 |
Sixteenth Century |
 |
Determined to tame these savage new lands, King Philip funded several conquistadors to
explore and claim them for Spain. One such conquistador, Hernán Cortés, was given a fleet
of ships to conquer the New World. During his first expedition, Cortés established a minor
foothold in southern Mexico and learned of the Aztecs, a powerful tribe that possessed vast
riches. Cortés returned to Spain with treasures from the New World and requested more
troops and resources to attack the Aztecs. In 1521, Cortés received a larger fleet and sailed
back to the New World. Joined by other tribes, enemies of the Aztecs, Cortés marched
against Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital. When Cortés laid siege to the great city, the Aztecs
unleashed a host of terrors never before seen by western eyes. Massive feathered serpents
swept down from the city and destroyed the
Spanish siege weapons as old Aztec gods walked
among the fierce warriors, devouring the invaders.
Cortés himself was severely wounded in the battle,
but managed to retreat to Spain with only a single
damaged vessel.
The utter defeat of Cortés’ army was the last
recorded attempt by European forces to gain a
stronghold in the New World.
In 1587, a naval engagement between Spanish
and English forces resulted in the loss of many
Spanish lives, including several influential
Inquisitors and Spanish nobles. Unlike the
conflict a hundred years before, no diplomats
were exchanged to prevent the war.
A year later, in the current time of 1588, it is
known that the Inquisition has spent many
months preparing for an inevitable conflict
stemming from the miserable Sixth Crusade.
As the Inquisition prepares lengthy articles
detailing heretical charges against England,
the Spanish Armada has continued to grow,
becoming one of the largest naval fleets in
history. Because of its fight against this heresy,
the Inquisition does not allow the casting of
magic, save divine healing spells, within the
bounds of Barcelona.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
