Many years ago, I designed a new Sponsor of Civ BE and posted it to an online community in my home country. After seeing a post about BE in this Wiki recently, I wanted to share it with some adjustments. This post may feel like a short novel or something, but I think it can be acceptable because Beyond Earth isn't based on history, which means I should introduce this new Sponsor a little. Also, I didn't forget to include Special Ability and Trade Agreement.
United Turkish Empire
Although most of the world was devastated by the nuclear wars during the Great Mistake, a few fortunate nations only suffered small losses. One of them was Turkey, a country that bridges Europe and Asia.
Turkey, one of the top agricultural producers in the world of the 21st century, recovered from the damage wrought by the crisis that followed the Great Mistake relatively fast. They then turned their eyes to Central Asia and reasserted Pan-Turkism they have been claiming for some centuries.
Before the Great Mistake, countries like Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan—the main objectives of Pan-Turkism—had friendly relations with Turkey. But because of their abundant natural riches, many powerful countries were interested in them during the 3rd and 4th World Wars, which led to periods of seizure and occupation. In the end, the Central Asian central governments disintegrated into several local governments that were absorbed into Turkey, now known as the "Turkish Confederation," one by one. Before being absorbed, only the Tajik ethnic group from Iran put up a brief fight. There were some rumors of assassination and string-pulling, but the details remain unknown.
Despite being called a Confederation, this nation was, in fact, led by Turkey, the strongest member and the main advocate of Pan-Turkism. And Turkey had no intention of giving up their position. Instead, they pushed a centralization policy, which resulted in the enthronement of one of the descendants of the Osman Dynasty as the new Padishah. The Padishah was regarded as a living emblem and representative of the entire Turkish race, and Turkish Confederation was reorganized into the "United Turkish Empire." The Padishah, however, had little power, making this new empire a constitutional monarchy in nature.
Thanks to abundant agricultural products and some remaining resources scattered over Central Asia, United Turkish Empire expanded to become one of the superpowers of the 23rd century. Therefore, there was no pressing need for the Seeding project in the empire. However, some disturbances caused by some nations claim that the destruction of the entire human civilization will occur and that the only hope rests on other planets attracted some attention. Although being skeptical, the Sublime Porte, led by Padishah Selim VI, judged that joining insurance is not a bad idea.
Pan-Turkism, the main motif of this design, is a real political movement that emerged in the late 19th century and is currently ongoing. I regarded Turkey sustained no or little damage from nuclear warfare in order to have it take over the entirety of Central Asia (as well as Georgia, Armenia, Northwestern Iran, and Russian territory between Georgia and Kazakhstan), as there is, as far as I am aware, no precise official set up of the Great Mistake.
If this design is made into a mod in real, some quotes and lines need to be added to show the empire's actual nature as the evil one. Although it appears prosperous, this empire has major internal problems. The Sublime Porte claims that every Turkish race enjoys peace and prosperity, loyal to the Padishah. Nevertheless, many Turks who are not citizens of contemporary Turkey continue to struggle against the practically colonial rule of Turkey.
Leader: Aynur Köprülü
Title: Descendant of Prestigious Noble. "Mother of Pioneers"
Despite the empire claims that everyone is equal under God and Padishah, however, some families do maintain and operate the Sublime Porte with economic and social privilege. One of them is the noble house Köprülü, which dates back to the Osman era. The daughter of well-known politician Mehmed Orhan Köprülü is Aynur Köprülü, a respected scientist. She has been paying close attention to other countries' seeding projects for a long time and has consistently emphasized their importance. In the end, she was chosen to be the head of space pioneer groups by Padishah Selim VI's special decree. She is a very sophisticated and brilliant scientist. She also sincerely believes and is proud of being a member of the elite class of the powerful empire, which makes her a bit arrogant and exclusive.
Regarding her appearance, I remember I watched a Turkish drama named "Muhteşem Yüzyıl" when I designed this many years ago. Despite being deeply disappointed by many historical errors in this drama, I recalled the face of Nur Fettahoğlu (who acted as Mahidevran Sultan) without a particular reason.
And there are two reasons I cited Köprülü family. First, as a fan of the Osman Empire in real history, I wanted to make some connection between the empire and this Sponsor. I also believe if Turkey becomes a huge empire again, whether it relates to Pan-Turkism or not, they must emphasize Osman Empire as glorious ancestors and a fine precedent. Second, Koprulu Sector, the main background of another Sci-fi game Starcraft, quoted the name of this family, as far as I know.
Traits
Special Ability: Great Unity
Can spend Diplomatic Capital to make a Station at Tier 3 / 2 / 1 a Turkish Outpost.
Trade Agreements
Mutual Help: Receives -100% / -50% / -33% Energy from Trade Routes connected to Station. Instead, receives +50% other yields from the same Trade Route.
Tributary Trade: Each Trade Route connected to Station provides 0.5 / 1 / 1.5 Health.
Loading Screen Quotes
<< Excerpts from Colony Archives >> << Personal Log, Aynur Köprülü >>
[CED.1444.81]
The more I think, the more embarrassed I am. We, the great Turkish Empire, could not be aware of the reality that a pathetic little company and tribes struggling in poverty could predict. But the merciful Padishah heard my supplication, and eventually, the opportunity arrived. I will not fail him. I will build a new paradise in this new world and dedicate it to the Turkish race—the finest race in human history.
<< Excerpts from Colony Archives >> << Personal Log, Aynur Köprülü >>
[CED.1520.66]
What lies before me in this new world? One thing is certain. Other races besides Turkish must exist. Because, incredibly, they began this grand project before us. Yet, one another thing is certain. In the end, they will all kneel before the might, wisdom, and virtue of the Turkish race and show respect for what our race deserves by nature.
<< Excerpts from Colony Archives >> << Personal Log, Aynur Köprülü >>
[CED.1299.22]
Before the Great Wars, the Turkish race advanced toward the west and forged a great empire. After the Great Wars, the Turkish race moved eastward and created another magnificent empire. And this time, it is time to look up at the stars, where there are still a lot of unanswered questions. With great honor and pride, I will lead our race to solve these in the name of God, Padishah, the Turkish race, and progress.
<< Excerpts from Colony Archives >> << Personal Log, Aynur Köprülü >>
[CED.1517.24]
For past decades, the Empire has played a role as the protector of the whole Turkish race. The Empire has always stepped in to save a single Turk if they are left alone. This noble principle can not be changed even in this strange new world. Any Turk not under our colony's protection must be saved by any means, and that is my duty.
City Lists
Bāb-i ʿĀlī - "The Sublime Porte." One of many names used during the Osman period to indicate Istanbul.
Yeniköprü - "New Köprü." Köprü is a city located in northern Turkey. It is also the origin of the family name Köprülü.
Birlik - "Unity"
Kılıç - "Sword"
Sadakat - "Loyalty"
Güzellik - "Beauty"
Fatih - "Conqueror." Also an epithet of Mehmed II.
Ulus - "Nation"
Rüya - "Dream"
Kanuni - "Lawgiver." Also an epithet of Suleiman I.
Zafer - "Victory"
Soylu - "Noble"
Şeref - "Honor"
Yıldız - "Star"
Çelik - "Steel"
Dilek - "Wish"
Gök - "Sky"
Cesaret - "Bravery"
Kalkan - "Shield"
Şehzade - "Prince"
