing, or on the wings outside the propeller arc, but there were aircraft being developed, he had seen the drawings and some of the early testbeds, that could handle such a weapon that far out on the wing.  Or even the twin-engine aircraft, as they'd have no trouble mounting this in the nose.

Wiktor whistled appreciatively upon viewing the armory.  "My father would've lost his composure in here," he mused, picking out a couple of rifles, a couple pistols, and a horsebow.  "Never tried this before, so don't expect miracles," he cautioned, and then squinted at a crossbow and added that to the collection.

Once he'd squeezed off a few rounds and gotten a sense of their weight and balance, he was pretty effective with the pistols.  He was, after all, a Union Army officer, and pistol and sword were the usual equipment issued to somebody such as he.  He'd used them in close action with the so-called Shrimpeaters of the Parakeet Coast numerous times.  "I whacked a guy on the forehead with the grip of my revolver the one time.  Not fatally, apparently, because I didn't see him lying around afterward, but it put him on the ground for a bit at least."

He was also reasonably accurate with the rifles, given that he'd been taught to hunt since he was a wee child. 

He took and loaded the crossbow with a broad grin on his face, hefted it up to aim, and pulled the trigger.  The bow flexed with a loud crack and the bolt buried itself into the dirt a couple metres short of the fifty metre target.  "People back home have the impression these things are silent and I have no idea why.  I'm sure I've shot pistols that aren't this noisy."  He was on target with his third bolt and managed to score more hits than misses over the next few minutes.

His efforts with the horsebow were...not good.  Not a single arrow of his first five struck the closest target, and only one of the next five was on target, low on the outermost ring.  He finally lowered the bow and gave Shirin and Ali a grimace that was only mildly exaggerated.  "I bow to your vastly superior skill, Shirin, and will stick to the firearms from here out.  Speaking of which..."

He approached the heavy weapons, contemplating each in turn.  The light twin piece looked delightful - were the rounds compatible with his rifle?  Probably not.  The heavy machine gun was fun.  But the anti-armor piece...

"Been saving it for last, but I can't resist," he proclaimed, taking up position behind the weapon.  "We've got something like this - I think I showed you, right?  Curious if the recoil is heavier or lighter than ours."  He sidled in behind the rifle, bracing the stock firmly against his shoulder, and looked down the sights at the target.  He shifted a bit, adjusting his stance, opened his mouth slightly, and took the shot.  It was difficult to say which was louder - the gunshot or the sound of the third in line to the Amber Throne shouting, "Matkojebca!" as he grabbed at his shoulder with his other hand.  "Heavier.  Oh, it's heavier..."

The long 15mm anti-armor rifle roared as Wiktor fired, throwing a shower of sparks from it's bipod as it recoiled and skittered across the paving stones into Wiktor's shoulder. No novice, he had secured it properly so it merely pushed him back with exuberant and somewhat painful force.

Both Shirin as Aspas (the aforementioned chaperone) evidenced immediate concern, Shirin being rather apologetic about not thinking of the pavers. Both ladies wanted to see Wiktors shoulder, and he initially downplayed the result. Aspas* sternly told Shirin something in Parthian and shoed her away, switching back to to Greek "If you would be so kind, I would like to check your shoulder to ensure there is nothing serious and but a bruise."
Wiktor at first brushes her off, saying "It's fine, I chose to shoot the stupid thing" but when Aspas says "As a favor to me?" he relents.

Receiving Wiktor's permission, Aspas examined the shoulder and declared nothing serious, though she expected quite the bruise.  Aspas declared that should would fetch ice to apply to keep the initial swelling down. They could stay and continue to fire away. 

The discussion while waiting was a little more subdued, focusing on the expected uses of such a weapon, and it's origins in a twinned Naval machine gun adapted for fortress use.

On Aspas's return, she applied the ice pack, swaddled in a towel to prevent frostbite. She continued by saying "In about an hour, I should take a look, and in an hour or two, I'd like to switch that to a heated pad. The combination should first limit swelling, and then aid in recovery, so it purples less and is not overly stiff tomorrow.  Perhaps we should retire to the drawing room, where we can leave Ali and Shirin with others. I will accompany Prince Wiktor, [erhaps he can tell me of his photographic efforts and when the time comes I will check his shoulder and then switch to some heated pads."

The company agreed and proceeded that way.

The next morning, breakfast was again served, and the guests given their choices of what to do on that day. Prince Sadul and Lady Apama led those choosing the hunting activity, while Lord Grigol departed on the morning's steeplechase followed by Polo.  Princess Chandraprava and several others chose the 'scenic tour' of a leisurely Zeppelin flight, across the countryside.  For Ali, Wiktor, Shirin and Aspas, the Provincial fall festival beckoned. 

The Gilan festival was an annual event akin to a 'state fair', it seemed to draw competitors from across Gilan province and ran for the week. During the events the competitors were matched and those victorious advanced to the next round. At the end of the week, the grand champions would be announced.

The luxurious and fairly quiet sedans brought the guests to the festival. While many of the side streets were far more windy and narrow, as befitted their age, In some prior century, boulevards had been placed through town to facilitate wagon traffic and provide wide breaks between houses. The boulevards converged on the town square, a large space with a park in the middle. Princess Shirin explained that while there were always shops and a hotel on the square, most major towns had official buildings as well, usually a Library, a Courthouse, a Garda station, and a Workhall on the square, while the other official buildings such as poorhouses, fire brigades, national service hall, schools and hospitals- among many. Prior to arriving at their destination,  Shirin had noted "I know popular books have this image that we ride in sedan chairs..or on carpets of some sort, but we actually do that walking thing, I hope you do not mind overly".

The arrival at the Festival grounds outside of Rasht was really the first time most of the party could see Shirin in a setting outside of a Palace. Without the formal robes, but dressed in a gold chased assemblage, with practical low boots, but wearing her honor sash and a slender golden diadem, there was an assemblage of staff awaiting her and the guests arrival.  Some are obviously there for the sole purpose of providing umbrella cover should the 'City of Rains' attempt to live up to it's name, but there were also some large and serious looking men, with staves in their hands -leather wrapped on one end, iron shod on the other, but their belts supported a dagger and revolver in belt holsters. Preceding these guardians were a flock of attractive teenagers, well dressed in Imperial colors, that moved ahead of the party, tapping peoples shoulders and politely alerting them to their presence. The populace parted like a sea, orderly moving aside, most placing a hand over their heart while making a shallow bow. Some then waving brightly. The children in the crowd seemed rather excited but well behaved. There was a moment of drama when a little boy lost in the middle of the street a chunk of the frosted cookie he had crammed in his mouth, and became most distressed – but this challenge proved within the capabilities of the teenage entourage.

The festival has a variety of events and competitions, and a circuitous route ensured the  party passed many en route to the competition area.   From Arts such as Musicians, Singing, Dancing and Poetry competitions, to Guild Artisans such as silkmakers, furniture crafters, metal workers. There were several plays, though they were in Parthian and so rather opaque to most of the party, so they did not linger.

There were also several more vigorous and martial competitions, showing an obvious lineage to Greek games, but with additional Parthian aspects. While throughout the festival, the guests would note women competitors comprised perhaps a third of the total, for these physical contests the numbers plummeted, though when it came to the events involving riding or weapon skills, they climbed some.

The competition arena had a space for high ranking members to watch. The judges, local nobility, and many of the notable civilians who had attended the first night's dinner were present in this space. From this perch one could watch competitions.  Primarily these were athletic in nature, but between such competitions, the stage would welcome the presentations of the Arts and Artisans, with the candidate making a small speech at the end, which Shirin will translate to Greek, indicating they are mainly pointing out what they feel the best feature of their work is.

While there was footraces such as the Greeks had, the runners wore clothing – a simple light tunic, but ran barefoot.  The Greek wrestling had it's echo in Parthian Varzesh-e-Bastani, a traditional combination (zourkahneh) of exercise and martial wrestling (Khosti pahlevani), with in this case some addition of strikes from Eastern schools. Strong, burly men, surprisingly light on their feet and evidencing their skill and dedication matched up and fought for a submission.

There were also, of course, horse races, polo and both archery and both skeet and  marksmanship shooting. Princess Shirin  explained that while nobles had traditional access to firearms, those commoners with rural homeplaces were allowed muzzle loading rifles, albeit of modern manufacture, and so many had become expert shots.  Shirin continued that while there was both Marksmenship and Skeet shoots, the ranges were elsewhere, this area was not long enough for long distance shooting, and as for skeet-  they had learned quite some time ago to do that where the shot can safely land, so that was elsewhere.

This day, there was a pair of  Foot races, then a pair of short track horse races, thundering around the arena. This followed by several song and dance troupes, and when they were  done, the Khosti arena had been set up. After several matches, it rotated to a number of musical bands, and then back to Khosti.

When time came to depart, the guests split. Aspas had located a darkroom in the Palace, and thought Prince Wiktor would like to develop his pictures from the hunt, while Shirin had promised to let Ali take her in his personal plane...and clouds had broken and it wasn't threatening to rain .


* As previously noted, Aspas Suren normally is at the Academy of Gondishapur, which started in 529 as a hospital and medical training facility.

Ali carefully coaxed the proper two seat amphibian into the air.  He was very cognizant that he was in Parthia, and did not need to show off his aerobatics skills in front of their leadership,  especially not with one of their own aboard.  He had other plans.  Fortunately,  this aircraft had plenty of room when he stocked it, before Shirin arrived.

After taking off, he keeps her steady,  soaring low over the Caspian coast, taking in both the sights and terrain of Parthia.   He passes a note back to Shirin in the second seat, the experimental intercom not yet fitted to this machine.  "Take th4 stick and put your feet on the pedals"

Looking back to see she's done it, he gradually released his own and held his hands up to show her that she was flying.  The expected jolt as she's startled by the revelation soon smooths out and she's able to keep the plane reasonably steady.

Taking back control, Ali spies what he's looking for, a small fishing village,  really nothing more than a dock with a few houses nearby.   He lines up and lands on the Caspian, and taxis to the dock before climbing onto the float of his drifting plane and tying it up.

"What are we doing?" Shirin asks, puzzled, before Ali pulls a basket out of the storage compartment.   "Lunch", he smiles "only way to get away from our entourages"

They walk over to some trees and lay out a lunch,  the local children playing and eyeing the foreign aircraft with rapture, a flying machine tied up just like one of their fathers boats.

After a delicious light luncheon of dates, figs, and meat preparedin the gyro style,  Ali shows Shirin how to activate the starter.    He then turns the aircraft towards the sea before casting off, and rotates the prop to contact....shirin pulls the starter lever and the engine coughs back to life.  After another moment for Ali to situate himself,  he takes off and brings them back to the palace aerodrome.

It was rather crowded in the dark room.

Wiktor was there, of course, since he was the one who'd taken photographs.  Lady Aspas was there, having arranged for the use of the dark room.  Porucznik Jan Blaszczak was there, as was a young lady whose name neither man had caught, because it was 1927 and social mores required chaperones on such occasions.

And, naturally, there was a local man - perhaps the palace photographer, perhaps a local amateur - who knew how to operate the equipment in the dark room, where everything was, and what it was called.  Which was important since neither Parthian lady knew anything about developing film and neither Union gentleman could read or speak Parthian. 

There followed a bit of conversation between Wiktor and the man, with Aspas translating, to establish what was what, at which point the prince experimented with a couple of plates.  "Yeah, that works," he declared, stepping back to look at them as they hung from a line above the work bench.

"It's unfortunate that the prince is blurred," Aspas noted of an image of Prince Sadul riding in the recent hunt. 

"Motion can be a problem," Wiktor said.  "To be fair, I didn't ask him to pose."

"That's necessary to obtain a...what is the word, crisp?  A crisp image?"

"That or a faster shutter speed," Wiktor replied.

The chaperone looked blankly at Blaszczak, who shrugged amiably.  He did, in fact, know a little bit about photography by now, simply from being around Wiktor for a number of years, but he wasn't about to trying explaining anything technical.

"Would you like me to dismiss the gentleman?" Aspas asked as Wiktor started on another image.

"Ah...no.  If he doesn't mind staying, I might have questions as we go."

A brief exchange in Parthian followed, and the local man nodded and leaned against a wall to watch the proceedings. 

"This one of my lady is very well done," Aspas noted as Wiktor hung a portrait of Shirin drawing back her horsebow.

"Thanks.  I'd like it better if she were at full extension but I took the picture just a bit too soon," Wiktor noted.

"The lighting emphasizes her form and fitness."

Wiktor nodded.  "She's got good posture."

"Speaking of which, how does your shoulder feel?"

Wiktor chuckled.  "Oh, it's sore.  But I appreciate the care and maintenance, Lady Aspas."

"It was nothing," Aspas said.  "And please, no need to call me Lady.  Just Aspas."

"Fair enough, Aspas," Wiktor agreed, "And that goes for you as well, of course."

Aspas nodded.  "I would never have referred to you as Lady Wiktor."

Wiktor laughed.  "Excellent.  It's just Wiktor, Aspas, but I'll answer to Wik with the right people."

"Is that so, Wik?" Aspas inquired, looking up at the prince with a quizzical expression on her face.

"It is so," he agreed, gazing down at her.

The local photographer cautiously studied the floor, but the chaperone's eyes met Blaszczak's once more.  Well shit, the adjutant thought, Photographs aren't the only thing developing here...

He winked at the chaperone, who continued to look confused.

The next morning starts with breakfast in a new location, a glazed Conservatory located just outside the a Castle postern gate, on a commanding promontory. From the age of the foundation, there was probably a bastion guarding the postern that has been replaced eons ago. The centerpiece is a lovely fountain, and it is filled with flowering plants from around the Indian Ocean with butterflies flitting about. For some, what is most amazing will be the mechanical birds which 'take flight', rising on brass rods while flapping wings and 'singing'*.  The entire group of guests are gathered for breakfast, with a sectional circular table arranged around the fountain.

The guests then sort themselves out, with Shirin – as announced the prior evening - opting to partake in the morning 'steeplechase' which, as she cheerfully explains starts with a pleasant ride along the course.  The return is along the same course for those coming who wish to participate in the cross country  race, or if not so inclined,  to simply take a new route back. Shirin goes on to explain that the Parthian version includes mounted firing with pistol, carbine, rifle...and some dismounted ranges.

In the afternoon, for those interested, will be the Parthian game of Polo, either watching or playing. Then dinner.

Princess Shirin is joined by Crown Prince Ali, Prince Wiktor, Prince Sadul  and Princess Chandraprava of Rajasthan, and Lady Aspas of the Princely House of Suren**...and titles, as was requested at the beginning, are skipped. This is probably a relief to some of the less exalted joining them, from Wiktor's adjunct Porucznik Jan Blaszczak to a trio of young Parthian - two lads and a lass- belonging to mid-tier Houses.

Shirin for this outing is dressed a durable fine green tunic and pale grey breeches, with black riding boots rising just over the knee. A short dark leather jacket is cut to allow mobility while guarding her arms. The Parthian Cavalry hat, with it's broad brim, upturned on oneside and with a feather pinned to it, gives a jaunty look. The Parthian silver-grey pattern veil is loose around her neck, but it can easily be raised to draped over her nose and screen her face.***

Once again they took the funicular railway down from the castle to the riverside bastion that once served as the southern gateway to the town. There the stables for the palace were located. Mounts and tack were provided, and each encouraged to take a mount they are comfortable with.  A cadre of armsmen and handlers accompanied the group, bringing the veritable armory required. Princess Shirin introduces several of the assistants, but has ask for names of several.

The riders take a prepared route up a lightly wooded hill, then down a creek, through a field, over downed trees, through a thick copse, working across the hill side and then through the second creek, down the hill and through hedges and onwards for several miles. Several times Shirin calls for them to take a small detour and practice a jump here and there, the horses are well trained and once the command is given they respond well.

At stages they pass range assistants who explain the firing at the different portions of the course.  The targets are in most cases visible, with the two semi-automatic dragoon rifle ranges being dismounts where one must charge up a small rise, the engage the targets as fast as possible. Shirin advises 'what they don't tell you is they have those targets rigged so they move, and the distant ones are quite far'.  The lever action**** carbine ranges are similar, except one is expected to fire from the saddle, with a penalty for stopping. In these two, all targets must be hit before one can proceed.  The pistol range is for the paired saddle guns, big bore revolvers with long barrels. The  pistol targets bracket the path through meadow, and as the contestants arrive, a timer will be started and they must make it across in time, so one must charge and fire as one goes across, here the number of times one hits is what matters. Not all the targets will be visible from afar, some are set so one must be nearly abreast before the sightline presents itself. With a dozen bullets between the revolvers it seems improbable that all 12 targets will be hit.

Chandraprava of Rajasthan, Lady Aspas, the Porucznik and a Parthian lass demure, and choose to ride back a scenic and shorter route, meeting the contestants at the end. The two young noble Parthians are keen to test their skills, and most of the Party gives the course a try.  A small range has been set up at the course beginning, with fixed targets and examples of the weapons, so the contestants can test fire them. Spotters call out adjustments, and each member gets comfortable. The weapons are then scabbard ed on the horses they had chosen. 

The course, with it's mixture of terrain is a challenge, though having just walked through it and the lack of truly high jumps or long obstacles make it very doable, though hard to maintain best speed.
For many the Pistol range presents something of a thrill, charging across the meadow, guns blazing, the metallic tang of hits marking ones success or failure. 

Pistols are a particular skill of Ali, and it shows, though the format of the the course was new.  Wiktor's experience serves him in good stead with the Dragoon rifle, though the moving targets at range – on hidden rotating elliptical frames- were a worthy test. The carbine targets are easier, merely moving back and forth, but provide adequate level of challenge. Unfortunately the repeated firing does not make his sore shoulder better, but a bit worse.  One of the young Parthian lords manages to loose his horse, while Prince Sadul manages much of the course very well. Few were surprised when Shirin, she of the lifetime of riding and years of service in elite light cavalry Rangers, proved extremely adept at this course, starting last, but passing many participants. Overall, those that participated found it exhilarating, and were generally pleased they accounted themselves as well as they had.

Once the two parties had rejoined, they returned to the stables, and then took lunch while discussing the race and the afternoon to come. Prince Grigol and his companion joined the party, having just come from the Hunt.   Shirin had declared her plan to participate in the afternoon Polo tourney, and was joined by Ali and Sadul, Grigol, and a Parthian lad and lady. Wiktor, Aspas, Chandraprava and the unfortunate young man who lost his horse decided to watch the events.

Chovgan, or what the world called Polo, had it's origins lost in time. Parthian records start mentioning in the first century BCE, but the similarity to Buzkashi played in rural areas with a stuffed goat hide (or expired goat) could not be overlooked.  Many Parthians  start playing as children, and their fields are large with up to sixteen riders on four teams.   In the festival setting, the nobles that enter are split among the teams, as most contestants are commoners from various walks of life. Either bourgeois who can afford a horse, or rural folks that have a young quick footed horse. This diminishes the advantage of the Nobles and their mounts, as they are sprinkled among commoner. Teams are remixed, but the individual riders scores kept.  For those watching from the High Box, there is food and drink and a lovely time. Notable commoners of honor mix with local Nobility and wealthy, so various conversations with a wide swath of society can be had, or one chatter about matters of the day with one's fellows. Or even watch the matches.



*concept taken from description of hydraulically operated birds in  'The Ancient Engineers' by L. Sprauge De Camp. 

** Probably going to be inconsistent in describing the Seven Houses. In European equivalents they would be either Princely or Grand Ducal in rank – Bavaria, Saxony, Lichtenstien, Luxembourg etc.

*** Think of something like an English riding outfit with an 'Aussie' style cowboy hat and a bandanna of fine material, good for sun or sandstorms, or obscuring one's face : )

**** The dragoon rifle is a Parthian equivalent to the MSC 1918 Fusil Automatique in 7.5x55, while the Carbine is an older weapon, the equivalent of the Savage 99 in 44-40. 

"Did you aggravate your shoulder, Wik?" Aspas asked as they watched the polo game unfolding in the field before them.

"Oh yes," Wiktor confirmed.

"Did I indicate to you that this would be a likely consequence of participating in the steeplechase?"

"Absolutely," Wiktor agreed, gingerly reaching for his camera.  "But it was every bit as fun as I'd expected it would be.  I'll pay the price for it."

Aspas looked unimpressed.  "You're a troublesome patient, you know."

"Now that's not fair.  Jan, would you consider me a troublesome patient?"

Porucznik Blaszczak shrugged.  "You've never been my patient, Sir.  I can only speak to how troublesome you are in other respects."

"But you would agree that he is troublesome?" Aspas inquired, one brow arched.

"Unquestionably," the adjutant replied.  "I'm able to provide a full debrief if necessary."

"I don't think that will be necessary," Wiktor said without looking up from the camera.

Aspas deadpanned, "As your doctor, I disagree."

"I see," Wiktor said.  He sat up and handed the camera to Blaszczak.  "Doctor, would you care to pose for a photograph with me?"

"That would be acceptable.  With the game in the background?"

"Sure."

Blaszczak looked through the camera, then took two steps back.  "Apologies in advance if I mess this up."

"We'll take two to be sure," Wiktor said.  He stood, Aspas rose, and the two of them stood side-by-side with solemn expressions on their faces and hands clasped together.

Blaszczak took the picture.  "That's one.  Perhaps for the second we can remember that this is not a funeral and smile?"

"Show a little teeth!" Princess Chandraprava spoke up.  "Scandalize high society, you two!"

Wiktor grinned, Aspas smirked, and Blaszczak snapped the second picture.

Ali was reasonably pleased with his performance in the steeplechase, well, at least the pistol portions of it.  Though the big cavalry revolvers had taken some getting used to, after all, the Sultanate had been a very early adopter of the autopistol, and outside of frontier rangers and civilian use the revolver was functionally out of service within the Sultanate.  While he had been fast and accurate, he did feel that he would have done somewhat better on the more extensive courses of fire if he had been in possession of his own ivory-handled 'Hi Power'.

But, he could safely tell himself, at least he had matched the best of the other competitors with the handguns.  With rifles, he had been decidedly middle of the pack.  And his riding was definitely not of the highest caliber, especially with the Parthian style saddle. 

Fortunately, moving into the afternoon, he was in a large team for Polo.  While it was quite enjoyable once he got the hang of it, Polo was not a sport practiced in Azteca, and some of his teammates were undoubtedly nursing some sore feelings if they had been in possession of great expectations of his skill at the sport. 

Finally, the athletic events of the day were complete, and Ali looked around, finding Shirin speaking to a number of the other nobles who had participated in the games.  He caught up to her and rode beside her back to the stable. 

"You were quite impressive on the field" he says "I'll need you to teach me this polo when you come to Arizona, it is a sport we are not accustomed to."

"How will the more traditional Moslems in Azteca react to the Crown Prince learning polo from a woman and a cavalry trooper?" she asks him, giggling just a little.

"I'm sure some hide bound traditionalists will object." Ali says with a chuckle.  "But Mother is thrilled that I am courting anyone.  And any objections to your choice of profession would die in seconds in the face of Queen Fatima's Light Cavalry.  They're officially a Corps now, with six Brigades.  They will be a large part of the demonstration forces for some of our exchange of ideas in fact, the QFLC has embraced motor cavalry completely."

"I am looking forward to seeing what your people have done with this idea of 'motor cavalry'" she replies, before smiling.  "So, your mother knows you are courting?"

Ali reddens slightly.  "It would seem that the Queen of Aztecs has an intelligence apparatus all her own and heard there might be the possibility.  Father, however, has told her to make nothing of it."  Seeing Shirin's quizzical look, he continues.  "I do not want you to feel pressured on your visit to my home, so I can show you the same hospitality you've shown me.  That is why I invited you to Arizona, and not to Tenochtitlan.  I would very much like to introduce you to Father and Mother, however" he smiles.

"I would just like to know who it is you're courting?" Shirin asks, innocently.

Ali's face continues to turn a shade of red.  "If she would consent to being courted, I would wish to court one particular Princess of Parthia"

"I think she might be amenable to considering it"

...and now for the travelogue...

The final day of the gathering dawned over Gilan province and the guests were once again summoned to breakfast. The guidance had been the guests would rotate through the proffered activities, but when asked the Hostess did accede to Lord Girgol returning to the hunt to try his luck again. The others were free to choose their own agenda, and broke in disparate ways. For Princess Shirin and Princes Ali and Wiktor, the 'scenic tour' yet beckoned. Joined by their compatriots, they took an auto ride to the local aerodrome. Between the runways for the land based planes, the bay for the flying boats, and the mast and giant hangers for the Zeppelins, there were a variety of possibilities, but the one set forth- the Zeppelin, was available as the weather promised to be quite fine.

The airship had already been prepared, and the passengers had only to board.

Cruising above the coastal plain that was Gilan and Mazandaran provices, wedged between the south shore and the Alboroz mountains, the great airship climbed over Anzali Port (of Resht) and continued to the Northwest.

The tour guide pointed out the features below, The military aerodrome and the twin lagoons forming both the civilian and naval harbors. The extensive docks received tankers from Baku, indeed the Caspian was where oil tankers had been invented. As a result of this bounty the countryside hosted several chemical plants turning the feedstock into plastics and fertilizers, to be shipped by rail through the Alboraz pass dominated by Radkhan Castle, south to Qazvin, Tehran and beyond.

The airship followed the Pass to the South. The guide pointed out features below, explaining that in 650, these passes had allowed the Arascid dynasty under Queen Boran...at which point the young man broke off his prepared speech and flushed crimson, looking at Princess Shirin "um, as you know your Highness", which was met by a 'You are doing nicely, keep explaining to the others who may not know'. So the young man, stammering a little, continued 'Queen Boran rallied the peoples of Gilan and Mazandaran, and managed to repel the Muslim conquerors time and time again. From here, and the Afghani mountains and Transoxus, we persevered. When the Tang arrived in the East, Parthia finally started the long path to liberating her conquered people.'...

The crest of the pass marked also the change in climate regimes, with the far more arid lands of the Parthian plateau beyond. The forests change in type, becoming sparser and changing in color, which is explained as the trees below are now a juniper forest. As the airship passed to the valley beyond the pass, it turned to the East. Below, orderly towns and wide swathes of green extended from near the river to up the hillslopes. Fall burning to clear the harvested fields, or to summon a new freshet of grass for grazing gave the entire valley below a bluish tinge of haze.


The guide explained that while fertile, the area nearest the river was left nearly untouched to allow flooding and the river to cleanse itself, the dikes being further back. Fresh silt could be taken for the fields after the floods. The greenery on the hills came from irrigation, as the Parthians dug sloped tunnels called quanats back to the mountains to bring water underground, where it would be cold and not turn to mist. Wells brought the water up and which gave water for people, crops and grazing animals. Dams in the valley heads contributed both power and water below. The city of Qazvin, and then of Tehran, came up quickly below. Qazim was both near the base of the pass to Gilan, and at the head of navigation of a valley, and so prospered from being at a crossroads, but limited in size as it was fed by creeks and quanats, with some wells. An arena, much like the one in Resht, surrounded by tents and small buildings all indicated a harvest fair was occurring there too.

Tehran lay on a plain south of the Alborz mountains, were e three large rivers came together, making it by far the larger city.  The spreading plains were filled with crops being harvested and flickers of flame gave rise to smoke in areas. The guide explained that the city West of the rivers was Tehran, the portion east was the 'old city' of Rhages or Rey, which was abandoned for centuries after being razed by the Mongols, and it's people killed or enslaved, much like "much of the North", the guide continues that only about 200 years ago did they start to reclaim the ruins.

The zeppelin proceeded past Tehran & Rhages, with a full course meal being served for lunch, helping offset the beverages hereto provided. The passengers find themselves taken over the Alborz, as the airship begins to loop to the North and climbs to 2700m, with the crests of the ridges not far below and the surrounding mountain peaks not far above. Looming ahead is the majestic peak of Mount Damavad is clearly visible, a massive stratovolcano soaring   nearly 4000m from the valleys around it, snow clad slopes peirce the sky above, soaring to over 5500m, capped with a massive disk of cloud. The airship makes a sweeping turn with the massive peak as it's distant center point, allowing the passengers a long look at the slopes climbing nearly 3000m higher into the sky.

Eventually the mountain is left behind, and the pretty peaks of the Alborz pass beneath..not far beneath, until the guide announces Alamut Castle off the port bow...which seems an odd way to put it. A fertile valley with terraced fields is dominated by an abrupt peak and a relatively intact mountain top castle is a couple hundred meters below, and the Guide launches into a tale of how this is where the Hashashins came to power.  Alamut castle was believed founded during struggles with the Muslims, but had been abandoned with a Muslim splinter sect, the Ismailis, found it and took hold. They became the Hashashins and these religious warriors took a new mission to assassinate rulers throughout not just Parthia, but Byzantine, and anywhere there were rulers who followed a scriptural path they disagreed with, slaying these rulers became the Assassin's Creed. The guide allows that the Hashashins were quite a nuisance for nearly two hundred years, but shortly after the sacking of Rhagd, they slew the new Mongol overlord, leading to the Mongols to sack this remote castle and hunt down the Hashashins.

From there, the airship turns North again, poking out over the plain on the south shore of the Caspian, before soaring back to Resht. That evening, a final feast and dance are held at the Castle.

"Do you enjoy flying, Wik?" Aspas inquired as they sat facing each other, a rectangular window between them looking out on the river below.

"Honestly?"

"Of course."

Wiktor said, "No.  Not yet, anyway.  You?"

"I'm growing accustomed to it but there remains a wrongness to it that I haven't overcome," she admitted.

"The travel to and from Wilno was by airship as well?"

She nodded.  "There have been a few others as well.  I certainly prefer it to an aeroplane."

"I think I'd agree with that sentiment...having spent several days in one to get here," Wiktor noted. 

"And back, soon enough," Aspas said.

"Yes."

"Do you think you'll come back?" she inquired, tilting her head and blinking at him.

"Yes," Wiktor smiled.  "Yes I do."

Ali had flown on a number of airships.  The act of flying in one for him was purely transactional, just a soulless gas-bag with which to get from point A to point B.  Requiring, at least in his eyes, no more skill than sailing a barge down a river.  But at least the company was congenial this time.  He sits with Shirin as she points out the history and the sights.  They sit at what would be called the 'edge' of an appropriate distance as they speak in hushed tones.

"Your country is beautiful, so much history.  It is amazing how the religion that brought my people together and tempered the warlike excesses we once had is the same religion that brought so much war to your lands"  he says

"The very fundamental version of Islam that drove the Arabs to war is somewhat different from your own I think.  From what I have seen, yours is more moderated, almost closer to Zorastrianism than fundamental Islam." she replies.

They talk about the sights as they fly over, and he remarks at how the cavalry battles she describes would be far different in the age where aircraft can flit over the battlefield strafing and bombing, and what changes modernity has heralded. 

After landing, it's time for the party to break up and go their separate ways.  Ali takes Shirin's hand and kisses it properly, and says "I cannot wait to show you my home.  I believe you will find it very agreeable.  Until then"

The Persians under the Achaemenid dynasty are credited with the first mail system, crafting a Royal Road extending from Susa, near the Gulf, to Sardis, on the Anatolian coastline, 2600 km away. Mounted couriers could cover the distance in relays in just 9 days. It was said of these riders "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds"* . Other routes, such as the Great Khorosan Road and Grand Trunk Road crossed the Empire, helping bind it together and connect to the Silk Road and Indian states. 

The Parthians had continued and refreshed this system, and in the 1800s bound their empire together with railroads and telegraph lines. Now, telephones and automobiles were reliable means of communications, while small mail steamers carried fast cargo across the seas to the sprawling territories. Forward thinkers were even promulgating a flying boat service**, with trials in the territories, while developments in that area continued.

So, with this variety of options for communication, it was by humble telephone that Emperor Iskandar spoke to his younger sister Shirin, discussing the invitation from Azteca for her visit.

Having had a week to find mutual interests and discuss matters with Prince Ali, Shirin was quite smitten. When asked about Prince Wiktor, she acknowledged that while she really like him, it wasn't the same. They enjoyed each others company, and his quite reserve and thoughtfulness was appealing, it was a match that could work, but the Wiktor and Aspas had seemed to form a closer bond, so Shirin and Wiktor seemed destined to friendship and respect.  So Shirin very much wished to go to Azteca and see if another meeting confirmed what she thought. 

The matter resolved, Iskandar hung up*** and turned to his wife Zenobia for her thoughts.

Zenobia : "I think she has her mind set.

Iskandar : "I confess to some concern regarding expectations, I suspect the Aztec have some different viewpoints than we do.  I've been briefed, but what is the reality of the expected role of a wife in Azteca ?  How would their people react to a foreigner, how isolated would she be?"

Zenobia : "Hormazd****, or as the Muslims call him, Allah, encourages us to seek and embrace Knowledge, is that not what the Sacred Flame represents – the light of Knowledge ?  Fearing what you do not know, or the different, just because of your lack of knowledge, that is the path of Angra Mainyu.  If you have doubts, enlighten yourself. "

Iskandar : "...you are correct. While I have been briefed, I think it is time to learn. I will direct the Education and Commerce ministry to prepare tutorial cadres for myself and Shirin....I will have to direct her Commander that she has Crown Business to attend to a couple extra days a week, hmm, probably should assign her an understudy as a supernumerary to cover her absences. "

Zenobia : "Why the Commerce ministry ?"

Iskandar : "Academics know the theory of something, Merchants and Sailors deal with the day to day realities of commerce and bureaucracy. Further, our ports of Funafuti and Nuka Hiva host Aztec sailors, so reports from there will tell us much of how the common Aztec people act among others."

Zenobia : "A reasonable approach.  I will observe that Parthia is used to adapting to others, to the East we have dealt with the Chinese for two and a half thousand years, to the West, the Greeks for the same time. To the South, the varied Empires of India. All powerful and sophisticated but very different, we have long adopted their clothing, engineering, music, art, we even teach Greek, Chinese and Hindi in our schools.  From what you have said of her, your sister has always been interested in new ideas and adventures, you prohibited her from serving overseas while Vache was, or taking flying lessons all in the name of avoiding danger, and so she worked her way into the Rangers and went gallivanting up to the Urals.  I think of any of your siblings she'd be most suited to recreate her life overseas, so long as she is allowed. "

Iskandar : "True.  In my defense, I only limited here as I really only wanted one sibling at risk of being shot at a time.  Of course that did not work out, both of them were shot, Shirin was fortunate and Vache had a breastplate.  It's all well and good that the Prime heir learns the mechanisms of competent administration while others learn how to lead soldiers in case Parthia is broken again and someone has to lead the reconquest...but I really did not want to risk either of them, much less both.

Zenobia : "You'd always have your other brother..."

Iskandar : <chuckle> "Given a choice between Honor, Wealth, Respect and Work.... and Honor, Wealth and Play, he chose to exit the succession and enjoy luxury and indulgence.  The Eyes of the Crown report he is happily ensconced in his estate. I confess as I work, I do envy him some. I understand he uses his stipend to be the patron of the arts world in Tehran. While he drinks to much, thankfully he has not taken to the opium pipe, merely ladies of convenience. I suppose I am overdue to call him.

Zenobia : "Of course you are.  You should probably also call the Foreign ministry about this upcoming visit."

Iskandar : "My predecessors admonish that summoning ministers to a meeting too often can annoy and chafe them, but the pomp and gravitas of the setting yields returns in expectations. A simple phone call has less urgency and, well, command. So I will summon the various ministers jointly. I should add the Navy as well. I want to ensure we send Shirin on some appropriate vessel, or vessels. I am loath to send an Heir where they would be a target of opportunity.

Zenobia : "You keep talking of replicating Wilno's world tour, is this the time, send Shirin off to visit foreign ports, stopping in Azteca?"

Iskandar : "Of the Heirs she is most suitable. The others for various reasons are not free at this time. However, I do not think with this timeline it would work to arrange. I am concerned about how to transport her there safely and back"

Zenobia : "Why would that be a concern ?"

Iskandar : "Mayans. They do not seem wholly rationale. We have tolerated an arms trade supporting an insurgency in their South Erica holdings, and offered material support to the Japanese Navy in transiting the Pacific. I understand they have a deep hostility towards Azteca, and they may object to steps that would create more ties between Parthia and Azteca.

Zenobia :  "Unless I dramatically misunderstand something, it would be foolish of the Mayans to provoke Parthia. Is that not so?"

Iskandar : "Oh that still stands, we believe ourselves comfortably superior. Certainly we can evict them from South Erika if we choose. However it would spill a great deal of Parthian blood over jungle of dubious value. There would have to be some greater long term reason to justify asking our soldiers to take that risk there.  My concern is that the Mayans seem to be agents of Angra Mainyu and may simply wish to distress their foes.

Zenobia : "Then send a force they can not defeat."

Iskandar : "Ah my lovely, that's the question of finesse, we are not trying to overawe our Aztec hosts, simply transport a Princess. I think some powerful and fast ships would be best, able to destroy any small force that attacks, or run from a large."

Zenobia : "What are you thinking of my dear ?"

Iskandar : "Ahh, remember it is my task to challenge my subordinates to come up with the suitable answer for that. I will simply review and reject those answers that are not satisfactory. That is why I will be requiring the Naval Minister's presence."

Zenobia : "Sounds satisfactory. Now, since you have finished delegating, I believe you have some time open for us to walk the grounds?"

Iskandar : "Technically, I have to tell give the orders for the meeting, but afterwards, I do indeed"


Thus started the wheels in motion for Princess Shirin and Lady Aspas's visit to Azteca.

Eventually the Homefleet would detail a the Zemaka and Avio Aristabara with 2 Royal Nissean cruisers, 2 Ranger sentry cruisers, 8 Vakharz destroyers.  The flight deck cruiser Avio Aristabara carried fewer pilots and support crew to make room for the Royal party. At Dumai, the Vakharz turned back while 6 Babr took over escort duties.

In the event, the Mayans offered no objection.


* Wiki says Herodotus stated it.
** Looking at the flying boats available 1926-1929, a range of ~600nm / 1000km seems about right, but would only get halfway from Parthia to territories in Africa or Ceylon.
*** Protocol – the Emperor hangs up on you, not the other way around.
**** Parthian name for Ahura Mazda. When the Muslims conquered the Sassanian Empire in the 650s-700s they decided Zorastorians were 'People of the Book' along with Jews and Christians. Which somewhat meant they worshiped the right god, but were not fully enlightened and so did it wrong... and paid a penalty tax as a result.

Time, as it is wont to do, wound on.  Preparations were made, tutoring was provided, briefings presented.  Finally,  Princess Shirin of House Arascid and Lady Aspas of House Suren found themselves headed for Tis on Chabahar Bay.  Known to history as Tiz, it had once fallen to Alexander the Great, but sometime along the millennia, the name had changed. Tall white cliffs guard the entrance to the great bay.  These formed promontories which narrowed the mouth of the bay to 10km wide, but beyond the great body of water stretched 16 km North, and over 20 km East to West.  To the west, the shallows gave way to mangrove swamps backed by plains which led to another bay. The Parthian Naval Gunnery School had it's home here.  To the North, the Coastal plain stretched 20km further to a rugged mountainous ridgeline, from which quanats took water to the plain. To the East, the villages of Tis and Chabahar sat south of a broad plateau, topped by an old but heavily modernized fortress. Indeed, The harbor and it's approaches was aggressively patrolled, Guns bore seaward and the reverse  slopes, fortifications dotted the hills, remote minefields were laid, and other defenses provided, for North of the old fortress, at the base of the plateau, lay the Home Fleet's base. A great turning basin and harbor had been dug from the coastal plain in the delta of a seasonal river. Several airstrips provided basing for the fighters and scouts of the fleet.

The pair were to be embarked on the Avio Aristabara, one of the newest vessels in the fleet.  Two heavy gun turrets forward were overlooked by the flight deck covering the rest of the vessel. Several planes, their crews and maintenance staff were offloaded, and some cabin renovation attempted to make quarters more suitable for Royal travel. With the Lady Aspas now elevated to the part of Principal, and so no longer could serve as an official chaperon.  For such an expedition, the somewhat austere choices of the two principals was deemed insufficiently prepared. As such two new young ladies were provided, and a trio of servants each, and an extensive wardrobe. However, the foreign ministry absolutely did not view bringing their own horses as appropriate. Further, against Shirin's wishes, the Emperor had directed that she choose four Rangers from her unit to pull off the frontier and serve as Guardians on the trip, so she chose four blooded veterans. Strong and lean like most Rangers, none of them had been on board ship before, and at least one would desperately wish for the next week they had never gone to sea. However, it was not until that sad occasion when they disembarked in San Diego that they realized they would all to soon have to reembark and steam back to Parthia.

The were accompanied by the armored cruiser Zemaka, a pair of Royal Nissean cruisers, a pair of  Ranger sentry cruisers, and eight  Vakharz destroyers. 

Setting forth from the Bay, the fleet made it's way South, keeping well clear of Rajasthani or Deccan waters, rounded Kandy (Ceylon) and made for the Island of Sumatra. The Pacific fleet base of Dumai was not nearly as impressive as that of the Home Fleet. Located on the Straits of Malacca, a narrow 7km wide and 70km long strait separated the island of Rapat from Sumatra at this point, and Dumai was near the midpoint. The long confined waters had been viewed as defensible, and the 250km distance from the Eastern mouth of the Straits meant surprise was viewed as unlikely. While Tarakan and then Brunei, with their oil, had been the original fleet bases, the developments on Sumatra meant that the fleet could easily be kept in supply here. Topping off their fuel bunkers the fleet then set out to pass Brunei and then South past the Philippines, heading through the island chains. The view from the top decks of the twin command towers of a Parthian Carrier became a favored place to watch sunrises and sunsets, while the broad hanger and flight deck expanses meant there was plenty of time for fitness and martial arts. Lady Aspas found the the vessel had a darkroom for developing reconnaissance images, but this also meant she could practice what might be her new hobby. Overall, the ship's facilities for more genteel pursuits was very limited, but the various sedentary entertainments brought along did help pass the time. 

When the Parthians had evicted the pirates who had captured it and restored the Kingdom of Hawaii, they had not been interested in rule so much as the Harbor. As such the protectorate treaty with the Kingdom of Hawaii had limited Parthian expansion, but they had developed the treaty regions granted them extensively. The disparity between the two had led to some mild friction and envy. The Kingdom of Hawaii was prosperous thanks to a viable mercantile trade. Still, the Kingdom had been making inquiries of what a treaty providing for Parthian investment in developing the remainder of the islands would entail, but apparently the answers were yet to be satisfactory to both sides.  The arrival of the Royal party was occasion to make a official visit to the King, and partake in their celebrations.

Their time at Pearl concluded, the vessels sliced through the ocean to the Northeast, steaming a further 2200nm, then, several hundred miles off San Diego, the Parthian scoutplanes were encountered by the Aztec scoutplanes, as the 2nd Carrier Scout Group consisting of HMS Martinique, HMS Zoraster, HMS Chapala, HMS Montibello, the Flag (HMS Dragoon), and the J Flotilla (The 4 J-class Long-Range Fleet DDs. The Commander Air Group, Acting, Prince Ali, had been hoping to find the Parthians and escort them in. This proved a delightful surprise as intended. The combined task force sailed into San Diego Harbor less than a day later.

The Royal Expeditionary Squadron, for lack of any official designation, included the interim "Royal Yacht"* otherwise known as the Aviation Cruiser Avio Aristabara , the armored cruiser Zemaka,  a pair of Royal Nissean cruisers, a pair of Ranger sentry cruisers, and eight  Vakharz destroyers. The intervention, direct or indirect, of the Mayans into the equation was disconcerting. The closest Parthian forces were a squadron 1800nm away in Peris Bay (San Francisco), a merchant free port in Nuka Hiva, and Cruisers in Pearl Harbor...in addition to patrol frigates somewhere in the Pacific.  However, the squadron composition had meant to ensure that it could run or fight.   The  squadron could comfortably make 29 knots in sprints, and had fuel for long distances. 


*Parthian royalty does not normally take ship for affairs of state, so there had previously been no need for such a vessel. Not wanting to dedicate elements of the battleline with flag accommodations, the Aviation Cruiser  had stood in. While lacking part of the airgroup, the fighters and scouts remaining provided some surety for the fleet.

The Azteca portion of their sojourn completed, the Royal Expeditionary Squadron having transited the Wilno Merica Canal, refueling was in order offset the burn from the high speed steam offshore of the Central Merica coast. 

The Trinadad squadron, led by the old Sparabara class Armored cruisers and including a pair of small tankers, had arranged to wait for the Squadron at the Eastern side of the Canal Zone. The oil wells at Trinadad were matched by a refinery, which supported the airbase and burgeoning fleet base, and facilitated sending oilers to top off tanks.  Suitably topped off, the Parthian squadron proceeded to Trinadad, and thence to Ria.

The arrival of a Heir was a momentous one, demanding banquets at each location, and a royal tour of the countryside. The transit to Cape Town was easy, spared of storms. With arrival was also a ceremony. The previous trip from Wilno to Parthia had called along the African Coast, and had also put in at Cape Town. As such, the arrival at Cape Town meant Princess Shirin had been the first member of the Royal Family to circumnavigate the world.  For Aspas, while possibly the first member of House Suren, the first Great House to circumnavigate was the nautically inclined House Mihrin.  A mildly embarrassing ceremony was held on board for a the new holders of this honor – , but the Satrap of Ibayha had seen to a commemorative medallion for Shirin, and Aspas.  and arranged for a medals to be struck for those in the squadron who merited them, to be placed on their sash as a personal mark.

The journey from there departed the shores of Afrika to swing East of Byzantine Madagascar and steam to the Parthian Gulf and Bushere.

In the early 1800s, Parthian trade had been primarily overland, or subject to the trade winds, but sufficed to link them to the nations of India, and all those states touching the seas nearby, from the Empire of China to the Sultate of Kilwa, from the Great States of Europe to the Javanese states, with occasional travel beyond.   With the days of steam, trade expanded, but simple transit of cargo was the primary concern.  Four key things changed this, the invention of the oil tanker on the Caspian, and the associated overland pipeline, both of which meant that the oil – concentrated energy- of Baku could reach states across oceans, the contingent expansion of trade, and the scholarly works suggesting that that dramatic returns in trade could be made by overseas investment.  The Parthian expansion, seeking to emulate the long ago cities of Alexander by injecting oil capital and spurring trade and industry, was matched by other nations. Demand for overseas trade had soared. Small freighters had been joined by large freighters, tankers, and particularly cargo-liners. The cargo-liners served the typical needs of transport for mercantile or bureaucratic needs. The Government, realizing it had need for a fast cargo-liner on demand, that could steam unescorted in potentially hostile waters, built the two Royal Mail courier cruisers.

As wealth and vested interests bloomed, and travel to 'tour' the great states of the world became a matter of interest, a more opulent means of travel became desired, and some shipping firms started proffering 'ocean liners', which could transport VIPs, a variety of workers, and of course still held priority cargo, but steamed at a higher rate with more luxuries such as climate control, stewards, and cooks that did not turn vegetables grey and sodden. Powered by oil-fired turbines and displacing as much as some armored cruisers, fuel economy kept most to 18-22 knots, seeking to quickly reach such far off ports as Shanghai or Tokio, Rotterdam or Londinium, all requiring a range of about 6600nm. Longer journeys would require a reduction in speed to more economical rates, or refueling.

House Suren, Second House of Parthia, lords of the Southeast, custodians of the rich trade routes to Rajasthan, owned no liners. It was, however, a trivial matter for the family purse to charter a medium liner.  For the Head of House Suren, Pacores Suren, to ensure his family and honored guests – including the Princess Royal and a member of each of the other Six Great Houses, this was exactly what he did. Aspas Suren was his fourth child, and like many of her predecessors was marrying into a Royal House, a matter of no small pride.  Additionally, she had proven herself a fine example of House Suren, having finished her national service, she had excelled in the medical fields, securing a position as Doctor conducting research at the prestigious Academy of Gondishapur. Aspas was a favored daughter, having been a conscientious child and now an adult who brought honor to herself and her house, while serving the greater good. Honoring her union was of importance.

It was in this background that the liner Gedrosia departed the port of Shahid Bahonar, serving the city of Abbas, and headed for Wilno. The waters ahead were safe, but with Princess Royal and the House Head on board, a naval escort was provided, with the two newest of the Royal Nissean  cruisers detailed to proceed and trail the liner as the formation proceeded at 18 knots. The formation would have to slow to pass smaller vessels, and for the Byzantine canal*. With Malta 3800nm and 9 days away, it formed a suitable midpoint and arrangements had been made to make a port call. Refreshed it would be a mere 1000nm to the fabled Gates of Gibraltar, and a total of 3400nm to Wilno.  The heavy commerce of the Channel and Baltic would lead to another speed reduction, but the Wilno navy had promised to send a guide vessel.

*First built of course by Darius the Great 522-486BCE...or at least so he claimed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suez_inscriptions_of_Darius_the_Great (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suez_inscriptions_of_Darius_the_Great)

Reported on the approach to Aden, the Royal Parthian Squadron is escorted by 2 Byzantine divisions of flagged TGB550 until the entrance to the Red Sea.
Shortly after Mayun Island, the 4 TGBs were relieved by 3 divisions of T500M class torpedo boats (12 ships).
2 torpedo boats at the front and 2 others bringing up the rear and a division on each side. T500M are also flagged because of the Royal Princess.
The changeover is spectacular and noisy as the 12 torpedo boats move at full speed, all sirens blaring.
As night falls, all ships light up brilliantly.
Byzantine torpedo boats escort the Royal Parthian Squadron to the entrance to the Suez Canal.
At the exit of the Suez Canal, the cruisers Jama and Jaskoy escort the Parthian ships to Malta.

Those wacky Byzantines.

This somewhat falls in the 'no I don't expect folks to read it' to long and boring. But it displays in part my head-cannon for how Parthia works- benevolent autocrat, functional bureaucracy, and a democratic system designed to be conservative.  I've meant to post similar ages ago. Shirin's dowry just gives occasion to highlight the economic successes of Parthia as part of the Emperor's argument to trust his chosen path.   


The shortest day of the year marked many things. Feasts, ceremonies, religious festivals among them.
For the Parthian government, it marked the change in the fiscal calendar, and changes in the High and Low Houses which formed the joint committees from which ministers were drawn.

The members of the High House changed little as they were scions of Noble Houses and luminaries of the populace that had earned recognition – such as former ministers. The Lower House changed more as some members retired, or the effects of rarely lost elections emptied seats, and they were replaced. The senior members of each council of the Satrapy (Principality/Region) moved up, to be replaced by the senior members of the Provincial councils who were in turn replaced by the senior members of the City and Shire council – the level at which they ultimately stood for election, and in some ways had the most say.

Tradition dictated that Ministers be chosen from the joint standing committees by the King of Kings, leaving a void to be filled. Experience had long shown that even the best Minister should be limited in length of service. The incompetent could be replaced, the adequate allowed to serve out their term, and the extraordinary given glory and honor, enobled (if not) and entrusted with other tasks. All of  these retirements and replacements slowly resulted in changes to the standing committees.  Who chose to contend for these committees was a matter for the Houses, not the King of Kings.

These changes in committee membership necessitated inaugural meetings between the King of Kings, the pertinent Minister for that branch, and always the Ministers of the Treasury and that of of Engineering. The latter two helped define the realistic options available, what could be paid for and what could be done and in what time frame.  This helped inform the new committee members as to what had been done, what was planned, and why.

Today's meeting was with the Budget Committee, where the Empire's spending plans were being discussed. The ever escalating military budget was a source of consternation for several of the new Committee members, recently risen from Satrapy level, as was Iskandar's proposal for a sizable dowry for Princess Shirin. The newer members of the committee questioned the ever increasing rise in military expenditures in the absence of a war, and like many thought Iskandar's Dowry proposal excessive.   The seniority driven mechanism of advancement meant the new members viewpoints been known, but in this setting they could be given voice and addressed.

Iskandar chose to address some of the concerns directly:
"Honored representatives, for members both new and old -  objections and questions are welcomed. Challenges to established thought may illuminate flaws, or missed paths.  The strong and honorable can accept criticism and adopt the ideas of others, only the weak and craven hide from truth. Papering over flaws in a foundation merely allows it to fail when tested.  The vision for the Empire is the same as it should always be – bequeath to those that come after us a prosperous and secure land celebrating the light of knowledge and the flame of truth.

When I took the Throne in 1908, I commenced a program of expansion. The theoretical basis was the tome 'Economics of Thassalacratic States, Mercantilism and trade ' and the associated works regarding it. I had studied these, but I formed a commision to study how to implement it.  The state's share of mineral wealth had blossomed under my father as pipelines and tankers allowed us to supplant whale oil globally. Our census revealed the benefits of improved medical care and artificial fertilizers was a better fed and healthier populace that survived childhood at a greater rate and lived somewhat longer, a trajectory which threatened to swell our population- as it has- and provide more demand on housing, employment, and critically food and water than we eventually could provide.  Curiously we also faced the problem of how to expend the fund from the exports without distorting our economy greatly, raising incomes competing for the same goods theoretically may just make those goods rise in cost, eliminating the advantage for those that had rising incomes, but making those that did not benefit actually able to buy less. Creating make work jobs is the obvious answer, but consumes budgetary resources without any long term benefit for the people and state.

So, we have bolstered the Army and Navy, and expanded globally to lands lightly populated where we could follow the ways of  Iskandar the Great (Alexander), founding communities which relieve our population problems before they become critical.  As we have two thousand years of managing to prosper where water is scare, we can leave the best sites to the locals, we can take areas better fit to transport and rely on our hydraulic engineering to provide water and so crops. These cities, much like the ancient Hellenes, can serve as hubs for trade, learning, and improvements for the existing peoples.  The access to the expanded local resources, transported easily by rail and ship, and protected by our Navy, provides what used to be scarce.  Things hard to craft, now are easy, and goods move freely across our internal borders, bringing prosperity."

Fielding questions for some minutes, Iskandar pauses and asks his Treasury minister the questions he had foreseen-
Iskandar : "Twenty years ago, when we embarked on my vision, what proportion of the discretionary budget did the military take?...and what proportion does it now?"

Treasurer : "Twenty years ago, in 1910, upkeep for the Military, combined with new expenditures, took up nearly 70% of the discretionary budget.  For this budget year, the projection is 38% of the discretionary budget.
Iskandar : "Over the next two years, the dowry I have proposed for Shirin is considerable. That has led to some questions from this committee. First I wish to remind all, the point is not only to honor and support my sister, which it does, but also to make a multi-part foreign policy statement. I wish to provide a clear example that Prince Ali and Princess Shirin's match bring benefits to the people of Azteca, by helping their territories bloom under their Sultan's guidance, while demonstrating to the globe that Parthia is not just a respectable military presence, but also has economic heft....so Minister
what proportion of our discretionary budget am I proposing to divert? 

Treasurer : "A shade over 5% for two years Sire.  If  compared to the discretionary revenues over the course of your reign, roughly 0.3%, which is considerably less than the Royal share."
Iskandar : "Since I began Parthia's expansion, over the the past twenty years, how has the discretionary budget fared?"
Treasurer : "Economic growth has meant that discretionary revenues have increased a bit over 540% since the beginning of your range, and 535% in the past twenty."
Iskandar turns to the Engineering minister : "The metrics on heavy industry, the foundation of the economy, how have they fared, again twenty years ?"

Engineering : " Sire, differing categories have different answers, particularly in smelting where new techniques and demand have led to some ores becoming viable and thus utilization dramatically increasing.  As a rough single answer, weighted by tax value, is 250%. Light industry in the Old  :-[ has only increased by 15%, but across the Empire, light industry is 320% of what it was. This employs tremendous amount of people both in the Old and the New."

Iskandar turned back to the committee : "That is the truth of the choices made. Perhaps we could have done better, there have certainly been challenges, and an unending demand for more funding for favored causes. But we must focus on the truth that is, and the best knowledge of the future to move forward. Let us discuss remaining concerns, and then you may make documentation requests to illuminate what is still dark.

...discussion continued.

Vache was proud father of two daughters, one only recently welcomed to this world. His wife Anoys was doing well, as were both Cassandre and her elder sister  Anzaze. Vache's younger sister Shirin, 3rd in line, had arrived from an overseas trip to see her new niece and room had been found in officer's country for her, while her entourage paid their respects and continued to the capital of Isfahan.

The City of Flowers and Poets, Ancient Shiraz was home to the First Heir, Colonel Vache Arshakuni of House Arascid , his wife the Learned Anoys of House Soter of Elymais*, and his young daughters Anzaze and Cassandre.  Vache's ascension to First Heir had caused some disruption in his life, as his role in the training command came to an end as he transitioned to his Royal Duties. 

The first heir was traditionally kept inform of the current matters before government such they would be prepared.  Typically they were given a portfolio of some importance. At Iskandar's request, Vache had taken up a a post as Inspector General of the Armed Forces, with a directive to Lead a multi-service technical council to evaluate Technical & Foreign innovations and identify which were suitable for adoption and integration. As was the Parthian way, no honorary rank was given, leaving him at what he had earned by merit, Colonel, which was still overshadowed by his Political rank.

Telephones and telexes meant much of the briefings and conversations with Iskandar could happen remotely, sparing him the need to move to Isfahan.  The train to the Capital of  Isfahan followed a route a little over 200 miles, allowing a journey over night to attend monthly briefings. The mountain training grounds of the Zagros mountains, and the Desert training near Yazd, as well as the Fleet Base at Bushere.  The broad valley of Shiraz was home to an expansive aerodrome for both military and civilian types, and allowed for easy air travel to more distant parts such as the Air Corp's training headquarters in Mashhad. Khorosan, or the naval school and the main Fleet base in Chabahar bay.

The plans for the rare departure of the King of Kings from Parthia disrupted Vache's comfortable life in Shiraz. The Shahashan of Parthia customarily delegated much power to the bureaucracy, and typically collaborated with the Legislature, but maintained an active oversight role, as well as the ability to rule by decree if needed. That could not be done effectively from overseas, and while the machinery of state could certainly whirl smoothly along without, the presence of the First Heir meant it did not have to.

The Royal Train carrying Iskandar, Zenobia, Isias and Shirin stopped in Shiraz enroute to Abbas. Uncle Sanatruck had already arrived. This was an occasion for a procession banquet for the Royals, as well as the notables of the city- Nobles, Guild Leaders and those that had High Honors. Dinner, dancing and well wishes for Princess Shirin's future in far Azteca were said. For Prince Vache, it was a bittersweet moment, Shirin was so happy with her Prince, but her new home was on the far side of the globe, so Vache did not know the next time he would see her, or what he hoped were the nieces and nephews to come. Certainly his girls, and the third still growing in Anoys, would never come to know their aunt. While long prepared for this, functionally the Norse Kingdom was distant as well, the reality of it was an interesting feeling. Still, Vache enjoyed this last night with family, and mused that perhaps in the future, he could find occasion to visit Shirin's new home, perhaps even bring Anzaze.

Two days from now, the Royal Train would depart for Abbas, where the two Vazrya class dreadnoughts would join the Expeditionary fleet.  Vache and Anoys would take their own train to Isfarhan, to take up a figurehead role. Vache would be officially able to make any needed decisions in Iskandar's absence, and they would stand unless Iskandar rescinded them on his return.  There was the expectation that little would need to be done, unless an emergency of some sort occurred. Then of course the role would be the same as a Heir's normal role, issuing Imperial decrees to compel direct action to ensure the labyrinth rules and endless paperwork of competing arms of the bureaucracy did not render the response ineffective or laggardly.



*A Princely cadet line fusing House Soter and House Arshakuni, but not one of the Seven families and so eligible. Elymais having it's roots in ancient Elam, it's capital of Susa among the oldest of cities, having been old when Parthia was born. (Historical note, founded around 4200BCE, razed by Mongols OTL in 1218, not in N7, so in N7 roughly 6,100 years old.)

The Home Fleet base of the Parthian navy was at Tis, in the Northeast portion of Chabahar Bay. Chabahar bay was a circular expanse of water, nine and a half miles deep, and 10 and a half miles wide, it's entrance a pair of points 7 miles apart, separating the bay from the Indian Ocean. Tis first entered the annals of history as Tiz, part of Alexander the Greats return journey.
Archaeologists claimed the bay had been used for millennia before. Tis proper stood to the North of a rocky ridge, jutting out of the bay shore, and crowned by a fortress, still headquarters for the coastal defenses.  This somewhat obscured the Naval base. The Naval base technically was 3nm to the north, enormous area carved out of the deltas of the two rivers entering there, with a giant breakwater to seaward. The western portion of the bay was home to the Naval Gunnery School, and the torpedo practice ranges carved from the Mangroves.  Coastal defenses and MTBs guarded the harbor, while the flat coastal plains allowed for several airstrips nearby.

The fleet had moved here in the late 1800s, when the steel navy was founded. This had led to the closure of the port to general trade, much of that moving to Gwadar.  The bay was outside the Straits of Hormuz, and 150nm NE of Muscat across the Gulf of Oman, giving good access to the Indian Ocean.  A Naval town and base, information did not readily leak to outsides, picket vessels and aircraft watched the approaches for threats, while the fleet could slip to sea unobserved.

The battleships Vazya and Vidyudabhi, like many capital ships drew their names from ancient legends, in their case divine weaponry from the Hindi pantheons.  For this first stage of the journey they were to be accompanied by four Gurg class destroyers. The minesweepers home-ported here did their routine sweep in the hours before departure. The vessels cast off and slowly proceeded past the breakwaters, nets, floating booms, and command controlled mine fields, passing unmolested past the batteries of guns and torpedoes dominating the harbor.  Their screws were clear to the various hydrophones listening, both the coastal defenses, and the picket vessels to seaward.

The squadron proceeded to Abbas, only 300nm away and dominating the  hook on the Hormuz strait.   Across the strait on the point jutting out into the hook were the shallow drowned valleys and the base at Khasab, where the defensive flotilla hid in the shallows. At Abbas the squadron was joined by the vessels of the Expeditionary fleet, drawn from Bushere to the north, and Muscat to the south. Here the Gurg class would depart, leaving the Vazya to join the Expeditionary Fleet. Vazya and Vidyudabhi would embark the Royal Family here, ensconcing them in the Admiral quarters on the respective vessels.  A liner chartered for the purpose would carry the nobility, servants, and guard contingents. 

The Expeditionary fleet was intended to reinforce any of the other three fleets in response to trouble. Centered on the Stormbringer and Mournblade, named from the tales of Melnibone, a Bazdari class fighter carrier provided an aerial shield. An elderly Mus-sag seaplane carrier provided additional reconnaissance abilities.  Steaming in advance of the core force, the scouting force was the 4 Asbara class armored cruisers bolstered by a pair of Royal Nisseans and supported by a Avio Aristabara fighter cruiser. Closer in, 4 of the Maelstrom sentry cruisers and a pair of Bakrclass formed the close escorts, providing  a defensive shell around the battlelines, their 165mm guns able to rapidly engage attacking torpedo-combatants.  The 'corvette' force – the Parthian term for their oceanic destroyers- counted 16 hulls of the Babr and Palang classes, four working ahead with the scout force and the remaining 12 providing the outer protections for the main fleet.  The 2 Hakma, 3 Whale and a sole Hawg class Fleet Supply vessels came along as well.

The combined fleet, featuring 42 vessels, over 395,000 tons (inc liner and support ships), with 60 guns of 365mm, and one hundred guns of 230mm and greater, was not meant to be subtle.  The majority of the vessels had been prioritized for the new AA refits, which had also given opportunity for a through cleaning and painting of the hulls.  The voyage around the horn, across the Atlantic, and through the Caribbean to Veracruz was roughly 12750nm (slightly further than Acapulco steaming East) and  would take 38 days steaming, longer with port calls. The Mayan-Japanese war took longer than the transit time. The force would sail past the Yucatan strait, and even without being augmented by the Atlantic Fleet would still feature  more fire power than the Mayan fleet, as a very clear statement of power projection.

The first stop for this assembled force was the port of Sofala (Beira actually).  Seized from Mogadishian founders by Parthians of Kilwa in 1180, the Parthians had lost possession during the time of the Mongol conquest only to return centuries later. The ancient road inland to the mighty Kingdom of Mwenemutapa and it's gold fields had been supplemented by a double track railroad. The position south of the Zambesi Delta gave a advantageous position for transferring cargo from riverine to oceanic transport.  The Zambesi river draining central Africa was navigable for a considerable distance inland, allowing commerce to flow downstream. The mighty delta had once drained north to the Port of Quelimane, founded by the Parthians of Kilwa before they seized Sofala. The slowly changing delta formed a maze as channels moved, and this had silted up the arm leading to Quelimane in 1830, leaving the Sofala/Biera as the more important hub.

After some time ashore at Sofala (Biera), the fleet will proceed 1600nm to Ikapa (Cape Town). A further port call will occur before the fleet journeys to St. Helena island, which simply serves as a navigation reference for continuance of the 5500nm trip to Trinidad. There in the expansive bay the fleet will refuel and make a port call.   From there, the fleet will continue as if under true threat to Jamaica, and then continue that practice through the Yucatan passage before making the final portion of the journey to Veracruz.

The Gulf of Paria was essentially a bay between the mainland provinces of the Orinoco Satrapy and the island of Liere (Trinadad),  a local word meaning 'Land of the Hummingbirds'.  A pair of straits, 6nm wide, controlled the entrance and extent to the great anchorage. The Orinoco Satrapy was rich, but shared a land border with the Maya, which was uncomfortable. The island, a local source of oil and a natural harbor, was key to retaining the Satrapy, but a forward base for any offensive operations.  The actual naval forces deployed were typically light, as Parthia could not be strong everywhere. They served as a tripwire and harassment force. The main relief would have to come from the Atlantic Fleet, likely reinforced by the Expeditionary Fleet.  The Royal transit had just demonstrated that relief could arrive in slightly over a month.

To help the troops hold out for several months, the past several years had seen the defenses improved, with 120mm guns controlling the straits, serving as overwatch for the minefields.  Batteries of large mortars helped ensure the most likely shores were poor choices.  The harbor now had breakwaters and torpedo nets to safeguard ships in it's care, while harbor forces included both minesweepers and anti-submarine forces, while the sky was safeguarded by Parthian fighters.  Should the Maya commence a build up, it would be met inkind.  That knowledge seemed to have helped deter them.

The beautiful countryside was matched by hot, but lovely weather. Liere had been seized by the Mali Empire in the distant past, used as a base by Iberian adventurers, and fought over as the centuries slipped by. The location on the edge of the Caribbean and the Atlantic had long made it a popular base for 'privateers' and 'adventurers' of many nations. The yao population had retreated to the interior of the island, and engaged in belligerent trade with whomever the recent interloper was. The Parthian arrival had brought peace and stability, turning the rugged town of Cumucurapo (Port of Spain) into a commercial hub. The military port was 18nm south at Point Lisas, near the new oil refineries. Settlers had founded new urban hubs and clusters of government service buildings, while national service youth arrived to build roads to serve Parthian and Yao alike. Enhanced access to goods had brought prosperity to the island. 

The patrol ships and minesweepers had been out early to ensure the Northern strait was clear of mines and subs while the flying boats took off in the predawn.  With affirmation of a route free of potential hostile forces, the Babr corvettes moved ahead, to do their own hydrophone check. The scouting force Royal Nissean cruisers and Asbara armored cruisers were next, with their covering cruiser-carrier Avio Aristarbara.  The Bakrsentry cruisers were next, followed by the four battlewagons in oblique order,  Stormbringer, Vazrya, Vidyudabhi, and Mournblade.  The middle two vessels were equipped with flag facilities, which carried the Emperor and his wife on one, and Princess Shirin and Aunt Iasas on the other.  The liners taken in service with representatives of the leading families and guard troops followed, followed by the gaggle of fleet supply vessels with the Maelstrom cruisers, Bazdari carrier and elderly Mus-sag seaplane carrier following. Last was the remaining corvettes of the Babr and Palang, who moved swiftly to take up positions on the flanks and stern.

Fleet speed was 14 knots, which placed it at the upper range of what a submarine could manage on the surface in flat seas.  Throughout the journey, the corvettes would take turns steaming ahead of the main fleet, and then damping down the engines to drift. While not able to completely turn them off, this reduced the hull noise sufficiently to allow the hydrophone arrays to be highly effective. A submarine running maximum screws could be heard over the horizon, as could a surface force.   The three aviation ships took turns launching scouts, while the warships kept their seaplanes on board.

There was no real expectation of trouble from the Mayans, or anyone. A series of long planned refits had ensured that the ships were in top shape and featured the new antiaircraft guns, on which the crews had been drilling. The four battleships alone featured sixty 365mm guns, while the formation bore 100 heavy guns, and outgunned the Mayan fleet. With the Emperor and two named heirs on board, and the potential to disrupt the Aztec Royals, it was imagined that any vessel carrying them would be a target of opportunity, thus they were separated and the entire fleet was used, as an indication of how very unwise it would be to interfere.

The course was followed to the North NE until two hours past nightfall. Then a lowpower signal was sent, and the force shook out in a looser formation before ships lights damped, and the force turned in sequence to the West.  The hulesmeyer devices on many of the vessels gave short range (5.5nm) omni-directional reflections off metallic objects, but could be shrouded for directional proximity, greatly assisting in station keeping and helping ensure the ships did not drift to close. This course was held for nearly 800nm, passing through the middle of the Caribbean, far from any land based aerial searches. The turn point was 150nm South of Parthian Jamaica, and 200nm from the Mayan "Corn islands" themselves 200nm off of Mayan coast. Unknown to the Parthians, this meant they were retracing the route of the Mayan fleet on it's journey to and from Martinique. This time the turn was in the early morning hours at 0315, and brought the fleet on a course for the Yucatan straits, 590nm away.

With the major Mayan base at Cancun, and the strait only 113nm across, if the Mayans chose make a mistake, this was their best location. Maintaining course and speed would place the fleet off the Parthian Caymans at 2200hours and would enter the Mayan Aerial search radius an hour later, but would see the Fleet exiting the strait at 0330 hours, and 60nm away by time Dawn came.  Sneaking through during wartime would be highly advisable, but would not help convey the Parthian message, so the fleet steamed at a reduced speed,  passing their reference point of the Caymans at a little past noon, and entering the Mayan aerial search envelope in the hours after that.  The sole search aircraft was encountered by the fleet's own scouts. A lance of fighters was detailed to patrol that way, but the Mayans turned shortly after sighting the fleet. While at high alert for several hours, the fleet passed the strait just as Night was falling, with no further sign of the Mayans.

The next two days were uneventful. Once past the strait, the force continued into the night, before swinging Southwest, keeping well off the Mayan Yucatan.  The nighttime leg once again at 14 knts, followed by an increase to 16knots during the daytime, to adjust the arrival time at Veracruz to mid afternoon....(see Aztec thread)

Shahanan Iskandar was pleased. His Sister seemed radiant with happiness, thrilled to start her new life.  The Aztec Sultan welcoming, the court had been gracious, the ceremony beautiful.  The Aztec cities were well kept and prosperous. There seemed much promise for relations between nations to build on and grow closer, for the prosperity of both.

The Aztec fleet was impressive, and the Wilno squadron's presence as well as that of  others was also appreciated, but he was particularly pleased as the Parthian contribution gave a long salute. Refitted and painted prior to the journey, the visual appearance of the vessels, a grey with forest green trim, steaming in order with their pennants all flying was excellent. The salute, sounding in time like a metronome,  starting with the mid-weight guns of the cruiser-carrier, followed by the armored cruisers, and then the heavy guns of the battlewagons, rippled down the line, one hundred guns in all, thundering their salute of the marriage.

The departure of the fleet started a languid journey.

The first call was not far. The islanders called it Caguay, and it had a fine bay as a harbor (Kingston, Jamaica), rebuilt on the inland side of the bay, the old unstable townsite (Port Royal) on the peninsula having been rejected for development. While that town had been favored by merchants, smugglers and pirates, the islanders told of earthquakes and waves causing devastation. Even the Taino did not know how long they were there, but the Mali merchants had wrested the harbor from them five centuries ago,  planting sugar cane as a cash crop and importing captured workers. (the N7 version of the triangle trade). Those plantations had collapsed when political unrest in the Caribbean and reformation of the fields in Laksmanavati had disrupted and eventually destroyed the trade. The petty states of the Caribbean that arose afterward had been a renowned location for merchants who also opportunistically posed as smugglers or even pirates.  The island held an excellent position in the Caribbean, ably located for servicing the needs of the Parthian mercantile marine operating in the Mericas. The opening of the Trans-Erica canal had been beneficial, as the excellent harbor served as a convenient port of call or shelter for the increased mercantile traffic.

The fleet anchored in the bay, nets out, pickets posted, sweeps active. The harbor mouth was closely guarded by 120mm guns, and airstrips provided aerial patrol, but a certain paranoia reduces the chance of unpleasant surprises.  Despite the garrison and fortifications, it was recognized that if the Mayans chose to they could try to seize it. The Parthians felt such an attempt would pose an excellent chance to catch the Mayan fleet at the open sea. If the Mayans sent insufficient force, the Atlantic fleet could intervene, but that would almost certainly be a trap. So the plan was to fight from Liere and  catch the Mayans away from their bases while the Expeditionary fleet came.

The formal port call only took a couple days, before the fleet could set forth for Liere (Trinadad).

This started as something completely different, nand is basically Parthian History... but it's basically setting forth things I have long 'known' but may not have put down.

One of the Keys to N7s history is most historical events happened with minimal changes.
The existence of Parthia complicates that as historically the Muslims, Mongols and Timur went
charging through the Iranian plateau on their way to effecting history elsewhere.

So Parthia had to be something of a swinging gate, with massive armies running it over, and still persevering. So the Royal Family became the glue that bound the nation. The 'national myth' includes these 'never give up' histories. The nation has been torn to the ground repeatedly and fought it's way back. It is no longer collection of Persians, Kurds, Balochs, Etc, they are all Parthians first, and their regions second.

So here's the history I wandered into typing up this afternoon instead of what I intended to do...

The Parthian Empire had nearly been destroyed on four occasions. The first was the Sassanian rebellion of 224 which had torn the Empire asunder as the large and rich Persian provinces had revolted.  An extensive reformation in it's aftermath had centralized power, both civil and military,  turning the Confederation into a true Empire. 

The Roman invasion of 54 BCE had been crushed at Carrhae in 53BCE but started what was to be two millenniums of intermittent wars, which by 1910 saw the Byzantines still holding the old Capital of Parthia, Ctesiphon. Still, these had not threatened the elimination of the Parthian state.

The second was in 632-651AD. First weakened by the Plague of Justinian 541-549, the 572-591 Byzantine War, and after a 602-628 year war with Byzantine had crested at the gates of Constantinople, only for failure and plague in Mesopotamia sapping Parthian strength, which led to exhaustion and a succession war at home. While Byzantine embraced peace,  from 628-632 the Parthians fought among themselves, as the various male heirs were propped up and then eliminated by rivals. This tattered realm then broke when the Muslim expansion of the Rashidun Caliphate burst forth on the doorstep of the exhausted Empire.

The massacre of the male heirs in the succession wars had led to Queens taking the throne and changing the succession laws. The scattered remnants of the House of Arascid rallied the remnants of the Empire. Queen Boran in Gilan province, Princess Sadira held Herat, while Prince Peroz held Samarkand and formed an Alliance with the Tang Empire.  First just lent troops, later decades Prince Narsieh coleading with Pei Xingjian a Tang Army into battle in 679.  From these three redoubts, they  slowly led the reconquista. The reconquista took 50 years, but forged the people as Parthians first, and their province or family second. The unseen effect was eliminating the source of wealth and manpower the Arab armies relied on to power their wars against Byzantine, Iberia and North Africa, with those fronts slowly fading and their impetus running out.

The struggle forged the the Parthian national identity under Arascid leadership.  Many changes came to the population. As part of the cost of rallying the scattered Empire, Queen Boran also granted a Royal Charter for the landed to meet and pass judgement on the conduct of the Crown and Empire (a Parthian Magna Carta). The new succession laws allowed for  grown and able Heirs to be named, superceding birth order in favor of competence. The results included the designated heirs, the expectation of the eldest child being trained to administer,and the second and fourth eldest joining the military, and the introduction of national service. While from the Tang came merit exams for civil and military promotions, as well as other advances of the Chinese state.

The third crisis came in 1219 and lasted until 1327.  Five hundred years of stability had led to a Royal Court which chose to indulge in the benefits of wealth and power while leaving the messy business of ruling to others. The Crown became mostly a symbol, with the power captured by the Elite (shogun era).  The Royal Charter had led to an elected government of the landed Elite ruled loosely while the Major families had  wrested near complete control of their ancient principalities (imagine a mixture of the Shogun era and the Polish-Lithuanian commonwealth). The Imperial army had become nearly all turkish mercenaries, as they were loyal to the High Council that paid them. The Princely houses fielded both their own armies and commanded the local Imperial forces. House Varaz had led an expansion beyond the Trans-Oxus (Khwarizam Empire), while House Suren had led an expansion from their Sakastan holdings to conquer the Indus and Ganges plains (Ghurid Empire). In 1218 the neighboring Qara Khitai (Western Lao) fell to the Mongols, and a Mongol Ambassador was sent to treat with the Parthian Commonwealth. The High Council and it's President sent the head back to the Mongols. Ghengis Khan's invasion saw cities razed, the northern third of the nation slain or forced into servitude. The High Council was captured and slain. The holdings of House Ispahbudhan in Gilan, of House Suren in Sakastan, and the lands around Shiraz in the Zagros mountains became the new redoubts of the nation. Once again, scions of the Arascid Dynasty came forth to lead and coordinate each effort. With the core of Parthia destroyed, the Mongol forces flooded beyond, into the Levant and Indus, assailing Byzantine, and sweeping North of the the Caucus into the Rus and Europe, all while conquering the Jin and Song. As the Mongols spread further, they faced more foes, while Ghengis died in 1227 and Odegai in 1241, and Guyuk in 1248, distracting the Mongols from finishing the Parthians. Mongke Khan returned to finish the destruction of Parthia and Byzantine, razing Bahgdad in 1258 before his death in 1259. In 1256 the Mongol territories in Parthia were formed into the Ilkahnate under Mongke's brother Hulegu. On Mongke's death, a brief civil war broke out, the Ilkahnate became independent,.  Elsewhere the territories went to Mongke's other brother Kublai, who ruled in China . The Reign of Kublai Kahn  was a long one (1260-1294), which was focused on the destruction of the Song in southern China, Korea, then South East Asia, attacks on Japan and Java.  Kublai Khan founded the Yaun dynasty and viewed China as his powerbase, but this Eastern focus saw the rise of the Golden Horde and the Ilkahnate as semi-autonomous.

With the Ilkahnate independent, and the Mongol attention far away, the Parthians were able to transition from defending their remnants to launching offenses to reclaim Parthia. Fighting between the Ilkahnate and the Golden Horde led to the shattering of the Ilkhanate army in 1262. Pressed by both Parthia and the Horde, the Ilkahnate fell in 1265 with the death of Hulegu. The Parthians claimed the core provinces, but the next 40 years was spent in a succession of campaigns expelling the Golden Horde from the wasteland that was the Northeast third of the nation.

The Fourth crisis came in the century following. First, the Black Death weakened the nation from 1347 onwards. Then in 1383, the leader of the Golden Horde, Timur, invaded. A decade later the Black Death added to the misery.  Timurs campaigns ravaged much of the nation, but in 1385, the northern reaches of the Golden Horde under Tokhtamysh went to war with Timur. Once again, Gilan and Shiraz held out, shielded by mountains. The harsh terrain of Sistan allowed Zaranj to hold fast, as did Yazd and the Southern Coast. While Timur's campaigns would sack Delhi, Baghdad, Syrmnad Ankara, and ravage Byzantine Anatolia, the Parthian Empire survived in the the mountains  and slowly reclaimed it's lands.
By 1405, when Timur died, the Empire had reclaimed all but the Northern Steppe.

These incidents, while ancient, set the path for a Parthian national myth, about who and what they are. The original Parthian tribe was eliminated in the Mongol depredations, leaving that identity open to all.  It is a foundational expectation that the Arascids and Parthia are one and the same. The history of democracy is tarnished, and there is a belief that only those raised to power and privilege can learn to manage it- and not even all of them. First Borns are expected to train for the family business, but may be passed over if not suitable, even inheritance has to be earned.There is an embrace of merit and competence being expected for promotions.  There is an expectation that everyone – excepting first borns- is expected to serve in National Service. Among the Nobility, the 1st child is trained in administration, while  2nd and 4th children are expected to serve in the Military.  There is no debate as to if a strong and military is needed, and it is seen as a core role of the State.  The 3rd child is expected to 'serve the national good', either in education, medicine, or religion. The remaining children are expected to serve the family purpose.   The Zorastorian faith is well established, though diminished since 1848, and the Christians and Jews embraced as part of the fabric of the nation. Tolerance to other religions is a facet of Zorastorians, but until the 1800s, Islam was shunned. Since then, tolerance has broken out and it is seen as an odd but legitimate religion.  The Charter of Queen Boran stands, but the Parliament serves in a mainly oversight role and to provide ministers to oversee the bureaucratic state, the power flowing from the Monarchy. At lower levels of governance – cities and shires- democracy is more vibrant.

edit - if someone actually wants to comment on my blathering, feel free :)

My intermittent storytelling will now become disjointed as well. There are many tales I wanted to tell from 1910 onwards, some I actually started and ran out of time. I'm starting to have time now.

This will be several posts about Colonel Vache observing Parthian tank development. It mainly serves to highlight the Emperor's and High Command's interest and a discussion of what I think "reasonable" tank evolution would be like for Parthia with it's mix of terrain. Philosophy starts German, then goes kinda British/French, then back to German, but I want American drivetrains and serviceability.

I will also attach Tanksharp7 versions of the machines because, well I can.

Tanks for the memories...

Like many second sons, Colonel Vasche's military training had started as a child, but his actual career had started with National Service in 1908 at 15, and he had been a very green lieutenant when the Dragoons went into action against the Kingdom of Kandy in 1910. Twenty-two years later, after many postings as well as Command and Staff colleges, his career had been somewhat derailed by needs of family and the Crown and now the requirements of being First Heir.  The title "Inspector General" was usually bestowed on someone already a General. For Colonel Vasche this led to some protocol issues,  which tended to be resolved when those he was inspecting decided that as 1st Heir they should not regard him as some mere meddling Colonel. The 'Inspector General' normally reported to the General Staff, but in this case the appointment was by writ of the Emperor, who wanted reports as well.

The genesis of this was to ensure that the rapidly changing technology of warfare was being carefully evaluated and vetted to ensure new tactics and logistics were combined with new equipment.

This is why Colonel Vasche found himself outside Konjikala (Ashgabat) an earthquake prone city of low rise buildings built in the reinforced half-timbered style of the Himalayas, the dearth of local trees being overcome by the railroad. An ancient silk road town, Konjikala had been raised by the Mongols when the Northern third of Parthia was substantially depopulated.  Nearby a hill overlooked the vineyard strewn plain. Crowning the hill was a modernized fortress, the latest successor of 2,100 years of fortifications.

This was home to one of the more important Armored vehicle training and testing commands of the Parthian Empire.  Others, at Shiraz, Yazd and Jiroft were the complimentary commands, continuing the typical Four-fold way of the Zorastorian approach. All featured plains for armored vehicle operations, with nearby mountains for more difficult maneuvers, and both Yazd and Konjikala had nearby deserts. The sands of Karakum desert split the steppe and formed a defensive region between the Caspian and Aral seas. The railroads and roads formed strategic corridors through the desert to the Northern regions of Parthia, but it posed a difficult operating challenge, with vehicles needing to traverse both the hot summer Karakum sands, the winter steppe and hill snows, and the spring/fall muds.

Here the newest prototypes were being placed through their paces, testing in heat on first plains, and then the grit of the deserts, then the foothills and finally struggling into action in the mountains. When winter came, the mud, cold and then snow provided their own tests.

Colonel Vasche's was familiar with the series of Armored vehicles that had come before. The swift scout armored cars (Minerva Armored Car) had been first and entered service in 1910, just after he graduated officer candidate school.  His career preceded the first generation of tracked behemoths. The first  had featured lumbering casement armorclad monsters "Elephant"(German A7V/French Schneider CA1) as mobile assaultgun platforms to crunch across the plains, bridge ditches and destroy field fortifications, followed by smaller, swifter light "Unicorn" cavalry tanks (German LKII /Swedish Strv m/21-29), far more mobile than the armored cars in many conditions.

Oh, for the various equipment I describe, I'll either have a historical analogy in mind - for example I like the Dutch G1 Reaper, and believe it the precursor to the US P-38. Otherwise I'll use Tanksharp 7, or Planesharp to make a hypothetical that I can discuss.

Unfortunately the excel files are too large for the file attachment size...and after I looked up WW2 AT penetration to make the armor results more relevant !

Ultimately, they are points, and if you have the "1935 tech" then that's how your equipment works, but I can work in some hyperbole while expounding on how I think things would evolve. 

The second generation of "Armored Automobile Chariots" had primarily been an evolution on the first. The "Razorback"  (UK Mark VI / VIII/concept~French FCM 1A)  was a lozenge shaped tank with exterior treads to handle all sorts of terrain, with flanking sponsons. Numerous machineguns were fitted, and a howitzer was installed in a dorsal casement. Flanking the dorsal ridge were a pair of couplas for observers/flaggers.  Elevation and depression were aided by a spinal ridge allowed for the breach to recoil and reload when depressed. This utility allowed for use in hilly terrain.

The "Unicorns" were remodeled to include a light cannon, and continued building, but the design scheme had split to support very light machine gun tanks (Carden Llyod Tankettes) and gunned Cavalry tanks (Vickers 6-Ton).  Armored cars had evolved to a half-tracked design (AMC Schneider P16) to allow year-round usage.

Ironically the turreted guns on this small vehicles were seen to imperil the large tanks. The howizters of the 'Razorback' were intended to destroy field fortifications, not track and destroy other armored vehicles. The large hull was well armored against portable weaponry, and the bow against even light cannon, but the smaller vehicles could be built in far larger numbers and operate en masse to flank and destroy the lumbering giants.

So, Vache was here to observe the prototypes and talk to both operators and theorists. Wargames had already been run with speed-governed lorries with portee guns standing in for the hoped for tanks. As usual, the approach had been slow and methodical.  As usual four designs had been sought and built, with four of each.  This was distantly rooted in Zorastorian principals of four being a special number linked to the four elements, but long ago had been adopted within the Parthian bureaucracy. While inherently inefficient to have four "Bureau of Transport", each was assigned different Satrapies, and allowed comparison between them. It was recognized that over time government branches chose to accumulate power, and hire status-padding, while fiscal prudence decayed and corruption- no matter that it could be a capital offense – crept in. Ultimately the parallel branches allowed unfavorable comparisons, and for branches to be singled out for reform or even dissolution and recreation.

The furthest advanced of the new designs was the second generation tankette. The first generation of tankettes had been introduced to service in 1927 been meant as armored, mobile, machine gun posts and had been designed as just a two person hull, seated side by side to limit overall height. Cramped, poorly ventilated, the unpartitioned hull being terrifically loud, and weakly armored, these had proved unsatisfactory in many ways. Limited visibility, combined with the inability to see over virtually anything, Simple rifles firing rounds with hardened steel cores could ventilate the first generation from over 500m away.  The redeeming aspect was the small size allowed proven automobile engines to be used for a reliable and fast platform. Demoted to artillery tractors and 'armored delivery wagons' they had found something of a niche.

The second generation had started development several years before and was a much improved vehicle.
The "Caracal" was twice the mass, at 6 tons. For now, Eight such machines were running. The initial 16 by 4 companies had selected the winning design by Akko Foundaries.  Only Ashkelon Industries design had featured a turret, though with no rotating floor, a single MG through the faceplate and rotation by simple muscle. The other two entrants had produced variations on the 1st generation design. A large cash award went to the winner, and each company was asked to produce 2 copies of the winning design, with license fees going from the three to the one. These editions were both proof of successfully matching the original, but some innovation was allowed, with improvements able to net the innovator either a reward or reduced licensing fees. Failure to produce a viable machine at this stage would loose that company any contract.

The hull was wider, allowing two crew in semi-reclined seats. One served as driver, the other was to work a radio or a 7.5mm machine gun, allowing the vehicle to be used as an observation post. The nose was a wedge shape, with a proven and powerful 90 hp engine driving the front sprocket, but leveling off before the flat deck the hatches for the two hull crew, ensuring deflected rounds would not fly up and hit crew above the hatch. Towards the rear of the machine is a small turret (Profile similar to IJA Type 94 tankette, with similarities to Brit MkVIC). The armor was recognized as resilient but not proof, and would withstand rifle and MG ammunition with hardened steel cores, with the front being reliable over 100m, and the rest at over 500m.  With an interior diameter of just 80cm, the turret had sufficient room for just the commander/observer. The rotating floor supported an adjustable seat, with the normal seated position allowed use of vision blocks, but the seat could be pumped upwards, to allow the commander to look out the split hatch. At this time, the commander was expected to be armored as a dragoon, with a holzter breastplate and helmet to protect against marksman...though trials were proving that the additional bulk, weight and heat was detrimental.  The rotational gearing was attached to bicycle-type gearing to allow the commander's legs to power the traverse when needed. Curiously, the two heavy 15mm machineguns were outside the armor (think Gepard, and will lead to this having an AA version, like the MkVIC AA tank), on a linked armature through the turret, which could be raised/depressed/fired by the commander from inside the vehicle. Small armored hoods covered the connection and breeches, while sliding armor panels inside gave access to affix additional belts or clear jams. While a workable solution, with surprisingly good elevation and traverse rates, problems with having such aspects exposed to enemy fire...and environmental damage, would only become clear in operations. The height of the vehicle was substantially higher, as being a viable observation platform was a particular goal, so it must stand above bushes and scrub.

Another typical aspect was the lengthy planning government departments engaged in. In this case the design arc had started years earlier with the decision that the old 1917 engine design should be refreshed or replaced. So, Engines had preceded other elements, with a competition settling on a newer design.

Parthia had long ago encountered the problem of concentrating all efforts through a single government or private designer.  The bid process was open to all, but the scale meant only a few could muster entries. From those, a traditional 4 competitors were used,  including the Royal Engine Foundry (originally locomotives) and the (Royal) Buyid Motor Works and two private competitors. The projected contract was large, and the expectation was the winning entrant would be awarded the contract for ½ the total production, while the next two runner ups would be allowed to fill the rest of the order while paying license fees to the winner. The least satisfactory of the four would simply be dismissed. In this manner, manufacturing and design expertise could be maintained in a competitive manner, while room made for new contenders.

At this point the engine portion of the process had been completed. The winning new engines did feature the complex but reliable  sleeve-valve design, but were designed for simple mass manufacture, being modular with two, four or six cylinders configurable in either a straight or 'v' configuration, giving from 2 to 12 cylinders and a much improved power to weight ratio. The hope had been for 180-200hp on the straight-6, and 360-400hp on the V-12 , but trials had found that required reliability required derating the straight-6 to 150hp (133kw) while the design matured. The transmissions designed for them were in two types, a 420kg model suitable for either the straight-6 or a still-developing 660kg beast sized for the V-8 and V-12 configurations, which made it overweight in most cases. This was considered an acceptable penalty, as the total vehicle weights did not approach any transport restriction, and had negligible effects on performance, which seemed a worthwhile trade for simplified logistics and increased serviceability rates. A force of 100 tanks that were 66% serviceable, compared to a force of 95 slightly more expensive tanks that were 80% serviceable, would be an force of 66 vs 76 in service vehicles, allowing the slightly fewer and more expensive option to yield 15% more in-service tanks.

As refineries distilled oil into different grades, with the lightest distillerants suitable for aircraft, and heavier grades for simple gasoline, diesel, and bunker oils, the Parthians had hoped to would like have their wheeled vehicles and tracked run on gasoline and diesel respectively, reducing the demand. However, the diesel ICE engines proved unsatisfactory in power:weight.

What Vache was watching these engines power was not a "tank" as one might consider, but rather the chassis and running gear for them, suitably weighted to emulate the design weight. Parthian railroad gagues descended from 2-draft animal widths, allowing for a fairly wide range of assembled widths in-transit. Broad tracks were fitted to lower ground pressure at maximum weight, to better traverse snow and mud.  The tracks no longer wrapped around the top of the hull, rather the hull was narrower,  wide and long to allow for both crew and a centrally mounted turret.   The chassis were deliberately overbuilt, designed to serve a range of purposes on a common platform to ease maintenance and logistics while vastly boosting the problematic serviceability numbers. There was also the expectation that once this testing settled on the 'best' of the four designs, episodic improvements could be made.

The demands on this third generation were several. There was still consideration for being used as the 25ton basis for the "Rhino" replacement of the 37ton "Razorback", as the much more compact design would allow substantial shedding of weight.  Firing smoke and HE shells, these larger tanks would offer direct fire support, flowing to the point of attack and making the break through. Design work continued on if the howitzer would be mounted in a casement, or a turret, if the latter, this did necessitate a wide turret ring for absorbing the howitzer's recoil. That design option had negatively effected the project by meaning the basic chassis was  3m wide, 3.5m with tracks and with the trench crossing length of 5.75m. This was nearly as wide, but substantially shorter than the "Razorback", though with the addition of the turret, slightly taller. 

That oversized chassis,  transmission, running gear and wide tracks added substantial weight to the designs for the general-purpose "Cavalry" tank, currently called the "Dragoon", and the substantially stripped down version used for a replacement of the "Unicorn".  Unfortunately, even the unweighted chassis was only a little than a ton lighter than the old "Unicorn" weighed.

As such, the results, so far, seemed mixed. The 23mm armed 'Sipahi', which when armored looked to be 12tons, 33% more than the 'Unicorn' and 20% more than the 10 ton target.  This did allow for a low 6.2psi ground pressure, slightly more than a marching soldier. Even at the derated 150hp a speed of nearly 23mph and range of over 170miles.

The 16 ton 'Dragoon' was less than half the weight of the "Razorback", but lacked the howitzer, substituting the new 45mm gun, a shortened version of that developed for the Motor Torpedo Boats.  The greater weight included better protection, but raised the psi to 8.1, while range plummeted to 130miles, and speed was just 17mph. Compared to the 6-8mph of the "Razorback" this was still blazingly fast.

The 20-25ton "Rhino" was expected to take advantage of the chassis's expansion ability, but the weighted chassis were stressing the suspension elements, while the derated engine struggled to propel the assemblage at speed, only slightly exceeding the "Razorback". As the single-banked version of the engine had been fitted, giving the same 150hp, the choice had been to go with the same transmission of the other two tanks, but the lighter transmission had been fitted for comparison and was proving inadequate for the weight, with numerous failures. That was, however, the point of such testing. It was apparent that the "Rhino" would be viable with some further investment, but the platform was likely near the upper edge of it's capability.

The Inspector General's job was multifaceted, but in this matter was mainly seeking the truth behind the numbers. The different designs had varying clean weights and handled the terrain differently, and the crew fatigue and maintenance needs after a full fuel tank cross-country maneuver spoke volumes. Matters such as crew size for maintenance, comfort at speed for fatigue, how coordination was to work, were all still being explored. While there had already been a great deal of resources put into the engines and suspension work, and bureaucratic inertia would happily work to expand them, one must also evaluate if a new platform designed from the beginning for the 40ton ranges\ might be a viable hedge against the future. The structural elements would be much heavier, and more interior room would be required for engines and drivetrain to propel the beast at a reasonable speed, but having this foundational work would make fielding very large vehicles viable. The value of a 'Breakthrough' tank was hotly debated, but the same chassis could be used for self propelled artillery, or heavily armored assault guns for strongpoints. While wargames could establish the specific needs, they could not be realized without the proper platform. This recommendation would be the one Vache took to the design bureaus, and his elder brother, Emperor Iskandar. 

 The last vehicle inspected was already in production as an ostensible tankette....
but the escalation of design demands had more than doubled the intended weight and the change orders had bloated the cost.The proper category was undoubtedly 'Light Tank'.  This was present as a comparison vehicle, as it was moderately successful, but had lessons in what was not desired. 

The production specifications had pursued casting as a production technique,
but it proved difficult to cast the entire hull in two sections, so the bow of the machine was cast in a top / bottom clamshell arrangement. The bow was curved, and the upper and lower hull sections arched. The viewport for the  lonely driver had deflectors built in around it, as did the front lip before the turret ring. The sectional arrangement was continued aft, with cast sections secured with massive bolts along the hull. Placed in the interior, all bolts were torqued in place prior to the drivetrain being installed.  The bow of the tank was curved
The turret was a single casting, with holes for the mantlet and other elements.
The turret was to host the Commander/Observer/Signaler, and the gunner/loader for the 23mm cannon.

With a top speed of 27mph on roads, and an 8.5psi ground pressure, the 8.5ton vehicle was highly mobile, and surprisingly heavily armored.
With over 25% of it's weight devoted to armor, it was still at best resistant to ATRs over the frontal arc, and helped push the awareness that better was needed for this role.
The vehicle had also highlighted some deficiencies.  The 3 person crew size had been found a little small for the maintenance tasks even the small vehicle demanded.  Engines, weapons, and equipment needed daily maintenance taking hours, thrown tracks were an 'all hands' matter, and watch standing would be easier with more crew.  The firewall between the engine compartment and the crew area helped terrifically on noise and fume reduction, but ear protection and better airflow was desired. The suspension, while 'better', still exhausted the crew on long runs- though a change in seat suspension mid produciton had helped matters.  The Commander/Observer was too exposed, and needed some protection while ' unbuttoned' or a method of watching from under armor. This meant various hatch designs were being trialed. One of the contentious ideas was set the hatch so it could be elevated and the commander could look out the gap between the turret roof and hatch. Some were then suggesting that should be transformed to a rather expensive armored ring with viewing blocks. Experiments with viewing scopes were also being tried.
The lack of a radio was a hindrance to coordination and observation.  Various signal flags, running lights and even flares
were stowed in a small bustle, but the vehicles deficiencies had placed an emphasis on wireless short ranged communications, which might take a specialist crew.

The tests of the competing chassis were primarily about how they handled cross country travel when weighted to capacity. This location had been chosen for the variety of terrains to allow evaluation of climbing and passage ability on different surfaces. While wide and long tracks, and the running gear to support them, were heavy pieces of kit, low ground pressure was deemed a mission critical element. The snows of winter, bracketed by the mud seasons, made ground pressure a critical element in the Northern plains. The same considerations mattered during flood seasons along the Indus and Tigris, it effected hill climbing ability on the Anatolian plateau, and how well deserts could be traversed. The weight absorbed did rob the armored vehicles of speed, and add to maintenance woes, and of course costs.

The last tests from the various road marches were meant to evaluate serviceability, while various suspension elements meant to lower crew fatigue also could be tested. How long could they run between maintenance periods, the percentage that fell out on a road march, and ...as Vache was learning from observation, how easy it was to repair them, were serious considerations. The 'leading' design, with the engine placed in the front,  was cleverly arranged, with a compact engine compartment and running components tucked behind each other, and appeared to require removing large chunks of the engine to reach certain things that failed at a much higher rate. There simply was not access room. While the designers talked about adding floor hatches that could be opened from a hastily dug mechanics pit to allow better access, the feasibility of this in rock, snow, mud, and boggy environments was dubious. A longer design with a rear mounted engine, and space for a slender mechanic allowed most repairs to be done without removing anything, and allowed for a the engine to be replaced far more simply.

Decreasing the hours and days spent out of service meant an increase in actual numbers fielded.  Numbers allowed concentration of firepower at decisive spots. Winning at those points would allow the enemy front to be pierced and flanked, but if the damaged or simply broke down  vehicles could not be returned to service, the soft underbelly of the foe could not be found. There was still debate over all this, as Parthian doctrine called for a deep belt of strongpoints that soft underbelly could fall back on, a critical consideration on wide open steppes and swift horse mounted armies, but unlike the horsed armies, heavy artillery – the Rhinos and their successors – could be brought along to reduce these strongpoints, many built in the late 1800s. Further, the modern airfields and their fuel dumps were too large to readily fit in these facilities.

Vache had grown up with horses, Parthia had a tremendous history with Horse Cavalry,  he had been a Dragoon – mounted riflemen, able to swiftly concentrate all over the battlefield – but as these vehicles- both armored and aerial- turned from dozens to hundreds to thousands, the wide battlefields shrank, and he readily appreciated the proper roles were shrinking. Sad in a way, but fascinating to see what the exploration of knowledge brought.

Sorry, not my best work, but gives tries to explain 3 main concepts - the structure of the Parthian succession, the nature of power in Parthia, and the upcoming treaty goals.

Parthia News  Early 1936

Emperor Alexandros X,  Queen Zenobia, and Cousin Abeshura.

Abeshura, a cousin, had stepped up to become a Heir, 4th in line. As such she was unlikely to be called on to occupy the throne.  With the retirement of Aunt Isias and Uncle Sanatruk, and the marriage of Shirin to Prince Ali of Azteca, the chain of succession had become depleted and new Heirs had been named. Isias's and Sanatruk's elder children had been logical choices for the 2nd and 3rd spots.    They had been named, tutored and stood questions before the House of Lords to be confirmed, a sequence Abeshura had only recently started.

As Prince Vaches children were far below the age of 14, they could not be named Heirs, so others had been sought. While both Isias and Sanatruck had several other children, wealth and privileged often produced indulgent individuals who received mixed reports from those around them. Descended from a Granduncle of the Emperor, Lady Abeshura had been highly thought of by those around her. The Parthian practice was that within the Empire the Royal line did not directly marry into the Princely Great Houses (Once Kingly), but to foreign royalty or the next echelon of Parthian Royalty. The elevation to Heir meant she was now Princess Abeshura, her training as heir included shadowing the Emperor in his affairs of state while being tutored in the finer details of what would be expected should the mantle of the throne fall on her shoulders. In several months, she would appear before a select panel of the House of Lords and be expected to answer a broad array of questions to validate her knowledge of government and economics as well as her mental acuity.

The expectation was that Heirs under 30 would continue their professional track, which for Nobility was generally either the Military, Law, Civil Engineering or Academia. After 30, they might continue their career, but would be expected to start a family as well and represent the Monarchy more often both within the Empire and abroad.   As a result, Abeshura expected to  return to her doctoral studies in Chemical Engineering, only occasionally being called on for formal appearances. Modern communications meant that she would participate in weekly meetings with the Monarch, serving as part of his Privy council, just as the other heirs.

The Emperor's council chambers had a grand table carefully enameled with a map of the world. On it,
Alexandros was explaining the treaty being negotiated by the Foreign Ministry with the Aztecs. Alexandros had long pushed the Ministry for closer relations, as the the Nations had extensive lands and borders in Afrika and the Mericas which could benefit from at a minimum peace and stability, but more-so from economic links. The various balkanized statelets – whether sultanates, kingdoms, chiefdoms, or even theocracies,  that had squabbled over small territories for centuries had been subsumed into the great nations, but that also disrupted the ancient trade routes they had among each other.  Further, many of these regions were arid and supported grazing, and Alexandros was aware that the national boundaries meant little to these semi-nomads, leading to tensions when they impinged on their ancient travel routes. The attack on his sister Shirin and her new husband Ali was an example of the tensions that could happen- though in that case exploited and stoked by hostile (Mayan) powers.

As such, Alexandros wanted a treaty that both saw to the needs of his (new) people, restoring their old trade and grazing, but also ensured no border conflicts with the Aztec. There was also the burning need for formalized cooperation for law enforcement. Alexandroexplained that there were additional elements on military aspects he had pressed for, but the Foreign Ministry was reticent.

That of course prompted Abeshura to ask permission to ask a question. Leading to a chuckle from Queen Zenobia and an instruction to ask. So Abeshura explained she did not fully understand why the Emperor's power was minimally constrained by the Grand Charter of Liberties of 1235. However, the Emperor's actions reflected a far more restrained traditional role, but technically the Emperor was only required to listen to the guidance of Ministers and the Legislature. Granted unless Parthia was invaded they could technically overrule the Emperor with sufficient votes, but if this treaty was something he felt of value, so if the House of Lords asks.. why follow tradition and accept the limitation ?

Alexandros responded and explained that the Emperor is expected to act in the long term interests of the Nation, while leaving the short term interests to the Legislature.  Further, acting through the ministers meant the Monarch could share in successes, and replace those that failed. The Monarch needed to let the Minsters and Legislature have authority over most affairs, but take regular direct action to ensure that..expectation..was maintained, but it was best left to overruling the Legislature on some popular measure, and then funding it with the Emperor's Penny (the 1% of the budget set aside as the Emperor's discretionary account). There was a time the pendulum swung the other way, and the Monarch was a figurehead for a dominant legislature – which had after all proved disastrous in 1219.  This all ensured the Monarch had both real and moral power, while providing the Legislature – and thus the landed and monied classes- with sufficient control over their normal lives to be satisfied. So while a treaty could indeed be ordered, it would lead to long term resentment and resistance from the legislature, so such a measure should only be taken if other means were ineffectual, and even then that should be a warning as to the wisdom of such action. So, gradually working the Foreign Ministry toward the correct concept was a preferred course of action.

Isfahan, Royal Palace.

For most Parthian affairs, the appropriate ministry was charged with competently and efficiently tending to it's area of expertise. For most departments, their affairs were broken into at least four regional bureaus , which were evaluated in competition with each other and frequently private contractors. In extremis, a failed regional bureau would be disbanded and a new one formed from the staff of the more efficient ones.

For the Foreign Ministry, having 4 regional approaches to Embassies, Consulates and other foreign affairs would be disastrous. There was a need for a consistent and common approach, presented in a unified way.  This made the Foreign Minister one of the more prestigious posts, and was typically drawn from the House of Lords, frequently from one of the Seven Great Houses. 

Like any ministry, it had a place in the Cabinet and  answered both to the Chancellor, but also to the Monarch and their Royal Council.

The Emperor's Council chamber not only held the Emperor and his wife, but the 1st Heir, Prince Vache, the 4th Heir Princess Abeshura, and the Emperors councilors of Territorial Development and Economics. The Foreign Minister had brought the draft treaty of Cooperation with the Azteca Domain to the Palace for the review and comment of the Monarch and Royal Council. The Finance Minister was in attendance as well, as the treaty would have economic ripples.

Alexandros X commenced the meeting by thanking the Ministers for work and the councilors for their advice. Alexandros then recapped that he had long felt better relations with Azteca were in Parthia's interest. Each attendee had had a chance to review the proposed treaty, rendered in Parthian, Aztecan and Greek, but he'd like the Foreign Minister to read the individual clauses after which they would discuss. 

The first clause "Restoration of Ancient trade routes and development of border regions for mutual prosperity.". This addressed the core of Alexandros's concerns. The economic theories that led to the race for territories by the global powers had absorbed numerous tiny kingdoms, principalities, city states, theocracies and chiefdoms. These small states frequently had centuries of trade routes built up with neighboring states, now broken by new borders. Of particular concern was the arid regions, where conventional agriculture was not practicable, and semi-nomadic peoples tended to have 'hub' towns, which served a large number of nomadic herders, or small scattered fields over a vast swath of land. The global expansion had severed many of these areas from their traditional grazing and gathering lands, frequently leaving one people split between two states. Those people then became a source of discontent, unrest and smuggling, as seen on the attempt on his sister and her new husband. The long borders between Azteca and Parthia in Merica and Africa crossed many of these areas.

The first clause was focused on the old trade routes of the old statelets. The language creating a mechanism for foreign investment was there, as were provisions to allow trade. This meant the old trade routes could be restimulated. An ore body on one side of the border, cut off from it's old processing plant, could now be relinked through new infrastructure and both extraction and production upgraded. The Finance minister and Economic councilor were concerned at the low rate proposed for the Customs station and the Aztec proposal of an absence of cross-border tariffs in the border regions.

Like most nations, Parthia had long operated as a Walled Garden, with Tariff walls on any goods and resources that could be produced at home. Indeed much of the reasoning behind expansion was a mercantilistic control of resources combined with a pressing need for settlement room and economic opportunity for a burgeoning population. Tariffs had long been a very traditional means of protecting trade and so discussion centered on the wisdom of this move. The Territorial Development Councilor alleviated many concerns by observing the wording allowed for overland trade, which was inherently more expensive than waterborne trade, even after the treaty stimulated railroad development, that would inherently mimic the effects of tariffs. The last clause would allow correction should time prove this arrangement be flawed.

The second clause "Restoration of Ancient territorial usage in border regions" was aimed at the semi-nomadic peoples. Clauses created both a permeable border to allow these peoples to resume their ways, and a joint law enforcement effort to address the problems that arise from them. This had been the simplest clause, as the attack on Ali and Shirin had highlighted the problem. An acceptable mutual solution had still taken some negotiation as to exact wording.

The third clause "Maritime Commerce Clause" had been an Azteca proposal. The Parthian acquisition of the Pacific islands had created problems for other nations existing Pacific trade. The Parthians had tried to forestall this becoming a source of conflict by establishing two "Free Ports" for vessels, and building repair facilities at both Nuka Hiva and Funafuti. This has long helped not only the Inca-China-Japan trade, but also Aztec access to their South Zeeland territory, and Japanese movements. During the Mayan War, the Parthians had not sheltered in official Neutrality, but proffered their facilities at Pearl Harbor to refuel and reprovision the Japanese fleet.  The third clause expanded this treatment to allow ships of both nations to rely on the ports of the other. The Parthians in their expansion had deliberately sought to maximize the availability of good harbors, and obtaining access to others at the gates to the Caribbean and dotting the West Coast of Africa was desirable. The opportunity cost of giving the Aztecs access to the Parthian basing system was minimal, and so none found this clause disagreeable. The opportunity for mutual training the Aztecs suggested for the coastal forces was agreed to, and the squadrons in Liere (Trinadad) assigned for proximity and as they were duplicated.

The fourth clause " Mutual improvement of Military Training and Equipment" was one which Emperor Alexadros X was most dissatisfied with. The wording the Foreign Minister had brought back was for technical manuals and a couple lecturers, which was not what the Emperor had asked for. As he explained, Parthia had fought victoriously in the war of the Grand Alliance against the Horde in 1872, a  war that had splintered as meeting engagements against Byzantine led to a conflict. Under his father, seeking to seize Karachi, Parthia had marched into war against Rajasthan, valiant troops marching through the muddy fields East of the Indus into withering machine gun fire. But in this century, after the introduction of the motor car, the development of continuous tracks, of flying machines...all theory no practice.

Within the Parthian Military, several prominent theories vied for attention, drawn from both their own tacticians and foreign sources. However the Aztec had fought back against the Roman attacks, and then rushed to the aid of the Japanese against the Mayan onslaught. This gave them a unique background to formulate their theories. While terrain would impose different tactical considerations, Emperor Alexandros felt strongly that what he wanted was an combined arms Aztec Corp IN Parthia, giving lectures and demonstrations but also conducting field exercises with Parthian forces. This would allow the Parthians to test their own ideas, learn the Aztec ones, and then formulate new theories in Peace, not in war vs the Horde, Byzantine or Rajasthan. This force was not in the draft, and the Foreign Minister explained that the Aztecs considered the matter but were reticent on a number of points, including the cost of sending so many men and machines across the globe, the impact of their absence and backfilling those spots, and some more minor objections. The assemblage discussed the matter, and looked to Prince Vache as the one with the most recent military service. Alexandros proposed proffering to set up a recurrent fund for Foreign Direct Investment to stimulate that part of the equation. The number Alexandros proffered sparked an objection from the Finance minister, but Alexandros observed that since he took the throne in 1908 and the current Military and Discretionary budget for 1936 the available funds had grown over 650%. Further discussion shrunk the figure from 10% of the M&D budget to a smidge over 6%.  The size of the Azteca Corp requested was also trimmed, but the duration extended. The Azteca proposal for an equipment exchange/comparison was endorsed and the wording altered to include engineers to explain concepts.  The revised proposal was given to the Foreign Minister to bring back to the Aztecs.

Clause V, and Clause VI the neutrality and termination clauses were more formalities, detailing the obligations of the parties during wartime, providing a mechanism to resolve difficulties, or if that failed to terminate with due notice.

The meeting adjourned, Alexandros, Vache and Abeshura discussed her perception of the proceedings and answered her questions.  Planning was then discussed for Vache to be the one to sign the treaty later in the year. Details of planning the vehicle and equipment samples could be worked out by the Quartermaster Corps, but Alexandros thought sending the two new carrier designs – both with and without the armored flight deck, would be useful, and wanted Vache to take the Expeditionary fleet as a statement. A statement Vache felt unnecessary, and did not think the Naval Minister would be thrilled with. While the Emperor may normally rule through his Ministers, there were times he simply made the choice, and this was one. Then came the length of Vache's visit, his desire to bring his wife and children and visit with Shirin and Ali, and the discussion shifted to who needed to be delegated to ensure which details were arranged.

The Royal Military Reservation at Nisa was the training ground of the Parthian Army and home to a Royal Military Academy for field grade and general officers.  The Separate Marches for the Byzantine, Horde and Rajasthan borders had their own training commands, while the various branches had their own schooling centers. The ever increasing ranges of artillery, and the expanding size of armies that could be logistically supported by railroads, had led to a desire for a location where large scale formations could conduct live maneuvers, and artillery could be fired freely.

The Amphitheater was hushed as the Inspector-General of Military Education turned the podium over to the Chief of the General Staff (Parthian Army). The assemblage included not only the officers of the Educational staff, but also the officers attending as students, and the officers of the formations rotating through. The  Chief displayed 2 lanterns and announced that The Aztecs are Coming, The Aztecs are Coming. The assemblage was somewhat confused and did not get the joke at all. This sort of reaction is why the  Chief had not pursued a career as a stand up comic, but rather sought high military rank, where people would be forced to listen to his jokes and still applaud..

The Chief then announced that a treaty was being finalized and as part of the terms, an Aztec Combined Arms formation with attached Air Assets would be sent from the Azteca Domains to Tis, and there take train for Nisa.  Traditionally, the individual marches facing Byzantine, the Horde and Rajasthani developed their own doctrine and tactical wrinkles, and aggressive sought any manuals and theorists from the other side of the border, so that they would not be surprised by new practices.  As a result, several competing theories of the "proper" employment of Armor and Aircraft  fought for attention within the Parthian armed forces, which was in part the reason for a higher level centralized Academy where they could all be evaluated.   Here, at Nisa, a somewhat broader approach was taken, with not only the ideas of the neighboring powers, but far wider ranging, as well as testing those tactical and strategic theories Parthian officers devised. However, the world was a large place, and the further from Parthia, the less detail. As such a new set of courses and manuals on the Azteca practices would be prepared.

The Chief explained that once the Aztec formations had reached Nisa, they would be garrisoned here.  Equipment of the two nations would be evaluated and demonstrated. The Azteca equipment was an evolution of their battle experience, and the choices made should be carefully considered.  Take an infantryman's pack as an example. It is well known that in peacetime, what gear is considered critical for the Infantry to carry ever creeps upward in weight. Yet in every war, much of it winds up dumped by the roadside as the infantry discards it. The details of what is considered valuable and what is excess should be very interesting.

He closed with – our temples, the Zorastorian ones, hold the sacred flame, symbolizing knowledge, and the neverending quest for it. The Nestorians have a saying 'pride cometh before fall'.  Defeat and failure in exercises is an opportunity to learn a better way. There is no shame in realizing one is wrong, rather the strong person can admit error and embrace the better way when it presents itself. It is the hope and expectation that we will discover flaws and failings in our tactics and approaches, as well as discover new and more effective approaches to such things. Understand why you were defeated, and you can adapt and overcome in the future. and so much better Now than against the Horde later.

About the facility :
The Academy and the small town around it abutted the ancient ruins of the city of Nisa on the banks fo the river Atrek. The ruins had been under excavation since the 1880s were part of the opening on tours on 'why we fight'. The nearby fortified town of Denghil sieged and sacked by a massive Horde raid in 1881 during the last Parthian-Byzantine war, was also used for the the end of such tours when the battle and massacre were discussed.  The older histories have it that the Parni tribe entered the Satrapy of Parthia and by 247BCE had overthrown it's Satrap and legendarily were granted the lands for peace and the hand of a descendent of Cyrus the Great. There may have been an earlier settlement, but it is said they founded  Nisa, the first capital of Arascid Parthia (near modern Ashgabat).  Located on the Steppe Route and later Silk Road, tied to Empire by the Royal Road, the city was prosperous and renowned for it's horses.   The city was leveled by earthquakes in around 10BCE, and while the Capital was moved the city was rebuilt. Fought over in the Sassanian revolt, it was the founding of Nishapur to the South that gradually stole it's glory. Later sacked by the Muslims around 660CE,  the city rebuilt and persisted until 1221CE.

While the Arascid dynasty had unified the nation and led the Reconquista against the Muslims by 750, by 1200 they had become just figureheads for Parliamentary Monarchy.  In 1219 the Prime Minister sent the head of Ghengis Khan's ambassador back to him. The subsequent the Mongol invasions not only destroyed that Elective body, but also depopulated the northern 1/3rd of the lands. Nisa like the city of  Nishapur to the South, or Merv to the East, was sieged and sacked by the Mongols. The male population killed, the rest marched into slavery. Sacked and depopulated, the quanats that brought it water abandoned, the city fell to dust. The City was not rebuilt. Early Parthia had been decidedly feudal, and those ownerships and obligations had persisted so the deaths of the fief-holders meant the lands reverted to the crown. As a result, vast areas of ancient Parthia reverted to the crown. While most areas had since been given as fiefs to Nobles, several large Royal Demesne had been carved out, the largest holding the ancient city ruins. When the need for a large training ground arose, this Royal Military Reservation then became home to a new Royal Military Academy.

The Reservation had two main portions. The Southern main portion around Nisa extended from the rugged snowcapped peaks of the Kopet Dag mountains, through the grassy woodlands of the foothills, and out onto the oasis-strewn plains to the North. Nisa, at the base of the foothills was connected by road and rail in the cardinal directions. To the North, the road and a heavy quadruple track passed nearly 200km across the plain and connected to the Northern portion of the Reservation. This Northern section encompassed part of the same plain, but extended into the sand dunes of the Karakum Desert.

As a training facility, the combinations of terrain made for excellent training and wargame opportunities, and had lent themselves to the demands of modern equipment. The size allowed large formations maneuvering and flanking room, as well as for operations in depth. The edges of the desert lacked inhabitants to complain about artillery practice, the plains made for easy airfields, while the  four terrains allowed for strenuous testing of vehicles- armored or unarmored.

Port of Abbas, Parthia.

Loading of disparate pieces of military kit took time. Gathering the documention on it's design and performance, and the technical experts behind it took more. Gathering trainers in it's use was..actually pretty easy.  Activating Merchant Marine clauses allowed mercantile Cargo-liners vessels  to be taken into service for the purpose. Calling into service one of the few dedicated ocean liners proved unneded,   as the new Royal Mail Cargo-liner "Bountiful Sea" was available, and could be trusted to provide the VIP transport for Prince Vache and his family. Once again it underscored the lack of a suitable yacht, but the Bountiful Sea was fast, had both 1st class and VIP quarters, and a torpedo defense bulkhead, and so was deemed 'safe' for such an exalted personage, and so much nicer than the Admirals quarters on a warship.

Arms and vehicles small and large were taken on board the vessels, at least 4 of each. From fighting knives and pistols to service and sniper rifles, machine guns, pack and field artillery, to cars, trucks, half tracks, tankettes and tanks. 



Four copies of the engines, naked chassis, and weaponry of each of these vehicles was carefully loaded as well.

For completeness, a single example of the older tanks were included, though they were rapidly being phased out of service.  The twin machine gun armed little tankettes (AH-IV), meant to be little more than mobile machine gun posts had been replaced with larger, turret equipped "Caracel" tankettes (T-40). The 'Caracel' featured the first all-cast  hull and turret, lighter than riveted. As an amphibious tank, having the underhull in a single boat shaped casting was seen as beneficial. It also fielded the heavy 15mm MG and a vision-block equipped cupola. The 15mm was also used for ATRs, and allowed the vehicle a close range anti-armor ability. These however were already being phased out as they did not have room for radio or operator, rendering them less useful for reconnaissance and group employment. The 'Caracel' chassis however had been used as the basis for an entire series of vehicles – a small tank destroyer with a turreted 45L60 gun (T13b3), an artillery tractor, a personnel carrier, and a lightly armored front line transport.

The old 'Unicorn' 10t tank (T1E2) had been the front line tank, but was being rapidly replaced by the new 'Spahi' (Landsverk L-60) 12ton light tank and the new 16ton "Dragoon" (Souma S35/ PZIIID). The "Spahi" was designed for 'heavy reconnaissance' and equipped with a 23L60 autocannon. While the "Dragoon" was to be the all-round tank and was armed with the 45L60. As coordination of tank formations had been a colossal difficulty in the original tanks and had led to a designated "observer/signaler" for the older "Razorback" and "Unicorn" tanks. This led to the radioman being embraced as a crucial element to allow the vehicles to operates part of larger formations, despite the space penalty for the crewman and gear.  The old 37t "Razorback" (Mk VI/Saint Chamond) was reduced to essentially an assault gun with it's spinal howitzer. The newer "25 tonner" "Rhino" (Souma S40/T-34)  was still in development, to be the breakthrough tank. While the turret ring could support the new 60L60 if fitted with a simple muzzle break, there was no current need for such a weapon, so the 45L60 was fitted. The real problems were with both the larger engine and the debate on how to build the chassis. The Earlier prototypes where a steel frame with RHA plates riveted to it, but not only did the rivets weigh a great deal, but had a tendancy to shear off and ricochet inside when hit by a non-penetrating shot. At this time, thicker castings were having problems with quality and welding anodes were having great issues with the armor plate, and so the "final" prototypes being tested featured two-part construction. A 10mm hull was cast with flanges extruded 200mm. These flanges both gave additional locations to bolt (or later weld) the hull together, but also a location to bolt either RHA or – if drilled prior to hardening- face hardened armor onto. This was proving complex and costly at this stage, but very effective in testing, and so the "Rhino" was very close to full production.

The newest planes were loaded on the broad hanger and flight deck of the new Waxsendag Kaman.  The larger bombers had to be carefully arranged and strapped to the deck. They were not expected fly off, but once lifted off, would be quickly flyable. The largest bombers though simply had to be disassembled.

Most Parthian aircraft engines at this point were sleeve valve radials.  The gearing of the sleeve valves introduced production costs, but they were more reliable and effective at cooling. The early twin row radials, especially boosted by the new two-stage superchargers developed, were proving very good, but the higher cross-section of the radials was still limiting top speeds, despite continuing improvements on hubs and cowlings. The engine manufacture had taken to a 'pod' design where the entire engine module could be detached and replaced with a new one while the old was overhauled, greatly helping serviceability. The variety of these included the general purpose fighter (Hawk 75A-2), dive bomber (BA65 L14m) , light bomber (Beufort), heavy bomber (Halifax), trainers and a number of distinctive twin-boom aircraft including the fighter bomber (Fokker G-1/P-38), the reconnaissance plane (Fw 189), a transport plane (earlier, smaller C-1119).

Parthian inline engines were sleeve valve models, expensive and slightly heavier. The sleeve valve used more oil and was more complex, but very reliable and ran cooler than poppet valves. These powered only two planes, both intended as interceptors with a premium on lower air resistance. The new propeller hubs and cowlings on the radials vastly improved them in that regard, but the inlines were still somewhat superior. Intended to intercept Byzantine bombers, the first had a 23mmmotor-canon nestled between the cylinders and firing through the hubs (MS406), while the second had the engine buried in the fuselage behind the pilot, and with a 30mm cannon firing through the hub (Fokker57/P-39).  There was even a push-pull prototype included, attempting to use two engines for power, but with the forward cross section of one (Fokker D.XXIII → Dornier 335 → Saab 21).  Originally fitted with two equal sized poppet valve inlines, cooling was an issue this prototype has reverted to sleeve valves.


The Expeditionary Fleet also gathered at Abbas, bolstered by not only by the new Barsuc  class armored carrier, but the new Waxsendag Kaman carrier on loan from Home Fleet.  SST-14 had departed already, to make her own way to Veracruz.

The Expeditionary fleet, which was commonly moved to bolster the Atlantic or Pacific fleets, was the logical choice to send, well if one decided to send an actual fleet. While it was in fact unnecessary to do so, the Parthians disliked sending Royals floating around undefended, and it was always a useful exercise to "reinforce" the far corners of the Empire. Lastly, demonstrating one can send 56 warships and supporting to the other side of the world with ease was useful for strategic purposes. The 4 battlewagons and 4 flight decks of the Expeditionary fleet could easily be added to the 3 battlewagons and solitary flight deck of the Atlantic or Pacific fleets to create a combined force.

Once loaded, the route the fleet took was simple. Steam out of Abbas, a 2600nm jaunt to Zanzibar. A port call and quick top off of fuel tanks. 2,300nm took them to the natural harbor of Ikapa on the Horn. A 5,300nm hop to Liere (Trinadad) and another port call and top off. Then 1000nm to Jamaica for an overnight stay in it's glorious harbor. 530nm took the fleet to the strait between the Yucatan and Cuba, then a mere 600nm to Veracruz. A mere 12,330nm, or 37days at 14 knots, not including port calls.
 

Veracruz

The month had been a busy one for Prince Vache, First Heir.  The Treaty of Veracruz had been signed, The Royal Visit to the Aztec Throne concluded,  the end of the trip allowed Prince Vache and family to visit his sister's new home. Returning to Veracruz, the Parthian equipment, instructors, and technicians had been unloaded, while the Aztec forces had gathered and embarked. The Bountiful Sea's VIP quarters would host both Vache and Ali for the voyage back. A destroyer squadron and Barsuc would remain behind for months more to better demonstrate both the technical challenges of Armored Carrier construction and allow comparisons in the two navies carrier aircraft handling practices.

1,000nm took the Expeditionary fleet and it's attached vessels across the Gulf of Azteca to the Straits of Florida, steaming down the Windward passage a further 600nm to the Caicos "Iron Botttom" Lagoon.
A brief Royal port call is followed by a resumption of the journey, passing through the Mona passage and then proceeding to Martinique and it's fine harbor. A second port call is followed by the 2900nm passage to the Cape Verde islands and then to Freetown.  The port there was a giant riverine estuary, established centuries ago as a trading city. Now part of the Parthian Protectorates, the port was home to  riverine gunboat squadron 11,  coast guard division 6, and destroyer division 10- consisting of 4 modernized Pangajan destroyers of the Atlantic Fleet.  A 48 hour port call allowed fresh stores to be taken aboard and fuel tanks topped off. The 1900nm trip to Luanda culminated in a port call at the African Aztec possession.  This allowed Prince Ali to make a formal visit to this far flung city. The next leg was a long jouney, passing in good weather by the Parthian port of Ikappa on Cape Horn, and Sofala near the Southern mouthes of the Zambesi delta, passing through the Mozambique channel and to the port of Mombasa.  This 4000nm trip saw the merchant vessels drawing their fuel bunkers low, as well as their food and water supplies.

Mombasa was recorded as being founded in 900CE by Mkisi and Mvita, Rulers of the Thenashara Taifa (Twelve Nations ). While trading with the Parthian state dates from the earliest days, with the "Swahili" coast referring to the pidgin of Parthian and native languages stemming from that trade. Mombasa had first come under Parthian rule temporarily in the early 1300s, but the Kilwa Satrapy had become independent during the 1381-1393 Horde (Timur)-Parthian War, remaining such until absorbed by the Omani Sultanate in 1696. A later successional split saw the Swahili coast and Oman separated. Oman came to Parthia by marriage, but until the Parthian Expansion of 1910 the Mombasa area remained separate. By the Declaration of Stonestown, the Parthians claimed rights to the crown, and have reasserted control over Mombasa and surrounding area.

The travelogue will continue in the next post

Quote...Sofala near the Southern mouthes of the Zambesi delta, passing through the Mozambique channel and to the port of Mombasa...

During the night, TGB84, while patrolling in the Mozambique Channel, sighted the Parthian squadron.
The ships were sailing with all lights on, as was TGB84.
The squadron was making 14 knots and heading north.
TGB84 followed the squadron for a while on a parallel course, then disappeared in the night.

About half a day steaming out of Martinique, the RAN executes a training strike. 

Beaufighters from Martinique, burning in at low level in a simulated torpedo attack trigger "scramble" warnings from the Aztecs.  While HMS Unicorn is "just" a support carrier, she does come fully equipped for her own fighters.  Parthian officers observe as the Aztec aviators on deck alert quickly start the engines of their Hurricanes and the landing gear squats as each plane is catapulted into the sky. 

From the Revenge, a Vindicator floatplane is put up for airborne fighter spotting.  As each individual Hurricane rides the elevator up, her engines start and the deck crews are efficiently marshalling them onto the catapult tracks. 

"Scramble drills are about putting a half squadron in the air as quickly as possible without the carrier maneuvering or accelerating" Ali explains to the Parthian observers.  "In the Caribbean, ground based aircraft are death to ships, they're bigger, longer ranged, and can deliver a lot of ordnance. So in Naval aviation, it's all about moving fast to get a combat air patrol aloft, or reinforce one, without taking the time to turn a formation or worse, break a formations anti aircraft screen up to get the carrier into the wind."

As the last Hurricane gets aloft and moments later the beaufighters fly their simulated torpedo runs with Hurricanes dropping in on them to count coup for the exercise, Ali continues "That's also why the navy fighters have stuck with the 7mm MG.  The action will be close and our pilots may have to fight extended air combats with far more targets.  So maximum fire volume to make hits and force aircraft off, and the lightest ammo to maximize the time a pilot can fight is vital". 

He points to one of the 40mm rotary mounts, a hideous slab sided box of thin armor concealing the four barreled gun.  "That's also why we use so many lighter guns.  A 40mm does not have the reach of a 90 or 120, but the stream of tracers is likely to force off a plane or flight of them before they drop their torpedoes or bombs."

As the vindicator is picked up by Revenge,  he notes "when we had the Blackburn Blackburn, we had a proper air direction plane.  A radio operator and spotter in the air is just going to be better than even three or four on a ship.  I've ordered a requirement for a new carrier aircraft for that role, the floatplanes are just not nearly as good, and planes like the Catalina can't operate as a cohesive whole like a carrier air group."

The exercise concluded, the beaufighters fly by, wiggling their wings before returning home, the last Hurricanes catching the wires before being stricken below decks and a fresh pair of alert planes being prepped and armed brought up on deck.  Even out in the Atlantic, the Aztec borderline paranoia about being surprised......continued.

The Parthians observe the Aztec practices with great interest, as it is core to their purpose here. Parthian planes mix their standard 7.5mm MG with either 15mm or lower velocity 23mm cannons meant to shatter bombers. The point about the tracers is one of particular interest, sparking an internal debate about the desirability and cost of more tracer proportion. For the Aztecs, they demonstrate the rapid surge launches of fighters they train hard for, launching rapidly and forming and streaming towards the target vector. 

As the voyage goes on the two sides have more opportunities to compare and contrast, as the two forces have many differences of practice and doctrine.  The Parthians in particular attempt to emulate the Aztec concepts, so as to better understand the conceptual elements, and how the parts work together, and which might then replace or be incorporated into the Parthian doctrine.

Departing Mombasa for the final journey of only 2200nm, the route would take the combined fleet past the Ethiopian coast and their island of Socotra and the Parthian Home Fleet Base, at Tis, on Chabahar Bay. The straits of Abbas (Hormuz) guarded the Parthian Gulf, but lay 250nm to the West, while the Omani shore lay to the south, across the Sea of Oman. Muscat itself was just 160nm to the SW of Chabahar.  Aerial reconnaissance covered most of the route from Socotra onwards, with Parthia sentry cruisers and coastal patrol appearing well before Chabahar.

The Southern coastline of Parthia facing the Sea of Oman was a forbidding one. Much of the shore was dominated by rocky cliffs plunging into the surf.   Behind these cliffs, an arid plain was backed by mountains crowned with a forest of widely scattered junipers sheltering low grasses for grazing. Tracks of rivers, swollen during the monsoon, much diminished the rest of the time, traced down from these rivers to carve nicks in the coastal bluffs. In these places, the waves had carved coves into the coast, each faithfully marked by a fishing village and a Zoroastrian Lighthouse.  A coastal highway and railroad  linked these and ran along the plain behind the coastal bluffs, with scattered branches winding inland. The plain between the coastal bluffs and the  low mountains should by rights be nearly barren, but intensive management meant it bloomed.

The monsoons delivered the water, but if left to nature it would rampage down the mountain and across the plain to the sea. Reservoirs high in the mountains could store some of that, and deliver it later, but by necessity, much of it had to flow downstream.  The rush of waters down the river channels was slowed by weirs of boulders, or of juniper pilings woven with logs. These weirs were simply overtopped in floods, but much of the time backed the water but were leaky, letting through water, sediment and nutrients by design. The deeper water between the weirs fed the groundwater and kept the adjacent alluvial terraces supplied with water year round, allowing crops to flourish – row crops on the rich soils near the river, and orchards on the higher ground. While floodwaters would cover the fields in the monsoon, the villages were safely beyond the floodplain, with deep wells connecting to the clean groundwater. The larger towns were fed by quanats, deep underground aqueducts running kilometers under the plain to the mountains, where they were fed cold water year round from the shattered rock horizons that fed the mountain springs.   

Chabahar bay was Northeast across the Sea of Oman from Muscat.  Four great bays studded the coastline along a 130nm stretch.  Gwadar in the East had once been a coastal island, but an isthmus had long ago formed in the lee, creating the Easternmost Bay between Gwadar and Pishkuan. While two smaller ports lay to the East, this deepwater Bay, and the shelter of the former island bay made Gwadar the primary commercial port in this region.  The next bay west was home to the Port towns of Pasa to the West and Jiwani to the East. The bay is a bustling fishing center, with it's shores cloaked in mangrove forests, rich in fish. A coast guard station and an airstrip mark a military presence beyond the typical coastal fortifications.  The Western most bay was Pozim bay, with the town of Tyab, and the scenic mangrove forests, but also served as part of the Parthian Naval Gunnery ranges, and largely the anti-submarine and anti-mine training grounds. 

Chabahar bay itself was nearly 80 square nautical miles in expanse, reaching 9.5nm deep and 11.5nm wide. The mouth of the bay was 7nm wide guarded by two great spits of land jutting out. As home to the Parthian Homefleet, the Coastal defenses are unusually heavy and so these headlands both hold lighthouses and coastal guns. Several batteries of guns and torpedoes are mounted on the lee side of the headlands, to bring passing ships under fire from the rear. The path through the mouth is marked by buoys and home to command controlled anchored minefields. This marked path takes the arriving vessels first to the west, passing for 2nm behind the 100ft cliffs of the headland there. The ships then either arrive at the town of Konarak, Home to the Royal Naval Gunnery School, or turn to head across the Bay to the Naval Base at Tis. Ships can also engage on the gunnery and torpedo ranges in the Northern parts of the Bay.

Three nautical miles in the the great bowl of the bay is indented in the East by a rocky mesa looming over the bay. This has been fortified for time immemorial, now with gun casements commanding the mouth of the bay. The shining structures of the Parthian Naval Academy and other illustrious buildings crown the mesa as well, while tunnels beneath serve as a fortified holdfast.

South of this mesa is the town of Chabahar, on a cove tucked behind the Eastern headland, stretching to a rocky beach on the Sea of Oman. This serves as 'naval housing' with officers stately and more prosaic barracks. Metro rail connects this to the mesa.

To the North of the Mesa is the ancient fishing village of Tis.  First appearing in the literary record as a place Alexander the great passed through, Tis was chosen for the Parthian fleet base after the Rajasthan war.  The deposition of rivers had created a large alluvial plain with small abandoned pools, some still reaching the groundwater level. Extending from the Mesa to the Northwest and the current mouth of the river Parak this alluvial had been incrementally excavated to create a tremendous naval base, with rubble used to extend a breakwater out from the Mesa into the bay, creating shelter against monsoon-driven waves in even the rare storm that drove them NE in the bay. A grand lighthouse at the end of the breakwater controlled floating booms extended to the North, creating a cordon carrying torpedo nets across the base entrance and to a smaller tower at the edge of the Northern Mangrove forest.

Common to most Parthian Naval bases, since the claiming of Kalifern, giant cedar logs had been driven as posts, forming sheltered berthing areas for the major warships, as well as serving as potential torpedo barriers to air launched weapons. While torpedo nets still protected anchorages, these formed a second layer of protection for the major fleet vessels, as the more modern no longer mounted the nets. Despite being still somewhat effective, this had diminished as torpedoes got heavier, and between the slow speed mandated by their deployment and the danger to steering and propellers they represented had reduced their deployment.

Elements of the Training Fleet and Coastal Patrol called the bay home, but Tis was the official host to the Parthian Home fleet, so of the 164 vessels normally based here, 132 were part of the latter. The Parthian Home Fleet was spread among several bases, from Salahal to Bushere, with a considerable force in Muscat, but the majority of it was here. If not out on training, scouting or deployments, 84 primary combatants were based here, including 10 dreadnaughts, 4 flight deck carriers, a seaplane cruiser, 7 armored cruisers, 13 other cruisers, 3 frigates, 4 sloops and 43 destroyer-types.

With the arrival of the Expeditionary fleet and the Aztec forces, the bay held close to 200 military vessels. Extensive arrangements had been made previously. Ships were allocated berthing appropriate to their needs, allowing unloading at both Tis and Konarak, and then transit by rail or road to the Marine and Aerial bases and Depots on the plain. There housing had been arranged, as well as marshaling yards. The Tis-Duzdab  (aka Chabahar-Bampur-Zahedren) railway, served by geared locomotives, wound its way inland from here, and would take the combined force North after a rest period.

...and thus ends another installment of the travelogue.
Tune in next time, same Bat Time, Same Bat Place,  for a scenic railway ride through the interior of Parthia !

While the fleet steamed its way towards Tis, a separate mission had been ongoing.

The Parthian 'Ghozier' "Dragon Sign (of) " bombers* were ungainly looking, a blunt cruciform with twin tail fins carving through the sky, but carefully constructed. Expensively built they paid high attention to detail. All the rivets were flush and the panels joggled to avoid drag inducing edges. The aluminum monocoque frame, supplemented by a dorsal stringer, was flush skinned with aluminum sheeting as well.  The chin, tail and dorsal twin 15mm turrets were all streamlined in molded perspex...at least if faced fore/aft, while the waist blisters had perspex teardrops. The ventral mount originally fitted had teething issues and had been quietly deleted, replaced with an MG firing through the escape hatch position.  The four large supercharged two-row 14 cylinder radial engines were surprisingly quite from the front, a testimony to the sleeve valves. While requiring fine engineering, complex gearing, and slightly more oil, the sleeve valves were very reliable, handled heat-particularly in the rear row of the radials- extremely well, and scaled up well. These four engines were designed in monocoque pods which could be entirely removed from the plane, allowing another to be fitted while repairs and overhaul were occurring.  The long 12m central bomb bay allowed for torpedo storage or a variety of bombs, and was supplemented by 6 wing cells for 250kg bombs. A massive 5800kg bombload could be flown a fairly short 1000km, but a more modest 2500kg bombload could be flown 3000km. While normal loads such as these relied on self-sealing tanks within the wings, there were fittings for additional ferry tanks to fit within the 6 wing cells, extending the ferry range to just shy of 5000km. .

The Parthian crews were older than might be expected, as the Parthians moved their older flight crews into the larger planes, on the theory that reflexes and high risk tolerance were greater among the young and of greatest value to fighter and dive bomber pilots, but skill sets were expensive and best put to flying larger aircraft, or being an instructor...  than a desk. The crews had spent months learning to speak passable Azteca, while their planes had been fitted with radios possessing Aztec frequencies, while cargo pods suitable for spare parts were fitted for the bomb bays.  The pilots were provided with an autopilot to reduce burdens, and both a beam approach indicator and DF visual loop indicator. The flight engineer had a cabin just behind the flight deck, while the radio operator and navigator had a small cabin near the wing root, and included a rest bunk. The rest of the crew had their own stations. Crew comfort for long flights was viewed as vital for efficiency, while combat locations were far more cramped.

These planes had come to Azteca to serve as pathfinders for the Aztec contingent. While many planes were slowly wending their way by ship, the Aztecs were keen to bring some of their newest and cutting edge planes, and the Parthians were enthusiastic about helping.

The Parthian bombers were to serve as the Pathfinders for the joint flight. The Parthians were familiar with transiting their Aircraft from base to base from Eranshar (the homeland) across the Pacific to Kalifern, or through Africa to the Mericas. These experiences and protocols were to serve the joint force in good stead.  Once in Azteca, the bomber crews met and mingled with their Aztec counterparts. Briefings covered the planned flight plan.  Detailed maps of the landing strips, and typical weather conditions, beacons and radio protocols were briefed. 

The flight itself was timed for the visual conditions at arrival, and aided not only by weather reports from the target airstrip, but the radio beacons active there. The first leg takes the planes winging Northeast, and then Southeast, passing above the Yucatan channel. Mayan fighters make a brief appearance on the horizon, then turn for home. The joint force of fliers continue on to the island of Xaymaca, we would know as Jamaica.  Seized from Pirates, the grand bay (Kingston Harbor) has thrived since the opening of the Erica canal by Wilno. One of the world's larger natural deepwater harbors, it's position at the crossroads of the Caribbean has made it magnet for merchant ships. The typical gleaming lighthouse marks the mouth of the bay, sheltering behind the long stoney spit embracing the south side of the bay. The surface of this spit had been graded to create a long airstrip and the island's civilian Airport.  The typical Parthian territorial city – a generally circular planned town with an autarkic array of basic services, lays 10km to the West, with the Military airstrip west of the river, with two crossing airstrips allowing more windage choices, while being far less exposed to the sea than the civilian airstrip.

The next leg was a simple one, hopping across the Caribbean, to Liere (Trinadad). A prosperous and verdant territory, Liere is at the South Gate of the Caribbean and produces substantial amounts of oil, making it a natural refueling point for merchants prior to venturing across the Atlantic. Home to the Orinoco 'squadron', the vast bay is key to Parthia's holdings in this part of the world. Flying boats from the Seaplane base find the combined flight hours from Liere.  With favorable topography and several Air wings assigned, Liere is host to a number of military airfields, as well as a refinery capable of high octane fuel. An additional day is taken to carefully overhaul the engines, and prepare for the next flight. 

The flight across the Atlantic to the Cape Verde islands is long at 2200nm, but the African coast and the Parthian protectorates were only 400nm further. This was still a long reach for some of the planes, and the Navigator's abilities to get them in range for the radio equipment to allow them to home in on the airfield.  The Parthian naval base and it's associated airstrip were in the Northwest islands, by the town of Mindelo, on the expanse of Porto Grande Bay. Founded by Iberian traders in 1793, the town had long been a trading base for the West African Coast. The Cape Verde islands had a footnote in history as home to the farthest  flung Roman colony, established for the same purposes. In the 1st century the early carvel built vessels had allowed the Romans to venture down the West African Coast, following the path of Carthaginians. The colony had sustained trade with the African coast and progressively improved the vessel, leading to exploration and limited trade with the Brazilian coast. The contact had the disasterous side effect of transmitting the Plagues of Antonine and Cyprian to the Mericas and the African coast. The collapse of trading populations combined with the slow fall of Rome after the Division of 276, led to the abandonment of the colony in the late 300s, but the ship designs and legends would later lead to Mansa Munsa of Mali restablishing trade with the Mericas in 1311.

From the Cape Verde, the flights turned South,  the flight to Ascension island was not as long, but still nearly 1600nm, and should a plane 'miss', there is not another spec of land for over 900nm.  The 'DragonSign' would make the direct 3000nm flight TO Liere, as errors in navigation were correctable, but for the return trip, the stop at Cape Verde was viewed as prudent.  Originally a nearly barren volcanic island, it had but two watersources originally. A harbor on the western shore first served as an emergency refuge for maritime traffic. With the advent of airplanes, this became a flying boat stop, but with the growing range of aircraft, such as the 'Dragon Sign', a long airstrip has been ground from the volcanic shingle and graded. The Parthians, accustomed to the harsh environs of their homeland, saw opportunity and have planted a variety of trees from their tropical holdings in the past 20 years, as well as dotting the island with cisterns. The shaggy greenery has transformed the island, as the many leaves allow fog to condense and precipate, leading to the island to sometimes form a donut shaped lenticular cloud around the main peak. 

The next flight could have easily made the Azteca capital in Africa, but the Parthians preferred the normal route, flying to Ikappa on the Cape of Good Hope.

*The DragonSign is primarily based on the short S29, with some Halifax descriptors and details fitting Parthian headcanon.


...more travelouge to come - next stop...Ikappa !...

The Liberator crews sat back, par for the course, as they winged over the water, following a chain of Aztec and Parthian island possessions.  Navigators were sweating a little, checking and rechecking their calculations.  Not necessarily for the big four engine birds, the Liberator was most oft used as a maritime patrol aircraft and with half her bomb bay given over to a fuel blivet, she could outrange even their Parthian companions by a considerable margin.  No, the meticulous concern for navigation was for the Lightnings and Beaufighters flying above and behind them, the smaller twin-engine aircraft having just enough range to make this mass transit workable, festooned with external fuel tanks, and leaning the mixtures to a razors edge to stretch every possible mile.  In the belly of the Liberators, instead of the gunners that were riding ships to Parthia, extra mechanics and pilots sat, ready to rotate with their counterparts to give them much needed rest off of the controls, and to check over each of the birds during the fuel stops. 

For the Sultanate, this was not just an exercise or an excuse to attempt a feat.  This was a means of showing that despite the Sultanate being on the far side of the world, the Royal Air Force could and would be able to support the Parthians rapidly if called upon.  Another hint towards the possibilities of a closer alliance between the two peoples.

As the Liberators circle,  the two seat Beaufighters, the land based torpedo bomber and medium strike plane of the RAF, touch down, quickly exiting the active as the single seat Lightnings come in to land, more than one of the fighters in the two squadrons drunkenly staggering as the exhausted pilots line up and land.  Once the Liberators shut down the spare pilots and mechanics dash over to the smaller planes, doing maintenance checks on the Beaufighters radials and Lightnings merlins, while the spare pilots literally help drag their counterparts from the cockpit, putting hot coffee in their hands as they swap, the first round of pilots having flown 3800nm in formation with only a short fuel stop.

The Beaufighters simply switch seats, giving the primary pilots a rest in the hot seat as the last checks are completed and first the Liberators, then the Lightnings, then the Beaufighters fire up engines and roll down the runway in a tight stream for takeoff, the formations aligning behind their respective Parthian Pathfinder crews before continuing on towards the Cape.

The Khoe name for it varied by group, but the earliest Iberian traders seeking a route around Afrika bequeathed it with the name "Cape of Storms", later redubbed something more optimistic "Cape of Good Hope". The weather reports had been cabled to Ascension island to inform the the fliers of what couple be expected, fortunately the forecast was good.

The Southwest tip of Africa, it was dominated by Hurioxa, a mountainous ridge stretching nearly 28nm long.  The range forms the western edge of two bays, the North bay set 12nm across a plain from the larger South Bay. The northern section of the range has a magnificent plateau soaring 1km in the sky and overlooking the North bay (Table Mountain). Tucked behind it is a second, smaller plateau, and then the mountainous ridge sprawling to the South.  East of the range, hard on the shores of the North Bay was the merchant town of Ikappa. This was the merchant port, founded centuries before by the Iberian explorers, a sprawling collection of buildings..  On the South bay, tucked against the mountains, was the Naval Port,.. The ridge provided shelter from Western storms, and A breakwater, quarried from the mountain, jutted out into the South Bay, shielded the port from the Southern storms.  East of Ikappa, set 10nm east of the mountains and the turbulent winds pouring over them, was the Air station. While limited civil aviation did pass through, that trade was still primarily the flying boats, making this a way station for military flights.

The Parthian aerial route next led inland, an 1000nm 'hop' to Bulamayo.   Founded as the capital of the Ndebele Kingdom in 1840, after they had invaded the area and crushed the local tribes between 1827-1832.  Powerful and prosperous, by 1914 the kingdom had fielded a small elite guard armed with breechloaders, and a much larger force still relying on percussion cap muzzle loaders. The Parthian advance from the coast conquered the neighbors, and by 1916 led to a cease fire, leaving the core of the Ndebele Kingdom intact. In 1922, with the Parthian Army having been locally drawn down and restricted to patrolling their domains, a High Priest, or Mlimo preached war, and a substantial faction of the Ndebele warriors launched attacks on the neighboring Parthian territories. The second Ndebele-Parthian war was a six month affair, with the Ndebele attacking the Satrapy of the Zambesi,  as the dispersed Parthian forces in Zambesi and  Rozvi mobilized. The mobilized Parthian force was reinforced with Marines from Sofala, and soon combined superior numbers and superior firepower, supported by a stream of trucks to the nearest railheads.  The fall of Bulamayo and the Ndebele Kingdom saw substantial damage to the city.

In the years since, Bulamayo had been rebuilt with broad boulevards, and a new city center.  The Cape-Mombasa Railroad was not complete yet, but the Bulamayo-Mombasa section was, as was the link to Sofala.  Typical civic clusters of a school, library, court and clinic dotted the town and surrounding villages. The Ndebele fields covered the broad plain on the watershed divide, with the headwaters of the Limpopo and Zambesi extending near the city. The widespread introduction of machinery had improved productivity, while the introduction of better transport had provided markets for that surplus, and now many richer farmers had their own windmills to generate power, while those in the city benefited from the power plant.
 
History relayed tales of Alexander the Great, who founded fortified cities throughout his conquests, filling them with Greek settlers and ex soldiers. The cities of Alexander became commerce and education hubs, and blended the Greek ways with the local ways, hellanizing the Empire. That model was the one the Parthians tried to follow, to ensure their Empire became a unified nation.  The typical Parthian practice was to establish a town, frequently within a simplified star fort layout, on a standardized pattern. Within the perimeter, the circular town was laid out. Buildings were typically rammed earth square 'insula' with courses of wood framing, completed with tiled roofs and colorful plaster walls. The town would have it's own essential services, and serve more than just a military purpose. The duties imposed on the territorial populace was light, but included a requirement for the children to attend the schools built by the Parthians, the teachers for which lived in the town. Surveyors would provide formal recognition for existing land rights. Scientists would study the local ways of doing things, so the best aspects could be copied, and shared across the Empire, while the Empire shared to the locals. The Parthian engineers would build roads, aqueducts, dams, and other infrastructure to make transport easier, and the engineers would live in the towns. The infrastructure would tie the country together, and allow markets established outside the towns to flourish. Left to their own ways, but with the plain evidence of prosperity if they blended with the Parthian way, the locals were given opportunities if they wished them.

Here, the Parthian town by Bulamayo was located about 10nm to the south, halfway to the Matobo Hills. Road and rail linked it to Bulamayo, allowing easy access to the market and road & rail hub. Here the plain was drier and further from the creeks, the brushy and less desirable highveld, and so where the city could be founded while less impacting the existing city and fields.  With gasoline tractors to brush rake, and construct aqueducts funneling water from reservoirs built in the hills, the highveld had blossomed as well.  The town had sprawled out from the original fort and now stretched out.

Located South of the Parthian town, the  Aerodrome mixed both military and civil usage. Built after the war, there was concern that should there be an uprising, it would be among the first targets. So while much of the aerodrome was conventional in appearance, at the south end, where a small granitic mesa – (a kopje typical of the hills to the south) loomed above the military buildings. Tunnels bored into the mesa held fuel and munitions, while thick walled buildings served as machine shops and hangers and square insula provided housing.. A low ramparted star fort was laid out about this area, while a small blockhouse fort and tall observation tower commanded the top of the mesa. The civil facilities were at the other end of the airstrip, nearer to the Parthian town, while scattered around the entire facility were 8 small blockhouses anchoring a perimeter of two rammed low walls, set only 10m apart, running parallel around the entire facility.  The strip between was salted, and burned out yearly to ensure sightlines were clear. While these precautions had proved unnecessary, so far, they were maintained.

The flight from Ikappa was among the shortest of the trip. On landing routine maintenance tasks took first priority, but towards the evening, the flight crews boarded the train for a trip into town, where they were treated to a banquet hall filled with local dishes and dancers. Bulawayo was far enough from the Zanj (the Swahili coast) that the dishes were unfamiliar not just to the Aztecs, but also the Parthians. While the Ndebele people wore garments elaborately adorned with patterns of colorful beads, and painted their homes in bright patterns. Their food was largely boiled to a brownish texture with scattered bright vegetables. The fried caterpillar snacks 'Amanchimbi' were surprisingly good, but some were disquieted by the concept. The Matumbu was not nearly as bad as some expected when the combination of tripe, intestines, testes, liver and kidneys was placed in an oozing pile before them, the brown ooze disturbed by the bright reds and greens of spices.  The cocoyams were little brown discs which proved to be a weird looking root vegetable, but universally found delicious. The same could not be said for the fermented sour milk.

The next day saw the flight to Mombasa. 
At the Northern end of the Zanj (the Swahili Coast),  Mombasa was an ancient but pretty town of painted blue & white, a nautical trading center for Parthian, Arab, and Indian traders at least a millennium, having supplanted older centers.  The key to Mombasa's success was the large Bay to serve as port, a Bay with two arms like a Y.  Mombasa was also sited on an island at the junction of the bay, a situation which left little room for an airport.   The airstrips were located on the peninsula jutting into the bay, relatively undeveloped, but now served by a railroad and macadamized road, connecting Mombasa to the inland areas.  The Airfield served as an important base for the Parthians, and so in addition to the planes stationed there, there was substantial dispersed parking and several empty hangers for maintenance work.

On arrival, the news was received that the Omani coast was experiencing thunderstorms and high winds which were expected to continue for two days. While Parthia was on friendly terms with Ethiopia, the latter had backed off an alliance and resumed strict neutrality, forcing the flight to fly over the Gulf of Aden, Enter Parthia at Salahal and continue along the coastal plain to Muscat. In the meantime, the aircrews were allowed to explore Mombasa. As a trading center that had served African and Parthian traders, in addition to Byzantine, an merchants from the Indian subcontinent, and even the  occasional Thai, Sumatran, Javan and Chinese trader, the architecture, food and goods on offer were wide ranging.

Finally receiving the all clear two days later, the planes took to the air, tracing the Horn of Africa to the West, then crossing the Gulf of Aden. While still at sea, Parthian 'Reaper' fighter bombers, similar to the Aztec Lightnings with their twin booms, but having a much heftier central nacelle that combined heavy centerline fire with a bombadier and tailgun. Powerful supercharged radials gave them respectable performance, and their commander had decided intercepting the incoming flight would be a nice exercise, particularly if they managed it well before the Early Warning Chain picked up the incoming.

Like the Southern shore of Parthia, the coast of Oman featured a plain backed by mountains, and relied on intensive infrastructure and water management to make it prosper. The moutains themselves receieved enough rain to support light forests as well. The flight followed the coast to New Muscat. Old Muscat was the ancient walled town around the harbor, but had grown beyond the mountain bowl that contained it, and onto the plain to the West. Landing, the combined group was finally in lands that had been Parthian for centuries, and intermittently for millennia.  From Muscat, the flight to Nissea was only 900nm, first crossing the Sea of Oman, then the coastal plain and the Southern Zagros, but flying over parched Kerman and the ancient citadel of Bam at the edge of the Lut Desert. Turning more northerly, the flight would fly over the interior of the plateau, from Bam to the tiny town of Deyhuk, then heading to Sabzevar -morbidly known for it's "Place of Heads Square" where pyramids made of the skulls of the 90,000 inhabitants had been constructed by Timur. Using Sabzevar as a reference point, they would pass over the lofty Kopet Dag mountains to the aerodrome North of Nissea. Despite leave well after the waterborne flotilla, they would arrive before.


(I do somewhat apologise for the length, but I have a fair amount I never get around to writing about - like the Cape->Mobasa railroad- that's why I've built/building IC in Harsh/Poor Kalahari desert provinces, for that darn railroad. If you map it out, there's one almost built from Nebraska->California as well.
Anyhow, one more train trip travelouge and onto wargames.)

While peoples had long written tales and speculated about those before them, with the Pharoh Thutmose IV around 1400BCE seeking answers of those that came before, while King Nabonidus conducted a systemic excavation in Sippar as  early as 550BCE. Interest in systemic archaelogical investigations caught the popular imagination internationally in the early 1800s, but despite a century of investigation, a tremendous amount was not yet discovered. Even in Parthia, with a continuous existence, much had been lost to fires, quakes, civil wars, and cities razed by invaders, but most of all by simple time.

Chabahar Bay was most likely on the trade routes between the Mesopotamium city states and the Harrappan (Indus River civilization), with the Westernmost outpost of the Harrapan type being found in 1875 at Sutkagen Dor, just 75nm to the East. The ruins of these cities had been noted by the chroniclers of Alexander the Great, who withdrew from the Indus along this coastal plain, then called Gedrosia, now a long region combining coastal areas into the singular "Makkran" region. This was also the first time the village of Tis entered the historical record. The links to India were such that as late as 1000CE it was regarded as the Westernmost reach of India.

The coastal road was ancient, and the coastal railway dated to the mid 1800s. Likewise the cartway, now autoroad, route inland to Bampur was ancient.  The railway through the coastal mountains had required substantial quantities of blasting, but despite all the tunnels still featured grades of up to 15%. Most locomotives needed grades of 2-3%, but geared locomotives could manage 8-10% grades, but beyond that the simple friction of steel wheel and steel rail was not sufficient. This was made worse by the Parthian idiosyncrasy of using Bronze wheels, which were tough and did not spark, but had less friction with steel. As a result, the inland rail route both terribly expensive and was not practicable for locomotives until rack railroads, featuring a geared wheel and matching 3rd rail, became more mature in the 1880s. This also coincided with matching the steam engine and iron hull, which liberated Parthia from a reliance on large wood beams for crafting ships and allowed the rebirth of a Navy. The 1896 war with Rajasthan made it clear a naval base  East of the Straits of Hormuz, preferably on the Sea of Oman was desirable, and so the inland railroad to Tis became a strategic consideration, and so the hugely expensive 1.8m wide broad gauge railroad was built through the mountains, with the steepest sections featuring the 3rd 'rack' rail, suited for the 'Lamella' system, invented by the Romans for use in the Alps, the Parthians always being eager to adopt better ideas from elsewhere.

It was on this railroad that the Aztec contingent was reloaded onto. With each railcar, a Parthian translator and guide was stationed, to both answer questions and ensure that communications were smooth, despite some challenging accent issues.  The railway left Chabahar and wound it's way up the riverside, departing from the road to gain grade, as it had to punch it's way 115km through the Makran Mountains. The mountains are a band running West to East, with four high 1500m mountain ridges rising from the 200m foothills.  These ridges were what challenged the railgrade construction.


As the grade wound through the foothills and clambered over the shoulders of the mountains, the countryside sprawled around them. The Makran mountains caught the little moisture than came up from the Indian Ocean, but the area was semi-arid by nature.  Over thousands of years, a mixture of traditions and laws, coordinated by central authorities created and maintained the water infrastructure, allowing towns to thrive in the valleys, while orchards and grazing graced the foothills around, while higher grazing and forestry were conducted in the uplands. Had this coordination failed (i.e. the process that started under the Arab conquest, who focused more short term, and came to fruition after the Mongol and later conquests in the real world). , the slow growing forests would have been overcut, the grassy woodlands overgrazed, the young trees eaten by goats, while the quanats, dams, wiers, cisterns and other features would have slowly decayed. Modern medical concepts and the bounty of food from new crops and especially new fertilizers had led to a population boom in the late 1800s. The population here had long ago reached the limit the water allowed, and many immigrated to cities when National Service was Indeed, contacts made during National Service often allowed the residents to move to an assured job elsewhere. Of course, the massive expansion of Parthia to overseas territories had provided a vital outlet for this population.

After the 4th mountainous ridge, the trains descended down towards Bampur (Iranshar) Bounded by by the Makran mountains to the South, the Zagros to the West, the Kapet Dag to the North, and the Hindu Kush to the East, The interior of Parthian plateau was arid and home to endothermic basins, where the river never reached a sea.  Northwest of Bampur, the Dash-e Lut desert was one of the hottest dryest places on earth. Rivers that flowed in the spring and seasonal lakes. To the East, the Kerman range met the Makran mountains in the South and marched 1000km to the North. 

Located at a trade route crossroads and with the Bampur river as a source of water,  Bampur had been founded in the mists of history, with archeaologist linking the oldest finds with the Helmand River finds, and the same period as the Harrapan civilization,s with the ruins of an ancient citadel still looming over it. The citadel had long ago become militarily obsolescent, and had been surpassed by House Suren with a proper Manor House.  Bampur had slowly grown along the Bampur river to merge with Pahura to the East.  Historians still debated if Pahura was 'Poura' where Alexander paused.   Like Yazd to the West, Bampur houses each sported a windcatcher, which used evapotranspiration and wind to keep the homes cool.  The troops were to be pleasantly surprised by the provision of fresh ice from the yachels, which used the cool subterranean air of the quanats to make ice in the desert.  Shaved ice with fruit juice was served in bowls to the Aztec troops, while the swamp coolers on the train cars were given fresh blocks of ice.  A natural hub for troop movements, an airfield and army base where here, with designed spare capacity to allow mustering. The troops on the train were allowed to disembark and sleep in the cool barracks.

The railroad northeast of Bampur wound it's way into the Kerman mountains, emerging at the valley where the railhead at Duzdab (Zahedren) split into an Eastern and Northern route. While at 1300m in altitude, the desert clime led to an average daily high over 32C for 5 months of the year.  The valley was known for it's flash floods only corralled by wiers and checkdams, with overflow channeled to settling basins to recharge the ground water table, allowing for the valley floor to sport trees and vegetation while the countryside was far more bleak outside the seasonal rainfall period. The town structures were the typical Parthian arid structures – thickwalled square 2-3 story buildings with a central courtyard, with cisterns to catch scare rain, heavy timbered layers for earthquake stability, windcatchers for cooling, and brightly plastered exterior walls facing the world. Interior plumbing and substreet sewers had been common in the region since the Harrapan era ended 4,000 years ago. While not part of the mining regions, Duzdab was home to many light industries, weaving local fibers, milling rice, processing hides, crafting leather goods, and creating bricks and ceramics. Home to a University, and known for it's medical courses, Duzdab was, like Yazd, a prosperous and large city in a very hot and dry area.

The railroad road East led to Quetta, and North to Zranka (Zaranj).  Coming from the South, the drying waters of Lake Harmun reflected a basal massif rearing 150m higher named Mount Oshida (Khajeh), on which an ancient Zoroastrian citadel and fire temple of Ghaghar-shar kept the the flame alive. Rostam castle was the seat of the Surena Family, hereditary rulers of  Sakastan (Siestan). A Princely Great House, at times an Kingdom, founders of the Indo-Parthian Kingdom and the Gondapharids. House Mihrin was prominent in the Navy, but House Suren tended towards Army commands. Indeed it was Suren Generals which crushed the Romans at Carrhae in 53BCE, sacked Laksmanavati in 1206, prominent at the sack of Delhi in 1739, and fought in hundreds of battles between. The House has long been the most combative, with portions rebelling on three occasions.

Still in the harsh arid part of Parthia, the Dasht-e Margo desert was to the East, the Kerman mountains to the West, but Zranka was on the Helmand River which emptied into Lake Hamun, which seasonally was a lake and the remainder of the time a wetland.  While wiers and low dams retained waters in the upper reaches of the Helmand, the spring floods from snowmelt still spilled out on the floodplains and filled small seasonal lakes. The third version of the city, the ruins of the two earlier being slowly lost in the desert, it was still at least 1000 years old. While the oldest homes were located on higher ground, the lower levels of town were protected by levees. At this time, the lake was slowly waning, leaving the wetlands behind, with expanses of reeds and tamarisk, but only small stretches of shimmering water.

Zranka was a fairly large and, thanks to the perrineal Helmand River, relatively well watered, but still boasted the Parthian desert architecture.  Orchards and fields surrounded the town and extended up the river plain.

Departing Zranka, the railroad speared north 450km, following the Eastern slopes of the Kerman range. Passing through several smaller towns, small areas of greenery bright against the arid backgrounds. The macadamized high road paralleled the railway for much of the route, but to maintain a low grade, the railroad would veer away for kilometers (this portion was not racked rail), while the road ramped up and over. Lonely telephone lines followed the railway. Electric power was not universal yet, but where towns had power, the utility lines followed the roads, not the railroad. The outer areas frequently had windmills powering the persian waterwheels, and the more recent ones had small generators, allowing the odd sight of richer farmhouses with light deep into the night, while the nearby small village still had gas lamps.

The crossroads town of Taybad was a provincial capital, and had a slightly more moderate clime, giving the passengers the opportunities to indulge in fresh local melons.
The road north followed the river towards a moutainous ridge- an Eastern extension of the Kapet Dag range, and then snaked it's way over the ridge. The railroad departed from the road, arcing to the NE, climbing the valley's sideslopes at a constant grade, before entering a 20km tunnel under the rocky ridge. Dug by steam powered boring machines in 1906, it was one of the longer tunnels built and exits in the watershed of the Kashfarud River, winding its way down the foothills to deliver the travelers to the city of Sarakhs.

Only 320km from Nissea, the City of Sarakhs was named for it's mystical founder, which would put it at close to 4,000 years old, but archaeologists were calling that into question, placing it at closer to 2,500 years, something most of the local populace was dismissive of.  While the Karakum desert was to the North, this area was somewhat better watered as storm picked up water from the Caspian Sea  and were pushed south into the Kapet Dag mountains. The Aztec passengers were given a 3 day pass, allowing for baths and laundry, as well as well deserved rest. In that way, they would arrive at Nissea in best appearance, and well rested. For the officers, local dinners were arranged, as were tours to Merv. Until 1221, Merv had been a magnificent city on the silk road, one of the largest and richest in the world, famed in both East and West. The city was packed with refugees from the East, as the Mongol Horde advanced. Then after the siege the city was razed and it's people put to the sword ,with estimates of the time ranging from 700,000 to 1,300,000.  The Mongol invasions depopulated the Northern 1/3rd of Parthia, and were followed by the Black Death, and then Timur's invasions, and then the intermittent wars with the Horde. The natural advantages that led to it's settlement in the first place drew people back, and in 1505 the dam breached by the Mongols was rebuilt and after 3 centuries, fields and towns blossomed about the ruins. By then it's place on the Silk Road was replaced by Sarakhs, only 150km to the WSW. Like Nissea, the choice was made not to rebuild the old core of the fortified city,  or the ruined Kyz Kala palace. These two cities become mandatory tours for Parthian officers, serving as great mausoleums to answer that recurrent question of "what is the worst that could happen ?"

The final 450km of track were along the Northern foothills of the Kopet Dag range. Rivers ran North onto the Nissean plain, flooding dotting it with small lakes, and then eventually fading in the North into the sandhills of the Karakum desert.  The arrival of the Aztecs at the the Royal reservation that was the Nissea Academy was greeted with first refreshments and a brief pause, and then the pomp and circumstance followed by quarters and then dinner and entertainment. Unloading the trains took more days.

Ok, that's all for the exhaustive travelogue.
A fair amount of all this has been living in my head for quite some time, and I've been wanting to find time to put it down. So, it may just be a wall of text to everyone else, but it was nice to do from my perspective.

Next : Wargames.

Chief Warrant Officer Metzli pulled her coat tighter in the cool air.  "Why I agreed with Princess Shirin to take a promotion instead of retiring I'll never know".  The now fifty year old had been there from the beginning of Queen Fatimas Light Cavalry, getting shot by a Roman rifle, through the Caicos war, the Comanche wars, the Mayan resurgence, the Comanche Fall, and now on the first foreign expedition of the Aztec army.  "At least I don't have to ride a horse anymore, and the engine of my greyhound will probably not be baking us in this cold", She remarks to herself as they ascend far above the height of Flagstaff.

CWO Metzli and the Parthian translator carry on conversation for hours, the translator pleasantly surprised that the diminutive chief with a cane had spent the past years in company with Princess Shirins honor guards before taking the reassignment to duty on the QFLC Brigade staff as a parthian expert to help bridge any disagreements or misunderstandings.

I am sure that it will shock all to know this got a great deal longer than anticipated.
...and that was just the precursor to the wargames.
...which I barely got started on.

Nissea Military Academy & Training Grounds, Royal Reservation

The Academy served Officers of Field Grade and above, teaching the theory and practice of formation command. The adjoining army base and national service bases provided labor and troops, but the palatial Academy buildings were the teaching facilities for 

The extensive grounds of the Reservation also  served as testing facilities for equipment. The sand dunes of the desert to the North, the flat fields of the Nissean plains, to the the forested foothills rising to the the jagged peaks of the Kopet Dag mountains to the south,

Airfields on the Nissean plain allowed for a substantial training presence, practicing not just fighter dominance, and long range bombing raids, but also coordination with army units.  An evolving art, the widening presence of vehicle radios had not been the solution expected, as translating the ground scenes on a steppe or desert or rolling hills to a visual depiction that would allow aerial assets to be allocated, arrive at the correct location and engage the correct targets was very much an effort in progress. Fighter control relied on vectors, now augmented by the large RADAR towers,  for a search pattern followed by visual acquisition and engagement, but this was not proving sufficient for locating and engaging the correct ground targets.

The initial months of the Aztec presence were one of orientation and acclimatization while equipment was tested and doctrine and tactics shared.  Guns were fired at targets, armor penetration was measured, vehicles were run on varied terrain, maintenance needs and time noted, fuel and oil consumption and logistics load evaluated. Classrooms hosted sessions by Aztec presenters explaining the lessons of the Roman and Mayan wars, doctrinal changes and tactical implications for eager assemblages of Parthian officers.  This was a two-way process as the Parthians reciprocated by presenting their equipment – both the older being replaced and the newer entering service.

Testing of the equipment was an essential element of this. Differing doctrines required different equipment to implement it, and the Parthians very much wanted to see how a peer nations equipment performed. In the case of the Aztec they had held their own against the Romans, who were treaty bound to the Byzantines, so this was seen as particularly valuable.  Artillery ranges, shell burst diameters, and damage to plywood cutouts of soldiers could be linked to relative rates of fire and mobility. Vehicles could be tested for endurance, maintenance load, and for the armed ones accuracy both on the move and at rest. Small arms were evaluated at various ranges, as well as the difficulty and time required to accurately place multiple rounds on target. Anti-armor crew weapons were evaluated for penetration, accuracy, rate of fire, and destructive potential of penetrations, in addition to mobility. This carried through virtually all the kit brought.

The airplane evaluations introduced all new parameters, as a fast climbing interceptor may have minimized fuel tankage to reduce weight, but then what was given up. The old biplanes had substantial drag merely from the wing design, which had limited potential top speed and so phenomenal agility had been the answer. With limited engines, minimizing structural weight and relying on doped skins was the best course.  The new monoplanes with their metal skins relied on much more powerful engines, were decidedly faster, and early testing results had already shown them more resilient to rifle-caliber machine gun rounds, which appeared even more true of the larger structural members of bombers. Arguments for heavy machine gun, or even light cannon were made. In reaction, the most recent designs also incorporated armor around critical elements and self-sealing tanks, but both added weight. Destructive testing of old planes thus did not suffice and additional examples of more recent Parthian designs had to be placed on the range.

This relentless increase in weight was offset somewhat by the newer engines, with better power to weight ratios. The Aztecs had focused on the lower frontal cross-section inline designs and their versions were more reliable, with better power to weight ratios, but relied on a single stage supercharger.  The Parthians struggled with their inline V12 designs, restricting them to the interceptors, where the lower frontal area and demand for performance were primary. Elsewhere  advanced research in cowling and both increased cooling and less drag, which had allowed the Parthian twin-row radials with their complex but advanced sleeve valves to compete with their inline V12 designs.   Parthian two-stage superchargers, that allowed efficient engine operation at higher altitudes where drag was less restrictive. These altitudes also imposed less penalties on the larger frontal section radial engines. 

Indoor wargaming at the Academy relied on the 'Kriegspiel' concepts developed by Wilno in the 1800s,  dispersed over several conference room tables. Tactical officers were typically the ones trained as judges, with the  ongoing real world experimental testing allowed the theoretical units to be given attributes approximating their real world counterparts. Held in spread out conference rooms, with judges assigned to different subsectors, the results of the subtables were added to the central table after a 'communications delay' subject to some randomized errod. These games also allowed the various commanders to learn to communicate, and explain in detail their choices.  Ideas for new and different uses of both Parthian and Aztec equipment could be put forth. While the games took a great deal of time, it was considered crucial to both setting up the later full scale skirmishes, and working out the difficulties of the making the rulekeeping and judging transparent.

For interested Aztec officers, Parthian experts on Horde, Byzantine and Rajasthani practices and equipment.  Observation, textbooks, and published information gave substantial insight on the Byzantine and Rajasthani practices.  Similar information on the Horde was supplemented by direct information. The differing terrain of the various borders has substantial tactical and strategic repercussions. For example, the border with Rajasthan was roughly 1200km along the Indus and then rising into the Himalayas, but the alluvial plain was backed by the jagged Hindu Kush, this was similar, but different to the situation existing along the border between Wilno and Rome which was primarily defined by the 700km Rhine and then nigh-impassable mountains. This contrasted to the 1400km from the mountains of Georgia, through the hilly terrain of the Armenian Highlands down to the fertile plains of Euphrates to the deserts of the Empty Sector, almost demanding  different formation types. The Northern border, sprawling roughly 1800km along the plains, woodlands and bogs of the Steppe, was again different, but had substantial seasonal challenges with hot summers, snowbound winters, bounded by seasons of mud.

Important changes in the way battles were fought challenged commanders. In the 1800s the telegraph and railroad allowed rapid concentration of troops, as well as vastly increasing the logistics ability and allowing much larger armies reliant on the railheads. During this period the range of engagement was still just a few thousand meters for the largest pieces. This rapidly changed with improved metallurgy, propellants, and shell design. Machines guns redefined infantry firepower while lighter and more powerful field artillery with quick firing breeches changed the weight and depth of artillery fire.  The introduction of vehicles such as steam traction engines allowed heavier artillery to be transported, rendering older masonry forts vulnerable until reinforced. Later internal combustion engines allowed vehicles to be faster and more mobile, and then carry armor.  Vehicle borne logistics freed forces from railheads, and again increased the potential artillery weight of fire. Vehicle born troops could shuttle around the battlefield. Armored vehicles offered a way to reduce strongpoints. Communications remained a crippling factor, rendering coordination difficult, and nigh impossible in the midst of combat operations.


Communications being such a barrier to coordinating mass vehicle movement. Small units cooperating directly with Infantry were a logical response, resulting in armies adopting the 'penny packet' approach, where armored vehicles became a sort of 'regimental gun'. The Parthians had tried to address this in their earlier vehicles such as the 'Razorback' in two ways. The first was to define a formation and objective and leapfrog towards it, with the command vehicle in the rear group of vehicles. This was coordinated with a topside dedicated observer/communicator position in their 'armored chariots'. Screened by an armored shield with viewports, but open in the rear arc with access to signal flags and flares, this observer spot allowed the formation to slowly communicate. A clunky and limited method, it allowed small unit coordination while multiple small units advanced on predetermined axis towards predefined objectives. Changing these predetermination was excessively difficulty and relied on messengers, originally on horseback. Communications with rear areas could be by pigeon.

Early theorists had largely endorsed this penny-packet arrangement, postulating a combined arms arrangement where armored vehicles moved at walking speed, clearing strongpoints for infantry, who in turn kept the foe away from the armored vehicle and brought opposing anti-tank artillery under small arms fire. This demanded a lighter machine gun and a mobile mortar to allow the infantry to move and then split into fire base and maneuver elements. Artillery fires would have to be preplanned, as field communications would not keep up. Air warfare concentrated on local air superiority, while tactical planes roamed the rear interdicting artillery and logistics efforts. These otherwise independent efforts These efforts the Parthians tried to coordinate, by fitting the 'Command' vehicles with colored rockets to mark targets. However in wargames that led to 'shoot the funny stuff first' being far to effect at taking out the command vehicle as it was the only one with rockets.

Other ideas for employment focuses on different ways of bundling fast moving armored vehicles, either in a grand cavalry style force, disrupting the rear areas and logistics, or in a more mixed force, puncturing the enemy force and forming a pocket. Early on vehicle reliability was simply insufficient, while the communications issues made large formations impracticable and the longer operations went on the worse it became. There was also the matter that on the long borders, much of the front was thinly held, so slipping stealthier, more reliable and logistically independent cavalry through continued as a viable option for disrupting the enemy rear.

As the first decades had churned onwards, engines grew in reliability and power, while radio sets had shrunk and become far more effective. First reliant on specialty radio-equipped vehicles, and now with the current generation able to be built into each 'armored chariot', the opportunities of larger formations coordinating with infantry, artillery and aerial assets was a matter of eager exploration. The early theorists concepts of large formations were being trialed, with different combinations of forces. There were ardent theorists that insisted that a force of pure 'armored chariots' would concentrate a relatively scare asset into a force that maximized firepower. They disputed those that advocated for adding motorized infantry and artillery, as those 'soft' units would be more limited by terrain and far more vulnerable, limiting the entire force.  Experiments with Dragoons mounted on halftracked vehicles seemed to answer the mobility issue, but so did simply using mounted infantry, ironically also called Dragoons. Experiments with machine guns and howitzers vs. halftracks seemed to indicate a level of vulnerability and potential to loose an entire squad at one time, so armored variants were being explored.



The Parthians, like most powers, field a formation distantly rooted in the Roman Legion and later Byzantine Tagma.  A 'square' infantry force was supplemented with organic auxiliaries supplying artillery, pioneer, strike  and reconnaissance elements. Frequently attached was a round out formation providing additional artillery, heavy support, communication, medical and quartermaster elements. Corps and Army level Headquarters had additional attached elements, including command staff for Combat Groupings. Parthian doctrine provided for standardized Combat Groupings, where auxiliary formations would be detached from their Legions and be assigned to the Combat Grouping along with appropriate Corp/Army auxiliaries. These combat groupings had predetermined TOEs with defined chain of command, roles and missions, providing substantial flexibility. 

The Aztecs had also been exploring these issues of vehicle coordination, and had from their twin wars developed formations seeking to harness the benefits while addressing the limitations. The formations sent to Parthia were specialty formations, prototypes of heavily-mechanized formations fielding more armored vehicles than a similar sized force elsewhere might. This theoretically would allow concentration of mass and firepower at a decisive point. Reliability combined with speed and firepower allowed them to engage and disengage as desired, and rapidly shift  forces so as to present a superior force at the actual battle location.

The Aztecs overall had developed their own military tactics and strategy, substantially independent of Eurasian influences. But the tactical level, there were drastic differences in the two societies  in military traditions, clothing, "standards". To alleviate this, the first months were largely given to familiarizing the two groups of soldiery.  Even something as simple as foodstuffs would be vastly different. Parthia had long puzzled out that feeding troops (and even national service members) hearty staples helped keep them healthy. While rice was certainly cheap and plentifully present, along with a  The Aztecs undoubtedly found themselves eating more mutton and chicken, supplemented by hefty portions of grains and vegetables, spiced in a manner that would familiar on the Indian subcontinents. Each day also had periods of physical training, rotating from hikes to strength and flexibility to close combat to runs or rides. Firing with live ammunition was also a common activity. Scramble drills, gas practice, spike camps, and days just digging trenches are all part of the event list.

Firing ranges for heavy artillery and bombing ranges for aircraft were at the outskirts of the desert. This was also the location for AA practice on towed targets and mine/demine practice.  Smaller guns, mortars and small arms ranges were in the foothills.  Parthian small arms ranges came in four types.  Skeet ranges were popular, and felt of value for swiftly moving targets, with some showoffs eschewing shotguns for rifles or pistols.  There was of course the a basic classic range where targets could be cleanly engaged at a variety of ranges. Crews in the slit trenches could actuate a panel to block the associated shooting bench while they attended to targets. The mid level course required the participants to move quickly between ranges, typically jogging and then taking a prone position prior to engaging. The targets at different ranges on hidden cable trolleys being activated once they arrived, to be successfully engaged as fast as possible. The goal is to place the shooters under time and competition pressure, while physically tiring them. A new range for armored vehicles had recently been completed with scattered shooting positions in the hills separated by rough tracks that challenged running gear and jarred and tired the occupants. The last type of range also now had a vehicle version, in both cases short valleys a couple kilometers in length had been turned into ranges.  A squad was to move through the length of the course, with the rangemaster activating targets that will swing into position on either flank, or sometimes both or rear,  while a blanks fire nearby.   Judges then grade the reaction to the emerging threats, both the rapidity of engagement and the effectiveness of unit coordination. The success rate of engagement is also a factor, as quite simply partial failure is expected, and if not then the range is too easy.

Exercises start as demonstrations as the Aztecs show off their concepts in land and air. As communication difficulties continue to ease, Parthians embed in the Aztec units to shadow their practices and coordination work for full scale war games is implemented. Key to the games will be judges in radio-equipped tricars clearly marked with call letters. Seating the driver plus 4, the tricars are highly mobile and can carry the judge, radio operator, and the signaler. The signaler is equipped with a pintle mounted light rocket launcher, firing colored smoke signals out a hundred meters or so. The 4th seat being taken by different colored rockets and signal flags. The rocket allows quick communication across the company-level formation, and supposedly the rest could be done by flag or radio. While practices had established typical engagement success rates, a curious gadget – a bakelite and perspex  device looking like a snowglobe with dice inside, allowed the judge to 'roll' when a particicularly unlikely event was tried.

Wargames


The first live action wargame was to be held on the Nissean plain, well North of the Academy. The chosen scenario was three Parthian legions trained in the 'Horde Aggressor' legion, would face two comparable Aztec units. The Parthians would emulate the known tactics of the Horde. The Horde still considered much of the population to be lower caste, while the ruling Hunnic descendents formed a warrior caste. The lower caste was relied on for sheer manpower.  Conventional horse cavalry had it's place for penetration raids, but often was deployed in independent formations. The higher caste considered itself the 'warrior' caste and took the positions of leadership, but avoided walking. Serving as commander of an armored vehicle was considered a very desirable posting, and Horde turrets normally featured the Commander as Gunner, supported by a loader and a single driver (BT-7). 

 A curtain of artillery fire would walk over the opposing position, while infantry would advance relying on walking fire to suppress defenders. Once launched, maintaining the forward momentum until the objective was reached was considered valuable. Advancing with the infantry were infantry tanks featuring a hull-mounted casement large bore gun firing HE, and a smaller turret with an lighter AP firing gun (Char B1),   In the rear were large numbers of lighter tanks, with the lighter gun, accompanied by truck borne infantry, pioneer, artillery and quartermaster vehicles This was the 'Charge' force, held in reserve to exploit a breach. Once on the move, it was expected to keep moving, relying on machine guns for soft targets, and the AP gun for the limited hard targets as it rampaged through the enemy rear areas and destroyed their artillery, maintenance and logistics hubs, while cutting the lines of retreat. As Parthian forces were accustomed to retrograde actions, frequently using them as traps, inserting a tank force behind them robbed them of the sufficient space to engage in that.

.... out of time.