THE AKA'MURRID EMIRATE OF FULANI
Mohammad II, Emir of the Fulani, The Philosopher-King of the Sahel
Diplomacy: Mossi(HS) Dogamba(c) Adawara(nt)
     Mohammad stepped forth as if from a dream to expand his table of leaders. He built three new cities; Marades in Galam, Borinalarasan in Niani, and Zarak in Boure. The rest of the thirteen cities in the realm were expanded as well - many an the expense of their walls. But all protection was not lost, as the Emir commanded that most cities would receive part of the twenty four thousand man guard. Kitsanga received tall walls and fortifications were planted in Kanuri on the Eastern border.
     Tragedy befell the Emirate when the crowned Prince Firo attempted diplomacy with the pagans of Mossi. He was asked to participate in the Wild Hunt, but was trampled by a herd of wildebeest.
     Marauding bands of the Haraze horde swept into Mali and waited outside the gates...

THE MARWAN EMIRATE OF BENITOGO
Koduduwa, Emir of the Bight
Diplomacy: Ife(F)
     Koduduwa focused the resources of the Emirate on internal treasures. Accra received vast improvements as did the port of Lome. Trade was initiated with the far flung nations of Mapuche, Yezidi and attempted to trade even as far as Bochnia - no, we can't forget Poland! But the region of Ozu still does not allow trade to flow to Kraznik.

THE HARAZE HORDE
Kemupta, Lord of the Sahara
Diplomacy: None
     Kemupta rode at the head of his nearly sixty thousand man army into Mali to sit outside the gates of Timbuctu. Menacing and hostile, but the Lord of the Sahara just waited... His allies stormed across the oases of Terhazza and Arauanc, looking to loot and harass any so unlucky as to travel the El Mereie.

South Africa

THE BANTU KINGS OF OKOYO
Yhombi-Opango, Da Regent of Obenga, Da King of Okoyo
Diplomacy: None
     The Regent of Obenga saw the completion of the deforestation in Sangbe and added a charismatic man to his council. The postal road network was extended up and down the coast as more public works were installed in Mbundu and the cities of Boma and Dogobu.
     In other news (not the good kind), Yhombi-Opango took a bride and announced that he would begin to work on his own dynasty, much to the chagrin of the many adherents to the Tubuhwaire clan, chief among those, the 8 year old heir to the throne of Okoyo, Obenga. Possibly, the pagan rituals were not observed and his new wife died during her first pregnancy.

THE GREAT ZIMBABWE
T'Cham'Ki, Chief of Zimbabwe, Holder of the Five Twin Jackal Chair
Diplomacy: None
     Sadly, this great nations is floundering without direction.

	East Africa

THE KRAKAS EMPIRE OF AETHIOPIA
Samuel I, Alem 'Elum, Emperor of Aethiopia
Diplomacy: Adowa(a) Hafun(nt) Ilubabor(c) Berbera(c)
     The three targeted investments paid off for Pelam as Warship and Gunnery qualities improved as well as the greatest infrastructure in the known world. Public works were built in Kerkoure, Kwararafa, and Atbara, taking care to avoid the volcano, which appears to have stopped its rumblings, for now. Missionaries traveled half the globe, but only completed their work in Haraze.
     Great troop movements occurred, including Prince Eskalon joining with Prince Zalim and more than fifty two thousand men in Daza on the edge of the Sahara after letting both Bodele and Batha return to their tribal cabals.

North Africa

THE SULTANATE of IEST
Imad ibn Khalid, Sultan of Mahidia
Diplomacy: Caraca(AW)
     The Sultan increased the military presence in Yemen, the Sinai, and on Necho's Canal at Akata. Fairly low revenue trade routes with the Harayuk Rajput Empire and the Hidden Dragon were closed immediately while a watchful eye was kept on the waters, to ensure that only ships flying the approved flags were allowed entrance. All of this did not stop the work of anarchists causing all manner of mischief. Support payments were misdirected, sand was found in several of the mechanisms that needed oil, and low-level but still key maintenance people were killed. Evidence that this was pulled off by Hidden Dragon operatives didn't remedy the fact that this essentially closed down all canal workings, temporarily closing all trade routes and traffic, until repairs can be made.
     Ancient Riyad was unable to change the status of Caraca, though he died trying.
     Iesti forces landed at a Burning Sword port on the Eastern Med, led by general Salman and lieutenant Anwar. Here they unloaded some thirty thousand heavy horse and support infantry and marched east, with Emperor Hammad's guides, to reach Khuzestan at the end of April 1560. [See Burning Sword]
     Prince Peyman waited in Antioch for the transport fleets to unload before he returned them to the home port. Here he picked up a sizeable fleet of light warships which he sailed to Suez, since the canal was non-functional.

THE ALMORAVID EMIRATE of ANDALUSIA
Anbar al Saladin ibn Kadir, Emir as Sevilla
Diplomacy: Toledo(fa) Haiti(fa) Sagunto(A)
     The Emirate continued to concentrate on internal advances. The velvet halls of the palace offered safety and protection while diplomacy was the order of the day. Porto became friendly, expecting more food than they ever would receive before, but seeing that they'll get less.
     Students at the University de Sevilla began protesting the inequality of the system, the high tuition which stemmed from government corruption and a lack of free love. The Emir sent in a few hundred knights to squash all that nonsense.

CASABLANCA WESTERN HAWALA OVERSEAS MERCHANT PROTECTIVE COMPANY
Vic Torlazlo, Merchant of Casablanca
Capitalization: None
     The Merchants paid their clients and contemplated the future.

THE KINGDOM OF MORAY
Conan, Regent of the Isles
Diplomacy: None
     Conan returned to the Highlands to rule the Kingdom while the twins learned the court rituals.

THE SULTANATE OF INGLAND
Dharr Ralif ibn Abdullah, Sword of Sayyidina Ali
Diplomacy: Ulster(t)
     The Sultan oversaw the colonization of Winchester with the Veterans of the Anglia Campaign. They saw no uprising and some of the soldiers took up residence over the new peasant class. Continuing on to London, Dharr Ralif worked with the merchants and remobilized older cavalry into new knights units.
     Crown Prince Tireless-in-Faith (Les) traveled to Lienster to offer his hand to Gentle Turner, the daughter of the Emir of Lienster, Thurgood Turner. This cemented the alliance further. Prince Valiant took a wife in Northumbria, but like his twin brother, did not improve the status.
     Icabod Green waited in Barcelona for orders from Tancred of Saxonia - he should have been farming.
     The Council of Imams continued in London, discussing the Commonwealth ties to avowedly Catholic countries. The Council backed the Sultan's efforts on freedom of religion. To the northeast, in Ipswich a charismatic holy man began preaching reformation of Roman Catholicism...

THE NORMAN EMPIRE OF SAXONIA
Francoi le Faible, Regent to the King of the Saxons and of the Normans, Count of Blois
Diplomacy: Castille(a) Tours(fa) Lyonnais(t)
     Most of the military investments paid off as well as new Intel sources. Heavy transports were built in Barcelona and Francoi called up all reserves units, most in Barcelona, but quite a few in the capital. A heavily fortified port fortress was raised in Catalonia on the Almoravid border.
     There was a grand ball in August of 1559 to celebrate the crowning of Robert as Crown Prince of Saxonia. He was wed to Princess Tiphani of the Roman Empire. Ruling Emperor Francoi le Faible felt that he should stay on to tutor the boy for a few more years. Robert reluctantly agreed.

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: None
     The Bishop of Rome was unable to distribute food to his parish. Knowing that supplies from Saxonia would not arrive in time, he did what he could to save the most important, although all are meek in the eyes of the Father... More than half of the outlying churches and even some Cathedrals had to be shut down or reduce in some way. A new cardinal was called to serve, as well as other agents of Christ.

THE REPUBLIC OF ITALY
Filippo de Reggio, King of the Freestate
Diplomacy: Reggio(fa) Bari(a) Tarantum(c)
     Filippo sent his men along with his daughter around the countryside to encourage stability. He was somewhat satisfied with the results and looks forward to the future.

THE MEDICI SYNDICATE
Marco d'Medici, Guildmaster of Medici
Diplomacy: Roma(CI) Georgia(nt) Acre(ma) Porto(bo) Munster(fa) Kitsanga(ma) Akrakos(bo)
     Marco once again reconfigured all shipping, this time optimizing several trade routes and putting all remaining shipping on fishing duties. Twelve thousand Mediterranean mercenaries were available to follow Saxonian orders in Paris as soon as Mosheh ben Iaco, while the rest remained around the sea. Internationally, the Medici traded all their rutters to the Basra merchants.

THE EMPIRE OF HELVETICA
Phillip Rheinhold, Grand Doge of Helvetica, The Valiant, Defender of Order, Overseas Emperor, The Peaceful, The Benevolent, The Mellow
Diplomacy: Lincoln(fa) Verona(a) Thuringia(f) Bastilica(nt-to Corsica)
     Phillip took the young Katherine Angus of Mercain as his bride. "Our lands shall be joined so that both Olde Verlde and New shall see the Glorious Progress of Man." Hosendorf and Graff loaded up and sailed to New Trangau.
     For the most part, diplomacy was the name of the game for the germans, except in Austria, were the garrison was removed, thus liberating the hinter landers.

THE NORDIK EMPIRE OF THAERY
Sven, Regent of the Danes
Diplomacy: None
     Sven removed the garrison from Hordaland, leaving it uncontrolled. He continued to deliver supplies to the burgeoning markets of Goteborg and Kristiansand. Trappers in the north discovered gold! Enterprising '59ers flocked to Hordaland and the closest port of Kristiansand. Hagen and Merseberg both received facilities.
     When 53 year old regent Bjorn died in 1561, the nation was thrown into chaos. Sven, having just returned from Scandinavia, remained loyal to Gunnar's wishes, protected the children. Bjorn, Max, and Hans has other plans. In Hordaland at the time, Ulrik revolted as well, to make his fortune on the Viksoyrl. Sven was able to outwit them all. Making them flee or die, he swept the rebels from the realm.
     Several cities and regions revolted including Gronland, Iceland and Reykyavik, Norway and Oslo, Romsdal, Bremen, Svealand, Uppland, Westphalia and Hagen.

Eastern Europe

THE GRAND DUCHY OF CRACOW
Krzysztof, Blackjack Duke of Cracow, the King of the Polka and Bochnia
Diplomacy: Silesia(c) Bialoweza(ea)
     Krzysztof sent workers into Goryn and Masuria and expanded Warsaw. The warrior-Duke then led the grand army of more than eighty thousand west to assault the city of Wiczin. Easily outnumbering the defenses, the city falls. While leading the charge through the city gates, the Blackjack Duke was thrown from his horse and wounded.

THE EMPIRE OF BALTICA
Pavel the Wounded, Regent of Baltica, Prince of Novgorod
Diplomacy: Tver(ea) Kirivich(F)
     Princess Laika was wed to the Prince of Kirivich in a ceremony presided over by lieutenant Ivan. Ivan was successful at breaking Pavel out of the Tver prison by bribing and getting the guards drunk on Estonian vodka. Once freed, Pavel headed for Novgorod to rule the empire and have some kids. Peter's children, 13 year old Villem in particular, were nonplused.
     Maarten rode at the head of more than twenty five thousand Cossacks out of Kama Bolgar, crossing the Volga into Don in 1559. The Dihaj were able to push the Balticans back, much to the consternation of Maarten. He took his revenge on the port of Saykhin, since Urkel was not worth raiding. Without any walls, the few defenders were scattered. Saykhin was sacked and left burning as Maarten returned to Kama Bolgar.
     Seeing that Pavel had no intention of retiring, Villem went after him with a meat-axe and after wounding the Regent, was thrown in the highest dungeon. With wounded spirit as well as body, Pavel took solace in the fact that he was still able to hold the Empire together.

THE DIHAJ KHANAT
D'harak, Khan of Dihaj
Diplomacy: Yayik(HS)
     D'harak built defenses for an expanded Maniak none too soon.

THE ROMAN EMPIRE - Phormion Dynasty
Stavros Phormio, Imperator Romanus, Basileus of Constantinople
Diplomacy:
     The Empire extended its increase in siege craft, as well as continuing to heavily fund its University systems. Stavros sent his daughter Tiphani to cement relations with the Saxonians, sure her lineage would strengthen that bloodline. Stephanos and Sebastos continued to shuttle gold to the colonies, with Nearchos and Naukles in reserve.
     Nauteus waited in Attalia for Onetas, who arrived from the capital with another massive fleet, more than five hundred ships all told. They sailed to Suez, waiting for the canal to re-open.

THE YEZIDI CALIPHATE
Masud, Regent of Baghdad, Amiiru l-mu'miniin
Diplomacy: Najaf(ea) As'summan(ea) Jordan(ea) Lebanon(F)
     Salman Al Farsi brought the desert region of As'summan into the Emirate so that the bulk of its trade would now lie on the Persian Gulf, rather than having to be converted to shallow draft barges for travel up the Tigris.
     The Emir completed the mundane administrative tasks of sending supplies to Jerusalem for its expansion as well as completing the royal road link from Karbala north into Dulaym. New wells and fountains were built in the Holy city as well. Other projects were begun, with fortifications built in Iraq including a fortress and associated forts, mustering armies in to protect the eastern border. The port of Hawalli was expanded and Abdulla added another lieutenant to his ranks.
     In 1561 the Emir died at the age of 61. With his five year old son Yusef at his side, he proclaimed that Masud would act as regent until a decade has passed.

LAHILLA PRIMACY OF ISLAM
Soroush abd Allah, Caliph al Islam
Consecration: Jazirah(ch) Samarra(ch) Arbiliq(ch) Diyala(ch) Tangier(ch) Toledo(ch) Talavera(ch)
     The Caliph led a camel train caravan through the Burning Sword royal road network to deliver food from his precious reserves to the Captain General of the Basra Overseas Trade Company. He returned via the same route, passing large Iesti armies heading east.
     Darioush, Soroush, and Behooz continued the expansion of the primacy while Usman protected the holy mosque. At Sagunto, Behrooz installed the Zakat on Andalusia.
     Lahilla died at the age of 72 at the end of 1561. Soroush of Jordan became the new Caliph al Islam.

THE BURNING SWORD EMPIRE
Emperor Hammad I Abu-Hassan, Grand Emperor of the Sword, most faithful follower of Allah
Diplomacy: Cilicia(f) Arbiliq(pt) Kirman(pt) Aleppo(pt)
     Hammad avoided death at the hand of assassins. Although the assailant escaped, his guards were able to recover the dagger used. Analysis of the handle led the captain to inform the Emperor that this was the work of the Sword of Allah.
     Zardin of Cilicia marched to Antioch where he took four thousand mixed light forces and moved on to Jazirah were he married Princess Hasiyna, bringing Cilicia fully into the Empire. He was joined by his brother in law, Prince Abdul, the former king of Pontus. They set up defenses of the homeland.
     The Emperor took up new heavy elite forces numbering some fifty thousand including elite cannon troops and battle vision balloons. He marched south and continually received reports on what the Hidden Dragon armies were up to. He reached Khuzestan in May by the time he learned that they were finally on the move west. He set up directed defenses and was joined on the field by his son Hammad. Soon thereafter, Morga of Zagros arrived with another fifteen thousand heavy horse mercenaries.
     General Salman and Lieutenant Anwar of the Iest Sultanate arrived in February 1560, after wintering in Luristan with another thirty thousand men.
     Prince Abdul and General Azem rode west from Kirman into the wilds of Laristan, hoping to lose any enemies who would follow. Men reported seeing Chinese interlopers dogging their movements. They crossed into Khuzestan to join the Emperor, reporting that the Chekiang forces were moving along the coast, methodically... [See Hidden Dragon]

AS SHIRKI AL BAHRI AL BASRA (SBB)
Faruk Aslan, Kalifat Rasul Allah, Captain General of the Basra Overseas Trade Company
Diplomacy: Palembang(ma) WHOMPCO(HS) Belam(ea) Paraiba(ma)
     The Captain General turned over the city of Akrakos on Crete to the Iesti Sultanate. Various improvements were made to the intelligence groups and port capacity was doubled in Hawalli, Denjuba, and Djibouti. Siyah had a couple more children in the later part of the decade and turned the defense of Abadan over to Commander Jarim Nefus. He sent several men to work on relations with WHOMPCO.
     Trader Edin Nasr joined Captain Tolga Nefus and Trader Nazim Osman in the port of Casablanca. Here they explained that they were sent by the Captain General of the company they split from many years ago. Although talks went on for several months, they were finally escorted from the city, their differences too great.
     An expected shipment of gold from the Iesti came up short. The payment to the ISGOC went through as promised though and now the Captain General will need to see why the Iesti sent so little.
     In 1561, Sayah ibn Abdulla died. His wishes were followed, as support fell behind Counselor Faruk Aslan as Captain General. Trader Omar Nasr, far off in Port Belam, South America, revolted and formed the Alagoas South American Portage company. Belam rebelled to join Omar. Both Accra and Boma in Kongo were eliminated by isolation.

THE BOGAZGOL KHANATE
Zargan I, Khan of Tabaristan
Diplomacy: None
     Fellow asiatic pagans headed south through the Bogazgol lands.

THE JURCHEN KHANATE
Jarchigudai of the Jurchen
Horde Diplomacy: None
     The time for planning is done. Go time.
     The horde moved through Bogazgol and crossed the mountains along the roads into Jibal in July of 1559. The new field fortifications supporting the fortress marginally slowed the hundred fifty thousand man host. The attack was swift and it soon turned into a full scale loot. In 1560 Jarchigudai commanded that all of Jibal should be enslaved! The soft farmers put up a weak resistance, but were unable to stop the Khan.
     Rounding up all the slaves of Jibal took all of 1560 and most of 1561 to complete. In that time, the Karakorum allies returned to the steppe when their khan, Karalaak died. At the end of 1561, Jarchigudai lurched into Diyala.

THE CHAHAR KHANATE
Chang of the Chahar
Horde Diplomacy: none
     In the face of the larger Jurchen Khanate, the Chahar fled to the north.

THE HARAYUK RAJPUT EMPIRE
Medin Chandravara, Master of Kaunaj, Emperor of Rajput
Diplomacy: None
     Medin invested massive amounts of gold into specific areas, achieving increased quality in infantry, warships and siege craft as well as certain espionage factions. The royal road into Pathan was completed, which would prove useful in the coming years as colonists made their way westward.
     Medin settled down to learn the ins and outs of royal marriages, but more the out of marriage as he sired two children out of wedlock. He elevated his brothers to fill positions within the bureaucracy, Prince Zakhil in 1560, and his younger brother Prince Ramunaja in 1561.
     Lieutenant Duganarda was joined by Kirti and Jungara. Combined they were barely able to navigate their small fleet on the simple task of transporting men and supplies to Sarawak and then to Rusichatta.
     Prince Devagya took more than fifteen thousand of the Empire's finest troops west along the royal highway into Sind, were he quickly forced tribute. He was on hand to ensure that colonists would come to no harm as they oppressed the Sunni peasants.
     Prince Ulanjar sailed in from the Maldives to ensure that the colonization of Pathan went off without a hitch. After a short battle to put down the rebels, the colonists moved into their new homes, complete with their Sunni servants, further stratifying the castes within the Empire.
     General Mohanam was assisted by Wotarinu, but failed to establish colonies in Zabulistan and Afghanistan.

THE CHALUKYA EMPIRE OF BANAVASI
Chirrati, Maharaja in Banavasi, Yogi of Seylan
Diplomacy: Fido(AW)
     Chirrati added much needed levels of government to help keep his realm in one piece. Trade range was also enhanced. Markets were improved in the cities of Surat and Guntur, while Cochinor and Mumbai were expanded.
     Trade was established with the Makassar while Chirrati sailed around the cape to Banavasi where he wed 13 year old Yuvativarman, the daughter of Ekoramvarman, securing his succession and the dynasty.
     Lieutenant Naj gathered a few heavy warships and sailed to the port of Fido in Thaton, a city hostile to the Empire. The show of force damaged the relations nearly irreparably.
     With the government spread thin, the Maharaja saw degradation in a few of the peripheral regions, namely Chela and Kosala.

THE GATOTKACA OF ANGORA
Daginada, Sengkuni Khan
Diplomacy: None
     Daginada had a single purpose and meticulously strove towards it. More than a hundred troop transport vessels were built in order to load up the bulk of the horde forces. Close to twenty thousand of the Angora forces hit the beaches of Luzon in 1559. The attack was like a tidal wave across the island with Luzon forces completely smashed. After the battle, the Sengkuni Khan unloaded another tribe of the Angora.
     Sailing home, Daginada announced that the daughters of Arghun would be wed to the heroes of the Luzon battles, making princes of Angora.
     The Angora increased their religious capabilities and completed the cultivation of the jungle of Barat. A Gatotkaca tax collector turned up some interesting paperwork, that upon further investigation pointed to an infiltration by the merchants handling Chalukya trade...

THE VIET VICEROYALTY OF MAKASSAR
Hasanuddin, Viceroy of Makassar
Diplomacy: Chittagong(c) Mahabo(c)
     The Viceroyalty expanded the bureaucracy along with the quality of the main army. The Makassar can finally trade directly with the Zhong and initiated trade with Iesti utilizing the seasonal Monsoon Drift. Since only the Makassar possess the charts for the Drift, they were able to claim the lion's share of the revenues.
     In search of the Golden Mountain Fleet, Captain Tavoy Wiranto sailed east with a small fleet of light warships. He was never heard from again...
     Captain Tannah Benoa was ordered to shuttle six thousand men from the capital to the Viceroy at North Port. He finally arrived and unloaded the troops in March of 1560. His new orders were to sail back to the capital and the deliver supplies for two new ports. Denpasar was founded on Bali in March of 1561 and Lamalera on Flores in June. He then returned to the capital in October, finding that he wouldn't be able to make it to Fido as his orders indicated.
     Viceroy Zhen Ya sailed to Lampung and unloaded more than ten thousand men on the coast in October of 1560. Assisted by Lieutenant Hasanuddin, he set up a blockade and passive siege of Srivijaya. In December, Zhen Ya grew ill. He inquired about the diplomatic progress in Chittagong, knowing that he had offered his first born daughter Piede Ya in the negotiations. He was told that they were not going well. With this news, Zhen Ya died.
     With no clear heir, it seemed pretty obvious to Hasanuddin that he should be the new Viceroy, since he commanded the bulk of the active forces. He continued the passive siege of Srivijaya, intent on taking the city prior to returning to the capital. He sent letters to Atur Angka to return Piede Ya to the palace so that he could wed her. By September, the Srivijaya had surrendered.

IL SINDACATO GRANDE ORIENTALE COMMÉRCIO (Republic of Portale D'Oro)
Don Francisco Carpachi, Il Doge della Portale D'Oro, Chairman of the Board
Diplomacy: Massawa(BO) Miyazaki(CI) Kaifeng(CI) Rabaul(mf) Vanuatu(nt-lost)
     The College of Naval Studies was completed in Kwa which is the closest thing to a religious object for the sea loving merchants as there could be. No other improvements were ordered by the Chairman. Gold flowed like a river out of Portale D'Oro to the many ISGOC clients.
     Rutters that span the Bering islands from Kiska to Adak were given to the Nihon Empire, while scholars and engineers of the Hidden Dragon continued their training in advanced processes and techniques. The Syndicate brokered both the Kamakshi Company and Lun Ang Chhoub's to the Rajput Empire from their base in Antizani.
     Matthew successfully established the merchant colony in Wewak, spending most of two years working with the people who answered the call of his jangling purse. This left him without enough time to make it back to his ordered destination of Portale d'Oro and his ships once again not in a safe harbor.
     Anthony sailed down from Candle-on-Water to succeed where Raphael had failed in Miyazaki. Old Salamar died on his way to Cochin. Christophe failed to gain preferential treatment with the Viceroy at the Syndicate's branch office in the port of their namesake. Gabriel flew the ISGOC's flag around the Red Sea and Bab-al-Mandab, showing their commitment against piracy on the high seas.

THE CROUCHING TIGER IMPERIUM
Cao Tien the Destroyer, Wang Tong King, Emperor of Tonkin
Diplomacy: Annam(t) Lampang(HS)
     The Emperor commanded that six cities of the realm should be expanded and walled including Mien Cha, Leizhou, Shau Tachi, Meiling, Hue, and Taili in Nan Chao. Several additions were made to the defenses of Thanglong as well, in the form of guns, engineers and more than six thousand heavy infantrymen.
     Wishing to add the moniker "The Destroyer" to his name, Cao Tien led more than fifty-five thousand mostly knighted forces north into the valley of Kweichou to force tribute. Here he left Lieutenant Due the Virtuous with four thousand men to lead the siege against Wuking. The Destroyer and his uncle Pho Tien the Timid, continued on through the hills to attack Kwangte. With tribute easily extracted, Cao Tien raged through the unwalled city of Gongli, hardly destroying anything, save the few defenders there.
     Lieutenant Due took his men against the short wall of Wuking. Interestingly, it was a fairly evenly matched fight, except for the three to one advantage held by Due. The Tonkin could continue to wear down their opponent. After a few months, the cities walls were brought down and it surrendered.
     With only two thousand men, Prince Muy Tak chose not to besiege the tall walls of Warimchampa.

China

THE HIDDEN DRAGON OF CHEKIANG
Quan Yitsang, Celestial Emperor of Chekiang
Diplomacy: Omarra(nt)
     While the Celestial Emperor was busy getting busy, siring three children in as many years, his brother was invading western nations. Back home in Chekiang, the crowned Prince Quan Zhuang came of age.
     Other proclamations included, in addition to the long-standing il Sindacato access, Rajputi fleets are now allowed portage in all Chekiang controlled ports. All Rajputi leaders and armies are allowed free access to all Chekiang regions west of Gt'sang. Messages were sent to Quan Yiguang that the army should take great care to protect all As Shirki and Lahilla sites and holdings.
     By May some reinforcements had arrived for the main army of Quan Yiguang, some eighty five thousand elite forces. Heading west along the royal roads into Hormuz, Quan met relatively little resistance, except that the fortress slowed him down and continued to harass his efforts. He went on to assault Bandar in October. The attack was so swift and bloody that Lieutenant Bai Hu could not fathom it, returning to Chekiang to report on the obvious success of the mission. Bai Hu's forces garrisoned the city and the region, but they were unable to fully control the region because of the fortress.
     Quan continued on into Mand in the Spring of 1560. With no defenses, both the region and the port of Siraf were taken by the end of July. On schedule, Wang Badan arrived with the transports, adding another twenty thousand light infantry unloaded onto the docks of Siraf in September.
     Quan and Wang took the Celestial army into Khuzestan where he engaged the dug in combined forces of the Burning Sword Empire and Iesti Sultanate, whose forces numbered more than one hundred thousand. Quan felt confident with his elite forces as his hardened knights rode out onto the field. The muslims floated men into the sky to report on Quan's movements, a bad omen once Quan saw them. The losses were terrific including Wang Badan, who, like Bai Hu before him, fled the battle, leaving Quan in a retreat situation. The Sword's lieutenant Aszul was cut down and General Azem was captured. The Chinese were pursued from the field by Hammad's cavalry, dispatching the wounded and injured.
     The Hidden Dragon forces could take no time to regroup as the tanned warriors pushed the pursuit into Mand. Unable to regroup his men, Prince Quan Yiguang retreated to Siraf, hoping that more of his men could make it to the port.
     The pacified port of Zapatees revolted in 1560, the Coptic people aided by outside agitators. With Chekiang leadership absent, the four thousand light infantry lost the port and their lives.

THE MAHAYANA BUDDHIST MISSION - Amitabha
Wu San-Kuei, 2nd Host of the Longevity Buddha
Consecration: Tsainan(mn) Hupei(mn) Shensi(ab)
     Amitabha sent his men out to build up sites in heavily cultivated regions before his death in 1560. Wu San-Kuei took the mantle of Longevity.
     Neglect by their host nations continued to erode the Amitabha mission, with more than ten sites degrading or closing completely, although mostly the hungry cities.

THE MAHIYANA BUDDHIST MISSION - Long
Chi Long, Key Master of the Mahiyana Mission
Consecration: Houma(ab)
     The Key Master raised the church in Houma to an Abbey and as expected, the Monastery in Loyang degraded due to the famine.

THE CIAO ZHONG CHINESE EMPIRE
Chin Le, King of the Northern Prefectures
Diplomacy: Houma(nt) Thaton(nt)
     The Zhong expanded the government again, Chin was surprised by its efficiency. He dedicated the next three years to ruling the Northern Prefectures and expanding his dynasty with a son born in 1560.
     Lieutenant Duc Thon was left with forty two thousand men in Shan'si to starve the city of Tai'Yuan into submission; it did not take long. In the west, Twang Guo took fourteen thousand knights to oppress the Wu Hai.
     Warships and gunnery improved as well, pleasing Admiral Wang Lein who gathered sixteen thousand men for a journey to the far side of SE Asia. His recon of Fido would do them well in the coming years although fishing would have been a better choice.

THE NIHON EMPIRE
Empress Taiki Nyodai, 91st Emperor of Nihon, Descendent of Amaterasu, Regent of Taiki
Diplomacy: Jilin(a) Amgu(fa)
     The Empress expanded five cities including Osaka, Sapporo, Ikharto, Ise, and Tskinawa and commanded that bonsai gardens be built in each. Heavy transport fleets were disassembled in order to build sleeker light transport fleets, one for Lieutenant Chenka. She also proclaimed that the "Empire grants the protection of the Imperial Fleet to any and all ISGO shipping in our waters." Gifts were exchanged between the two, although the wisdom of selling the Empire's food reserves will be tested in the coming years...
     In April 1559 Mugai Nyodai stood down as Regent in favor of her grand-daughter, Taiki, who was crowned Empress in a magnificent ceremony. In September, the new Empress wed a Prince of the Satsuma Clan from Kwanto. Since this was the first Royal Wedding in over twenty years, the spectacle was lavish to say the least!
     Yamatoro took twelve thousand men across the Sichote Alin to force tribute from the hostile Wusuli.
     Further north, Chenka delivered fifty light transports to Horii, who met him at Kwanti in the Kurils. After exchanging supplies and ships, Horii headed north again, intent on exploring the passages to the fabled Kiska isles. He made it in 1560, but was forced to return to Candle on Water, the Sindacato port on Beringa. Supplies were lost to the Bering Ice Sea when Horii failed to attain his mapping goals. He lamented that his light transports were better suited to coastal conveyance than open ocean exploration, where warships and even elite warships are far better suited.
     Shima took forty light transports from the shipyards of Osaka, loaded with gold and set sail to the east into the open ocean to never be heard from again.

THE VAKAS IMPERIUM OF THE AKETTA
Vakas Togal, Sorcerer-King of the Aketta
Diplomacy: Millicent(fa) Quorn(pt)
     Togal cultivated the wilds of Temora while improving irrigation in Toowomba and the markets of Quorn. Then he took up twenty five thousand men to attack the port of Init. Without walls, the fighting was house to house, but nothing the great Vakas Togal couldn't handle easily.
     Nefel removed the garrison from Quorn.

THE KINGDOM OF THE STORM
Harahua, Manta of the Mellow Kingdom
Diplomacy: Dark Skies(f)
     Tadpole again sailed from the capital at Te ika a Maui to retrieve forces from the garrison at Taranaki and Cloud Bearer, returning to the capital to pick up fresh resources for his mission to Vanuatu. Intent on pacification, Tadpole hit the beaches with more than six thousand men. Unfortunately for the Storm, the Vanuatu were led by a fairly good man with oddly dressed advisors, and so he was repulsed, being wounded in the processed. His men paddled as fast as they could to Panicea, where doctors tended to his traumas.

THE MANITOWISH EMPIRE
Wiseraven, Chief of the Manitowish Empire
Diplomacy: No Effect
     Wise Raven traveled to Sekiu, having received a message in a bottle from the Nihon Empire, thus expecting their fleet at some point. His wife died during the miscarriage of his fourth child.

THE COLONY OF NYDANIA
Harald III, Konik von Nydanland, Emperor of Nydania
Diplomacy: Yuma(a)
     Convinced that his own intel operation had been compromised, Harold conducted a complete purge from the highest to the lowest levels. Hundreds of doors were rammed open, men and women dragged away, some quietly, some kicking and screaming for their children. Interrogations turned into tortures, overzealous commanders stabbing and hacking their prisoners, and early morning firing squad reports... Harold grimly accepted that it needed to be done. What was left of his unfunded agency was sent to discover the source of the infiltration.
     Proving that he was still virulent and that he didn't trust his daughter Signe could rule the Colony, Harold had three more children after the age of 50. Signe conducted her administration duties well none the less.
     Kristof once again set out to explore the island passage across the northern pacific. He succeeded in mapping a route to Kiska and then returned to Norholm.

THE POPOCELOTL HEGEMONY
Mzantos, King of the Smoke Jaguars
Diplomacy: Jornada(+10) Snaketown(nt) Opata(fa)
     Mzantos expanded the government for anticipated growth in the years ahead.

THE ILLINOIS CONFEDERATION
Coyle, Great Liege of the Ancient People
Diplomacy: None
     The Illinois did little but realize that the Adena were attempting to infiltrate them.

THE ADENA EMPIRE
Pepin Lawenro III, Great Chief of Adena
Diplomacy: Chickasaw(fa) Forty Port(t)
     Pepin fully colonized Wenro and had another son in 1559.

BONNY KINGDOM OF MERCAIN
Lord Albon, Elder King of the Land, Sword of the Vanished Tribes
Diplomacy: Wyandot(A)
     Lord Albon had the happy duty of trying to keep his Kingdom together. He sent Senator Whitehorse to continue expanding by colonizing Wawenok, simply because the Mercain completely surround the valley. This seems at odds with the problems inherent with an infrastructure that is too thin. He did add another Senator to the mix, though.

THE BLESSED COUNTRY OF KORNLAND
Priscilla Simonsen, Jarl of Kornland, Sachem of Chowan, Keeper of the Faith
Diplomacy: No Effect
     Kornland received gifts from foreign investors and put most of the country's revenue into Powhattan. He died in 1559, before his 12 year old son Fordham could become the new Jarl. His wife Priscilla took the throne in his stead. Without effective rulership, Priscilla expects trouble in Monacan and Pahogue in the coming years.

THE OAXACA EMPIRE
Tizocantlix, Regent of Oaxaca, Lord of the Maya, Leader of the Quetzal World, Emperor of Mexico
Diplomacy: Azteca(t) Popoluca(t)
     Maxtla brought in colonists to inhabit Nahuatl, pushing the pacified people living there out. The cowered in fear of his wrath. All the while he was preparing his men, drawing up plans to besiege Acapulco. With no walls and a very small army, the city easily surrendered in house to house fighting. Maxtla introduced the city dwellers to their new masters in the form of colonists.
     Maxtla died in 1560 leaving Tizocantlix to act as regent for his two young sons, the future Lords of the Maya.

THE INKA EMPIRE
Quinoa Flakes, Coca Mogul
Diplomacy: Moche(-2)
     Quinoa filled Chimu with new ditches and a small network of byways to speed goods to market.
     Gorp of Uru died in 1561, all progress made in Tiwanaku (he got it to non-paying tributary to the Uru people) died with him.

THE WAJ MAPU CHE
Lord King Biedes II, sovereign over the Four Parts of the Healing Earth
Diplomacy: Puelche(t)
     Biedes II built port Quinco in Huilliche and was happy to have a son in 1560. His brother continued to have success in Puelche.

THE EMIRAT OF ALAGOAS
Shi'Tebra ibn Rahgeesh, Emperor of the Paraiba, Emir of Alagoas
Diplomacy: Arana(A)
     The Emirat placed public works in Tobajara and Itacare while Shi'Tebra ruled. All claim to the wilds of Patasho were relinquished.

ALAGOAS SOUTH AMERICAN PORTAGE (ASAP)
Omar Nasr, Captain General
Diplomacy: Belam(ea) Alagoas(ho)
     Omar Nasr set himself up as Captain General, eager to serve all American nations.

Average Horde Pop: 5.8           Increase: 9%
Bubble Bubble, yup.