Chapter 11 - Interesting Times
Sacramento’s roads are the envy of the Empire, increasing the capital’s efficiency and prosperity, so, in April of 2701 Emperor Thao I commissions his builders to bring the major roads within California up to the quality of Sacramento’s road network. It will take years to complete and cost drain much of the treasury, but the results should more than make up for the time and cost.
The Imperial Palace continues to need repairs, after its neglect by the Yudkow Emperors; an unnoticed leak in the armory threatens to ruin the palace guards’ weapons and armor, along with some relics once belonging to the Lawgiver. A frustrated emperor gives his sister a blank check to ensure that the armory is in tip top shape.
The Imamites continue to be a problem, as the Prefect of Los Padres, a man named Keaton, comes out as a secret Imamite. Los Padres is an important prefecture, as it contains Tejon Pass, which is the locked gate that guards the Valley from invasion; allowing it to be owned by an Imamite rebel is a threat to the security of California. Thankfully, the Imperial Guards are able to quickly arrest Prefect Keaton and drag him back to Sacramento, where he is stripped of his titles; Emperor Thao I elevates General Kyra’s son, his nephew, to the office of Prefect of Los Padres.
In the distant land of Ohio a new religion rises; headed by the Tycoon of the Reserve, Consumerism worships the all mighty Dollar and the Invisible Hand. Thankfully, the petty religious feuds of the Far East mean nothing to the great California.
In 2702, a merchant from Brasilia brings strange news: crippled by what he calls “A Praga Devastadora,” the August Empire is also dealing with a band of raiders known as the Gaúcho, who threaten to over run the empire. Hopefully, the August Emperor will be able to hold them back, lest they take over all of South America.
2702 turns into the year of terrible news: a new strand of the Imamite heresy known as Orientalists, have been united under “the Viceroy,” with the explicit goal of reconquering the Sun Coast Kingdom, more commonly known as Florida. This goal puts them in direct conflict with the Holy Columbian Confederacy, which claims all of the Old World South; thankfully, the HCC is ready to stand against these invaders.
In August, a coup replaces King Walter of Gran Francisco with his sister, Sapphire; backed by the Kingdom of Jefferson, it is a clear attempt by King Stanford III to try to expand his influence within California as a counterweight to Emperor Thao I. The emperor will not let this stand and, as soon as Queen Sapphire is crowned, he declares war for the Prefecture of Wineland, claiming that historically it was directly governed by the emperor.
The emperor also begins working on making sure history remembers him in the same way it remembers Elton the Lawgiver; it will take time and effort, but in the end it’ll be worth it, if it makes House Armour remembered as paragon of art and philosophy.
The Wineland War initially goes in Gran Francisco’s favor, as the Imperial Army is slow to wake; early victories Marina, Yountville, and Napa embolden the Franciscan forces and give them hope for a swift victory.
These hopes are dashed at the Battle of Vallejo, where a massive Imperial force crushes the Franciscan army; the Franciscans lose nearly half their number, while the Imperials lose only ten men. It is a stark reminder that the Empire is not to be underestimated.
In November, Princess Alice the Pale is married to High Chief Nolan II of Death Valley; the marriage lends legitimacy to the claim that Death Valley is a true Californian kingdom.
The Mormons, having caught wind of the Wineland War, decide it is the perfect time for another Great Expedition; it once again targets Socal, hoping to crack open California for the Children of Zion.
But, instead of rushing into Las Vegas, the Mormons remain quiet through most of the Wineland War. Emperor Thao I takes advantage of this silence to quickly conquer Wineland for the Empire so that he can focus on the Mormons.
King Stanford III of Jeffeson pledges to support Emperor Thao I during the Second Socal Expedition; not too long after several regiments of Jeffersonian troops arrive in Sacramento, ready to fight the Mormons.
The Wineland War ends in September 2703, barely a year after its start; another coup has ousted Queen Sapphire and replaced her with a distant member of House Yudkow. Broke and tired, King Elton I surrenders the Prefecture of Wineland to the emperor.
The first and only battle of the Second Socal Expedition takes place at Havasu Falls. The Mormon army, barely 600 strong, crumbles before the superior Imperial Army.
Las Vegas is reinforced and its old fort rebuilt by the Imperial Army; as the only way the Mormons can attack California, Las Vegas is a linchpin in the defense of the Empire.
2703 turns to 2704, which then turns to 2705 without much fanfare; one could almost be excused for forgetting the Empire is at war with the Mormons. With Las Vegas locked down, the Mormons can only stare across the Hoover Dam and gnash their teeth in frustration. Finally, in February of 2706, after three years of stalemate, the Mormon President agrees to a white peace, ending the Second Socal Expedition. For managing to beat back the Mormons not once, but twice, Emperor Thao I becomes known as “the Glorious.”
2706 starts with a victory over the enemies of California, promising a bright future for the Empire; with Emperor Thao I at the helm of state, nothing seems impossible for the Golden State.