1 |
I see you have been banished to Kamchatka as well. I am Maurice Benovsky. I’ll tell you my story, but we will need more wood to keep us warm, it’s a long one. |
2 |
Ah, childhood. Those were the times! Each day we had the best food around. The bread was just melting in your mouth, I can still feel the taste. |
3 |
Childhood had passed and it was time to fight, so I conscripted with Austrian army and went off to fight the Prussians in the Seven Years’ War. |
4 |
War went on, but I had a falling out with the brass got into trouble and had to flee to Poland, where I joined the fight for independence against the Russians. |
5 |
Unfortunately, I was captured and taken to Kazan. It would be a beautiful city if it weren’t for the fact it had so many wooden buildings and so few made of stone. |
6 |
I didn’t stay there long and was sent here to Siberia. I’m planning to escape, so I’m gathering men willing to come with me. Are you in? |
7 |
We have to steal a ship, but before that, we need to stockpile some food we will take with us. I have a feeling that it will be a long way. |
8 |
We did it! The ship is ours and we are sailing on high seas! But we will need to get some fruit soon, so we do not develop scurvy. |
9 |
Land ahoy! There is an island and a village with a port. Let‘s have a look at their wares and buy what we need and then we are off to Macao. |
10 |
Lower the anchor! Macao, thank God! Our crew's diminished, rough sea and being far from home took its toll. We will get more men here in Macao. |
11 |
Stockpile more food, mainly crackers and flour. The journey to Paris will be long and hard, but I bet the French king will be interested in all of this information we have found. |
12 |
I almost forgot, we need a gift for the king! We must dock at the nearest port and get some fine cloth. Silk would be appropriate. |
13 |
King Louis XV was very impressed by our deeds and offered me a position as delegate on Madagascar. I’ll need new clothes to reflect this and then we are off to my new home. |
14 |
Let’s get more crackers this time. During our journey here we ran out of them around the Cape of Good Hope and I am not very fond of that flat bread, if I’m to be honest. |
15 |
It’s not long since we arrived and locals already voted me to be ampansacabeho, their king. That is quite an unexpected turn of events but not unpleasant. |
16 |
It’s time to return back to France and inform the king about my endeavors. You know the drill already, get some fruit for the voyage. |
17 |
Ah, France. I made a new friend, American envoy Benjamin Franklin. I hear he likes to experiment with lightning, so we should give him some lightning rods as a present. |
18 |
I sent a letter with my friend graf Casimir Pulaski offering help to Americans in their struggle for freedom, but all of their regiments already have commanders. Maybe I could gift them some cannons? |
19 |
I offered my services to Austrian empress Maria Theresa. She pardoned me and lifted my banishment. Begin preparations for a trip my friend, home awaits! |
20 |
Ah, home sweet home! Do you remember the bread I was talking about all those back in Siberia? Here, try some. Magnificent, isn’t it? |
21 |
Ah, those pesky Prussians! They never have enough! Well, sharpen your steel, my friend, we are going back into the thick of the battle. |
22 |
Americans may not need commanders, but they might need advisors. Let’s stockpile some food again and set sail for America! |
23 |
My dear friend Graf Pulaski died in battle fighting for Americans. Let’s give him a proper burial and choose the best slab of marble for his tombstone. |
24 |
I need to attend to some matters back home, so we need supplies for another trip. Do you think we will be able to find enough wheat here with war raging on? |
25 |
The dust didn’t even settle after I returned home and I am leaving again for the USA. But we need more men, so go and get some before we set sail. |
26 |
Just a few weeks after my arrival back into the US, I have been invited to dinner with George Washington. I will need a new uniform, this one is a little battered. |
27 |
It’s been some time since I came here and should probably head home. On my way back I will visit my brother František stationed on Haiti with French army troops. I need supplies for the trip. |
28 |
Ah, almost home. I have to meet emperor Joseph II about a new Austrian colony on Madagascar he wants me to govern. Good thing I picked some exotic fruit on my journey, they will make a fine gift. |
29 |
Oh well, no money, no fun. The Imperial treasury is empty, so the emperor can’t afford an Austrian colony on Madagascar. I will have to look somewhere else, England maybe. |
30 |
I was right, England is the right place. Here I got all the support I needed and a new ship. And finally, I can get my memoirs translated and published, but I will need more men for that. |
31 |
Ahhh, Intrepid, my new ship. Some parts are not finished yet, but we can help with that, can’t we? |
32 |
Oh no, just a few weeks into the voyage and Intrepid is in trouble. The strong storm is ripping our sails apart, we will need to repair them. |
33 |
That storm was terrible, it blew us all the way to Brazil. At least we can find enough wood to repair our ship. |
34 |
Repairs are complete, we can finally leave Brazil for Madagascar. Take some of that cocoa, it will come in handy during the long trip. |
35 |
Hello, Madagascar. It’s good to be back, I missed this place. There is a lot that needs to be built and done. |
36 |
God save the King, my friends! It’s time to gather and prepare to rise against slavers that try to break us and take away our freedom! |
37 |
Stockpile weapons and prepare yourself to fight. To victory! |
38 |
The time has come my friends! The last thing we need to do is to cast new cannons from the bronze my friend brought us. |
39 |
Victory! This is a great day for all of us. We have defeated our enemies and beaten them back! Now let’s feast and enjoy the fruits of our labor. |
40 |
Thank you for all your help my friend. I must leave you now, for I have a kingdom to rule and bring prosperity to - my Mauritania! |
Final |
Thank you for your help. I have a small gift for you. Farewell, captain! |