Lords of the Earth
Campaign Five

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Turn 2:  1010 - 1015

 

EUROPE:  

 

Mercenary Pool: 

 

Europe &  Med:                            Greywulf                       969                  5EW & 5EI

                                                            Independents                                      10W, 20XW

                                                            Independent Trans                              20T

                                         

 

 

France, Spain, Italy & Germany:              Santobal                      865                   3HC, 6XC

Independents                                                15I, 5S

Independant                                                5C, 10XC

 

 

 

Egypt  & Cordoba:                                  Al Wat                            735                  10XC, 2C

Independents                                                5XC

 

 

Balkans, Russia, Poland              Moldavian Lord             755                  3C, 3XC

Balkans, Russia, Poland              D’Kolner                     914                  5HEC 

Independents                                                3HI, 5I, 10XI

Independents                                                5C, 10XC

 

 

 

 

Near East and East Africa                   Jaxon’s Free Co.            767                  3HEI, 6EI, 3S

                                                            Independents            (Moslem)                    5C, 10XC                          

 

Central Asia                                         None

 

Buddhist & Lamanist Nations                        Monk Xain                 866                  5HEI, 10EI

 

India Proper                                        Deccan Raiders            857                  10XEC

Independents                                                5I, 5XI

Independents                                                5XC           

Independents                                                10W, 20T

 

 

Asia                                                     Black Wind                A29                 6EW, 10XEW

Independent                                                10XW, 25T

 

SE Asia & So.China                                  Chou Yun                  888                  6EC

Ghazou Robbers            657                        15XI

Independent                                                20I, 40XI. 5S

Independent                                                10C, 20XC

 

No. China, Japan, Korea              Clan Wolf               769                        30XC  

Clan Smoke Jaguar    833                        30XC

 

                                                            Independents                                      50XC

 

 

Scotland:   A Change of Pace

The Harwulf had enough fun last cycle and so he decided to stay at home for a change.  His wife was very happy about this development until she died in childbirth in 1011.  After a short morning period (GM: Has a 1 Year Mourning Policy) Harwulf married again and with his newest wife he had a daughter.  

 

The other activity of the turn revolved around the Isle of Man.  While in route Jargu died so his #2 stepped up and took his place, Hagar.   Now Hagar was no slacker so he continued the journey and met up with Wargar on the Isle of Man.   Now Wargar is there for only one thing ….. to intimidate people, which by the way he is very good at.   Now Hagar is making some progress on the diplomatic front and all of the sudden he dies!  Damn the luck Wargar has to take over, this could have been a real problem but it appears that the folks on the Isle of Man are fearful of big burly Vikings with foul tempers and so they decide to ally themselves with the Scots.

 

 

Norway/Sweden:  Throwing Off the Catholic Yoke

After returning to Norway Ingmar declares that the Celtic Christian will be the religion of choice for the nation of Scandinavia and soon a Capital for Scandinavia will be built in Norway.   Surprisingly this went over pretty well everywhere but Gotland and Uppsala.  Uppsala revolted.  The Revolt was totally crushed within a month’s time but some substantial damage was done to the infrastructure of the region.  On the Diplomatic front the Norwegians were wildly successful.  Not only did nearly every province join outright but Smaland and Haalland fully joined the empire.

 

 

More Northern Catholics looking for Homes  ousted or in the process of being ousted the Catholics of Scandanavia are looking for a place to call home.  Leon is currently out of the question due to enslavement policies.   France is a consideration since people are not totally convinced that the French King was actually supporting slavery knowingly.   Poland. Germany, Tuscany and Hungary are definitely areas being looked at.

 

Gotland declares its Independence.The former Swedish King was infuriated by the actions of his son in law and daughter.  He was ready to wash his hands of them after throwing off the cloak of Roman Catholicism.   He declared Gotland free of all Scandinavian influences and sent letters to the RC European heads of state asking for their support against the Celtic Church should the come calling.  

 

 

England:  Quiet times in the Isles spread to England.  The King tended to the flock and made sure nothing bad happened in his realm.  The English Channel was watched very closely since there had been word that Greywulf was on the prowl but there was no sighting.  Lastly a very large effort was put into bringing relations with Northumbria to a friendly level and the effort paid off.  Anglia, Northumbria and Mercia become Celtic Christian due to the exodus of the Catholics to Europe.  (GM Note:  I did not penalize the English for the Catholic departure since they were not actually uncivil to the RC in any way and there is no population growth procedure.)

 

Wales:  Wales continued it’s slow development.  Clan Leader Thweatt saw his clan expand by two as a son and daughter were added to the household.  Longtime clan ally died Haarus passed and was replaced by a less effect Clan Farfalen leader.  Farfallen took control of the 3000-man army and watched the border vigilantly.

 

 

Celtic Church: Celts in Norway?

It was a challenging time for the Celtic Church.  The Islands are nearly all under their sway and it is time to plot the next course of action.  Glen Gary (the Primate) decided that building upwards and probing outwards was the best course of action.  Though his bishops were a surly lot they agreed with the plan. 

 

Glen Gary attempted to upgrade the facilities in Edinburgh but something went terribly wrong.  Apparently some of the Catholics fleeing England for Germany and beyond heard about this project.  As the facility neared completion it became the target of some vandals and was put to the torch.  Several city blocks in the poor section of town went up too.  Glen Gary undaunted by this event decided to try his luck in the countryside and he had no problems there.  Glen Ross had no problems erecting a monastery in Dyffed either.

 

Glen Barney got off to a good start in Ireland but then was asked to travel to Norway (region not province) and spread the faith.  Well this would have been all fine and dandy if the Scots had not been raiding the hell out of the area the last 10 years.  Glen Barney ran into trouble right out of the gate and almost became a martyr.  He lost a hand in an engagement with some locals.  Strangely this seems to have aided him though because they silly Norwegians have renamed Glen Tyr after the Norse God.  It is a little twisted but it seems to work for the betterment of the church.

 

Eire:   Ah the quiet time

King Conard announced that his wife was heir to the throne this is not a big deal in Eire were women have long been consider near equals to their male counter-parts. Some defenses were erected in the countryside to help the island dissuade raiders from hitting their shores.  Lastly Lord Ryan (not to be confused with Witch-Hunter General Von Ryan of Germany) was sent out exploring in a newly built transport.   He journeyed to the Shetland Is. and then tried to follow the route of the Danish explorers.  He was never heard from again.

 

******Catholic Populous of England, The Isles & Scandinavia: 

The HRE and Catholic Northern Spain both offered the Northern Catholics a friendly new home.   The slaving actions of the French and Leonese in Portugal (Slavery is for savages and frowned on by the Pope) were all the reason the Catholics needed to avoid that region.  One Group of Catholics settled in Holstein and another journeyed on their own to the south to Hungary.  Though not a rich nation their ruler was renowned for his God-like nature and this was very appealing to those fleeing the lands of the Celtic Church, Bakony gains one GPV in value Holstein also becomes a 2GPV region. 

 

France:  Fortress France

Having solidified France under a singular authority Robert the Pious went to work attempting to persuade the people of Provence that he wasn’t a bad guy.  Not surprisingly the people of the territory were not overly receptive to his overtures since all he offered was kind words and comments calling all Burgundians “Frenchmen”.  This “Nationalistic” approach meant little to the people who had just had their King assassinated.  The Kings “feet on the street” also had little affect as they were met with sullen looks and gray clad masses that saw no light at the end of the tunnel. 

 

A lot of work was also put into the moving of Languedoc to a friendlier stance.  As a whole they were generally unreceptive to overtures (having just been crushed underfoot for no reason).   A little progress was made when the Arch Bishop of Paris showed up.  The people of Languedoc are God fearing folks.     

 

Throughout France many small castles and fieldworks were erected.  The King knew with the amount of power he wielded there would be jealous neighbors so he wanted to be as prepared as possible.

 

The underrated Lt. Gascone died during a brawl in Marseille one night before he could depart for Paris.  It was a sorry blow for the French Monarchy, fortunately the equally adept Jacque de Arim (apparently a cousin of Gascone’s) was the second in command of Gascone’s detachment and he took over and fulfilled Gascone’s duties for the cycle  (rather than have Gascone’s Orders go unfulfilled his replacement took over and completed the turn) 

 

The heir to the throne Henri returned to Paris and married a local nobles daughter he had been courting for years.  He was very pleased his father had seen fit to allow this.  Duchess of Arras was very pleasing on to the eye though a bit strong willed for most men but Henri had a long-standing relationship and they seemed to get along well.  In 1012 and 1013 Henri and his wife were blessed with daughters. 

 

In 1015 In the middle of the third pregnancy of the cycle Henri’s wife mysteriously disappeared.  The guard was called out.  Paris was scoured from top to bottom.  No one knows what happened…..the nation and Henri mourned.

 

Prince Robert of Normandy was on the move again.   The French wanted to aid Leon in their persecution of Moslems and Robert of Normandy was sent to make sure they did a good job apparently.   (SEE LEON)

 

Gascony:    Economic Development and Improved Defenses

Aquitaine:  Economic Development  

 

HRE:    Venice is full of Traitors!

Otto conferred with his leaders.  He had just received an urgent message from the Pope (like all their messages weren’t urgent).  Apparently the Venetians had been conspiring with the Orthodox nations to change religious preferences.  The Pope was incensed and demanded something be done. Otto concerned about his newly released state in Italy formulated a plan.    (See Venice)

 

Lorraine: Continued military build up

Swabia:  Economic Development

Bavaria: Economic Development

 

Heresy Spreads!  Switzerland is now Heretical.  Though this is not a brushfire raging out of control it does appear to have a little momentum.  A leader has popped up too Bran Jacobson.  No one knows anything about him but he is the apparently leader of this spreading movement.   Witch-Hunter Von Ryan has investigated but the reporting was done directly to King Otto himself.

 

Carinthians:  Economic Development

Bohemia:   Economic Development

 

Poland:  Peace and Diplomacy

Unlike some parts of Europe Eastern Europe is really quiet.  Poland Built the Capital city of Warsaw and gave it the amenities of a first class city.  Prussia and Bochnia were brought into the fold.  The Heir to the throne (the Kings brother) married this cycle and the newly weds have a little to girl now as well.  The King also married.

 

Hungary:  Another peaceful cycle.   Saint Stephan as some have started to call him ruled wisely over the land.  Public Works were constructed improvements were made just in time too as the on rush of Catholic refugees hit.  Stephen always the gracious host welcomed them with open arms and in fact married one of the refugees, which went over very well with everyone surprisingly enough.  Two children were added to the household of Stephen and everything seems to be going well.  Walachia joined the nation completely mainly because Stephen has shown a tolerance toward the Orthodox religion.

 

Rus:  The Kingdom was pretty quiet but very busy and that is not a bad thing.  The royal family added even more daughters.  The ruler ship turned their attention to making sure that the nation functioned properly.  The Leaders of the nation also made sure that the Orthodoxy was repaid for their assistance on the Smolensk cultivation project.  Several leaders continued to do missionary work in the countryside.  This was done to good affect and the people of the Kievian Republic became more faithful.  Lastly even more fortifications were erected to dissuade raiders from intruding on the lands of the Rus.  As the king approaches his 60th birthday he is starting to show his age, as the cold winters seem to be very unkind to him. 

 

Galica:  A glorious event occurred this turn.  Though it took the complete a total effort of the People of Galica they now have a port city on the Black Sea, Odessa. There was much rejoicing throughout the land as it is hopped this will bring great prosperity to the realm in the way of trade.

 

Novgorod: Latvia is ours!  The crafty Novgorodians lured the Latvians into the fold with the promise of a city, which they immediately built when they Latvians agreed to the treaty.   Riga was founded.   

 

 

Christian Spain:  Assimilate the Portuguese

 

Francis             It is our Land

Thomas            They paid us tribute

Francis             It was paltry

Thomas            It is a sign of good faith

Francis             The Cordobans ceded us those lands

Thomas            They might be a good ally against future Cordovan transgressions

Francis             They are Muslim they can’t be trusted

Thomas            Cordovans are Muslim but you do not tell me to attack them

Francis             The have been subdued they will not bother us for a long time

Thomas            Why must we enslave the Portuguese?

Francis             The Islamics dishonor Christ

Thomas            They believe differently and therefore we should enslave them?

Francis             Yes!

Thomas            The French speak a different language should we enslave them?

Francis             Yes!  Wait No!  DAMN sometimes I hate you brother.

Thomas            I still say your request to enslave Salamanca is wrong, we are not the savages the Islamic nations are, it is important prove we are better that the

                        Islamics not their equals

Francis             Removing the Islamics from those regions will eliminate a long-term threat.

Thomas            That may be true, I will do what you ask because you are my brother and the King.

 

 

Thomas waited patiently for Robert of Normandy to arrive.  He did finally show with

2000 of Normandy’s finest foot soldiers and 2000 Siege Engineers (it is a REALLY good

thing that these boys came).

 

Into Portugal: 9000 men moved into Portugal almost all slow moving heavy troops

Plod Plod Plod.  The Portuguese were ready they had built some Field Fortifications

(not enough because those bastard Frenchmen showed up).  Battle of Portugal: 

This was a pretty cut and dried affair because the Portuguese knew the

Evil Catholics were coming and they had picked a battleground to their liking.  Right

along the Mondego river near Mt. Estrela.      The Portuguese were lead by Lord

Salamanca for whom the province of Salamanca was named (ok maybe not but sounds

good).  Salamanca was a good leader but not a great one.  (NOTE:  The GM decided to

not be a complete bastard and hire Mercs.  This may not happen a second time.) 

The Portuguese force primarily consisted of Infantry, appox. 3000 Portuguese regulars

Filled the ranks.  2000 mostly Elite Salamancan Cavalry rounded out the force.

 

Lord Salamanca knew the only hope he had was to out maneuver the slow moving

Knights of the Combined Leonese/French Army.   The Portuguese infantry was dug in as

much as they could be, they had a little help from the rebel Cordovan Siege Engineer.

The defensive position at least had a few traps and the like to make things interesting.

 

 

The Battle Opens:  Thinking that the Army was all infantry since that is all that the

Allied forces had seen to date Thomas d.V. decided to do a headlong charge at the center

Of the infantry formation, Thomas’s Scouts had told him the defenses were questionable

and that the only thing he needed to concern himself with, from what the scouts could

 tell, was the smallish Field fortifications anchoring the ends of the lines.  (That was

what the French were for).   Thomas knew there was cavalry somewhere in the area but

he wasn’t sure how much and he was certain if he broke the center quickly the enemy

cavalry would be irrelevant.

 

CHARGE!   Rumble, rumble , rumble……. the 2500 Kingdom Knights lead by 1000 in

 full armor (for the period of course) ran straight down the gut while the Infantry force

 was split in two parts to protect/help the siege engineers take out the wing defenses.

 The plan was working brilliantly the infantry was not any match for the Heavy Horse

And they got killed in big numbers during the initial onrush.  

 

Just as the Infantry in the center was about to break and just as the Heavy Infantry got

 into position against the Field Forts the Salamancan Cavalry struck on the right flank.

Unlike their opponents the Salamancan's didn’t have tons of heavy troops so their strike

was not as devastating.  It was effective however and for a short while the siege troops

and the Heavies were on their heals.  Then the Salamancan center completely

disintegrated. 

 

Lord Salamanca seeing the center crumble knew the province was lost so he rallied what

cavalry he had left and withdrew.  Though the allied army tried to pursue they were not

effective in doing so since they were all heavy troops.

 

Portugal is garrisoned on to Salamanca!     

The Portuguese were on the ropes, destruction of the remainder of the army should come soon and there would be a victory party afterwards.  The Salamancan Lord knew there was little he could do though he had a force of all Elite Cavalry he was woefully outnumber by a 3-1 margin.  The Salamancan Lord harried and harassed his opponent while the allied army trudged toward each of the two small walled villages in the region.  The harassment was only marginally effective and the province was subdued.  Lord Salamanca withdrew into the Cordovan territory of Talavera knowing he would not be pursued there.

 

CHRISTIAN SLAVERY!!!   Once the province of Salamanca was subdued the orders spread through the ranks……the Muslim Population was to be put in chains! 

 

Robert of Normandy refused to participate in this action and returned to France.

 

The province rose up and tried to resist but there was no way to oppose the Heavy Infantry and Cavalry with pointed sticks and pitchforks.  All who could flee did and there was unrest in Portugal over this as well.  The Leonese forces returned to Leon with their haul of slaves  While the leaderless forces of Leon faced off against an angry militia/ trained troops (remember the Infantry that survived the first battle in this province was not pursued because all the Leon troops are heavies).   Both sides met up pretty quickly to settle the second battle of Portugal.   

 

Second Battle of Portugal: The sides were pretty even Leon had about 400 Castilian Heavies and the rest were Galician regulars 800 or so.  The Portuguese had about 1000 militia and about 500 regulars and 500 light infantry units.    The Portuguese actually had a leader Hisham formerly the Cordovan leader had decided to lead the rebels.   He chose the swarm method of attack.  Generally not very effective but what else do you do with a mob army?   The battle was met and it was incredibly fierce, slavery or the threat of it does that to people.  Hisham not being a very good leader was having some real problems holding things together when at the last minute before total collapse on the side of the revolutionaries occurred Lord Salamanca showed up to save the day.    His small elite force routed the beleaguered Leonese garrison and slaughtered them to a man.   

 

 

Cordoba:  TRADE

Now that peace is in full swing and the peace appears to be legit the Cordovan King built a ton of ships.   Further overtures to the Moroccan government occurred.  The King is very pleased that he has a grandson. 

 

In the Palace of the King:

Hisham II             Go tell Lt. Real his services are no longer need.

Mohammed            Why father?

Hisham He is inept

Mohammed            It could be worse father, the men think well of him

Hisham He couldn’t fight his way out of a room full of concubines

Mohammed      I combat the only virtue a man is to be judged by, if so father I think you should be concerned about your position.

Hisham             Don’t be insolent my son you can be replaced

Mohammed      You are already working on that father as I see it

Hisham             You are my son why do you doubt that

Mohammed      You seem to value the Moroccan lands a great deal, how is your grandson

Hisham             You worry too much all of this will be yours someday.

 

 

Mohammed went to the local barracks to talk to Real. 

Mohammed      Father says you are to be sent home.

Real                 Home, he is casting me out?

Mohammed      Yes…. I am sorry I will give you a couple of days to say goodbye to the men and gather up your family. 

Real                 Back home to Portugal, hate taking my family into Portugal now.

Mohammed     I just do as my father asks, my apologies to you and your family.

 

Next Day

Mohammed      awoke the next morning when the Captain of the Guard.  

COG                Sire Lt. Real told me to wake you

Mohammed            Real…. is he ready to leave?

COG                No he left with the Infantry forces last night.

Mohammed            What! 

COG                He said we were going to make sure the Islamics in Portugal were protected.  Since Infantry is slower than Cavalry, Real told us that his force was to leave immediately.

Mohammed      You believed him? 

COG                Why wouldn’t I?  Is there something I should know?

Mohammed      No…. Let them go, we should be helping the Portuguese.

 

 

Later in the cycle the prince had to respond to an intrusion in Talaveras but by the time he arrived he had found out it was just the Portuguese army passing very quickly through the land. No harm no foul rules were in vogue and so the Prince did not pursue.

 

Morocco:  

Nice being the SFA of the Cordobans.  They have lots of money and the King loves his new grandson.  Moroccan military forces were improved and there was some thought of supporting the Portuguese independence movement.  The thought was quickly squashed when it was determined that the Cordovans were not inclined to do so.  Something about agreements being agreements.  Morocco became the new home for the Sunni religion.

 

Roman Empire of the East:  War against Venice  (See Venice)

Lots more building going on in the REE must be nice to be one of the most powerful nations in the world.  Sparti grew, lots of public works were constructed and many investments were made all part of being rich and powerful. 

 

Basil II was heading into his 50’s he had a truly glorious life but he longed for one more great victory to show the world he was truly one of the greatest leaders that ever wear a crown.  The story is sketchy on how this came about but Basil apparently was contacted by the Doge of Venice about making Venice an Orthodox nation.  Basil hated the Veniceans, they were arrogant and they stole some of his trade.  Basil decided the insolent Doge should be dealt with and he knew just the thing to do.

 

 

Pope:  Treachery!

Your eminence a message has arrived from Basil II himself.

Amazed the Pope stirs and reads the document and the attached document as well.

Pope Gregory is appalled.  It appears that the Venetians have been contemplating converting back to the Orthodox religion!  How could this be true?  They had received land from the Papacy.  The former Pope, God rest his soul, had bent over backwards to assist the Italian State even at risk of alienating Otto himself and this is the thanks the Church gets.   Gregory reread the document signed by the hand of Oreolo himself.  He wept and prayed that God would forgive him for the course of action that he must now take.   Gregory scribed letters to both Basil II and to Otto requesting that they take the action necessary to remove the black soul that claimed to be the Doge of Venice.  He and his nation would become part of a good Catholic nation.

 

 

Venice: Treachery! 

Oreolo and his son were taking a tour of the barracks in late January when all of the sudden a disturbance broke out.  Alarms were sounded and chaos was erupting apparently the 6th Kings Brigade was in open conflict with the 1st and 2nd King’s Brigade.   It was total mayhem.   There was a building on fire people running all over the place.  Oreolo and Giovanni rushed to the scene and discovered that apparently Sgt. Guiseppe and his 6th Brigade had been bought off.  Oreolo and Giovanni rushed into the fray.    The fighting was fierce in the darkness the flames of a burning barracks barely making it light enough to see and with everyone dressed the same it was extremely difficult to tell friend from foe.  It was nightmarish and things finally were winding down at about sunrise.   Giovanni was resting on a tipped over wagon taking holding a ladle of water when a guard approached.  Giovanni asked the man if he had seen his father and the guardsmen said no.  Then the guardsmen shifted a dagger into his hand while Giovanni took another gulp of the refreshing water.   Stab, stab, stab, the dagger plunged into poor Giovanni, the guardsman spit on his body and muttered under his breath, “rot in hell friend of the Orthodox”.  Quickly the assassin scurried off leaving no trace of his passing. 

 

Loyal guards found a short time later Giovanni’s body and the Doge was notified immediately.   There was a great uproar in the court.   Everyone knew this was a sign of bad things to come.  The Doge took several minor actions he hoped would help against further badness.  The Doge was given an armed guard at all times, men who were above reproach.  Secondly all troops were pulled into the city. 

 

In the Ionian:  About time Basil II cut me lose.  I thought I was going to die living off military pay.    All right men this area is teaming with ships lets collect some booty!  The Cypriot Buccaneer was free at last.

 

 

In April there was news out of the Ionian that pirates were attacking shipping. 

Oreolo summoned Giovanni (not the dead prince) back to Venice to watch things on the home from and to make sure that food supplies were brought onto the island.  Oreolo took the fleet out to the Ionian.  It was a good sized fleet numbering 60 – 80 vessels of mixed capability.  Now Oreolo was no slacker on land and see and he had a pretty good working knowledge of the piracy, the Venetians had long had conflicts with the Pirates of the Med. 

 

June:  While waiting off the coast of Zikanthos Oreolo caught a break, he saw the Light Pirate vessels on their way toward a few Venetian trade ships on the open water, he had been allowing some of his heavy warships run escort duty so he was not at full strength but since Heavy warships were no good at chasing light ones much better to have the light ones come to them.   

 

The Cypriot Buccaneer had no fear of one ‘Fat Cow” Heavy warship guarding the ships, sure his boys might get a little bloodied but if he could capture her she would make a wonderful prize.   His ships approached and the merchants slowly broke and tried to run, the Heavy Warship “Troy’s Demise” angled into position between some of the light warships and the Cypriot Buccaneer, Mikalos, ordered his several of his ships to pursue the merchantmen and he and 6 of his ships would try to capture the “Troy’s Demise” HA!  Mikalos was beside himself with joy the Emperor would be pleased with this haul.   

 

Oreolo order all his ships to sally forth he sent several ships to save the merchants but had everyone else head for the group about to attack the “Troy’s Demise”.  

 

The Light ships had no problem pulling up beside the large Galley, though the men were impressed by it’s size and structure (unlike any built in Constantinople even) the did not balk at the opportunity to board her and kill the crew.   Like many ants swarming up on a picnic table the Cypriots were all over the place.  The Venetians fought valiantly apparently some Heavy Infantry was brought along for the ride.  The Venetians mad it hell on the Cypriots to get on board.  The fighting all in all was very brutal.  Then the rest of the Veniceans arrived and things got really messy for the Cypriots who didn’t see that coming.   Oreolo captured all 6 of the ships that had been chained to the heavy warship also captured was the Mikalos (he was VERY unhappy).  Of the other only 2 escaped back to Cyprus. 

 

July:  Oreolo made it back to the capital ships in tow; the citizens were very pleased at their naval success.  Oreolo had heard rumors of a large force of Germans moving through the Alps and he knew there would be more trouble to follow.   His Life in hell was just beginning. 

 

In the Mountains of Tyrol:  Otto was concerned it was taking much longer than he thought it would to get to Italy.  Otto thought to himself about a time when he would no longer have to go to Italy and he could hunt all day in the Black Forest and hear tales of Demons and Devils told around the campfire by Von Ryan to scare the children.  

 

Otto                 Matthias I though I ordered a royal road built through here

Matthias            no postal road only, the Royal Road begins in Lombardy

Otto                 Pietro is going to be pissed it took us so long

Matthias            Would that be till you turn over the Italian contingent of your army to him

Otto                 Ha! Right you are Matthias, he will wait.

 

Just then Von Ryan trotted up. 

 

Von Ryan            Sire it is worse than we thought

Otto                 How so

Von Ryan            Well this heresy seems to be spreading first of all

Otto                 and

Von Ryan            They now have a leader, Bran the Unifier

Otto                 Well that could be a problem, what is their agenda

Von Ryan            They are rebelling because they want a reunification of the churches

Otto                 interesting, nothing evil at all about them? 

Von Ryan            Apparently not

Otto                 Well investigate further then turn in a report in Franconia, I have God’s work to do, I will check the report out when I get back

Von Ryan         Consider it done thank you sir and good luck

………………Von Ryan rides off…………….

Otto                 Matthias what is wrong with that boy?

Matthias           A burning desire for knowledge is all

Otto                 think that is healthy

Matthias           Someone has to be thinking about the dark underside of society and he seems to have a knack for it.

Otto                 You are right about that…..I have no clue what is going to happen when he does turn up a coven, good lord, maybe we should assign him a detachment of King’s Hussars so he doesn’t get himself killed.

Matthias           Fine idea.        

 

Spring 1012: April the Germans show up with their Tuscan allies, the province is not defended as has always been the policy of the Veniceans the Island is to be defended the province of Verona is not.   

 

Battle of the Adriatic, Venice June 1012:  The REE brought their huge fleet into the Adriatic, 160 ships with a good contingent of Royal Guard troops.    (heavy troops fighting off of ships is very risky, high mortality rate.)   Oreolo was not the master that Basil was and he did not have the fleet he did either.  The only thing Oreolo had going for him was that he knew the REE would be coming so he could prepare somewhat, the Veniceans were the masters of the Adriatic and there was hope that that dominance would continue.  

 

Basil II showed in the waters around Venice.  He had not encountered and Venetian fleet and this was a concern.  In fact he didn’t see a single Venetian vessel at all.  Basil II laughed to himself the Veniceans were crafty Basil would be careful.    Basil anchored near the Mouth of the Po and had constant and vigorous patrols making sure no ships made it in or out of Venice. 

 

In the camp of the HRE/Tuscan Army:

Otto                 Pietro did you send your men to check out the Po river?

Pietro II            No we did the initial area sweep but your lands are on the other side of the river so I saw no reason to leave folks down there.

Otto                 Hmm I have a very bad feeling about this, there are no Venetian ships in the area they left a couple of weeks ago best as I can tell, before we reached the Lagoon area. 

Matthias           Pietro I should have told you to bring the fleet around I would much rather assault the city than wait and hope it falls.  This is frustrating.

Otto                 no kidding, Pietro send some men down to check the Po again I am a little concerned, Basil is anchoring near there and I don’t want to have to answer to him of there were some ships on the river.

Pietro II            I'll send some cavalry in the morning.

Otto                 Excellent 

 

This went on for several days, one night when there was no moon the Veniceans showed up!   All of the sudden out of the mouth of the Po as the tide was going out 3 score of light warships sallied fourth, approx. at the same time coming up the coast the Venetian medium and heavy contingent arrived.  Shock rolled through the REE fleet! 

 

On Basil II’s ship,  “The Golden Horn”, the alarm was sounded and light went up everywhere, Oreolo had caught him sleeping he couldn’t believe it, where were his patrols!   There was a HUGE commotion there was a great deal of screaming as some ships were torched it was total mayhem as the ships were trying to pull up anchor.  The Venetian ships were on them like lightning though, their streamlined hulls allowed them to cut through the water like a hot knife through butter.   It was very scary to behold. 

 

Basil felt his ship getting rocked as he got to the deck, there would be borders soon……he drew his trusty sword and ordered his men to stop the boarders at all cost, it was too dark really for missile fire to be very effective but the Veniceans were lighting up the skies with flaming arrows.  The battle raged, men screamed and the sharks feasted it was a battle of life and death for Venice. 

 

The battle lasted throughout the night many assaults were made on Basil’s “Golden Horn” and it finally succumbed to the flames Basil took numerous wounds during the battle but still had to be dragged off his ship as it went down.   As dawn broke the Roman Empire of the East was in full retreat.  It was a sad day in Constantinople.  The only thing on the upside was there was no one that the Venetians could pursue.   The damage to the Venetian fleet was pretty substantial.  All told nearly 150 ships ended up on the bottom of the Venetian Gulf that night.

 

In the camp of the HRE/Tuscan Army

 

Otto                 Holy Mother please don’t let that be REE ships being torched

Matthias           This could really put a damper on the Siege, we can’t get to the City on foot and it appears now there may be know way of keeping them from being supplied by sea.

Otto                 Very bad indeed, I though I would be home to see the kids next year.

 

Tell the boys to dig in and leave the peasants alone.  We are going to be hear a while and

And the locals are going to feed us.

 

 

Serbia/Croatia:  Serbo-Croatian Kingdom is declared

Living up to the promises made to the people of Croatia Dragonir II announced that the Croatian Prince (recently married to his daughter) Mikhail, would be named heir to the throne.  This caused a bit of a stir between Dragomir II and his brother Gortan but things seemed to have calmed down.  Also causing a bit of a stir was the announcement that Dragomir’s second oldest daughter would be marrying Lord Ludgorie in the next cycle when she came of age. 

 

The rest of the activity of the Kingdom was restricted to keep things functioning properly.  That went well, the times of food shortages and reliance on the generosity of their neighbors for food appears to be at an end.    

 

 

Roman Empire of the East:  (Continued)

Basil was very badly wounded when he was brought back to Constantinople.  He was a tough old bastard though and he was not going to give up on life easily so Clergy snatched him up and dragged him off to the Hagia Sofia.   The Great Orthodox Temple in Constantinople.   Priest worked on him day and night incensed was burned and prayers were made to spare this great man of God from departing the earth.  Finally after about a week Basil started to recover.  Many said it was a miracle.  (A miracle was the Veniceans winning that naval combat)  but we all know there are no miracles.  Basil spent the rest of the cycle in careful contemplation of his life and his actions.  He fumed at the defeat to the Veniceans but he thanked God daily for not taking his life.

 

Civil Disobedience: Fortress Aleppo

Baras was sent into to negotiate with the rebelling Islamics who had heavily barricaded the fortress.  Talks got under way but really went nowhere.  The Greek Orthodox settlers had come in and were running everything.  They had taken over the trade concessions on the docks, even in the old city, they were buying up shops and the army was overly supportive of the Greeks any time there was any criminal activity, it was all bad.  Baras left the inner city wringing his hands; he did not know what to do.  Rather than take action that would cause the deaths of a great many Islamics and maybe damage relations with the Buhwayid neighbors he decided not to passive siege the inner city.  There was some boat traffic and the blockade at the gates was lifted on the REE side.  The Islamics refused to open the gates but by the end of the cycle they sent a messenger to Baras telling him they were ready to talk. 

 

 

Roman Empire of the West:  Naples expands 

Following the instructions of Basil II Rex expanded the city of Naples.  He also increased the size of the military.  With the calamity occurring in Northern Italy it was important to be prepared for the worst. 

 

The local clergy is getting a little to pushy with Emperor Rex and while he grateful to have them helping him when they started sticking their nose in places it didn’t belong Rex declared enough was enough and refused to see any Orthodox Clergy for 6 months.

 

Orthodox Church:  Expansion continues

The stepchild of the RC church continued to expand rapidly and continued to develop existing facilities.  No confrontations occurred with the Pope and it appears things are settling down.  The only bump in the road came when the uncharacteristically uncharismatic Bishop Leo attempted to take action in Serbia.  Tales are uncertain but it appears there is some lingering hard feeling toward the Orthodox Church for helping oust the Manichaeans from the region.   Some work was attempted in Antioch my Missionaries (See Antioch).  

           

 

Buhwayids:  

For the first two years of the cycle everything was going well.  The Prince and his entourage were spending lots of time in Persia making sure everything was good (which it was).  Hatamid Prince and Advisor Daud were working on making Lebanon more than a Tributary and also making sure things remained calm in the area since their was some concern that their might be further unrest stemming from that action.   Then it happened the King died!

 

Baha al-Dowlah dies the nations mourns.

This is just what the southern territories had been waiting for.  The Fars General, and a co-conspirator Lt. Kracker decided it was time to put an end to the Buhwayid monarchy.  They knew the Heir was still in Persia and that the prince was only 12 so there was nothing between them and the capital!    News was also coming in that when word got out that Fars had revolted and two former Captains in the Kings army were leading the army several other southern provinces took up arms and sent troops to aid in the march on Baghdad.   The Southern Provinces army was lead by Amjad, he was not incompetent.    The Fars General and Lt. Kracker did not wait for the Southern Province troops to arrive they gathered all the forces they could muster from Fars and headed North.  They had heard rumors of trouble in the north and were optimistic that the Hatamid Prince had betrayed the throne.

 

In Baghdad:  Akeem come quickly.  

Akeem             What is it?

Servant The Garrison Leader is here to see you

Akeem             Is he armed?

Servant No

Akeem             Good, send him in

 

Baghdad GL            Sire there is a problem

Akeem             What is it

Baghdad GL            There is an army on its way here from the South….actually 2 of them

                        The Hatamid Prince is coming along with Daud from Lebanon

                        Arlibiq seems to be up and arms

                        Your brother is still in Persia

Akeem             Is there any other bad news?    Allah please be merciful

Baghdad GL            Yes some of the Garrison revolted and the Abbasid’s have been freed

Akeem             Next you are going to tell me the Romans have attacked!

Baghdad GL            No sire not yet

Akeem             Are their still rebels in the city?

Baghdad GL            Not to the best of my knowledge sire

Akeem             Well we are going to sit and wait, double the wall guards and pray to                   Allah that my brother gets here soon.  Also remove all the grain out of the

                        Storage areas by the river and bring them into the city.  We may have to hold out for a little while.           

 

Lebanon a month (June 1012) after the kings Death:

 

Hatamid Prince            This is going to be trouble.

Daud                            why is that?

Hatamid Prince            because the heir is in Persia

Daud                            what do you think we should do?

Hatamid Prince            I think it would be a good idea to head for Baghdad

Daud                            You really think anyone would question the princes right to rule?

Hatamid Prince            Have you ever diced with Kracker?

Daud                            no

Hatamid Prince            He hated the King

Daud                            really

Hatamid Prince           Yes, you think he will like the prince any better?

Daud                            Probably not, what about you though?

Hatamid Prince            What about me?

Daud                            Now is your chance to reclaim your throne?

Hatamid Prince            and then what?  Get another ass kicking by the REE?  I don’t

                                    Think so

Daud                            Hmmmm all right, then lets go make sure everything is alright.

 

 

Two months (July 1012) after the kings death on the plains of Mesopotamia:  Fars and Kracker have arrived, they left all the provinces behind them untouched hoping to get a drop on the under aged prince before he really could act.   They met up with the Abbasids on their way and the Primate told all the men who aided in his escape to help the rebels in their efforts to destroy the Buhwayids.   Buoyed by the additional troops the Captains knew there was no stopping them.   As the rested on the plains they did a head count, 2-3K worth of Cavalry, 1k of Heavy Infantry and 600 Sappers.    After conferring with the rebels from Baghdad it was determined that there was no way that the city could be taken by force so the army fell into passive siege mode.  There was no news on the Hatamid prince or Daud but it was suspected the Hatamid prince would betray the Buhwayids.  If that happened he could lead the army and there would be no stopping them.  Shortly after the camp were set a rider came in announcing that a good sized army was moving in from Arbiliq.   Captain Kracker immediately went to meet the force.

 

Kracker            Greetings

Bel                   Greetings to you

Kracker            what brings you out of Arbiliq

Bel                   I have come to assist you, I am not pleased with the Buhwayids they have

                        Hindered the growth of Islam long enough.

Kracker             Excellent please join us

 

Bel                   Ordered his men to pacify the region while the Southerners ran the Passive Siege.  There was no opposition in the province to speak of but it was important to make sure everything was secure.

 

Rebels 5000 Cavalry, 1600 Ground troops.

 

Three Months after the king’s death:  The Heir Al Basasiri is notified his father is dead and that he needs to return to the capital immediately.

 

August 1012 – January 1013

The Siege continues and all not in Mesopotamia are aware of what is going on there.

 

February & March 1013:   

Hatamid Prince's Army and the Southern army are very close to each other.

The Prince breaks and tries to surrender.  He is arrested by the Baghdad Garrison leader and imprisoned.   Times are tough in the city but there is ample water and though things are difficult the city is huge and there was plenty of food to be had in this city on the breadbasket region prior to the siege going up. 

 

April relief has finally arrived:

The army of the South arrives and joins the Captain Kracker’s force.  It contains another 2000 Cavalry and even some Kuhlal Heavies.   Kracker and Fars were very happy; they felt now that even if the Hatamid wasn’t on their side they had a chance. 

 

The Hatamid Prince and Daud arrive.    Hatamid Prince comments to Daud…..see I told you so.  The Hatamid and Daud realizing they have the advantage of the enemy forces being split between siege duty and area defense strike immediately. 

 

Initial Engagement:

 

Hatamid Prince with the Hatamid Guard (600 men) and a large Carhae Light horse army (2000 men)   & Daud with the Mesopotamian Cavalry Regulars (3000 Cavalry)

 

On the other side Bel the Arbiliq commander and Amjad.  Amjad had 1800 mixed medium and light cavalry from the southern provinces; Bel had his 1800 man all Arbiliq Cavalry force of mediums and lights.

 

Each side danced around for about two weeks, the Rebel force was trying to delay as long as possible so some of the besieging troops could join them.  Sadly Captain Kracker (can’t believe you never had me change his name Ken) and General Fars were completely incompetent and decided their allies could deal with the problem effectively.

 

In the area near the town of Samarra the engagement occurred.  The rebel leaders chose the spot because they knew they could flee across the Tigris if need be and it would be difficult for the Loyalist faction to pursue.  A Fars Heavy Infantry unit who was part of the besieging force garrisoned Samarra.  They ad been assigned to watch for traffic from the north coming down the Tigress.

 

Shortly after the first prayer of the day the Hatamid Prince and Captain Daud fell on the rebels.  The Rebels were of course prepared they knew that the Hatamid Prince would not wait long once he had their backs to the river and they were right.   The Loyalist hit the Rebels VERY hard though the arms and armor where essentially the same the rebel forces just didn’t have the spine to stand up to the superior numbers brought to bear against them.  The battle was over very quickly and Bel was wounded and captured and Amjad fled with what was remaining of his force headed back down south.   The garrison in the town slowed the would be pursuers down enough to allow what was left of the fleeing army to escape. 

 

Second battle of Mesopotamia:    

Fars                 They what?

Kracker            They fled

Fars                 What are we going to do now?

Kracker             Die!  We are going to die and it is all your fault!

Fars                 Oh shut up you are pathetic

Kracker            What then?

Fars                 Pull all the troops back, lets see if we can get the hell out of here

Kracker            alright

Fars                 Send in the Ahmed when you leave

……………………………….

Ahmed             Yes sir

Fars                 get the men and kill Kracker he is a spineless bastard

Ahmed             yes sir

Fars                 Send out the messengers call in all the troops we are going to try to get the hell out of here.

Ahmed             Right away sir

 

 

The Fars General used his infantry as sacrificial lambs so that he could extract his cavalry forces from the province; he was surprisingly effective at doing this.   The Fars general retreated to Fars.  The Hatamid Prince liberated the province and waited for the King to arrive.

 

The new King arrives Al Basasiri the Lame King of the Buhwayids.   His younger brother all of 14, is imprisoned because he tried to surrender the city.  The Hatamid Prince is the hero of the day but has made no effort at all to undermine the new king’s authority.   Daud and the Hatamid are seeing eye to eye on things and they have not moved because the ascendancy needed to be secured.   At the end of 1014 the Ascendancy occurs and in 1015 the army is reorganized and Arlibiq is conquered, no point in leaving an enemy in the rear.  All the regular armies (not Garrisons) of the Buhwayid kingdom are in Mesopotamia awaiting orders.

 

 

Persia:  Caspian coast secured.  A crucial element to the advancement of Persia was secured when the Persian Caliph and his aide went to Tabristan and spent the entire cycle luring the Tabristan state into the fold.  They were successful and the Caliph now has a wife.  There were some concerns about the turmoil in Baghdad but those were dispelled when the Hatamid Prince swept away the rebels. 

 

 

Egypt:  Al-Hakim ruled over his kingdom and all went pretty well.  Public works were expanded in several areas and the bustling port city of Benghazi was enlarged.  This city has become extremely valuable not only to the Egyptians but also many of their trade partners in the Western Mediterranean.  Much trade could not be conducted if it wasn’t for this port or at least not as efficiently.

 

Vizier Mustafa was trampled to death one day in on his way home from work.  It appears as if some work was being done in a certain section of town part of a wall collapsed causing the citizens to stampede down the already crowded thoroughfare.  Mustafa stumbled and was run over repeatedly.  Not a pretty site.  Al-Hakim named his favorite cousin to the position vacated by Mustafa and all seems alright now.    

 

On the Docks of Cairo: 

Hassan             what is that all about?

Abdul               an money train being sent to the Buhwayids

Hassan             what?

Abdul               yeah there was some kind of mix up

Hassan             wish I had money I didn’t need

Abdul               Yea I bet, how do you keep those kids fed.

Hassan             I got them jobs

Abdul               ALL of them?

Hassan             Almost Big Mohamed is only 3 but the rest are doing their part

Abdul               Asim is only 5, don’t you think that is a bit young

Hassan             Damn man you ride my ass almost as hard as my wife

Abdul               Alright I will cut you some slack what is Asim doing

Hassan             Well with all the public works being added the contractors needed someone small to climb inside of the pipes carry water out to the river

Abdul               Why don’t they hire a bunch of damned Sunni’s to do that work?

Hassan             Ha! You know what shotty work they do; no one wants to hire them.

Abdul               You hear about that ruckus in Antioch?

Hassan             Yeah can you believe the Byzantines  (Chuckle, chuckle) thought the Sunni would negotiate?

Abdul               Man those REE boys hate it when you call them Byzantines.  All their high and mighty ROMAN virtues. 

Hassan             Mark Anthony was a good guy

Abdul               Yea!  One good Roman comes our way every 1000 years, go figure.   

Hassan             Well our King seems to get along with them

Abdul               Yea, of course he thought the public works project next to your home was a good idea too.

Hassan             Don’t get me started on the traffic again, you hear about that freaking wall collapsing?

Abdul               No, what happened?

Hassan             I got no idea but I tell you what it was total mayhem I was lucky to get out alive.

Abdul               Is that red clay on your sandals?

 

Whip Cracks * Hey you to slackers get back to work!

 

Tunis:  Land O’ Trade

Nothing really important happening here just lots of trade.  This makes Tunis a good amount of money (by small nations standards) and thus very happy.  Until they hear about Moslems being enslaved in Portugal.

 

          Algeria:  My kingdom for a city

Finally their prayers are answered and they have a city from which they can conduct trade, they are very happy so they celebrate and praise the Fatimids for sending financial assistance.  Then they hear about Moslems being enslaved in Portugal.

 

Shia Church: Converting the Holy City

The Shia had another good cycle.  A couple of Monasteries were constructed, and some effect conversion actions took place.  Remarkably the attempts to begin converting both Jerusalem and the province of Thebes didn’t lead to any deaths.

 

Primate Muamur            Acolyte Akbar you know what you are to do?

Akbar                          Yes, but are you sure?

Primate Muamur            I am positive

Akbar                          But we hate the Sunni, they are weak and misguided

Primate Muamur            End our differences will make the Islamic people invincible

Akbar                          Can’t we just kill all of them that refuse to acknowledge the Shia teachings and do the same thing?

Primate Muamur            That would be far to time consuming and might unite the Sunni nations they might attack the Fatimid

Akbar                          I will do as you ask

 

Several Months latter in a Sunni Mosque in Jerusalem

Akbar                          Let me in Heretical scum

Sunni Priest                  Why should foul follower of the misguided primacy

Akbar                          Because the Voice of God sent me

Sunni Priest                  HAHAHAHA!  Voice of God..HAHAHA! Stop you ..you aren’t an acolyte you are a comedian

Akbar                          Shut Up!  I knew we should have just killed all of you instead of talking.

Sunni Priest                  Well at least your Primate sent someone with a sense of humor, come in

Akbar                          Thank you

Sunni Priest                  What is it that you want?

Akbar                          Reconciliation

Sunni Priest                  Are the Shia planning on becoming Sunni?

Akbar                          Ha! Now who is the comedian?

Sunni Priest                  Is your Primate serious?

Akbar                          He would not have sent me if he wasn’t it.

Sunni Priest                  I can speak for the Local Order, we will open negotiations but I will promise nothing

Akbar                          That is an acceptable first step; I will report this to the Primacy

 

                                                  

Zagwe:  Path of peace?  After a stern talking to by the Patriarch Mitsoutakis the Zagwe Queen Mera had a change in attitude about how to deal with the Coptic peoples. 

 

In the Court:

Mera                Son what have you done with the money for the urban development project?

Lalabela           What project?

Mera                The one that was going to bring water to the city from the Nile tributary

Lalabela           Oh I thought it was supposed to be used for a swimming pool with attached underwater Grotto leading into my estate.

Mera                What!  That is what you did with the water Project Funds!

Lalabela           oops

Mera                Son I think you probably ought to go to Geriza and see if you can make yourself useful before I KILL YOU!  Get out of my sight!

 

The prince was surprisingly effective at swaying the Gerizans into not hating the Zagweians.  His diplomatic line went something like this.  My mother is totally insane you better not doing anything to piss her off or she will enslave the lot of you.  It was very effective.  Adulis also came fully under the Zagwe sway.  The City of Axumopolis was founded as well in none other than Axum. 

 

Coptic Church:  After some discussions on the treatment of fellow Coptics with the Zagwe Queen the Primate and Bishop went about their normal duties.  A couple of Monasteries were built, the Holy City was beautified and an attempt was made to sway Ilibutor jungle tribes to join the royal dominion of the Coptic Church.  That was a total failure but impressively the Ilibutor people did not kill the Bishop Hercules.  They in fact liked what he and some missionaries had to say about God nearly all the spineless tribes of the region became Coptic.

 

Yemen:   Diplomacy Danakil was given the bum rush and they came fully into the fold.  The heir went to Zeila I was disappointed when he was only able to secure an economic agreement.    On to Oman.

 

Oman is a land full of bitter people who apparently like no one.  The Yemenese (generally well liked in the Sunni Islamic world) sent the Shah of Socotra to this desert land in hopes of securing some minor relations.  The Shah looking to show his worth, after his ouster from his home country of Kilwa, showed up on the shores of Oman bearing gifts from the King of Yemen.  It was a very short-lived visit.  The Shah barely got ashore with a few sailors when a party of desert riders approached.  It was a large and unfriendly party and it was all the men could do to get in the rowboats and cast off before the Omanni Tribesmen killed them all.   The tribute was lost and the Shah returned to Socotra empty handed.  He sent a message to the king with the bad news and promises of better successes in the future.

 

Kilwa:   Things went a little better this turn.  Nyasa became a full-fledged member of the kingdom forcing the King in to a full time administrative roll.  He relished the roll though because it allowed him to spend time with his wife, well that was until she died during her pregnancy, in 1011.  This tragedy was nearly repeated in 1014 but the child, a son, survived.

 

Hausa States:  Defensive Agreement with Kanem

Hausa States were very concerned about relations with the Ghanans.  So concerned in fact that the top Hausa diplomat was dispatched to Kanem to secure a defensive agreement.  Kanem agreed to come to the aid of the Hausa should hostilities occur.

The province of Kurfei was brought into the alliance of states this cycle.  Lastly the Hausa have grown weary of only having local goods to enjoy so they sent scouts across the desert to open new trade routes for them.    This the king hoped would bring great profits to the Hausa States

 

 

Kanem:  Besides the defensive agreement with the Hausa the Kanem upgraded the value of Soro Province.  Life is good in the Kanem lands..

 

Kimbu:  The nation rested 

 

Zulu Nation: Wishing they had enough for a city

 

Greater Zimbabwe:  Yea! A city 

 

 

 

Central Asia:

 

 

Samarkhand:  Things were very quiet inside Samarkhand; no one is sure what is going on. 

 

Chorasmia:  An Impatient King

The King decided fresh off the Victory over hated Samarkhand he would go grab up a bunch of provinces.  How could the people of those areas deny him his nation had subdued the mighty Khitai?  Well it was time for a little lesson in humility and the king got a whole plateful of Humble Pie.

 

On his first whistle stop he met with the tribal chieftains of Khazakh.  They were gracious host but obviously the Shah was distracted and after only Seven months of moving amongst the tribes and he was ready to move on.  The Khazakh took this as an insult and on the night before the king was to depart he was nearly assassinated.  A fight ensued and the small tribe he was visiting wiped out (pretty much).   Kyzl-Kom was the next region visited by the Shah and though there was no assassination attempt the shortness of the visit made the locals pretty unhappy.

 

Salik was told to do the same kind of action and though he was a legend in the land in the first area he stopped (Gurgan) the locals were very put out by the briefness of the visit.    After about the first month in the province Salik and his men were ambushed while crossing a dry riverbed.   There where a bunch of angry tribesmen all told probably almost 2000 Gurgan light cavalry, they charged!       Fortunately for Salik he had 600 Persian Guards with him.   They countercharged and the fight was on.  The Persian Guard though heavily outnumbered was a much more potent force than twice its number of light Cavalry and they slaughtered the Gurgan's who after taking about 50% casualties fled.    Salik decided rather than travel to Tabristan that the Gurgan's needed to be taught a lesson.  Salik was a very good teacher, the province was pacified and toward the end of the cycle the Gurgan chieftain surrendered his sword and swore loyalty to the King of Chorasmia (which he was having a hard time understanding wasn’t Salik.)  Salik accepted his sword and sent it to the King with a message requesting a garrison for the region.

 

 

Ghazi:  Lot’s of troop and leader shuffling   Kabul the hidden city (till the next map update, grew. 

 

In Edrosia:

K. of Edrosia                You want what?

Mustapha                     We would like your nation to merge with the Ghazi .

K. of Edrosia                Ha!  Tell the King he has my daughter and my grandson

                                    Tell your illustrious king if he would like relations to stay as

                                    They are he needs to leave a good thing alone, the Ghazi’s day will

                                    Come, just not while I live.

Mustapha                     Very well I will not disturb you any longer.  The king has placed

                                    troops in your nation to make sure your nation remains free of

                                    Hindu influences, if there is anything else you require I have taken

Up residence in the city I will be always available.

 

Punjab: Mountain People in an Uproar

Things went well to start.   A city was constructed on Kutch Island.  The Desert people were given defensive facilities at their watering holes.   Things in general were good then the diplomatic corp. was dispatched.  Unlike some kings who rush to get the diplomacy over with Bindusara knew that the only way to sway people of a region was to spend time with them so all his leaders were expected to be gone for the full cycle.

 

The Kings brother, Parapavasi, was sent to Dhera-Dun to convert the heathens to the Brahmins teachings and Taran Tarin went along to sway the lands to become part of the Punjab state, a non-tithing paying part but a part nonetheless..  Eash Faraz and Dhurma Baru had similar task in Himachal and Nepal respectively.   It ALL went south.

In Dhera – Dun they wanted nothing to do with the teachings or an agreement but they were polite enough to escort the leaders back to the borders rather than killing them.   Dhurma was never heard from again and in Himachal Eash had to beat it quick as the lynch mob was on his heals.   After this incident there was much rumblings in the mountains and the wilderness from Himchal to Tibet.   Tibet and the Yellow Hats/Lamanist are now active.  (GM NOTE:  I was thinking about activating the Tibetans and when I rolled really horribly for all Punjab’s diplomatic endeavors I decided that now was the appropriate time.)    

 

 

Kucha:  Things were very quiet in the Kucha kingdom.  The nation was organized a bit, the King and his wife Elxaria were blessed with 2 more daughters.  They are pursuing the Rus in a battle for clan size supremacy.

 

Manichaeans:  Some good works were done for the Kucha and the peoples of the Steppe needed more converting so that is what the Manichaeans did.

 

Edrosia:   Though assimilation into the kingdom of the Ghazi was inevitable but not while the King was on the throne.  Business as usual in Edrosia.  Some new trade was established.  Ships were added to existing routes and a wall was put up around Sukkur.

 

Paramara Alliance:  Lots of Children born to House Mrigai, The Kings brother

was blessed with two sons, his daughter had a son and the king had a daughter.  This may

cause some issues down the road with the Kings brother and son in law are grandson

competing for the throne but heck who cares about that now. 

 

On the Diplomatic Front Tarain was brought fully into the fold.  Neshevee visited

 Western Chalukya.  The Chalukyans were happy to take Neshvee’s gifts but they were

 not terribly interested in anything more than exchanging pleasantries.

 

 

Anhivarta:  Die Kalinga Die!

Apparently the Raj had grown tired of the poor treatment shown to his diplomatic corp. so he sent the army into to take care of the problem.   The prince was not excited about the idea of fighting across mountains again especially with his force being almost exclusively cavalry but he did what he was told.

 

Into Kalinga:  Well this was no big surprise especially after last turn rampage that saw the end to many a small Indian State; Kalinga was ready in the Mountain Pass.  Kalinga being small only had a small fortification and about 2000 mixed light and regular Infantry.   The Prince really had no choice in this encounter he had to commit the Satpuran Heavy Cavalry was lined up pretty tightly and released on the waiting Kalingian Infantry.     The Satpuran Heavies rumbled down the pass and smashed into the army regulars and lights with spears and scimitars.   The spears of the infantry were extremely effective against the Heavies (must have had steel tips on the spears).  The cavalry was thrown into disarray.   Morale was failing.   Peris tried to rally the troops but to was not successful.  Managij was leading the infantry into the battle and the Infantry and Managij were nearly killed when much of the Satpuran Heavy Horse routed out of the mountain pass.   The Kalingian forces counter charged chasing the heavy horse until they hit a few units of Heavy horse, Malingij had managed to rally, and the infantry lead by Malingij.  A fierce battle ensued, Malingij was hoping the Heavy Horse would return but after a good half hour in the pass both sides withdrew.   A lot of men lost there lives in that pass, Malingij suspected that the next cycle he would be revisiting this pass and erecting a small shrine for the dead the Anhivarta had left in the pass.   Beaten down by the loss the Prince returned home with the bad news.

 

Raj Ajal            You what!?

Peris                 I am sorry father, they were ready for us and I had no infantry to speak of

Raj Ajal            So some how this in now my fault that you lost the battle against the dam Kalingan's

Peris                 Not at all father the Satpuran's served us very well last turn who would have believed this could have gone so wrong

Raj Ajal            Couldn’t you have avoided this pass?

Peris                 Father you know the border is narrow there and our options are limited

Raj Ajal            That doesn’t mean I have to be happy about this.

Peris                 I am not gleeful either father, last cycles hero this cycles goat, fate is a cruel mistress

Raj Ajal            I will consider what you have told me and decide on next cycles course of action….now get out of my sight.

 

 

 

W. Chalukya:   The nation is running smoothly.  Trade with all or nearly all their neighbors was occurring and so now it was time to improve defenses.  Investments were made and the capitals size increased new walls were erected after the expansion.

 

Chola:  Reflecting back on the last 10 years and how busy things have been the king decided he needed a bit of a vacation.  Sadly the Queen died in childbirth toward the end of the cycle.  The King did add 2 more daughters to the family.

 

Pandya:  As the SFA of the Cholans there was no fear of attack and the nation breathed a sigh of relief.   A statue to the Raj of Pandya was built in the capitals central square so that even when the Cholans took control (assuming the prove to be honorable).

 

Ceylon:  The Age of Exploration

Sitting on an island surrounded by Hindus wasn’t much fun.  The King decided it was time to pursue other endeavors.   So he left the Islands with a very well equipped expedition.  He returned to resupply after about 2 years and he was off again.  No one is quite sure where the King went or what he was doing (besides exploring).  He was ecstatic when he returned from both trips though.   Everything else in the realm functioned properly while the king was gone.

 

Uttar Pradesh:  King Dies, advisor takes over peacefully

This was a peaceful transition due to their being only one choice for assumption.  The heir is still alive but VERY young.  The son of the Vasta Lord was sent to assist with the government functions.

 

Kaunaj:  Having a feeling of being surrounded the Kaunaj Raj ordered construction of numerous Field Fortifications throughout the realm.  A goodly number of troops were drafted into service as well. 

 

Raj! Raj!

What is it?

We caught a spy!

What?

We caught a spy!

Bastards, I knew we had a spy issue.  Good job.

Would you like to see them?

There is more than one?

Yes Sir

Bring them in

 

Into the palace strode two black clad figures (spies always wear black).  Also the body of a “noble” looking man.  

 

Raj                   Damn did you have to kill him?

Soldier             Is this a trick question?

Raj                   He was the one that knew everything, I bet

Soldier             I am sorry sir, he was that way when we found him actually

Raj                   If we had only found him earlier

Soldier             Yes that would have been beneficial

Raj                   Take the others to be interrogated

Soldier             Right away sir

 

 

Bengal:  The huge military build up continues

Nothing else apparently matters.

 

Hindu:  Is there any stopping the expansion?

The whole northern realm has been absorbed and now overtures toward the Anhivarta are beginning.  Is there any Hindu area that will resist the siren song? Can’t even get a death due to old age.

 

Burma:  Bengal Menace?

Burma continued to prepare for a potential conflict with the Bengal army.  Obviously there was no way to keep up with the escalation of forces; it has always been easier defend than it is to attack.  Posters in the kingdom were put up warning the citizens to beware the Bengal menace.   Samatata is now fortified.

 

Pegu: King’s son comes of age and helps kingdom immediately

in the diplomatic efforts in Kayah.  The Kayahan's were very pleased when he showed up on the scene.  They were quickly growing weary of the constant droning on and on of Li Quan.  Kayah agreed to be a non-paying tributary and the chieftain offered up his most beautiful daughter to the Prince, which was very politely refused. 

 

In the province of Pegu a group of “Holy men” toured the land attempting to convert the masses to their Hindu faith.   This did not go over very well with the locals.   The party traveled the countryside of this very populous and rich region for months.  

 

Krung               Father

Father              Yes Krung

Krung               Have you heard the news?

Father              No what news would be important enough to bother me with

Krung               The Hindu’s

Father             Yes I am aware of them

Krung               You know they are dead?

Father              What?

Krung               Yes, found by a patrol this morning

Father              This won’t be good

Krung               They should have never come here father

Father              You are probably right son

Krung               We are Buddhist father and the Hindus have never respected our ways

Father              Tolerance is the teaching of all is it not?

Krung               Of course father

 

 

 

Khemer:  Vishnu Surfaces  -  King Dies – Civil War

Total insanity in the Khemer Regime.   The King accepted the offer of the Vishnu priest to protect his realm.   In 1010 Angkor Wat was declared a Holy City.   In 1011 the King and his wife had a daughter.  The King dies in 1011 while strolling through the palace gardens with the Vishnu emissary put in charge of handling the affairs of the king, Ayajay.  Ayajay informs the household retainers and immediately heads for the barracks.  He know there is the possibility for trouble, as the whole Vishnu Caste does, that is why they offered to help, they didn’t want the country torn apart.

 

They army knowing it was the kings wish to have them follow the instructions of the Priest followed his commands and moved into position in the area around the capital.  One General, Yung, was rounded up at his house and purged before he had an opportunity to rebel.    Andrahupta who had been conspiring with Yung managed to escape and he took the fleet with him.   Though it was lightning quick the Khemer did loose some shipping assets.  Minor revolts sprung up in the kingdom over the assumption of the priest to a position of authority but the Khemer realms are mostly Vishnu worshipers anyway so there was no great unhappiness about this turn of events.  Lampang did drop its Non Tributary status.  

 

The Royal family is safe the son and daughter of the former king are said to be enjoying the teaching of the Vishnu priest that watch over them and peace has returned to the realm.  The Kings wife is taking a small hand in running the government but no one is sure how this will be accepted in the kingdom yet.  It does seem to be generating a positive response. 

 

 

Champa:   Cochin Fortified

The province of Cochin was fortified in order to protect the Southern provinces from being overrun.   The rest of the cycles effort was put toward continuing the unification of north and south Champa. 

 

Nanchao:   Peace and Harmony

 

Sung:  HUGE improvement projects continue in the Empire of Heaven.

 

Tiger:   The Sung are going to force a rule modification on me.  A huge

amount of food was received by the Tiger this turn.  I was immediately put to good use in construction of a port city in the newly claimed province of Lingnan on the coast.  Many local improvements were completed as well.

 

Buddhist:   They are everywhere it is hideous!  Ok they are only as bad as the Hindu’s.

The only thing of minor concern is the rise of the Lamanist.  This dormant sect of Buddhism is now active and though it should pose no threat since the two branches of Buddhism are not antagonistic toward each other the mere fact that they exist maybe upsetting to the Buddhist powers that be.    The Chinese Buddhist have now spread their power in all of Northern China and all the way to the Korean Capital.  When the priest arrived in the Korean capital to build their first church the brought along with them a life sized Bronze statue of the current Korean Emperor to honor him for his devotion to the Buddhist teachings.

 

Tibet & Lamanist – Poof!  They are here. 

Julie Andrews singing the Hills are alive or whatever the hell that song is might be appropriate.   These boys are all over the mountain regions.  You all can try to figure out how much of a threat they are.  I would at this juncture recommend that the Hindus of India stay out of the Himalayan Mountains; the Buddhist apparently didn’t appreciate the intrusion of the Punjab state into the mountain range.

 

Liao:  Queen Ch’eng T’ien Dies – Peaceful transition of power

Though a few poor regions bailed as will happen during such events the Wudan stayed loyal.  The transition really was peaceful, the Queen had enjoyed her day in the sun and now he son is the ruler.   Sheng-Tsung immediately took the reins; no one in any of the branches of government questioned his right to lead.

 

Tagnuts:  The Lamanist reassert themselves

The Lamanist/Yellow Hats hold no great animosity toward the Chinese Buddhist but they have reclaimed their position in the world.  The Tagnut/HsiHsia nation formed by the Yellow hats not so long ago has agreed to follow the faith of their founders against the rising pressures from both the Chinese Buddhist and the Manichaeans.  

 

Korea:  Continued expansion.  Cheju’do became fully colonized.    Sikhote fully aligned itself with the Korean throne.  Beyond that everything was peaceful.

 

Japan:   Akita Rebels!

Akita rose up against its oppressors and threw them out.  This has always been a troubled province so this is not a terribly big surprise.  The rest of Japan was peaceful as cities grew and people prospered.  There was some concern about the health of citizens in Edo and Kido as there have been no improvements made to those cities infrastructures. 

 

Some exploring was done rumor has it explorations to the North were successful but Captain Ishida and his 6 ships disappeared without a trace. 

 

Shinto:  Facilities in every region of Japan but rebel Akita.

 

Java:  Which way to Japan?

The King was determined to get to Japan he just had to figure out how.  He had heard rumor of an Island to the North West that was pretty good size and so he decided to investigate, maybe Japan and greater trade was right around the corner.  Fully outfitted with 40 Warships the King sent sail.  Exploring however was rough work and over the next couple of years the king launched out of Taiwan numerous times the final time he was gone for nearly a year when he finally returned he was ecstatic and he blew through town and headed home.    What he found no one knows. 

 

In 1015 an odd occurrence happened.  In the middle of the night the light warship “Cat’s Pride”  (yes, I know cat’s hate water), floated into port.  It was apparently one of the ships that had traveled with Capt. Otresani to Sabah.  It was empty and had a message on its prow no one could read.

 

 

 

Srivijayan:  Finally a City on Hainan!

Not much else going on.