Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
This forum is used with the NationStates web-game designed and run by Max Barry. While not officially affiliated, this serves as the regional forum for the regions: Middle East, African Continent, American Continent, Asian Continent, and European Continent.

You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and can "read only".

In order to get the most out of these forums, please become a member and read this guide - http://z3.invisionfree.com/nationstates/index.php?showtopic=3060


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Luciola Prestonovna; The Duchess of India
Topic Started: Jan 19 2009, 03:54 AM (426 Views)
Ulgania
Member Avatar
A better Zarathustra has never rode a horse
OOC: To be specific, this is all taking place in Andhra Pradesh. Although I believe the territory is only known as Andhra in 1900.

IC:

“What’s wrong Luciola?” Nikolai asked. “I hoped this would make you happy.”

“Cousin…” she said softly. “Nikolai, you ask this of me like it is so simple. Our family has been through much. I still have trouble thinking of this as proper,” Luciola replied.

“It is completely proper,” Nikolai said, taking her shoulder with one hand and emphasizing out a window that commanded a grand view of the Mogadishu. “Look at the era that I have ushered in cousin. Look at what I have done for our family, but not only that, look at the country. I have put people to work; I have lifted more from poverty. And now look at us – we’re on the eve of our greatest endeavor. I swear it, cousin, I will bring Ulgania greater riches than that hag Avdotya Romanovna Sidorov could ever conceive!”

“But what of her house, Nikolai? Should the whole House of Sidorov succumb to the fate of her?”

“They had their chance to keep her from power, as did the Petrovs and the Andreevs. Both Houses were in perfect position to remove her from power before she assumed it from her uncle. Luciola, do not misunderstand; your assignment also comes from necessity. Your mother, Sveta, of the Drentons wants their share of power. It can only be expected, and I plan on giving them everything they want. For all their ambition, your mother’s family is still composed of honorable men and women,” Nikolai said.

“What of Draco?”

“My brother, of course he will be recognized. I just need a little more time before all of my designs can be completed. For now my family, the House of Matroska is satisfied. They will itch soon, but Drentons itch now, and sooner than later the Lastovskis will want their time in the sun.”

“You see cousin, you see what I mean now? Do we want these burdens? Do we want to be the dealers of power, and to put the balance of a country in the hands of those who seek fortune?” Luciola asked pleadingly.

“My cousin, fret not at what I am accomplishing. There is an old line in these lands that extends back hundreds of years. The Solomonic Dynasty, of the House of David that ruled these lands before we arrived by centuries has been reestablished. The people who come from this land will have their say in this land, just as much as we do. They will have much greater freedom than what the Sidorovs and the Andreevs allowed.”

“I see. But what of my people?” Luciola asked.

Nikolai had spent little time considering this. Her people were to be those of Andhra Pradesh in India. Ulganian scouting missions had shown that it had everything desired. A port would be sought, and Luciola would be put in charge of all Indian operations. There was little new to this, in that trade had been occurring heavily in the area as it was, especially with those who would seek an alternative to the Byzantines. Nikolai wanted a greater, stronger foothold on the area though, and wanted to capitalize on the enormous profit potential of the agriculture and mines in the area. Soon he would be buying up a large degree of land that would bring a larger degree of wealth.

OOC: RD, I'm setting up a colony pretty close to yours. You might enjoy this.
Edited by Ulgania, Jan 20 2009, 06:31 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Rhadamanthus
Member Avatar
Legitimist

OOC: Excellent! I'll keep my eye on this.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Ulgania
Member Avatar
A better Zarathustra has never rode a horse
The first of the trading ships arrived at Krishnapatnam Port, one of the more receptive ports to Ulganian wares. Onboard the Mussandam, Luciola Prestonovna Matroska sat in her private cabin preparing to disembark. Stepping out, she saw a mixture of white and native African deckhands rushing to secure the vessel as it floated to the dock. It was not Luciola’s first trip to India, but it had been almost fifteen years. Time had treated this port nicely though, and its docks were brimming with trading vessels of all sizes.

So far, she had kept her cousins designs for the area to herself. For now, she had made it known she wished for an official visit with the port-city’s leaders.

She had previously made this engagement known, and waiting for her on the dock was a younger, lower caste Indian boy with a letter for her.

To Lady Luciola Matroska of Ulgania,

I will grant thee an audience. Let the night of your arrival be invitation enough. Should you be able to make it to the city-center for sundown, let the one who delivers this note know it, and your transportation will be seen to.

Yours,
Kartish Santhanam


A glance at the strong noon sun made her confident in her invitation for that night.

“So you will see him, yes?” the boy asked.

“Oh, you can speak my language,” Luciola said with a tone of apprehension. “Yes, it appears I will be able to.”

“That is good, my master will be very pleased!” he said, rushing off.

Always taken aback by the rigidness of the caste system, Luciola had always been weary of it. Slavery had been outlawed in Ulgania for decades, but even though equality was a far-flung dream measures had still been taken to ensure the status of their native peoples.

Later that afternoon, a carriage had arrived to take Luciola to the center of the city. A larger manor with a well-kept courtyard appeared before as they crested a small hill. Nikolai was right, there was wealth in these lands… she thought to herself.

As she departed the carriage, several men and women who appeared to be servants approached. The two other Ulganians traveling with her, both native Africans seemed uneasy, but she reassured them. Being escorted into the manor without them though, she spent little time marveling at the granite stairs and statues, and eagerly awaited the audience with Kartish.

Entering through a set of large, ornate wooden doors Luciola saw the leader of the port-city. She walked to his table, ignoring a curt offer of hot tea.

Instead, she threw down a folder filled with papers outlining the expansion and monopolization of Ulganian trade in the area, and the purchasing of large tracts of land.

“There had better be a reason for this rudeness!” Kartish demanded.

“It is simple; your lands are to provide me, and my people with great economic glory. Of course, all the wealth will be renewable, and you sir will see the benefits of this before any Ulganian, outside of myself perhaps.”

The two locked eyes for a time, with their hands on the desk separating them clenched in fists. Luciola’s long hair draped before her, her silk dress and overcoat giving her a more commanding composure while Kartish bore more traditional attire.

The two would come to an agreement, but Kartish would walk away untrusting and Luciola weary of him continuing his life.

OOC: Starting to get competing trade status. Point of this area going first is its mines and agriculture. I’ll move to take the rest of the district soon through some level of unrest, and retaliation against Ulganian workers and tradesmen. RD, if you want to fuel some of this threw whatever means it could make it interesting.

Also I'm going to establish Luciola as a threatening character in Ulgania.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Ulgania
Member Avatar
A better Zarathustra has never rode a horse
The Mussandam was only scheduled to stay in Krishnapatnam Port for another night before departing for Ulganian waters. Luciola had been touring much of the city, and had taken a liking to it. However, stories and paintings of the city, Hyderabad had sparked her interest. She wished to return as soon as possible, and to visit the city, and to see its splendor.

In the week since arriving in Krishnapatnam several large acquisitions had been made in the name of Ulgania. Tracts of land to be used for cotton and agriculture, many of the actual ports and docks, and even the manor of Kartish Santhanam which would become the headquarters of the Ulganian East India Company. Representatives who would see to day to day minutiae, as well as a contingent of riflemen would remain there, as a precaution. To many Indians, it was the first time they had seen an African. And to many Indians who had, it was the first time they had seen them wielding a weapon, or put in a position of command. Dizna Selassie, an African would be seeing to many of the company’s operations, but she would still have to answer to Luciola.

On the eve of the trading fleet’s departure, Luciola had her belongings returned to the Mussandam, and considered spending the night in her cabin. She thought better of it though, and made to have a group return to the Manor for the evening. A loud bellowing sound, and the cracks of rifles from the direction of the manor snapped everyone at the docks to attention. Within minutes, a man on horseback clattered into the port area.

“Lady Prestonovna, the natives are attacking the Manor! The guards there will be overrun!” he said, exasperatedly.

Luciola saw to it that half of the fleet’s riflemen and marines were sent to the fight. “Will that do? Will they be able to meet this challenge?” she asked the horseman in a rough tone.

“Yes, m’lady. They come with little arms, and no organization. Fear will grip them at this site,” he said as the large group made off across the city.

“Good. Now send this message to the fleet’s captains, and send it quickly. All ships but the Mussandam are to depart tonight. I will be staying behind until the city is secured. I will be sending a message with them petitioning my cousin, Nikolai Alexyevitch of the House of Matroska, Archduke of Ulgania to send reinforcements to this city as soon as possible. I will also try to secure a telegraph line, though I doubt such modern means of conversation are possible here yet. I will not be giving up this city though, and I will defeat this foe!” she yelled.

The messenger galloped off, preparing to spread the message. After an hour the ships rushed off into the clear night, using the moon and stars as reliable navigation. Something like this would always be risky, but the captains were confident and reliable.

Another hour passed before word reached Luciola’s ears that the Manor was safe. She returned on horseback with a squad of marines to a spot that looked like a complete battlefield. A few surrounding buildings looked to have been set alight, but the Manor was safe, and unharmed. Though, there must have been at least three hundred dead Indians. Luciola cared little for the loss of human life, but considered the following days, and weeks, as she entered he knew residence for the time.

It would take some time for the steam powered fleet to return, but at the rate of 15-20 knots/hour, it would not take long.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Ulgania
Member Avatar
A better Zarathustra has never rode a horse
500 riflemen had arrived at the port city. Krishnapatnam had changed quite a bit since the initial acquisition by Luciola. With what power she held over the city, trade had recommenced, and little had changed economically. However, a change in the social order had been attempted, which resulted in a large degree of strife. In an attempt to lift the Untouchables residing in the city from their bonds, several of the wealthier land owners decided that it would be in their best interests to refuse Ulganian business.

With the additional firepower though, and the promise of more on the way Luciola encroached on the families, attacking them one at a time. There had always been feelings of mistrust between several of the castes, and Luciola had ultimately been able to play different groups off each other to weaken themselves. Small militias, funded by herself had been pervasive. She had felt successful once learning that many of those feuding were coming to her for assistance. She had essentially secured the land, and the people on it. However, the countryside around the city was of great interest to her.

In another week’s time an additional 10,000 soldiers would be in the city. The city itself needed little, but her personal priorities, which included Hyderabad
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Ulgania
Member Avatar
A better Zarathustra has never rode a horse
The 10,000 plus soldiers, mostly riflemen and marines sent to aid Luciola had come in very handy, as other tribal leaders and upper-caste nobles tried to resist the Ulganian presence. As the days progressed, and more nobles from outside the Ulganian line of control, which expanded just as quickly as it was challenged, Luciola grew more assertive. She pressured more nobles to give in, but faced greater resistance.

Every time a noble would openly refuse to join with the Ulganians, Luciola would offer to buy the place out. Often times these unfair terms lead to actual violence. Every time it occurred, Luciola had no qualms over the use of force which led to the land coming under her control.

This pattern brought her within a day’s march of Hyperabad. She had, by this time actually visited the city as a visitor. Emboldened by everything the territories had to offer, Luciola Prestonovna Matroska wanted the city, no matter what the cost. The soldiers were sent in to lay siege to the city, and with little effort the city fell.

Had the Indian peoples been organized, they could have ousted the Ulganians, but their lack of organized and solidified rule ruined that chance. Luciola would see to a more manageable system, and would harness the economic power of the new territory, Ulganian India, to make herself, her family, and her country much wealthier.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Ulgania
Member Avatar
A better Zarathustra has never rode a horse
Time had passed in the colony very nicely. Luciola Prestonovna had acquired the name Duchess of India, but in a move to give her proper political authority Nikolai had granted her the title of Viceroy.

Since then, the dense population of Ulganian-India had been put to work. The pay was by no means extravagant, but Luciola, despite her cold heart was to ensure loyalty. Many commodities had started to become valuable in the colony, and great coal mines were being established. In almost one fell swoop, Luciola had enriched herself, the colonial population, and the Ulganian coffers by harnessing the potential labor. Many of the funds she raised would go directly to internal colonial security. Not all of the population felt at east with the new foreign usurpers. Ulganian culture was being introduced, but in turn influenced. Millions of Indians could be seen learning Russian and Arabic, but back in Ulgania Proper, tea had started to become very popular.

In response to this, private plantations had started to become established in the colony for the growing of tea. Other operations were being established for trade on the world market, but for now raw coal and tea were the primary commodities.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
« Previous Topic · International Relations · Next Topic »
Add Reply