The Ashanti (Osei Tutu I) (LastSword)

This article is about LastSword's mod. For More Civilizations' mod, see The Ashanti (Osei Tutu I).

Akan Empire
Leader	Osei Tutu I
Capital	Kusami
Start Bias	None
Religion	Onyamesom
Culture req. mod	West-African
Civilopedia

The Ashtanti led by Osei Tutu I is a custom civilisation by LastSword, with contributions from hokath and JTitan.

This mod requires Gods and Kings & Brave New World.

Overview

The Ashanti

Akan political organization centered on clans headed by a paramount chief or Amanhene. One such clan, the Oyoko, settled in Asanteman's sub-tropical forest region, establishing a center at Kumasi. The Ashanti became tributaries of another Akan state, Denkyira but in the mid-17th century the Oyoko under Chief Oti Akenten started consolidating the Ashanti clans into a loose confederation against the Denkyira.

Osei Tutu I

Osei Tutu succeeded to the throne in I697, upon the death of his uncle, Obiria Yebo. In his youth he had been shield-bearer to Boa, King of Denkern, an overlord of the Ashanti kings. But handsome and stalwart Osei Tuti had a love affair with the king's sister; she had a child by him, and he was forced to flee for his life.

Coming to the throne, Osei Tutu removed the seat of government to Coomassie, and together with his cousin, Bautin, a neighboring monarch, entered into an alliance for the conquest of their neighbors. He reorganized his army, modeling it after the way of ants on the march.

This alliance led indirectly to a war with Bosinante, King of Denkera, a territory to the southwest-a war that was to shake all West Africa. Bosinante, ostensibly as a compliment, but really out of pride, sent a mission to Osei Tutu composed of his favorite wives. Richly clad and loaded down with jewels, they were accompanied by a magnificent escort of Bosinante's most stalwart warriors.This royal delegation was received by Osei Tutu with all the honors and courtesy due its rank. He gave the queens rich presents and sent them safely back. In reciprocity, Osei Tutu sent Bosinant'e an embassy of his most beautiful wives, led by the chief queen, a woman of extraordinary beauty. When this delegation arrived, Bosinante received its members with due respect, but fell in love at first sight with the beautiful chief queen. Bosinante was young and handsome, and the attraction was mutual.

On her return, Osei Tutu noticed that she was an expectant mother and swore that he would not rest until he had Bosinante's head. Bosinante offered him a large quantity of gold as the price of peace, but Osei Tutu was adamant. He began mobilizing his army, forgetting apparently that he had once been forced to flee from Denkera for a similar offense. He ordered a great quantity of arms and ammunition from the Europeans. The Denkera, either through fear or negligence, made the fatal mistake of permitting his agents to transport these supplies through their country.

While Osei Tutu was in the midst of these preparations, Bosinante died. But Osei Tutu, determined upon conquest, led an army of 300,000 against Denkera. Aided by the Akim, another powerful tribe, the Denkera attacked the Ashanti but the allies were beaten in two great battles. Among the dead was Ntim, the Denkera king who was said to be Osei Tutu's son, born of the illicit union with King Boa's sister. It took the Ashanti fifteen days to collect the spoils of the victory. According to Bosman, "One of the European officers who was sent after the battle as an embassy to the Ashanti king, saw the immense quantity of gold which he had reserved as his own share of the treasures from the Denkeras."

Much of this wealth had been derived from the sale of slaves to the New World. In addition, the Ashanti found among their booty the note by which the Dutch were obliged to pay tribute for the privilege of maintaining Elmina Castle.

But Osei Tutu's vengeance went further. He dug up the body of Bosinante, stripped the flesh from the bones, and fed it to the serpents. The skull and thighbones he brought back as trophies for his palace, where Dupuis saw them a century later. Dupuis says that even then, the Ashanti, on their sacred feast days, execrated these relics.

As for the Akim, allies of the Denkera, they lost 30,000 of their men in battle. After his victory Osei Tutu invaded their territory and levied an enormous indemnity upon them as well as an annual tribute. Osei Tutu next conquered all the neighboring tribes, clans, and villages, uniting them with his kingdom. His own people he ruled with such impartiality and generosity that he became a favorite with them. When the Akim failed to pay their tribute of 4000 ounces of gold, Osei Tutu decided to annex their territory, and sent a large army against them in 1731. Intending to catch up with this army later Osei Tutu started for Denkera territory with a handful of soldiers. He felt quite secure, as his army had already passed that way. But the Akim, learning of his plans, sent a strong detachment of men to ambush him. Unsuspecting, Osei Tutu came along. Just as the royal party was about to cross the Prah River at Coromantee, the Akim opened fire. Osei Tutu was wounded in the side at the first volley. Springing from his litter, he was rallying his men when a second ball pierced his throat and he fell dead, plunging face downward into the river. Taking advantage of the confusion, the Akim charged, killing the whole party of 300, including 60 wives of the king and his nobles.

The loss of their beloved ruler prostrated the Ashanti, and their vengeance upon the Akim was devastating. They burned their city to the ground, killing every living thing in it. As in biblical days, not only the prisoners were sacrificed, but also the sheep, fowls, and dogs.

Osei Tutu's body was never found but his memory did not perish.

Dawn of Man

Wise Osei Tutu, founder and first king of the Kingdom of Asanteman, the great visionary and conqueror. You united your nation, divided for centuries, with a symbol: the Golden Stool. Sent by the heavens as a gift to your people! Stronger than any time before, you lead your people against Denkyira, defeating them. Though you were slain in a cowardly ambush, your legacy lived on! Territorial expansion gave Ashantis access to the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean, which started coastal trade with Europeans, notably the Dutch. Akan continued to flourish... until the arrival of the British. They annexed the territories of your people and sent Ashanti leaders into exile in the Seychelles. Declaring your lands to be the Gold Coast Colony, the new governor, showing no respect and mind, tried to profane the Golden Stool! This provoked righteous outrage and several uprisings. Though defeated in battle, independence was fianlly restored in 1935 within the state of Ghana.

Wrathful and Holy Asantehene! The Ashanti people are ready for your kingship once again! A new world is ready to receive the Golden Stool! Can you once again unite the warring tribes? Can you defend the Golden Stool from those who would seek to desecrate it? Can you build a civilization that will stand test of time?

Leaderscene by LastSword

Introduction: "My name, Osei Tutu. I am the keeper of Golden Stool, the soul of Ashanti people. What brought you here?"

Introduction: "I welcome you in the name of the Sky, the Earth and the Spirit! Let's get you some cooler clothes."

Defeat: "You will never have peace while you profane the Golden Stool!"

Defeat: "You will never sit on the Golden Stool. It's safe, far, far away!"

Strategy

Unique Attributes

The Ashanti (Osei Tutu)
Art by LastSword Golden Stool Gain Tourism for capturing enemy cities, increased for Capitals. Land units have a Combat bonus in rival territory, based on your Influence level.
Art by LastSword Akofo Asafo (Musketman) Starts with Sentry (+1 Sight) Can spend Movement points to perform the "Akan Drum" action, boosting the Movement of nearby units by 2
Art by LastSword Akrafenasmith (Forge) No resource requirements Allows units trained in its city to spread Tourism instead of receiving a promotion

Music

Peace Theme	War Theme
Ashanti - Osei Tutu - Peace	Ashanti - Osei Tutu - War
?	?

Mod Support

Mod Support
Civ IV Traits	No
Community Balance Patch	Unknown
Cultural Diversity	Yes
Ethnic Units	No
Events and Decisions	No
ExCE	No
Map Labels	No
Mercenaries	No
Piety	No
Sovereignty	No
Unique Cultural Influence	No
Wish for the World	No
YnAEMP	With Patch

Full Credits List

Steam Workshop
Latest Version:	BNW v. 31
Last Updated:	18 Jan 2020

• hokath: Text.
• JTitan: Ckofo Model.
• LastSword: All else.