1592Anno Domini

Al Hajj 1053

552 Nian Huang

208 Zuni Reckoning

All warships owned by nations with an artillery AQR of 3 or greater come equipped with cannons. Every 5 ships act as a field cannon in ground combat. Galleons may also be built by nations with a 3+ AQR. These are big warships loaded with guns. Each galleon has a cargo of zero and counts as an artillery unit in sea combat. They may not travel up rivers or canals and may not participate in raids. The cost is 10gp and 1 nfp.

Next turn piracy and banditry rules go into effect.

Galleons may bombard port cities: every 5 galleons = 1 siege artillery.

If elite troops are placed into reserve, they become regular. Inferior may not be reserved.

Diplomatic bribes are now logarithmically based: bonus = log_1.1((gold spent+10n)/(10n)) where n is 5 if all factors are favorable (same religion, easy terrain, etc.)

5 gold gives +1; 30 gives +5; 80, +10; 160 +15; 300, +20. With unfavorable factors (like hostile terrain & religion) results would be: 8 gold for +1; 50, +5; 130, +10; 250, +15)

Agrarian Economic Base allows the country to sell

Agro for 1gp or convert 2 Agro into 1 nfp regardless of how much money the country is producing. They go up slowly in tech.

To change the equipment class of troops, the cost is full for gold and nothing for nfp. For example, if a renaissance country wishes to convert 40 medium cav into 40 heavy cav, the cost is 40x5=200 gp. This also takes a leader.

Primacies & Combines use their diplomacy stat for most things; secret empires use charisma. For establishing factors in banned locations, charisma is used. Secret diplomacy, diplomatic conversion, incite rebellion and investigate location use charisma.

Maps are 10¢; Color maps are 25¢.

I can be reached at home on Tuesdays and weekends at

Earl Solper

(602) 921-3716.

519 w. 5^th street

Tempe, AZ 85281

Make checks payable to Thad Plate!

Christian, King of Denmark

Diplomacy: Hordaland(ne)

Young Christian wanted to make a name for himself and reestablish Denmark as a preeminent sea power. To accomplish this, he allied himself with the Russians and the beleaguered Dutch to clear the seas of the Umman pirates and punish the Africans for their presumption. His first step was to send terrorists to destroy Umman ships lurking in the Bay of Biscay. Four ships were sunk. He next ordered that the STIS© branch office in Sudoua and merchant factor in Derry be destroyed (triggering a minor recession). These actions resulted not only in the loss of trade with the Ummans and STIS©, but also Himrad and the pagans of Mbundu (the STIS© had been trading for both of these nations). Fatimid trade has nearly doubled, however, since the Danes are no longer basing their merchant ships out of Sweden. New ships were built and sent to join the Dutch Armada and many reserves were activated. They helped defeat 3 Black Muslim fleets.

In the Mediterranean, the Danes evacuated Sardinia and apologized to the Italians. The newly Black Muslim Sardinians chose this opportunity to assert their independence, not wishing to be associated with the Christian Italians. Vater Paul took 38 elite warships to the Gades in an attempt to sneak past the Black Muslims and join the rest of the invasion force but was defeated by Admiral Nietzche of Umma and retreated to the Baelerics; later that year, he died of old age. Vater Peiter was wounded in the final showdown between the Imam and the combined European fleet.

The VOC™, Russians and Dutch are now trading with the New World. The Danes are not. Mighty walls were built around Sudoua (or Sudova, as the Danes call it). More food was sent to Russia. Lancaster is now entirely Culdi (although they still hate the Danes).

Flewellen, Scion of St. Camber

Consecration: Stockholm(ca) Lorraine(ab) Koln(ab)

Flewellen remained at home and had children. His efforts finally produced a male heir in 1592. He sent his spies out to help the war effort. Attempts to stir up trouble in the Bay of Biscay failed due to the presence of Umman anti-propagandists. The Dutch continue to convert to Culdi in droves and Flewellen sent Cardinal Ulfrid to Lorraine where he successfully established abbeys in both the region and city. Since the Danes refuse to expand their own cities, the Culdis expanded Grecotha, the Holy City, to size three. The Danes did clean up the streets, however. Self-inflicted economic troubles for the Danes mean smaller tithes for the priests.

Hugo Charm II, Governor General of the VOC™

Capitalization: Christianburg(cc) Taminy(bo)

Samara(bo) Jelgava(bo)

Umman raiders disrupted trade at Utrecht. Two VOC™ agents died helping the European alliance. No STIS© or Imamate locations were discovered in the Jersey Islands. All four attempts to establish locations were successful thanks to the time and effort spent by the VOC™ operatives (and the money helped.) The VOC™ is now trading with the New World for themselves, the Dutch and the Russians, shattering the Mbundan-Parana monopoly. Due to the shortage of dock space at Taminy (in Mohawk) the trade is limited but the Roanoke Russ are now receiving trade from Europe. From the natives, the traders have learned of the Maori and Requela -- two additional nations easily reachable from Taminy. Himrad’s acquisition of Malta, where the VOC™ are well-established, means that land trade with the rich sultanette will soon be possible (Himrad needs to turn Malta into a fully connected conduit). There is insufficient port space in the Russian cartel cities and branch offices to meet their shipping needs. Jelgava and Riga are entirely filled with VOC™ ships. Trade between the Fatimids and Russia is being conducted through Malta and must be traced to the Baltic ports. Trade between the Danes and the Dutch was switched to land to avoid piracy. Trade with Spain was allowed to lapse.

Francis Vanmollen, Chancellor of Greater Rheinland

Diplomacy: none

. Early in 1590, STIS© and Umman propagandists spread such dire rumors throughout the Dutch army that half the troops deserted. STIS© agents also stole almost a million guilders from the treasury, forcing the Dutch to take out a loan to pay for all their new ships. All over the Dutch kingdom, tax collectors and minor officials have turned up dead or missing as STIS© agents struck at the very government of the kingdom. This collapse of the infrastructure of the Dutch government has precipitated a financial crisis – the Dutch lack the ability to properly collect taxes. Some assassins were also killed. Umman raids would further depress the economy. There was one bright spot in an otherwise bleak financial picture: the Fatimids sent many ships to replace the trade lost when the STIS© attacked.

Desiderius Erasmus was broken out of prison but at the same time, unknown assailants kidnapped Admiral Asmodé. There were no further desertions in his 54 ship fleet in spite of attempts by mysterious agitators (and, ironically, his disappearance saved his ships from being destroyed by the very large Imamate fleet guarding the Gates of Hercules.) The Ummans attempted to kidnap the young prince, but distance and the services of the Dutch Secret Police kept the boy safe.

A fleet of 190 warships and 35 galleons loaded with 40,000 men set sail from Amsterdam. They were bound for the Jersey Islands, a suspected Black Muslim outpost. Instead, they met an Umman raiding party of 80 ships, led by Akbar, in April. Vastly superior firepower and numbers meant that the Umman fleet was doomed. After 3 months, only 25 ships remained and Akbar was wounded. In flight, the remaining ships were captured or destroyed. The Dutch lost 39 warships and 4 galleons. The Dutch now invaded the Jerseys, claiming the island for Russia. A Danish flotilla of 62 elite warships and 40 recently commissioned galleons arrived in May to join the expedition, under the command of Vater Peiter, the Culdi Priest who does most of Christian’s dirty work. The Russian contingent, slowed by marching 50,000 heavy footmen from Tver to Latvia, would not arrive until October. 33,500 Dutch infantry attacked the islanders. Although only 500 soldiers were lost, the islands were not fully subdued until May of the following year. By then, the Russians had landed and were already building a port city. About two thirds of the islanders are Black Muslim.

In August, a second Umman fleet entered the English Channel. In the battle that followed, 86 Umman ships were sunk over a period of three months. The Danes lost 8 elite warships and 7 galleons while the Dutch lost 58 warships and 6 galleons. Many of the remaining Umman ships were captured or destroyed as they attempted to flee; 58 escaped to the Bay of Biscay where they were added to Prince Alfonso’s forces. The Umman commander was slain in flight and Rucat’s second oldest son was wounded.. The Russians arrived too late to assist in the battle.

The Dutch soldiers were back in the ships and ready to sail in June of 1591. The Danes had 54 elite warships, 33 galleons and 77 transports (although they thought they had 100). The Dutch had 93 warships and 25 galleons as well as 33,000 footmen (many of whom had to be loaded onto Danish vessels). The Russians had 30 galleons, 100 warships, 46,000 heavy infantry (about half aboard Danish transports –their own transports being reassigned to shuttle fleets). In August, they met the Umman fleet in the Bay of Biscay – in the process of slave raiding Brittany. The Russians had good commanders and excellent intelligence reports. VOC™ operatives supplied further information of the Ummans’ activities. The Umman commander had 50 galleons and 157 warships. The Ummans were scattered and disorganized as small bands terrorized the Britons. They were utterly destroyed before they knew what was happening. The Danes lost 7 elite warships, 5 galleons and 9 transports; the Dutch lost 31 warships and 4 galleons; the Russians lost 31 warships and 5 galleons. Prince Alfonso was killed and young prince Rucat III was wounded, joining his younger brother in the infirmary. The VOC™ advisor was also slain. The battle lasted until November. 10,000 Russian footmen and 8000 Dutch soldiers died when the ships carrying them were sunk.

The armada set sail again in March (slowed down by inferior Danish naval technology) and headed for Africa. They expected to rendezvous with additional troops and leaders at the Gates of Hercules, instead, in April they encountered the Imam’s fleet of 248 warships, led by Sagremor the Unruly. Two Russian leaders and Desiderius Erasmus (recently escaped from an Umman prison) met the fleet. The VOC™ leader had been previously been slain by Sagremor. The Imam’s fleet was made up of primitive ships with barely functional cannons. Only the sheer numbers and Sagremor’s skill in battle kept the fleet from being completely obliterated. The Black Muslims lost 133 vessels in the initial combat and another 99 ships in the pursuit as the victorious Europeans boarded or destroyed the ships. The Danes lost another 7 elite warships, 6 galleons and 10 transports; 25 Dutch warships and 4 galleons were sunk and the Russians lost 26 warships and 5 galleons. Vater Peiter was wounded, as was one of the 7 Russian leaders. 8500 Dutch and 9000 Russian soldiers drowned with their ships. Sagremor and Princess Shakiri escaped with but 16 ships. The Europeans had had ambitious plans to lay waste to the Umman coastline, but the 4 successive naval battles had taken up too much time. They reached the Sea of Dogs in September but didn’t have time to land their ground troops.

After being raided and slave raided by the Ummans, Gascony revolted. Valencia was also lost due to the Imam’s interference. A mission to reunite the Kingdom of Talavera with the Dutch Empire failed when the envoy died of old age in Languedoc. The troops he left behind helped keep the Umman raids to a minimum and insured the Loyalty of the people. The ally from Saxony attempted to prevent some of the raids, but with 6000 men, he couldn’t accomplish much.

With the Dutch navy so far from home, the ambitious Dutch admirals were feeling rebellious. Bob Smythe and Hans Von Rhunsted both attempted to rebel. Watchful Dutch assassins immediately killed Bob while Von Rhunsted joined the Russian rebels.

Joost van den Voondel, King of Talavera

Diplomacy: none

The Imam attempted to stirr up trouble in pacified Saragoza but the Saragozans are too apathetic.

Juan Carlos, Malik al Andalus

Diplomacy: none

Everyone has forgotten about the Spanish – except the Imam, who continually attempted to steal the treasury. Umman missionaries have begun converting the country.

Shakira, Queen of Sicily and Italy

Diplomacy: none

Shakira was content to stay out of Afro-European politics.

Mikhail, Czar of Russia, Empress of the East

Diplomacy: Chernigov(a)

Most of Russia’s leaders were sent to distant Africa on a crusade to rid the seas of Black Muslim pirates (see Dutch/Umma). They got as far as the Sea of Dogs, helping to defeat two fleets in the process. The Chinese have reconnected the road to the east and sent nearly 6,000,000 gold coins and a great deal of food to aid the European war effort against the hated Black Muslims (who destroyed two large Chinese navies and one army during the Global War).

In the distant Sea of Dogs, Generals Pega, Grigorii and Pasha joined with Princess Svetlana and the Dutch leaders in declaring themselves independent. Russian agents killed Pasha while a VOC™ attempt to kill another traitor failed. The loyal factions had 26 Russian warships and 12 Russian Galleons as well as 26 Dutch warships and 12 galleons. The Rebels had a total of 28 warships and 13 galleons under the command of General Pega. VOC™ intelligence helped the loyal leaders. The Danes stayed out of the battle, as their only leader was wounded. The rebels were routed, Gregorii being killed in the combat and Hans Von Rhunsted was captured. Pega and Princess Svetlana escaped. There are about 30 ships left in each of the Dutch and Russian navies.

The ally from Prussia died but his son renewed his father’s oath of fealty. The dredging of the Volga continues.

Acasis II, Boy Shah of Armenia

Diplomacy: none

Nisiblis died in his sleep at the age of 38. His 10 year-old son is too young to rule, so a regency was set up.

Rucat II, Sword of Islam

Diplomacy: Merrakesh(ne) Oujda(ne) Cheliff(f) Algeria(ne)

Rucat decided to give his speech in spite of the debacle a few years previously:

As for the attempt to subvert the Dutch leader: If the Dutch were trustworthy then it would not have been necessary to use my intel to protect our agreement. It is unfortunate that one action revealed my concern about the true intentions of the Dutch. I can hear the conversation now: the Dutch to the Danes ‘I just told the silly Ummans that they could have the Baelerics. So hurry over and take the Island before they do. After all they can’t blame me for what you do.’ I do hold you responsible for making a bogus deal with me. I have no angst toward the Danes, they are agreeable and have been trustworthy in our dealings. The Dutch sounded untrustworthy and so guarantees needed to be attempted to offset any double-dealing on the part of the Dutch. Not surprisingly, the Dutch didn’t follow through with our agreement!

Sword of Islam"

The remaining 397 warships and 100 galleons met in the Gates of Hercules in April. Nietzche took control of 50 galleons and 99 warships and set sail for the Med. Prince Alfonso, also in command of 99 warships and 50 galleons, headed back north, stopping to raid the coast of Gascony and Brittany. Prince Khaliq, with 199 warships, headed directly to the English Channel, where he encountered a combined Dutch and Danish fleet in August. Bad leadership for the Ummans and superior numbers contributed to the destruction of the second Umman fleet.

Nietzche met a fleet of Danish ships in the Gades. A state of war already existed between the two nations because of Danish terrorism – the Danes attempted to escape but were caught. Displaying his typical nihilist behavior, Nietzche attacked the 38 elite warships. All Danish ships were sunk; the Ummans lost 3 galleons and 10 warships. Vater Paul, the Danish commander, was wounded and returned to the Baelerics. While the battle raged, Duncan McDonald slipped through with 37 transports. He was given free passage through the Gates of Hercules by Sagremor. He also slipped by Prince Alfonso’s fleet while it was busily raiding the Gascons.

Prince Alfonso returned to the Bay of Biscay in June and slave raided and raided the coast of Gascony. Then they moved to Brittany and had just begun to raid the coast when the combined Russian, Danish and Dutch fleets descended upon them and annihilated the Africans. Young Rucat III and his brother escaped to Galacia, on the coast of Spain. Prince Alfonso was slain.

Nietzche continued into Dutch waters. By October, he was off the coast of Provence. From March to July, the Ummans attempted to raid and slave raid the coast but a large Dutch garrison, consisting mainly of mercenaries, prevented them from achieving any significant degree of success. Next they moved to Languedoc, where they pillaged the countryside and carried off children. Finally, they hit Corsica, slave raiding it. With 89 warships and 47 galleons, Nietzche possesses the last remnants of the great Umman armada.

In Oujda, they no longer hate the Ummans. Merrakesh is now cultivated. Diplomatic efforts in Merrakesh failed because the ally was in Oujda.

Landeria III, Sultana of Dara, Heart of Islam

Diplomacy: Malta(ca) Ghazal(t) Sibut(fa) Haraze(ne)

So far, neither the Himrad Sultanette nor the Fatimid Caliphette have joined in the war between Umma and the Dutch. The Imam visited Malta on behalf of Landeria and convinced them that an alliance with Himrad is in their best interests. Landeria’s own diplomats have continued convincing the jungle dwelling savages to join their enlightened nation. More gold was poured into the university system. Mbundan spies stole some of the technological secrets of the empire. Ships were built to expand trade with the Europeans, although trade with Russia and Denmark was lost since STIS© ships are no longer welcome at these ports.

Igbo is now cultivated and many farm projects were built there. A new city was built in Kanuri while Quia’ptera, in Igbo, was expanded to size two.

Ayatollah Khomeni XVI, Guardian of the Shining Path Voice of Islam

Consecration: Baghdad(ab) Iraq(ab)

Sagremor the Unruly was given command of the Holy Fleet and charged with the defense of the continent from sea-borne raiders (except the Danes, who were granted free passage as long as they weren’t headed south). He had 248 obsolete warships at his disposal to enforce the Imam’s decree. In July, he killed a VOC™ trader attempting to join the Pan-European navy in the Atlantic. Two Russians and a Dutchman eluded capture. Ultimately, the Imam’s holy fleet was destroyed. Sagremor and Shakiri escaped with 16 warships. They are all that protects the coast of West Africa from the Europeans.

The Imam’s people kidnapped the 73 yr old Kildansk in Malta. This made the subsequent diplomacy go much more smoothly. In Spain, Mullah Dostoyevsky led a force of 6000 mercenary footmen, 8000 mercenary cavalry, 80 field cannons and 1 siege gun into Valencia, dodging Danish assassins and defusing the ineffective attempts to dishearten his soldiers. They easily defeated the now leaderless garrison, then attacked the 31’ walls of Yulian. All were killed except the mullah (who fled back to Murcia.) Dostoyevsky is gaining a reputation for killing off mercenaries in futile battles. Late in 1592, an Imamate inspired rebellion in the city destroyed the last of the Dutch garrison. Asmodé’s fleet escaped to Languedoc.

The Imam began to reform his government, moving towards a celibate priesthood.

Kabunga II, Last true afro-pagan on earth

Diplomacy: Mombassa(nt) Rozwi(ne) Cape(ne) Zambezi(n)

Mbundan diplomats convassed the jungles and steppes of South Africa with little success. In fact, in Zambezi, Benzi convinced the previously ambivalent natives to regard Kabunga II as the Devil God, Hjarmarko, who eats children and small inoffensive animals. They are now neutral. Kabunga’s spies brought back some premium technology from his northern neighbor. The Mbundans continue to modernize their country.

Kabunga had planned on dying and so had had a beautiful coffin built for himself and planned a lavish celebration upon his passing. He even had the city of A’Kunbunga built in his honor in Rozwi. He’s still alive, but his old friend, Bwana, died. Jatukimbo returned from Parana with more bad news: Kabunga’s favorite daughter, Princess Kazi, had died during the return trip. The Mbundans only lost a single ship on this trip.

News of the destruction of the Umman and Imamate fleets gave Kabunga bad dreams; he worries that the Dutch will soon be off his coast, stripping away his merchant vessels in retalitaion for the Mbundan raids a few years past.

Kalif-Sied, CEO of the STIS©, Arrow of Islam

Capitalization: Gama Gofa(bo) Ifni(bo) Sri Lanka(bo)

STIS© spies and assassins wreaked havoc in the Dutch Kingdom. The Danes triggered a minor recession when they burned down the branch office in Sudoua and the factor in Derry. The STIS© have now lost a valuable outpost that had allowed their spies to reach into the very heart of the European countries. Some trade routes were closed by the war. Failure to spend enough time and money meant that only a few attempts to establish locations were successful. TheJersey Islands continue to convert to Black Muslim.

Al Haidi, Lady Caliph, Nation Killer, Shield of Islam

Diplomacy: Ghebel Gharib(ne) Berbera(f) Jazirah(f) Kyklades(f)

The Fatimids continued with their peaceful expansion. The Kyklades were fully converted to the true faith and, along with Berbera and Jazirah, were completely incorporate into the mighty Caliphate. Of course, in the deserts of Arabia, slaving continued. Many ships were built and sent to trade with Umma’s enemies. Raqqah is mostly Black Muslim now. Some Galleons were built to help protect the merchant fleets in the Mediterranean. Like Landeria, Al Haidi is willing to remain neutral as the Dutch and Ummans tear each other apart.

Turghil III

Diplomacy: Ushrusana(c ) Kuhistan(c ) Hahmar(a) Kuzestan(f) Khuttal(c )

Turghril gave part of his huge army to Saladin, in fact a larger part than he kept for himself. Public works were built throughout the land and the cities of Basra, Bushehr, Wasit and Now expanded. The road system was extended to Luristan. The long process of converting from guild to free and from clan to open was begun. An enormous addition was added to the university. The devotion of the people increased. Because of the extensive investments in Kuhistan and Hahmar, diplomacy succeeded easily. In the northern wildlands it was more difficult.

In AH 1053, Saladin rebelled and attempted to make himself Caliph, but waiting Afghani assassins cut him down. A large navy was commissioned and left to sit at the docks of Karachi. The devotion of the people is on the rise.

Mowgli, Boy King of India

Diplomacy: none

Al Alim died in AH 1052 leaving behind a son too young to rule. The Maldive Islands and Satava revolted. Surprisingly, every single Alimid leader remained loyal (the national leaders. Plus the allies from Dravidia, Malabar, Konkan, Andhra and Madurai.) As dynastic failures go, this one was about as mild as possible.

Diplomacy: none

The Tibetans went back into hibernation.

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Indravarman III, god Emperor of Siam

Diplomacy: none

The Siamese are Renaissance.

Ravi Gizmo, Slayer of Aborigines

Diplomacy: Sarawak(f)

The city of Dajaba was built in newly repopulated Dajarra. Fai Vang and his army then went on to attack and the defenseless natives of Ilweah and massacred the entire tribe. Ravi Gizmo’s brother, Prince Ravi Gatmo, was given a position of responsibility within the government. A horde of Matarami envoys descended upon Sarawak and convinced the locals to become fully incorporated in the kingdom. Trade with China was expanded.

Lao Hao, Ruler of the World

Diplomacy: Cim(t-but revolted) Barat(ce) Liangche(a) Tsingfeng(a) Shangtung(ne)

Lao Hao began a policy of bribing his generals to stay loyal. So far it’s working. Jai-qui Chan took 39,000 Chinese horsemen to Uzbek and defeated the local khan and his 8000 man horde. Jai-qui lost 500 men. A second Chinese leader journeyed from Houma with 75,000 more cavalry to Yayik, where the STIS© were forcibly ejected from the country. Lao Hao issued a proclamation stating that no Black Muslims at war with Europe would be allowed to trade with China. More than 5,600 chests of gold were sent to with the Russian traders at Kul’sary. Cim temporarily recognized the suzerainty of the Chinese but then revolted again. Bogazgol also revolted but the poorly equipped rebels were all killed by the 10,000 man garrison. 2000 Chinese were slain, leaving a barely sufficient garrison. Many more troops were built in the homeland and Galleons and Warships were commissioned.

In spite of having no realistic threats to their domestic security, the Chinese built up their army. They continue to slowly convert to Shinto, thanks to the Japanese priests. Diplomatic efforts in pacified Shangtung were a failure.

Tenno Tamo, 93^rd Emperor of Nihon

Diplomacy: none

The Japanese slept.

Iniki IV, first chosen of Nan Matol

The Kingdom was quiet.