AFRICA

West Africa

THE AKA'MURRID EMIRATE OF FULANI
Mohammad II, Emir of the Fulani, The Philosopher-King of the Sahel
Diplomacy: Galam(a) Oyo(f) Susu(nt) Kitsanga(c)
     Mohammad traveled to Galam to marry for alliance sake, while Ukasomba upgraded and reequiped more than 6 thousand warriors. Garou and Oyo started on their cultivation project. The Niger river flooded in 1519, killing several people and destroying crops in Segu. Grain shipments were sent to the east, in return for major military technologies.
     Fulani gained more government.

THE SUPREMACY OF TOGO
Oduduwa, Supreme Oba of Togo
Diplomacy: None
     Oduduwa ruled from the Mud-hold producing an heir in 1517 and twins in 1518. He expanded Lome a tad as well.

South Africa

THE BANTU KINGS OF OKOYO
Ogourke, Ba King
Diplomacy: None
     Ogourke finally had the balls to do what needed to be done. He sent his son to take care of Kokunde with more than ten thousand men.

     Assault on Hyambo 1517

     Ofuso marched across the Kongo and into the rebel homeland of Cuango. Kokunde was taunting him from the walls of Hyambo. Ofuso saw that he easily had enough men to assault the city - so he did. The city fell quickly, surprising Kokunde by the deception the Okoyos played in battle assistance.
     With the fall of Hyambo and the capture of Kokunde, the rebellion was quashed. Matadi and Omote returned to the kingdom, but Kasai remained independent.

THE MBANZA REBELLION
Kokunde
Diplomacy: None
     Kokunde failed. [See Assault on Hyambo]

THE GREAT ZIMBABWE
Malachai, Chief of Zimbabwe, Holder of the Five Twin Jackal Chair
Diplomacy: None
     Malachai received funds from the Aethiopians and started to rule, telling his generals and princes to administer. Prince Jol and the youngest general didn't help matters. The pacified region of Kilwa threw off their garrison and also took the undefended city of Tizra, effectively cutting trade with the Aethiopians, except by sea.

East Africa

THE KRAKAS KINGDOM OF AETHIOPIA
Gobbu VII, Alem 'Elum, King of Aethiopia
Diplomacy: None
     Once again, Gobbu confused his merchant class with outrageous orders to move routes and shipping on the western side of his kingdom to the eastern side of his kingdom, even though there still is no known route between the two (and they didn't even want to speculate what the costs would be to carry the ships themselves across the deserts and mountains to the Red Sea). As a result, many of his routes continued to languish with no shipping, whereas others have too much.
     Gobbu commanded that 3 new port cities be erected in hostile lands, Zapafees in the Hadramunt wilderness, Denjuba in the Zufar desert and Corona on the depopulated island of Comoros. Huge amounts of regional improvements were placed as well. Prince Basque made a deal with the Fulani and was able to stave off the economic and political effects of the famine. It involved the transfer of artillery technology and other, shall we say, less tangible benefits. Large sums of gold were also sent off to Zimbabwe, before the Kilwa insurrection.
     Pelam came of age in 1319, a couple years after a baby sister was born. Prince Basque, on his way out of Fulani lands, picked up the garrison at Kanuri. The formerly Biri held region revolted, destroying any land trade route plans the Krakas had in mind.
     If it weren't for the famine, Gobbu would have been faced with the prospect of having a thin government. To reduce his workload, he set Kerkoure independent. This appeared to work.
     The hard fought warship quality increased as well as the Krakas trade range, now one of the farthest in the world.

North Africa

THE SULTANATE of IEST
Khalid ibn Abu al Arrod, Sultan of Mahidia
Diplomacy: Malaga(nt)
     Khalid colonized Bermuda and Yemen, and built several light transports, with cargo capacity of 2, to beef up his trade routes. Many cities had their walls maxed out while Karim and Isfahan attempted to colonize Bermuda before the Andalusians could. The north eastern steppes of South America were subjected to missionaries, killing a few in the process - oopsie.
     Lieutenant Jahangir was instructed to deliver several ships, filled to the brim with various foods that the Iesti has in abundance, to representatives of the Dar al Islam. Unfortunately, he was met with blank stares and confusion when he showed up at the granary districts. It seems that Khalid didn't actually order any to be stored for the coming years, and so there was nothing for Jahangir to transport. Without his shipment, he remained in Africa, where he married Khalid's daughter, becoming Prince Jahangir.
     Aurens of Elsut was released. All Oasisis dropped to tributary, as well as the deserts of As Sidrah, Ghebel Gharib, Lybia, Oujda, and Petra mostly because Khalid didn't rule the Sultanate effectively.

THE ALMORAVID EMIRATE of ANDALUSIA
Kadir, Emir as Sevilla
Diplomacy: Bight City(c) Benin(t)
     Saladin, heir to the Emirate, started his own family with a daughter born in 1518 and a son in 1519.
     General Sheik was given orders to colonize Bermuda. He set sail with gold, colonists, warships and transports. Arriving at Burmuda in 1518, he found that the Iest had already begun colonizing the islands before him. Failing his loyalty and thinking for himself, Sheik decided not to make an international incident of it and simply awaited further orders from the Emir.
     Kadir sent off a huge sum of money to Baltica, supposedly in exchange for agro which never showed.
     The Emirate found that it would have no trouble ruling larger domains, especially in light of the fact that their walls are the biggest and their hired guns, the baddest...

KHARKI MERCHANTS of CASABLANCA
Al Kharki, Merchant of Casablanca
Capitalization: None
     Al Kharki lolled about in all of his gold, wondering what all the hubbub up north was all about...

EUROPE

Western Europe - The Rebuilding

In 1519 terrible floods washed out most of the bridges in Europe.

THE SULTANATE OF ELSUT (Ingiz Jihad)
Abdullah Ralif, Sultan of Ingiltarra, Northern Sword of Islam
Diplomacy: None
     Jamal decided that the winds of change where blowing in his direction and so he embarked on a bold new plan. He disbanded all of his troops, including merchant ships, converting most of them to deep-hulled galleys. His figures were off during the ship conversions, and he received far fewer men than he had anticipated. He marched out of Anglia, reducing it and Ipswich to pacified tributaries. He then destroyed the Medici branch office in London and then disbanded his troops in Sussex and Wessex. Then he announced that he would be dictator of a new merchant organization, having rebuilt his army and navy and giving them all to Abdullah Ralif. Now the moment of truth hit Jamal as Abdullah, with all of the armies of the Sultanate in his possession, did not agree with the grand plan. Instead, he killed Jamal. Aurens the Unfortunate, loyal to Jamal and recently released from the Iesti prisons, rushed to London where he was summarily imprisoned in an oubliette, no one is quite sure where.
     Abdullah pacified Sussex again and ensured that his sizable treasury was secure.

THE KINGDOM OF MORAY
Angus Og 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
     The Moray hoped no one would see them again as they disbanded some troops to cover costs.

THE NORMAN KINGDOM OF SAXONIA
Henry IV, King of the Saxons and of the Normans, Count of Blois
Diplomacy: Vermandois(t) Orleans(a) Castile(c)
     After discussions with his son and several advisors, Henry decided that it was better to set Aragon and Anjou independent than to have to garrison the province, and in general deal with an unhappy population. And so, he led his army back to Cherbourg. At that time he announced that Ile De France was the new homeland of Saxonia, with Paris as his capitol.
     Henry IV proclaimed that no merchant combine would be allowed to build above the level of Factory in his kingdom. Any such machinations would surely be met with a force of arms.
     Several rivers washed out bridges throughout the Kingdom.

THE DUCHY OF PERIGORD
Roderic, Duke of Perigord
Diplomacy: Asturias(ea)
     Roderick remained on react for three years, not leaving any time to return to Auvergne, much less perform an effective ruling of his nation. Oliver was sent out to conduct a census without any funds. It was declared that Perigord would be aligned with Saxonia.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
Boniface X, Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Christ, Servant of the Servants of God, Supreme Pontiff on the Universal Church
Diplomacy: Lyonnais(t)
Consecration: No Effect
     Boniface X personally exacted the tithe on Italy, Thaery, and Poland and sent the over exuberant Michael to put the tithe on Helvetica. Michael had previously met with the rulers of Lyonnais, who with the aid of Saxon prompting, agreed to pay tribute to the Church. Boniface then had this to say:
     My friends and loved ones,
     We have endured much harm at the hands of Islamic forces, but we think the worst has come and passed. Weep not for our dearly departed, they are with our Lord in Heaven.It is our task to remake our homes and lands more in the image of what God has in mind for us. The time for forgiveness is upon us. As our Lord Christ taught us, let us do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Let us accept the new leadership in Baghdad as he presents himself, a force of peace and cooperation. Let us accept his offer of assistance for the rebuilding of what was destroyed and lost to us. Help those around you as much as you can, and know that we in Rome are with you in body and spirit.
     We are distributing food stores to any and all who require it from us. Speak to your lords and rulers if you require food for your families. It will be made available to you. We are providing assistance to the governments who require additional scribes and leadership.
     However, a foul wind has blown vicious rumor to my ears. I have heard there may be a rogue nation in Christendom, a ruler who wishes to reject the words and examples of our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray with all my heart this is not so. But if it is, let that ruler know the protectors of the disciples of Christ will not allow him to harm Christians by treachery. The time war is past, now is the time for peace and rebuilding. Should any Christian King decide to wage war on another Christian nation, the full weight and effect of Excommunication and Interdict will fall on him and his lands. Let this rumor be false, and let us go on with our lives in peace and love, as God intends for us.
     Yours in Christ,
     Boniface X, Bishop of Rome

THE ARLES KINGDOM OF ITALIA
Rolfo II, Rex Lagobardum
Diplomacy: Galway(a)
     Italia had several bridges in the north wash out in the floods of 1519. Rolfo felt that future attempts to meddle with his religion should be done by the Pope himself and more than fifteen thousand light infantry were disbanded into the general labor pool. During the year Rolfo saw ships coming to and fro and counted each one on the trade route with the Almoravid. Figuring that his calculations were correct, he ordered to move a certain amount off that route to a new route with Perigord. Unfortunately, when he was counting the ships, he didn't notice that he was counting the SAME ships over and over again, because they were only crossing the Gulf of Lyons and coming right back. The Medici stepped in and suggested that he turn over some of his routes for them to manage which he agreed to.
     Rolfo attempted to make Guarnual and Lodovico Princes purely by royal fiat. The clergy were furious and disavowed the legitimacy of his claims, since neither man was of the blood line, nor were they married to, as yet Rolfo's only daughter, the 10 year old Fiona. Later that year when he arrived in Latium at the head of a 2 thousand horse army Lord Lodovico, 51 years old at the time, clutched his chest, cried in pain and died.
     Lord Guarnual, 53 at this time on the island of Lucayo in the New World, received orders to explore a route home from the New World, since the winds and currents that he know about only head west. With only hazy maps to Bermuda, he set off and that was the last anyone heard of Lord Guarnual.
     The homely Lord Luiggi poked around various places in the homeland asking people he met if they new of any secret empires in the area.
     Government assistance came in from the people and the Pope as the trade extensions piled up.

THE CANTONS OF HELVETICA - North
Jango Rienhold, Grand Doge of the CoH
Diplomacy: None
     Jango Rienhold, with the entire army of the United Cantons of Helvetica, arriving in Trangau in March of 1518. It was at that time that he announced that he would be the new Grand Doge of the UCH. Wilhelm and Otto, who had attempted to build an army before realizing that he had no labor due to conscripting the previous year, retreated to Slovenia under the Colossus of Wyst with more than three quarters of the treasury. To secure his legitimacy to all of Helvetica, Jango took Wilhelm's daughter Gertrude, married her, and produced an heir late in 1519. Gertrude died during the birth.
     In Gronland Orgul was able to capture the rebellious Stein who had attempted to usurp the fleet claiming allegiance to Jango. In Catalonia Robert von Main was able to wound Keinerhof, who had also claimed allegiance to Jango, before he could slip away. Later Robert died at the age of 77 three weeks after being possessed by a demon that left the right side of his body paralyzed.
     Jango's investments in government helped to heal Wilhelm's theft. That and the shiny new cannons.

THE CANTONS OF HELVETICA - South
Wilhelm Kemmelstim, Grand Doge of the CoH
Diplomacy: None
     Wilhelm secured the southern provinces of Carinthia, Solvenia, Ilyria, Croatia, and Dalmatia and prepared to fight in the Civil War. Through the loyalty of Orgul, the Shetlands and the navigational maps of the northern oceans were also under Wilhelm's control.

THE NORDIK KINGDOM OF THAERY
Maxim (III) Goldnose, King of the Danes
Diplomacy: None
     Goldnose marched his victorious army home to Jutland, just in time to receive news that the harvests, due to the wide spread flooding or just bad planning, would probably not be able to feed his people in the coming years.

THE MEDICI MERCHANT & TRUST
Natani d'Medici, Guildmaster of Medici
Capitalization: Porto(mf) Cologne(ci) Heraclea(bo) Naples(bo) Pescara(ma)
     Natani took over several routes from the addled Italian king and promoted his son Marco to Lieutenant (since Oligarchies can't have Princes) when Francesco died in 1518. The merchant failed to reduce the ties to Catholicism among his peers.
     The Medici infantry looks a tad tougher.

Eastern Europe

THE GRAND DUCHY OF CRACOW
Roman Staszavic, Blackjack Duke of Cracow, the King of Polka
Diplomacy: Slovakia(H)
     Dismayed that he would follow the papal advice to move his entire army to support Saxonia, Roman built up forces back at home and high-tailed it back to Cracow. If it weren't for the fact that he was beside his son the entire time, Stashu II with the entire army of Krakow under his command might have acted on his thoughts to seize control of the Duchy before his old man croaked. My god, 59 years old, will he ever die??
     Back at home, Guy Dulac the V and Lorde Donovan the VI, both pompous asses, did little to help keep the nation together. With the widespread famine, depression set in throughout the Duchy - expanding several cities didn't help matters. Bialoweza, Carpathia, Cherven, Kassubia (but not Danzig because it had walls), Kuyavia (but not Warsaw), Obodria (but not Wiczin), Ozu (but not Krasnik), Sandomir and Random, and Turov all revolted.

THE KINGDOM OF THE BALTS
Rurik IV, King of Baltica, Prince of Novgorod
Diplomacy: None
     Rurik saved his pennies for a rainy day. The incredibly far flung expanses of Baltica proved too much for Rurik's government to handle - Yaroslav became an allied state.

KINGDOM OF BOLGARSK (Ukrain Empire)
Pavel, Prince of Kubishev
Diplomacy: None
     With the Dihaj burning his capital, the death of his wife and children, Pavel lost the will to rule his kingdom and fled into the tundra to the north. His lieutenants fled to the largest armies left in the vaporous kingdom to attempt to carve their own Ukrainian Empires in the wilds.

THE DIHAJ KHANAT
Saykhin Pasha, Mighty Servant of Allah
Diplomacy: None
     Saykhin transferred the entire forces of the Khanat to Makki and ordered him to mop up the Bolgarsks. He headed north with more than fifteen thousand men. When he hit Pelym, Victor of Pelym (an old Bolgarsk lieutenant-turned would-be imperialist) was there to defend his turf. In a nasty battle that was fatal to Wathilah, Makki retreated and limped home with half of his troops. Victor with his cavalry persued the attackers, hunting down the wounded and some of the disorganized retreating infantry. Dihaj tax collectors were rebuffed from Donets. (gonna have to get their donuts elsewere I guess)

THE ROMAN EMPIRE - Phormion Dynasty
Ilias Phormio, Imperator Romanus, Basileus of Constantinople
Diplomacy: Levedia(f)
     Ilias spend an ungodly amount of money on his internal communications systems and an equally large amount on increasing the range of his trade vessels. Serbia and Ochrida were released to their own forms of government, with nayry a claim by the Empire, Psidia was informed that they were tax-exempt. Levedia and Atelzuko completed their cultivation projects. With all of these improvements, surely the Empire would stop it's deterioration.
     Myron waited for Erasmus and then sailed off for the Orkney islands. Arriving there in August of 1518, they unloaded supplies and colonists to build the port city of Hesperia, with a guard force of two thousand men. Then they sailed off, leaving the colonists and the infantry to their own devices. When the Orkneyans saw this, they made their move and attacked the garrison with less than a thousand men, but with a capable leader. Continued raiding and skirmishes weakened the garrison of some of the most highly trained men in the world, but by the end of 1519 the city was built, and word recieved from Phormiople that supply ships would be coming with the spring thaw.
     Christos with the mighty Roman war fleet, ferried Cyrano and Galen with seven thousand men, horse and artillery across the Bosphorus. The army traveled south to Isauria, delivering many heavy crates to the Dar Al Islam Caliphate's representatives in Attalia. The army was next seen pacifying the Paphlagonians in July of 1518. This was no easy task because, of the rebelious Caliphate armies that didn't become mercenaries, more than four thousand remained to make Paphlagonia their home - and they didn't want no Romans mucking up their new home. Unfortunately for them though, the Romans had artillery and FAR better leadership. After the battle Cyrano and Galen laughed about their adversary's blunders on the battle field over wine. That wine must have been the final straw for Galen, whose eyes and skin, already his trademark yellowish, took on a deeper and deeper shade and took to his tent more frequently. He died in Ankarus.

ASIA

The Middle East

THE DABBAGH KINGDOM
Kabeer al-Waliy
Diplomacy: None
     Due to the famine and communications breakdown with the Emirate, Kabeer al-Waliy, a sub-commander of the Emirate's forces numbering some thirty thousand men, chose to pursue his destiny.

THE DAR AL ISLAM EMIRATE
Suleiman, Emir of Baghdad
Diplomacy: None
     Sal a'Din was gaurded at all times throughout his duties and preparations for the war with his nemisis. And so it was against amazing odds that he was attacked by an assassin on the morning of February 18th, 1517 on his way to a debriefing with his advisors. Suleiman, with Sal a'Din at his death, stepped forward to rule the Emirate, taking command of the army and announcing his intent to defend Iraq from all invasions, especially from the south, with all of his generals and the resourses of Iraq and Baghdad.
     Suleiman proclaimed an unconditional amnesty to all who would lay down their arms and certain death to those who do not. He ordered the reserve of several forces in the Emirate and closed of the defaulted Bank of Islam, absorbing the default into his economy, rather than paying it off first. Nearly a thousand ships and more than forty thousand men from the trade and transport group at Nicosea were disbanded. Uncharacteristicly they weren't given new jobs in other areas of the military, nor were they put to use in any other way - this may account for the unpresidented numbers of mercenaries in this area of the Mediterranean.
He prepared for an attack by the Burning Sword, expecting them to come from the south... [See Battle of Baghdad]
     Huge amounts of food were received from the Ghorid at Kurdistan and then sailed up the Tigris from Akkaq. This wasn't enough to stave off the effects of the current famine, Nicosea (including the war fleet in reserve), Akrakos, Fars, Georgia, Niksar, Attalia (including the war fleet in reserve), and Kurdistan revolted. Aleppo and Cilicia, holding significant forces found those forces joining up under Kabeer al-Waliy to form the Dabbagh Kingdom.

THE SECRET EMPIRE OF THE BURNING SWORD
Hammad Abu-Hassan, Keeper of Secrets, Master of Lies
Diplomacy: None
     Hammad's life was a series of no less than 50 thwarted assassination attempts, or so it seemed to him. He moved at the head of his army into Raqqah, claiming it and Hasakah as his own, then he heard the news that Sal a'Din had been murdered. He immediately turned heal and gathered all his forces in Jazirah.

     Battle of Baghdad 1517
     After joining Akbar, Hammad moved on Iraq with nearly sixty thousand men and horse and several pieces of artilery. With more than ninety thousand men, field fortifications and artilery, Suleiman would have the upper hand, were it not for his pointed defense on the southern border of Iraq. This removed any advantages Suleiman would have had. The exchange was horrific as Suleiman's superior forces in both number and quality desimated Hammad, killing Akbar in the frakas. The Emirate lost hardly any of their men, but Mehmed was wounded and during the battle Hammad had captured Jamal.

     The Diyalans added Jibal to the Empire before snagging the large garrisons in Kumis for greater Diyala. Later, in a battle that some observers described as the meeting of two imbiciles, outnumbering their opponents more than 18 to 1, the Diyalans were repulsed back to Jibal. Luristan and Akkaq were added to the Empire before the Diyalans retired to their home.
     Hammad felt confident that since Suleiman didn't initiate attacks on the Burning Sword when he took Raqqah, he would continue with his previous agenda. Edessa and Palmyra were switched to Hammad when he and his representatives entered them. He then gave all of his artilery to his feudal ally from Damascus, who had already received the garrison in Syria, adding it to his forces within the walls of his city. He attacked Arbiliq on August 2nd, 1518, and Harran was sacked and burned soon after. The army didn't mutiny when he refused to share any of the booty. His Damascus ally returned to his home then, with the Empire's artilery corp in tow. Hammad continued on to Hahmar, which he pacified quickly near the end of 1519.
     Having claimed the bulk of the territory of the old Emirate and considering the expansionistic exploits of Hammad, no other Emirate factions could be captured by the Empire, thus ending the civil war. It is unclear where Hammad will locate his capital, towing the tools of government with him.
     Hammad got some new cohorts along with unexpected assistance from unknown quarters.

LAHILLA PRIMACY OF ISLAM
Lahilla
Consecration: None
     Lahilla watched the events in the north with interest.

AS SHIRKI AL BAHRI AL BASRA (SBB)
Mustafa al Haj, Kalifat Rasul Allah, Captain General of the Basra Overseas Trade Company
Capitalization: None
     Mustafa expanded his war fleet in order to deny access to the gulf to Burning Sword ships. In the Maldives, a radical group of Hindus worshiping the Monkey god Hanuman, avatar of Shiva reduced the control SBB had on the islands.

Persia & Central Asia

THE GHORID SULTANATE OF AFGHANISTAN
Omar II, Sultan of Afghans
Diplomacy: Gurgan(t)
     Omar heedlessly sent his son off with the entire army to attack Kumis, leaving only a paltry thousand men in the homeland. Eager to prove himself, Haruf accomplished the attack with bloody efficiency, then starved the city of Rayy into submission. If he hadn't bled to death from the beast that ate him from the inside out he would have stormed the capital and usurped the throne.
     The continued depression caused by the inadequate Sultanate government led to the further loosening of ties with Badakshan, Dasht Margo, Ghur, and Registan. Additionally, Khwarzim, Uzbek, and Pamir revolted straight out because Omar ruled from Ghazni and the distance was too great.
     Government workers were crawling out of the woodwork!

India - All eyes East

THE HARAYUK RAJPUT EMPIRE
Rupika Chandravara, Khan of Khans, Master of Kaunaj
Diplomacy: None
     Rupika initiated a bridge across the Brahmaputra to Assam from Kamarupa. His sister died in 1518 of a wasting disease while he was on the move. Wanting a direct trade link with the Hidden Dragon... [See Battle at Gauhati]

THE CHALUKYA KINGDOM OF BANAVASI
Harshana-varman, Maharaja in Banavasi, Yogi of the Maldives
Diplomacy: Pawar(t)
     Harshana cultivated Lata and Kalinga, and poured more resources in to the cultivation projects in Karnata and Pawar. A large leet fleet of close to 150 heavy war galleys were built, outfitted with marines and led by the Maharaja to assist in the seige of Gauhati. [See Battle at Gauhati] Bihar nearly revolted, even though young Ekoram was trying his best to learn the tricks of the ruling trade.
     A warf-rat was walking along the a little used dock at the far end of Polonarva and he stumbled on several casks that appeared to be a large gold shipment. Usually representatives from the government were there to pick up such important transfers, the warf-rat had seen several such negotiations in his short life span. He looked at the casks, discovered that they were labled "From Don Santino to His Holiness Maharaja Harshana-Varman". He continued to keep an eye on them for a week - no government officials seemed to know they were there. By this time, he and his co-horts sucked up enough courage to slink away into the underworld with the casks. Those particular warf-rats where never seen in that end of Polonarva again...
     The Maharaja expanded the bean counting palace.

South-East Asia - Preying on the weak and helpless

THE DAI VIET EXILE KINGDOM OF MONPHU
Phan Jainan, Wang Dai Viet
Diplomacy: None
     The famine wasn't very deep, but it's effects were felt all over the small kingdom. Although it could be because of the large agressor states to the west, revolts left Phan with only Korat, Manipur, and Padishan.

Battle at Gauhati 1518
     Assassins scoured the western reaches of the Kingdom, hunting Phan Jainan and his family. Seeing that he and his weren't around, Rapika Chandravara moved on Assam with more than thirty thousand men. With the area only lightly defended with a few field fortifications it was taken easily. Gauhati, with no walls, was taken instantly by a combined force of Harayuk and Chalukya. What merchant ships that weren't captured, fled to Kweiling.

THE MIET-SI EMPIRE OF PAKXE
Guieu Anh, Emperor of Mietsi
Diplomacy: None
     Assassins in the north might not have found Phan Jainan, but they did find Guieu Anh. Fortunately the work of his doctors saved his life and he was only wounded. It didn't take long to figure out who was responsible...

     Invasion from Tongking 1517
     Vhoi Tien led two thousand marines on a surpise attack on Hainan and a subsequent assault on Bao Chao. He next to be seen at the head of more than 30,000 Tongking and Chekiang warriors in April 1519 at the head waters of the Mekong. It was at this point that Vhoi Tien decided to entrench. His allies had already lost their primary general, Tong Qui in the crossing through the Annamite Chain. He was replaced in the field by a Pu Shoubing, while another lieutenant was promoted in the field. At the end of the year, Pu Shoubing died. Both men were very old and wise generals. Time will tell how their replacements measure up, even though communications are strained because of the mountains and the fact that they are relying on the good will of Tonking to pass along their supplies.

IL SINDACATO GRANDE ORIENTALE COMMÉRCIO (Republic of Portale D'Oro)
Don Santino Carpachi, Il Doge della Portale D'Oro
Diplomacy: Kedah(t) Kweiling(f)
Capitalization: Angor(ma) Lin'an(ma) Chang'an(bo)
     Don Santino shut down the factory in Bur Sudan and made a deal with the Dai Viet for partial ownership of Kedah and Kweiling. Arriving later in the summer of 1519, he discovered that the government of Kedah was a newly independant bunch and very happy to do business with such an enlightened diplomat and ruler.
     Such a happy ending was not the case in Polonarva. Nicole Bartolli met with the mayor, wined and dined with him for several weeks, all on the Sindacato dime. The mayor smiled and enjoyed all of it. Expecting a new factory or something, he was very confused when Nicole pulled out a tax plan for him to sign, sighting many deeds and allegiances the people of Polonarva have with the Chalukya Kingdom. Indeed, taxes had just gone out this afternoon... Later it was discovered that Mario suffered an 'accident' in the back country of Seylan. His body was not recovered, but Lorenzo found the war fleet just off the coast. With it he sailed on the Persian Gulf looking for Burning Sword vessals to sink, then wintering in the Goa factory.
     Saladora sailed off the eastern edge of the world.

THE VIET VICEROYALTY OF MAKASSAR
Zhen Xiao, Viceroy of Makassar
Diplomacy: No Effect
     Missionaries were very successful in Burma, but Sumatra the Ugly was more successful at strengthening the Leyte people's resolve that they are pagans. Horses, imagine the Makassar with HORSES! Quake in fear... Conduits and Navigation skills improved as well.

China

THE KINGDOM OF TONGKING
Vhoi Tien, Wang Tong King
Diplomacy: At the point of our spears!
     Vhoi Tien went to war with the Miet-si Empire [See Invasion from Tongking]. Late in 1519, Vhoi Juman, heir apparent to the Wang Tong throne died after several months of coughing and finally, or so the court physicians report, appearing to drown in a combination of vomit and blood.

THE MAHIYANA BUDDHIST MISSION
Kong Asuang, 2nd Host of the Longevity Buddha
Consecration: Lin'an(mn) Yixing(mn) Chang'An(mn) Sum(mn) Sarchou(mn)
     All of the churches in the Miet-Si and Dai Monphu districts closed due to lack of support from Chienkang. In an uncharacteristic flurry of activity Kong's ministers were seen blessing new monasteries in some of the largest cities in the Hidden Dragon and Ciao Zhong Kingdoms. It is rumored that religious influence and power are on the rise in the middle kingdom.
     Kong gained more government to loan.

THE HIDDEN DRAGON OF CHEKIANG
Quan Gui, Celestial Emperor of Chekiang
Diplomacy: None
     The great expeditionary Treasure Fleet of some 240 ships, 7,200 troops and 10,000 sailors, and a whole load of colonists and laborers led by Shan Feng and Jak Chan set off from Lin'An. Their destinaiton: the great island of Mindanao. Their Mission: to claim it for the Emperor of China. The island was conquered and settled with clockwork efficiency.
     The treasuries were emptied as massive improvements to wilderness regions were implemented, as well as investments in the government and military, and temples. Nothing is neglected, even the Empress is attended to! Quan Gui sired three daughters in succession. Massive grain shipments were sent north to Zhong Ciao.
     General Tong Led the Southern Expedition and placed the forces at the disposal of the Emperor of Tongking in his conquest against Miet-Si. General Pu acts as 2nd in command. [See Invasion from Tongking]
     Quan Gui, always one to keep up with the Zhongs, increased his government as well as his naval prowess, including boom sticks. The entire investigation team got their annual budget and then some.

THE CIAO ZHONG CHINESE KINGDOM
Hei Pi, The Mad, King of the Northern Prefectures
Diplomacy: None
     Bandao and Jehol were completely cultivated, while in Mudan and Ningsia progress was made. Extremely large trade fleets and fishing fleets filled the ports on the Huang Ho and the Bo Hai. Hei Pi gained an heir in 1517. Zizao felt like he was wasting his time in Tunhuang. Hei Pi pulled Zhi Mei off the admin hill and sent in the rookie Lao Che. He soon found that this was an even worse idea. Dom Che tried his hand at teaching Budhism to the Langshan - at least the natives didn't try to kill him. Hei Pi would probably be the best suited to that task due to his dazzling white teeth.
     Fliers were sent out to the neighboring kingdoms proclaiming that the famine in the Northern Prefectures was just a fable, wasn't really happening. Ordos withdrew their alliance and Yumen threw off their claimed status.
     Infrastructure is all the rage.

Japan

THE NIHON EMPIRE
Showa I, 89th Emperor of Nihon, Descendent of Amaterasu
Diplomacy: Hokkaido(t) Mantap(a)
     Showa married a nice local lass, had a traditional wedding, and had a cute daughter all in 1517. He continued the religious conversions of several provinces. Hokkaido and Mantap completely converted to Shinto. Silla would have allied if it weren't for the fact that as pagans, they can't see an alliance with such an orthodoxed Empire. Showa renamed all of the cities on the mainland to be more orthodox.
     Not to be outdone by any mainlanders, Showa increased his infrastructure as well.

Australia

THE VAKAS IMPERIUM OF THE AKETTA
Vakas Afangoo II, Sorceror-King of the Aketta
Diplomacy: None
     The Vakas hunted goanna and flung dung at each other.

Pacifica

THE EMPIRE OF THE STORM
Thunderhead, Storm King, Emperor of the Middle Kingdom
Diplomacy: None
     Ko and Haharua had a daughter in 1517, but Ko died during the birth. The child survived. Due to the famine, Taranaki and Waverider revolted.

The NEW WORLD

THE GREAT DEATH UNLEASHED (1416-?)

Western North America

THE MANITOWISH EMPIRE
Yellowfeet, Master of the Manitowish Empire
Diplomacy: None
     Yellowfeet built the port village of Sekiu in Chehalis and started his own family with a daughter and a son. Ships were sent off to trade with the Nydanians.

THE COLONY OF NYDANIA
Hamlet II, Konik von Nydanland
Diplomacy: Serrano(a)
     The King continued his program of encouraging peaceful relations with the native population of this new land, by shortening the name of his realm to a simple, "Nydania". This was done after a native emissary, in an audience with His Majesty, bit his tongue three times, trying to pronounce "Cnorig". He continued to expand his family, a son in 1518, and another daughter a year later. The natives of Yuma fully embraced Roman Catholicism.

THE POPOCELOTL KINGDOM
Uictolio, King of the Smoke Jaguars
Diplomacy: Hohokam(ea)
     Uictolio found that he must drop some regions in order to reduce his workload. Karankawa, Concho, and Salinin were let go. He finished the work on Hohokam and Mogollon and started work on the cultivation of Chiricaua. Geronimo took a wife in Hohokam and produced an heir right away.

Eastern North America

THE ILLINOIS CONFEDERATION
Mark Skywalker, Great Liege of the Ancient People
Diplomacy: None
     Mark invested in trade and internal improvements.

THE ADENA EMPIRE
Benko Lawenro, Great OLD Chief of Adena
Diplomacy: Miami(a)
     Old Benko eyed his neighbors with suspician, but otherwise the old coot enjoyed life, so much so that he more children.

BONNY KINGDOM OF MERCAIN
Malcolm IV, Elder King of the Land, Sword of the Vanished Tribes
Diplomacy: None
     Lord Grallon went to pick up a few cavalry to bring them to Malcolm, who still isn't able to have anything but girls. Lord Niarl spent his time converting Wyandot.

THE BLESSED COUNTRY OF KORNLAND
Hector Simonsen, Jarl of Kornland, Sachem of Chowan, Keeper of the Faith
Diplomacy: None
     Augustin sold Wenro back to Adena to cover the costs of his army, who had demanded more money because they fought in the war, even if they did lose. He returned home in time to have his family at his death bed.

Central America

THE OAXACA EMPIRE
Coatlamoc, King of Oaxaca, Lord of the Maya, Master of the Otomi, Leader of the Quetzal World, Emperor of Mexico
Diplomacy: None
     Coatlamoc widened the goat trails from the homeland to the peaceful waters. He left to go pick up some men from Otomi and returned to find Vonteatl screwing around while he was supposed to be, like good Quetezal. Coatlamoc is able to control the Empire a little easier.

Western South America

THE INKA KINGDOM
Flutie Flakes, Coca Mogul
Diplomacy: None
     Flutie had twins! Adding another leader to the mix helps a little, but Vitamin still sucks. What really would do the trick is monolithic constructions: Project initiated to have two postal roads upgraded and one royal road built. Sonny finally thought he felt the magic prize at the bottom of the box, but it was too late...
     The plague hit the northern and eastern provinces. The runners who informed Sonny inadvertantly spread the disease through the capital. Once it was in the capital, people were dying and then trying to leave the cities; the people in the country were trying to get to the cities where they heard some people were living... Sonny felt that he was ready for the creeping death, but when it hit home, he found he was not. In 1518 he died (see? all that good food didn't do you a lick of good did it, sonny?). Chimu reverted to wilderness. Count Chocula died as well. In the chaos, more than half of the nation revolted, not that there were that many people left anyway. The Flutie twins were born, post pox.

THE WAJ MAPU CHE
Lord King Aragu, sovereign over the Four Parts of the Earth
Diplomacy: Huilliche(f) Ancud(a)
     Aragu decided to let Tupungato go, while he allowed Atacama, Coquimbo, Pichunche, and Puelche tax breaks.

Amazonia & Eastern South America

THE EMIRAT OF ALAGOAS
Lijima Abdallah, Emperor of the Paraiba, Emir of Alagoas
Diplomacy: None
     Lijima started cultivating Camacan, still waiting for the dreaded plague to hit his fair nation, but still not trading with anyone but Tupinamba. Even that trade was monitored by admiral Curtor. Lijima finally crowned himself Emperor of the Paraiba.

THE TUPINAMBA EMPIRE
Corn Flower, Top Tupi Tribesman
Diplomacy: None
     Corn Flower crowned his son heir and his younger brother prince, concentrated on his core regions and became and Empire. Arana and Guarani stopped paying taxes, while Chulu, Lengua, and Toba withdrew their armies from service. All available generals and family members were put on administration duties. It seemed that Lime and Bluebell were slackers, and the heir was just new, that's all, really.

Average Horde Pop: 6.0           Increase from Last turn: 8%

The Angaraland Horde rumbles to seek glory with close to a forty thousand men.
The Tara Horde roars to life with more than a twenty thousand men.