It is an inauspicious time to have become emperor. There have been many reverses of late, severely testing the morale of your subjects. The army in the northeastern province of Kohlus has been routed by a minor kingdom, probably due to the poor leadership of its commander, General Maretus. Many of the legions are in desperate need of troops and there is precious little revenue to pay for them. What's more, recent harvests have not been good, leaving the poor to go hungry. Throughout the realm, ancient traditions are being abandoned and people are beginning to fear the empire has lost the favor of the gods. Imperial Palace The imperial palace is a magnificent structure that overlooks the capital from atop a hill at the heart of the city. The most capable and most loyal of the empire's guards surround the throne. Kurash, the imperial chancellor, stands at the foot of the dais, looking up at you obsequiously. From here, you can issue commands pertaining to the governance of the empire. >explore What do you want to explore? >kohlus It is unnecessary to explore Kohlus. >explore sea Which sea do you mean, Forvian sea, or sea? >forvian The story doesn’t understand that command. >explore forvian sea You can’t explore Forvian sea. >x forvian sea To the south is the Forvian sea. >x river That is not something you need to examine. >build temple There are already many temples in Ravera, including one great temple that is larger and more magnificent than any in the empire. >make sacrifices The story doesn’t understand that command. >sacrifice The story doesn’t understand that command. >harvest timber The story doesn’t understand that command. >move capital to coletta You can’t move Ravera. >go to coletta You are capable of governing the empire without leaving the palace. >abolish nobility The word “nobility” is not necessary in this story. >abolish aristocracy You can’t abolish the aristocracy. >build ships You order the construction of a new fleet of ships. Command of the sea will help you in many of your military engagements. In an ill omen, the great temple at Ravera has been destroyed in a fire. >build city You can’t build city. >build houses You can’t build homes. >build library The word “library” is not necessary in this story. >build market The word “market” is not necessary in this story. >build machines The word “machines” is not necessary in this story. >build weapons The word “weapons” is not necessary in this story. >build wall [Runtime error: nil object reference ] >build walls [Runtime error: nil object reference ] >built fortress The word “built” is not necessary in this story. >build fortress The word “fortress” is not necessary in this story. >build fort The word “fort” is not necessary in this story. >build castle The word “castle” is not necessary in this story. >build palace You already have a luxurious palace. >build bridges The word “bridges” is not necessary in this story. >build bridge There are many locations throughout the empire where a bridge could be built. >a bridge Kurash has nothing to say on that subject. >a locations Kurash has nothing to say on that subject. >x locations The word “locations” is not necessary in this story. >x bridge There are many bridges throughout the empire. >x cities The empire contains many great cities, foremost among them Ravera, its capital. >x people You see nothing unusual about it. >x land You see nothing unusual about it. >x farms Agriculture is the heart of the empire. >x industry The word “industry” is not necessary in this story. >x mine Various resources are mined throughout the empire. >x trade You see nothing unusual about it. >x silk A luxurious fabric from the east that is becoming increasingly common. >x aberion One of the northern tribes, the Aberion are known for their fearsome battle tactics. >a aberion "The Aberion tribe are ferocious warriors," the chancellor explains. "They often fight with axes rather than more civilized weapons like swords and spears." >x locanus You see nothing unusual about it. >a locanus Kurash has nothing to say on that subject. >build bridge across locanus The empire cannot presently afford to construct such a bridge. >tax silk You decide to tax the lucrative silk trade. If the wealthy will insist on wearing such garments, you can at least profit from it. The rich have begun wearing silk garments, something that would have been condemned as an extravagance in former years. >build bridge across locanus You order the construction of a bridge over the river Locanus. The empire has suffered another defeat. General Maretus was again bested by the kingdom of Samira, his force flanked by enemy cavalry. >attack aberion You launch an attack against the Aberion tribe, the fearsome warriors of the land north of Kalyra. As the army marches through enemy territory, the Aberion warriors sight your forces and mount a counterattack. Under the ferocity of the enemy charge, your men lose their nerve and their formation breaks. The survivors are forced to retreat. There is a new play called Rosebud, a jaunty romance which has distracted people from their travails. >tax land You place a tax on large estates. Attacks from the northern tribes have resumed, particularly the fearsome axe-wielding Aberion. People now fear these raids all across the province of Kalyra. >x treasury The treasury has a small supply of money. >tax rich You apply a new tax on the nobility, who you deem capable of bearing the burden. A brawl has disgraced the streets of Ravera. It began when a nobleman struck a peasant who insulted him and the nobleman's guards were forced to come to his defense. The incident underscores recent tensions between rich and poor. >x treasury The treasury has a modest supply of money. >z In a rare piece of good news, General Zaren has repulsed an attack by the republic of Amaratus, dispensing with wave after wave of their famed spearmen. >z The spice trade has proved especially lucrative of late. The empire's merchants are rejoicing at their new profits. >z There is a lull in raids from the north as the Aberion tribe contend with their rivals the Corimar, a people known for their skilled archers. >z Raveran nobles have begun keeping dogs, an animal once regarded as unclean and anathema to the gods. >z The kingdom of Samira attacks again. Faced with a better general, Maretus finds himself lured into boggy terrain, which is common throughout Kohlus. The result is a surprise to no one. >z The republic of Amaratus considers its future after the failure of its invasion. Some called gallants support continued war while others called concessionists favor peace. >support concessionists You offer clandestine support to the concessionist faction, providing them funds with which to advance their cause. It should allow them to enjoy greater electoral success. To the east, the Orphiel empire has begun encroaching on the thinly settled province of Coletta, which is rumored to contain gold. >z The king of Samira looks to secure a marriage for his son, probably with Iyana, a princess from nearby Sontalin, who has recently come of age. Such a connection will only further bolster his army. >z Another harvest has failed. Food will be scarce and there is sure to be much distress among the poor. >z More raiders have arrived from the north. This time it is the Plutari tribe, a vicious people known for carrying the skulls of their enemies into battle. >z A courtesan named Callya is proving popular with the nobility. She is said to have a remarkable singing voice, among other talents. >marry callya You are so taken with the courtesan Callya that you decide to marry her. There are said to be whisperings among your nobles that she is not a fitting match for an emperor. The people of Thurvira, the empire's second wealthiest city, have taken to protesting what they see as disrespect for the memory of their founding hero. It is the latest in a long list of grievances. >z There is word of an alliance between the Uthanus and Corimar tribes. If the connection persists, it could upend the situation in the north. >z A spectacular wedding takes place between the prince of Samira and Iyana of Sontalin. >z The republic of Amaratus looks to foster trade connections with the empire. >z A new play, Travius and Carissa, is irreverent in its treatment of the gods, depicting them as bickering figures of fun. >trade with amaratus You establish closer trading relations with the republic of Amaratus. The city is quite wealthy and such commerce looks to beneficial to both powers. The kingdom of Samira presses the attack against General Maretus, again outmaneuvering the hapless commander. >z Hungry peasants have stormed a granary, clashing with the guards as they pilfered whatever food they could. >z The Orphiel empire is sending ever more settlers to the east of Coletta, establishing a series of towns throughout what is nominally your territory. >z Emissaries have arrived bearing gifts from the southern kingdom of Majeen, a desert land known for spices, dyes and formidable battle elephants. They seek to foster trade. >trade with majeen You arrange for greater connections of trade with Majeen, which will surely prove lucrative. There has been an increasing level of intermarriage between Raveran nobles and prominent citizens of the republic of Amaratus. >z As part of their latest attack, the king of Samira comes in person to see his army prevail over General Maretus. Afterward, it becomes clear that the province has been significantly weakened. If the attacks continue, it is likely to fall. >remove maretus You dismiss Maretus as commander of the army in Kohlus. The Aberion tribe launches another attack against Kalyra, inflicting great damage with the power of their axes. >z A troublemaker named Lorius has begun riling up the masses. It is only a matter of time before his inflammatory speeches lead to trouble. >praise lorius You praise Lorius. >z You hear reports of the Orphiel empire slowly assembling troops on the border of Coletta. >support lorius You can’t support Lorius. >z Lately, priests have been misappropriating funds and neglecting sacrifices. >condemn priests You are vocal in your condemnation of the priests. The republic of Amaratus has been raising troops, though they don't seem to be intended to attack the empire. >z Selira, the daughter of the king of Majeen, has come of age. She is said to be the most beautiful woman in the world. >z There is another attack from the kingdom of Samira. This strike proves decisive, giving them the province of Kohlus. >divorce callya You can’t divorce Callya. >z Rioters have vandalized the homes of some wealthy individuals. >z The Uthanus have a new chieftain. Their shamans proclaim that he has a great destiny. >condemn wealthy You condemn the nobleman who started the brawl in the streets of Ravera. There is a precarious political situation in Amaratus. A fiery orator may swing the balance of power back into the favor of the gallant faction. >a orator Kurash has nothing to say on that subject. >x orator There are a number of capable speakers, some helpful and some not. >bribe orator You can’t bribe the orator. >support concessionists You provide funds to the concessionist faction, with which to combat the orator Rabomon. Hopefully, this will be enough to quash the new threat. There are riots in the streets of Ravera and they are becoming increasingly violent. The mob has taken to snatching wealthy individuals and lynching them. >x rabomon Rabomon is a fiery orator who supports war with the empire. >a rabomon Kurash has nothing to say on that subject. >z The long anticipated attack has arrived. The Orphiel empire finally marches its troops into the province of Coletta, invading with an army so huge they hope you will be overwhelmed completely. Though you are not defeated decisively, you are defeated. >z With the neglectful priests punished, the others are working hard to regain the favor of the gods. >z The Namaran tribe has joined the alliance between the Uthanus and Corimar, forming a confederation. >z The republic of Amaratus looks likely to favor war again. >support concessionists The support for the gallant faction seems too great to disrupt at present. >z The kingdom of Samira moves upon the capital, thwarting the forces sent to halt the advance. >z The confederation of the Uthanus, Corimar and Namaran are now mounting raids together. Despite their combined strength, they are not able to best your better disciplined warriors. >z A philospher called Kamius argues against the existence of the gods. >z The famed explorer Kalben has returned from his latest voyage with a foodstuff that he calls potatoes. >condemn kamius You order Kamius punished for his blasphemy. The republic of Amaratus soon renews the attack. Its reconstituted army proves highly effective. >l Imperial Palace The imperial palace is a magnificent structure that overlooks the capital from atop a hill at the heart of the city. The most capable and most loyal of the empire's guards surround the throne. Kurash, the imperial chancellor, stands at the foot of the dais, looking up at you obsequiously. From here, you can issue commands pertaining to the governance of the empire. >marry kurash You can’t marry Kurash. >exile callius There is no reason to exile Callius. >exile kamius You send Kamius into exile for his blasphemies. The chief of the Uthanus tribe proclaims himself king. >kiss kurash You don't want to kiss Kurash. >kiss my wife You do not appear to have any such thing. >kiss callya You don't want to kiss Callya. >eat What do you want to eat? >potatoes You can’t eat potatoes. >n You are capable of governing the empire without leaving the palace. >sleep You don't need to sleep now. >z Orphiel soldiers once more intrude upon Coletta, resplendent in their fine armor, daunting in their immense numbers. At length, battle is joined. The soldiers and settlers of the province cannot hope to contend with so powerful an army. They suffer many casualties. >a deployments "The present deployments are as follows," Kurash says. - Kalyra contains three regiments of infantry, under the command of General Fedwyn. - Hayala contains four regiments of infantry, under the command of General Zaren. - Coletta contains three regiments of infantry, under the command of General Callius. - Thurvira contains one regiment of infantry. - Luracan contains three regiments of infantry. >move troops from luracan to ravera You send troops to Ravera. There is another clash with the new combination of northern tribes. They field a highly mobile force, able to strike where they are least expected. It is only thanks to many careful preparations that serious harm is avoided. >g You send troops to Ravera. Some have begun observing a new religion called Covenantism. >g You send troops to Ravera. The city of Amaratus launches an attack against Hayala. The republic fields a well drilled force, ready for any contingency. It is only with great difficulty that your force under General Zaren is able to prevail. >x zaren General Zaren is a skilled military commander. He presently commands your forces in general of the army in Hayala. >z There is a new play called The Paunchy Prince, which satirizes the nobility. >ban paunchy You see no paunchy here. >ban paunchy prince No such play has yet been performed. >z To the east, the province of Coletta once more comes under attack. The Orphiel army once more fields a great army and resisting them proves impossible. At length, your forces are driven back deeper into the country, leaving the enemy with an even more advantageous position from which to strike. >z The chief priest declares that only a new emperor can regain the favor of the gods. >a temple "Temples are vital to earning the favor of the gods," the chancellor says. "No city should be without one." >build temple You order the temple rebuilt. Soon construction is under way and before long the temple will be as magnificent as it ever was. Under the direction of the Uthanus tribe, the northern confederation again intrudes upon Kalyra. They fight with a united purpose and it seems they have greater designs than mere plunder. It does not prove effective on this occasion. >attack uthanus You launch an attack against the Uthanus tribe, a northern people known for their many robed shamans. Before the battle, emissaries from the Uthanus approach and exchange pleasantries with General Fedwyn. The enemy troops are well organized and fight valiantly but it is all for naught. A lowborn warrior called Adyeen distinguished himself in the fighting, rallying the troops and leading a charge against the enemy at a vital moment. Your army must contend again with the republic of Amaratus and its spearmen. An invading force moves into Hayala, forcing an engagement with your forces under General Zaren. There is a slow battle as the two hosts maneuver carefully for advantage. Eventually, your force is driven from the field. >praise adyeen You are sure to praise Adyeen's military acumen. >a deployments "The present deployments are as follows," Kurash says. - Kalyra contains three regiments of infantry, under the command of General Fedwyn. - Hayala contains two regiments of infantry, under the command of General Zaren. - Coletta contains three regiments of infantry, under the command of General Callius. - Ravera contains three regiments of infantry, under the command of General Rilayn. - Thurvira contains one regiment of infantry. >appoint adyeen general You can’t appoint anyone as generals. >z It is rumored that your nobles are plotting against you. How deep the conspiracy goes you cannot say. >condemn nobles You have already punished the noble who started the brawl. >z A sturdy republican army appears in Hayala, bent on conquest. Its general is said to be a prominent leader among the gallant faction. The enemy fights well, killing many of your men and leaving the province in even greater danger. >z General Callius has proclaimed himself emperor and seized the western province of Esitura. Many have flocked to his cause. >z There is to be a great struggle for the province of Coletta. From the east, an immense army marches, the loyal soldiers of the Orphiel empire. By the time the day is done, they have inflicted a great defeat on your forces. >fight callius You do not have sufficient troops in Ravera to launch such an attack. >a deployments "The present deployments are as follows," Kurash says. - Kalyra contains three regiments of infantry, under the command of General Fedwyn. - Hayala contains one regiment of infantry, under the command of General Zaren. - Coletta contains three regiments of infantry, under the command of General Callius. - Thurvira contains one regiment of infantry. >move troops from thurvira to ravera You send troops to Ravera. Tribal warriors move through the lands of Kalyra, seeming to know your territory as well as you do. >recruit troops You set about raising troops from within the capital and its environs. Before long, you have them assembled and ready to deploy. Once more, there is an invasion from Samira, the royal armies pressing deep into your land. You are able to kill many of them. >g You can't afford to recruit any additional troops. >x deployments The present deployments are as follows: - Kalyra contains three regiments of infantry, under the command of General Fedwyn. - Hayala contains one regiment of infantry, under the command of General Zaren. - Coletta contains three regiments of infantry, under the command of General Callius. - Ravera contains two regiments of infantry, under the command of General Rilayn. >z The explorer Kalben has returned from a voyage far to the west, where he discovered an archipelago he is now calling the Sunset Islands. >z The rebels amass their strength, hurriedly assembling whatever soldiers they can. Men come from all over the empire to fight for them. >z There is another clash with the new combination of northern tribes. They field a highly mobile force, able to strike where they are least expected. It is only thanks to many careful preparations that serious harm is avoided. >z The fate of Coletta is once more in question. The Orphiel empire again attacks with a large force, meeting yours with a solid charge. For many hours, the two well disciplined front lines contend, gradually pushing each other as the initiative goes back and forth. At length, the enemy is able to get the upper hand. >z The philosopher Astalin has made an important discovery concerning the calculation of the area of a circle. >z The kingdom of Samira intrudes ever further on Ravera. On this occasion, their boldness is repaid with death. >z The Orphiel emperor, Lodicus VI, has died. He is succeeded by his son, Cairos IV. >z The time has come for a terrific conflict. The army of General Callius, now calling himself emperor, marches on the capital. It will not do for him to rule just part of your territory, it seems. Meeting your forces, there is bitter fighting. In this first engagement, it is the rebel army that takes the victory. >z Under the direction of the Uthanus tribe, the northern confederation again intrudes upon Kalyra. They fight with a united purpose and it seems they have greater designs than mere plunder. It does not prove effective on this occasion. >z Orphiel soldiers once more intrude upon Coletta, resplendent in their fine armor, daunting in their immense numbers. At length, battle is joined. The soldiers and settlers of the province cannot hope to contend with so powerful an army. They suffer many casualties. >z The king of Samira's designs move closer to reality as his forces press upon Ravera. >attack samira You need to retake Kohlus before you can launch such an attack. >z A rebel army moves on the capital and there is no force to resist them. Some loyal citizens put up a brave but futile fight, while others simply look on impassively. The result is a foregone conclusion. Ravera falls and you are forced to flee. General Callius will be emperor in fact as well as name, having won the title he has long claimed. *** You will be remembered for having presided over the end of the empire. You were unable to prevent squabbles with your nobles. *** Would you like to RESTORE a saved position, RESTART the story, UNDO the last move, or QUIT? >