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For now a month no vessel has arrived. You have collected a small amount of wealth from taxes you are supposed to turn in once a ship to London or Mombasa comes, but none is to be seen.
Under your direct control are only 50 men, other British servicemen stationed there with outdated Henry rifles, mostly soldiers with some other specialists. The other 7000 civilians are still obedient to your court as the black skies did not affect the equatorial areas too much and the harvest of the Juba river valley, and the fish in the Indian ocean is proving enough for them to keep at bay. Another 2000 live in the strip upstream that you control on the west bank, as the eastern is Italian territory. After the villages its sparse savanna, sparsely populated by nomads and dervish bandits all the way to Ethiopia, to the southwest, the next coastal village is many kilometers away by foot and you do not have contact with it, after that its Witu, the former German possession in Kenya, as it’s not a big port you have no idea what goes on there. And only few days after it, the pearl of the west Indian ocean: Mombasa
----
It is January and the lack of news is killing you. Will someone ever come back? What happens in Europe?
You decide Kismayo is just being ignored and decide to send a Dhow boat with a trusted native to go one of the following ports to collect information while you finally take matters in the colony in your own hands;

>British port of Mombasa: One day further than the Italian port, but it’s the main stop between Egypt and South Africa, plus its British and the emissary should learn more.

>Italian port of Mogadishu: Shorter trip and closer to Europe, they may know more, but are still foreigners that may not disclose everything.

>>4217051
Mombasa.

>>4217051
>British port of Mombasa: One day further than the Italian port, but it’s the main stop between Egypt and South Africa, plus its British and the emissary should learn more.

>>4217051
>British port of Mombasa: One day further than the Italian port, but it’s the main stop between Egypt and South Africa, plus its British and the emissary should learn more.

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>>4217079
>>4217083
As you make a call and send one of the more cultured natives, fluent in both English and Swahili, to complete his task, you sit back and reflect on what got you here in this position.

>You are a merchant who rose to his position with trading under the British flag, the ports of Aden, Hormuz and Bombay are your second homes, and this made you a good candidate for a governor of a province on the Indian ocean coast.
(Bonus to trade negotiations, slight bonus to diplomatic negotiations and you really do know how to haggle from all the dealing with the arab merchants and possible connections in the Middle East and India)

>You are a law graduate from Cambridge, you were chosen for the position for your gained administrative skills.
(Bonus to internal administration duties, policing and a massive buff to diplomacy over learning how to be a professional bullshitter in Cambridge)

>You are a military veteran from the Boer war, injured in the failed British attack at Spion Kop, you certainly gained experience at both fighting conventional warfare and dealing with insurgency. Said experience made you perfect for being located in the Somali lands where dervish bandits roam the inner continent and in case a conflict with Italy arises, it would be your job to hold the line.
(Massive bonus to all military affairs, like training and leading both soldiers, and preparing officers to sit in your boots)

>>4217098
>Veteran

I get the sense we're going to need to defend ourselves, what with the Metropol having gone dark.

>>4217098
>You are a law graduate from Cambridge
We shouldn’t even need to fight if we can bullshit our way out of a problem

>>4217098
>>You are a military veteran from the Boer war,

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>>4217148
>>4217112

“To hell with the strategic plan” you think and jump up heading straight for the church. There you ask the priest to bang the bell a few times to signal the men to rally.
The 50 men unit tries to leave their homes and the small bar in haste with some barely managing to put their uniforms on. “We’ll see about that discipline in the coming days” you think.

You briefly instruct them that you are now formally running the whole colonial area on your terms, but make sure you don’t sound like you are rebelling against the crown … as there are no representatives around to declare independence to.
You call a 10 men squad to come with you to the town hall underground storage where you usually keep the tax money, but now there is a “small parcel to move” outside.

Roll one dice of 6

>>4217098
>You are a military veteran from the Boer war, injured in the failed British attack at Spion Kop, you certainly gained experience at both fighting conventional warfare and dealing with insurgency. Said experience made you perfect for being located in the Somali lands where dervish bandits roam the inner continent and in case a conflict with Italy arises, it would be your job to hold the line.

>>4217098
>You are a law graduate from Cambridge

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>4217215

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>4217215

>>4217228
>>4217229

Averaging the two rolls to 3 as they are so damn close, now gimme a few minutes.

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>4217215

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>>4217246
Taking this roll into account too and increasing the result to 4

You unlock the basement and the men start moving crates outside on the town square, once they are done, you present the contents to them to everyone.
Brand new Enfield repeater rifles (From Perk: VETERAN), fifty of them. Enough to phase out the Martini rifles, plus you can store them in the crates of the Enfields now. In the coming few days you will be bisy retraining the men on how to use them.
The rifles themselves were delivered in the spring of last year in accordance with the strategic plan on how to defend the Juba river bank from Italian incursion, you were supposed to receive many more men in later 1908, but as it’s known, the boats stopped coming.

Now there is a man that you need to talk to, he was sent here in accordance to a development plan regarding the colony, who is he?

>Agronomist; The plan was about turning the Juba river into a breadbasket. As it has less population than Kenya, India and South Africa plus it may be able to support many different plants, both for food and commercial ones like cotton and sugar cane.
(Improves agricultural output and unlocks said cotton and sugar cane along with whatever other you get your hands on)

>Engineer; Originally he would have been directing the expansion of the Kismayo natural harbor and overseeing other construction that would take place later.
(Initially speeds up and improves the construction quality of whatever you decide it’s there to build, later unlocks advanced buildings like manufactures)

>Geologist; The plan was to survey the area for any precious metals like iron and copper and set up mining works around 1910, but now that he is here, he should be able to look for more lucrative deposits of gold, silver and diamonds.
(Self explanatory, gold is gold, and gems are gems. Has the potential to evolve into owning a literal goldmine but it would certainly take time to develop any deposits found)

Only one can be chosen!

>>4217306
>Engineer

>>4217306
>>Agronomist; The plan was about turning the Juba river into a breadbasket. As it has less population than Kenya, India and South Africa plus it may be able to support many different plants, both for food and commercial ones like cotton and sugar cane.

>>4217306
>Engineer; Originally he would have been directing the expansion of the Kismayo natural harbor and overseeing other construction that would take place later.

>>4217306
>>Agronomist; The plan was about turning the Juba river into a breadbasket. As it has less population than Kenya, India and South Africa plus it may be able to support many different plants, both for food and commercial ones like cotton and sugar cane.
food and guns, what more could a man wish for?

>>4217306

>Engineer; Originally he would have been directing the expansion of the Kismayo natural harbor and overseeing other construction that would take place later.

>>4217306
>Engineer

>>4217312
>>4217317
>>4217325
>>4217343

Luckily the Engineer was right there observing the force demonstration on the town square so you did not have to look for him any longer than a few second. You take him for a short walk to explain that there are some funds available and you want him to plan and oversee any new constructions in the colony.
You do not yet order any projects as you await the emissary to arrive in a week, a week you will spend re-training the men with the new rifles and tighten up the discipline a bit.

Roll one dice of 4 to determine what information the emissary managed to acquire and present to you

Rolled 4 (1d4)

>>4217352

>>4217358
4/ - The ambassador was allowed audience with the administrator of Mombasa.
The situation in Kenya is a disaster, following small revolts the British had to pack their shit and retreat to the ports in Mombasa, Malindi and Zanzibar over fears of large rebellions wiping them out. The last boat from London was 4 months ago and evacuated some important figures with strings in London, and said that they would have to go around Africa as Suez was taken over by the Ottomans and South Africa had revolted once again, and with no help from Europe it fell quickly. The famine there had taken such a toll that most forces that could be withdrawn from all over the Empire were bisy with maintaining order on the Home Isles. As its now winter there, the situation is probably very serious if they made the call in late summer. War was probably not declared (yet) as no orders were given to advance in German Tanganyika and no Germans were sighted in Kenya.
Information about India was not available but considering the general unrest in the subcontinent, it probably suffered the same fate as South Africa
Upon asking about the ash rains and black skies, the only thing they knew is that it first came from Russia and the situation gets more and more serious further you go east.

You thank the ambassador and give him a few coins for his service.

Choice:
>Give him few days of rest and send him on the same mission but to the port of Mogadishu, the fee for the ambassador would be negligible.
>Do not bother at all, even if its few coins, plus we might be at war with the damn Italians for all we know.

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>>4217437
forgot the aesthetics

>>4217437
>Give him few days of rest and send him on the same mission but to the port of Mogadishu, the fee for the ambassador would be negligible.

>>4217437
>Give him few days of rest and send him on the same mission but to the port of Mogadishu, the fee for the ambassador would be negligible.

>>4217437

>Give him few days of rest and send him on the same mission but to the port of Mogadishu, the fee for the ambassador would be negligible.

>>4217437
>Give him few days of rest and send him on the same mission but to the port of Mogadishu, the fee for the ambassador would be negligible.

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>>4217450
>>4217454
>>4217455

The ambassador was delighted to learn that he would soon have the chance to go and spend his new small fortune on a state sanctioned trip to a major port.
While he rests and prepares for his new 450 nautical mile journey, you need to figure out what to do next week. Beforehand by your estimates the unrest levels are:

Natives: 10%
Europeans: 10%

(0-10 is considered trivial with no downsides, 10-20 enables disruptions in the economy, 30-40 is severely problematic, 50 is open revolt or a coup if it’s the Europeans)

Natives at this stage only require food to be kept content, but later when the colony develops, they may come up with various whims.
Europeans just want a better life for themselves here, the closer to the homeland standard, the better.
cont.

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>>4217508
The small amount of money you have from the 1908 taxation is small because pretty much no one owns land and is rich enough to be taxed. Most own free range livestock and some are fishermen. Now that you are effectively a closed economy, the only possible sources of outside wealth are land caravans, Omani seamen merchants that are usually frequent but nowhere to be seen for some months now too and whatever you can send to Malindi, Mombasa and Mogadishu.

Choose land development policy:
>The land here no longer belongs to the king, damn be Edward VII for abandoning us here, everyone willing to work the land and hand over a small amount from the production to us in November as tax, gets whatever he wants.
>The previous model may backfire seriously during drawing up the land borders between owners, we should emphasize on livestock as we have practically unlimited grazing areas. We can encourage it by wavering the tax in 1909 on both live animals and leather, this will certainly lead to overall larger animal population.

>>4217539
Whether we like the King or not, we're here as his representative, and the second we abandon him the colonists have very little reason other than force to support us. We are the representative of civilisation, and thus of the Crown, but this situation is irregular.

Those who are willing to work and pay taxes ought receive what parts of the land they can farm - leave plenty for the herdsmen, too, but farms are easier to hold, and more likely to civilize the natives.

>>4217556
Support.

>>4217556

Good write-in, supporting

>>4217556

Supporting.

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>>4217556
>>4217582
>>4217626

Fair deal.
---
Surprisingly you find a lot of eager natives willing to take care of the fertile land available on the west bank of the Juba river, and some on the sparse savanna outside of the city.
The output will not be increased terribly much until summer as there are not enough seeds available for anyone, but this should be resolved after the first few small harvests, as the year-round warm climate allows for that, we only hope drought wont strike us.

Next post with choices in few minutes

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>>4217695
Now if you begin a small construction project from the ones listed below, you will have some money left over for any matters that pop out in the summer and autumn, or even another building if project is cheap enough.

>Larger church: The current one is rather shoddy, could do with an improvement and might convert a few natives with the efforts of the priest
Reduces unrest of the European population but may piss off the natives

>New mosque: Reduces unrest of the native population but the Europeans might feel neglected

>Expanded storage facility: If trading will be so rare, we need better storage for the grain and other products we may be exporting.

>Sea salt evaporation ponds: Very cheap way to acquire salt that can be used to make dry fish in large quantities for export and food backup in case harvest fails this or next year

>Small brewery: Not much copper is available, but the European gentlemen would surely enjoy the presence of fermented grain drinks in their bar. May annoy the natives a little but leftovers could be sold at foreign ports.

>Blacksmith: Not much metal and coal is available either, but with the help of the engineer we might kick start some farming tools and melee weapons production

>>4217703
>Sea salt

Good product for trade, always useful, keeps people fed. Well feed people are loyal people.

>>4217703
>Expanded storage facility: If trading will be so rare, we need better storage for the grain and other products we may be exporting.

>>4217703
>Sea salt evaporation ponds

>>4217703
>>Expanded storage facility: If trading will be so rare, we need better storage for the grain and other products we may be exporting.

which regiment are our men come from?

>>4217703

>Sea salt evaporation ponds

>>4217757
>>4217735
>>4217712

Salt it is.
----
Give me one dice roll of 3 for the ambassador information from Mogadishu.
I'll post it now and finalize the January period and go to sleep.

>>4217755
>which regiment are our men come from?

Zero clue to what British Jubaland was organized like and what units were stationed there as it was rather short lived, was handed over to the Italians after WW1 as their participation trophy.

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>4217780
then you make it up yourselves. Usually colonial units are a mix of regulars and indian troops.

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>4217780
Blast, I missed the vote. Oh, well; I was going to vote for the blacksmith anyway, so that would've been a waste of time.

Rolled 1 (1d3)

>>4217780

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>>4217789
Will do next session, roll accepted

>>4217836
Too late, took the roll of 6 and went with it.
----
February 1909

You and the engineer have a short discussion on what the first construction project would be, initially he proposes improving and constructing new storage facilities, but under your insistence, the salt evaporation ponds are chosen, but you promise the engineer that his suggestion will be respected soon as the only expenses for the salt ponds will be the wages of the laborers as no building materiel needs to be acquired.

As the engineer prepares the projects and scouts the coastline around the city for the most suitable location, the emissary returns from Mogadishu…

He was allowed to meet the Italian governor and was given a warm welcome. Surprisingly he was rather talkative and confirmed the information from Mombasa about Suez. The Italians, similarly to the British in Kenya, withdrew to the port city no longer exerting control over the rest of the colony, this is wonderful information as it allows you to also annex the east bank of the Juba river for its fertile soil.

The interesting part comes when the ambassador mentions how the Italians decided to keep their traditionally lavish lifestyle, even without connection to Europe as Suez is closed … slavery.
The madmen were lucky enough to have some military sailships for training seamen, said ships are now being used to ferry slaves to the port of Aden where arabs trade luxury goods for the laborers. When the Italians have a maxim gun, and you don’t, it’s not that hard to get enslaved.
The ambassador was told that because the Italians will gladly accept to buy slaves if you offer them any. They would also gladly take foodstuffs as the arabs don’t have too much of them and prices are higher
As the situation in inner Somalia, the Merca clan has set up a small warlord state south of Mogadishu so we should be careful expanding too far north before establishing official contacts.

You reward the ambassador with the same amount of coins as the first time, he is delighted, but this time you don’t have another task for him, the past few weeks were rather bisy. You feel like taking a few days off as most affairs are taken care of.
-------
Alright, that seals it for the next 12-14 hours. QM out

>>4217859
>this is wonderful information as it allows you to also annex the east bank of the Juba river for its fertile soil.

"Wider sill and wider
Shall thy bounds be set...."

>>4217875
Supplemental:
I propose we can sell any excess food to the eye-tiddley-eye-ties, but not slaves. The empire has fought long and hard to stamp out this abhorrent practice.

>>4217859
let's start slavery ourselves.. I mean indentured service

>>4217909
We're servants of the crown, anon - Slavery is for decadent Italians - besides, makes it easier to frame them as the bad guys when we conquer their choice port cities.

>>4217909
As I said in >>4217888
The British empire has fought hard to stamp out the morally inexcusable practice of slavery ever since the industrial revolution made it more trouble than it was financially worth we're here to Civilise(tm) these poor, benighted, savages, not exploit them*!

* Obviously a little remuneration for sharing the benefits of civilisation is only fair, of course.

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Dropping the current infobox on the colony status before the next weeks events
-----
2/1909

British Colony of Jubaland

Population: 7000
Capital: Kismayo
Other provinces: (expansion on the east bank of Juba river pending)
Native Unrest: 10%
European Unrest: 10%
Native religion: 100% muslim
European religion: 100% christian

Military: 50 Europeans, SMLE repeater rifles (company detachment from
3rd East Africa battalion of the King's African Rifles)
50 Henry single shot rifles in storage

Political status: Retains the colonial model and presumes the empire
exists and functions, keeping loyalty to the crown. Otherwise, effectively
100% independent.
Governor: Military veteran
Advisors: Engineer

Foreign relations:
Mogadishu - Contact, proposed trade route
Mombasa - Contact, possible trade route
Aden - No contact
Marca clan - No contact, possible presence on the other bank of Juba river, capital is south of Mog.

Economy:
Agriculture, animal husbandry and fishing.
Mostly sorghum grains, goats and bovines.

Buildings:
Town hall
Market (small)
Harbor (small)
Church (small) (with priest)
Mosque (small)
Salt ponds (in construction)

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>>4219210
As the salt ponds are being constructed with the help of native laborers to the south of the city, you consider your options on expansion on the other bank of the river.
Currently no bridges exist as no land trade routes or roads exist towards the former Italian territory, although there are plenty of sturdy dhow boats able to ferry people, cargo and livestock over the river mouth right to the north of Kismayo.
The town of Jamaame is 30km away on the east side and its home to around 2000 natives. The question is how to proceed with the province.

>Do not waste any time, march in with the armed forces and politely notify them that they are now part of British Jubaland.
(Resistance is unlikely and they will probably comply just fine, it’s not clear though do they have any relations with the Merca clan and if they are even part of it)

>Send emissaries first to Jamaame to offer them to join under the pretext of “providing them with protection from bandits” and maybe offering 1909 to be tax free.

>First send an envoy to Merca, it’s a city south of Mogadishu and now effectively the capital of a warlord state. We need to draw up some borders first before landgrabbing.
(Unclear on how willing they are to negotiate with other Europeans after they just declared independence from Italy)

>Initially ignore Jamaame and try to woo them to join by themselves by beginning the construction of two rope bridges over the river.
(Certain success on the bridge construction as the engineer we have is capable and the project is cheap enough to spare for another building later. Will delay the acquisition of Jamaame until further action is taken)

>To hell with Merca and civility, there is money to be made!!!
(Launches a raid on Jamaame to kidnap and enslave civilians that we can sell to the Italians. Will cause unrest in the native population in the area we administrate, and probably force Jamaame to seek protection from Merca)

>>4219231

>Do not waste any time, march in with the armed forces and politely notify them that they are now part of British Jubaland.

>>4219231

>Do not waste any time, march in with the armed forces and politely notify them that they are now part of British Jubaland.

>>4219231
>To hell with Merca and civility, there is money to be made!!!

>>4219231
>>To hell with Merca and civility, there is money to be made!!!
Heart of darkness time

>>4219231

>Do not waste any time, march in with the armed forces and politely notify them that they are now part of British Jubaland.

>>4219322
This option reached 3 votes so its sealed.
Roll two dices of 6 to determine resistance and outcome, high rolls are better.

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>4219327

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>4219327

>>4219231
>>Do not waste any time, march in with the armed forces and politely notify them that they are now part of British Jubaland.

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>4219327
Goddamnit! I missed the vote again!!

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>>4219329
>>4219330

You gather 40 men with some porters and out of boredom you decide to personally join them on the expedition. The boats quickly ferry you to the other side of the river and you begin marching in the morning.

With fast pace you reach Jamaame in the late afternoon. The Bimaal clan chief personally tells his few guardsmen armed with Jezail style muzzle loaders to stand down and comes forward for talks.

This Bimaal clan is widely known for leading a resistance against the colonials in southern Somalia for decades which can be compared to the war of the Sayyid in northern Somalia.

While he did not outright engage your forces, he reacted rather badly to the polite and warm explanation that he is to become a subject of yours and hastily sent a messenger on a horse to Merca. He apparently enjoys the current state of independence he has after the Italians left and is not eager to accept a new master, even though you proposed 1909 to be tax free and offered protection from bandits.
You start setting up a camp outside the town to spend the night and get some rest.

>Accept and start heading back to Kismayo on the next morning, there is no need for bloodshed, we will win them over slowly.

>Rest and attack at daybreak, who is he to oppose us with 15 goons armed with muzzle loaders

>>4219349
>Rest and attack at daybreak, who is he to oppose us with 15 goons armed with muzzle loaders

>>4219349
THE BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE COULD NEVER MATCH THE MAXIM GUN

They have fertile land, we require it, and they can't stop us. The Merca may come, but we will be in a much better position to deal with them with the whole valley under our control. Attack, execute the Bimaal chief and replace him with a more compliant local leader. Offer title to what land they can farm to any of the sub-chiefs we can find.

>>4219349
>>Accept and start heading back to Kismayo on the next morning, there is no need for bloodshed, we will win them over slowly.

Absolute worst case scenario we don't end up annexing the east bank; hardly the end of the world.

Conversely, if we take it by force we can look forward to hostility from the natives, and potentially escalating resistance.

The velvet glove serves us better here than the iron fist.

>>4219359
Support

>>4219349
>>Rest and attack at daybreak, who is he to oppose us with 15 goons armed with muzzle loaders

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>>4219382
>>4219354
>>4219358

3/3
The time has come. Roll two dices of 6 to determine stuff.

>>4219349
>Rest and attack at daybreak, who is he to oppose us with 15 goons armed with muzzle loaders

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>4219385

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>4219385
Oh well.

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>>4219393

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>>4219393
>>4219399

Around the campfire, instead of letting the men fall asleep instantly, you present them with your operational plan.
You know the odds are on your side in a classic line infantry fight, but the experience from the Boer war had shown you that it’s better to not take the risk.

Rolled 6/6 for plan
+2 to combat outcome roll

Initially two teams of 10 will move into position on the flanks to the west and east before sunrise, they will leave their non-combat gear at the camp, including uniforms to appear like there are still 40 men sleeping in the camp.
The other 20 men, your excellence and the porters will carry on as usual and pretend to pack and leave while trying to make as much of a commotion possible.
When the signal is given from you, the flankers will charge the unsuspecting guard from both sides with fixed bayonets. The shock attack on both sides will box them in and leave no room for them to run or fight efficiently, that should leave them with the only choice to surrender.

Rolled 2(+2)/6 for Execution

As you begin to execute the “manufactured retreat” it becomes clear that you cannot effectively fool them for too long and just give the signal with a shot in the air from your Webley revolver.

The twenty men near you throw the backpacks on the ground in front of them to use them as rifle support, a trick you learnt somewhere in Natal from the Boers.
Seconds after that, the 10 men on the left pop out from the bushes, fire a volley, and charge the guards standing on the small road. Some of them start running in the opposite direction, some fire their Jezail muskets in vain attempts to stop the advancing squad. As they drop the muskets and unsheathe their arab style curved swords, the second unit lets out a battle cry while charging out to box in the remaining clansmen.
This leaves little doubts for the natives who still resist and hold their position on the road, they drop their curved swords and knee on the ground with raised hands.
The chief, was nowhere to be found though. Luckily the few hastily made shots and the wide dispersion of our forces means that no casualties were suffered.

What do we do now with the resisting town of Jamaame?

>Same regime as for anyone, expel the clan leader with his cohort if we find him, apply the universal tax rate.

>Harsh quotas to teach them what happens to the ones who resist us, and they better spread the word, execute the clan leader if we find him, sell the few prisoners to Italy and double the tax rate.

>Loosen the knot a little to not alienate them too much, waver the tax for 1909 from Jamaame province, expel the clan leader but pardon the prisoners.

>>4219428

>Same regime as for anyone, expel the clan leader with his cohort if we find him, apply the universal tax rate.

>>4219428
>Loosen the knot a little to not alienate them too much, waver the tax for 1909 from Jamaame province, expel the clan leader but pardon the prisoners.

Give them reason to believe that they're better off under us than under the warlords.

>>4219428

>Same regime as for anyone, expel the clan leader with his cohort if we find him, apply the universal tax rate.

Can we import natives from Kismayo to start diluting the natives? Nip the rebellion in the bud

>>4219428
>Same regime as for anyone, expel the clan leader with his cohort if we find him, apply the universal tax rate.

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>>4219445
>>4219435
>>4219432

>Can we import natives from Kismayo to start diluting the natives

Would do more harm than good, they are indeed from the same culture group but not too found of being moved around
------
As you leave Jamaame, you have already made your point that your patrols will be visiting every couple of days to check up on the situation.
From what you could gather about the natives, they are rather ambivalent about their new situation (Native Unrest at 15%).
On one hand they are now once again someone else’s subject … but now they get to actually have a claim on the land they are going to be working on.
The clan chief probably escaped to the Merca lands to the northeast.

Upon returning to your quarters in Kismayo later that day, you decide to have a talk with the engineer to determine what the next construction project should be, after the newly acquisitioned workforce and land. The salt ponds are still not ready, but a small construction team can do something less grand in the meantime.

>Rope bridge at Jamaame
(Improves the quality of life as it makes the trip to Kismayo easier, and brings additional economic revenue from a more active market in the capital)

>Expanded clay pits along the river
(As timber is available, but not too common and rather be used for boat production, the main building materiel remains clay. The current clay production may not sustain both consumer need and projects that we may order in the future)

>Fund the creation of a small merchant fleet
(Few Dhow boats may not be as grand as the name “merchant fleet” suggests, but this will remove the need to rent a boat from the native fishermen every time we need to ferry something larger than a bag of grain to the other side of the river. Same applies for diplomatic missions by sea)

And, as there are no other diplomatic matters at hand and our emissary is getting rather eager to travel, you may send them to a new spot you have not visited yet;

>Go to Merca and establish official contact with them. See if the takeover of Jamaame stirred some dissent there.

>Visit Malindi and Lamu, they are the first small ports to the south of us in Kenya that were ignored on the Mombasa mission

>Tell the emissary that his services are currently not needed.

>>4219428
>>Loosen the knot a little to not alienate them too much, waver the tax for 1909 from Jamaame province, expel the clan leader but pardon the prisoners.

>>4219463
>Rope bridge at Jamaame
>Visit Malindi and Lamu, they are the first small ports to the south of us in Kenya that were ignored on the Mombasa mission

Convince them of the benefits of Christian rule

>>4219463
>Rope bridge at Jamaame
>Visit Malindi and Lamu, they are the first small ports to the south of us in Kenya that were ignored on the Mombasa mission

>>4219463

>Rope bridge at Jamaame
>Visit Malindi and Lamu, they are the first small ports to the south of us in Kenya that were ignored on the Mombasa mission

>>4219463
>>Fund the creation of a small merchant fleet
fuck land
>Visit Malindi and Lamu, they are the first small ports to the south of us in Kenya that were ignored on the Mombasa mission

>>4219468
>Rope bridge at Jamaame
>Visit Malindi and Lamu, they are the first small ports to the south of us in Kenya that were ignored on the Mombasa mission

I wanted a rope-bridge to begin with, and we should check up on as many surrounding towns & such as possible.

>>4219463
>Rope bridge at Jamaame
>Go to Merca and establish official contact with them. See if the takeover of Jamaame stirred some dissent there.

>>4219463
>Rope Bridge

More revenue and happier natives is always a good option. Plus, if it ever comes to it it'll make a fine chokepoint.

>Visit Malindi and Lamu

Could be decent allies or trade partners. We're all going to have to deal with the uppity Merca in the hinterlands, and as coastal bastions of civility we could all do with working together.

We're gonna want to see about setting up some kind of territorial militia/fortifications on the border with the Merca. Get the local colonists ready to help hold on to our pocket of civilisation should the Dervishes come knocking.

So long as we can control the river, we're in good shape against the barbarians - sail a dhow up the Juba and we can put our men anywhere in the valley within a day or two, and be gone as quickly as we come. They'd be stupid to try it.

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>>4219465
>>4219467
>>4219468
>>4219470
>>4219485
>>4219490
>>4219539

Middle of February 1909

As the first patrol arrives in Jamaame, the population is notified that they will be getting a rope bridge to easily access Kismayo when need arises. Along with the patrol, some porters already carry the ropes and in few days the engineer will arrive to oversee the construction.

The emissary has also just set sails to the south to visit Malindi first and then Lamu, as there is no reason for urgency, he noted it may be a week or two until his return in order to learn more if possible and advertise our port as a intermediate stop between the larger Mombasa and Aden.

Now for the rest of the month, an officer has suggested that we should not rely on the bi-weekly patrols between Kismayo and Jamaame, but either train some locals to perform garrison duties or upright send a force of 10 or 20 European soldiers for that purpose.

>Send 10 men as constant presence in Jamaame as garrison.
(Can be recalled at any time)

>Begin training askari (native infantry) to work with the Henry rifles we have in storage

>Current model will work just fine until March, instead, take the Europeans out in the bush for a week to get more familiar with the land as during the expedition they were rather clumsy.

>>4219682
>Begin training askari (native infantry) to work with the Henry rifles we have in storage

>>4219682
Training Askari is clearly going to be neccessary, and soon, but I wouldn't trust new subjects with guns without oversight. Send 10 men to Jamaame and have them train the most loyal locals, while the men remaining at home ought to train more too. The natives, especially the christians, are subjects of the crown now, and if we want to keep them that way we need to bring them in.

>>4219696
Support

>>4219696

Support.

>>4219696
support

>>4219682

>Begin training askari (native infantry) to work with the Henry rifles we have in storage

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>>4219688
>>4219696
>>4219705
>>4219726
>>4219746
>>4219751

You decide to split the garrison 40/10 and task them first with discipline training. You are not going to hand over a valuable rifle to the natives just like that even without ammo, first we need to see who really cares and is not doing it just for the small fee.
The basic training should last a week or two, depending on the valiant efforts of the European soldiers and the passion of the natives. Then the firearm part will finalize it.
Roll twice a dice of 6

The training begin and days roll, it’s still the dry season and the heat is strong. The laborers are merely days from completing both the bridge and the salt ponds. In the meantime the emissary returns from Lamu with rather important news, upon inquiring about why he did not go to Malindi … he explained that Lamu and Malindi have both expelled European foreigners and have created a loose confederacy based on the barbaric Islamic values. Our emissary was spared from harsh treatment and was allowed to return in peace as he is a native Swahili speaker, but the message that we are not welcome there is clear.

>>4219696
This seems like a good idea.

Support.

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>4219779
It may be time to spread civilization again

>>4219779
>Lamu and Malindi have both expelled European foreigners and have created a loose confederacy based on the barbaric Islamic values.

How fudge-making!

Posting the status report for 1st of March
Decided to add treasury indicator DCT (Ducats, EU4 style)

3/1909

British Colony of Jubaland

Population: 9000
Capital: Kismayo
Other provinces: Jamaame
Native Unrest: 12%
European Unrest: 10%
Native religion: 100% muslim
European religion: 100% christian

Military: 50 Europeans, SMLE repeater rifles (company detachment from
3rd East Africa battalion of the King's African Rifles)
50 Henry single shot rifles used to train Askari

Political status: Retains the colonial model and presumes the empire
exists and functions, keeping loyalty to the crown. Otherwise, effectively
100% independent.
Governor: Military veteran
Advisors: Engineer

Foreign relations:
Mogadishu - Contact, proposed trade route
Mombasa - Contact, possible trade route
Aden - No contact
Marca clan - No contact, possible presence on the other bank of Juba river, capital is south of Mog.
Malindi - Contact, embargo
Lamu - Contact, embargo

Economy:
Agriculture, animal husbandry and fishing.
Mostly sorghum grains, goats and bovines.

Kismayo Buildings:
Town hall
Market (small)
Harbor (small)
Church (small) (with priest)
Mosque (small)
Salt ponds (in construction)

Jamaame Buildings:
Mosque (small)
Bridge over Juba (small, rope)

Treasury:
70 DCT

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>4219779
Looks like its civilizing time

Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>4219779

Good thing we found out about the salafis in Lamu and Malindi. Perhaps send our embassy to Mombassa or Mogadishu to inform them of this development?

>>4219784
>>4219800
I'm not sure now is the time to be starting wars.

It certainly may come to that, we have bigger fish to fry right now, i.e. ensuring our own position is stable & sustainable.

>>4219832
I mean civilizing our natives, not warring on the confederacy (yet)

>>4219842
Ah, fair enough, then.

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>>4219784
>>4219800

The European soldiers although knowing what they are talking about have an entirely different approach to what would work with natives. The most important quality is lacking, and that is patience, that would be catastrophic if we were dealing with central African natives … but these ones are not quite savages, they do actually understand a bullet flies out the barrel and its not the bang itself that kills the enemy. Somalis are a significant step up from Bantus and Zulus, and their dedication shows despite their short tempered scholars, after a week or two we should have a operational askari company.
(From first roll of 2 for the Europeans and the roll of 6 for natives)

In the meantime, the salt ponds have finally been constructed. The engineer’s effort and skill certainly impress you as their size is rather large for what you have envisioned (gain size “medium” from the engineer specialist). Unfortunately with the bridge and the askari training, you do not have too much money left to invest into large projects like a mosque/church/storage etc.
You have: 60 DCT
You can:

>Halt expenditures for the time being, we were spending with full force the last two months, we need time to recover

>Expanding the clay pits won’t hurt, it’s just manual labor and there is no need to rush it (-10 DCT)

>Construct a small building we can use as a school. After all you hear much talk from the officers how we need to civilize the natives. Takes some labor expenditure and the fee for Europeans to work as teachers for the rest of the year (-30 DCT)

>>4219873

>Construct a small building we can use as a school. After all you hear much talk from the officers how we need to civilize the natives. Takes some labor expenditure and the fee for Europeans to work as teachers for the rest of the year (-30 DCT)

>>4219796

fren, im just jumping in.
what % of the colony is European may I ask?
whats status on ammunition?

and furthermore, now this may be a lot to ask, but a map or something might be of great aid.
colonialism works with maps.

are we close to germans in Deutsch Ost Afrika? they should have a sizable garrison there, it being the reich's crown colony and having just downed a native uprising in west afrika.

+
south africa uprising was boers or zulus or unknown?

//

>>4219832

agreed.

>>4219826

support

>>4219873
>Halt expenditures for the time being, we were spending with full force the last two months, we need time to recover

>>4219878

this, but only school the kids from askari recruits and other loyal natives.

>>4219873
>Construct a small building we can use as a school. After all you hear much talk from the officers how we need to civilize the natives. Takes some labor expenditure and the fee for Europeans to work as teachers for the rest of the year (-30 DCT)
This is one of those things that works better the sooner we start it

>>4219886
I support this initiative

>>4219873
>Construct a small building we can use as a school. After all you hear much talk from the officers how we need to civilize the natives. Takes some labor expenditure and the fee for Europeans to work as teachers for the rest of the year
But only if the natives are gonna be properly indoctrinated

>>4219878
Support

>>4219873
>>Expanding the clay pits won’t hurt, it’s just manual labor and there is no need to rush it (-10 DCT)

>>4219873
>Halt expenditures for the time being, we were spending with full force the last two months, we need time to recover

Also, bit of a non sequitur here but I have to say, this has all the makings of a very interesting alternate history. I'll be interested to see how things develop in the future.

>>4219879

>what % of the colony is European may I ask?
minimal, out of 6000 in Kismayo, around 200, including the garrisson, family of the garrison and administrative small fry.

>and furthermore, now this may be a lot to ask, but a map or something might be of great aid.

of course, I am working with Google Earth and its mostly based on IRL distances and shit, but I can easily scribble some shit on MS Pain in no time

>are we close to germans in Deutsch Ost Afrika?
We have only reached Mombasa, and they notified us that no Germans were in sight and for all they know, the irregular situation has them also very seriously "impacted them" (wink wink, nudge nudge).

>south africa uprising was boers or zulus or unknown
Both, did they then start fighting eachother ... well when we get news, we will know.

>>4219903
>inb4 OP disappears halfway through thread 3

>>4219906

thanks Eastman.

>minimal, out of 6000 in Kismayo, around 200

we better start spreading some seed then!

>>4219873
>Halt expenditures for the time being, we were spending with full force the last two months, we need time to recover

>>4219873
>Construct a small building we can use as a school. After all you hear much talk from the officers how we need to civilize the natives. Takes some labor expenditure and the fee for Europeans to work as teachers for the rest of the year (-30 DCT)

>>4219921
There must be some stray ships of Europeans unable to make it back to Europe. We must find them and bring them here.

>>4219878
>Construct a small building we can use as a school. After all you hear much talk from the officers how we need to civilize the natives. Takes some labor expenditure and the fee for Europeans to work as teachers for the rest of the year (-30 DCT)

It's expensive, but it's an investment.

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>>4219935
Italians have three sailships in Mogadishu used to ferry goods to Aden and back. Mombasa also had some a month ago, but no metal warships in sight.

Here comes terrible map based on modern borders and what we know, with slightly borked positions of places, before I count the construction votes and do the next thing.

>>4219935
So they will overthrow us? I dont think so

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>>4219943
>>4219927
>>4219893
>>4219891
>>4219886
>>4219878

Despite being only … cough … erhhm … excuse me!
Despite low key pushing for expenditure halting, the European colonist’s minds are changed when you offer some of those expenses to go to their pocket instead. They only need to arm themselves with patience and explain simple things to n- … cough. Somali children, but only to the children of the ones who signed up to be Askari. Initial program includes basic math, English, geography and bible studies, the simple 1905 education package for colonial subjects.
Treasury: 30 DCT

As the money are now indeed running low, you need to figure out ways to fill your time with less expensive activities:

>Send the emissary to the Bajuni islands located on the Jubaland/Kenya border, they may not be under Malindi’s rule and should at least know we are accepting guests

>Time for that mission to Merca, we have not yet shot at each other, maybe some talks can help delay the shooting part further into the future.

>Take the boys from the garrison for a tour in the wild with some askari on maneuvers. They might learn a thing or two from each other … like what cover is reliable and what snake you should really look out for.

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>>4219978

>>4219978
>>Take the boys from the garrison for a tour in the wild with some askari on maneuvers. They might learn a thing or two from each other … like what cover is reliable and what snake you should really look out for.

might help for the shooting part later on

>>4219978
>>Take the boys from the garrison for a tour in the wild with some askari on maneuvers. They might learn a thing or two from each other … like what cover is reliable and what snake you should really look out for.

Hey QM what happened to the war ships of the East Africa Station? They should be based in Mombasa?

>>4219978
>Take the boys from the garrison for a tour in the wild with some askari on maneuvers. They might learn a thing or two from each other … like what cover is reliable and what snake you should really look out for

We should our emissary to Zanzibar at some point. They're a British possession too. Or Djibouti, to check on the French.

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>>4219987
>>4219994
>>4220020


>Hey QM what happened to the war ships of the East Africa Station?

Withdrawn to Europe with VIP's on board never to be heard of again.
-----------------
Middle of March 1909

As the list of available productive activities goes down, you decide to make a three day military exercise with half of the garrison and the askari trainees who would also have the honor of being porters. You will be heading west into the sparse savanna to familiarize with the environment.

Roll two dices of 6

>>4219978
>Take the boys from the garrison for a tour in the wild with some askari on maneuvers. They might learn a thing or two from each other … like what cover is reliable and what snake you should really look out for.
A good old romp

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>4220025

>>4219978
>Send the emissary to the Bajuni islands located on the Jubaland/Kenya border, they may not be under Malindi’s rule and should at least know we are accepting guests
navy > army

Also
>Despite low key pushing for expenditure halting
tragedy of quest commons and all that shite

roll+1d6

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>4220025

Rolled 2, 2 = 4 (2d6)

>>4220025

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>4220034

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>>4220031
>>4220035

The peak of the dry season is taking its toll (ends mid April), the expedition planned for three days displays obvious water shortages even on the first day. The colonists and the askaris display disagreements over who gets to be a porter and the whole march ends up walking barely half the distance it was supposed to on day one.

The next morning is better, you pack at daybreak and advance further into the savanna that very slowly gets denser the closer you get to the Kenyan border. Around noon, a pack of Oryx antelopes are sighted. Its unclear what exactly they are doing here at this time of the year, but game is game.
As you unload all the gear in preparation to stalk and hunt them for something that would be called “team building” a century later, askaris and colonials group in mixed squads, where the askaris would lead the way towards the prey and the Europeans are going to take the shot using the more powerful Martini rifles to prove we have not duped the askaris into wielding a peashooter.

The result is the first successful cooperation between both units. Three Oryx antelopes went down and both parties were delighted, on top of that the askaris greeted with a smile the fact that the Europeans are going to have to be porters too on the way back, as you call the expedition a success, just because internally you know nothing good will come out if you keep the men out here dehydrated for two more days.
cont.

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>>4220082
Upon returning to Kismayo a day later, you are greeted with a small miracle. A boat has come, but not from Europe.
Two Yemeni dhow’s of merchants headed to Malindi have stopped to restock on food after not being able to haggle for a lower price in Mogadishu.
Even though you were tired enough as it was, upon meeting them, the first thing you offered them was to buy the Oryx trophies you just acquired, including the hides …

Roll a dice of 6

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>4220092

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>4220092

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>4220092
Rollan'.

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>4220092
For the fun of it

>>4220101
>>4220103
>>4220105
Oh bother.

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>>4220101
>>4220103
>>4220105

Well atleast the shit rolls are on generally trivial shit
--------
The Yemenis are hardboiled haggles, your skills can not even compare to what they will take. You just don’t get how to advertise your goods and silver line the thing you are selling. You are a veteran after all, not a east indies merchantman.
Instead of “Look how majestic this skin is, you can take it and decorate your house, or even better, the local mosque … only 5 ducats for the three of them and you get the horns free to hang in your house, and even gift one to the imam”. You mutter on how recently you have shot it and that they are “an above average specimen”.
At least the Yemenis buy some dried fish, and you get the chance to advertise the salt facility, informing them that soon there will be plenty of dried fish on lower prices and their friends are welcome if they decide on stopping for supplies on their journeys to the south and back.

In the haste, you completely forgot to ask them how Aden is holding out … it’s supposed to be a crown possession too you know.

You get some rest, and on the next contemplate on how to fill the rest of the time left before April kicks in and the monsoon season closes the sea routes for small vessels for two months. For all you know the tour you did might turn out to be more lucrative than expected, if you kill a elephant, you can likely bullshit the lavish Italians into buying it as luxury goods.

>Send the emissary to the Bajuni islands located on the Jubaland/Kenya border, they may not be under Malindi’s rule and should at least know we are accepting guests

>Time for that mission to Merca, we have not yet shot at each other, maybe some talks can help delay the shooting part further into the future.

>Enough is enough, we are on a very high gear since January, let’s see what happens on its own for a week or two and then decide.

>>4220146

>Enough is enough, we are on a very high gear since January, let’s see what happens on its own for a week or two and then decide.

>>4220146
>Enough is enough, we are on a very high gear since January, let’s see what happens on its own for a week or two and then decide.

>>4220146
>>Enough is enough, we are on a very high gear since January, let’s see what happens on its own for a week or two and then decide.

too bad we dont have meth. Would need just 4 5minute brakes till next year

>>4220146
>>Enough is enough, we are on a very high gear since January, let’s see what happens on its own for a week or two and then decide.

Time to see the fruits of what we have sown!

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>>4220160
>>4220166
>>4220181
>>4220190

Early April 1909

As the school construction receives finalization, the fishermen have already took advantage of the plentiful salt deposits. The dried fish is proving as a successful gamble as people are less worried about long term food storage during the dry season (Native unrest -2% to 10%), after a few weeks we might be ready to export some surplus to the Italians.
The askari unit is also showing progress, although not completely ready, they are able to form a decent enough line for an inspection and can shoulder a rifle fast enough pointing at the correct general direction.
You can’t help it but wonder if the black skies and ash rains from the last summer and autumn are going to affect the monsoon season, as you are still witnessing breathtaking sunsets along with blue, sometimes green moon and slightly more bearable dry season temperatures.

Roll a dice of 6 to see how rich the monsoon rains are going to be

Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>4220235

>>4220235
Nice

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>4220092

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>4220235

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>>4220241
Middle of April 1909

As the first classes of native children enroll in class, all of them sons of the askari riflemen, as the Islamic community places little importance on developing the skills of their female offspring … the skies turn cloudy once again. You are relieved to notice, that at least initially, the rains are just as strong as the last year’s ones.
The fishermen reduce most of their seafaring activities over the rough seas during the wet season. The askaris have finally graduated from their training that began in late February and now are based with the Jamaame squad while conducting regular patrols between both towns.
As you have friendly chats with the engineer who now also has free time (but we unfortunately have empty coffers until either tax season comes or we manage to sell something to someone), and he shares his ideas of a larger wooden bridge at the mouth of the Juba river. Sturdy enough to withstand cattle and camel caravans. And pointed straight towards Mogadishu. While you did not mention the possible strategic threat of the Merca clan, he also shares a grander project … of a series of irrigation ditches stretching from the Juba river inland to make the hard task of watering the crops during the dry season much easier.
You write down the projects as they may come handy later on and return to trying to think up of a productive activity ….
----------
Alright, calling it a day. Next session in 14-16 hours because fuck mondays.

>>4220304
Thanks for running so far man. This is solid fun.

>>4220304
Shit I missed this cool quest, good job qm, I will hopefully be at the next session.

>>4220304
> a larger wooden bridge at the mouth of the Juba river. Sturdy enough to withstand cattle and camel caravans.
>a series of irrigation ditches stretching from the Juba river


Both sound like projects to get started as soon as we have the resources, but maybe we should do the extra storage? I remember the engineer wanted to do that, but we told him to get the salt pans built first.

Also I think a blacksmith would be a very good idea if we're trying to become as self-sufficient as possible. With maybe an eye toward a gunsmith / making our own ammo.

Also this >>4220384
Thanks, Q.M.!

>>4220428
For the irrigation I think we could get the locals to help expidite the process by giving the farmers/communities temporary tax relief for helping us build it. That way the people that need the money most get temporary relief and greater personal security while the more successful farmers also benefit us with bigger taxes down the line.

>>4220464
This sounds like a very good idea.

>>4220428
Irrigation seems like the best of these ideas. I like the bridge, but I'd be worried that putting it at the mouth of the river will end up with it being washed away during a particularly strong monsoon.

>>4220532
Good point, I hadn't thought of that.
Irrigation first, then, as soon as we have the resources (again, unless we go with the extra storage the engineer wanted).

>>4220561
We could build a big ferry instead.

>>4219978

Based

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Late April 1909

As the rains continue to fall every couple of days, the Lagh Dera wadi riverbed fills up and cuts off the land route between Kismayo and Jamaame. The bridge is fine, but the trading now takes place in the mouth of the Juba river where dhow boats do the ferrying.

The Lagh Dera basin, usually being only a strip of greener trees, now turns into a shallow flooded forest for the time being of the rainy season. This gives you the idea of possibly mounting an expedition to scout up the are towards the town of Afmadow which is 100km up the Lagh Dera. The last time you visited and for what you knew in 1908, the Bimaal clan does not have strong positions in there, it may be possible that they accept our rule … I mean admistration. If not, well they should at least know they can form land caravans and visit to exchange goods.
cont.

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>>4221262
On the other hand, north of Jamaame there are a couple of villages along the Juba river that are practically not administrated by us.
The villagers do not visit the town, and the local garrison claims sightings of horsemen in the bush that do not contant them, but do not show signs of hostility. They are likely from Jilib, a town 50km upstream the Juba river, likely under the Bimaal clan.

>Organize an expedition north-west to Afmadow, it is the last major settlement in that direction until the Turkana lake in Kenya 500km away.

>Rather visit (read “annex”) the lands north of Jamaame towards Jilib. May piss off the Bimaal beyond their patience, pride and admiration of the repeater rifles to the point where they attack us.

>Don’t push our luck, sit tight and wait the rainy season out, so we can safely resume our naval endeavors

>>4221276
>Organize an expedition north-west to Afmadow, it is the last major settlement in that direction until the Turkana lake in Kenya 500km away.

>>4221276
>>Organize an expedition north-west to Afmadow, it is the last major settlement in that direction until the Turkana lake in Kenya 500km away.

peaceful visits are a good way to recon their defenses and manpower

>>4221276
>>Organize an expedition north-west to Afmadow, it is the last major settlement in that direction until the Turkana lake in Kenya 500km away.

>>4221276

>Organize an expedition north-west to Afmadow, it is the last major settlement in that direction until the Turkana lake in Kenya 500km away.

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>>4221309
>>4221303
>>4221283
>>4221280

Early May 1909

The preparations for the expedition are complete. In total you will lead 10 Europeans and 30 askaris plus some bovines to carry the supplies instead of wearing down the askaris as porters. This allows us to survive out there fully nourished for two weeks in case setbacks are present, as is how long the expedition should only take one, given we don’t spend any time in Afmadow.
You use the pretext that if you want to convince the natives of rejoining your administration (in case they aligned with Bimaal), your presence will be rather intimidating or flattering, depending on the posture you take, which depends on their posture too.
The truth is, that you are really bored sitting at a desk all day and would rather take a hike through the newly sprouted tall grass in the rainy season than do the desk sitting for another week.

Roll three dices of 6 (and give me a few hours, got a shift coming up)

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>4221310

Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>4221310

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>4221310

>>4221310
>got a shift coming up

at the old colonial office eh?

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>>4221317
>>4221322
>>4221331

You start off very well, the men have learned a thing or two about moving through the bush from the patrols and training sessions and you manage to cover the distance a bit faster than expected.
Two of the six days spent walking are rainy, but not enough to worsen the ground condition too much to slow you down.
As it’s the wet season you do notice a lot of wildlife that has moved up north from Kenya to utilize the fresh grass and bush that has sprung up from all the moisture, and you are determined to try and acquire a trophy on the way back, given that everything goes as planned.
(From first roll of 6)

Arriving in Afmadow, you are greeted warmer than expected. You had your doubts about the dervish affiliated Bimaal clan being in control of the settlement with population nearing a thousand natives, but it seems it’s too far off to the east. They have apparently utilized a small dam on the Lagh Dera wadi in order to trap more water and boost their sorghum production during the dry summer months. There is also a large livestock pool of sheeps and goats.

Upon talking to the town chief and offering him to join your administration, he remains skeptical. Most of his concerns come from the taxation policies as the settlement is on “thin ice” so to speak, the food resources are very limited and one failed harvest will cause serious trouble. As you realize that you are not a master negotiator and trying to convince, or threaten him with force will only make things worse, you offer him to come on a official visit to Kismayo with you on the way back, to show him the salt facilities … as they already eyed up your dried fish rations as if they are luxury goods … and the farmlands on the Juba river. That way he can be certain if harsh times come, he can be sure that he can rely on the administration to help his people out.
The chief agrees, but informed you that this will happen in the next month or two as it’s the time to harvest the crops planted in the dry season and plant the new ones while water is still widely available.
This suits you fine, not the perfect result from the talks, but certainly a favorable outcome.
(From roll of 4)
cont.

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On the way back you take additional in the field for hunting, the chief did not come with you or any of the natives, as there is indeed work to be done on the crops. You wonder what the sorghum “dry” harvest will be like, as its seen as a good indicator of how the autumn serious harvest that is subject to tax will be like. The “dry” one will serve for expanding the food reserves so we avoid a “hunger season” India style. But given your previous decision to expand the farming areas, most of the seeds will be used for sowing ….. you chase away the thoughts of agricultural output as you hear gunshots from the “chasing group”. That means they probably did their job and the herd of whatever they found, is now headed towards you, you signal the men to raise their guns and wait for the animals to come.
The bushes soon rumble in front of you and a pack of Oryx antelopes, also called “Gemsbok”, appears going full speed. You yell “FIRE” as if the a hostile tribe is attacking you and the shots ripple through the air…

The tally is 5 kills, one from the chasing group and the rest from the stationary squad. Spirits of the men are high and you can only feel sorry you don’t have a photo apparatus to capture this successful hunt. At least now you have more Oryx hides, and it might be easier to sell them in bulk…
(From the first roll of 6)

Upon returning to Kismayo with a full caravan of meat, you are greeted with not so good news, the sorghum harvest from the dry season is poorer than expected, grain resources are going to be rather strained until the November harvest, and not all areas designated for farming will be able to be sown. As of now there is enough livestock, and fishing operations will continue with full force in a month or two so there is no danger of a famine, but the tax income might take a hit.
After resting for a few days, it is already the middle of May, what to do until June and the respective peak of the rainy season.

>Nothing, the sea is still too rough for the dhow boats to go on a journey to foreign ports and the natives are busy with sowing.
(Passes to start of June)

>Utilize the small free workforce and the small budget of 50 DCT to begin work on small project
A) Expanded clay pits, plus a small furnace; 30 DCT – not only we get more construction materiel, but we will get it much faster with our furnace.
B) Construct a charcoal pit first; 10 DCT – enables access to charcoal for your buildings and for the consumer market, the quantities are not going to be massive, but we can make more of them with ease
C) Why not both?; 40 DCT – Kickstarts production of high quality bricks due to the higher temperature of burning of the charcoal compared to wood.

>>4221980
>C) Why not both?; 40 DCT – Kickstarts production of high quality bricks due to the higher temperature of burning of the charcoal compared to wood.

>>4221980
>B) Construct a charcoal pit first; 10 DCT – enables access to charcoal for your buildings and for the consumer market, the quantities are not going to be massive, but we can make more of them with ease

keep people occupied and have some money in reserve

>>4221980
>C) Why not both?; 40 DCT – Kickstarts production of high quality bricks due to the higher temperature of burning of the charcoal compared to wood.

>>4221980

C) Why not both?; 40 DCT – Kickstarts production of high quality bricks due to the higher temperature of burning of the charcoal compared to wood.

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>>4222010
>>4222035
>>4222093

oh boy, this... will turn into a difficult situation

>>4221980
>C) Why not both?; 40 DCT – Kickstarts production of high quality bricks due to the higher temperature of burning of the charcoal compared to wood.

>>4221980
>B) Construct a charcoal pit first; 10 DCT – enables access to charcoal for your buildings and for the consumer market, the quantities are not going to be massive, but we can make more of them with ease

Y'all aren't very fiscally responsible.

>>4221980
>B) Construct a charcoal pit first; 10 DCT – enables access to charcoal for your buildings and for the consumer market, the quantities are not going to be massive, but we can make more of them with ease

File: charcoalpits.png (1.45 MB, 892x579)

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>>4222010
>>4222035
>>4222093
>>4222116

Option C wins by one vote
------
Early June 1909

You’ve figured that you would rather spend the money you have now, rather than later. You simultaneously order the expansion of the clay pits and the construction of a furnace to operate specifically for brick production. Due to having both projects active, the cost is slightly raised as most laborers would prefer to work on the farms to support friends and family and we had to toss some additional coin to make it work. The charcoal pits will be operational after a month give or take, depending on the end of the rainy season. What should you occupy yourself with, in the month of June?

>Don’t push our luck, sit tight and wait the rainy season out, so we can safely resume our naval endeavors

>Rather visit (read “annex”) the lands north of Jamaame towards Jilib. May piss off the Bimaal beyond their patience, pride and admiration of the repeater rifles to the point where they attack us.

>Go on a safari, last two times you had luck, and there is still a lot of large game around due to the rain season and the fresh grass it brings up here in the north.

>>4222114
>>4222010
Yeah you are right, it was just too tempting.
So I am changing my vote to
>B) Construct a charcoal pit first; 10 DCT – enables access to charcoal for your buildings and for the consumer market, the quantities are not going to be massive, but we can make more of them with ease

>>4222172
>Go on a safari, last two times you had luck, and there is still a lot of large game around due to the rain season and the fresh grass it brings up here in the north.

>>4222172
>Go on a safari, last two times you had luck, and there is still a lot of large game around due to the rain season and the fresh grass it brings up here in the north.

>>4222172
>Rather visit (read “annex”) the lands north of Jamaame towards Jilib. May piss off the Bimaal beyond their patience, pride and admiration of the repeater rifles to the point where they attack us.

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6/1909

British Colony of Jubaland

Population: 9000
Capital: Kismayo
Other provinces: Jamaame, Afmadow (unincorporated)
Native Unrest: 10%
European Unrest: 10%
Native religion: 100% muslim
European religion: 100% christian
Native literacy rate: 2%

Military: 50 Europeans, SMLE repeater rifles (company detachment from 3rd East Africa battalion of the King's African Rifles)
50 Askari with Henry single shot rifles

Political status: Retains the colonial model and presumes the empire
exists and functions, keeping loyalty to the crown. Otherwise, effectively
100% independent.
Governor: Military veteran
Advisors: Engineer

Foreign relations:
Mogadishu - Contact, proposed trade route
Mombasa - Contact, possible trade route
Aden - No contact
Marca clan - No contact, possible presence on the other bank of Juba river, capital is south of Mog.
Malindi - Contact, embargo
Lamu - Contact, embargo
Bimaal clan - Uncooperative
Afmadow town - Awaiting official visit

Economy:
Agriculture, animal husbandry and fishing.
Mostly sorghum grains, goats and bovines.

Brick production (soon™)

Kismayo Buildings:
Town hall
Market (small)
Harbor (small)
Church (small) (with priest)
Mosque (small)
School (small)
Salt ponds (medium)
Clay pits (expanding)
Charocal pet (pending)
Furnace (in construction)

Jamaame Buildings:
Mosque (small)
Bridge over Juba (small, rope)

Treasury:
10 DCT

Stored goods:
Oryx hides (est. 5-10 DCT)
Dried fish (est. 5 DCT)
------------------------
Posting the infobox for the current month of June

>>4222172
>Go on a safari, last two times you had luck, and there is still a lot of large game around due to the rain season and the fresh grass it brings up here in the north

>>4222172
>>Go on a safari, last two times you had luck, and there is still a lot of large game around due to the rain season and the fresh grass it brings up here in the north.

>>4222201
>>4222198
>>4222183
>>4222176

Roll two dices of 6 to determine safari outcome

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>4222220
the d6 hates me

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>4222220

>>4222227
>>4222231
pretty average, let's hope our fighting background helps a little bit

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>4222220
Poop missed the roll. Nice trips tho

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>>4222227
>>4222231

You do not have the slightest intention of spending the whole month mingling around the city, you are a man of action after all. After completing the mandatory duties of overseeing the construction preparations, you gather a team of five Europeans and five askaris along with few porters to carry supplies and venture into the green savanna.

After a day of walking you set a camp up and rest, in order to be as fresh as possible for the next morning.
The hunt begins, until noon its rather uneventful. After a quick lunch you spot and stalk some Soemmerring gazelles, but after an hour of slowly moving in with two askaris to make a shot, a wild elephant pack appears near them. You are absolutely delighted, the ivory you can get from a potential kill can earn you a dozen ducats from the luxury loving Italians or Arab merchants … you spend another hour patiently moving in range clutching the powerful Henry rifle
(From roll of 5)

When you decide the time has come for a shot, you signal the askaris to hold fire, to bring an elephant down with a Henry rifle, a heart or head shot is needed. You don’t want the semi-trained askaris to miss an potentially damage the precious tusks.
You raise the rifle, fire … and hit.
Well, you hit the elephant but it seems that you missed the heart with an inch or two and the pack starts to rumble away from you.
The askaris figure it might have been hit in the lung and it’d fall after few hundred meters and the teams starts tracking the wounded animal.
You find the tracks, and follow them, in the beginning it was promising as even small blood drops was present from time to time Unfortunately it starts to rain after an hour and the tracks from the wounded animal are lost and the pack is nowhere to be found. You curse your rusty shooting and go back to camp to rest. You are determined to spend another day hunting in order to not return empty handed.

Next day is sunny, moving is easy and similarly to yesterday’s events, around noon you locate a pack of zebras. You repeat yesterday’s exercise but give permission to the askari to select a target with you and shoot on your mark.
Result is better than yesterday, two zebras go down and later that day the Europeans score two more oryx antelopes.
Now that’s something you can return with… (more hides added to storage)
(From roll of 3)

That should cover all possible endeavors for June, in some time July will come and with it the end of the wet season, opening up the searoutes for the small boats, where do we send an envoy when the time comes?

>Send the emissary to the Bajuni islands that are scattered from 35 to 120 km right next to the coastline south, they are most likely not under Malindi’s rule and the small fishing villages there might be eager to join us when they learn about the basically free salt

>Pack the hides and send them to the Italians in Mogadishu to earn some ducats, and check up on how they are doing for the past few months

>>4222360
>>Send the emissary to the Bajuni islands that are scattered from 35 to 120 km right next to the coastline south, they are most likely not under Malindi’s rule and the small fishing villages there might be eager to join us when they learn about the basically free salt

>>4222360
>>Pack the hides and send them to the Italians in Mogadishu to earn some ducats, and check up on how they are doing for the past few months

>>4222360
>>>Send the emissary to the Bajuni islands that are scattered from 35 to 120 km right next to the coastline south, they are most likely not under Malindi’s rule and the small fishing villages there might be eager to join us when they learn about the basically free salt

>>4222360
>>Send the emissary to the Bajuni islands that are scattered from 35 to 120 km right next to the coastline south, they are most likely not under Malindi’s rule and the small fishing villages there might be eager to join us when they learn about the basically free salt

>>4222360
>Send the emissary to the Bajuni islands that are scattered from 35 to 120 km right next to the coastline south, they are most likely not under Malindi’s rule and the small fishing villages there might be eager to join us when they learn about the basically free salt

>>4222360
With those zebra hides we can make ourselves an absolutely top-hole pimp coat!

Srsly:
>Pack the hides and send them to the Italians in Mogadishu to earn some ducats, and check up on how they are doing for the past few months

Our monetary reserves are waring a little thin.

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>>4222392
>Governor's son circa 20 years later

>>4222360
>Pack the hides and send them to the Italians in Mogadishu to earn some ducats, and check up on how they are doing for the past few months

>>4222389
>>4222382
>>4222375
>>4222369

Roll a dice of 6, as the odds are good, gonna average the first three rolls.

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>4222416

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>4222416

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>4222416

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>4222416

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>>4222423
>>4222422
>>4222419

July 1909

The Swahili fluent emissary sails south at the first sign the weather has stabilized. Occasional rain showers are to be expected up until November, but not more often than 3 times a month.

As the Natives in Kismayo are done with their agricultural duties, the laborers now are starting up the production of charcoal. The clay pits along the Juba river are also nearing completion. The terrain for the furnace nearby is bought and cleared, it now awaits the first batches of bricks. All projects should be finished by the beginning of August.
----
A week later the emissary returns, and with few additional boats. The largest fishing village on Koyama island (the nearest and the largest one) was already planning to visit as soon as possible to stock up on supplies after the wet season. Some boats from small settlements on other islands further south are present and are willing to cooperate with the administration of Kismayo. A native even gifts you a small pearl string (can be used to secure the higher cost when haggling with arab merchants). Overall both sides are happy, they bring raw fish, which gets exchanged for a lower amount of dried fish that can last, you make more dried fish that gets stored … as you can’t really expect them to have many coins to pay their taxes. Although you have an idea ….

>Tell them that they will be exempt from the raw/dried fish exchange and can have as much salt as they want for 1909, only if the hand you over, or construct some boats for you to start your own merchant fleet.
(They will accept due to the exceptional rolls)

>Current system of exchange is fine, we need the fish more in case Afmadow requires assistance, to have enough to sell to Italy and for Arab merchants to resupply in our port.
(Continues to add a negligible cost for diplomatic and trade operations by sea due to renting a boat. Together with the military ferrying before the bridge was constructed, and all the porters for land expeditions, the sum is 10 DCT that will be subtracted upon taxation in November)

>>4222480
>>Tell them that they will be exempt from the raw/dried fish exchange and can have as much salt as they want for 1909, only if the hand you over, or construct some boats for you to start your own merchant fleet.

>>4222480
>>Tell them that they will be exempt from the raw/dried fish exchange and can have as much salt as they want for 1909, only if the hand you over, or construct some boats for you to start your own merchant fleet.

>>4222480
>>Tell them that they will be exempt from the raw/dried fish exchange and can have as much salt as they want for 1909, only if the hand you over, or construct some boats for you to start your own merchant fleet.

>>4222480
>>Tell them that they will be exempt from the raw/dried fish exchange and can have as much salt as they want for 1909, only if the hand you over, or construct some boats for you to start your own merchant fleet.
Well it seems we are taxing them with boats.

>>4222514
>>4222509
>>4222489
>>4222487

Roll a dice of 6 for the August event, averaging the result from the first three rolls

>>4222526
dice+1d6

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>4222526

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>4222526

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>4222526

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>4222526

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>>4222542
>>4222547
>>4222550

August 1909

The Bajuni islanders have gladly accepted our administration and agree to construct boats for us. There is not many of them at all, around 200 from what you were informed. But they work hard as fishermen as its their only source of food, and now income.

Days roll, the charcoal production has began and the clay pits have been finished. The furnace is going slow (from low unrest – 10%), seems like the work was a little too much for them right after the small harvesting and sowing season. By all accounts it should be done by the next turn (September).

Most notably, in the middle of August a large Arab, light merchant fleet of nearly a dozen boats docked in Kismayo. You were delighted to personally meet the guests, but were most satisfied by the reaction of your forces that took positions on the port to defend against and eventual landing without even ordering them so … leading to you walking around with a smug smile for the rest of the day.

The merchants were friendly, the word had spread in Aden and Muscat after one boat visited you in March, that you will soon offer supplies on a lower price than the Italians…
At this moment you wish you kept the Bajuni income instead of ordering boats, as the fish stockpile you have now will certainly be bought out but may not be enough for everyone.
(Fish stockpile entirely sold for 10 DCT)

Of course you show off your hunting trophies and try to sell the arabs some hides, but they are reluctant, where they are going … Mombasa and Zanzibar, there are plenty of them and besides their boats are mostly pack with expensive coffee. And some of our European citizens fully take advantage of and buy a few bags.

You strike up a conversation with one of the trades and inquire about the status of Aden. News is that in late 1908, when the last boats from west India tried to move through the blocked Suez canal, either docked in Aden or made an attempt to sail back east towards Australia, with one or two madmen attempting to force it all the way around the cape…
Aden was initially calm, but unrest upon the Europeans grew and the Arabs got stronger and stronger. Conflict was avoided as the governor stepped down and most of the Europeans used their wealth and organized a land caravan to get them through the middle east into Europe. They were never heard of again.
As he finished telling the story, he thanked you for the hospitality and supplies and left before you can ask him about the German possessions and Zanzibar … better luck when they return.
cont. w'choices

>>4222596
August rolls towards its end, what to do in September?

>We have no fish to sell, but the hides are still there, send a trade mission to the Italians in Mogadishu

>Recon the area north of Jamaame and (read “annex”) towards Jilib. May piss off the Bimaal beyond their patience, pride and admiration of the repeater rifles to the point where they attack us.

>We haven’t had any problems or even contacts with the Merca clan as of now, let’s send a boat to their capital and establish diplomatic relations.

>Send a spy … I mean “observer” to Malindi, we should check up on their deeds.

>It is all so tiresome, go on a safari.

>Don’t bother, its hot as hell compared to last month and see what happens.

>>4222601
>>We haven’t had any problems or even contacts with the Merca clan as of now, let’s send a boat to their capital and establish diplomatic relations.

>>4222601
>>We have no fish to sell, but the hides are still there, send a trade mission to the Italians in Mogadishu

>>4222601
>>Don’t bother, its hot as hell compared to last month and see what happens.

I think we've earned a little rest.

>>4222601
>>We have no fish to sell, but the hides are still there, send a trade mission to the Italians in Mogadishu

>>4222601

>Don’t bother, its hot as hell compared to last month and see what happens.

Ok, gonna leave the voting overnight until the next session in the usual time as im feeling a bit tired. Gonna hang around for an hour or so if you got any questions.

Option with most votes wins.

>>4222601

>Don’t bother, its hot as hell compared to last month and see what happens.

>>4222601
>We have no fish to sell, but the hides are still there, send a trade mission to the Italians in Mogadishu

>>4222641
Timezone?

>>4222601
>We have no fish to sell, but the hides are still there, send a trade mission to the Italians in Mogadishu

>Send a spy … I mean “observer” to Malindi, we should check up on their deeds.

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>>4222709
Funnily enough ... the Somali timezone.
Just a "little" bit up north in the slavlands.

>>4222732
Danke

>>4222601
>Don’t bother, its hot as hell compared to last month and see what happens.

>>4222601
>We have no fish to sell, but the hides are still there, send a trade mission to the Italians in Mogadishu

>>4222601
>>We haven’t had any problems or even contacts with the Merca clan as of now, let’s send a boat to their capital and establish diplomatic relations.
>Safari as well if we can do both
Bring some of our soldiers (Askari and Anglo) with us - use it as an opportunity to teach marksmanship and fieldcraft.

>>4222619
>>4222626
>>4222642
>>4222820
Guys, are y'all sure thats a good idea. We've no idea what's going on with the Merca, they're a powerful force and for all we know they could be plotting against us as we laze about. We need to send an emissary.

>>4222601
>We have no fish to sell, but the hides are still there, send a trade mission to the Italians in Mogadishu

>Don’t bother, its hot as hell compared to last month and see what happens.

Voting closed, 6v5 in favor of a trade mission.

Roll two dices of 6.
One for the trade result and one for the intelligence collected.

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>4223564

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>4223568

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>>4223568
>>4223571

MEDIOCRE!

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>>4223568
>>4223571

September 1909

As the financial situation has gotten rather worrisome, you decide to act on it and send the emissary to Mogadishu to try and sell the game hides you have acquired on your safari tours. Additionally you instruct him to not hurry to return and spend a few days in the Italian port city to try and learn a thing or two.

Few days after the departure of the emissary, now in the role of a trade representative, has sailed, a caravan from the nort-western settlement of Afmadow finally arrives and hold on to the word they have given you in May. The chief himself is present as he wanted to personally give you the message that you should now consider his town, part of your administration. They are indeed delighted to have a bit more security and trade all the sorghum and goat hides for all the dried fish they could find. Before they depart on the way back, you remind them that you still expect the yearly tribute … in the form of sorghum and goat hides in November. The chief assures you that will happen and heads back to his lands with his men.

As a week more passes the trade mission from Mogadishu returns. First the ambassador proudly hands over 15 ducats, the Italians were not as fond of the hides as it was not ivory or a big cat pelt, but were willing to buy them for 10. The Swahili speaking native, with haggling and the addition of the small pearl string, managed to seal the deal at 15 DCT.
The information he managed to collect on the other hand was much more important. It’s not information from Europe or a land far away, but about the deeds of the Merca and Bimaal clans.
The buggers have descended into infighting over who gets co control the city of Baidoa, north-west of Mogadishu and east of the Juba river. It’s a large city and the main stop before entering the Ogaden dry region on the way to Ethiopia. As the city is slightly bigger than Kismayo and the distance large, both clans have committed large forces in skirmishing each other in the bush.
To the north, British Somaliland and no longer exists as it fell to the Mad Mullah dervish forces, but from what the Italians have gathered the Majerteen clan on the eastern shore of Somalia is not in good relations with them and probably Ethiopia too … assuming it’s in one piece too.

>Finally something in our favor regarding politics for once, send the emissary to Merca, they might be interested in an alliance as they are already cooperating with the Italians to some extent.

>Diplomacy will only slow us down, march north and occupy the Bimaal town of Jilib

>Let them kill each other for now and maybe intervene later. We have a harvest to look forward to in two months. Go on a safari instead.