Rise of one of the oldest Christian settlements in the World:-Dravidians

Yes Tondo could, especially if it does provide them with extra revenue. Any minor kingdom in the vicinity would not hesitate to form a diplomatic alliance with a major power that is by definition opposed to one's enemies.
This very principle was used by the several princely kingdoms in the Indian subcontinent by allowing European powers to establish ports and staging posts to try and upstage their rivals.
 
But it would be counter-productive to Christianium to try for a new port in a region not controlled by it. East of Malacca at this point is controlled by the Far East. I think the new Empire would try and consolidate their gains first before going for further expansion. Besides, right now I am working on developing a European relationship building on a common religious foundation.
 
January 17th 1482, Pallava

Simon had finally made his decision. He wrote a detailed coded letter to his Emperor, his foster father, explaining what he was planning to do and why he chose this course of action. He knew he would be taking a gamble. He let his chief aides know what he had decided. He quickly asked for Markos to handle the transport part of the plan. At 2pm, they gathered at the docks to pay their respects to their Prince as the Royal Navy set sail for Cochin.
 
January 17th 1482, Hampi

In the city of Hampi, erstwhile capital of Vijayanagar Empire, 11 year old Krishnadeva was meeting secretly with the remaining handful of Hindu nobles. Krishnadeva like the others was a nobleman only in name. His family's lands and wealth were confiscated after the fall of Hampi in 1476. He had but a few businesses remaining in the city. This was pathetic compared to his previous monetary position but was still a lot better than the rest of the nobles gathered here.
His relatively superior monetary position ensured his power amongst this gathering but what made him most deserving of the status was the fact that he was the son and heir of Tuluva Narasa Nayaka, the former warlord and de facto ruler of Vijayanagar in the 1460's and 1470's.
The Hindu gathering was plotting to try and regain power in the Empire. They were aghast at Christians ruling them, their temples had lost royal sponsorship and revenue. Their businesses were destroyed with the caste system being abolished in Christianium. Their former slaves now treated them with contempt and scorn. They were now at the receiving end of abuses and insults. The wretched untouchables were now calling the shots in what they considered as their domain.
With the recent war against Malacca, the usurper Geevarghese had strengthened his position, alarming the Hindus. Their way of life was being destroyed. The usurper had brought foreign elements into the realm and was now making English, the tongue of the foreign devils, the official language of the realm. The Hindu nobles viewed this as an attack on Sanskrit and their Hindu religion.

 
Jan 17th 1482, Pallava.

After the royal navy departed, Simon and the remaining party moved inside the guarded Pallava mansion. At 4pm, Simon asked for the royal court to assemble at the courtyard. The royal court consisted of the following members:

Solomon(8), Henry(6), David(5), Sheeba(3): The three sons and daughter of Prince George, the Emperor's 2nd and now oldest son.

Roy (4), Phillip (3): The 2 sons of Prince Stefan, Conqueror of Malacca.

William (14), Stephen (11): The 2 sons of Princess Theresa (The Emperor's 2nd daughter, married to Don Thoma, the true governor of Pallava who was away in the campaign against Malacca). Markos was the brother of Don Thoma and now the acting governor of Pallava.

These were the august guests awaiting Simon now at the courtyard with their guardians and several members of the now highly alert Christian Guard.
 
The Crossaad family was here in Pallava for the bridal expedition to find out suitable alliances from Europe. They were also sent so that their fathers, the Princes of Christianium, would not be compelled to cause succession problems back in Cochin ensuring united support for the bridal expedition.
 
Simon Malabar: "I have decided to continue on with the expedition towards Europe. I feel this is what His Highness, Prince Yohannan would have wanted. Before we go, I need to find out everything about the despicable and cowardly murder of my Prince. I hope you will help me execute these plans and will cooperate with my decision."

The Emperor's grandchildren and their guardians acknowledged the decision and declared their support. It was a wise choice. They were already far away from Cochin. It would be better to continue with the mission. They knew that Simon's decision was also based on the fact that two Portuguese ships had arrived at Pallava from Solia. They could use these ships to guide them towards Europe.
 
The Portuguese mercantile vessel was led by Rodriguez, a prominent merchant who had been trading at Solia and Pallava for the last 2 years. When he came to Solia, an offer regarding the marital expedition to Europe was made to him. Considering the benefits of bringing such offers to Europe and the prestige it would bring Rodriguez personally, he was more than willing to support it once his trading mission was complete.

Having finished trading by 18th January 1482 in Pallava, Rodriguez now planned to return to Lisbon. However, his two ships needed repair and this would require a fortnight's hiatus. This was unacceptable to Simon Malabar. He offered 3 ships to Rodriguez instead of his two that would be docked in Pallava for repair. The offer was at once accepted. After all, the Portuguese ships were not as advanced as the Christianium vessels and this would prove useful to Rodriguez again once he arrived home.

On January 23rd, Rodriguez joined the Christianium Navy and they began the long journey to Europe. They would arrive in Solia within a few days and would replenish more supplies before heading out to uncharted waters as far as Christianium was concerned. A total of 61 ships left Pallava for Europe with Simon and the Royal family in the flagship, a war vessel larger than the others and supported on all sides by smaller battleships.
 
29th January 1482, Bay of Bengal

Prince Stefan was sailing for Cochin via Colombo with the former Sultan of Malacca, Aluaddin. The Sultan was treated with courtesy even though there were many on the 100 ships who desired to execute the Sultan. They were irate about their friends and family members who died in the invasion of Malacca.
 
Prince Stefan however held sway over the entire Navy because of the immense prestige he had acquired in the entire war against Malacca. His story was now being written by many chroniclers in multiple languages. There was always room for positive propaganda for the Empire. The Emperor was patron for a new book on warfare. These battles would now feature in the large treatise. Who knows, they could one day rival Sun Tzu's Art of War made about 2000 years ago.

Stefan however was now thinking about consolidating the great gains made in Malacca which was the best addition to the Empire since they had conquered Vijayanagar circa 1475. He had to get word of this to the European bridal expedition. Undoubtedly, this new victory would provide greater diplomatic impetus to the expedition.

The Sultan of erstwhile Malacca, Alauddin was treated with respect. His title of Sultan would now last but for a few weeks more. Most of his unharmed family members were on board the other ships. The Sultan hence refrained from any malicious activities against the Empire. He wouldn't dare do so when his family members including his wife and children were aboard the other ships.
 
Great seeing this back! While I'm looking forward to seeing the reactions of the Europeans to seeing the Emperor's fleet and imperial family do a Grand Tour, I have to say that the Emperor surely has risked a GREAT deal in having virtually all his descendents make this very long and potentially dangerous journey. Already his Heir Apparent was murdered but even if human foes don't attempt any harm, the elements to say nothing of shipboard supplies and conditions could put others at risk the longer the journey and further away from their homeland.
I'm looking forward to more!
 
February 26th, 1482, Cochin.

Prince Stefan finally embarked in the Cochin harbour. The entire victorious Christianium army was welcomed to the city amidst cheers and festivities. The Emperor stayed back at the Palace. He wanted all focus to be on Stefan. His son had earned every bit of praise. The Malaccan Sultan Alauddin was sequestered in a reinforced metal wagon which was drawn out amidst several armed guards and Stefan rode behind the wagon. It was a great sight and now the subjects of the Empire especially the Christians would be reinvigorated. The dissident Hindu and Muslim political forces would be further weakened.

Stefan finally arrived at the Palace where young nubile girls greeted Stefan every step of the way with fresh flowers and songs of praise. Minutes later, Stefan arrived in the Royal chambers where his father rose up to greet him with a hug and a kiss on his forehead. Stefan was pleasantly surprised at the Emperor's atypical show of affection. Stefan had never seen his father react to him thus. Geevarghese now led Stefan towards a desk on which a crown sat. It was newly set with several jewels.

Geevarghese: "This is a royal crown of victory. I want you to wear this."

Stefan tried to refuse but the Emperor would not take no for an answer and Stefan acquiesced. Once the formalities were over, the Emperor requested Stefan to go to his house in the Palace and celebrate and rest with his wife and servants.

The Emperor then went to meet Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah of Malacca in the royal dungeons.
 
Great seeing this back! While I'm looking forward to seeing the reactions of the Europeans to seeing the Emperor's fleet and imperial family do a Grand Tour, I have to say that the Emperor surely has risked a GREAT deal in having virtually all his descendents make this very long and potentially dangerous journey. Already his Heir Apparent was murdered but even if human foes don't attempt any harm, the elements to say nothing of shipboard supplies and conditions could put others at risk the longer the journey and further away from their homeland.
I'm looking forward to more!

The risk is definitely great but if you notice, the descendants are not amongst the top 4 in line to the throne. I had considered this fact but in South Indian culture, the onus was on having as many children as possible even unto the 20th century. My grandmother was one of 14 children. Supplies are a major problem but I have thought about it. And do remember that the South Indians were a predominantly naval mercantile civilization since the first millennium B.C.
 
Great seeing this back! While I'm looking forward to seeing the reactions of the Europeans to seeing the Emperor's fleet and imperial family do a Grand Tour, I have to say that the Emperor surely has risked a GREAT deal in having virtually all his descendents make this very long and potentially dangerous journey. Already his Heir Apparent was murdered but even if human foes don't attempt any harm, the elements to say nothing of shipboard supplies and conditions could put others at risk the longer the journey and further away from their homeland.
I'm looking forward to more!

And remember, apart from their seafaring skills, the Emperor also has to try and minimise the potential succession crisis. Keeping some grandchildren of all his children away with the bridal expedition, he can keep his sons in check while also providing potential allies to them as well.
 
Christiantium Empire

Wow! This is fun, I was so excited I loaded up Europa Universalis IV and became Cochin and started an oriental Empire under Meiou and Taxes, after converting Cochin to Oriental Christianity. I didn't know when you started at that time so I started in 1354 and now have most of Southern India.
 
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cool

Wow! This is fun, I was so excited I loaded up Europa Universalis IV and became Cochin and started an oriental Empire under Meiou and Taxes, after converting Cochin to Oriental Christianity. I didn't know when you started at that time so I started in 1354 and now have most of Southern India.
Ha! Did something similar myself but then lost interest in EU 4 n went back to CK 2.
 
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