A Change in Plans - A Timeline Starring Yours Truly

Yes it's yet another timeline from that Charles guy. This one I figured I will do a little differently than my last ones; instead of telling you the POD, I will have you figure it out yourselves like a little guessing game. So sit back, relax, put your historical thinking caps on and enjoy, "A Change in Plans."

September 17, 1539

Holy Roman Emperor Charles V is sitting on his throne at his palace in Granada reading a book when all of a sudden an imperial messenger rushes up toward him.

Messenger: Your Imperial Majesty! A special guest wishes to speak with you immediately! This is an urgent matter.

Charles: Who can this be? I was just getting to the good part!

The messenger fetches the guest to reveal that he's Victor Gonzalez, the governor of Spanish territory in North Africa.

Charles: Don Victor, my old friend! What makes you travel this far to my palace? Aren't you supposed to be commanding my troops in a war down south?

Victor: Well Your Majesty, I came here to tell you that the war is over. It has been for months now.

Charles: Victor, please tell me it's good news.

Victor: Well, I'm pleased to tell Your Imperial Majesty that our forces caught up to Emperor Askia Isma'il. He surrendered in Gao after the Imperial Army surrounded the capital city. He is now in exile. This means the Songhai Empire ceases to exist.

Charles: So you're saying he just gave up like that! The entire Songhai Empire is MINE?!

Victor: Congratulations, your majesty for acquiring the entire land and especially, all that gold.

Charles: Don Victor! That's great news! I only expected a decent amount of land from this campaign but the whole empire!? I'm out of words!

Victor: It appears our military has gotten incredibly stronger since...since...

Charles: ...the Translocation.

Victor: Precisely! Fourteen years back I was calling you a fool for making that move but now you have turned into a hero! You can make a mountain with all that Songhai gold!

Charles: I totally agree with you Don Victor. Eight years ago I invaded Morocco with just the slightest hope, now I control almost the entire west portion of the continent of Africa!

Victor: Yes your majesty. Your past couple of African campaigns have proved to be huge successes. There is just one minor problem. One person especially is feeling more threatened that you have obtained this large territory.

Charles: Oh no, Victor. It must be--

Victor and Charles: Suleiman!

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What does this mean for Charles, Spain and the Ottomans? Find out tomorrow! Also please see if you can guess the POD! I'll give you a hint, it's not the Spanish invading Africa (come on! You think I would make it that obvious? ;))
 
So what do you think of this TL so far? Any questions? (I'm sorry but I can't answer any that give the POD away) Any guesses to what this mystery POD might be? I want at least some sort of feedback before I update.
 
A couple of months after Emperor Charles receives word of his victory in Africa, the news travels to Istanbul. However, it is perceived a little differently there....

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December 3, 1540

Ottoman Sultan Suleiman I (he is not so "magnificent" ITTL) is approached by Omar, one of his trusty advisors.

Suleiman: Omar! What is the great hurry?

Omar: I come to your imperial majesty with horrible news!

Suleiman: Oh great. I hope it has nothing to do with Roxelana.

Omar: It's not her your, imperial majesty. It's the Songhais, your trading partners in Africa.

Suleiman: Yes, the great Islamic empire in west Africa. What happened to them?

Omar: I am so sorry to inform your majesty that the Spanish under Holy Roman Emperor Charles V have successfully conquered the Songhai Empire.

Suleiman: WHAT IN THE NAME OF ALLAH DID YOU JUST SAY?!

Omar: First of all your imperial majesty, you shall not take the name of Allah in vain.

Suleiman: LOOK! I AM THE SULTAN! YOU ARE JUST MY ADVISOR! I TELL YOU WHAT TO DO NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND! YOU HEAR ME?!

Omar: Yes your imperial majesty.

Suleiman: When I heard those Spaniards were invading Weat Africa, I thought all they wanted was a little land to expand your empire. But conquering the entire Songhai Empire is what I consider crossing the line. As you probably know, trading with the Songhais gives our empire a substantial amount of wealth we use to survive. Also, the Spaniards are now going to take innocent Muslims and force them to convert to Christianity. If we don't do anything, the entire region of West Africa might become Christian! Is there a way we can put Emperor Askia Isma'il back on the throne?

Omar: Your imperial majesty, I'm also sorry to inform you that the Songhai emperor was killed in battle by the Spanish troops.

Suleiman: AND THE BAD NEWS KEEPS COMING! Next thing I know you're going to tell me his sons are dead.

Omar: The former emperor Isma'il's sons are dead as well.

Suleiman: You know what Omar?! This leaves me with only one choice!

Omar: And what will that be your imperial majesty?

Suleiman: I'm going to give Charles an ultimatium to give the Songhais back at least some of their land.

Omar: But what if he refuses?

Suleiman: (Grins) Well you see old friend, if Charles refuses then--then there will be war!
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Just gotta say, Charles, you gotta give it a bit longer before people reply. I'd give it a day, since most of the people on the board are in the Northern Hemisphere, and aren't on at these kind of hours. I have no idea about the PoD, personally. I'm not an expert on the 18th century, that's for sure. It seems fairly good so far, and it's unusual to see a TL written somewhat like a play though. Keep going!
 
Just gotta say, Charles, you gotta give it a bit longer before people reply. I'd give it a day, since most of the people on the board are in the Northern Hemisphere, and aren't on at these kind of hours. I have no idea about the PoD, personally. I'm not an expert on the 18th century, that's for sure. It seems fairly good so far, and it's unusual to see a TL written somewhat like a play though. Keep going!

I'm kind of new to this whole forum thing so I don't really know how it works around here with people replying. I'll give it a little longer next time though. Thanks for liking the TL so far, I promise you it will only get better! :)

As for crossing the Sahara and the jungle, the Spanish seemed to avoid this by marching down the coastline and into the Sahel region (which they were more used to because it has weather almost similar to some parts of Spain). Yes quite a few Spanish soldiers died by diseases such as malaria as well as dehydration but more of these deaths were saved by them taking the longer costal route. Remember conquering West Africa was no walk in the park for the Spanish for it took them eight years to put the majority of the region under their control since they invaded. Also the Spanish did't pull off this feat alone, they had soldiers from other places help them such as Austria, Germany, Italy, the Low Countries (all four were controlled by Charles to some extent), and England.
 
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