The Return of the Faith
Archon Eros VII walked silently through the halls of the palace, ignoring the low bows given to him by every random noble he encountered. His mind is far off the earthly plane on matters more interesting and important than paying attention to beings so despicable that are the parasites who call themselves better than the common folk.
Grover VI, what an intriguing hatchling. Barely born and already caught the attention of every living soul in the capital, when journalists learned about the new heir. The entire empire was... in a nutshell, a mess. But in a good way.
Many traveled to the capital in droves for the christening ceremony that would take place a few days after the official announcement of the birth of a male heir. It was incredibly convenient that a male child had been born after so many failed attempts. Even so, it wouldn't matter, the king only needed an heir after seeing his health dropping as each year passed.
But that was a huge problem. Even though many were still very optimistic about the future, the devout follower of Boreas knew that the boy would be too young to rule and would fall into the famous cycle that many child monarchs fall into. Turning into just a political item to be used by the ruling faction as an excellent justification for legitimacy.
The Nobles should already be scheming behind the scenes in their preparations to pass absurd legislation using the Child Emperor as a puppet to become more and more independent of the Crown's powers. If this continues, the Archon knew that the royal crown would become just a symbol and the empire would be in name only.
The elder Griffon could see a future with another glutton coming into power, with the boy following in his grandfather's footsteps, the fourth Grover. A monarch living a Hedonistic life while his nobles killed each other in futile wars to expand their family's territory and influence.
He already knew of a few who had aspirations to challenge the crown to gain more privileges and a few with even more blasphemous ambitions to take the crown for themselves.
The Griffin Empire would become a nightmare of constant infighting, political assassinations, and pointless wars.
But he wouldn't allow it.
The nobles had already tried to tarnish the empire's progress since the reign of the first Grover in the early days of the empire. And increase their already considerable influence and personal fortunes.
He scoffed as he turned down another hallway, already reaching the end of the palace.
His pace would slow when he noticed a sound behind him. It was hurried footsteps as a familiar voice called out to him.
"Eros!" He couldn't hold back the smile that would escape when he saw whose voice it was from.
He turned around and nodded to the fellow Archon that arrived by his side. "Proteus, good to see you again my friend." The most devout follower of the god of war had a massive grin as he grasped the hand of his friend in a handshake. "Heh, good to see you too."
Eros returned to his walk now accompanied by Proteus, his childhood best friend.
Both were from Grover's reign to the fourth when they were still hatchlings, both from different branches of the church who respectively respected their gods. Even so, the genuine devotion of Eros and the massive dedication of Proteus made them create mutual respect and a quick friendship with each other.
They played, trained, studied, and prayed together many times. And both in the midst of their paths became church brothers and one attended the other's election ceremony. One supporting the other and helping to win the positions of supreme head of the church of their respective gods.
Even after receiving such taxing and important positions, they still exchanged letters and got together to talk now and then, even if it was much less than when they were young.
And as the empire fell, the two became more and more separated from each other, forced to have their undivided attention on giving speeches, organizing religious events, and conducting rituals.
But one event changed all that. The Birth of the Sixth Grover, the youngster that brought them so much surprise. And something they lacked for a long time.
Hope.
"Excited to baptize another soul? More importantly, a new emperor?" The War Archon asked, still keeping his smile as he bumped his elbow playfully.
Eros gave a weak laugh as he scratched his head. "I.... Honestly, I'm more surprised than excited... It's the third emperor I'm going to witness ascend to the throne. And the first that I will have the honor to baptize..."
His friend burst into a hearty laugh. "You're lucky as usual, but it's not surprising given the level of trust the king has in you. You saved his life in the republican revolution after all and now he's letting you be the boy's godfather."
Both left the royal palace and walked through the streets of Griffenheim. A city that has kept all its glory and wonder even with the turbulent times that were showing the rest of Herzland, the rest of the region. Its gigantic palaces and cathedrals still glowing in all their splendor, but its streets proved to be no longer the same.
Its former crowds no longer existed as they once did, nor their goods that were once sold in markets that were considered the busiest on the continent and are now on the brink of bankruptcy. Not even the big parades felt the same anymore, with their troops less well dressed than before and numerous for lack of raw material and manpower.
It was extremely depressing for the two Archons, who remembered the empire's most prosperous and most glorious times. When people walked with joy and pride, now with fear and tension. From a past that now seemed only as distant as their youth.
"I still can't believe he put such a big responsibility into a bag of feathers as old as me." A peal of Weak laughter from Eros was followed by a loud laugh from his best friend and a claw on his shoulder.
"Oh, you can handle it! You made it through 3 generations and knowing you, you'll make it through another one!"
This made Eros chuckle while both entered a massive temple for the three gods "By Boreas, now you're making me feel really old." Both burst into laughter together.
"You turn 90 next year, right? It's no surprise that you're considered the wisest of the three of us, with everything you've experienced. You have the most stories to tell of all our race." He spoke as both walked by rows of corridors of that monstrous building with architecture dating back decades decorated and painted with beautiful symbolisms worshiping the gods.
"Let's please change the subject, you damn hypocrite! I'm tired of being reminded of my age by an old hag like yourself!" Proteus gave a mock-indignation look to his friend as he opened a door in the end of the corridor already deep in the building while nodding to the guards flanking the passageway.
"Old? Know that I am in the prime of my youth!"
"Calm down grandma before you have a heart attack." He joked as both laughed and sat down around a table in Eros's personal chambers.
Their laughter died down as both sighed. "You are not entirely wrong my friend.... We are getting old.... New generations are coming and our time will soon come."
The Archon of Boreas silently nodded as he rummaged through one of his closets in his modest bedroom for an important figure like himself. Removing a bottle of wine with two glasses and dropped a look that asked 'want one?'. His friend just nodded his head.
"But that time will not be today nor tomorrow. We still have a lot of work to do to fix this empire before we can accept the cold arms of Maar." He spoke in a low, neutral tone as he poured the wine in their glass cups.
"Yes, most of our work will go to take care of him." The warm expression of happiness changed to one of complete and utter seriousness as he took his wine and brought it to his face, stopping before the cup could contact his beak, looking at his friend to see if he understood.
"Who...?" Eros tried to play ignorant while avoiding the gaze of his friend.
The follower of the god of war only took a sip of the glass cup before bringing it to the table again. "You know exactly who I'm talking about." The Archon of Boreas only sighed in defeat.
"Proteus, we already talked about this-" He tried to reason with his friend who in turn interrupted him, his face showing clear signs of irritation.
"No Eros, we didn't. You know very well why I think collaborating with him is a bad idea."
The Archon rubbed his brows in stress as he let out a sigh. "Dear friend, there is nothing we can do. Erion is a loyal servant of Eyr and will be a good asset to the empire-"
"That idiot is only loyal to himself!" He again was interrupted, he decided to shut up and listen to his friend, who was showing signs of complete outrage in his body language. He would have to act calm and choose his words carefully so as not to antagonize his friend further. It was already difficult in the first conversation they had, and he could see that this one was going to be even worse. "He is ambitious and a complete Hedonist! He is not worthy of the sacred position he has!"
Eros only nodded, not denying the accusations his friend levied against their fellow archon. "I've said it before and I'll say it again, there's nothing we can do." his friend looked to the side with his beak clenched as he clenched his fists in frustration, but not interrupting the follower of Boreas who continued. "He is already extremely popular with the masses and the religious branch of Eyr. The only thing we can do is control him and stop him from doing more harm to the church."
Proteus turned his head to his friend and their eyes met. "You know his hunger for power is insatiable."
His fellow archon nodded. "I know, but he still doesn't have a bad relationship with me and thinks I am ignorant of his malicious intentions, he wants power and I'm the only source of that. I will restrict him without him even noticing."
The Warrior looked at the wine glass in contemplation and then took a long sip, placing it on the table while his friend continued. "The Church needs to be unified at all costs to fight the real enemy."
Proteus looked at his friend in surprise, but in an instant, the realization came. He crossed his arms and snorted in disgust. "The nobility...." Eros nodded.
"They are getting ready to make their move. The Emperor's death will likely be their call to seize power."
The Archon of Arcturius moved closer with interest as he leaned on the table with a worried expression. "You think they will try to claim the seat of Regent for themselves?" His friend nodded while taking a sip of wine in a troubled expression.
"The ambitious Duchess Gabriela is forming a coalition to stop our advances and influence in the capital and the possible council of regency. Worst of all, she got the full support of the Grand Duke of Feathisia."
This got the surprise of Proteus, that took a look of disappointment. "I expected more from him.... Disappointing. He's not a bad griffon."
"Agreed, but he has become another obstacle for us. We have to take control one way or another if the Emperor dies too soon." He looked at his cup between his fingers, not needing to look at his friend to see his shocked expression.
"You.... Are you listening to what you are saying....? We are guides, not leaders! We can't take control, this is not our sacred duty! " Eros's expression did not change, despite his friend's worried objections. He would agree with him. It wasn't an Archon's job, it wasn't their duty to seek the power of a nation for themselves.
But with the situation the nation was in, seeing the nobles crumbling their house and forcing brother to turn against brother.
He couldn't stand aside anymore.
"You're wrong my friend. This is our duty. Protect and guide the Griffons to salvation, and that will only be possible with our entire species unified. And if that task was to be left to the nobles, they would rather live lives of eternal pleasure and luxury than worry about the lives of those they consider 'lesser'." He said not bulging. His eyes were cold and determined. Meeting his friend's own without a hint of doubt.
Proteus kept silent looking at his friend in complete shock, he never heard his friend so frustrated with the nobility like this before. He didn't know his hate for them ran so deep.
He wasn't like this before, he may have ill feelings towards them. But he never desired to take them head-on for the control of the nation.
"Why Eros?" This made the Archon lift his eyebrow in curiosity to his friend who continued. "Why are you doing this? You never had such radical thoughts decades ago. And neither the desire of more power." He calmly got up and walked towards the bedroom balcony much to the curiosity of his friend who remained, which showed a magnificent view of the city of Griffenheim, the crown jewel of the empire. And Archon's house for as long as he could remember.
He turned his head down to face the streets below. "The truth Proteus, my brother.... Is that I for the first time in years... I am hopeful...." Now Proteus couldn't contain the confusion from being shown in his face.
"You are doing this for.... Hope?"
The Archon of Boreas now looked towards the sky. "I was born and raised in the best years of the empire. When I could walk the streets, to see the children play with a smile on their faces and having fun on every corner without worrying about the tomorrow. Adults being able to live and work without worry knowing that their children would have a peaceful and safe future. And where all our race lived in a golden age of peace, order, and luxury." The warrior slowly got up and walked towards beside his friend, who kept talking while not taking his gave off the beautiful and clear skies of the city.
"Now? I see a shell of its glorious past. I now see those young men being recruited from an early age into the army knowing they will have to fight for a cause they don't fully understand. Parents going to their graves completely terrified of the future they are leaving behind, the one where their children are being dragged into. So uncertain and so dark." He turned his head to look to his friend by his side, who now has on his face more and more look of horror as his friend continued.
"I see the fall of that flag. I see the crown being broken at the feet of a tide of darkness and ignorance that would carry us back to times of tribal warfare. With Griffons totally oblivious of their glorious past and all they could accomplish together and killing each other for trivial, selfish, and misguided reasons." As his face contorted more and more into anger.
"This is the future I know will befall unto our dear nation, my brother. The future I know will happen if we remain on the sidelines while everything we held dear gets turned into ash by the winds of time. " He sighs as he put a hand to his face, releasing all his frustration while his friend looks unto the ground with a face of realization and complete horror.
"And is a fate I will not let it befall to our people." A smile appeared on his face as he withdrew his hand and placed it on the shoulder of his fellow Archon. "I will do everything in my power to restore this great empire to its former glory, no matter the cost."
His gaze dropped and he closed his eyes, feeling the eyes of his friend burning through him.
"I will not lie to you my friend, The path I'm taking is not what a good Archon nor a decent Griffon would do. I'll be forever bound to a dark future, I'm trading love for hate and honor for disgrace. No one would choose this path knowing the consequences and i will be forever hated for it.... But if I have to destroy my reputation, credibility and soul to ensure that future generations don't have to go through this whole cycle of destruction and war. I will without hesitation." He finished his explanation with his eyes glued to the floor, waiting for his best friend's verdict.
After dropping this bomb on him, he indirectly asked him a question. A vote of confidence or a vote of disfavor.
'Will you come with me to fight on this crusade or not?'
A few excruciating moments would pass in which to Eros seemed like hours. He simply didn't know what answer to expect; from outright anger at him for wanting to usurp power no matter how selfless he put it, to simply walking out of the room in silence. To outright kill him right then and there for such a threat he could become to the status-quo.
In the end, he heard a sound. And the choice had been made.
The sound of metal sliding from a scabbard.
The sword being drawn.
'I don't know what I expected, you were always the lord marshal of loyalty my friend. I won't fight fate, if that's your choice. I'll understand.'
He closed his eyes in anticipation of the attack.
The flow of the wind with the movement of a sword coming down with force. And fate was sealed.
The sword landed right in front of him.
'What?'
Opening his eyes and looking at his friend. He could see him with his sword stuck in the ground being held by his right hand. And then with his free hand, he placed it on his friend's shoulder.
Instead of death, he found a claw on his shoulder squeezing in comfort.
"Eros, my brother of faith. You have my sword." For the first time in a long time, the Archon made a genuine warm smile and nodded to his best friend.
"I knew I could count on you Proteus."
He didn't know how long he'd been sleeping. Darkness still took hold of his surroundings.
But that heat. That wonderful, familiar, soothing warmth kept him company.
But he didn't feel tired now. On the contrary, he was full of energy, he felt capable of doing a lot now!
But he was so comfortable. He didn't want to end this incredible feeling, he didn't want to leave.
Although. What was this wonderful place? Where was he exactly? Was it related to the noises he'd heard before falling asleep?
So many questions, but how would he get the answers? Only the pitch answered him, the great nothingness.
'The eyes.'
.....
True, the eyes. The first thing he had tried to move and use upon waking up....
Before he hadn't been able to, no matter how hard he tried to use it. She always seemed to refuse to function, he was starting to believe it was impossible to be able to.
But he believed that the wall he had encountered for the first time made him able to recognize his surroundings and began to think.
It wasn't impossible, it was simply that he hadn't put in enough effort and dedication.
But first, he needed a loophole from warmth. For the truths he would need to free his face.
Slowly he tried to bring his head back, planning to do the same as he had with the wall before.
.....
He couldn't move.
But this time he didn't feel that sticky liquid thing from before, it was more... Comfortable and...
Familiar.
He tried again and again. But this time he was so trapped that he couldn't even move his body, he obeyed him but the heat was holding him in place. He grunted as he pushed harder and harder.
But something completely startled him, a gigantic shudder and then the heat on top of him was just gone. He could now slightly lift his head.
But still, nothing had changed. He still couldn't see anything.
This time, his every effort was in his eyes. But unlike before, he easily managed to open it. And as he did so, he was welcomed by a very strong light, which made him instinctively close his eyes to keep from being hurt by the powerful light.
Slowly he opened and closed his eyes, trying to get them used to it. And after a while he was able to make out things.
And he saw. It was a giant who had him in his arms.
That was the heat he felt.
This giant.
His fur was brown, he had weird clothes with lots of cute, shiny things stuck to him. He had this shiny thing stuck in his head and it was wonderful.
His face showed a warm smile in his giant beak with his blue eyes narrowed as he lifted a gigantic claw and he started to.... Petting....?
Yes, he was petting him...
It was good...
Was that what brought him into this world?
Was he the one who had brought him the warmth he loved so much?
Its beak suddenly opened. And for the first time, he spoke to him.
"Good morning my treasure."
Okay, when I started this story, I thought it would be more secondary and smaller compared to many others. I didn't expect it to explode like this, 100 likes on the first day along with 600 reads and featured in first place for so long. And now in the second day almost a thousand! Jesus christ how i love you all.
Archon Eros VII
Archon Proteus III
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I am at the edge of my seat!
I love fics that worldbuild and talk about nonpony species. Keep up the good work!
keep this shit rolling my brotha, you making me craving more of this like an addiction
This is fantastic! We've got political intrigue, a (for once) noble play for power by the church, the looming threat of the death of the King, and an intelligent little pup/cub/chick that will rule the nation with the grace and knowledge beyond his years.
Something I did notice, however, was the paragraph structure. In the first half with the archons, it was difficult to tell who was talking to who, and the repeated use of 'he' when referring to both of them. Normally, you start another paragraph when the speaker changes, doing that would improve most of the issues. And maybe using the name or what god they're priests of to refer to them out of speaking dialogue will help everyone remember the names better.
Besides that, this is shaping up to be an amazing story, and I'm looking forward to more!
I think you mean hedonistic. That means opulent and self-indulgent.
Hellenistic refers to ancient Greek culture between the death of Alexander the Great and Cleopatra.
I'm excited for more!
I am enjoying this, but on a grammatical note, every time someone new speaks it starts a new paragraph. For instance:
Proteus turned his head to his friend and their eyes met. "You know his hunger for power is insatiable." His fellow archon nodded. "I know, but he still doesn't have a bad relationship with me and thinks I am ignorant of his malicious intentions, he wants power and I'm the only source of that. I will restrict him without him even noticing."
Should be:
Proteus turned his head to his friend and their eyes met. "You know his hunger for power is insatiable."
His fellow archon nodded. "I know, but he still doesn't have a bad relationship with me and thinks I am ignorant of his malicious intentions, he wants power and I'm the only source of that. I will restrict him without him even noticing."
I am looking forward to what comes next.
Oh, I do love me some political intrigue. I can't wait to see how our little soon to be emperor messes everyone's plan up.
The worldbuilding felt forced and awkward here, and it wasn't helped by the stilted dialogue. Too much telling and not enough showing.
If any of the "antagonists" had been given more depth before this, or if we'd been given a better introduction to Griffinheim to better understand the sad state it's in I think I would have been more invested. The first chapter was promising, but this one nearly brought that momentum to a halt.
I love the characterization of the Archons in this chapter. They are very much like I imagine them from the game and I’m glad to see them in a more positive light. I do wonder though if we’re going to see the nobility’s perspective on this, considering Duchess Gabrielle and Duke Gerlarch are also very prominent characters in the game. Some say it’s the more wholesome Path for the Empire too. I’d say that it is very likely that you’ll be sticking with the main Imperial path for this story (For example no Bronzehill regency or Grover II’s resurrection) but it will be fun to read nonetheless. AND I SWEAR TO BOREAS IF YOU GO DAWNCLAW ON US-
11230137
Same here... gonna be good watching him put those traitors in their place, before they are executed.
11230117
Woops, thanks for pointing that out
11230161
Valid points. I wanted to demonstrate what the city was like from the Archon's point of view itself and not as a fact, and I much preferred to try to explain the situation that the empire found itself in a natural way, without being too detailed so as not to bore many and that It would give an understanding to many who didn't know very well about the intrigues that were going on for the Griffons in that city, and to do the groundwork for when Grover grew up and meet both the Archons and the city proper.
But I see your critique and I understand.
11230131
I see. Sorry, my mistake and I'll fix it, thanks.
Is knowledge of EAW universe necessary to enjoy this fic?
11230333
Nope!
11230336
Ok
I am a big fan of HOI4 EAW, and i have to say: I LOVE IT!
It's nice to see that the modification got its own SI /human fiction.
Will the next chapter be dedicated to Gabriella and Gerlach IV, or are you planning something else?
Well you now know what to do.
Keep updating this story, I love it very much!
Threats to the very Souls of Griffonia still linger far over the horizon. Maar, the Dread League, and worse coming from Barrad. The future is uncertain, the young Emperor will need strong allies such as the Archons in order to succeed.
Eros seems kinda harsh to Grover IV, calling him hedonistic and weak. According to Equestria at War lore, that griff tried to reform the Empire to do better, and he was even doing a somewhat of a good job despite the aristocracy's efforts, but his biggest flaw was dying at the worst possible time. After he died his cousin Guto was declared regent, but then he also died so the aristocracy took control with the Regency Council. Their actions would eventually lead to the secession of the various kingdoms and the Republican Revolution, which left the Empire as a rump state.
Grover IV was the Emperor at the time the Empire was at it's height, so Eros taking a dim view on him feels kinda weird.
Shouldn't these two Archons think about the new Emperor and helping him and not about usurping power to fight nobility?
He is a symbol that will have to unite them all and do the whole fight with the nobility
Emperors are one of the things that hold/glue them/griffons/this kingdom to their important history and past glorious days that they called so important
I really like this story and can't wait for more
I hope that when he will grew up he will try to say quotes from human media or even better teach his soldiers to tell some of these lines
Like this masterpiece lines when in battle
Not all of them when mentioning the Emperor of Man or other human stuff for obvious reasons they wouldn't know the meaning, unless slighty changed
With the lines talking about the Emperor ,they could stay if the soldiers are the ones telling them.
For example change
"Torpedos dead ahead ignore them, bring us closer"
into
"Arrows/magic dead ahead ignore them, bring us closer"
"Even gods may die" could be used when alicorns are full of themselves
By the way, I'm no fan of Warhammer 40k and don't know much about it but Russian Badger's lines are just too good and could fit everywhere.
I generally don't like how everything seems just more bulkier and savage for just a gory look
Another idea for the future, when he gets older and get his own armor,why not go with darker colored armor,like dark or red/dark red
Dark would look cool but /reddark red would make him see bathed in blood and hide his injuries
Like Deadpool does
From 0:20
As for what kind of armor, I thought about classic and good Nazgul armor, even if it's dark or red/dark red
11230467
Well, the new emperor is a literal newborn. They believe it will take at least two decades before he can take the throne, and alot can happen in two decades. The archons are not taking any chances.
11230642
Hey thanks man! I appreciate it
Im hooked. Hooked like a fish out of water i shall wait for more.
11230467
The Archons knew that the nobility would take the chance to secure their power, both the Archons and the nobility knew Grover V is weak and sickly, it's a matter of time before his time comes.
If this is following the lore of the Griffonian Empire, the Archons believes that the Nobility is just as the same as they were during Grover V's Regency, corrupt and greedy, that led to the Republican Revolution that although failed, weakened the Imperial influence greatly from the most of Griffonia to only the Herzland. So, for them, it's time for the Archons step up and rally the people and crush, or at least restrict the aristocracy from gaining power to avoid a repeat of the Republican Revolution.
The Nobility meanwhile, or to be precise, Duchess Gabriela and Grand Duke Gerlach believe that for the Empire to survive, they have to retain the status quo with limited reforms to keep the Empire stable. That, and they strive to prove to the people that not all nobles are as corrupt and greedy as they were during Grover V's Regency. Therefore, she believes the Archons, being the religious figures of the Empire, should do what they have always done before, managing religious matters and should never interfere with the matters of the state, that responsibility falls on the nobility of which she would shape up to not be as corrupt as they were before.
Both can't see eye-to-eye and can't convince each other to see the other way and both believe that if the other took power for the regency of Grover VI(knowing that Grover V don't have much time left), they would drive the Empire to ruin and would let the exiled Republicans return for their homecoming by being corrupt and weak.
But, what the both have in common is that both of them hate the Republicans(the Archons are against the idea of secularism and the Aristocracy are against the abolishment of the peerage and privileges) and both wanted to restore the glory of the empire and subjugating the secessionist states that broke away after the Republican Revolution.
I'll be honest with you I haven't played the mod for that game and only have the base elements of the series to know the state of the grifin which was complete anarchism. But from what I gather this Grifin empire is more like the Holy Roman Germanic Empire.
I would strongly recommend you a series of actions to save only the region around the capital city and the province that the protagonist probably inherited and a weak annexation to some port city.
There are too many reasons for the attempt to do the great Bismarck not to work. Depending on the state within the empire the best option may only be to save a piece of it.
Things may already be bad enough within your region to think of something more ambitious. I gather that the title of emperor is merely decorative in this case.
How to ascend in simple steps:
Sell the emperor title and use the acquired funds to start a modernization of farming systems (if you haven't implemented the crop rotation system implement it I think it was cereals, clover, legumes or something like that. Or just get American crops like potatoes and corn that will help with nutrition and population increase.
If cement has not yet been invented as the Asians used something else to be their castles implement it first: lime, sand (earth) ash if I remember correctly. With that you can implement roads (causeways, etc) which will increase the traffic of goods.
Implement tax reduction and economic protectionism. To encourage regional economy plus a land liberalization where villagers can own their land a system closer to the Macedonian. That will increase your profits and food. In addition to diminish the power of the nobles within your domains.
Stabilize the currency leaving only one gold coin as the only one in your region.
Modernize your army if we are talking about medieval states the Chinese techniques of standard crossbow manufacturing can be the best and then move on to gunpowder or magic. The use of Spanish techniques such as the tercios could give you total domination of the empire but in the long run that would be a bad idea.
Create a disciplined standing army.
If you already have a port, lower the tariffs on some products. And start to colonize or show presence in some islands the search for cocoa should be the top priority along with the land suitable for coffee so you will have two products of great value. The search for sugar cane and the installation of alcohol refineries is also necessary.
Encourage education and universities. To increase research within your regions.
Strongly punish ideas which undermine stability within your region.
Encourage trade and marine schools.
Declare free transit within your domain.
Reform the justice system to make it more equitable.
Attempt to make a secular state without civil war (or don't try).
Encourage a system of banks.
Second part of the plan:
Mante the title of grand duke. Make the improvements, Wait for all the rest of the empire to go to the toilet. Tired states with little population and arable land will start to lose population as they migrate to your lands. The nobles will try to stop the drain of people by closing their fiefdoms, there will be revolts all over the empire and anarchy will break out.
After that chaos declare the independence of your duchy and with the surplus population conquer some lands and declare yourself Grand Duchy. The other weakened principalities will not be able to do anything and will be under your influence.
As Grand Duke of the Griffins lead your region to prosperity. And in one or two generations the whole empire will be a Grand Duchy and the title of Emperor will become history.
You will ensure the success and the economic and social stability of your kingdom and house.
And manage to make all the reforms with almost no bloodshed. In addition to see where the foreign influences are.
11231029
as someone who has played the mod this Story is set in,
Yeah the Griffonian Empire doesn't need to be a Grand Duchy or anything like that ( why downgrade the Status).
it's already a Empire one that's been severally Weakened but still going and it currently doesn't have access to the Sea as the Traitors in the Skyfall Republic took all the Empire's Ships, the Largest Trading Port when they broke away(so no Sea Trade Right now) and with most of the Internal States outside of the Heartlands having a ridiculous amount of Autonomy(and will probably breakaway at the first sign of Trouble),
and Secularism isn't some that is mainstream or even fringe(like 99% of all Communist's/Equalist in the mod have Religious Tendencies) in EaW, so the thought of someone trying to move the church out of the government wouldn't work much as you could just easily replace priests that aren't easy to manipulate with more like-minded ones. What the Empire needs is a strong Army that has Loyal Generals at the top(maybe get some Loyal Generals from Bronzehill) and more Modern Military
Call me a fool but even after seeing the picture I'm hoping this story goes for a non supremacy routhe.
11231029
Purposefully dismantling what little remains of the Empire with no intention of securing it in the short-term seems like it would only serve as an invitation for one of the secessionist kingdoms or the republican remnants to march over to Griffeinheim and plant their flag there, to be honest.
Not all of Griffonia is run by innefective feudal states, and even if they were there are alot of revolutionary anti-monarchist ideas spreading. The rest of the continent wouldn't just roll over and accept being annexed without struggle like you suggest they would.
Besides, the SI is a literal baby right now. These sorts of plan seem a bit premature.
angry german griffons? i'll check it out
First order of business: eat ponies!
Second order of business: TAKE OVER ZA WARUDO!!!
Third order of business: Invent scones.
11230467 Eh, just look at China. They went through Emperors faster than they went through toilet paper for the longest time. Lots of child emperors and emperors who lasted a few months at most. It's actually easy to slaughter a dynasty and declare yourself Emperor when the previous dynasty is already seen by everyone as weak and ineffective.
Manipulating a child for a bit, then offing them to take control yourself is commonplace.
11231394
you haven't given me time to laugh.... at you using such a old joke HAHA
11231385
Yeah but we know that it won't be like that here,for both things,killing him and manipulating him
The child isn't really a child and can't be manipulated like that
11230877
11231385
At least I hope that our little new Emperor won't let himself be stepped on or let things get worse .
At least his show of DETERMINATION after only seconds in this new world makes me hope that
Also for most people who at least listened at history classes in school (at least if you live in Europe I think) you probably know enough about Middle Ages and what to expect to happen here.And that's without counting in the stuff from youtube or other media, even stuff that is fiction but still based on historical events. Nobles doing stupid shit and the same for church, or at least it's agents is a standard at this point .I think his reaction would be this "Ah shit, here we go again. "meme
Let's hope that he watched OverSimplified XD
can't wait to see dawnclaw on this
11231738
Heh, let's just hope he'll be a footnote. We don't wanna get little old Grover got shot don't we?
I’m prepared to help guide both you and your creation whatever it takes. And feel free to stop me if I’m out of line with suggestions and recommendations.
11231050
To be honest with you empires tend to become useless over time too big to manage too bureaucratic to undertake and end up at the mercy of younger, power hungry empires. A small, well-managed state tends to survive better.
As the saying goes: better a bird in the hand than a hundred in the air.
Well if the majority of states are communist within this empire it is preferable to sink the ship and profit later.
The rest of the things like a strong army and modern armaments I have to tell you the rest of the provinces are communist and the joke tells itself unless your thing is to take out an army of undead or skeletons.
Perfect Skyfall Republic has all the empire ships now how will you maintain them and fuel them and where will you get the sailors and captains from. Most of that fleet will go into dry dock as they lack the resources to maintain it.
With the port city issue we could let their ideas and mismanagement sink them over time or found a new port city and make the great Venice and fuck up their economy like ha Constantinople.
11231121
That's part of the idea, let the others take care of the problem and then wait for them to weaken by invading provinces or stopping some uprising. While you get strong enough to bring it into your sphere of influence.
Also the title of empire is hard to get and easy to take away a lesser title holds longer and only the powerhouse title matters.
11231803
yeah the Skyfall Republic has a very large Hinterland area and is a very powerful trade nation so upkeep for their ships won't be a problem
as for Communists, yeah not very popular in Griffonia with 1(Not counting Watertowns as that is less Communist and more Agrarian Socialist Council State) nations being communist(on the whole Continent) in 1007 which is 4 years away in the story and it's all the way in the Frozen North with the Traitors of the Griffon Republic and it's not really a threat to anyone.(the Revolution in Brodfeld wouldn't happen until a year before the Mod Starts in-game so no threat from them)
and the only Power Hungry States on the Continent are Aquellia and Wingbardy but those aren't really wanting to fight the Empire at this time
11231513 He should totally start talking when he's a week old and tell them he's an interdimensional alien ghost.
This will go over splendidly, I'm sure! Especially if he uses a British accent!
11231833
Beating a league of cities is practically easy and are the proposals that I have put in the first message over time monopolies often stagnate local industries and the search for opportunities calls for more when you have another competitor willing to employ labor and offer more opportunities.
The main case would be the empire is too corrupt to be saved or is there still enough of it left for one last breath.
I still recommend selling the title of emperor as it is a more personal decision for the heir but in the long run the extra funds can bring him profit and he can also carve out his own future away from the past.
P.S. I didn't know this mod had a wiki. XD
We need more stories like this, stories about the non pony races, the gryphons, the dragons, the abasinians, the yaks, the minotaurs, the kirin, hell even the storm yetis...this story reminds moe of another one called 'the 8th rank' that one had alot of potential for awhile it was dead, it got an update earlier this year but its since gone radio silent again...so im hopeing this one manages to take it for the long haul
11231847
Yeah,full on British accent XD
"Go, British boy, go!!"
XD
But jokes aside I didn't mean that he shoulds tart explaining who he was not now that early XD
Maybe in his teenage years or adulthood to his family and close friends and maybe later to the whole nation when it could be used as a religious thing and advantage to make the church or most of it side with him. Proving that shouldn't be hard, even much easier if you know Latin or at least some lines, for sure, because Latin is very connected to the Christian church for example and sounds holy when spoken right, so it could work
You know, the whole "A powerful God brought me here for a reason" (mostly entertainment for himself and viewers but he isn't completely wrong XD)
11231869
Part of the problem with your plan is that the Griffonian Empire does not exist in a vacuum. Assuming this story follows how EaW usually goes, there are some powerful rivals on the horizon that have a bone to pick with the Empire and its vassals.
The Griffonian Republic are the remnants of a failed revolution in the Empire that fled northwards. They are finally stabilizing and soon will be ready to return and properly dismantle the Empire and take it under their control. Possibly good for the average citizen but usually pretty bad for the Emperor they are deposing.
Worse, to the southwest is the Kingdom of Aquileia, which will soon have the Second Aquileian Revolution, which can go one of two ways. One way it will be crushed utterly and a powerful and ambitious young Queen will take the throne with the drive and might to conquer the Empire and take control of it herself. The other way the Revolution will succeed and the Second Aquileian Republic will form and seek to spread liberty, equality, and fraternity to all of Griffonia. Either way, the Empire will be in Aquileia's crosshairs.
These are the two main rivals to the Griffonian Empire that are practically guaranteed to come knocking within the next decade. Deliberately weakening the Empire and attempting to let it fall apart will only lead to disaster, as there are opportunistic enemies just waiting to swoop in and destroy it. Even if our protagonist tried to salvage as much personal gain as possible, there is nowhere safe for him to go. The only places he could flee to that would be amenable to the Emperor or former Emperor would not be able to protect him if angry Republicans or an ambitious Queen came to find him. The world of Equestria at War is a very dangerous one for our young protagonist and it will be interesting to see what he manages to change about Grover VI's fate.
11232149
If it goes the way I play my EaW, it's lots of alliances, trade agreements with Equestria and 'friendly' neighboring countries, and lots and lots of build-up and ambition.
But then again I play EaW weird.
11232149 That's why he needs to throw a monkey wrench into everything by standing up and declaring in a deep, monotone British voice, "I AM AN ALIEN SENT BY THE GODS, AND THEY ARE MOST DISPLEASED WITH ALL OF YOU!! REPENT OR BE SMITTEN WITH HEMORRHOIDS... FOREVER!!"
11232293 I'm so old, I remember when Pac-Man was new and amazing.
11232149
Profit is a means to an end, ideologies go as far as hunger stops them.
I never implied that the empire cannot be threatened I am just saying that sometimes it is preferable to let things go to waste and not waste efforts on lost causes.
Justinian I is a clear example of taking idealism to its highest splendor and losing everything in the process. Thousands died to recover lands which they lost again a century later, he emptied the coffers of the empire that his uncle had worked so hard to fill and thinned the ranks of the soldiers so much that the Sassanids decided to pay him a visit.
In addition, the lands he recovered were worn out and almost unusable by the wars, and in the long run his campaigns resulted in wear and tear for the empire.
Betting too much without having all the information available would be the same as the Chaco war. We would be basing ourselves on an assumption that saving the empire would be a good thing. When in the long run it might not bring any benefit.
11232877
With the Griffonian Empire, how it goes depends a lot on how Grover VI is raised and what he decides to do when he takes the throne. He could introduce reforms or he could be totalitarian. The Empire in its current state is fragmented, corrupt, and weak, but there are ways for it to achieve a resurgence and bring most of the continent under its control once more, just as things were in its glory days. Alternatively, there are myriad ways it can collapse and be conquered by powerful rivals.
While I personally think that the Empire is not the most ideal state for Griffonia and that something other than an empire would give its citizens much better lives, we are going to see things from the perspective of our protagonist, who is filling the shoes of Grover VI. It is likely that what might be better for Griffonia is pretty bad for him personally. Saving the Empire is the safest path for him, really, if he can manage it.
We probably won't see it, but one of my favorite ways for things to go is for the Diamond Dogs of Bronzehill to decide that they are not going to let their child Emperor be bullied by nobles or Archons or used as a puppet for political machinations and storm the capital to rescue him. Best doggos, loyalest friends.