Kho

World in Revolution: 1861

We've got a few options, and I think a vote should sort it.

1) All in favour of continuing this RP with Ab as GM
2) All in favour of a new WiR 1861 with Ab as GM
3) " " " " another WiR " " " "

My vote is for 1

World in Revolution: 1900

I have a hard time keeping my orders short too - and most of the time they're longer than I'd like - especially since there are some really specific things which we, as players, feel are very important. The GM, on the other hand, isn't too bothered, so long as they can understand our order by the time they've got to the end of our essay :P

World in Revolution: 1900

End of an Epoch


Amir Abdur Rahman Khan, the ‘Iron Amir’ of Afghanistan

The Iron Amir was dead. He died, unlike many Afghan monarchs, in his bed. A man who had single-handedly forged the modern Afghan state, he had created many enemies through his repressive and high-handed measures. But they were measures which had tamed the wild Afghan horse, the horse which the Iron Amir, alone, had been able to ride.

News of Amir Abdur Rahman’s death spread like wildfire across the nation, and his enemies travelled from far and wide to give him a final send-off: they would rip him limb from limb, extracting on his dead body the revenge they could not while he still lived. Given the Islamic tradition that a body must be buried before sun-down on the day of the death, it was surprising just how many people managed to get to Kabul. Shaggy-haired men, wielding axes and swords and other forms of weapons descended from the mountains, their eyes those of predators, looking for the one who had wielded so much power over them for so long.

As the officials watched the streets fill with the vengeful few who had continued to live on the edge of society, it was clear to them that parading the Amir’s body across Kabul and to the great tomb prepared for him was not going to be an option. It was agreed that he would be buried in the palace as quickly as possible. That is until they glanced out of the window one last time.

Outside, armed men in uniform lined the streets, keeping the rabble back and dealing with those who refused to give up their weapons. The Afghan National Police, which had been reformed by the Iron Amir in his final year was doing its duty. Even in death, the iron fist of the Iron Amir did not wane, and as his body was marched to be buried in the tomb prepared outside Kabul, the hateful glances from those who thought that the day of vengeance had come would probably have humoured the Amir.


The Afghan National Police

Habibullah, who marched with his father’s body, looked into those eyes. He was a young man, full of hope and aspirations for his nation, but as he looked he understood why his father had to become a man of iron. To rule these people, one had only a single weapon, and it was fear. The Afghan horse would only accept one rider, and that was the one who put the fear of God into it. If Abdur Rahman Khan had been an Iron Amir, then, Habibullah pledged, he would be a man of steel.


The Young Amir Habibullah Khan

Despite the expectations all over the nation of a descent into war and chaos, what Abdur Rahman Khan built in his 20 year reign did not simply fall apart. He had built a nation, with a bureaucracy and an eroding tribal system, and the transfer of power from Abdur Rahman Khan to Habibullah Khan was a very peaceful one. By the time Abdur Rahman Khan was buried, the streets of Kabul were once more empty of the mountain-dwelling bandits and petty chieftains who had suffered as a result of the creation of the Afghan state.

Habibullah Khan was now Amir. The only question was, would he tame and ride the Afghan horse as his father had before him?

World in Revolution: 1900

Five paragraphs?? That IS long. We had a limit of four sentences in Dutch's last RP. Made for some VERY long sentences.

World in Revolution: 1900

There Pepper, everyone gets lost some time. Ask Narc. His.Italian officers got lost. Twice.
@Ab dat post, no way you wrote it all o.O

World in Revolution: 1861

I feel a reboot would be saying 'We give up on Outcast coming back.' but I'm all for it so long as Max and I get our current nations (we've been in discussions and have already put a lot of effort into soon-to-be-posted posts.)

World in Revolution: 1861

My, you two seem to have taken to him right off :P

World in Revolution: 1900

A conversation between Amir Abdur Rahman Khan and his son, Shahzadah Habibullah Khan

“You see, my child, it is through these ‘interventions’, such as the one we see in the Qing Empire to our east, that the Europeans have dominated and subjugated other peoples everywhere,” the Amir, standing on the veranda, surveyed the Kabul night, his intelligent black eyes aware of the darkness. He had heard of cities where the light never went out…

Soon.

“What we see in the lands to our east is just another example of the European hegemony over our world. We cannot, must not, are permitted to do anything, nothing at all, without the permission of our European overlords,” there was bitterness in the Amir’s voice, and his eldest son, Habibullah, who sat and listened could feel that there was a tirade coming on. He respected his father, he loved him too, and yes, like all Afghans, he did fear him, but he listened carefully to his words, and he learnt from this veteran. There was no doubt in Habibullah’s mind that his father was a fine leader and a good example if he wanted to hold onto the nation when his day arrived.

“The Chinese have lived for aeons, content with the religion they have, wayward as it is, and happy with their way of life and traditions, but upon attempting to display their independence and ability to live the way they choose, not the way Europe dictates, they were immediately set upon and utterly crushed – not by a superior way of life or more elevated civilisation, but by brute, savage and unrestrained force. It is not the more refined or elevated culture which achieves glory in this world, but the one which can best destroy others, for that is the only culture and civilisation left,” the Amir turned upon his son, his figure, for all its small stature, rather daunting, his eyes penetrating.

“We, who are so clearly inferior savages, beasts – no, less than beasts – must listen carefully to the words of our master, and must not ever think to disobey. We must not even comprehend that a world where we disobey can exist. Our lands, our people, all that we are, is the property of Europe, and if we ever seek to establish otherwise, we will be crushed just as surely as the Chinese have, remember that.”

The bitter old man, walked past his son and took a seat inside, a morose look in his eyes.

“But, with all due respect, it cannot be that we are so helplessly caught up in this ‘great’, ‘universal’ ‘European conspiracy’ to subjugate us that we can do absolutely nothing. There is always potential for freedom and for the human mind and our free spirit to rise up and establish ourselves in the world without being felled by forces so beyond our power. Are the nations of Europe not nations too? Are they not equally vulnerable to the weaknesses of all nations? They cannot be as mighty and infallible as to subjugate us so completely. That is something I cannot believe, for in that way of thinking is hopelessness and despair and defeat, no?”

The Amir shook his head slowly.

“You misunderstand me, of course there is potential for growth and strength, but we must always remember that should there ever come a time where those in Europe feel threatened – not even threatened, should the whim take them and should they find a good enough excuse, such as the Boxers – they will not hesitate in crushing our nations and returning them to a state of development more suitable to their whims. We are to them as the farm animal is to the farmer, should we ever believe ourselves to be more than cattle, then we will die, we will be slaughtered like cattle, so that all may know that those Europe deems as cattle are nothing more than that, and will be nothing more than that unless they deem it so.”

Habibullah looked glumly towards his father, how could he reconcile the idea that there was potential for growth and strength and freedom with being slaves to a greater, mightier European hegemony? It made no sense.

“Perhaps one day you will understand what I say, and perhaps one day you will see through to a solution. But if you doubt what I say, tell me, what are the Europeans in the Qing Empire for?” the Amir looked towards his son.

“Well, to remove the Boxer threat, of course.” the Shahzadah replied. The Amir smirked.

“Yes, that is what they say, then do tell me, boy, if they are there to remove the Boxers, then what is this new territory of Tartaria we hear about? Is that the removal of the Boxers we have all been expecting?” Habibullah responded with silence, the Amir merely smiled.

“The Europeans will never do something, as they profess, for the sake of decency and humanity and justice and whatever else they spout. In every intervention is a strategic, thought out plan, which will advance their interests and further their goals, and this intervention into the Qing Empire, is nothing more than another of their long cycle of invasions and colonisations of other, sovereign nations. Watch, child, and learn, for those are the rules of their game, and those are the rules you must master.”

World in Revolution: 1861

Ok, guys, I've got another potential candidate for the position of GM. Ab says he's GMed before and can do this thing for us. He's completely neutral and is currently reading the IC to get a flavour of the RP. If we're all good with him, then we have ourselves an interim GM with some experience.

World in Revolution: 1861

double post