The Black Death, which killed Lo Hung’s father claimed his life as well in 1006AD. For the second time in 5 years there was another power struggle causing all members to stick around and see what happens.

Lo Main and Xung Hu, both revolted away and tried to gain control of the military but failed. Lo Main was killed, Xung Hu escaped, but later was found dead from the plague.

Jinan was reduced to a ghost town.

Hei Biao caught the plague and passed away. His son was unable to secure any region’s loyality and the new nation, like those around it, died.

Chow Tsu died from the plague, his trusted friend Chow Tsu took over.

The Black death struck Szechwan in 1007AD. The city of Gou-Pan would have been a deserted city if pre-plague Xi-Chang didn’t order the city to be built up.

Xi-Chang himself succumbed to death in late 1007AD, and in early 1008 Cho Lee also passed.

Open for new player

Oda Heijo ordered many cities to be expanded, in fact all but 2 cities saw growth before the Chinese trading junks brought with them the newest Liang export – the Black death. Hardest hit was Heian, who just grew to a level 10 city with 100 public works, which is now a level 6 with 69 public works. The follow cities were wiped out Sakai, Hokata, Useugi, and Kristi-Chan.

T’sung Ohai died from the black death while helping convert Hokkaido, as did Saka Kenji, while Shanaichoirou died soon after he returned to Sufenhe from his mission. The royal family was also hit hard, Oda Heijo died in July of 1006, his son and new king Oda Hasiimi passed away in September of the same year. Oda Heijo eldest living son Oda Shotoku , who had no desire to ever be king found himself having very little choice. After his brother’s death the royal court found itself on the verge of civil war over who should be the king, the only person both sides could live with was him. So in November the reluctant king was crowned.

Taowim heard of the Black Death from Chinese and Toowombian merchants and prayed to Shiva to spare his empire, which she did much to the gratitude of the Emperor. To share his joy Taowin lead a strike force out and destroyed the port area in the region of Cochin, and then went to Nam Pung and got another wife.

Heir to the Emperor Saudakar was wed to a royal princess of Nan Chao to help get that region to join the Empire.

After many years of missionaries Kwangtung, became 8% Hindu.

The locals from Fujian reported a loud crashing sound and fire in the forest in July of 1006AD.

Toowomba was innocently minding its own business when the trade ship from China arrived, brining Panda’s and the plague.

The cities of Kuantan and Bintulu became ghost towns as many fled and those who did not died, Jimin, the son of Kanuar was the only leader who survived the sickness.

Open for new player

Samad ibn Mohhamad received word that the Sunni’s were calling for a Jihad against the sackers of Mecca. True they believed incorrectly ass to who should lead the faith, however at least they follower Allah.  After much debate Samad decided to help in some small matter, he and his men would blaze a trail through the Buryat to the holy land and would become the protected of a rebuild Mecca! <GM note: This has got to make the Buryat mess all that more confusing>

Samad entered Patzinak under a flag of truce. When the approached by the Buyid troops Samad simply asked to talk to Ak-Keem. When they met Samad spelled out his request. Either allow him and his men to pass through on the way to the ruins of Mecca, or have his nation enslaved and sold off. Ak-keem of course chose the live longer option and supplied the Khan guides to speed the horde out of his lands.

Manamar sent his sisters out to marry some regional lords to grow the nation. Surprisingly the marriages had helped the diplomats only slightly.

Massive amounts of statues and parks where build in almost every region under the Gujaran rule.

One early morning in 1006 while Ramitep was walking with some monks and trying to figure out what the Red Star means, when he ran into an open door, knocking him out. When he collapsed to the floor he landed head first, causing his skull to crack. He never regained conscience and died late in 1006AD. No monk was easily selected to be the next high monk.

After months of debate (and more then a few high ranking monk gone missing) a monk from Belur named Indernav Praharm was selected

Rakah II took his sister to Vengi and married her to the allied lord there, thus forming a long lasting friendship.

Diplo was sent to the Adaman Island to claim it for the future, however something unusual was would, a 40-foot diameter crater. Trees and underbrush still showed burned marks, and no vegetation was found growing in the crater itself. No sign of anything was found. Neither whatever may have been there nor the source of what caused the destruction was left.

An earthquake struck Samarkand killing slightly less of the population after the deaths from sickness and death, city is now a level 2 city. A massive building spree in Khwarzim was launched to increase the people’s spirits.

Heleomade married Ogozud’s daughter Uluzu to cement himself as a legitimate regent, and set off to war. Upon his death Uluzu unexpectedly showed a backbone, killing 2 would be rebels as they tried to get her to back their claims. She made sure everyone knew that she was just the acting Regent until her little brother Uzugudim came of age. 

In September 1010 Uzugudim was crowned king, under a setting sun, and the faded red star, which hopefully means the troubles for the mighty Empire are finally over. His first declaration was that slavery will be abolished and the economy will be based on something better.

Buryat, Byzantine, and Boliafna

Vs.

Armena, Mansuria, and Kashgar

1006AD

Heleomade left Mesopotamia heading along the royal road earl in April. He liberated Mosul June, and Carhae in August and crossed the mountains into Armania in October.

Sulan ibn Alzem Tahin had spent the year digging in well, training new troops, and recovering from a knife wound caused by a failed assassination attempt. He and his son Alzem had 10,000 Cavalry, 5,000 light Cavalry, 9,000 Infantry, 4,200 light Infantry, 2,000 Heavy Bowmen, and 1,000 siege troops, while Heleomade had 56,200 Cavalry, 21,000 Heavy Cavalry, 600 Light Cavalry, 2,200 Infantry, and 10,4000 Bowmen. While Heleomade had the numbers, Sulan, despite his wound, had the home ground, was dug in, and had the Buryat army right where he wanted them. The Armenian army attacked before the whole of the Buryat army was able to deploy from the mountain passes they had traveled through. Armenian started to loose their advantage about mid-afternoon as the numbers of the Buryat where started to wear down the Armenian number. Sulan, seeing that Heleomade himself was in the front line ordered his personal guard to charge at him. Heleomade, was killed, and his assistance Gadedamu was wounded causing Hozaraduk to call a withdrawal of the remaining Buryat troops. Sulan longed to give chase, but he knew better, in the mountains he would loose his upper hand.

Hozaraduk and the Buryat army wintered in Carhae and licked their wounds, both Armenian and Buryat armies recovered injured troops. 

1007AD

In June the Buryat where back in Armenia trying it again. The only difference now is that instead of being out manned by 2 to1, Sulan was exactly out manned by 3 to 1. Sulan tried to take it to the Buryat in the pass again, but this time the center of the Column pulled back to allow the Armenians into the pass, and then unleashed the bow fire from around the pass.

By the end of the day Sulan was forced to withdraw or face death. With no where left he heading towards The Alan’s, maybe there his brothers may be able to help him reclaim his homeland. His son, Alzem was captured while withdrawing.

By October Armenia was enslaved

1008AD

April

Theocrate, a general of the Byzantine Empire was off shore of Lebanon waiting for the Buryat army to show up when he fell overboard. When his body was recovered a small stab wound was found on his chest, directly into his heart. The second general, Salvian, was found dead in his cabin a week later, seems he ate some ill prepared food. These deaths caused the army and navy to head home.

May

The Buryat army along with the Slaves enters Carhae and learns that the Kashgar horde had just entered Arbiliq. Hozaraduk decides he has to go against the original plans and go with the conditional orders with this horde hovering and quickly puts the enslaved population to work so that he can deal with these new problem.

July

As the Hozaraduk is getting ready to move, the Kashgur horde came to him. Samad ibn Mohhamad and his allies had a total of 36,200 Cavalry, 21,600 light Cavalry and 10,600 Heavy Cavalry, while the Buryat’s fielded 51,000 Cavalry, 18,000 Heavy Cavalry, 400 Light Cavalry, 1,800 Infantry, and 9,8000 Bowmen. Unlike Armenia Carhae was saw the perfect place for a Cavalry army. The fighting was fierce, brutal, and fast. By the end of the day 94,000 total troops were dead or injured, Hozaraduk was injured, and Osamid an allied leader of the Kashgur’s was captured.

Samad and his men withdrew to Palmyra, the Buryat’s tended to their wounded and then gave chase.

August

Hosaraduk enters Palmyra in time to see the horde leaving to Syria. Feeling secure that Kasgar was heading towards Masuria, which was where he and his allies from Byzantine were going anyway he reverted back to plan and headed to Lebanon

1009AD

April

Hosaraduk arrives in Lebanon and find that those dirty Christian bastards were no where to be found.

Samad and the Kashgar horde enter Sanai

June

Hosaraduck enter Levant and while there was a battle, Mansuria’s army was obliterated. Tolovodim was liberated

Samanad enter Mansura and kills Dzulugz

August

Samanad settles in Mansura and starts building defences

Hosaraduk enters Sanai and hears about the Kashgar’s

King Oscar of the Boliafna arrives with his troops in Ghebel Gharib

October

All hell breaks loose in Mansuria. We have the following armies:

Kashgur: Samad ibn Mohhamad with 4 allies and a total of 26,200 Cavalry, 11,600 Light Cavalry, 6,600 Heavy Calvary, 1400 women and children and 10FF

Buryat: Gadedamu & Hozaraduk (both still recovering from wounds) with 36,200 Calvary, 13,200 Heavy Cavalry, 200 Light Cavalry, 1,800 Infantry, 8,200 Bowmen

Boliafna: King Oscar, Bantur and Jub Jub with a total of 12,800 Infrantry, 6,000 Heavy Cavalry, 9,000 Heavy Bow, 3,200 Bowmen, 9,400 Cavalry.

Samand really had no chance against the combine forces of the Buryat and Boliafna. Samand himself died on the battlefield, as well as the vas majority of his men. Those few who fled made their way to the west.

Ak-Keem sent many missionaries into Saksiny and saw a nice return on the money and time he spent there.

Ahmed Ibn Ak-Keem was going to go out and try to arrange a deal with the Kasgarian horde, however they had other ideas.

The young prince Anwar was getting ready to leave Alan to head out on a fishing trip into the Caspian Sea in 1006 AD when he fell overboard and vanished. To this day no body has been found, leading to rumors of foul play.

The church finally opened trade with the Norse and the Rus.

A holy war successful was called upon the those responsible for the sacking to Jerusalem, the Asiatic Pagans. A 4% tithe was established on

Grittir, Guldmund, and Harulf were all sent down to run churches. While Elrich died in his sleep in 1006AD, Olrun fell overboard while on rout to Harvick in April of 1006AD, Fengr died in his sleep in 1008AD, and Elrich died with a green tongue in 1007AD

Agder was Cultivated, and then saw a massive boom in public works, built by the Norse as well as some help from the Church. Many regions were demoted to make life easier to manage for the overworked government

Henri sent men into Ponthieu to help speed up the cultivation of that region.

Sebastian build up some more troops, incase the Mongol’s decided to take another stab at him.

Sebastian rode into Bavaria in mid 1006AD to return her to the empire. After a night of much merriment and celebrations (along with many kegs of both Norse beer, and Norman Ale being drained) Sebastian retired to his room for some much-needed recovery. The next morning he was found hanging from a silk noose in his room. Not 2 weeks later, King Wilhelm was assassinated by poisoned ale. In fact most of the noble’s who had met with the new king that day died as well, causing a major upheaval in German royalty.

Lieutenant Franz who was with Fredrick the Feudal lord from Saxy in Bavaria when Wilhelm II was killed desided he would crown himself King of the Germans. Fredrieck surprised him by being able to keep the military in line and court-martialed the rebellious leader.

In Bohemia Lieutenant Johan greeted the death of Wilhelm II with much glee as well, making a bee line to Fredricks-Fort to take out Otto. There me managed to get some of the new nobility to side with him and late in December of 1006AD they attempted to oust the ‘pretender king’. They failed but the down saw massive damage due to fires.

Prince Otto was crowned King.

Cedric sat tight and awaited the next wave of the Idrisids, it never came, but the Druids are now next door.

General Ghiberti, one of the many Mongolian blooded members of the Republic was sent to Switzerland to secure a working relationship with the region. Unfortunately they spoke Old High German, and Ghiberti spoke Italian and Mongolian. He tried, and was doing ok until instead of saying "I am hot, may I have some water or ale" it came out, about "I’m horny, let me water your mother". He and his men where chased out of the region by a rather upset lord and mob.

Ricardo met with representatives of the Byzantines and the Orthodox Church in Calabria in 1008. There they signed a treaty agreeing to the implementation of the 5% tithe. This treaty when signed activated a treaty with the Byzantines for the agreed signing over of the Regions of Calabria and Apulia to Roman Republic control.

Some university students in Rome held demonstration supporting the idea that Italy should not only ally herself to the Byzantines, but surrender and become a part of the Empire. Some people seemed to think about it, but not man, seems he found stoned to death late in 1009.

Alexander turned over the last of his land holdings to the Roman Republic, despite the wishes of his noble’s. Many saw this act as form of capitulating and acknowledging that the Empire was at fault of the fires that hit Rome 10 years ago.

In order to escape ridicule Alexander II took a page from the most evil Khan of the Gauls (a certain Bhilli Klintan), he made war against smaller nations! A deal with the devil was made and the Byzantines sided with the Buryat against the rebels.

There was yet another foreign disaster when in September of 1009AD Lieutenant Didyme was found dead in his tavern room in Fez from the black death. The Idrisidian government was rather shocked that such a high ranking government official was in Fez without contacting them first.

Irenicus and his eventual successor Clusivus spent the better part of 2 years establishing the church in the Kingdom of Lyonnais, however when the Druids started getting close they headed into Italy.

In a speech in Florence Irenicus declared that "The Church interprets this new star as an encouraging sign from our lord to re-double our efforts to spread the good word" being that it appeared when the Eastern Orthodox church saw renewed vigor after the church and the Empire split (again).

A massive fire destroyed a popular tavern in the city of Kiev late in 1006AD, by all reasoning it was a merical that the nearby warehgouses didn’t catch fire as well.

Logoda was expanded to a level 2 city and also gained more parks and pubs to keep everyone happy.

Erick II married a noble woman from Yatoslav, and signed a deal with her father gaining Yaroslave and a strong ally for the future. Sikel was sent out to talk to Kashgar horde, however by the time he got too far out in the Steps he learned that they had packed up for Mecca. Sikel was not the brightest bulb on the tree, but he knew Mecca was pretty far away, so he headed home empty handed.

Zygmunt’s first major order was to feed the growing hungry in his small nation. As such the vast majority of his kingdoms coffers was spent finishing the cultivation in Little Poland that the city of Jal had started, before the bearded devils from the north destroyed the city. Also to ensure that they would get the grains Poland found itself the center of attention. Jal itself was rebuilt in an attempt to sweeten the deal for Poland, which of course it did.

Zygmunt was visited by some ministers of the Norse Christian faith, and while pleased that the church leaders have told their dogs the Norse to heel and not attack Poland, Zygmunt will still watch the Norse and their allies closely.

The Druids convinced by famine and by fear of both the looming red star and of the illness now in China decided that now would be the time to return home to Iberia.

Summer of 1006 the long journey begun, after the sacred scrolls to locate where they were going. My late 1007 they had located the cave they needed, the sickness that had appeared soon after they had left on the journey had infected nearly 1/3^rd of all of the Druids.

Conrix and his nation found themselves in the region of Protugal. The new Port fort and the City around it was taken and the workers were send south with this message:

The Druid’s moved fast to secure their homeland, settling people down in Portugal, Galacia, Salamanca, Leon, Old Castille, Navarre, and Gascony. Raising cities of Abertos in Gascony, Virjeeney in Leon, and Beathuch in Old Castille.

Later an account of the trip was found:

A massive explosion rocked the cave that the druids used soon after they all left the cave. The entire cave collapsed and remains buried under the rocks and rubble.

To make matters ever worse the workers who were spared by the Druids and sent home brought with them the Black death.

To continue Akeem’s time of troubles his Son and Heir Sidi Mohammad, his brother Mulay Ishmail, and children Ibrahim, and Omar also died. On the flip side his annoying daughter Layla was finally taken off his hands by the sickness.

The cities of Barcelona, Onamia, Idijilia, Malta, Idrishena, Tripoli, and Oujda became ghost towns, with every living soul either fleeing or dying.

In Fez a high ranking member of the Byaantine nobles was found dead in Fez, another victim of the Black death. What

Ali and the church saw the plague take out many holy men, but despite the chaos the church did grow. Battuta Said and Omar Nizani died to the Black Death

Faxium Enquirer headlines: Oscar the Grouch declares that the Osmani horde will be punished for making him look bad 

Oscar’s first order of business was to send a large loan to the Buryat, while the exact amount is not known, it is rumored to be anywhere between 100 and 300 gold. Secondly the vast majority of national troops were sent to Aden to prepair for the grand attack on the Desert Arabs.

In July of 1007 Oscar and his men entered Muscat. This time he brought 10,400 Infantry, 1,000 light Cavalry, 6,000 Heavy lancers, 9,000 Heavy bowmen, 2,000 Bowmen, and 4,000 Cavalry, a supporting naval fleet numbering almost 200 warships, as well as about the same amount of transports, also Jub Jub with 4,400 Spearmen, 5,400 cavalry and 2,000 more bowmen. Sultan, Amir Al-Fahl, had 5,800 light Infantry, 8,400 light Horsemen 5,600 Cavalry, and 1,400 bowmen. Unlike the past 2 encounters there were enough men on Boliafna’s side to counteract the hostile environment and the defending Omansi horde. Sultan had met his tactical match in Jub Jub, time and again he and his light troops tried to get the Boliafna army break formation and get into a chaotic melee, but Jub Jub kept them in line. Near sunset Jub Jub gave the order to charge every soldier into the tired and weak Osmani horde. In the end it was shear numbers which won the day.

The next 2 years Oscar managed to move his troops into Masura. Combined with the Buryat’s army the Boliafna lost only a few more troops.

Weezzah was on his way to look around Jeruslam when he ate some bad cheese and died.

Boure was cultivated. Chaka implemented a new land for free project, issuing new farmsteads in Gambia and Dogamba causing them both to grow to 2 gpv.

Abiwamba spent five more years preaching to Tusyam and had outstanding success, the region is now 38% Sunni. Likewise Coby pushed the Sunni religion in Marampa, which is now 64% converted

A massive amount of public works where built in Benin to make the trip to the holy city more enjoyable for those who come to visit, and more where build in Nigeria as well.

Cultivation was started in Yoruba, Kwararafa, and Kafin as well.

Talen, in an unconventional move promoted his eldest daughter Nahla to heir. Some lords spoke out against the move, but they where quickly taken out back and beheaded.

Mathew spent much time relaxing by the lake.

Abraham saw that his monks where starting to go hungry, so he ordered more monks to be send out the cultivated regions to try to produce more food. Also to strengthen ties to the Moli Empire a city was build in Soro named Bethlam, and have informed Talen that it will be his when he builds it up a level, likewise the church moved more monks into Duran causing the city to grow in size.

Abraham was call by the Lord in 1007, John Paul was elected by the cardinals to take over as the Pope

Shaka sat in his hut and tried to figure out this government thing. His son, Zorho was sent out to shake down the outer regions for more gold, so he hit Lesotho, Swazi, Mapungubwe, Vaal, and Tswania.

Shaka also send a trade delegation to Bubblicious in Herro and got a cold reception.

To distance the church and the nation Queen Bubbles handed over the running of the church to her daughter Mary Kate.

Yamsee gained some new public works, some investments into updating the military paid off.

The ancient Princess Blacktail deer, went to Pennacook to secure them into the nation and just before the Great Spirit called her she succeeded. Prince Sparrows Song raided Erie and Miami with no problems, however while raiding Scioto he suffered a spear wound and later died.  

Red Tail took over when is father passed away, doing some raiding down along the snake river ending in Caddo

Sand Shark saw his capital expand to a level 4 city, and begun working on a royal road from the city of Shining Sea to Angle Valley, going through Big Bluff, where the nation Surfboard institute is.

A fire destroyed a mill and part of a storage in Odette, and part of the city wall collapsed and destroyed some underground cave in Emily.

The royal princess Tlacateol was married off to the lord of Tepuztec, proving the court was wrong, she was good for something after all. The government grew to collect taxes more efficiently, and the recent work put into training men to ride horses also paid off.