Montenegro Events

A New Life mon_state_formation.1 · dlc014

The Great Powers have negotiated for the … to return some of our homelands to us if we agree to stop raiding.

"He dreams of the erection of a great national empire, the centre of which shall be Montenegro... Is not such an ambition open madness? Shall a lunatic with impunity strike a spark which might set the whole world in flames?" –Anonymous author, Ost Deutsche Post

Visiting Russia mon_state_formation.2 · dlc014

After a considerable wait for a visa, … was permitted to visit Moscow, where … managed to garner sympathy for our cause.

"Senators, captains, the Gvardija, the Perjanici, all await … nod. I don't believe that any other country in the world exists where the orders of the ruler are carried out so precisely and so quickly from the lowest to the greatest." –Russian Envoy Ozeretskovsky, report to St Petersburg. "Rather unmonkish a clergyman, I hear." "I admire …. There's no bishop with finer swordsmanship." "Yes, the ladies at the public house all said so."

A New Saint mon_state_formation.3 · dlc014

Petar I has been officially canonized by order of … and the Serbian Orthodox Church.

"What miracles did he perform exactly? " "When my father lost his head to a Turk, Petar I brought him back to life." "He did not!" "Well, maybe not my father, but a friend of his." "It doesn't matter. We ain't dramatic Italians. Our saints don't need miracles." "Miracles are nice though." "My uncle saw him in a dream, does that count? There was a great Serbian empire, retaking Constantinople." "Empire? First give me a decent meal once a day, then we'll talk empire." "Seriously, šef. We aren't ruled by the Turks. Isn't that a miracle enough?"

The Montenegrin Coast mon_state_formation.4 · dlc014

Montenegrin vessels once again sail the Mediterranean from the port town of Cattaro, returned to us by our new allies ….

"So generous, is it not, for our friends to give back to us what was always ours?" "A toast! I swear I’m the only man from the mountain who knows how to tie a knot, and damn it's good to be useful." "Just pour already. You know there were thousands of good Serbs living under the Austrian occupation, yes? They’re with us now, and their boats." "Well, yes. To them! And to your health!" "To Montenegro! And to you not going around styling yourself as our sole sailor." "Mmm. Not the only one, no no. Just the most grateful."

Serbia and Montenegro mon_state_formation.5 · dlc014

With a shared border, our free states have the opportunity to reunite the Serbian people into a single nation.

“They say Montenegro was founded by Serbian knights who got lost in the carnage of the battle of Kosovo, made their way to the black mountain, and held it from the Turks. Their sons fought on, and their sons, and their sons… So Montenegrins have held the mountain for centuries, never scared to come down and aid their fellow Christians. Now, finally, the battle has turned, and those brave knights who never surrendered can rejoin the main host, perhaps to lead it, till the fight ends in death or victory!”

Death of a Poet-Prince mon_state_formation.6 · dlc014

Oh, that these eyes of mine could only see Montenegro regain what it has lost! It would then seem to me indeed as if… My soul would be truly contented then like a peaceful morning in the springtime, when the sea winds and even the dark clouds slumber upon the bosom of the sea. Petar II Petrović-Njegoš, The Mountain Wreath

Less Bishop and More Prince mon_state_formation.7 · dlc014

… wishes to be known as a monarch, but the … insist on calling him a Bishop. He wonders how to best prove them wrong.

"Father, is it possible to perform a confession on behalf of another?" "What has Danilo done this time?" "Well, it started with him missing his own ordination–" "Again? Tomorrow I'll drag him to the altar myself." "Oh Father, you don't understand. He didn't stop there."

… Wants a Wife mon_state_formation.8 · dlc014

Building the Biljarda mon_state_formation.9 · dlc014

… has ordered construction of a twenty-five room residence, complete with a round defensive tower. The master builders want to know what to emphasize in the palace's decor.

"On a rock, immediately above the convent, is a round tower, pierced with embrasures, but without cannon, on which I counted the heads of twenty Turks, fixed upon stakes, round the parapet, the trophies of Montenegrin victory… a strange spectacle in a Christian country, and in the immediate vicinity of a convent and a bishop's palace." #–John Gardner Wilkinson, visitor to Montenegro

… … Assassinated mon_state_formation.10 · dlc014

… has been shot dead while visiting the coast. … ascends to the throne.

"Todor Kadic was the assassin, shot him right there. His wife took him inside and tried to nurse him to health, not trusting anyone. He was missing for days, so we went to the port, you know? Asking what the hell they had done with our šef. When we finally learned he was dead, the Austrians fired their cannons in a salute, and the whole town took to the streets to hear the news. Some say it's a sign invaders are coming, others believe the enemy is already here."

First School mon_state_formation.11 · dlc014

… has personally seen to the establishment of the first school in Montenegro.

"I remember when the … welcomed us to class. We didn't know what a book was, much less a school. Not even the priest could read. But this man, for all his talk of bravery and war, also fancied himself a poet – or a son of a poet. He spoke of things like a nation. Of pride. I had no idea what was happening, but I remember feeling that something was starting. That I got to be a part of something greater. The first buds of a tree in a garden that would never die."

Taxes? mon_state_formation.12 · dlc014

After slaying Ottoman tax collectors for many years, the people of … are resistant to the very concept of paying taxes, even if the money goes to the ….

"So …'s robbing us?" "No, …'s taxing us." "What's the difference?" "Well, the taxes are going to be spent for our benefit." "So they'll give us flour, or fix our roof?" "No… Look, if we don't pay, armed men will come and–" "So … is robbing us!"

True Aim mon_state_formation.13 · dlc014

The people of … are incredibly proud of their first ….

My dzeferdar, old but good, I mourn more than my own arm if it had been cut off. I mourn it as I would my only son. I mourn it as I would my own brother, because it was a gun above all guns. It brought good luck, and it was so deadly. Never had to clean it or tend to it. It was always like a shiny mirror. When it was fired, you could recognize it e'en among a thousand other guns. –Petar II Petrović-Njegoš, The Mountain Wreath

Goliath Slays David mon_state_formation.14 · dlc014

The rebels in Montenegro have finally been brought to heel.

What is all this, Montenegrin brothers? Who has fanned this ugly flame of discord? From where did come this unfortunate thought of conversing about changing our faith? Aren't we brothers despite differences? Didn't we fight the same battles together? We share the good and the bad like brothers. Doesn't both Turkish and Serbian maidens' hair cover in grief the graves of slain heroes? –Petar II Petrović-Njegoš, The Mountain Wreath

The State of Montenegro mon_state_formation.15 · dlc014

… … seeks to forge a nation out of the tribes on the rebellious black mountain.

Dearest professor... Yes, I am the Bartolomeo Biasoletto who accompanied Augustus II into the region, assisting his botanical studies. But I don't recall much of the Serbian Phoenix Flower. The plants were the least of my concern. I had stepped into a land where women labored in the fields, while the men sharpened their knives and fought – amongst themselves if there was no raid. A Turkish head on a spike was the epitome of architecture, and its gaunt, illiterate, impoverished people thought only of their next meal. The Prince-Bishop himself, under instructions from the Tzar, vacated his own rooms for my King. The man's eyes almost glowed green, such was his envy. I could tell, even then, the young man had aspirations to wrangle together these rebels on the hill, dress their chiefs in something that looked like government, and forge a nation that could shake the world.

Barbarians! mon_state_formation.16 · dlc014

…'s violent and aggressive reputation has forced the Great Powers to withdraw their support. It now must rely on its own strength in forming a Serbian nation.

The world has now become a hell for me, people have turned into hellish spirits. O my dark day! O my black destiny! O my wretched Serbian nation snuffed out! I have outlived many of your troubles, yet I must fight against the worst of all! Petar II Petrović-Njegoš, The Mountain Wreath

Conquered! mon_state_formation.17 · dlc014

Our precious … has been vassalized by … overlords.

May God strike you, loathsome degenerates, why do we need the Turk's faith among us? What will you do with your ancestors' curse? With what will you appear before Milos and before all other Serbian heroes, whose names will live as long as the sun shines? Petar II Petrović-Njegoš, The Mountain Wreath

Redecorating mon_state_formation.18 · dlc014

Our …'s civilized young wife is suggesting we take the severed heads down from the Biljarda.

"How do they decorate where she comes from, šef?" "I don't know, Mirko. Columns and statues and flowers and rubbish like that." "Seems dull." "Very dull! How's a column help me fight Turks?" "Yeah it's very encouraging to point at the Biljarda and say, 'that one, that one was mine.'" "Though the smell…" "Yeah, better to change 'em with fresh ones." "True... The answer is always more heads."

… Rapture mon_state_formation.19 · dlc014

Our nation has outlasted our greatest enemy. The Ottoman Empire is no more!

Listen, people, you all take off your caps! I want to hold memorial service to the souls of our nation's great heroes. This day will be the most priceless to them. Petar II Petrović-Njegoš, The Mountain Wreath

… … or King … mon_state_formation.20 · dlc014

… … has proposed to officially change our nation to a Kingdom.

There, over there... beyond those hills, Lies a green grove, they say, Under which rises up Holy Dečani: A prayer said within Paradise claims. There, over there... beyond those hills, Where sky of blue bends down her arch; On to Serb fields, on to battle fields, There, brothers, prepare to march! –Nikola I Petrović-Njegoš, Onamo, 'namo!

Death of a Brother montenegrin_raiding.1 · dlc014

Smail-aga Čengić of the … has lured our raiders into an ambush! … …'s own brother lies among our innumerable fallen.

My people sleep a deep and lifeless sleep; no parent's hand to wipe away my tears. Above my head the heaven is shut tight; it does not hear my cries or my prayers. –Petar II Petrović-Njegoš, The Mountain Wreath

Ottoman Counterattack montenegrin_raiding.2 · dlc014

Soldiers from the … have arrived to harass our people and cease our raids.

"A direct charge, son. Fearless, unrelenting. That’s the only way to stop them." "Straight into their cannon? With respect, šef, it would be better to draw them into the peaks. Then Cerović can sneak through the pass and raid their baggage train." "No. They’ll sack every monastery and farm in their way. The Lord may forgive you for letting that happen, but I won't." "Šef, which would you rather bleed, the land or its people?"