Prologue - Kylven Roosevelt

- All was lost, the world was over.  Flying projectiles of mass destruction, underwater beasts of metal, massive land animals of immense power, and ruins as far as the eye could see.  The end of the world had come.  -

“AAAhhh,” I screamed waking up in a puddle of sweat.  I sat up trying to catch my breath.  After the intense dream of an unreal world, I reexamined my sanity.  “Where in my unconscious imagination did I conjure that madness?” I thought to myself. 

I peaked outside my tent to make sure no one overheard my scream.  It seemed I was in the clear.  If anyone knew about that crazy vision, they surely would dethrone me as tribal leader.  We are a peaceful bunch of nomads, just roaming the land, searching for food, and living our lives.

- Little did Kylven know, leaders around the world shared the same dream, and all unknowingly received an underlying desire to acquire land, money, and ultimate power.-

The Beginning

I composed myself and stepped outside the tent to assume my daily responsibilities as leader of the tribe we call, “America.”  For some reason, I had a sudden urge to call upon my town militia sheriff, scientific advisor, and intelligence officer.  These formal titles were something we came up with to bring some sort of order to our new-found settlement.

We met under the main canopy where I revealed my intention to send a group of settlers northeast to establish another camp similar to Washington.  I decided not to disclose my dream to my good friends, or my ultimate intentions.   I wasn’t even sure what my long term goals were, but I knew I needed to expand beyond our little roving band to achieve it. 

I dispatched a messenger to rally a group of ideal candidates to accomplish this task, and sent them Northeast to establish another settlement called New York.

I received word that the settlement of New York was successful, and that they have elected a Governor to oversee daily tasks and enforce my will.  “Fantastic” I thought, “this Governor idea is just what I need to manage my efforts.”   Now I was able to focus on national endeavors, and expand my empire without worrying about minor local issues. 

I promptly wrote up a declaration of our empires growth policy, and my requirements on when Governors should report to me. 

That evening, I lay down to retire for the night thinking, “where had all these thoughts come from? Many are questioning me.  They are curious how I’m coming up with such ingenious ideas, and where my motivation is coming from?” I couldn’t answer them even if I wanted to. 

- Kylven, the leaders around the world, and everyone under their direct command suddenly stopped aging.  Interestingly, no one questioned why people in the service of emperors ceased to grow older. -

The next morning the urge continued.  I must expand my influence and increase the power of my people.  I called another meeting with my three advisors, and outlined my agenda to create multiple settlements in all directions.  The natural resources can be harvested by the local town, and the citizens can domesticate animals and begin food production.  We’re finally finished with a nomadic lifestyle, and I have created a central government for more than one camp. 

I also told them I wished to create 3 groups within our tribe to serve specific functions.  Wes, the town’s militia sheriff, is now our empires Military Advisor.  Sadi, my scientific advisor, is charged with gathering the best minds throughout our tribe, and producing weapons and ideas not yet heard of.  Artemis, our covert intelligence officer, has been tasked with gathering information about other tribes we’ve heard roam the lands, and to evaluate their weaknesses for exploitation.  Again, where are these ideas coming from? I have no clue.  I’ve never been this smart before, but it sure is exciting.

- Meetings such as this occurred around the world… and the birth of “man” occurred.-

Shortly after the establishment of New York, we met with an Aztec Emissary and their leader Montezuma.  For the time being, we agreed to peace, and mutual expansion of the surrounding land.  Immediately after our meeting, I ordered Artemis to dispatch an infiltrator to their tribe, and gather intel.  In addition, I created a group of fast moving folks to start scouting the uncharted lands around us. With the Aztecs nearby, we'll need to claim terriorty faster than them. 

Sadi entered my tent with a scientific progress report:
- Mining, we can now use sharpened picks to harvest minerals in the ground.
- Workers outfitted with the new picks

“Good work Sadi, and keep it coming.  Take whatever beneficial techniques and items you discover, implement their benefits throughout our empire, and inform me of major breakthroughs” I told her.  I sent Sadi on her way, and opened up my map of the known world.  I must settle southward, toward the Aztecs before moving into the unknown north and the wild west. 

Firstly, I sent a group of hardy warriors south to find the Aztec civilization’s camp.  In a few short years, I received the coordinates of the Aztec’s primary settlement. 

Sadi’s recent discovery report revealed an interesting invention, a missile type weapon that allows firing projectiles from a distance.  I immediately ordered both camps to being producing platoons outfitted with these exotic bows, and once they are trained, to send all warrior groups south to prepare an immediate assault on the Aztec population.  We cannot afford these people to expand, prosper, and threaten my great vision. 

A scouting report indicates a series of tall mountains to the west, which further influenced my decision to look southward, and to take control of the Aztec people.  Therefore, I asked Sadi to get to work on discovering more weaponry. 

The first of the troops that had arrived north of Aztec lands setup base camp for the assault. Reinforcements would take a while, so they were ordered to stand fast and gather intel for the main attack.

Washington’s first fully trained archery unit was finally finished.  I ordered them to take up a defensive position around the city, and relieve the warriors to assist in the Aztec assault.  A messenger was dispatched to New York to order the same.

Acquiring an army from such a small civilization was proving difficult.  I decided to send a group of settlers southwest of Washington to establish another camp closer to the enemy.   New Orleans was born.

Four warrior groups are now stationed at the forward assault camp.  I sent word to attack the Aztec town and claim it for ourselves.  The first group was defeated by similarly armed Aztec warriors.

The second group easily defeated the remaining defenders and claimed the area for ourselves.  Mexico City was born.   “This is coming along splendidly” I thought to myself.

Sadi’s latest report had great news.  Her group decided to hack away the brush leading to surrounding resources and other camps, which decreased travel time immensely.  “Her group is truly talented.”

I ordered a warrior group to scout south of Mexico City to determine if any other threats exist in the region.  They eventually ran into an impassible mountain, and named it Volcan Baru.  “We’ll need a decent boat to make it around” the warrior captain had informed.

One of our warrior groups spotted a barbarian tribe west of the Rocky Mountains.  They seem to be unorganized, leaderless, and just full of rage; an assumed enemy.  “Double the defenses in each town” I ordered Wes.  “This is an unknown threat that does not wish to even communicate, and just attacks us on site.”

With the Aztecs defeated, we’ve began expanding our influence in all directions again, starting with Boston to the Northeast and Miami to the South.

Per the warrior group whom discovered Volcan Baru, our boats have been created.  However, I decided to send them out to explore the coast line around the entire continent as best they can.  Our land scouts have done well, but more I need to know more.

Chicago founded.

Two barbarian groups were spotted descending on Chicago and New Orleans. 

I tasked Wes with countering their offensive and to protect my westerly expansion.  He met with Sadi to find a way to defeat the primitive bands of warriors more efficiently.  Her group came up with attaching sharpened Copper, taken from the mines near New York, to the clubs our warriors held.  This innovative creation, dubbed Axes, was implemented into the training of the next group of warriors. 

The Chicago and New Orleans garrisons of archers repelled the barbarian attacks.  Regardless, production on the two axe units commenced.  They would travel westward to clear the way for further settlement.   Meanwhile, an urgent message arrived informing me of Barbarian movement near our most recent town, Ottawa.

The Ottawa attack was easily defended with our superior bowmen.  It was apparent the barbarians learnt from their defeat because a few years later they returned pairing a warrior group with archers of their own.

As these barbarians descend upon Chicago, we received a strange visitor by Ship named Huayna Capac of the Incan Empire.  I told this strange fella that peace will be our relationship, but in the back of my mind I was already plotting against him.

Once again, I tasked Artemis in training infiltrators to gather intel on this new threat.  “This will be difficult,” I told him “The Volcan Baru is blocking possible travel routes south.  The Incans traveled by sea, and so we must as well.  Inform Sadi.”

Once again, Chicago repelled the assault, regardless of the barbarian’s new found bows.  It is now obvious bowmen are weak on offense, but are excellent defensive units.  Their ability to remain stationary and fire behind walls is ideal.  However, charging into a city is not the best tactic for their weapon type.  I’m glad the barbarians tested this out for us.

Washington finally received the axes imported from New York.  I ordered a warrior group armed with these deadly clubs west to attack the Barbarian headquarters that has been constantly pestering us. 

I received a report of another barbarian archer group heading toward Boston.  Fortunately, Washington finished outfitting a warrior group with axes and they were assigned to intercept the archer’s movement toward Boston…

…and they were quickly ambushed and destroyed.  “As long as we keep ahead with Sadi’s brilliant weapon ideas, I think we’ll have an advantage over anyone” I thought to myself.

We were able to secure another settlement North of Mexico City.  Therefore, I named it New Mexico City.  I’m well on my way to fulfill my godly duty to control most of the world.  Hopefully, all I have to worry about are these barbarians and the Incan folk.

The barbarians continued relentlessly against my Empire. 

Both were easily dispatched by our defending garrison. 

Over then next year or so we were able to secure another settlement to the Southeast of Mexico city named Cancun. 

Soon after the establishment of Cancun, strange visitors arrived calling themselves Judaist.  They began preaching their godly beliefs, and ended up converting most of the settlers to their ways.  I was curious if these mysterious persons could explain my recent dreams of conquest, and enlightened ideas of civilized progress.  However, I couldn’t risk revealing the integrity of my sanity.  For now, these Judaist could remain, but I’ll bide my time. 

…

My initial thought to chase down the barbarians was ill conceived.  Our western settlements and land workers would be vulnerable to attack from the flanks.  Therefore, I decided to set the Axeman on patrol routes on our western boarder.  As my empire expands to the west, I’ll continually move the patrols accordingly. 

…

Huayna Capac of the Incans sent a request for an open boarders agreement. 

I immediately met with Wes, Sadi, and Artemis to discuss Huayna’s proposal.  Wes’s concern was that the Incan’s had naval ships to carry men across the sea and onto our land.  “If we allow them open access throughout our empire, they have the ability to strategically place an army for an efficient attack on our settlements” he informed me.  Sadi wasn’t completely against it.  She said she would focus on created better troop bearing ships to do what Wes was worried about against the Incans.  She also mentioned a recent breakthrough in forging metal.  “Long piercing blades attached to wooden hilts are being produced and dispersed to troops in Chicago as we speak.”

Wes interjected, “Due to our Axemen being tied up with boarder defense, we’re specifically training the Swordsmen to attack the barbarian settlements.  If we need to, we can deploy them on the new ships Sadi’s developing, and send them into Incan territory.”

Artemis reported that the Incans are much more powerful than the Aztecs, and that any immediate assault would be too much for our empire to bear. 

Therefore, I decided to send the emissary away with no written agreement.  I need to focus on the barbarians without worrying about Incan movement throughout my lands. 

Meanwhile the Swordsman weapons and training were finished in Chicago, and I sent them westward to confront the barbarian threat.

…

The Governor of Mexico City has completed one of his pet projects called the “Hanging Gardens.”  This has become a great benefit to our entire civilization.  The health benefits have reached the farthest cities and increased the lifespan of our population.  I sent the governor personal congratulations and offered him a collection of the finest jewels. 

Pushing further westward we established Calgary.

Our swordsmen searched west and then north until the water was a constant freeze.  Still no sign of a Barbarian stronghold.

One of the renowned artists within our capital completed an epic statue in my name called The Colossus.  The epic scale and sense of awe it creates have reached merchants all over the world.  Many seafaring traders have increased their activity throughout my empire just to glimpse the massive wonder. 

Our settlers finally reached the western edge of our continent.  Los Angeles was created without barbarian interference. 

However, on the southern boarder where we just established Panama at the base of the Volcan Baru, our scouts report Incan activity just across the gulf.  I immediately order the production of 2 troop carrying vessels, and recalled the Axeman from the western borders.  There hasn’t been barbarian activity for sometime.  Therefore, an assessment of the Incan forces is now my priority.

I retired to my tent for a moment to reflect on how the world changed so fast after being sedentary for thousands of years.  …..“That dream”….. I remembered.  “I wonder why I haven’t had a similar one since” I asked myself.  I realized just then I haven’t actually dreamt after that night.  Now that life is drastically different, and my motivations have yet to be explained to me…I wish to revisit the vision for understanding.  For now, I’ll just follow my instincts and keep documenting my empires progress in search of answers.

I headed back to city hall for a progress report on the ship building.  Wes informed me that Artemis sent a scouting party southeast on the first Trireme completed.  Their mission is to explore the coastline south and east of Panama.

Wes also reported that the three other Triremes will be stationed off the coast until Sadi finishes taming the horse beasts found in the Midwest.  “She claims we can mount them and travel at more than twice our normal pace, and keep our strength up” he said with excitement.  “We’ll load up the vessels with mounted units and explore the Incan lands with haste.”

Fantastic idea…Sadi’s brainstorming group sure is coming through…I should increase her funding. 

…

The first report from Artemis’s scouts detail a small barbarian settlements on the eastern coast far to the southeast of our empire.  Still no sign of massive Incan expansion.