[PON] Game of 'Victorian' Thrones

[Kensai]

Early May 1879

PRELUDE TO THE WAR OF THE PACIFIC

OOC: I have set up the stage for the War of the Pacific between Peru-Bolivia and Chile. Historically the War of the Pacific stripped Bolivia of its access to the sea. I will not start the war right away to give Bolivia and Peru a possibility to prepare.

• Peru and Bolivia are now playable.
• Peru and Bolivia have got some internal objective regions as all nations, their most populous cities.
• Bolivia got as an objective region the Atacama Desert in Chile and Chile the Antofagasta region. This will hopefully make the AI move against each other.
• Peru and Bolivia got updated leader quotas to have their own Generals and Admirals, allowed by their database models.
• Peru and Bolivia now have a defensive alliance.

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In Libya, General Papadiamantopoulos has been ordered to hunt down the rebels that may threaten the colonian capital of Tripolitania.

[Kensai]

Late May 1879

The Bolivian and Peruvian armed forces are almost ready for the conflict! I will probably give them some national laws and acts as well to have the same possibilities as Chile. Their forces are much weaker than the Chilean ones given there was no human player to man them in the past. However their economy is quite healthy.

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The past month, in Libya, Greek marching forces to Tripolitania were ambushed by rebels who had carefully placed artillery in the dunes' approach to the colonial capital. We suffered heavy losses but at least we managed to oust them from our territory. Lieutenant General Papadiamantopoulos was ordered to prosecute some of the local tribes to find more.

[Kensai]

Early June 1879

BOLIVIA
Bolivia has probably the worse armed forces of all 3 countries and it is the one that is supposed to take most of the flak as it borders with Chile. Nonetheless, Bolivia is relatively rich and might be able to build its force before the inevitable clash.





PERU
This country is in a slightly better state, its armed forces well developed, including many cavalry units. Nonetheless it has a very small navy, it will be impossible to try anything against Chile from the sea.





CHILE
Chile is probably the third most powerful country in South America after Brazil and Argentina. Their navy is modern, made up of imported and domestically constructed ironclads, their army is big and well-organized. Nonetheless, it will have to fight a war against two rivals combined.





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The supply chain between Greece and Libya seems to be working as expected. General Papadiamantopoulos got his much needed supplies this month, thanks to the Greek Traders sailing without fear in the Mediterranean. The days of warfare are in the past.

[Kensai]

Late June 1879

Added "national laws and decrees" for BOL and PEU. The armed forces of these two countries are being beefed up for the coming war. BOL has several problems, including an unfortunate in-game abuse: most of its economical assets have been taken over by nearby Brazil. I should abstract an arrangement between these two nations for the return of some structures for better relations.

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The Empire of Japan has finally concluded all the diplomatic and administrative work for the official declaration of "the Colony of Korea" and its recognition from the world community. The Joseon Dynasty will still be the hereditary rulers of Korea, nothing will change for the simple Korean citizens, but the Korean King shall respond directly to the Governor of Korea who in turn will be appointed by the Mikado himself. The Korean armed forces and state funds have been added to the Japanese military and treasury, respectively. Nippon has promised a huge program of investments in the Korean peninsula, including mining operations and industries. Korea under Japan shall flourish!

The Korean governor has already asked for the creation of a Japanese school district in Seoul to educate the future generation of young Koreans in the Japanese language.



Nippon has now four colonies, all close to the Home Islands, a belt of protection and prosperity. Japan does not wish any more land, it will do its best to have friendly relations with its neighbors and help them prosper. Investment opportunities will be offered to Southeastern Asia nations. Under* Ito Hirobumi and Emperor Meiji Japan will be recognized and respected for its limited but consolidated colonial program.



*The combined "Diplomacy" value of the rulers is 9, a limited but nice bonus for all colonial assets under the Sphere of Influence.

[Kensai]

Early July 1879

The Greek Libyan Division has started some sorties to make sure the Fezzan territories in the South are not creating any troubles. Now that we have been reinforced with a regiment of supply carts, we do not fear the hot sun. Nonetheless, we should be careful as the Desertic climate is unforgiving and rumors have it that troops loyal to the Sultan might be lurking there.

[Kensai]

Late July 1879

The Greek forces of Papadiamantopoulos made contact with some Berber tribesmen of Fezzan after almost two weeks of difficult march towards the heart of the Sahara Desert. Our scouts managed to surprise them and our artillery literally devasted their positions. The Berbers were scattered in the desert nowhere to be found. However, we are still a far cry from considering Ghadamis under control.






PS. After the battle MC changed towards Greek. There is also a stranded Ottoman unit in that region, it will probably move away once MC is 51% Greek. I have implemented some laws for Peru and Bolivia to lower their militancy and rise their contentment. In a couple of turns they will return to AI and I will fire up the War of the Pacific!

[Kensai]

Early August 1879

The expanded Greek economy and colonial activity demands resources. The Greek government openly supports the expansion of the trade fleet by private citizens. New destinations shall be reached, new products shall come in from the rich lands overseas. Nonetheless, the government has trouble passing legislation for professional schools although many new professions are needed to man the small industrializing nation. And will all this activity bring us at odds with the Italians on the West? After all, both our kingdoms desired the same lands...




PS. The 3 countries of South America are almost set for war. I really have no idea how this will turn out, but it will be a great test. I will probably roleplay an incident for September or October.

[Kensai]

Late August 1879

The Greek Libyan Division is trying to bribe its way out in Ghadamis. After the confrontation that left many tribesmen fighters dead, Lieutenant General Papadiamantopoulos decided to bribe the local ringleaders. He also got permission to explore the lands West of Ghadamis by organizing a geographical expedition. Ghadamis is poor and the few oases it boasts are not enough to feed our soldiers. We will move further East. We have news that Fezzan warriors from the South are gathering and these might threaten the coastline.



Egypt, a relatively autonomous vassal of the Ottoman Empire is having its own share of problems. Let's hope they don't reach us...




PS. Alrighty! The War of the Pacific protagonists are ready, their economies beefed up, their national actions and armed forces prompted. Next two turns I am scripting the state of war through an incident!

[Kensai]

Early September 1879

The clouds of war are gathering in South America. The Spanish-speaking nations of Chile, Peru, and Bolivia are sharpening their daggers as diplomacy has given its place to threats and insults. Bolivia feels the rich in nitrates area of Atacama desert is its to harvest, Chile wants to extend its rule in Antofagasta. Peru, a traditional ally of Bolivia, wants to limit the power of Chile which in recent years has built a powerful navy. Who will prevail?

In the meantime, Greece continues the reformation of its public sector, investing much to the next generation. The parliament currently discusses the introduction of professional schools for the demands of the industry. There is an apparent lack of minerals in the world market, at the moment, something that Japan has noticed and asked for the reactivation of two mining operations. The Japanese Ministry of War asked for the creation of the "Southern Home Army", a defensive army based in Hiroshima. The first heavy corps is being recruited and armed, a process that will continue for the next couple of months.

[Kensai]

Late September 1879

THE WAR OF THE PACIFIC

The Peruvian-Bolivian alliance is strong. Both countries desire to limit Chile's strong ascending and influence in the rich in nitrates Atacama desert. An exit to the Pacific Ocean is imperative for the Bolivians and the Peruvians want to limit the sea power of Chile which is many times stronger than their own, rivaling that of Brazil and Argentina. The time is ripe for a conflict. Who will prevail*?!



In Japan improvements in the industrial capacity continue. The Japanese now understand the need for advanced railroads and research is being dedicated to the improvement of train timetables synchronization. Nippon is there with the most advanced nations of the Western world!




PS.* A declaration of war has been scripted from Bolivian and Peru against Chile. Next turn operations will start. I opted for a DOWing against an instant state-of-war as I do not want the AI to mix who is the aggressor and who the defender. As in real life, it was Bolivia that declared the actual war.

[Kensai]

Early October 1879

Our force in Libya has been attacked* again by Fezzan tribes that seem to be organizing in raiding parties. Their numbers are really small to hurt us at the moment as we possess artillery and better provisions, but we are afraid of a long war of attrition. Should the Greek government continue the colonization of Sahara to officially control these tribes or will this provoke the Italians and other Great Powers?



We should probably not venture further South in the Fezzan territory, but a protective zone might be in order.




PS.* Technically, we attacked them first as we are trying to gain ground and they are simply protecting their territory.

[Kensai]

Late October 1879

The War of the Pacific has started! By mid October the Bolivian and Peruvian governments declared war against Chile. Now their future lies on their armed forces!



In the desert of Sabha the Greek Libyan division managed to make the Fezzan warriors retreat. We also had good news that finally the proposal to institute new Professional Schools has finally passed. Prime Minister Koumoundouros wants to create new Technical Universities, something that would mean a new law to subsidize Universities as well.

PS. The above site (in the pic's address) has loads of information for the Pacific War. Regarding the AI, I will use some scripted commands to have them "biased" and work to achieve their goals in case the AI is not doing enough.

[Kensai]

Early November 1879

The Chileans were not shocked by the dual Bolivian-Peruvian declaration of war. Actually, they took this as an opportunity to move troops into Antofagasta and occupy the productive nitrate mines there. It is still far from pacified yet and it remains to be seen how the Bolivian armed forces will react. The Peruvians have already moved some of their forces to La Paz in an attempt to protect the largest Bolivian city and allow their allies to send more troops to the front.



In Korea, the Japanese government continues to invest heavily on the productive structures of the recently declared colony, giving jobs to thousands of young Koreans. The Joseon vassal is running the country for us.



In Libya, Papadiamontopoulos has managed to take the upper hand in the Fezzan territory of Sabha. The supply lines have been secured through sufficient military control. Food and water is being ferried to the soldiers from the coast. The soldiers were delighted to eat fresh fruits from mainland Greece and the islands! Morale is high!




PS. Adjusted the AI interest for some South American nations. The AI has already responded in a positive way!

[Kensai]

Late November 1879

The Greek government decided to give permission to private investors from the mainland to invest in the colony's structures. Exotic fruits from North Africa are in high demand for our growing internal market. There are many opportunities for Libya! The government of Koumoundouros also decided to print more money and subsidize coal imports in an attempt to heal the chronic low supplies of coal.



In the War of the Pacific, Chile has already achieved military control of Antofagasta region, effectively cutting Bolivia from the coast. It remains to be seen how Peru and Bolivia will react.

[Kensai]

Early December 1879

The Chilean army's movement hasn't stopped. The Chilean HQ decided to pursue the Bolivian armies in the mountains of Uyuni.



The well emplaced Bolivian heavy artillery controlled every valley in the mountainous passes to the Bolivian heartland. The Chileans managed to win, but they suffered a lot. Strategically, though, it seems that the Bolivians ultimately lost their opportunity for some defense in advantageous terrain.

[Kensai]

Late December 1879

The Chilean forces have returned in Uyuni and now the mountain passes are mostly under their control. According to the strategic map and situation, if the Chilean forces clear the Andes, they will effectively destroy the Bolivian army. The only chance the Bolivian army has was to do its defense in the highlands. In the plains the superior firepower and discipline of the Chilean forces will destroy any opposition. The road to Sucre and La Paz will be open. What will they do?

[Kensai]

Early January 1880

A new year, the last of the old decade. But leader quotas update as the nations strive for supremacy! New technologies are becoming available to be researched. The Chileans have issued a partial mobilization that would further upgrade their powerful armed forces.



The Panama Canal is being planned!




PS. Updated leader quotas for the decade 1880! Also updated the Chilean objectives and AI interest so the historical Peruvian regions can be targeted and annexed and the Peruvians can mount a defense for their lands. I opted for a graduated interest for both parties: the closer a region is to a nation's heartland, the higher the interest for that nation.

[Kensai]

Late January 1880

News are coming in of a disaster in Scotland last fortnight...



In the War of the Pacific, there was no notable battle these last days.

[Kensai]

Early February 1880

The new decade means new R&D decisions for most nations. Regarding Japan, Prime Minister Ito Hirobumi has decided to subsidize certain ideas and technologies that are near the "Japanese way of doing things". New types of explosive ammunition have scared our civil engineers who feel we should research as soon as possible new ways to construct fortresses. The Japanese financial situation is sound, but we should find new ways to finance our rapid development and repay the accumulated debt. The idea to protect certain mountains, lakes, parks, groves and forests as "national treasures" is also entertained. National parks are a way to protect our heritage!



In naval engineering, intellectual and monetary capital is being invested in new types of vessels and armament. We leave nothing at chance! Japan will specialize in smaller and faster vessels, including destroyers. We cannot compete with the juggernauts in naval supremacy, but we can make Nippon an unappetizing target for colonization or sea assault.



Two new Rear Admirals have joined the Imperial Naval High Command and are dispatched to their units. One, Nakamuta, will lead the defenses of Tokyo. The other, a rehabilitated Shogunal Admiral, will be head of the Korean Fast Intervention Force which will be mainly used for harassment and hunting-raiding roles. Their well-known aggressive or defensive capabilities have been taken into consideration for their new tasks.





In South America, Bolivia managed to retake many passages in the mountainous area of Uyunu and their agents try to make their loyal population in Antofagasta revolt!





I will probably need to fix the US contentment-militancy issues with a script as the enacted national decrees and laws do not seem to help once it spirals out of control.

[Kensai]

Late February 1880

Through an Imperial Order, the Japanese Armed Forces are to obtain Academies. One for the Army, probably in the old capital, Kyoto, and one for the Navy in the nearby fortified port of Osaka. This is great news for the prestige and glory of our nation!



The Greek government has made a census of its population, both in mainland Greece, connected "national" domains, and overseas colonial regions.







In Russia, a new Prime Minister is heading the government. He has taken actions to improve the situation of his Russian subjects (even using force and the armed forces in some cases), while investing much to R&D as Russia seems to lag. The wars against Bukhara, the Afghans, and Kashmir still rage. The East is difficult to pacify.



PS. Have passed a fix for USA's unreasonable militancy.

[Kensai]

Early March 1880


The creation of a "Saharan Belt" of security against the Fezzan tribes is continuing under General Papadiamantopoulos who moves eastwards in the harsh desert in order to protect the seaside route. In Sirt a modern road is being constructed to have a quick connection between Tripolitania, the colony's capital and most populous town, and Cyrrenhaica. Although the defeat of the primitives is expected, our forces are not enough to do serious policing and a revolt risk is always present.



The Battle of Waddan showed once more the Western supremacy of our artillery and methods. Max Delbruck's theories are now well known to the Greek strategists and we have put them to full use these past conflicts.




PS. In order to continue be fast in uploading I will upload one, max two images or even none, unless there is something really important for the story. I feel that consistency in "turn crunching" is much more important than the content. It is also summertime!

[Kensai]

Late March 1880

New technologies including a better understanding of "electrochemistry" have propelled Japan to new levels of competitiveness. Japan is now among the forerunners of applied tech, a miracle if we consider the state of affairs only a decade ago. In Greek Libya, Papadiamantopoulos has moved again eastward after completely shattering once more Fezzan camel riders in Woddan. In South America, the Chilean troops have moved into Peru's Loa* region... The Bolivian and Peruvian forces are too timid in their defense. Have they already accepted the inevitable?!

PS.* This northward thrust was what historically happened. In this alternate reality game Chile can do it again, but it could also accept reparations from Bolivia-Peru. It is up to them to decide.

[Kensai]

Early April 1880

A crisis happened between Austria and Russia over border and colonial differences. The Austrians were quick to make the Russians notice of their gargantuan land forces and defensive agreement with Germany. The Russians backed off. A huge prestige gain for Franz Josef.



Papadiamantopoulos is continuing his march in the Saharan desert after pacifying Woddan. The Fezzan tribes seem to have retreated, but we cannot be certain. Anyway, this was the last operation against the Fezzans. We have received a forged CB and degraded relations from Italy, meaning they might be interested in pushing us out in case we try to claim Sahara a Greek colony.



The Chileans have been successful in El Loa (against Peru) and have probably disagreed over the peace terms with Bolivia. The War of the Pacific still rages. The Japanese government decided to invest in cattles in the Chilean Andes. A small farm has been created to substitute the old foreign investment in Texas which got seized by the Americans back in the Sino-Japanese War. It is the policy of Imperial Japan to decrease investments with the USA and increase them in South America.

[Kensai]

Late April 1880

The Fezzanians retreated once more, leaving the region just South of Cyrrenhaica open for pacifying. This is the last province that the Libyan Division has to gain with military control. Nonetheless, the risk of revolt is there, Greece does not have the means to stop every possible trouble. In Japan, the technological progress continues at a superb pace as the Imperial Government invests money to certain important naval projects. The real gem has been something else though: we hear that in far away Baden (German Empire) a technical marvel has been constructed: the automotive. We now understand its potential, could it be a revolution in the next decades?

Last, in South America Chile has made progress against Peru, bringing troops all the way up to Arica province. It essentially wins the war singlehandedly against Peru and Bolivia.

[Kensai]

Early May 1880

The Chileans have occupied most of the seaside provinces that lead to Atacama desert, from the desert itself up to the Peruvian Arica region. From foreigner's eyes* though, they have yet to pacify the seized regions as a substantial loyal population to Bolivia and Peru remains.



PS.*When you set revolt risk filter as not the interested country, you might get overrated results as you don't know if units exist there to limit the revolt risk.

[Kensai]

Late May 1880

France has declared war on China over territorial and commercial differences in Indochina. We have no idea at the moment what is their ultimate goal, it remains to be clarified. Nonetheless, the French Republic leaves nothing at chance and has decreed a mobilization to prepare its troops.

[Kensai]

Early June 1880

General Papadiamantopoulos has secured many quadrant kilometers of desert against the Fezzani tribes in Libya. He has created a new zone of Greek military control.



Nonetheless, the zones are not absolutely pacified and loyal to our cause. It will take time to gain loyalty.



The colonial administration has decided to create a farm for all those grazing African sheep. Meet will be used to feed the population and wool for textiles. In the future there are plans to create a nitrates mine in Tripolitania for our fledgling chemical industry!

[Kensai]

Late June / Early July 1880

New trading opportunities for Greek Traders in the Indian Ocean. The ships will trade with the Eastern coast of Africa. The government has given permission to subsidize the construction and launching of more commercial ships. In China and South America the fronts have been relatively stable. In Korea, the Japanese government continues the investments in the peninsula.

[Kensai]

Late July 1880

An experimental advanced railroad line is being planned in Tokyo. It shall connect the old and new imperial capitals. In Indochina, the Chinese armed forces have entered from the North. Can the French really bounce them after declaring war on them?

More to come...

[Kensai]

Early August 1880

The militant Fezzani tribes reentered their Woddan territory gaining some limited military control against the Greeks. We shall not respond to this provocation unless we lose the majority of our MC. Perhaps a deal can be arranged with them. The Italian are sending merchants in the same areas, do they want the Saharan oases for themselves?

In Korea, Japanese immigrants continue to arrive where the loyalty is low. The Chinese grasp is still strong in the peninsula although the Korean Dynasty is since the last war officially a Japanese puppet. In Indochina the Chinese have more success, but we seriously doubt they can dislodge the French completely. The question remains: how will the French respond? Why did they start this war in the first place? Our defensive alliance with the Siamese allows us to have a limited view of the area of conflict that includes army formations.



The Chileans reign supreme in the War of the Pacific.