THE AKA'MURRID EMIRATE OF FULANI
Mohammad II, Emir of the Fulani, The Philosopher-King of the Sahel
Diplomacy: None
     General Basi died in Zaria, alone and cold.

THE MARWAN EMIRATE OF BENITOGO
Koduduwa, Emir of the Bight
Diplomacy: No Effect...
     Dowan, crown prince of the Marwan Emirate saw that investments continued apace. The tiny nation's infrastructure was increased, enabling it to absorb other small nations. He built several improvements in Accra, including walls and regiments of more than three thousand spearmen. Four new trade routes were opened using the conduit of New Bight City, to nations on the Med.
     Kufo returned from his voyage across the Atlantic, letting everyone know that Koduduwa was attempting to get the South American pagans to join the Emirate. As the years dragged on, there was no word from the Emir. Dowan began to worry...

THE HARAZE HORDE
Eluka, Lord of the Steppe
Diplomacy: Faya(horde allied)
     Eluka decided to carve his name in the history books. The horde moved north into the deep Sahara...

South Africa

THE BANTU KINGS OF OKOYO
Tubuhawaire, Da King of Okoyo
Diplomacy: Sangbe(F)
     King Tubuhawaire hiked from the capital to Boma to rule the kingdom. In the meantime he also spent time on dynastic concerns, his wife producing 5 children in 3 years. Yes, both sets of twins are well.
     The royal road to Vili was completed, reducing the time it takes for messengers to get to the homeland from the sea. A fortress was built in Matadi near the trade center there. In the north, Teke received funds while walls were built at Dogubu. The lead diplomat in Sangbe died near the end of the talks, but Kololo was there to complete the mission.

THE GREAT ZIMBABWE
T'Cham'Ki, Chief of Zimbabwe, Holder of the Five Twin Jackal Chair
Diplomacy: No Effect
     Waited for inspiration.

	East Africa

THE KRAKAS EMPIRE OF AETHIOPIA
Pelam I, Alem 'Elum, Emperor of Aethiopia
Diplomacy: Hafun(c) Kusti(a)
     The Krakas saw their foot soldiers improving tactically, along with support from the artillery corps. Trade could now stretch to the farthest reaches, farther than any nation in the world. The royal road to Dunqunab in Suakin along the Red Sea. Urban life in the empire progressed well as Akwila, Abbis, Jima, Tobruk, K'andeeto, Abeche and Zokouma expanded. Works were built in Bornu and K'andeeto and new heavy armaments for Emperor Pelam.
     As Pelam ruled the land, his Queen Biju bore him another son. The Crown Prince Samuil returned from the Far East to discuss ties with the city of Hafun. His twin brother traveled to Kusti to secure an alliance while Temban and Jessala talked tried to talk sense into the pacified people of Gwari and Bornu.

North Africa

THE SULTANATE of IEST
Imad ibn Khalid, Sultan of Mahidia
Diplomacy: Caquetio(F) Oujda(a)
     The Sultan expanded his staff and kept pace with the Christians to the south with Infantry and artillery qualities. Several cities were expanded including Alexandria, Bani Suwayf, and Misr all with extremely formidable defenses. The regions around Necho's Canal were all fortified as well. Lybia was brought back to cultivated and the road through the desert to Jiddah was completed.
     Proclamations were issued from the Capital. Taxes throughout the Sultanate would be lowered as a sign of the prosperity Imad felt the coming years would bring.

     We, the people of Iest, along with our co-investor nations Aethiopia and Byzantium, announce to the nations of the world that Necho's canal is now open, which will enable us to increase the size of the world's economy. Our intent is that the canal be used for peaceful purposes. We are therefore placing the following restrictions on shipping through the canal:

1. No military units or cargo will be allowed through the canal, except under special circumstances.
2. Every ship passing through the canal will have to be inspected at Alexandria or Imad's Rock.
3. To streamline the inspection process, only ships flying the flags of Ethiopia, Byzantium, WHOMPCO, and the SBB will be allowed to traverse the canal.
4. Please contact the SBB or WHOMPCO if you wish to have any goods shipped through the canal. Our government does not place any restrictions on the origin or destination of goods through the canal, although we reserve the right to do so at a future time.

THE ALMORAVID EMIRATE of ANDALUSIA
Anbar al Saladin ibn Kadir, Emir as Sevilla
Diplomacy: Saragoza(F) Talavera(a) Salamanca(fa) Sagunto(nt)
     The Emirate improved its government, warship, and assassin qualities. The rest of the Emirate's treasury was devoted to a massive military build up including several hundred warships and heavy guns. Anbar himself took up the defenses of Sevilla. He scanned the horizon to the south and listened to incoming battle reports. Our gracious invitation to the Hidden Dragon to visit Andalusian lands is hereby revoked. We demand the immediate return of the city of Cape Town and the region of Cape in Southern Africa.
     Marwan al Saladin trained the troops in Sevilla, upgrading more than ten thousand men into elite fighters. Several lieutenants pulled forces from around the Emirate to be trained. Mehmet traveled to Sagunto to smooth the pillow feathers that captivated Idir. Idir was released when Mehmet secured the treaty.
     After the initial reports from the loss of Walvis Bay came in, he feared the worst. But when Admiral Fayez de Gama arrived in July of 1551, his fears abated somewhat. [See Hidden Dragon]

CASABLANCA WESTERN HAWALA OVERSEAS MERCHANT PROTECTIVE COMPANY
Vic Torlazlo, Merchant of Casablanca
Capitalization: None
     The merchants of Casablanca extended their trade range and saved their pennies, and their clients' pennies, for that rain in Spain...

THE KINGDOM OF MORAY
Donald Dubh Mac Donald of Islay, ifth Lord of the Isles, Lord of Argyll and Kintyre, Earl of Ross, Captain of Clan Donald, Ri Innse Gall
Diplomacy: None
     Donald invested more gold and was able to pull more political power to himself as the Kingdom smoothly transitioned into a Centralized Monarchy. He spent the remainder of his time with Peggy, his wife, in Strathclyde. He assisted with the construction of a fountain in Falkirk. Finally, in 1551, a Son was born. The 64 year Lord would have his dynasty!

THE EMPIRE OF INGILTARRA
Dharr Ralif ibn Abdullah, Sword of Sayyidina Ali
Diplomacy: Anglia(ea) Connaught(F) Lienster(t)
     Dharr increased the size of his round table and granted Tariq Basim the lands of Anglia. Akil al Ferran supported him with more than two thousand men and guns. Trade was interfered with so that the Ingiltarra felt secure with the numbers.
     The empire's official government policy is tolerant towards its Roman Catholic population. Proselytism is allowed in locations with existing Christian peoples. The support of those by the upgrading of existing sites is approved of, and new sites can be built in locations where the simple majority under the Papal sway.

THE NORMAN EMPIRE OF SAXONIA
Charles, Regent to the King of the Saxons and of the Normans, Count of Blois
Diplomacy: None
     The Empire halted its expansion into Italy to deal with internal matters.
     Charles expanded the government to cover some of the inadequacies that he knew would strike the Empire. At the same time, he applied tactics seen in Italy throughout his infantry regiments, which were drawn closer to the capital. New soldiers were recruited and Charles had every Lieutenant and every newly enrolled soldier swear an oath to recognize five year old Robert as King. Several thousand men were placed in reserves.
     Francois le Faible was on the look out during all the movement of troops, both in and out of the Capital, knowing that during the confusion it would be an excellent time for treachery. Maurice de Fitz of Brittany watched for skullduggery among treasonous Saxonian generals. He was joined by Bishop Eugenius. Umberto Panza watched for any troop movements in Savoy, keeping his forces at the ready.
     In 1552 the weak government allowed several regions to degrade. Aragon, Castille, Lyonnais, Munster, Tours, Lerida, Santaner, and Vienne were among the many. There were many mysterious deaths reported in Liguria.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
Marcellus II, Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Christ, Servant of the Servants of God, Supreme Pontiff on the Universal Church
Consecration: No Effect
     The Pontiff was satisfied with the end of malevolence and hostility in Italy.
     Cardinals were sent to Winchester, Hull, Galway, and Tirnova, to preach and convert the nobility, but found that only Tirnova was not already Catholic. Cardinal Bertollini found that the ruling class of the port on the Black Sea was fiercely Islamic, so he returned to Roma.
     In Anglia, the fief holder Tariq Basim, imprisoned Cardinal Marconi who was attempting to upgrade the church there. Without any Christians in the rural countryside of the demesne, the church could not be supported. It is unclear if Tariq was acting on his Emperor's command or only his own anti-catholic bias.
     Marcellus saw the lion's share of the support throughout the Church falter, mostly due to the lack of attention to administrative matters during the transition to him. He knew that work must continue to strengthen his flock.

THE REPUBLIC OF ITALY
Filippo de Reggio, King of the Freestate
Diplomacy: No effect
     Princess Julietta, newly crowned as heir to the throne of the Republic, was unsuccessful at her attempt to conduct an accurate census. Probably because she could not devote her full attention to the ball-busting chore. Her primary onus was to manage the task of ruling the Kingdom. She took out a loan to begin the rebuilding of her nation.
     Leonardo di Roma traveled to Merano to receive the ransom paid by King Otto II of Helvetica. He received the Treaty of Merano and returned to the capital.
     The peace Treaty of Merano between Italy, Saxonia and Helvetica stipulated the complete cessation of hostilities between Italy and all Catholic parties, Italy agrees to the following:

• Italy immediately releases any claims it has upon Corsica, Liguria, Savoy, Lombardy, Verona, and the cities therein.
• Italy will ransom the leaders it has captured.
• Italy immediately frees any prisoners of war it has from the nations of Saxonia and Helvetica.

THE MEDICI SYNDICATE
Marco d'Medici, Guildmaster of Medici
Capitalization: None
     Old investments in gunnery paid off. Marco saved vast sums of Lire.

THE EMPIRE OF HELVETICA
Otto II, Grand Doge of Helvetica, The Valiant, Defender of Order, Overseas Emperor, The Peaceful, The Benevolent, The Mellow
Diplomacy: Verona(AW) Merano(t) Champagne(a) Sancelade(nt) Swabia(F)
     ....in a dark prison cell in Pescara, November 1549: "Garçon! I demand the finest vintage! No more of this swill!" Another night that the guards would curse their luck at dice....
     Otto II rode to Merano to sign the treaty that specified no further hostilities and to open the old trade routes. Those in the know can acknowledge Hosendorf The Fox was instrumental to the successful campaign. Otto gave him credit for his excellence and loyalty, including a large purse of gold. Seeing that all seemed well, he returned to Tyrol where he would prove that he is not a girly-boy, despite his long locks, wig, and foppish manners.
     Prince Phillip the Explorer Rienhold loaded his ships in Castrolpol and sailed around Cape Race, landing on the south coast of Micmac. Here, Phillip commanded that the hulls of his ships be hauled up to build fortifications. He spend the next few years discussing religion with the chief of the Micmac. Bischoff the Traveller arrived after an laborious journey to unload the supplies for the port city of New Trangau to be built. He was heard to exclaim "There must be a shorter way than this."
     In Verona, Sepp Von Einem The Enduring was charged with convincing the rural populace that they should join the Empire and give up their hopes of ever rejoining the Republic. With no support and a haughty attitude, it was no surprise that a fortnight after his spurious talks, Sepp awoke with what felt like a burlap bag filled with peeled onions tied around his bruised head. His garrison had been forced to retreat to the gates of Venezia.
     Hackelhaber had an unfortunate accident in Sancelade. It seems that the inn he was staying in burned to the ground with no survivors, save the inn-keeper, all of the staff, and all the other patrons...

THE NORDIK EMPIRE OF THAERY
Gunnar, King of the Danes
Diplomacy: Romsdal(nt)
     Gunnar's investments paid off in the famed Nordik warships as well as techniques in dead drops and drop deads. Kristina gave birth to Gunnar's son in 1550, but died during her second pregnancy.
     Sven transported colonists to Uppland and towns in Scandinavia. Hans took a couple thousand men, loaded up on Thaery long boats and sailed to Hordaland. Almost methodically, he struck down any pagan who would not renounce the old ways. Unrighteous creatures! They will submit on pain of torture! he would scream and then retire to his comfy chair.

THE GRAND DUCHY OF CRACOW
Borslav, Blackjack Duke of Cracow, the King of the Polka and Bochnia
Diplomacy: Ozu(c) Lithuania(HS) Polotsk(nt) Cherven(HS)
     Borslav trained his artillery well and diversified with faster sailing vessels. He even encouraged his missionaries to work harder in Pinsk. Internal trade was set up on the Vistula while several cities in the Duchy were expanded including Lawez, Warsaw, Radom, and Lodz.
     The Duke commanded more than fifty thousand men to march into Volhynia. This took him longer than he had originally planned; even longer when he picked up another twenty thousand in order to return to the capital. Thus the Duchy was not governed as intended.

THE EMPIRE OF BALTICA
Peter, King of Baltica, Prince of Novgorod
Diplomacy: Reval(A) Suzdal(ea)
     Peter cultivated Kalinin and sent Alexander to train several thousand men. At the age of 15, Pavel, the younger brother of Peter was informed that he would rule as regent for his nephew Villem should the King of Baltica die. He drank to that.

THE DIHAJ KHANAT
Ziyad, Mighty Servant of Allah
Diplomacy: Urkel(t)
     The Khanat heard that an arsonist was running around in Yayik.

THE ROMAN EMPIRE - Phormion Dynasty
Stavros Phormio, Imperator Romanus, Basileus of Constantinople
Diplomacy: None
     Improvements around the Empire continued. Minuane and Querrandi were cultivated by the team of Princes Stephanos and Sebastos, who delivered huge amounts of resources to the thriving colonies. Donets received improvements also and the Thracian Bosporus swelled with ferries.
     General Nauteus took more than ten thousand men across to Bithnia to march on Isauria. After a vicious battle, decimating the Isaurians, the Romans assaulted the walls of Attalia. Quickly, the walls were brought down and the city conquered.

THE YEZIDI CALIPHATE
Hassan Pasha, Emir of Baghdad, Amiiru l-mu'miniin
Diplomacy: Kuwait(a) Dulaym(nt)
     Hassan reduced the size of his government in order to decrease the outrageous support costs that the Caliphate had been paying. Then he headed to Lebanon to deal with Acre. Lieutenant Julaybib was charged with leading the assault as Hassan and Abdulla ibn Sailam worked the intelligence arm of the battle, pointing out weaknesses in the city's defenses, not the least of which was the success of the Yezidi assassins. With nearly twenty thousand men, some light explosives, and even some balloons on recon, the city surrendered pronto.
     In Dulaym, Umm Salamah was unable to persuade the feudal lord to give up his forces to attack As'summan with. Similarly, Abu-Bakr as-Saddiq attempted to take the heavy cavalry. As a result, the Dulaym feudal ally withdrew his alliance with the Caliphate.

LAHILLA PRIMACY OF ISLAM
Lahilla ibn Rumi abd Allah, Caliph al Islam
Consecration: Basra(ch) Syria(ch) Damascus(ch) Jordan(ch) Ma'an(ch) Misr(mn)
     Heretical Islam spread to Aleppo and the city of Antioch. Fanatics destroyed the small Lahilla mosque there. The primacy was otherwise successful with their capacity increasing. Influence was gained over the Andalusians.
     The zakat was placed on the Yezidi, but unsuccessful on the merchants of Basra. Abraham died after the failure in Abadan. And clerical workers were loaned to the Burning Sword.

THE BURNING SWORD EMPIRE
Emperor Hammad I Abu-Hassan, Grand Emperor of the Sword, most faithful follower of Allah
Diplomacy: Aleppo(nt) Pontus(t)
     Hammad built several fishing fleets so that his reliance on foreign fodder would be reduced. He sent off money to the Ghorid Sultanate also. Several fortresses sprang up in key locations, while the Diyalan's received new forces.
     General Aszul marched more than six thousand men into the Yezd wilderness. At first, his army was forced to retreat. In the attempt to regroup, the army became disordered. Continuing to wrangle the troops led to a mutiny. Aszul was wounded before he was able to quell the defiant men. Rather than attempting to regroup his army again, he licked his wounds in Fars, again.
     Sixty-one year old Councilor Jaf headed to Aleppo, where his pewter tongue did little good.

AS SHIRKI AL BAHRI AL BASRA (SBB)
Sayah ibn Abdulla Noir, Kalifat Rasul Allah, Captain General of the Basra Overseas Trade Company
Diplomacy: Mari(mf) Zapatees(mf) Denjuba(mf) Corona(c) Turbah(mf) Djibouti(CI) Bargal(UN) Baghdad(mf) Samarra(mf)
     Abdulla expanded the statecraft of the guild that managed the day to day transfers of gold to clients, shuffling of several hundred ships, and even increasing their missionary effectiveness. In Bargal on the Horn of Africa, the teachings of Mohammad were accepted.
     Sayah ibn Abdulla became a Prince of the Merchant House in April of 1550. Five months later, his father Abdulla died at the end of his successful mission in Mari. And so, at the age of 15, Sayah took the reigns of the Trade Company. His sister married her older cousin First Trader Behram Noir in a quiet ceremony, making him a Prince.

THE BOGAZGOL KHANATE
Zargan I, Khan of Tabaristan
Diplomacy: None
     Zargan returned to his home on the Caspian Sea.

THE JURCHEN KHANATE
Jarchigudai of the Jurchen
Horde Diplomacy: Siber(absorbed) Uze(absorbed) Kul'sary(absorbed)
     Jarchigudai of the Jurchen rode north-west, around the Urst-Urt, and into Khwarzim where the horde of eighty thousand raided. The Khwarzim were an extremely rich people, but they were devastated by Jarchigudai.
     Finally, crossing into Gurgan, the Bogazgol were concerned. Under a white flag, Zargan was informed that the Jurchen were just there to visit the trade center.

THE CHAHAR KHANATE
Chang of the Chahar
Diplomacy: Kyzl-Kum(allied)
     Chang rode west through lands nominally held by the Jurchin. In Ishikotrau the horde found the territory empty of migrants. Such was not the case in Avar, where the Chahar would meet a multitude as large as themselves. After a short skirmish where the Avar Khan was captured by a surprise flanking maneuver, the Chahar were allowed to pass into Kyzl-Kum.

THE GHORID SULTANATE OF AFGHANISTAN
Abdel bin Omar, Sultan of Afghans
Diplomacy: None
     Ghorid did nothing.

THE HARAYUK RAJPUT EMPIRE
Apurva Chandravara, Master of Kaunaj, Emperor of Rajput
Diplomacy: None
     To match the increase in siege craft, field forts flooded the heartland. In outlying areas, the Emperor allowed Irain and Kutch to be nearly fully autonomous. Food was sent to the Burning Sword Empire and trade was initiated with the Makassar.
     Prince Ulanjar of Multan took several heavy warships and mercenary transports from India and sailed to Koba on the Riouw Sea. Here he loaded up several thousand mercenaries and returned to defend Rusichatta. Most of the other Harayuk generals and diplomats returned to Kaunaj to confer.
     Crown Prince Apurva joined his father, gathering an army of more than thirty thousand knights with horse drawn artillery in tow. From the capital they rode east, crossing the Brahmaputra into Assam, leading several thousand colonists into the region. After the successful colonization mission, the Emperor fell ill. Apurva rode with all haste back to the capital, but Rupika would see paradise before the Prince would see Kaunaj.

THE CHALUKYA EMPIRE OF BANAVASI
Ekoram-varman, Maharaja in Banavasi, Yogi of Seylan
Diplomacy: Pawar(ea) Kosala(c) Fido(hs)
     Ekoram completed the royal road into Karnata, expanded several cities and boosted the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of his people with public works in Hyderabad, Bijapur, Chochinor, and mostly in Banavasi. To protect his people, he expanded the army with several battalions of light forces including small artillery pieces.
     At the age of 16 Ekoram-varman granted upon his daughter Daminivarman the title of Maharani in Banavasi, Yogi of Seylan. Sadly, she died later in the year.

THE GATOTKACA OF ANGORA
Arghun, Sengkuni Khan
Diplomacy: Luzon(HS)
     Arghun continued to vigilantly guard his royal person. A ragabash named Ricardo Carpachi was discovered seeding rebellion in Bassein. Arghun wondered why the Carpachi family would stoop to dealing in such an underhanded way. History shows that the Khan can be bought.
     A buddhist frenzy overtook the Andaman Isles. Visions of the Buddha, apparitions, and some priests claiming holy visions. Port Blair became known as Baobei, precious one. Missionaries were successful in Luzon.

THE CIAO ZHONG LAO KINGDOM
Lao Che, King North Port
Diplomacy: None
     Lao could not pay his troops and was killed in the rioting that followed. North Port was sacked and most of the forces became mercenaries.

THE VIET VICEROYALTY OF MAKASSAR
Zhen Ya, Viceroy of Makassar
Diplomacy: Srivijaya(neutral)
     The Viceroy continued to see his investments in espionage increase with application, successful or not. Missionaries were sent to rid Leyte of any Roman Catholic ideology.
     Zhen Ya and commander Hasanuddin crossed to Sumatra and marched up the coast to Atjeh. Here Hasanuddin took the fleet in order to blockade Aceh. With the city cut off by sea, Zhen Ya cut it off by land as well. The Aceh were stubborn, but by the middle of 1551 the city would surrender to the Javans.

IL SINDACATO GRANDE ORIENTALE COMMÉRCIO (Republic of Portale D'Oro)
Don Francisco Carpachi, Il Doge della Portale D'Oro
Diplomacy: Aseb(CI) Cape Town(ma) Indavao(ma) Zanzibar(bo) Kaifeng(MF!) Chinao(CI) Dongola(UN) Makassar(mf) Vijaya(bo)
     Great gooey gobs of gold glorified the Guild, in government, for grunts, and gathering with guile.
     The tributary city of Antizani was transferred to the Harayuk Empire. Ships bound for Livorno were denied passage through Necho's Canal.
     The Don died in 1551 after opening the Asian Exchange Bank. His brother Francisco would become the new Doge della Portale d'Oro.
     Lieutenant Salamar was wounded during his failed attempt to expand the ISGOC holdings in Dongola. On the other side of the world, Lieutenant Raphael was unable to complete the colony on Beringa. Stranded on the island without a port in sight, the arctic storms took their toll on his ships and men. Captain Marc was lost in the Indian Ocean.

THE CROUCHING TIGER IMPERIUM
Cao Tien, Wang Tong King, Emperor of Tonkin
Diplomacy: None
     Several regions and cities revolted from the Emperor including Dvaravati, Gongli, Siam, Warimchampa, and Thaton.

China

THE HIDDEN DRAGON OF CHEKIANG
Quan Yitsang, Celestial Emperor of Chekiang
Diplomacy: None
     Well paid workers in Lin'an built more walls after siege engineers learned new ways to destroy them, all in the name of science. Scribes painstakingly copied maps of all the known seas so that they might be delivered to the Harayuk, il Sindicato, as Shirki al Bahri, Krakas, and Ciao Zhong. Trade was initiated with the Okoyo on the south western coast of Africa and on the east coast of South America, Paraiba.
     Admiral Li Gong explored the islands of Kwajalein, continuing the Chekiang mastery of the Pacific.
     Prince Quan Yiguang waited for troops to be sailed from northern china, fresh from guarding the Zhong from hordes. In Rangoon more ships were loaded and the Prince set sail for the West. At the beginning of 1552, the Prince assaulted Hadramunt and Zapatees. The city fell quickly, even though it had formidable walls, mostly due to the incapable leadership of the captain of the guard.
     The Chinese Treasure Fleet sailed west leaving in Cape Town nearly fifty thousand men were under the command of one man. Heng Li. He ordered the men to advance on Herero. So far from home, the men wanted to return. Its unknown where it began, some say the port, some say the camp, but a mutiny erupted, tasking the commander. Amazingly, he was able to control his troops and hang several contumacious soldiers.
     Heng Li marched his army towards Walvis Bay in Herero. The small garrison was quickly dispatched. In a few months, the Fleet returned and after filling the barracks with men, Heng retired to Cape Town, watching for Spanish fleets.
     In the summer of 1551 Xiao Wang arrived at Cape Town with supplies, taking the heavy galleys and returning to China.
     Poppy Blossom in Sagaing revolted from their Chinese speaking oppressors.
     Late in the summer of 1552 on the docks of Indavao hundreds of Aramaic peasants took pitchforks and torches to the Chinese merchant ships moored there. Soon the battlements swarmed with black Coptic warriors shouting to throw off the oppression of the foreigners. By winter, the port was held by no power. This had the net effect of disabling the trade routes newly pushed out of Cape Town.

THE MAHIYANA BUDDHIST MISSION
Amitabha, 2nd Host of the Longevity Buddha
Consecration: None
     Some funds were stolen from the treasury at Chienkang.

THE CIAO ZHONG CHINESE EMPIRE
Lo Pan, The Shrewd, King of the Northern Prefectures
Diplomacy: No Effect
     Recently gaining a much needed technological leap, Lo Pan sunk most of his income back into the military machine. He instructed Hei to conduct a new census. Then, with more than twenty thousand knights the King attacked Shan'Si, bringing in another caste of loyal colonists to live there.
     Armies were sent to Bao Ding and Mudan to follow the same orders that the King used in Shan'Si. In Bao, Ding Wang Lein and Duc Thon took fourteen thousand heavy cavalry to do the job. In Mudan, Chin Le took fifteen thousand thoroughly mixed forces to complete his task.

THE NIHON EMPIRE
Empress Mugai Nyodai, 91st Emperor of Nihon, Descendent of Amaterasu, Regent of Taiki
Diplomacy: Mantap(F) Kogoryu(F)
     The Empress expanded the government and saw that Her warships improved. The Tsuyu began earlier and was far heavier than normal. This resulted in flooding and consequent damage throughout most prefectures. il Sindicato donated several documents, written in Italian, to the University of Nihon's Department of Natural Sciences.
     Captain Horii took several light transports to explore the passage from Cape Lopatka to the Beringa Isles, where he found the beginnings of a merchant colony of il Sindicato.
     Several cities were expanded, but the most dramatic change came when a project started when the Empress was only 4 years old came to fruition. No longer would the means of basic production be held by nobility who trade food for protection. Peasants were free to work in the field or become street sweepers if they chose. Ketenharo and Kozokura were renamed to Osaka and Ise, respectively.

THE VAKAS IMPERIUM OF THE AKETTA
Vakas Togal, Sorcerer-King of the Aketta
Diplomacy: Wangaratta(fa) Millicent(c) Pinnaroo(c)
     Togal added another lieutenant to the ranks as well as new infantry for Kaminomori. Walls were built up around Kadinah and Iriada and Taree received rural improvements.
     Kaminomori took five thousand men into Goolbura to discourse with the Pekanepans. They would not join the Empire, so Kaminomori assaulted the city. He continued on north up the coast to Init. He went into talks with the city, but during the talks Kaminomori was killed. It's not surprising, since he was known as fairly blunt. His combat ability didn't play well in the end.
     Lieutenant Nefel took three thousand men to Millicent, Pinnaroo, and at Nokama, he attacked Quorn. He was forced to withdraw as the year came to a close.

THE KINGDOM OF THE STORM
Harahua, Manta of the Mellow Kingdom
Diplomacy: None
     Tadpole rode the high waves to build a port fortress on Loyaute. Tuatara the Lizard rowed west of Loyaute where a great current swept his ships, much faster than he could return. If he can survive, the Kingdom will have learned the way of the Barrier Reef Passage...

Pet the fuzzy kitties!

THE MANITOWISH EMPIRE
Wiseraven, Master of the Manitowish Empire
Diplomacy: Yakima(un)
     Yellowfeet ran with the deer into the mist. The mystic carved a new Totem as Wiseraven became the chief.

THE COLONY OF NYDANIA
Harold III, Konik von Nydanland, Emperor of Nydania
Diplomacy: None
     The Spirit Christians sang and clogged their songs.

THE POPOCELOTL EMPIRE
Huaptl, King of the Smoke Jaguars
Diplomacy: None
     Huaptl completed the royal road to Jornada, sealing one of the last blocks to make governing the Empire less taxing. Then in February 1552 he died young. His appointed heir was Mzatanos the Freezing River. Mzatanos was ruling the Empire from the strategic cross roads of Mogollon and already had a fairly large family. But Sabeno was jealous and knew that he should rule the Popocelotl. Redwing was on hand to kill the traitor.
     Badgerclaws also had designs on the Jaguar throne, and since he was already in the capital, he would lay in wait. Mzatanos arrived in Phoenix to face Badgerclaws in the high heat of summer. In the 112 degree heat, the two men performed the ritual and deadly dance of the snake. The Badgerclaws were hung to dry next to the cactus as the vulture circled overhead.
     Salinin, Yaqui, Hohokam, and Opata revolted,

Eastern North America

THE ILLINOIS CONFEDERATION
Carp, Great Liege of the Ancient People
Diplomacy: Milwaukee(fa)
     Brand ruled the confederation until his death at the end of 1551. All of his men and allies were in the middle of talks with the Milwaukee. With no heir, the men discussed the situation. Koop was the eldest and Prendy of the Sauk supported him, but he was unable to carry his words. Carp won the argument and made his way to Kaskaskia. Koop would attempt to strike Carp down, but limped away in defeat.
     Kickapoo, Iowa, Missouri, Rum and Milwaukee withdrew from the Confederation.

THE ADENA EMPIRE
Pepin Lawenro III, Great Chief of Adena
Diplomacy: None
     Pepin knew that Adena would be great once more.

BONNY KINGDOM OF MERCAIN
Lord Iretus, Regent, Elder King of the Land, Sword of the Vanished Tribes
Diplomacy: Wyandot(fa)
     King Angus expanded New Katherine and ordered Lord Iretus to work on the Wynadot. His daughter was christened Princess Catherine. Sadly, she was six years old when her father died at the end of 1552.

THE BLESSED COUNTRY OF KORNLAND
Hector Simonsen, Jarl of Kornland, Sachem of Chowan, Keeper of the Faith
Diplomacy: Catawba(F)
     Hector found that either his nubile young wife was barren or...

THE OAXACA EMPIRE
Maxtla, King of Oaxaca, Lord of the Maya, Leader of the Quetzal World, Emperor of Mexico
Diplomacy: Maya(c) Popoluca(c)
     Maxtla commanded that a census be conducted. One of his lieutenants, he's not sure which, was barely able to do it. The Romans collected the yellow food called maze.

THE INKA KINGDOM
Quinoa Flakes, Coca Mogul
Diplomacy: No tangible effects
     Flutie terraced more of the mountainsides in Ayacucho and Pucara. His son Quinoa found the prize at the bottom of the box when he had a son in 1550, but the joy was bittersweet as his father would die just a year later.

THE WAJ MAPU CHE
Lord King Biedes, sovereign over the Four Parts of the Healing Earth
Diplomacy: Coquimbo(t)
     Biedes lived the simple life. His son took a wife in Coquimbo.

THE TUPINAMBA EMPIRE
Verbena, Top Tupi Tribesman
Diplomacy: Bauru(F)
     Verbena captured the offensive black man from across the water.

THE EMIRAT OF ALAGOAS
Shi'Tebra ibn Rahgeesh, Emperor of the Paraiba, Emir of Alagoas
Diplomacy: Tupi(nt)
     Shi'Tebra continued to fertilize his spot of paradise.

Average Horde Pop: 4.5           Decrease: 1.2%
Bubble Bubble or is that a hoover running?